"Nobita, you're early today? You actually made it to school on time. That's impressive! I'm seeing you in a whole new light."
Just as Hiro and Nobita were about to enter the school gate, a sweet and soft voice called out from behind them.
They turned to look. A pretty little girl stood there, her expression full of surprise, her bright, intelligent eyes fixed on Nobita and the unfamiliar boy beside him.
She wore a white blouse with a pink collar and a short skirt, a pink backpack slung over her shoulders. Her skin was smooth and rosy, and her little legs moved with confidence beneath the hem of her skirt.
It was Shizuka, the class sweetheart. As she approached, Hiro caught a faint, delicate fragrance from her fresh and pure, like the first lotus bud of early summer.
"Oh, hey Shizuka!"
"Getting up early isn't that big a deal, actually. I've decided I'm not going to be late anymore," Nobita announced proudly, puffing out his chest in front of the girl he adored.
For an ordinary student, showing up on time might not be anything worth mentioning. But coming from Nobita, it carried the weight of a minor miracle.
"Really? I'll be keeping an eye on you then."
Shizuka giggled softly behind her hand. She didn't quite believe him, but she didn't call him out either. Deep down, she hoped he really could change.
They were good friends, after all, and every girl hopes her friends will become better versions of themselves.
"Oh, right, Nobita who's this boy with you?"
Her curious gaze turned to Hiro. What caught her attention at first glance was his face handsome enough to make even their class prince, Dekisugi, pale in comparison.
"Oh, him? That's my cousin, Hiro Nobi. His parents passed away, so he's living with us now. He'll be going to school here too."
Nobita rattled off the explanation in a rush, trying to impress Shizuka. But as soon as he finished, he realized he might have said too much.
Sure enough, Shizuka's attention shifted entirely to Hiro, and Nobita suddenly felt like he didn't even exist.
"Nice to meet you, Hiro," she said.
"Nice to meet you too, Shizuka," Hiro replied, his tone light. "You're just as cute as I remember."
The last part was more of a quiet murmur to himself a leftover impression from his previous life watching her on TV but Shizuka caught the word cute, and her ears instantly turned red.
Girls her age were easily flustered, especially by a direct compliment from a boy they'd just met. Still, she didn't seem upset, only a bit shy. And now, knowing what Hiro had been through, she felt a twinge of sympathy. She'd definitely keep an eye out for him from now on.
"Ugh, that guy Hiro... getting along with Shizuka like that already?!"
Nobita felt a pang of jealousy. That was supposed to be his future wife. How could she be chatting so happily with someone else?
Scowling, Nobita shoved his way between them, using a convenient excuse.
"Come on, we're gonna be late if we keep standing around!"
"Oh, right! Hiro, let me take you to the teacher's office to report in. You probably don't know where it is yet, do you?"
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
Hiro didn't mind Nobita's childish interruption. In truth, he didn't have any feelings for Shizuka yet. But that could change. She did hold a special place in his heart, after all.
Nobita watched as Hiro walked off with Shizuka and bit back his frustration. He'd acted out of impulse and made things worse.
Ding ding ding ding...
The shrill bell rang out, silencing the previously chaotic classroom. Even Nobita sat upright in his seat like a proper student.
The teacher's authority truly every child's greatest nightmare.
The front door slid open, and in walked a stern-looking middle-aged man in a brown suit. His hair was parted neatly down the middle, and his sharp expression demanded obedience without a single word.
Following behind him was a smaller boy Hiro Nobi.
As Hiro looked at the imposing figure of their teacher, Mr. Enichiro Terakoya, he immediately understood why Nobita was so scared of him.
"Today, we have a new student joining our class," Mr. Terakoya announced. "This is Hiro Nobi. Please make him feel welcome and get along with him."
His voice, though firm, carried a polite warmth as he introduced Hiro to the class.
After a simple self-introduction, Hiro bowed slightly. Whispers rippled through the classroom almost immediately.
No surprise there. The new student shared a surname with Nobita. Everyone could guess they were related.
"Nobi? Like Nobita Nobi? He's probably another zero-score dummy."
"Yeah, seriously. Who cares if he's good-looking? He's probably just as dumb."
"Wow... he's really cute, though. Sorry, Dekisugi, but I think my prince just changed."
"Dream on. I'm gonna be friends with Hiro first!"
Boys and girls quickly formed two camps either dismissing him or fawning over him. It seemed rational thought had already left the room.
"Silence!"
Mr. Terakoya slammed his palm down on the desk, and the classroom went still.
"Alright, Nobi, pick a seat anywhere you'd like."
"Thank you, sir. Would it be alright if I sat next to her? I think that spot would help me see the blackboard better."
Hiro pointed toward the seat beside Shizuka but it was already taken by a calm, refined-looking boy.
"This is..." Mr. Terakoya hesitated, unsure how to handle the request.
But the boy in question, Hidetoshi Dekisugi, immediately stood up and spoke.
"Sir, I think that's a great idea. If it helps him study better, I don't mind at all."
True to his good-natured personality, Dekisugi gave up his seat without a fuss. He even seemed to think it was a smart move.
Shizuka had no objections either. For a student serious about learning, sitting near the front was ideal.
Hiro must be a hardworking student, she thought to herself.
"Thanks a lot," Hiro said.
"No worries. Helping classmates is what friends do. I'm Hidetoshi Dekisugi. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. Looking forward to studying with you."
Dekisugi took an immediate liking to Hiro. Though he was said to be Nobita's cousin, he seemed far more competent and far easier on the eyes.
After their handshake, Dekisugi gathered his things and moved to the back of the room. Hiro set his bag down and took the seat next to Shizuka.
Every pair of eyes in the classroom shifted toward them. Boys and girls alike looked on with various shades of envy, admiration, and irritation none more so than Nobita, who was practically grinding his molars to dust.
Watching Shizuka's shy smile, Nobita felt like the air around him had turned heavy, pressing on his chest.
Why hadn't he thought of that excuse himself? If he had, maybe he'd be the one sitting next to her right now.