The next day, the sky was high and the clouds were wide.
Nobi Hiroshi woke up early for his morning run and exercise. Although a hundred-meter sprint wasn't that exhausting, he was a person who strived for stability.
Moreover, the benefits of improved physique were diverse. If it was merely for competing with Gian, wouldn't that be overkill?
"Let's eat!"
Hiroshi, having finished his exercise, arrived at the dining room early for breakfast. Nobi Nobita was still in bed, not yet awake.
Not wanting to go alone, Hiroshi eventually went upstairs, woke Nobita up with a slap, and hurried to school, following his own pace.
"Good morning, Nobita, Hiroshi!"
At the school gate, the two met Shizuka again.
Nobita boasted about his glorious mission of not being late, a Molester-like smile on his face, enjoying the feeling of showing off in front of Shizuka.
Nobi Hiroshi watched Nobita from behind, speechless. If it weren't for me, you'd be late again today.
Unfortunately, upon arriving in class, Nobita's joy didn't last long before the teacher pulled him out for punishment.
It was nothing new, as usual, he forgot to do his homework.
"Hey, Nobi Hiroshi, are you ready to become my defeated subordinate?"
Gian, having changed into his gym clothes, ran aggressively in front of Nobi Hiroshi, the ground seeming to shake with his steps.
Behind him followed his lackey, Xiao Fu, looking like a pair of guardian deities.
Gian driving a tank, Xiao Fu flying a plane.
"Of course, but I might not lose."
"Hmph, you've got quite the big mouth."
Two puffs of hot air shot from his large nostrils as Gian led Nobi Hiroshi to the school track.
All the classmates gathered on both sides of the track, having heard about the two, thanks to the gossiping Xiao Fu who spread the news.
Shizuka, in the crowd, clenched her small fists, hoping Nobi Hiroshi would win, though she knew in her heart that Gian had a much higher chance of winning.
"On your marks!"
"Get set!"
"Go!"
Without a starting gun, Demusugi, acting as referee, waved his hand, and Gian immediately sprinted off, legs wide apart.
A trail of dust billowed behind him. Such speed for a massive physique, like a rapidly running chimpanzee.
"Hahahaha, I've got this win."
Gian was beaming with pride. He had already run halfway, and Nobi Hiroshi was still several body lengths behind him. Who would win or lose was already very clear.
"Yes, Gian! That's it!"
Xiao Fu, on the sidelines, hunched over and shouted loudly.
But what caught attention was Nobi Hiroshi's figure gradually closing in, now parallel with Gian.
There was even a tendency to overtake.
"Gian, don't speak too soon."
"Then I'll be going ahead."
His forefeet landed steadily on the ground, and Nobi Hiroshi was like a swift cheetah, calm and elegant.
He ran along, enjoying the wind slipping past his ears, rhythmically adjusting his breathing, inhaling every three steps, exhaling every five steps. Sweat dripped, soaking his clothes.
Indeed, he was still a bit weak.
"You damn brat, how can I lose to you!"
Seeing Nobi Hiroshi far ahead, Gian immediately became furious, his steps becoming erratic. He tripped over himself without realizing it.
And then, Nobi Hiroshi successfully won. In terms of speed, he was still superior.
"I lost. Go ahead and punch me."
Gian walked dejectedly in front of Nobi Hiroshi. In front of so many people, he could only accept his loss.
He gritted his teeth, tightly closed his eyes, waiting for the merciless iron fist to fall.
"Ahem, Gian, I'm very happy to have competed with you."
"There's no need to punch you. We're all classmates; there's no need to be so petty."
Nobi Hiroshi held Gian's large hand, a gentle smile on his face, and spoke earnestly.
"nobi... Nobi Hiroshi..."
"Thank you so much! Everything I did before was wrong. From now on, we're good friends."
Gian burst into tears after hearing him, excitedly hugging Nobi Hiroshi's small frame, looking completely reformed.
Nobi Hiroshi is truly a good person. He didn't hold my mistakes against me. It's my honor to be friends with someone like him.
"Ahem, Goda, please let go of me first. You're squeezing me so hard I can't breathe."
"Sorry, sorry!"
"Then, Hiroshi, we're friends from now on."
"Yes, of course."
They bumped fists, and Nobi Hiroshi looked at Gian, whose eyes were shining, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
From now on, he wouldn't come looking for trouble, right?
His idea was simple: even if he beat Gian, he might retaliate later. It was better to win him over with his broad-mindedness.
Gian was also someone who admired strength; Demusugi was a good example. He wouldn't actively provoke him, but rather give him face.
Nobi Hiroshi subdued Gian through his own strength, which would also make the other party truly convinced.
Conversely, if Nobita defeated Gian using Doraemon's gadgets, it would be an unfair victory, and how could the other party not continue to bully him?
"Hiro, you're really amazing."
"Even Gian is no match for you, and you're so magnanimous. I admire you more and more."
Before he had walked two steps, Shizuka's sweet voice reached his ears. The young girl was holding a towel, ready to wipe Nobi Hiroshi's sweat.
"Oh, it was nothing, just a lucky win," Nobi Hiroshi said modestly, lowering his head and letting Shizuka wipe his sweat.
Her fair and smooth skin, coupled with her cute little face, made Hiro's eyes unable to leave her.
Because they were so close, he could smell all of her fresh fragrance, which invigorated him after his workout.
"Hiro, do you have anything else planned? Do you want to play badminton together?"
Noticing Nobi Hiroshi's gaze, Shizuka's cheeks were flushed like red apples, making one want to take a bite.
As for this kind of behavior, it certainly varies from person to person.
The girl wasn't very annoyed; she suppressed her shyness and invited Nobi Hiroshi to play badminton.
"Alright, let's go!"
Seeing several girls with badminton rackets behind Shizuka, Nobi Hiroshi agreed without a second thought.
The looks of a few of those girls were not inferior to Shizuka's, but sentimentality still won out.
"Wait, I want to join too!"
Nobi Nobita rushed over. Hiro was with Shizuka again; how could he ignore it?
It's said that you fear your brother might struggle, but you also fear your brother might succeed. A brother's failure is sad, but a brother's success is even more heartbreaking.
Nobi Hiroshi had become his love rival.
Shizuka, too, really! She was clearly going to be his wife in the future, so how could she always be so close to Nobi Hiroshi?
"It's fine for Nobita to join, but you probably don't know how to play badminton, do you?"
Before Shizuka could speak, a tall girl directly hit Nobita's sore spot.
It wasn't just that he couldn't play badminton; Nobita wasn't good at any sport.
While the others were discussing, Shizuka quickly stepped in to smooth things over, successfully getting Nobita to join.
Nobi Nobita lived up to expectations, failing to return a single shot and even flinging his badminton racket, which hit Shizuka squarely in the face.
"Nobita!!!"
"I...I'm sorry, Shizuka!"