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Souta opened one eye, then the other. He threw off his blanket with a sudden movement and jumped out of bed, a huge smile plastered across his face.
Today was his favorite day. April 1st, the day when every prank was allowed. He was five years old, and he had quickly understood that he was too small and too cute for anyone to truly get mad at him for his tricks. And he fully intended to take advantage of that.
He had spent the entire previous day preparing his pranks, and he had been so excited that he’d had trouble falling asleep.
He glanced out the window. The sun had just risen, and he rubbed his hands together when he spotted his first victim in the garden.
Let the prank day begin.
******
Saruto had been training in the garden since the first light of dawn. He was working tirelessly for the upcoming chunin exam that would take place in Konoha.
Souta approached quietly, applying the techniques his grandfather Naruto had taught him specifically for this day. To him, Naruto was the king of pranks, so who better to help him prepare for April 1st ?
He kept moving forward, holding back his laughter with all his might. Suddenly, he dashed forward and stuck a paper fish onto his brother’s back. Then he ran to hide as fast as he could, his heart pounding, while Saruto spun around, having felt something behind him. Saruto looked around, frowning. He shrugged and went back to his training.
“Nice fish, Saruto !” Boruto called from the kitchen window.
“What ? !”
Saruto twisted around in every direction until he finally pulled the paper fish off his back.
“Souta !”
“April Fool’s !”
Souta burst out of his hiding spot, laughing, and bolted away.
Now it was time for his next victim.
******
Souta peeked into the hallway. He slipped quickly into Ayumi’s room and swapped the big medical encyclopedia she had been reading with an identical one. In reality, it was a fake book he had rigged so that streamers would pop out when opened. He was very proud of his handiwork.
He heard noise behind the door and hid in the wardrobe. Ayumi entered and went straight to her desk. Ever since Sakura had given her that encyclopedia, she had decided to memorize it by heart. Everything was going exactly as Souta had planned. Ayumi opened the book and jumped when the streamers burst out.
“April Fool’s !” Souta shouted as he leapt from his hiding place.
He burst into laughter and narrowly dodged the pillow his sister threw at him. Still, he caught a glimpse of an amused smile at the corner of her lips. He ran off before she could catch him.
Now for his last two victims.
******
Souta peeked through the slightly open kitchen door. Boruto had his back turned. Two steaming cups of tea sat on the table. Souta tiptoed closer, pulled a small bottle from his pocket, and put two drops into each cup. It was food coloring Hinata used when baking cakes.
He slipped out of the kitchen as fast as he could. He followed his father into the living room. Boruto set a tray with the two cups on the coffee table and handed one to Sarada. Souta hid and waited. And waited some more. He rolled his eyes. Adult conversations were really boring. Then finally, Sarada burst out laughing.
“Your tongue is blue,” she said to Boruto.
“What ? !”
He rushed to the mirror on the wall, then turned to Sarada.
“So is yours !”
Her eyes widened in panic.
“I have a video conference with the Kage later.”
Souta jumped out of his hiding spot and exclaimed joyfully :
“April Fool’s !”
He ran off, laughing hysterically.
******
Souta headed toward his room. His day had been full, and he was proud of his pranks. He was already excited for next April 1st so he could do even better. He opened his bedroom door and dozens of paper fish fell on him. It was a true shower of paper fish.
“April Fool’s !” His family shouted in unison.
Souta burst into laughter. April 1st was the best day of the year.
He picked up a few paper fish at his feet, examining them as if they were treasure. They were all different colors. Some carefully decorated, others scribbled in a hurry. He even recognized Saruto’s handwriting on one of them, which made him smile even more.
“You got me,” he said, puffing out his cheeks in fake annoyance.
“And we’re very proud of that,” Boruto replied, crossing his arms triumphantly.
Sarada stepped forward to ruffle his hair.
“You really thought we’d let you win without fighting back ?”
Souta puffed out his chest.
“I still won ! I pulled four pranks before you did even one.”
“That’s true,” Ayumi admitted, picking up a pale pink fish. “But this one was a group effort. That counts triple.”
Souta opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. He had no argument. And he had to admit, being pranked by his whole family at once was pretty amazing.
“Don’t forget I organized everything,” Boruto said.
“I’m the one who came up with the idea !” Saruto protested.
“And I made the fish !” Ayumi added.
“And I said yes,” Sarada concluded with a wink.
Souta burst out laughing.
“You’re all ridiculous. You’re arguing over a prank !”
They all looked at each other, then laughed too. The atmosphere was warm and light. Souta loved moments like this, when everyone was together and everyday worries felt far, far away.
“I made fish‑shaped cookies if you want some,” Sarada said. “To stay on theme.”
“Awesome !” Souta exclaimed, eager to taste them.
Boruto sat on the edge of the bed.
“So, little prank genius, which one was your favorite today ?”
Souta thought for a moment.
“Ayumi’s. She jumped so high I thought she’d hit the ceiling.”
Ayumi blushed slightly.
“I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“And you, Dad ?” Souta asked.
Boruto let out a dramatic sigh.
“My blue tongue. I’m going to hear about that for weeks.”
Sarada rolled her eyes.
“You’re exaggerating. It’ll fade in a few hours.”
“Yes, but I have a reputation,” he said, placing a hand on his heart.
Souta laughed so hard his stomach hurt.
“Next year, I’ll do even better,” he declared with fierce determination.
“We’ll be ready,” Sarada replied.
“And we’ll get our revenge,” Ayumi added.
“I’m ready !” Souta shouted.
He puffed out his chest, eyes shining.
“Oh ! And I have another idea for today !”
The whole family froze.
“No,” Boruto said.
“Absolutely not !” Ayumi exclaimed.
Souta burst out laughing.
“I’m kidding ! April Fool’s !”
They all sighed in relief, then looked at each other and laughed together. Souta realized then that the best part of pranks was not tricking people. It was sharing moments like this with them.
And he already knew that next year would be even more memorable.
The end