Chapter Text
-It was that time of the year again, Gintoki observed, watching Shouyou cheerfully fumble decorations up onto the walls.
-That morning when he woke up, it was to his teacher’s delight to announce that they’ll be throwing the silver boy a birthday party, even getting Zura and the midget to help him prepare everything.
-It was a no school day, so they have the classroom all to themselves, giving the trio ample time to get everything ready while Gintoki just sits in the corner because Zura said that’s what birthday boys should do.
-Honestly, it was really boring.
-In his previous 3 birthdays, it was just him and Shouyou, folding paper flowers and writing up invitations for guest that never gets sent. Now it’s Shouyou and the two boys that joined them a few months ago, hanging up the paper decorations and cleaning the classroom for his birthday.
-Even Takasugi was being pretty amicable about it, complaining a little bit but still sitting on the floor patiently making cranes and butterflies with colorful sheets of paper that the stationary shop in town gifted Shouyou for his relatively cheap tuition fee-that is to say, he doesn’t charge any.
-Contrary to Takasugi’s quiet complaints, Zura was just bursting with excited praise for Gintoki’s existence-even though October 10th was very likely not the day the silver kid was born.
-The studious child was energetically molding rice balls; Plain ones, plum filled, salmon, tuna, a great variety of fillings, all packed into a ball of rice and seaweed. Gintoki tried to sneak a bite out of them earlier, (“It’s my birthday so let me have a bite”) but was promptly stopped by Zura, (“We have to make sure there’s enough for everyone first.”)
-The organizer of the man himself, Shouyou, was calmly pasting the origami crafts onto the walls of the classroom, which had already been cleaned and prepared beforehand while the trio of boys were still asleep. He held a big smile on his face, just like he always did on Gintoki’s birthday.
-”Why don’t you take a walk and invite some other people?” Shouyou asked, “Oh, and pick up the cake too.”
-Gintoki agreed, having felt restless with nothing to do. Sure, he loved not having to do anything on an average day, but October 10th was not an average day.
-It was the most special day. The day the boy decided to be his birthday, and started to feel just a little less like a nobody kid, and more like somebody with Shouyou; because only somebodies have birthdays.
-He walked down the long road to the main part of town, taking a moment to feel the cool autumn breeze and listened to leaves when they got crushed under his feet as he went. It felt awfully reminiscent of the time he spent simply walking alongside his teacher, traveling around for the right place and time to settle down.
-The town edge came into view, a few townsfolk waved the boy with gentle familiarity as he walked around.
-There had been less men around these past few days, many had taken up arms for war. A somber air lingered around the wives whose husbands have left them, or the grandmothers whose sons have gone away, hidden behind a facade of soft smiles and candy drops as they focused their energy into taking care of the young children that have been left behind.
-The baker was one such woman, perking up from where she sat in front of the bakery as she noticed the silver headed boy in the distance.
-”Happy birthday,” She said, “You’re here to pick up the cake?”
-Gintoki gave her a big thumbs up and she smiled, heading into the shop.
-The boy followed after her.
-The sweet smell of sugar made the silvery child drool almost immediately, as he took the time to browse the baked goods the baker had on display.
-Melon bread, anpan, and cakes of all sizes. The best place in the entire town is obviously the bakery. That, and the confectioner’s a little further down...and the dango stand and the taiyaki stand, but that’s besides the point; it’s good food.
-The baker returned with the cake, a simple sponge cake topped with whip cream and strawberries, but it looked absolutely delicious. She carefully wrapped it up in a box and handed it to him.
-”Here you go, have a nice birthday!” She told him, and he was back outside holding something he desperately wanted to eat. He shouldn’t, but the weight was a heavy reminder of how much he wanted to.
-He peeked into the bag right as a voice piped up behind him.
-”The hell are you doing?” Takasugi asked, “You were told to pick it up, not to eat it.”
-Gintoki huffed and said, “It’s fine isn’t it? It’s my birthday after all.”
-Takasugi sighed and told him, “This is why I told Shouyou-sensei not to have you go pick it up, if I didn’t follow you, you would’ve probably eaten most of it.”
-”Do you have so little faith in me?”
-”Honestly? Yes.” The runt said matter-so-factly. “C’mon, let’s hurry back.”
-”Who said you could order me around?!”
-Gintoki walked back anyway, determined to be the first person back before Takasugi. The pair started to speed walk before breaking into a run, as they headed on back to the school where their teacher and fellow student were waiting for them.
-As was usual, Gintoki got there first, much to his smug attitude.
-”I guess your legs were just a bit too short to beat me.”
-Shouyou emerged from the entryway with a light-hearted chuckle.
-”So much energy, I sure hope the cake is alright after all that.” He said.
-The preparations were done now, and it was time to celebrate.
-The rice balls Zura made were nice and savory, they made for a good lunch under the changing autumn leaves. The cake lived through the experience, the whip cream was just a little bit messed up, but it was still great. He got a present from Shouyou, new clothes for the changing seasons, and overall had a decent time.
-It wasn’t really anything special, but sitting outside with Takasugi and Zura on his birthday was a new experience. Perhaps next time, he’ll try and invite some of the other students of Shoka Sonjuku to come and join him.