As Roppuru fell into the river, he let the current carry him downstream, knowing he was dying.
"Heh, we didn't get the Earth brat, but that annoying immigrant kid is finished," a Galtite Mining villain said, laughing in a spaceship.
"Blow everything up—destroy the evidence!" Head Boss ordered coldly.
"Yes, sir!"
With a press of a button, all the weapons and the orange machine exploded in fireballs.
"Koyakoya lost someone this time. The Space Patrol won't let it go," Head Boss said.
"And since we didn't get the Earth brat, the same trap won't work on him again."
"In that case, we'll have to use our trump card," he said coldly.
"What? You mean… that…?" a lackey trembled.
"They need to know what I'm truly capable of," Head Boss replied with icy menace.
…
…
Meanwhile, I was playing with Clem, riding the baby flying elephant all over the place—across streams, fields, flowerbeds.
Clem's laughter was like music.
We finally stopped at a big lake. On the hillsides, the trees were all red and yellow—like autumn maples.
"Didn't expect Koyakoya's trees to turn red and yellow in autumn too," I said, smiling at Clem.
I'd been here for so long—since spring, then home once, and now it was already months later.
Happy days.
Of course, on Earth, it was only a few days.
But Doraemon still wasn't back. Was something wrong?
If he didn't return soon, I'd have to go to the future for him.
"Nobita-oniichan, look! The flying fish-birds are migrating to another planet!" Clem pointed at a flock of fish-bird-things with sausage lips, delighted.
Her cuteness made me forget my worries.
"Birds that can fly through space, huh?" I said, unfazed by the weirdness after so long here.
"They can control Garutite ore at will," Clem explained.
We saw other creatures busily preparing for something. The fish-frogs were crawling out of the river again, like when I first arrived.
"Winter's coming. Everyone's getting ready," Clem explained, smiling.
We sat on little boats made of giant leaves, drifting with the current.
I wanted to sit together, but she was too shy—so we each had our own boat.
"It's been forever since I've looked forward to winter like this," she said.
"It's all thanks to you, Nobita-oniichan." She looked at me with gratitude and adoration.
"Can we be friends forever?" she asked, shyly.
"Of course," I smiled, knowing what she meant.
"Promise?" she said, suddenly grabbing my hands.
"Clem…" I started to say something, but she blushed and tried to pull away.
I caught her soft hands in mine.
"Isn't this nice?" I teased.
She didn't resist, letting me hold her hands, like she was giving herself to me.
Our little boats, linked by our hands, drifted closer and closer on the water.
Just as Clem and I were enjoying our little adventure, Chammy came flying in, breaking the moment.
Seeing Chammy, Clem yanked her hands away, blushing furiously.
"Bad news! Roppuru's in trouble!" Chammy gasped, frantic.
"What? My brother? What happened?" All the color drained from Clem's face—her shyness replaced by panic.
"Roppuru's badly hurt—he might not make it!" Chammy said, nearly in tears.
"No… my brother…" Clem looked like she was about to collapse.
"Clem, let's go home and check first. Maybe it's not so bad. Let me try to help," I said, trying to comfort her.
"Yes, let's go back. Nobita-oniichan, you have to save my brother!" she pleaded, on the verge of tears.
To her, I was like a miracle worker.
I didn't waste any more words. We rushed home as fast as we could.
All the way, I tried to comfort Clem, easing her anxiety a little.
When we got close, we saw a crowd gathered at her house—neighbors everywhere.
The closer we got, the more we heard their sighs.
We heard Morina's voice:
"I told you not to let Roppuru do such dangerous things! How can you adults let children handle this?"
Morina's voice was full of anger and sorrow.
"It's all my fault… If I'd stopped him sooner, Roppuru wouldn't…" Clem's mother sobbed.
Clem couldn't take it. She pushed through the crowd and ran inside.
"Brother!" she cried, seeing Roppuru lying on the bed, barely alive.
His face was pale, his chest soaked in blood—anyone could see it was hopeless.
"No… this can't be…" Clem sobbed in disbelief.
I stepped in, too.
"Roppuru, how are you?" I asked, worried.
At my arrival, the room fell silent.
"Nobita-oniichan, you're just in time. Please—you have to save my brother."
Not just Clem, but her mother, Morina, everyone looked at me with hope.
I was the miracle worker, the last hope.
Without a word, I took out the Doctor's Kit I'd gotten from Doraemon.
I'm not stupid—I always bring lifesaving gadgets just in case. That's why Doraemon could leave me alone to get checked up in the future.
I scanned Roppuru. As expected, the results were the same as the local doctors.
I shook my head sadly.
"Not even you can save him?" Clem sobbed.
"I'm sorry… Technology isn't omnipotent. I can't help." I could only say that.
Clem and her mother broke down, hugging each other in tears.
Morina sighed helplessly.
"Nobita, you're here," Roppuru said, suddenly lucid—a final burst of energy.
"Everyone, can you give me a moment?" he asked, smiling weakly.
People understood he had something to say, so they left.
Except me, Clem, and her mother. Morina hesitated, but Roppuru asked her to stay.
"Nobita!" Roppuru said, getting to the point.
"I'm sorry—I messed everything up," he said with a bitter smile.
"Don't say that. You did great," I tried to comfort him.
"Be careful of Galtite Mining. They've got a real big shot now," he warned.
"Yeah," I muttered, unsure what else to say.
"And… I have a personal favor to ask, Nobita," he said, pleading a little.
Before I could answer, he said:
"If I don't make it… will you look after my mother and my sister for me?"
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