The Hidden Uchiha Gamer

(Akari's POV)

Children in the White Room weren't taught how to navigate the complexities of the outside world, but they were bound by an unyielding set of regulations. These rules were absolute, etched into the fabric of our lives, and remained unwavering even as we approached the latter half of our fifth year.

The mechanical chime of the timer was always punctual, its detached, monotone voice echoing through the sterile, white space: "It's time to get up."

Without hesitation, we stirred from our identical, rigidly aligned beds, our movements synchronized as though choreographed. Before we could fully rise, the staff entered—silent and methodical. Clad in pristine white lab coats, they moved with clinical precision, detaching the electrodes that monitored us through the night. Their hands were cold, their expressions colder.

Once freed from the tangle of wires, the next phase began. A thorough health inspection.

Our height, weight, and vitals were measured down to the decimal. They noted every anomaly, no matter how minute. We didn't speak or resist. This was routine. After the measurements were logged, we were ushered to the bathroom.

Urination wasn't just encouraged—it was mandatory. Once a month, urine samples and blood draws were conducted with detached efficiency, their needles precise and unyielding. The staff neither acknowledged our discomfort nor showed any sign of humanity.

By the time this step ended, the staff left the room just as silently as they had entered. Their absence was a fleeting relief.

Rehydration came next, followed by our first task of the day: a 30-minute warm-up. Push-ups, sit-ups, stretches—simple but rigidly regimented exercises. The staff recorded our performance metrics daily, logging grip strength, flexibility, and overall stamina. These records were scrutinized, analysed, and used to determine our individual quotas.

Quotas were not suggestions. They were non-negotiable targets. Failure to meet them resulted in punishment.

Breakfast arrived. Food wasn't food here—it was fuel. There was no taste, no variety. Blocks of dense, flavourless sustenance, paired with supplements, were our meals. Eating was functional, stripped of any notion of pleasure or comfort.

The idea of choosing what to eat was foreign. We consumed what was given in the exact order prescribed. It was efficient, nothing more, nothing less.

Lessons began.

Our education spanned far beyond conventional schooling. Japanese, English, and Russian were drilled into us with mechanical repetition, while mathematics, economics, and political theory consumed the rest of our mornings. There were no questions, no room for creativity—only answers. Breaks were brief, timed to the second, and served purely as a way to prevent physical burnout.

Lunch mirrored breakfast: the same nutrition blocks, the same silence, the same lack of choice. Sometimes the children around me would talk, their expressions full of life as if they hadn't been suffering from strenuous training. It was the one time the children of the White Room could form friends... that would disappear once the month was over.

The afternoons shifted focus. Here, refinement took precedence. Cultural education filled the hour—piano, violin, and guitar lessons; calligraphy; tea ceremonies; and flower arrangement. These were meant to mould us, to polish our edges until we fit their vision of perfection.

Physical training followed: martial arts, self-defence, swimming, and endurance exercises. Every movement, every technique, was dissected and corrected. Sometimes, we were placed in Virtual Reality machines, simulating scenarios from the outside world. Yet even these felt sterile and artificial, devoid of life's true unpredictability.

Sometimes the Instructors decided to test us on something else during this section.

On certain days, the afternoon ended with strategic games like Chess and Shogi. They weren't for leisure but for sharpening our ability to think several steps ahead.

By evening, we were drained. Dinner arrived, mirroring every meal that came before it. Some complained, some wanted to but understood that it wasn't worth it, and there was me, who no longer cared.

Bathing followed, where we scrubbed ourselves clean with freezing water under unfeeling supervision. Another round of physical evaluations ensued—each test meticulously recorded, every anomaly noted.

The day's final task was a review session with an instructor. For 30 minutes, we were allowed to speak, but only to discuss our results and evaluations. Even here, the boundaries were tight, deviations swiftly corrected. Idle chatter was inconceivable.

The day ended as it began, with silence and synchronization.

We visited the bathroom one final time, then lay in bed. By 10:00 PM, the electrodes were reattached, and the lights dimmed to the same sterile glow as always.

There were no weekends, no holidays, no celebrations. Birthdays were meaningless. Seasons passed without acknowledgment. Every day was a perfect replica of the last. Monotonous rarely changing with the introduction of a new curriculum every so often.

