"Hey! Nobita, let's go play baseball at the empty lot by the river later. There's an important game today, and you can participate."
"But if you make us lose, I won't let you off easily!"
After school, Gian, putting aside their previous grievances, found Nobita, patted his shoulder, his eyes containing a sense of coercion.
It was as if Nobita would be flattened by a fist the size of a sandbag if he refused.
"Gian, I have to go home and do my homework today, so I can't participate."
Nobi Nobita retreated a few steps in fear, looking nervously at Gian.
Make him play baseball? He clearly just wanted him to take the blame.
For example, in the last game, they lost by 20 points, and everyone blamed him, saying all those points were lost because of him.
But he only lost a dozen points, not 20 at all. These people always like to put the blame on him.
"Hahaha, Nobita, don't joke around. You, going home to do homework?"
"You can't even lie properly. I think you just don't want to play in the game with us."
Xiao Fu looked at Nobita's cowardly appearance and mercilessly exposed the truth with his crow's mouth.
"Nobita!"
Gian's dark, thick fingers cracked twice.
Facing the fierce Gian, even if he didn't want to go, he couldn't refuse.
At this moment, Shizuka and Nobi Hiroshi just walked out of the classroom. Nobita looked at Hiroshi, and an idea suddenly popped into his mind.
Since they were going to play baseball, why not invite Hiroshi? If he couldn't play baseball, wouldn't he be as embarrassed as himself?
And then invite Shizuka to watch, maybe Shizuka wouldn't like him anymore. Wouldn't that be great?
"Gian, our team should still be short on people, right? How about we invite another classmate?"
"I think Nobi Hiroshi is very good; his baseball skills will definitely not be inferior, and it can also increase our friendship, isn't that great?"
A cunning smile flashed across Nobita's face as he pointed at Nobi Hiroshi next to him, all his little schemes revealed on his face.
"Nobita, your suggestion is not bad. Then let's go find him, Xiao Fu."
"Okay, Gian."
They exchanged a smile, finding no fault with the idea, and then blocked Shizuka and Hiroshi's path.
"Gian, what do you want?"
Nobi Hiroshi's gaze swept over the two, asking curiously.
"There is, there is a very important matter."
"Nobi Hiroshi, would you like to join our baseball team? We just happen to need talent like you here."
Gian's face was beaming with an enthusiastic smile, and his tone was very respectful, a feeling Nobi Nobita had never experienced.
In the hallway, Nobita gnashed his teeth in hatred. Why didn't Gian use threats this time!
"Baseball team!"
Hiroshi was somewhat flattered by Gian's invitation.
He squinted and through the gap between the two, he could see Nobita secretly snickering.
So it was this kid's doing, probably wanting to see him make a fool of himself. But he guessed right, he really couldn't play baseball.
However, it wasn't a big problem; this sport was quick to learn. As long as he understood the rules, he could pick it up immediately.
He just hadn't played it before, it wasn't that he lacked athletic ability in that area.
"Okay, Gian, I'd be very happy to join your baseball team, thank you so much."
A smirk played on Hiroshi's lips as he looked coldly at Nobita behind Gian.
"That's great, Hiroshi. We'll meet at the empty lot by the river later for the game, don't be late."
Upon hearing Hiroshi's reply, Nobita's eyes widened with excitement.
His heart cheered, finally he could see Nobi Hiroshi make a fool of himself.
...
...
Soon after, the group arrived at the empty lot by the river. The game would start a little later because they had to wait for teams from other classes to arrive.
While waiting, Nobi Hiroshi pulled Shizuka to sit on the grass to rest and to inquire about the rules of baseball.
"What! Hiroshi, you don't play baseball, then why do you want to join… Mmm…"
Shizuka was incredibly surprised when she heard that Nobi Hiroshi was a complete novice at baseball.
She exclaimed in surprise for a moment, but luckily, Hiroshi was quick-witted and covered Shizuka's mouth with his hand to prevent others from hearing.
"Shh, Shizuka, quiet down!"
"I just don't know the rules of the game. As long as you tell me, with my athletic ability, it will be very easy to play."
"Hmm… alright… you have to let go of me first before I can tell you."
With her pink lips covered by Nobi Hiroshi's palm, the little loli shyly pursed them, her cheeks feeling a little itchy.
"Oh, alright, go ahead and tell me."
Nobi Hiroshi lowered his hand. The touch of her fair skin was delicate, and her chubby cheeks were never tiresome to caress, no matter how long he did it.
"Oh… really, you have to listen carefully."
Shizuka sighed helplessly and began to explain the basic rules of baseball to Nobi Hiroshi.
Although she didn't play baseball herself, she had watched it since she was little and was quite familiar with its rules.
Quietly holding the girl's soft palm, Hiroshi listened attentively.
Her palm wasn't pulled back, only a slight struggle, and the girl's expression was one of "okay," delighted and shy, which made Hiroshi knead her hand even more wantonly.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, a breeze swept across the grass. Shizuka's little hands were rubbed red, and Hiroshi finally memorized the rules of the game.
"I'm going to play, Shizuka."
"Mm, you have to cheer on."
Her legs together, chin resting on her knees, the little loli cupped her reddened hands, revealing a worried smile.
"Take this, Hiroshi. The first batter is yours. You must show the spirit of our Gian Team!"
"Don't worry, I will!"
Taking the baseball bat from Gian, Hiroshi walked to the batter's position, ready to go.
"Is it okay…? His first time playing baseball, and as the batter…"
Looking at Nobi Hiroshi warming up by swinging the bat on the field, Shizuka's fair forehead furrowed, and she felt very anxious.
It wasn't for any other reason, but simply out of fear that Nobi Hiroshi would be beaten by Gian because of this.
The batter's position looked easy but was incredibly difficult. If he struck out, Gian would surely be furious, and the small Hiroshi would undoubtedly be severely disciplined.
"Hehehe, the batter, huh? This is going to be good."
Nobi Nobita looked at Nobi Hiroshi with schadenfreude, a mischievous smile on his face. Based on his experience, this kid would definitely be the one most severely disciplined after the game.
He was at the shortstop position, so he didn't have to worry about the risk of striking out. Even if the game was lost, the blame wouldn't fall on him.
The trajectory of events seemed to be all within his plan.
Standing there foolishly chuckling, Nobi Nobita was already looking forward to the scene of Shizuka disliking Nobi Hiroshi.
The future wouldn't deviate; it was truly a delightful thing.
Lost in his fantasy, Nobi Nobita forgot a very serious matter.
As a shortstop, he couldn't catch the ball at all!