Nobi Hiroshi picked up a piece of chalk and calmly began writing on the blackboard.
Problems like the so-called Crazy Construction Team were trivial to him. He solved them effortlessly, step by step.
"Teacher, I'm done."
As he placed the chalk down, a clean and orderly set of calculations appeared on the blackboard.
"Wow… good, very good!" Mr. Terakoya looked at the solution in pleasant surprise, then turned to the class.
"Nobi Hiroshi solved it perfectly. Let's give him a round of applause."
He clapped loudly, genuinely pleased.
The classroom erupted into applause.
Nobita, Gian, and Suneo were completely dumbfounded.
None of them had expected Hiroshi to actually solve the problem.
In an instant, all the attention in the classroom was taken by him.
Hiroshi himself, however, felt no excitement at all. He calmly returned to his seat as if nothing special had happened.
Ding-a-ling—a-ling—
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
Students poured out of the classroom like zombies suddenly released from captivity, laughing and shouting as they rushed home.
"Hiroshi, I really didn't expect you to solve that problem so easily this morning," Shizuka said softly as they walked home together. "You're amazing."
"It was nothing," Hiroshi replied with a smile, hands in his pockets. "It's all thanks to your good teaching."
"Hmph," Shizuka puffed her cheeks slightly. "I don't remember teaching you that kind of problem."
The two walked side by side, chatting happily.
Behind them, Nobita followed with a dark expression, silently watching Hiroshi laugh so naturally with Shizuka.
Normally, when Shizuka walked home with him, she was always comforting him about something—his grades, his bad luck, his problems.
She never smiled like this.
"Damn it…" Nobita clenched his fists, jealousy burning in his eyes.
"Why does this guy get to be Shizuka's desk partner and talk so happily with her?"
What's so great about Nobi Hiroshi?
He's just a little taller than me…
A little more handsome than me…
A little smarter than me…
And a little funnier than me…
Other than that, where is he better than me?!
"Hey! You kid up there—stop right now!"
"Nobi Hiroshi! Stop for us!"
Two unpleasant shouts rang out from behind, instantly souring the atmosphere.
Hiroshi turned around.
Standing there were a short, sharp-mouthed fox with spiky hair, and a thick-waisted, big-headed gorilla-like boy radiating menace.
Suneo Honekawa and Takeshi 'Gian' Goda.
The school's infamous bullies.
If one were generous, they were Nobita's "best friends."
If one were honest, they were absolute scourges.
If it weren't for these two constantly bullying him, Nobita's life would've been at least half better.
"What's wrong, Suneo, Gian?" Hiroshi asked calmly, pretending not to know their intentions. "Do you need something from me?"
"Hmph. Of course we do." Gian rolled up his sleeves, grinning viciously as he walked forward.
"The new guy's gotten pretty arrogant. I'm going to teach you a lesson today."
Judging by their physiques, the slender Hiroshi looked completely outmatched.
"Yeah, yeah!" Suneo snickered. "Give him a good beating, Gian—hehehe."
Behind them, Nobita lowered his head and revealed a strangely satisfied smile.
At this moment, Gian looked like a righteous enforcer—doing what Nobita himself didn't dare to do.
"Wait!"
Just as Gian was about to swing, Shizuka suddenly stepped forward without hesitation, standing in front of Hiroshi.
"You're not allowed to bully him. Bullying someone weaker than you is the most useless thing there is."
Hiroshi stared at the girl's back, feeling unexpectedly moved.
This scene felt both unfamiliar and familiar.
He had only seen it on a screen in his previous life—but now, he was experiencing it firsthand.
No wonder Nobita slowly fell in love with Shizuka.
Then again…
Sorry, Nobita.
From now on, I'll work hard—for both of us.
"Tch… Shizuka again." Suneo clicked his tongue and sneered.
"Nobi Hiroshi, if you're really a man, then come out and fight Gian properly. Hiding behind a girl is pathetic."
Gian also snorted and withdrew his fist.
He might love violence, but he wouldn't hit a girl.
"Hiroshi, don't let them provoke you," Shizuka said worriedly, turning back toward him. "Should I tell the teacher? Otherwise, Gian will definitely beat you up."
Her eyes were full of concern.
Hiroshi felt warmth spread through his chest—but hiding behind a girl wasn't his style.
He was someone who had dared to eat pig head meat and methanol duck blood in his previous life.
How could he cower now?
Besides, he wasn't afraid of Gian at all.
Who said a fight had to be settled with fists?
"Thanks, Shizuka," Hiroshi said gently. "It's okay. I'll talk to Gian."
He patted her shoulder reassuringly and stepped forward.
At that moment, Hiroshi's image in Shizuka's heart rose sharply—especially compared to Nobita.
Not only was he diligent in his studies, he was also brave.
"Tch… 'Thanks, Shizuka'…"
Nobita muttered bitterly under his breath, his face twisted.
"Oh? So you've decided to come out." Gian cracked his knuckles, eyes gleaming.
"Ready to taste my fist? I'll show you my power!"
Suneo laughed eagerly from the side, enjoying the chaos.
"Go on, Gian! Show him who's boss!"
"Wait." Hiroshi sidestepped, narrowly dodging Gian's punch.
Gian froze, startled.
"I don't think everything needs to be solved with violence," Hiroshi said calmly.
"Someone as tall and mighty as you wouldn't casually bully the weak… right?"
Gian blinked.
The compliment hit him squarely.
"Oh… yeah?" he said, scratching his head. "Then what do you suggest?"
"Simple. Tomorrow's sports class—we settle it with a race."
Hiroshi spoke with confidence.
He might not be good at fighting, but running was his specialty. In his previous life, he'd won track championships year after year.
"Hahahaha!" Gian burst out laughing.
"Alright, kid! I accept! We'll decide it tomorrow in sports class. But if you lose—don't think you're escaping a beating."
Who didn't know that Takeshi Goda was the best athlete in the class?
In his eyes, this new kid was simply asking to be humiliated.
"Hiroshi… are you really going to race Gian?" Shizuka asked worriedly after the two bullies left. "You know he's the sports committee member."
A race didn't seem like a wise idea at all.
"Oh, it's fine, Shizuka," Nobita suddenly said cheerfully before Hiroshi could reply. "I believe Hiroshi can definitely beat Gian."
"See you tomorrow!"
With an unusually bright smile, Nobita dragged Hiroshi away.
Deep down, he was already imagining tomorrow's scene—
Nobi Hiroshi getting beaten up by Gian.
Serves you right for being so arrogant.