This was the White Room. A world that never changed. 

My eyes opened as I shifted out of my bed. The memory I had just relived was basically my day to day life inside the White Room. I yawned, blinking to adjust to the world around me as I stretched. Walking up to the dresser I put on more casual clothing.

Red shirt, blue trousers as it was October, brown shoes and of course the pin and hairclip I had always worn as proof of my bond with Shiina.

My heart fluttered as thoughts of her entered my mind, but I chose to ignore it for now since I had a routine to follow.

I did a few morning stretches to loosen my limbs up for a bit of training. 

It was October 9th, the day I turned 6, but of course I wasn't celebrating it. There wasn't much I could say about it, it would be weird celebrating my birthday, and as such I avoided all talk of it with Shiina, Naruto and Hinata.

It wasn't that I didn't want to celebrate; I did, but I had more pressing concerns than to waste time over something like that.

Today also was a free day for my little group. Which meant nobody should disturb me for self training today. I was going to work on starting my own information network today. That would be simple thanks to the skill I learned from practice.

Yeah, I actually practiced a Jutsu from memory of how it worked in the Manga and Light Novels. Mainly due to how invaluable the technique is when it comes to making an information network that I plan to create.

[Henge no Jutsu LVL 1/20: A fundamental Jutsu for Shinobi which allows you to alter your physical appearance, disguising yourself as another person, an animal, or an object. The transformation not only mimics the target's outward appearance but also grants the attributes and physical features of the assumed form, such as sharp claws, fangs, or the weight of an object. However, maintaining a flawless transformation requires both skill and concentration.

Hand Seals: Dog → Boar → Ram

It costs 50-150 Chakra per transformation scaling with complexity.]

Yeah, I needed this to work inside Konoha's criminal underworld as no place is safe from the criminal underworld.

A knock at my door distracted me from my thoughts.

Curious, I moved to open it, but I didn't have to move as an overly excited light blonde girl burst into my room exclaiming the words, "Akari! I'm kidnapping you today. No arguments."

What? I had to stifle a laugh at the sheer eccentricity of that statement coming from Shiina.

Her words were light-hearted, but they always managed to dismantle my carefully constructed defences. I blinked at her, processing her sudden entrance as she stood there with her hands on her hips, radiating confidence and mischief. She was dressed in casual attire: a lavender long-sleeved shirt and white shirts, her bow nestled perfectly in her hair. Her presence filled the room, as it always did, like a bright star illuminating the darkest of shadows.

"Kidnapping me?" I repeated, arching an eyebrow. "Do I even have a choice in this?"

Shiina grinned wider, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Nope! Absolutely not. You've been working too hard lately, and I'm officially declaring this an Akari Appreciation Day. So, get ready. We're leaving in five minutes."

I was going to protest, today I had a list of countless things I had planned for the day—training, preparation, working on my long-term goals—yet the way she looked at me, with such earnest determination, made it impossible to say no.

"You didn't even ask if I wanted to be 'appreciated,'" I muttered, though my voice lacked its usual sharpness.

Shiina waved me off, already turning toward my dresser and rummaging through it like she owned the place. "Oh, please. Of course, you want to. You just don't know it yet." She pulled out a dark blue jacket holding it up for inspection. "This'll do. It might get a little chilly later."

"Shiina, you can't just—"

"Yes, I can!" she interrupted, tossing the jacket onto my bed before spinning around to face me, her eyes sparkling. "Now hurry up, or we'll be late!"

"Late for what?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You haven't even told me where we're going."

Her grin turned sly, and she tapped a finger to her lips. "That's a surprise. But trust me, you'll love it."

Why did I have to fall for her? I think to myself, but then realised I did not mean that in the slightest. After all, Shiina made life more amusing even if I was frustrated about not being able to set my plans up, I decided to postpone them for this girl.

She was too important to me to not put her above my plans.

With a sigh, I grabbed the jacket and slid it on. "Fine. But if this ends up being some kind of prank, I'm making you spar with me later."

Shiina laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "Deal! Now let's go!"

She grabbed my hand before I could protest further, dragging me out of the Orphanage and into the sunlight.

