At the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Mrs. Yamanaka sat by the storefront, glancing at the sky. It was getting late. Why hadn't they come back yet?
A trace of worry crept into her heart until, moments later, she spotted her daughter in the distance. Ino was being carried on the back of a boy Kairi Shinatokawa, if she recalled correctly. The sight made her pause. Had something happened? Did Ino hurt her leg?
With that thought, she quickly stepped out of the shop to meet them.
"Mom! I'm home!" Ino called out brightly as soon as she saw her. Kairi gently set her down.
Seeing that her daughter wasn't injured, Mrs. Yamanaka breathed a small sigh of relief. Then she frowned slightly.
"Ino, you shouldn't let someone else carry you like that."
"Ugh, but I couldn't walk anymore," Ino whined, putting on her best spoiled-daughter tone.
"You couldn't walk? I bet you were just fooling around too much on the way," her mother replied knowingly.
Ino turned away with a guilty flush on her cheeks, not bothering to argue. She'd clearly been caught red-handed.
"I'm sorry to trouble you," Mrs. Yamanaka said to Kairi, surprised that the boy didn't seem the least bit winded. He's got good stamina, she noted.
"It wasn't any trouble. I should be the one thanking Ino for showing me the way," Kairi replied politely.
"See, Mom? Even Kairi says so," Ino added quickly, feeling a sudden rush of appreciation for him.
Mrs. Yamanaka gave her daughter a playful glare, then turned back to Kairi with a smile.
"No need to be so formal. Just call this girl Ino. All right, give me a moment. I'll dress it up for you. Don't say no."
Kairi paused for a moment, then nodded. Since she'd put it that way, he didn't feel he could refuse.
Soon, Mrs. Yamanaka returned holding a bouquet of beautifully arranged carnations.
Kairi blinked in surprise. Didn't I just buy a single flower?
"Here you go," she said, noticing his confusion. "Consider the rest a birthday gift from me and Ino to your mother."
"Yeah! Take it," Ino chimed in with a grin.
"…Thank you." Kairi accepted the flowers and gave a small bow. "Then I'll take my leave."
"See you tomorrow at school!" Ino called, waving her hand.
"Yeah. See you."
Mrs. Yamanaka stood with Ino, watching Kairi walk away. A thoughtful look crept onto her face.
"What a good kid," she murmured. Then her expression turned a little strange. But... he doesn't feel like a child.
A second later, she laughed at her own thoughts. What else would Ino's classmate be if not a child? An adult? Ridiculous.
Still chuckling, she took Ino's hand and led her back into the shop. Even if Kairi didn't mind, she felt a need to lecture her daughter. It wasn't right to waste someone's time like that and then make them carry you on top of it.
That night, Mrs. Yamanaka recounted the day's events to her husband, Inoichi, who had just returned home from work.
After listening, Inoichi seemed thoughtful.
"I think I know who he is. He might be the son of one of my old classmates," he said.
That piqued her interest. "Really? Tell me more."
After a moment's thought, he replied, "Both his parents were in my class. But his father passed away before he was born, I believe. As for his mother, I think she works at the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant. Since we know her, we should help out where we can. From what I've heard, she's a diligent worker and never caused any trouble."
"I see…" Mrs. Yamanaka nodded in understanding. "No wonder he's so mature."
"You really seem to like that boy," Inoichi observed, amused.
"Well, of course. Who wouldn't like a well-mannered child?"
Meanwhile, at Kairi's home.
The cake was already placed on the table, and the house had been tidied earlier in the day. All that was left was for his mother to return.
Thinking of that, Kairi formed a hand seal again.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
The clone met his gaze, then turned and left the house its task was to scout the area and check if his mother was on her way back. Once the clone dispelled itself, Kairi would receive the memory instantly and light the candles.
As for waiting until midnight for the celebration? That wasn't necessary.
A little while later, a stream of memories entered his mind. The shadow clone had seen Sina Shinatokawa returning and had canceled itself.
Kairi opened the cake box everything inside was still in perfect condition. He lit the candles.
Glancing around the still-brightly lit room, he paused in thought, then walked over and drew the curtains shut. Now, with only the flickering glow of candlelight, the atmosphere was just right.
Sina, on the other hand, was making her way home as usual, absentmindedly thinking about what to cook for dinner. The fact that today was a special day had completely slipped her mind.
After all, it had been years since she'd celebrated this particular day. She'd long since stopped keeping track of it.
Hmm… Little Kairi is attending the academy now, so he must be using up more energy than before. I should make him something hearty.
Having settled on her plan, Sina arrived at the front door. Seeing it closed, she didn't think much of it Kairi might still be outside playing.
She pulled out her key, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
Then she froze.
The room was dim, lit only by the warm flicker of candlelight. At the center of the glow was something she hadn't seen in years a birthday cake. And the only one who could've prepared this…
"Happy birthday, Mom," Kairi said gently, holding out a bouquet of flowers with a smile.
Sina stared blankly at the flowers, slowly reaching out to accept them, her mind blank.
"Come over and make a wish, then blow out the candles," Kairi urged softly, glancing at the flickering flames.
The next thing he knew, she had pulled him into a tight hug. He felt the wetness on his shoulder and blinked in surprise.
Even with more than twenty years of past life experience under his belt, Kairi couldn't quite understand why tears, at a time like this? He knew enough to recognize them as tears of joy, but could one birthday really make someone this happy?
Still, while he didn't fully understand, he knew one thing for certain right now, the best thing he could do was stay still and let her cry.
As he held his mother, Kairi made a quiet decision: every year, on this day, he would be here to spend it with her.
Sina wasn't crying because of a cake. The moment Kairi wished her happy birthday seeing the flowers he'd prepared years of pressure, the weight of raising a child alone, all of it seemed to melt away. And in their place was a perfect, simple answer.
Her persistence had been worth it. Her sacrifices were not in vain. She was glad she hadn't given up. Glad she hadn't followed her husband into death and left Kairi alone. And even more thankful that her son had grown up so considerate and kind. If he had been a difficult child, she might not have made it.
These tears were the release of years of pain and effort. Tears of joy that came from finally seeing the meaning behind it all.
Everything in the past had already passed. From now on, she just wanted to watch her son grow up safe and strong.
Time passed, and Kairi remained still, waiting patiently until his mother's emotions settled. But as he glanced at the candles, he finally spoke.
"Mom, the candles are almost burned out."
"I already made my wish," Sina said gently, finally letting go. "And it already came true."
"…Then how about making one more? One that hasn't come true yet," Kairi offered after thinking for a moment.
Sina laughed, then nodded. "All right."
She stepped up to the cake, closed her eyes for a moment, and then blew out the nearly spent candles.
May my dear Kairi live a long, safe life, find a kind and beautiful girlfriend… and maybe even give me a fat little grandson while I'm still around to see it.