Morning classes had ended, and it was finally time for the most anticipated part of the day lunch.
Even though most students lived nearby, they usually stayed at school for lunch, which was provided in a standard format.
During the last period, cafeteria staff would deliver several metal containers and leave them outside each classroom door.
Dekisugi, acting as class monitor, led a few classmates to help distribute the food. Today's menu was stewed potatoes and beef, stir-fried bean sprouts, a cup of milk, and half a roasted sweet potato.
Hiro Nobita took his tray and returned to his seat to eat, making sure to grab a portion for Shizuka as well.
His desk partner sat slumped over, still visibly upset, with the imprint of a badminton racket's netting faintly lingering on her face.
Meanwhile, Nobita crept nervously toward her, clearly remorseful. If only he hadn't tried to show off. Shizuka must really hate him now.
"Shizuka, come on, let's eat," Hiro said gently. "Nobita didn't mean it. The mark on your face will fade soon."
While speaking, he casually shoveled food into his mouth. With Shizuka next to him, even lunch tasted better. Beauty really does enhance the appetite.
"Ugh, Nobita is always so careless. I guess I've gotten used to it," Shizuka muttered, rubbing her sore nose.
"If only he could learn from someone like you, Hiro."
Her mood lifted quickly when she saw roasted sweet potatoes, her favorite. She pushed the incident during gym class to the back of her mind and focused on lunch.
Still, she nibbled on the sweet potato like a little hamster, small bites at a time, trying not to show how much she loved it.
After all, girls usually avoided showing enthusiasm for food that might cause embarrassment later like sweet potatoes, which were rumored to make you gassy.
At long last, it was time for the final class of the day math.
Mr. Terakoya Ryoichiro handed out a new batch of "fun" math problems.
Questions like: If you drink half a glass of milk, refill it with water, then drink half again and refill, which ends up more the milk or the water?
Or: A twisted farmer locks chickens and rabbits in a cage. Given the total number of legs, how many of each animal are there?
The classroom fell unusually silent. Everyone was hunched over their desks, deep in thought, stuck on the challenging questions.
Despite how tricky they looked, the problems were actually quite simple once you figured out the logic. It just took a bit of creative thinking.
Dekisugi was the first to finish, and he returned to his seat to start reviewing other subjects.
Hiro had already completed his work too, and now he was helping Shizuka with her worksheet. Soon, Gian and Suneo came over to ask him questions as well.
Nobita, on the other hand, was too embarrassed to ask Hiro, so he chose to go to Dekisugi instead.
"Students, I have an announcement," Mr. Terakoya said before leaving the classroom. "There will be a math test tomorrow morning. Please make sure to review thoroughly when you get home and aim for a good score."
"This one might be a bit challenging, but it's all based on your textbooks."
"And if anyone performs poorly, I'll be having a word with their parents."
"Especially you, Nobita."
A wave of shock swept through the class. Nobita's face turned ghostly pale.
"What? A test?"
He clutched his arms and started to tremble. Exams were his greatest fear.
At this rate, a big fat zero seemed almost guaranteed.
And if his parents got called, his mom would definitely scold him all day long. Just thinking about it made his ears hurt.
"No way! I need Doraemon's help. I'm doomed without one of his gadgets."
As expected, Nobita's first reaction was to rely on Doraemon. If he acted cute enough, Doraemon would never leave him hanging.
"A test, huh..."
Hiro twirled his pencil absentmindedly as he stared at the blackboard, completely unfazed.
He wasn't worried at all.
Even if, by some freak accident, he failed the test, it wasn't like his parents were still around. Terakoya-sensei wouldn't find anyone to report him to anyway.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Shizuka fidgeting nervously. Her slender fingers were entwined, and her gaze was lowered.
Her usually radiant face was clouded with worry.
"Hey, Shizuka. Is something bothering you?"
Hiro could tell right away girls her age weren't very good at hiding their emotions. Judging by her expression, it had to be about the test.
Shizuka glanced at Hiro and hesitated before saying, "To be honest... I'm really nervous about tomorrow's math quiz. If it weren't for your help earlier, I wouldn't have been able to solve most of those problems."
"What if I fail and they call my parents?"
She looked ashamed, feeling like she had been the one always asking for help, even though she was supposed to be the one offering it.
"I see. Well, there's no need to stress. Just approach it calmly."
"But if it'll ease your mind, I can tutor you after school."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" she asked hesitantly.
"Not at all. We're friends, aren't we? Helping each other out is what friends do."
Hiro smiled at her. With such a cute desk partner, he didn't mind offering some one-on-one tutoring at all.
After all, relationships are built one small gesture at a time.
If he wanted to completely cut off Nobita's chances with Shizuka while still keeping things smooth, Hiro knew he couldn't afford to let a single opportunity slip.
"Thank you, Hiro. I'll get some juice and snacks ready to properly treat you."
Touched by Hiro's kindness, Shizuka felt an unexpected sense of peace. She smiled softly.
"Alright, it's a deal."
Seeing her cheerful expression return, Hiro quickly packed up his stationery and got ready to head to her place.
Not that he needed snacks or drinks or anything.
Ahem... just her company would be enough.
…
…
After school, Hiro and Shizuka walked home together.
It was his first time visiting her house, and Hiro couldn't help but feel a little excited. Spending time alone with such a lovely girl to teach her... what a beautiful arrangement.
They had tacitly agreed not to invite Nobita. After all, he wouldn't be much help and would likely just cause trouble.
"Shizuka, you're home," came a gentle voice from inside as the front door swung open.
It was a woman in casual homewear, her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Shizuka's mother.
Now Hiro understood why Shizuka was so pretty. Her mother was still graceful and full of charm. In fact, compared to Nobita's mother Tamako, she easily held her own.
Different styles, different allure.
"Hello there, ma' I mean, miss! I'm Hiro Nobita, a transfer student. I came over today to help Shizuka with her studies."
Hiro's polite manner and respectful tone left a strong first impression. Coupled with his good looks, he immediately won favor.
"Ah, I see. Please, come in, Hiro," Shizuka's mother said warmly.
"Thank you so much for helping our Shizuka. I'll go prepare some snacks and drinks for you two."
She was clearly delighted by the sweet-talking boy who had just called her "miss." Maybe... she really did look that young, after all.