The warmth of Shiina's hand in mine was comforting yet maddening at the same time. She had a way of disarming me, making my usual calculated composure feel unnecessary. It was infuriatingly endearing.

As we walked through the streets of Konoha, Shiina kept a steady pace, her expression as vibrant as ever. The morning was crisp, the early October air carrying a faint chill, but it was balanced by the sunlight streaming between the village rooftops. Villagers bustled about, their chatter and footsteps filling the air with life, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were occupied by the girl leading me to some undisclosed destination.

"Are you ever going to tell me where we're going?" I asked, my tone caught somewhere between exasperation and curiosity.

"Nope!" Shiina replied cheerily, glancing back at me with a grin that dared me to argue. "You'll find out soon enough. Just enjoy the journey for now, Akari!"

Enjoy the journey? That was rich coming from someone who had just declared my day stolen. Yet, despite my grumbling, I found myself relaxing, the tension from my morning routine fading as I let Shiina's enthusiasm pull me along.

We passed familiar landmarks—the market district bustling with merchants calling out deals, the ramen stand Naruto was always raving about, and the training grounds where I'd spent countless hours honing my skills. I half-expected Shiina to stop at one of these places, but she didn't. Instead, she led me further, away from the crowds and toward a quieter part of the village I didn't frequent often.

"Are you planning to get me lost?" I teased, watching her as she walked a step ahead of me.

Shiina stopped abruptly and turned around, placing her hands on her hips. "Akari, do you think I'd ever lead you astray?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you want the honest answer or the diplomatic one?"

She pouted, and it was so disarmingly cute that I almost laughed. "The honest answer, obviously!"

I pretended to think for a moment. "Then yes. Yes, I absolutely believe you'd lead me astray. Probably on purpose, too."

Shiina gasped, feigning offense. "How dare you doubt me! I'll have you know I've got the perfect plan, and it's going to blow your mind. You'll thank me later, trust me."

"I'll hold you to that," I said, unable to stop the small smile that crept onto my face.

Shiina's grin returned, and she resumed walking, this time with an exaggerated swagger that made me roll my eyes.

It wasn't long before the scenery changed. The bustling streets gave way to a quieter, more serene part of the village, where the buildings were spaced farther apart, and the trees grew denser. I realized we were heading toward the outskirts of Konoha, though not quite beyond its borders.

Finally, we reached a winding dirt path that led up a small hill. Shiina slowed her pace and turned to me, her grin softening into something more genuine. "Okay, close your eyes."

"Really?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Is that necessary?"

"Yes, it's necessary!" she insisted, her hands on my shoulders now. "No peeking, or I'll know, and it'll ruin everything."

I sighed, indulging her. "Fine." Closing my eyes, I let her guide me up the path, her hands steady as she led me forward.

"Just a little further," she said after a few moments. "And... okay, you can open them now!"

I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the light as I took in the scene before me.

It took my breath away.

The hilltop was a secluded, picturesque spot overlooking a tranquil river that shimmered in the sunlight. Wildflowers of every colour blanketed the grass, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze. A single large tree stood nearby, its branches providing a perfect patch of shade.

But what caught my attention most was the picnic spread laid out under the tree. A blanket, neatly arranged, was adorned with an assortment of food, drinks. And a small cake in the centre? The sight was unexpected,

"Shiina..." I started, my voice softer than normal.

"Happy Akari Appreciation Day!" she declared, throwing her arms wide with a flourish.

"You did all this... for me?"

"Of course!" she said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You work so hard all the time for us, Akari. You deserve a break—a real one not just a temporary one. And, well... I thought you might like something a little special today."

I felt something catch in my chest, a strange warmth spreading through me. No one had ever done something like this for me before outside of one man.

Before I could respond, another voice broke through the moment.

"Hey, Akari!"

I turned to see Naruto and Hinata approaching from the opposite side of the hill, waving enthusiastically.

Of course.

Disappointment flashed through me as I realised what was going on but changed quickly for happiness. Shiina planned all this for a reason, but also... I felt a sense of pride in the fact that the girl I fell for could come up with such a scheme and get me to celebrate my own birthday with all 3 of them. Although I was curious on how she knew, I had a pretty good guess.

You ask one of the carers in the Orphanage, they'd answer the question. It was their job to be honest.

