"Nobita, why are you up so early today?"
As Hiroshi and Nobita were about to enter the school gate, a sweet and gentle voice suddenly came from behind them.
"You actually came to school on time. You've improved—I'm impressed."
They both turned around.
Standing there was a beautiful little girl with large, bright eyes filled with surprise. She looked at Nobita, then at the unfamiliar boy beside him.
It was Shizuka.
She wore a pure white skirt with a soft pink collar and carried a pink backpack over her shoulders. Her smooth face was rosy and delicate, and her slender legs moved lightly as she walked closer.
When she approached, Hiroshi could even smell a faint, fresh fragrance—clean and pleasant, like a budding lotus.
"Oh, it's Shizuka!"
Faced with his beloved goddess, Nobita instantly straightened up.
"Actually, coming to school early isn't that hard," he said confidently, patting his chest. "I won't be late anymore."
Coming to school on time was just a student's responsibility—but when applied to Nobita, it felt like a miracle.
"Really?" Shizuka covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Then I'll look forward to it."
Although she was clearly a little doubtful, she didn't expose him. She genuinely hoped Nobita could improve.
After all, they were friends.
"Oh, right—Nobita," Shizuka said suddenly. "Who is this boy next to you?"
Her curious gaze landed on Nobi Hiroshi.
To be honest, what caught her attention first was his appearance. In her eyes, even Dekisugi, the so-called class prince, seemed far inferior.
"He's my cousin, Nobi Hiroshi," Nobita said quickly, eager to show off. "His parents passed away, so he came to live with us and will be studying here from now on."
He spoke rapidly, a little too enthusiastically.
The moment he finished, regret hit him.
Shizuka's attention had completely shifted away from him.
"Hello, Hiro-kun," she said politely.
"Hello, Shizuka-chan," Hiroshi replied with a small smile. "You're just as cute as I remembered."
He muttered the last part without thinking—memories from his previous life slipping out naturally.
Unfortunately, Shizuka caught the word cute.
Her ears instantly turned red.
Little girls were especially easy to embarrass—particularly when praised so directly by a boy they had just met.
Still, she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she felt sympathy for the new transfer student and quietly decided to help him more in the future.
"Damn it…" Nobita clenched his fists.
"Hiro—that guy—he's chatting so smoothly with Shizuka."
Feeling completely ignored, Nobita's jealousy flared up.
She was supposed to be his future wife. How could she talk so happily with someone else?
Frowning, Nobita forcibly cut between them, making up an excuse.
"Hurry up! Stop chatting—we're going to be late!"
"Oh! Right!" Shizuka nodded. "Hiro-kun, I'll take you to the teacher's office to report in. You probably don't know where it is yet, since today is your first day."
"Alright. Then I'll trouble you," Hiroshi said calmly.
He didn't pay much attention to Nobita's childish behavior.
Right now, he didn't have particularly deep thoughts about Shizuka—but feelings like that could always change in the future.
After all, this kind of sentiment was special.
Nobita could only swallow his frustration as he watched Hiroshi leave with Shizuka.
He really shouldn't have acted so impulsively just now.
It felt like he had made things even worse.
"Dong—dong—dong—dong~"
As the bell rang, the classroom—noisy like a marketplace just moments ago—fell completely silent. Even Nobita sat up straight.
The teacher's authority was every student's nightmare.
A strict-looking middle-aged man wearing a brown suit and neatly parted hair walked into the classroom. His expression was stern even without anger.
Behind him followed a slightly younger boy.
Naturally, it was Nobi Hiroshi.
Hiroshi glanced at Mr. Terakoya's serious face.
No wonder Nobita was terrified of him.
"Today," the teacher announced, "we have a new classmate joining us. This student's name is Nobi Hiroshi. I hope everyone will take good care of him and get along peacefully."
Hiroshi gave a brief self-introduction.
Immediately, whispers spread throughout the classroom.
"He has the same last name as Nobita!"
"Don't tell me he's another idiot who gets zero scores."
"Yeah, what's the point of being handsome if he's still stupid?"
"Wow, he's really good-looking… sorry, Dekisugi, my prince just changed."
"Forget it—I'm definitely becoming friends with Hiroshi first."
The boys and girls instantly split into different camps, opinions flying everywhere.
"Quiet!"
Mr. Terakoya slammed the desk.
The classroom became silent again.
"Alright, Hiroshi," the teacher said. "You may choose a seat."
"Teacher," Hiroshi spoke up politely, "may I sit next to that classmate? I feel that seat is more suitable for me, and I can see the blackboard clearly to focus on my studies."
He pointed to the seat next to Shizuka.
However, that seat was already occupied.
"This…" the teacher hesitated.
Before he could speak further, the boy sitting there stood up.
"Teacher," Dekisugi Hidetoshi said with a gentle smile, "I think the new classmate can take my seat. If it helps him study better, that's a good thing."
The considerate Dekisugi immediately offered his seat.
Shizuka also saw no problem with it. Sitting closer to the front was ideal for students who wanted to study seriously.
Hiroshi really was proactive.
"Thank you," Hiroshi said sincerely.
"No problem," Dekisugi replied. "It's only natural for classmates to help each other. My name is Dekisugi Hidetoshi—please take care of me."
"Likewise. Please take care of me from now on."
Dekisugi's impression of this polite new classmate doubled instantly.
He had heard Hiroshi was Nobita's cousin, but he already seemed far more reliable—at the very least, much easier on the eyes.
After they shook hands, Dekisugi packed his things and moved to the back row.
Hiroshi placed his bag down and sat beside Shizuka.
Instantly, countless gazes locked onto the two of them.
Envy.
Jealousy.
Hatred.
Especially from Nobita, whose back teeth were practically being ground into dust.
Seeing Shizuka's shy expression, Nobita felt as if something heavy was pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
Why didn't I think of that excuse earlier?
If I had…
Shizuka's desk partner would've been me.