That's one of the reasons she likes Chouji - well, that and she was already inclined to like Shikamaru's teammate. But it's easy to see that he doesn't treat her entirely like a child, or at least doesn't dismiss her. Soren nods at the birthday ninja, apparently at ease.

"Yeah, that can be weird, but it's more fun this way don't you think? Because then you get like, EXTRA cake. And an extra year!!" Which is a typically childish way of looking at it, but she's a child. Ikki beams, nearly vibrating with excitement as Chouji goes to open her gift, and grins even more widely once he opens it up. "Yeah! I made it in art club. And I'll have tea, too!! What kind is it?"