"Hey Naruto, Hinata." I greeted calmly, looking over at Naruto and Hinata, their outfits contrasted.

Naruto wore a bright orange jacket paired with loose, ankle length black trousers. His sandals were slightly scuffed, a sign of how much running around he'd done that day. A blue scarf was wrapped haphazardly around his neck, trailing behind him in the wind. It was slightly too long for him, and he kept tugging it into place as he moved.

Hinata's outfit was much more subdued. She wore a Yukata that fell just past her knees, with short sleeves trimmed in white. It was adorned with tiny embroidered flowers along the hem, a detail that suited her soft personality. On her feet were simple, cream-colored sandals, and her hair was neatly tied back with a lilac ribbon that matched her Yukata. She fidgeted with the ribbon occasionally, as though unsure it looked right, but the effect was undeniably adorable.

Naruto reached the top of the hill first, his usual wide grin plastered on his face. His dirty blonde hair was slightly ruffled, and his bright orange jacket made him impossible to miss even from a distance. Hinata followed a step behind, she glanced at Naruto with the subtlety that was as delicate as a sledgehammer. Then again Naruto was denser than literal osmium, something I've been fixing over time.

"Shiina didn't want you to spend your birthday alone!" Naruto declared without preamble, his voice loud enough to echo across the hilltop. "She said we had to make it special!"

I shot Shiina a glance, raising an eyebrow. "So, that's why you brought them?"

Shiina shrugged, completely unbothered by my mildly exasperated tone. "Of course! What's a celebration without your friends? Besides, they were happy to help."

I sighed, but the irritation I'd intended to convey didn't quite land. I wasn't really annoyed—just surprised. Naruto, of all people, wasn't the most subtle when it came to these things. And yet, looking at their eager faces, I found it hard to be upset.

"Hinata helped with the food," Shiina added, gesturing toward the picnic spread. "Naruto... well, Naruto provided moral support."

Hinata flushed a deep shade of red at the compliment. "I-I only made a few things. Shiina did most of the planning..."

Naruto puffed out his chest, clearly proud of his contribution. "Hey, I carried all the stuff up here! That counts for something, right?"

Shiina rolled her eyes playfully. "Yes, Naruto, you were very helpful."

Despite myself, I chuckled softly. The dynamic between them was amusing in a way I didn't often get to experience. For a moment, I allowed myself to relax, letting their energy and enthusiasm wash over me.

Naruto flopped onto the blanket with zero grace, grabbing an apple from the spread. "So, Akari, how's it feel to finally turn six? Feels weird, huh? Like you're suddenly older or something?"

I stared at him blankly. "It's just another day, Naruto. Nothing's really changed."

Naruto frowned, clearly dissatisfied with my answer. "C'mon, don't be so boring! It's your birthday! That's supposed to be exciting!"

Shiina elbowed him lightly. "Naruto, not everyone thinks birthdays are a big deal."

"Yeah, but—" Naruto started to protest but stopped when Shiina shot him a warning look.

Hinata knelt beside the picnic blanket, her shy smile calming the atmosphere. "W-We just wanted to make sure you felt appreciated today, Akari-chan. Even if it's not a big deal to you... it's a big deal to us."

Her words caught me off guard. I wasn't used to this—people going out of their way for me. My instinct was to brush it off, to say it wasn't necessary, but the sincerity in her voice made it impossible to dismiss.

"Thank you," I said quietly, my gaze dropping to the ground. "All of you."

Shiina clapped her hands together, breaking the solemn moment. "Well, let's not waste time moping around. There's food to eat, games to play, and a whole day to enjoy!"

"Games?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes.

Shiina smirked. "Oh, you'll see."

The afternoon unfolded in a way I hadn't expected.

Shiina had apparently planned everything down to the smallest detail. After we ate, she pulled out a collection of small, hand-carved wooden pieces and a board painted with an intricate grid.

"Shogi?" I asked, surprised.

She nodded, her grin widening. "Thought it might be fun to see if I can finally beat you."

"You won't," I replied flatly, though a hint of amusement crept into my tone.

"Cocky, aren't we?" she teased, setting up the board with practiced ease.

