Kevin picked up a piece of chalk, gripping it between his fingers as he stepped up to the board to solve the problem.
Something as basic as a "crazy construction team" math question? That was child's play for him. He solved it with ease.
"Teacher, I'm done."
With the final number written, he put the chalk down. Neat rows of calculations filled the blackboard, perfectly clear to the class.
"Wow… Amazing!"
"Kevin Nobita solved it flawlessly! Everyone, give him a round of applause!"
Mr. Enichiro Terakoya looked at Kevin in astonishment, his face lighting up with pride as he began clapping his large hands.
Nobita and the others stared, dumbfounded. None of them had expected Kevin to actually solve that question. In an instant, the whole class's attention had shifted to him.
Kevin, however, wasn't excited at all. He simply returned to his seat calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Ding-a-ling-a-ling.
The school bell rang. Another dull day was over. Like zombies let out of their cages, the students rushed out onto the street in packs.
"Kevin, I still can't believe you actually solved that problem this morning! You were amazing!"
"It was nothing. Honestly, I think it's just because you're such a good teacher, Shizuka."
"Hmph. I don't recall ever teaching you that kind of problem."
Walking home from school, Kevin strolled with his hands in his pockets, shoulder to shoulder with Shizuka. They chatted and laughed like old friends.
Behind them, Nobita followed sulking, watching Kevin and Shizuka laugh together. They seemed to be having the time of their lives.
Whenever Shizuka walked home with him, she never laughed like that. It was usually her comforting him, which made the atmosphere heavy and depressing.
"Damn it. Why does that guy get to sit next to Shizuka? Why does he get to talk and laugh with her like that?"
Nobita's eyes were filled with pure jealousy.
What's so great about Kevin? So what if he's a little taller, a bit better looking, a bit smarter, and a little funnier than me?
Aside from all that… what does he have that I don't?
"Hey, you up there! Stop right there!"
"Kevin Nobita! You better stop right now!"
Suddenly, two grating voices called from behind. Just hearing them made Kevin feel a headache coming on.
He turned around to see a short, sharp-faced kid with a fox-like smirk, and a burly, thick-waisted gorilla of a boy with a scowl that could shatter windows.
It was Takeshi Gouda and Honekawa Suneo the school's notorious delinquents.
To be generous, you could call them Nobita's "friends." To be honest, they were more like his curse.
If it weren't for those two constantly bullying and tormenting him, Nobita's life would probably be at least fifty percent better.
They were practically the poster boys for school bullying. If it weren't for Doraemon and Nobita's own resilience, this sad story might never feel even remotely like a comedy about friendship.
"What's up, Takeshi? Suneo? What can I help you with?" Kevin asked innocently, though he already knew they were here to cause trouble.
"Of course there's something," Takeshi growled.
"You think you're some hotshot just because you solved a stupid math problem? I'm going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"
Rolling up his sleeves, Takeshi grinned menacingly and marched toward Kevin.
As one of the trio's most jealous members, Takeshi couldn't stand seeing someone else in the spotlight. Today, he was determined to knock Kevin down a peg.
Just looking at Kevin's slim frame, he figured it'd be an easy win.
"Yeah, Takeshi! Give it to him! Show him who's boss! Heh heh heh!"
Nobita bent over, laughing with a sly expression. To him, Takeshi was a righteous avenger, finally doing what he couldn't bring himself to.
"Hold it right there! You're not allowed to bully Kevin!"
"Picking on a weaker boy doesn't make you cool. It makes you pathetic."
Just as Takeshi was about to strike, Shizuka stepped forward and placed herself in front of Kevin without hesitation.
Kevin looked at her, shielding him like that, and felt something stir inside. That figure so familiar, yet so new. He had only ever seen it on-screen before, but now he was living it.
No wonder Nobita had fallen for her. Who wouldn't?
Sorry, Nobita. But don't worry. I'll work hard for the both of us.
"Tch. Always Shizuka."
"Kevin, if you're really a man, then step up and fight Takeshi fair and square. Hiding behind a girl? That's just pathetic."
Suneo wasted no time mocking him, trying to provoke Kevin into doing something foolish.
Takeshi snorted and backed off a little. He was violent, yes, but he wouldn't lay a finger on a girl.
"Kevin, don't let them get to you," Shizuka said gently. "I can tell the teacher if you want. If you face Takeshi alone, you'll get hurt."
She looked at him with pure concern.
Kevin raised an eyebrow, his heart warming a little. But running away? That wasn't his style. He was the kind of guy who dared eat pig's-head stew and drink methylated duck blood. Hiding behind a sweet girl didn't suit him.
Besides, he wasn't afraid of Takeshi. Sure, he didn't stand a chance in a fight. But who said he had to fight?
"Thanks, Shizuka. Don't worry. I'll handle this peacefully."
He gently patted her shoulder and gave her a reassuring look, then stepped forward to face the two bullies.
In that moment, Kevin's image in Shizuka's mind soared even higher especially in contrast with Nobita.
He was not only hardworking but also remarkably brave.
"Tch. 'Thanks, Shizuka.' What a suck-up," muttered Nobita bitterly, imitating Kevin under his breath.
"Oh? So you're coming over here? Ready to taste my fists?"
"Let's see if you can handle Takeshi Gouda's wrath!"
Takeshi's eyes sparkled with glee. He'd been having a bad day, and Kevin was the perfect target to take it out on.
"Go get him, Takeshi! Make him eat dirt!" Suneo egged him on, fanning the flames. Misery loved company, and Suneo had no interest in holding umbrellas for others after getting soaked himself.
"Wait, Takeshi!"
"I don't think we need to solve this with violence. You're tall and strong I doubt someone like you would stoop to bullying the weak, right?"
Kevin ducked, narrowly dodging Takeshi's first punch. The swing missed, and Takeshi froze in place. The flattery seemed to have hit its mark.
"Oh? Then what do you suggest?"
"Simple. We've got PE tomorrow, right? Let's settle it with a race."
Kevin's voice was full of confidence. He might not be able to fight, but when it came to running, he was a natural. Back in his previous life, he'd been a track champion every year.
"Huh? A race, huh?"
"All right, you've got yourself a deal! Tomorrow, we'll settle this during PE class. But if you lose, I'm still going to pound you!"
Takeshi burst out laughing. Everyone knew he was the best athlete in class. This new kid was practically handing him a victory. He couldn't wait to see Kevin humiliated.
"Kevin, are you really going to race Takeshi? He's the class's PE rep," Shizuka said worriedly once the two bullies had walked away. A race seemed like a risky choice.
"Oh, it'll be fine, Shizuka. I believe in Kevin! He'll definitely beat Takeshi tomorrow. See you then!"
Before Kevin could reply, Nobita grabbed him and pulled him away, grinning like a kid who had just pulled the best prank ever.
He was convinced that by tomorrow, Kevin would be on the receiving end of a well-deserved beating.
Serves you right for showing off.