Naruto felt the wind brush against his face as he was lifted high into the air, carried by the students cheering around him.
His body descended, eyes closed in pure joy, before many hands caught him gently. After a few more rounds of tossing him up and down, they finally placed him back on the ground. Naruto trembled slightly and turned away, unable to meet anyone's gaze.
Kiba was the first to notice, grinning as he nudged Naruto's shoulder with his elbow.
"What's wrong? Surprised? Feeling like crying from happiness, huh?"
Naruto turned toward him, eyes shimmering with tears.
"Who's crying, you idiot?!"
Kiba blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing, patting Naruto's shoulder while the others laughed around them.
That was when Naruto sensed someone approaching fast. He looked up to see Sakura running toward him. Startled, he barely had time to react before she threw herself into his arms, saying in a tone Naruto couldn't quite read,
"Happy birthday, my dear Naruto!"
A broad smile spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around her affectionately.
"Thank you, dear Sakura…"
Applause broke out around them. Everyone clapped with cheerful smiles, while Kiba wiped his eyes dramatically.
"You bastard! Now's not the time for flirting!"
Naruto and Sakura pulled apart awkwardly, and the students dragged Naruto toward the school to continue the celebration inside. The auditorium tables were loaded with all kinds of food, and a massive cake stood at the center—Naruto was given the honor of cutting the first slice before everyone joined in.
Everyone crowded around to get their share. In the back stood Sasuke, watching the scene with mixed feelings. He sighed softly and followed them quietly—until he felt a hand slip around his arm. Turning, he found Ino smiling up at him, her expression affectionate and teasing.
"What's wrong, jealous? Don't worry, I'll make sure your birthday party outshines this one, my dear jealous boy…"
Sasuke chuckled, leaned down, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, leaving the blonde flushed bright red. Then he tapped her forehead gently with his fingers.
"You're such a cute girl… I love you."
He walked off with his hands in his pockets, while Ino puffed her cheeks and touched her forehead, still blushing furiously.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
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The celebration lasted the whole day, leaving Naruto stunned that Shino and the others had managed to pull something like this off.
But the more he thought about it, the more he suspected the Uzumaki clan's hand in it—only a powerful clan like his could have swayed the school like this. Perhaps Kiba and Sakura had teamed up with his cousins Tera and Yuha to make it happen?
He didn't think about it too deeply. It was his day, and he intended to enjoy it. The rest of the school day felt more like a festival than anything else.
After a while, Naruto excused himself to use the restroom.
Sakura stood by one of the tables, chatting with Ino and Karin when someone approached them. Sakura turned her head to see who it was—and froze in mild surprise.
"Hello, girls," said a blonde with a small smile. "You seem to be having a good time, but I need a few words with Miss Sakura, if you don't mind."
"Ino…" Sakura muttered.
Ino, the school's social butterfly, recognized her instantly.
" huh? Oh—you're Sasuke's girlfriend, right? Pleasure to meet you! Ino, isn't it? The rumors about your beauty seem to be true after all~"
Shion chuckled, while Sakura crossed her arms with a cool tone.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"It's… a sensitive matter. Better discussed in private." Shion brushed her golden hair aside with arrogance. Sakura sighed. "Fine then."
"See you later, girls~" Shion waved sweetly to Ino and Karin before following Sakura out of the classroom.
As Sakura walked ahead, Shion's expression hardened, her eyes glinting with hostility. But before she could act on the murderous intent building inside her, Sakura spoke without even turning around.
"You should tone down that killing intent—you look like you'd stab me if you had a knife."
The chill in Sakura's voice sent shivers down Shion's spine. Compared to the pampered girl who only knew luxury and indulgence, Sakura was someone who'd seen and learned real combat. The difference between them was vast.
They stopped in a deserted hallway. Sakura turned around, voice sharp.
"Get to the point, Shion."
Shion rolled her eyes, ignoring her earlier intimidation, and smirked as she put a hand on her hip, pointing a finger at Sakura.
"Fine. Neither of us likes the other, so I'll be blunt. I want you to cut your ties with Naruto—because I'm after him."
Sakura blinked, lowering her head slightly as she let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. Then she stepped closer—so close their chests brushed, making Shion flinch and take two steps back. Sakura's playful smile had vanished, replaced by an expression of pure fury.
"If that's all you came to say, then get lost. And don't let me see your face again—while I'm still being nice."
Shion's eyes darkened, her voice cold as she poked a finger against Sakura's chest.
"A cow like you who does nothing but flaunt those massive melons to seduce people shouldn't be playing with what she can't handle. Naruto's not someone for trash like you, you whore."
Sakura shoved her away with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.
"Jealous much?"
Then she pressed a finger against Shion's forehead with quiet menace.
"Girls like you don't realize what kind of fire they're playing with. So let me warn you once, Shion—if I so much as smell you near my man, you'll be begging for death."
She pushed her finger a little harder, making Shion stumble back and fall onto her backside, humiliated.
Sakura stood over her with cold eyes.
"Was that clear enough, bitch?"
Shion trembled, unable to answer. Sakura smirked darkly and walked away without another word.
Humiliation burned through Shion's face. She'd never been defeated so disgracefully in her life. Biting her nail, she seethed.
"How dare she… that damned cow…"
She kicked a nearby box, sending it clattering loudly across the floor, then whispered venomously,
"Fine… you asked for it. I'll crush you, Sakura Haruno. I don't care who your clan is—even if it costs me my life, I'll take yours."
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Sakura returned to Ino and Karin with a calm expression, rubbing her forehead like she had a headache.
"What happened?" Karin asked dryly.