While Shiina and I engaged in our game, Naruto and Hinata found their own ways to pass the time. Naruto attempted to balance on one leg while juggling a pair of apples, much to Hinata's quiet giggles. Every so often, I glanced up from the shogi board, catching snippets of their interactions. It was oddly comforting to see them enjoying themselves so freely.

Shiina managed to last longer than I'd expected, but her moves grew more erratic as the game progressed.

"Checkmate," I said, placing my final piece with a decisive click.

Shiina groaned, leaning back against the tree. "One day, Akari. One day I'll beat you."

"Unlikely," I replied, earning a light shove from her.

Naruto plopped down beside us, his juggling attempt finally abandoned. "Okay, my turn! Teach me how to play this thing!"

Shiina's eyes lit up. "Oh, this'll be fun."

As Shiina tried to explain the rules to Naruto—a process that was both chaotic and hilarious.

While Shiina attempted to explain the intricacies of shogi to Naruto, I moved to sit on the blanket next to Hinata. She seemed content watching Naruto's exaggerated reactions as Shiina systematically dismantled his board.

"You know," I said softly, "I've never seen someone lose this spectacularly at shogi before."

Hinata giggled quietly, her fingers brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Naruto-kun's strength isn't... strategy games," she admitted, her tone gentle.

"That's putting it lightly," I replied with a smirk, gesturing toward the board. Naruto had, in the span of just a few moves, managed to lose half his pieces.

Shiina leaned back smugly, resting her hand on the board like a queen surveying her kingdom. "Check. Again."

Naruto scratched his head, glaring at the board as though willing it to reveal its secrets. "Wait, wait! I've got this!" He picked up a random piece, his eyes darting between the remaining spaces.

"Are you sure about that move?" Shiina teased, raising an eyebrow.

Naruto paused, second-guessing himself. "...No?"

Hinata covered her mouth to suppress a laugh, and I shook my head, amused. "You're just prolonging the inevitable, Naruto."

"I'm not giving up!" he declared, his voice brimming with determination.

His next move was, unsurprisingly, his downfall. Shiina clapped her hands together triumphantly. "Checkmate! And that's how it's done."

Naruto groaned, slumping onto his back dramatically. "Man, this game's rigged!"

"Or," I countered, "you're just terrible at it."

Shiina laughed, packing up the pieces while Naruto sulked. "Don't worry, Naruto. Shogi's not for everyone."

"Granted, I'll be making you play this game and chess over and over again during our future sessions, it'll do you some good to learn how to strategize. Same goes for you Hinata. Shiina, well it's obvious she's been training in this game with me for a while. I don't hold back for anyone though." I say, my voice tinged with amusement.

"Akari, you shouldn't be thinking about that right now," Shiina pouted.

"Sorry, sorry," I apologised, smiling.

"You better be." Was her rejoinder.

As the laughter from the shogi game died down, we settled back onto the picnic blanket. The soft rustling of leaves overhead and the gentle babble of the nearby river filled the air. Shiina busied herself packing up the game pieces, her hands moving with practiced ease, while Naruto stared up at the sky, his arms folded behind his head.

Hinata, always one to shy away from idle chatter, sat quietly, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress. I found my gaze lingering on the small group before me—each of them so vibrant in their own way.

Yet beneath that, there was an underlying and growing sense of unease—no, not unease... vulnerability. It gnawed at the edges of my mind, whispering doubts and reminders of who I was, of what I'd been shaped to become. This warmth—this happiness—I felt as if I didn't deserve it, like it was something fragile I might accidentally shatter if I held it too tightly.

It scared me. Not in the way danger scared most people, but in a way that felt deeper, more personal. This emotion—whatever it was—had the power to unravel me, to strip away the carefully constructed walls I'd spent my life building. Yet, despite that fear, I couldn't bring myself to push it away. Instead, I let it linger, cautious but curious, as though it were some rare treasure I didn't fully understand but couldn't bear to lose.

Heh, I really have changed in these last 3 years, right? No... there was still this void in my chest, deep deep down that was yet to be filled. It was like a Canvas, 70% of it was covered in colour, the other 30% was black, unfeeling white. I was... unable to change this part of who I was... the part that would think of all humans as tools, the part that justified methods, sacrifices as necessary. So long as I won in the end, that was all that mattered.

Machiavellian. That word... it described me too a T.

