I woke up to the sound of music.
Not the kind with drums or loud stuff. It was soft—like a flute—and it was coming from outside.
I jumped out of bed and ran to the window. The sun was shining, the sky was super blue, and there were paper flags blowing in the wind. Red, white, and blue ones. My favorite.
Today wasn't just any day.
Today was my birthday.
And not just any birthday either.
I was turning five.
Mama helped me get ready. She put me in my favorite shirt—the black one with the little red swirl on the sleeve—and brushed my hair all nice. Papa tied my sandals tighter than usual, "so you don't trip while running around like a wild animal," he said.
I smiled so big my cheeks started to hurt.
When we walked outside, there were tables set up in the village square. Everyone was already there. Kids were laughing, playing tag, and kicking a ball around. Grown-ups were talking and carrying food from house to house.
And in the middle of it all… was a big banner that said:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOI!!"
I gasped. "You guys did all this… for me?!"
Papa smiled. "Of course. You only turn five once."
Mama leaned down and kissed my cheek. "Now go have fun, birthday boy."
I ran off to play with the other kids. There was Kenji, who's super fast and always wins races. There was Ami, who makes funny faces that always make me laugh. And there was Yuna, who gave me a flower she picked from her mom's garden.
"I saved the prettiest one for you," she said, holding it out.
"Thanks!" I said, my ears getting kinda warm.
We played tag, hide-and-seek, and even tried to build another snow ninja like Snowruto, but it was spring now, and the snow was mostly gone. So we made a mud ninja instead. He didn't look as cool, but we laughed a lot making him.
There was food everywhere. Mama made her special dumplings, and other parents brought rice balls, grilled fish, and even sweet cakes. Papa made something with meat and noodles. I didn't know what it was called, but I ate three bowls of it.
"Slow down or you'll pop," he said, laughing.
"But it's so gooood," I said with my mouth full.
When the sun started going down, Papa lit little lanterns all around the square. They glowed orange and made everything look warm and shiny.
Then came cake.
Mama carried it out herself. It had white frosting, strawberries on top, and a little candy kunai in the middle.
Everyone sang the birthday song. I closed my eyes and made a big wish.
Then I blew out all five candles in one breath.
Later, after everyone had gone home and the village was quiet again, we walked back to the house. I was tired, but my heart felt full. I couldn't stop smiling.
Mama helped me wash up and change into pajamas. Papa folded my birthday banner and said we could hang it in my room tomorrow.
Just as I was about to climb into bed, Papa said, "Wait. One more thing."
He walked over with something in his hands. A small wooden box.
Mama smiled and sat on the edge of the bed.
"This is your last present of the day, Koi," she said softly.
I reached out and took it. The box was smooth, with a little red ribbon tied around it. I untied it slowly and lifted the lid.
Inside was the coolest thing I'd ever seen.
It was a black kunai. Not just any kunai—it was shiny, polished, and had a little red tail thing at the bottom, almost like a keychain. It swung when I lifted it up, and it made a tiny clink sound when it moved.
My mouth opened wide. "Wooooah…"
"It's not for throwing," Papa said. "Not yet, anyway. It's special. It's yours."
I looked up. "Is this… a ninja weapon?"
Mama nodded. "And now that you're five, it means something. It means it's time to begin your training."
My eyes got huge.
"For real?!"
"For real," Papa said. "We'll start slow. Just the basics. No fireballs or shadow clones yet."
"But I wanna learn fireballs!" I laughed, holding the kunai to my chest.
Mama chuckled. "You'll get there. One step at a time."
I jumped forward and wrapped my arms around both of them.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" I said, squeezing tight. "I'm gonna be the coolest ninja ever!"
"We know," Mama whispered, kissing the top of my head.
Papa gave my hair a ruffle. "Just remember… no shortcuts. A true ninja trains hard and never gives up."
"I won't," I promised.
After they tucked me in and turned off the lights, I couldn't fall asleep right away. My eyes kept looking at the ceiling. My hands were still holding the kunai box under the blanket.
I sat up and peeked out the window.
The sky was full of stars. So many. Some twinkled. Some just stared back like little eyes.
I smiled and whispered, "I'm gonna be strong. Like the ninja in the stories."
I laughed to myself, thinking about jumping from rooftops, saving people, and learning jutsu that could blow away trees.
I didn't know how long it would take.
But I knew this was only the beginning.
And I couldn't wait.