Morning classes ended, and it was time for the much-anticipated lunch break.
Even if their homes were close, students generally didn't go home for lunch, instead eating the school's unified meal.
During the last class, cafeteria staff would bring several iron buckets and place them at the classroom door.
Demusugi led several students in serving the meals. Today's dishes were stewed potatoes and meat, stir-fried bean sprouts, a cup of milk, and half a roasted sweet potato.
Nobi Hiroshi took his tray, then returned to his seat to eat, and also got a portion for Shizuka.
His deskmate was still burying her head, feeling sullen, with the net-like imprint from the badminton racket still visible on her face.
Nobita timidly walked past Shizuka, his expression full of shame. He regretted showing off; Shizuka must hate him now.
"Shizuka, hurry and eat."
"Actually, Nobita didn't do it on purpose. The red mark on your face will disappear soon."
While looking at Shizuka and eating his meal, Hiro felt it tasted even better. She was indeed a feast for the eyes.
"Oh, Nobita is always so clumsy; I'm starting to get used to it."
"If only he could learn from you, Hiro."
Rubbing her slightly aching nose, Shizuka's mood brightened when she saw her favorite roasted sweet potato. She no longer thought about what had happened in gym class.
She ate it like a little hamster, holding it in her hand and nibbling at it little by little.
Out of politeness, the girl didn't dare show how much she liked this food.
Because eating too much can cause flatulence, which girls find very embarrassing.
After enduring torment, the time finally came for the last class: math.
Terakoya Eiichirou assigned a pile of "interesting" math problems.
For example, if you drink half a cup of milk and then pour in water, then drink half again and pour in water, do you end up drinking more milk or more water?
A perverted farmer locks chickens and rabbits in a cage, and you have to determine how many chickens and rabbits there are by counting their legs.
The students in the class were all deep in thought, and it was unusually quiet; they were all stumped by the problems before them.
Actually, these problems seemed a bit tricky, but they were essentially quite simple, just requiring some flexible thinking.
Demusugi was the first to finish the class assignment and returned to his seat to preview other lessons.
Nobi Hiroshi had also finished long ago; he was just tutoring Shizuka, who was next to him, and also Gian and Xiao Fu, who came over to ask questions.
As for Nobita, he was certainly too embarrassed to ask Hiro; he might as well ask Demusugi.
"Students, I have one more thing to tell you."
"There will be a math exam tomorrow morning. Please study hard when you go home and strive for a good score."
"This exam might be a bit difficult, but it's still closely related to the textbook."
"For those whose scores are not ideal, I will talk to their parents."
"Especially you, Nobita."
After class, Terakoya Eiichirou announced this news before leaving. Many students looked bewildered, and Nobita's face instantly turned pale.
"What, an exam?"
Nobi Nobita hugged his arms, his teeth chattering uncontrollably. The thing he feared most was exams.
If nothing unexpected happened, he would most likely get a zero tomorrow.
Calling his parents—his mother would definitely nag him all day long, and his ears were already starting to hurt.
"No, I must ask Doraemon for help, otherwise I'm finished."
He immediately thought of Doraemon's gadgets. As long as he went back and whined a bit, Doraemon would definitely not abandon him.
"An exam, huh…"
Looking at the blackboard, Nobi Hiroshi nonchalantly played with his pencil.
He wasn't worried about this exam at all.
First, he definitely wouldn't fail. Even if he did, his parents had already ascended, so where would Terakoya Eiichirou find his parents to talk to?
His eyes darted over, catching sight of Shizuka, who was frowning. The girl's ten fingers were tightly intertwined, and her eyes were cast down.
Her pretty face was full of worry.
"What's wrong, Shizuka? Are you troubled by something?"
A little girl's thoughts couldn't be hidden. Hiro saw her like this and figured she must be worried about the exam.
Shizuka looked at Nobi Hiroshi beside her, her expression a bit conflicted. She said with difficulty, "To be honest, Hiro, I'm very worried about this math test. Those problems just now were all thanks to you. What if I fail and they call my parents?"
Shizuka spoke with some shame. She said that if there were problems she didn't understand, she could ask him, but it always seemed like she was the one asking Nobi Hiroshi.
"Oh, so that's it. It's okay, just face it with a normal mindset."
"If you're really worried, I can help you with your studies after school."
"This… wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
"Of course not. We're friends, after all. Helping each other is only natural."
Nobi Hiroshi smiled at Shizuka. For such a cute deskmate, tutoring her alone after school was absolutely no problem.
Human relationships are built up little by little, like streams flowing into a river.
To completely nip Nobita, Shizuka's childhood friend, in the bud, the cautious Hiro naturally wouldn't miss any opportunity.
"Then I'll trouble you, Hiro. I'll prepare juice and snacks to treat you well."
Nobi Hiroshi's caring gesture gave Shizuka a sense of inexplicable peace. She smiled softly.
"Alright, it's settled then."
Seeing Shizuka's smile return, Nobi Hiroshi quickly packed up his stationery, ready to go to Shizuka's house.
Actually, he didn't need to prepare any snacks or drinks. *cough cough* Just being treated by her would be fine.
...
...
After school, Nobi Hiroshi and Shizuka walked home together.
It was his first time going to Shizuka's house, and Hiro was a bit excited. Spending time with a cute girl to teach and learn was such a wonderful thing.
Both of them tacitly agreed not to call Nobita, because calling him wouldn't help with their studies at all; instead, he would cause trouble and drag them down.
"Shizuka, you're back."
"And this person next to you is…"
The door opened from inside, and a gentle female voice was heard. It was a middle-aged woman with a high ponytail, wearing homewear—Shizuka's mother.
Indeed, there was a reason Shizuka looked the way she did. Nobi Hiroshi felt that this lady in front of him was still quite charming, no less so than Nobi Tamako.
Each had their own charm, their own good qualities.
"Madam, no, I mean, Miss, I'm Nobi Hiroshi, the new transfer student. I came to your esteemed residence today specifically to tutor Shizuka."
Nobi Hiroshi's every gesture and word showed extraordinary demeanor. He spoke politely, and combined with his appearance, he immediately left a very good impression.
"I see, Nobi Hiroshi, please come in quickly."
"Thank you so much for tutoring our Shizuka today. Auntie will go prepare some snacks and drinks for you."
Shizuka's mother enthusiastically welcomed Nobi Hiroshi. She didn't expect this child to be so sweet, calling her "Miss."
Perhaps, she really was that young.