Sociopath could also describe who I am.

But... in the end, I had built many masks, personalities to fit in, to adapt to my surroundings. The cold emotionless me, the me that acted average, the me that was training Shiina to the me that cared for my friends.... were any of them truly the real me?

And so, I remained as I started: an empty husk.

And I hated that fact.

I must have been lost in thought longer than I realized because the next thing I knew, Shiina was sitting beside me, her expression soft and tinged with concern.

"Akari?" she said gently, tilting her head. "Are you okay? You've been really quiet."

Her voice pulled me back to the present. For a second, I thought about brushing her off, but the way her eyes held mine made it impossible. The care in her gaze—it was disarming. Infuriatingly so.

"I'm fine," I replied, my tone neutral as I tried to suppress the storm in my chest. "Just... tired."

Shiina's lips pursed slightly, unconvinced. "You sure? You've been spacing out more than usual today."

"It's nothing important," I said quickly, averting my eyes. "Just... random thoughts."

I hoped that would be enough to deflect her, but Shiina was rather persistent when it came to seeing those she cared about in a downtrodden state.

It was one of the traits I loved about her.

"Well, I don't know what's on your mind, but I hope you know you don't have to deal with everything alone. I mean, that's what friends are for, right?"

Friends. That word hung in the air, heavier than it should have been. I glanced back at her, and for a moment, I felt something in my chest ache. I couldn't share the truth with her—not about my past life, the White Room, or the person I used to be. But somehow, the way she said it made me want to believe that maybe I didn't have to be so alone anymore.

"Thanks," I muttered, my voice quieter than I intended. "I... appreciate that."

Shiina beamed, her usual brightness returning in full force. "Good! Because whether you like it or not, I'm sticking by you, Akari."

Despite myself, a small smile tugged at my lips. "I've noticed."

She laughed, and the sound was warming. It made me feel... vulnerable. Exposed. Yet not at the same time. The beating of my heart increased a bit.

She was the only one who could do this to me.

"And, I'll stick beside you too, Shiina."

"I know."

Her response was full of trust. And that's all I wanted from the girl I loved.

[The Star has reached ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Social Link Ability gained: Illuminating embrace

Shiina's light becomes protective, allowing her to read the emotions of those she cares about with pinpoint accuracy, and always knows how to cheer them up. She also becomes a calming presence around you, allowing her to connect on a deeper level witho those around her.]

The textbox was dismissed in a simple thought.

"Alright!" Shiina announced suddenly, clapping her hands together and standing up. "Enough brooding! It's time to eat!"

Naruto perked up immediately, as if he'd been waiting for this exact moment. "Finally! I thought I was gonna starve before you guys stopped talking!"

Hinata giggled softly, her hands folded neatly in her lap. "Everything looks so delicious..."

Shiina crouched by the picnic spread, already unpacking the food. I watched as she worked with her usual energy, laying out the dishes with care. The assortment was impressive—more so than I'd expected.

"Wait," I said, narrowing my eyes as I took in the neatly arranged platters. "You made all of this?"

Shiina grinned. "Not all of it. Hinata helped with some of the more delicate stuff. And Naruto... well, he carried things."

"I was moral support!" Naruto declared proudly, puffing out his chest.

Shiina rolled her eyes playfully. "Sure you were."

The spread was a mix of simple yet traditional dishes: onigiri with salted salmon and pickled plum fillings, small portions of tempura shrimp and vegetables, and a few bowls of miso soup kept warm in thermoses. There was even a neatly arranged plate of tamagoyaki, the layers of egg golden and perfectly rolled.

Naruto wasted no time, grabbing an onigiri and biting into it with enthusiasm. "Mmm, this is amazing!" he said through a mouthful of rice, crumbs scattering everywhere.

"Naruto!" Hinata scolded gently, though there was no real bite to her words.

Shiina handed me a piece of tamagoyaki, her smile softening. "Here. Try this one—I think it turned out pretty good."

I accepted it hesitantly, taking a small bite. The flavour was delicate but comforting, the perfect balance of sweet and savoury. It wasn't just food—it was care, effort, and thoughtfulness, all wrapped up in something as simple as a piece of egg.

"It's good," I said quietly, meeting her eyes. "Really good."