"Oh, Shion started spouting some nonsense, so I put her in her place and came back."
Ino gasped, covering her mouth.
"You sent her to the hospital, didn't you?"
"What do you take me for, a gorilla?"
"Aren't you though?!"
"I'll hit you, idiot!"
Sakura lunged at her as Ino playfully clung to Karin, fake-crying,
"The gorilla's trying to hurt me! Save me, Lady Karin~"
"Fine, then I'll send you to the hospital instead!" Sakura shouted with mock fury and chased her. Ino ran at full speed, laughing—their usual daily antics.
The boys nearby didn't even bother to look; this scene had become a daily routine.
"But seriously," Naruto said later, "I still can't believe you guys pulled this off without me knowing! Since when have you been planning it? And how did you even convince Principal Hiruzen to let you turn the day into a festival?"
"Well, we got some help from certain influential people," Shikamaru replied lazily. "The principal was actually pretty supportive—mostly because he saw the budget increase, I think. It was a pain to organize in just one week though."
He looked at Naruto, adding,
"As for the support, well, Kiba said he knew some people—and I guess he actually managed to convince them. Didn't know you had such connections, Kiba."
Kiba puffed out his chest proudly.
"All thanks to Immoral Scarlet!"
"Oh… I see now." Naruto finally pieced it together—of course, Aila must've been the link.
Shikamaru smirked but said nothing.
"We also owe Sasuke some thanks," Kiba added. "His family's influence helped us get extra supplies."
Sasuke simply nodded. "It wasn't much."
Naruto smiled warmly. "I see…"
He'd thought Sasuke was drifting away from them lately—but he'd been wrong, after all.
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After more chatting, the grand party finally ended. Students worked together to clean the school, and by evening, everyone was heading home one by one.
Only Naruto and Sakura remained, standing by their classroom door.
"The day's finally over," Naruto said softly with a smile.
Sakura nodded, about to speak—but he beat her to it.
"Thank you… everyone."
She looked at him. Naruto stared ahead dreamily.
"I never expected, not even for a moment, to have a birthday like this. It's unbelievable… I feel like I don't deserve it."
Sakura listened quietly.
"But saying that would just cheapen what you all did for me," Naruto continued, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm really happy. I feel like the luckiest person in the world."
Her lips curved in a gentle smile.
"For me, I think you deserve it, Naruto. If it were up to me, I'd have thrown an even grander party—but I wanted one we could all prepare together. That was my wish… as everyone's friend."
Naruto's heart gave a quiet thump when he felt her hand touch his arm. He turned, face flushed.
"S–Sakura?"
"That was my wish as a friend," she said softly. "But… I also have selfish wishes of my own. So, Naruto… let me give you the gift I prepared—my special, selfish gift."
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They now stood in front of a traditional Japanese-style house bearing the elegant crest of the Haruno family—a circle of blossoms.
Naruto's heart pounded wildly as countless thoughts raced through his mind. Was this that moment? The one he'd dreamed about for years?
He mentally slapped himself for thinking something so indecent and followed her inside.
"My parents are away on a work trip for a few days," Sakura said quietly. "So no one's home. You can relax."
His pulse quickened. They removed their shoes, and she led him down the hall in silence until they stopped in front of her room.
She opened the door slightly, whispering,
"Come in."
He obeyed. The lights were off. Confused, Naruto turned.
"Sakura?"
Then he saw her. She was already inside—walking toward him slowly, holding a small white cake decorated with red patterns and a single strawberry on top.
In the dim light, only the candle's flame illuminated her face as she began to hum the birthday song softly.
Tears welled in Naruto's eyes as he watched her smiling gently, the glow of the candle dancing across her features.
"Happy birthday… Naruto," she whispered. "This is my selfish gift to you. I made it myself."
Naruto's tears spilled freely. He blew out the candle and murmured,
"Thank you… Sakura."
The lights came on. They sat together, sharing the small cake. When they finished, Sakura reached into her desk drawer and took out a small, heart-shaped box—pink and black with red ribbons.
Standing before him, her expression grew tender and serious.
"You've been my dear childhood friend—my greatest support all these years. You stood by me through everything. Honestly, without you, I don't think I'd have made it this far."
"Sakura…"
"You supported my love for years, even at the cost of your own feelings. You gave me all your time, always putting yourself last. Even when I wasn't a good friend, even when I took advantage of you, you were there. You helped me, saved me… and freed me. You gave me the strength to move forward."
Her cheeks flushed. Naruto listened, overwhelmed.
"For someone like me—who used you, toyed with you—I never deserved the love you gave me. I used to wonder if I was even worthy of it. Could I allow myself to love you back?"
Naruto froze, heart hammering.
"I thought I couldn't… that I shouldn't. I wanted to atone instead. But I couldn't stop myself from wanting you. No matter how much I tried—I couldn't."
Tears streamed down Sakura's face as she closed her eyes.
"So… if it's okay with you, I want to be yours. And for you to be mine. Naruto… I've loved you for so long. I love you so much that I can't move forward without you by my side. Naruto, I love you… I want to be your girlfriend."
Naruto stood there in stunned silence, face burning red. Was this real? A dream?
Finally, in a trembling voice, he whispered,
"I–I… love you, Sakura. I've always loved you. With everything I am. I…"
He faltered, fumbling for words, eyes wet and frantic—
"I… Sakura… I feel the same way… I—"
But he didn't finish. Sakura had stepped forward and pressed her lips gently to his.
"Don't say anything more… Naruto…"
She rested her forehead against his, smiling warmly, her face as red as his. They gazed at each other and kissed again—deeply, passionately, lovingly.
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To Be Continued.