Shiina's grin widened, and for a moment, the warmth of the moment made the rest of the world feel far away.

As the meal went on, the atmosphere grew lighter, filled with laughter and easy conversation. Shiina's energy was infectious, pulling Naruto and Hinata along with her while I observed from the side-lines. But even I couldn't deny the strange sense of peace that settled over me. It was unfamiliar, yes—but not unwelcome.

Eventually, as the last of the food was packed away, Shiina stood up, brushing crumbs off her lap. Her expression shifted slightly, her usual playful energy giving way to something more serious.

"Okay, now for the best part," she said, reaching into the basket and pulling out a small, carefully wrapped box.

When she turned and placed it in front of me, I realized it wasn't just a box—it was a cake. A small one, decorated with simple frosting and a few brightly colored berries on top.

"For you, Akari," Shiina said softly, her smile lacking its usual teasing edge truly letting The Stars smile show. "Happy birthday."

In all my years, never did I ever think of receiving a cake, or eating one on my birthday. It was such a simple gesture, yet so foreign to me—a concept I'd only ever observed from afar, never once experienced. Birthdays had always been meaningless, just another day in a string of countless, monotonous ones.

And yet, here I was, staring at this cake—my cake. The effort Shiina and the others had gone to, the care they'd poured into this moment... it was overwhelming.

Huh, what's this... why do my cheeks feel wet? Was I... crying?

Before I knew it, I had started to cry.

The tears continued to fall, unbidden, and I couldn't stop them even if I tried. My chest felt tight, like something was cracking open inside me—something that had been locked away for far too long. I raised a trembling hand to my cheek, brushing away the wetness, as if to confirm it was real.

"Akari?" Shiina's voice was soft, concerned. She leaned closer, her bright, determined eyes meeting mine. "Are you... okay?"

I didn't know how to answer her. The words wouldn't come, caught somewhere between my head and my heart. I opened my mouth, but the only sound that escaped was a choked sob. And then, as if some unseen dam had burst, I lowered my head and let it out—every ounce of emotion I'd tried to suppress.

Shiina was the first to move, her arms wrapping around me in a warm, steady embrace. She didn't speak, didn't ask questions—she simply held me, her presence grounding me as I unravelled. Her scent—soft and floral, like the wildflowers around us—was soothing in a way I couldn't explain.

"It's okay, Akari," she murmured, her voice a balm against the storm raging inside me. "Let it out. You don't have to hold it all in."

Naruto and Hinata moved closer, their expressions a mix of worry and confusion. Naruto crouched beside me, fidgeting awkwardly as if unsure what to do. "Hey, Akari... um, are you hurt or something? Did we do something wrong?"

"No," I managed to whisper, my voice shaky. I lifted my head just enough to meet his concerned gaze. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's... it's just me."

Naruto tilted his head, clearly perplexed, but Hinata seemed to understand. She knelt beside Shiina, her gentle hands resting on my shoulder. "Sometimes... feelings can be overwhelming," she said quietly, her tone as soft as the breeze around us. "But it's okay to feel them, Akari-chan. You're not alone."

Not alone.

An image of a gentle priestess, healing a soul entered my vision disappearing when a textbox appeared in front of my eyes.

[Social Link Established: "The Priestess"

"Through compassion and quiet strength, the heart may guide even the lost to salvation." 

Rank 1: Gentle Healer

Hinata radiates a calming aura, that of a gentle, supporter. Allies in her proximity receive a boost to morale and improved focus. She also inspires others through her words.]

The box disappeared as soon as it came.

Those words had struck a chord deep within me. For so long, I'd believed that loneliness was my only companion—that I couldn't afford to let anyone close. But now, here I was, surrounded by people who cared. Shiina, Naruto, Hinata... they weren't just tools or pawns in some grand strategy. They were my friends.

And Shiina... she was so much more than that.

Shiina's arms tightened around me slightly, as if sensing the shift in my thoughts. I turned my head just enough to see her face, framed by the golden glow of the setting sun. Her smile was gentle but steady, a beacon of warmth and reassurance. My heart ached as I looked at her, the weight of my feelings pressing down on me like a physical force.

I loved her. It wasn't the kind of love born of logic or calculations—it was messy, overwhelming, and utterly terrifying. And yet, it was the most human thing I'd ever felt.

Naruto's voice broke through my thoughts, loud and earnest as ever. "See? This is why we wanted to celebrate your birthday! You deserve stuff like this, Akari! We all do."

I let out a soft, broken laugh, wiping at my face with the sleeve of my jacket. "You're... an idiot, Naruto," I said, though there was no bite in my words. If anything, they came out fond.

For some reason, the sun appeared in my mind.

[Social Link Established: "The Sun"

"Even in the face of despair, the Sun shines bright, reminding all to never give up. and casting it's light on the darkest of the moons shadows."

Rank 1: Burning Resolve

Naruto's unshakable determination inspires those around him.]

Shiina finally pulled back, just enough to look me in the eyes. Her hands rested lightly on my shoulders, steadying me. "You don't have to say anything, Akari," she said softly. "Just... know that we're here for you, okay?"

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. My voice was still shaky when I spoke, but it carried a sincerity I hadn't allowed myself to feel before. "Thank you. All of you. For everything."

Naruto grinned, his usual exuberance returning in full force. "Hey, that's what friends are for, right? And besides, it's not every day we get to see you cry, Akari. I mean, you're usually so—"

"Naruto," Shiina interrupted, her tone a mix of amusement and warning. "Read the room."

"Oh. Right." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry."

Hinata giggled softly, her hand covering her mouth. "It's okay, Naruto-kun. I think Akari-chan knows what you mean."

I let out another small laugh, the tension in my chest easing little by little. The heaviness hadn't disappeared entirely—it probably never would—but for the first time, it felt... manageable.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the hilltop, the four of us settled back onto the blanket. The atmosphere was lighter now, filled with quiet conversation and laughter. Naruto challenged Shiina to another round of shogi, determined to redeem himself, while Hinata and I watched from the side-lines.

He got demolished, tried going against me... needless to say, Naruto was on a 3 round losing streak, not that it would get better for the boy.

Hinata then decided to play herself, and so, I decided to teach her the game first then let her play Naruto. 

Shiina was with me on the side-line watching the match, at one point, Shiina leaned over, nudging me lightly with her shoulder. "Feeling a little better?" she asked, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

I glanced at her, the corners of my lips quirking into a small smile. "Yeah," I admitted. "A lot better, actually."

Her smile widened, and for a moment, the world felt still. It was just the two of us, surrounded by the fading light of the day and the warmth of a connection I couldn't quite put into words. My heart ached again, but this time, it wasn't unpleasant. It was a reminder of what I'd found—what I hadn't even known I was searching for.

When the day finally came to an end, and the four of us began packing up the remnants of the picnic, I found myself lingering by the edge of the hill. The view was breathtaking, the river below catching the last rays of sunlight and scattering them like liquid gold. The wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze, their vibrant colors blending together in a beautiful, chaotic tapestry.

Shiina joined me, her presence as steady as ever. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said, her voice soft.

"Yeah," I replied, my gaze fixed on the horizon. "It is."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence between us was comfortable, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding. And then, before I could second-guess myself, I turned to her.

"Shiina," I began, my voice hesitant but firm. "I... I want to say thank you. For today. For everything you've done for me. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you."

She tilted her head, her expression curious. "Repay me? Akari, you don't owe me anything. That's not how this works."

"I know," I said quickly, shaking my head. "But still... you've given me something I didn't think I could have. Something I didn't think I deserved."

Her gaze softened, and she reached out, taking my hand in hers. "You do deserve it, Akari. You deserve all of it."

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. I looked at her, at the sincerity in her eyes, and I felt something shift inside me. It wasn't a sudden revelation or a dramatic epiphany—it was quieter than that, like the steady drip of water wearing away at stone.

I squeezed her hand lightly, a silent acknowledgment of everything she'd said. "Thank you," I said again, my voice barely above a whisper.

Shiina smiled, and it was the kind of smile that felt like sunlight breaking through the clouds. "Anytime."

As we turned to re-join Naruto and Hinata, I found myself stealing one last glance at the hilltop, at the river, at the fading light of the day. It was a moment I wanted to hold onto, to keep tucked away in the corners of my mind where the White Room couldn't reach.