Doraemon: Starting by Taking Care of Tamako Nobi

"Yaaawn… I only slept two hours last night. I'm exhausted."

Dragging his feet, Hiro Nobita stumbled up to the school gate. His bag hung loosely from one shoulder, and his steps were so unsteady it looked like he might collapse at any moment.

His dazed expression and sleepy gait attracted the eyes of more than a few housewives walking their kids to school. Someone might've tried to snatch him away if not for the fact that this was a quiet, safe neighborhood.

The clock on the rooftop read 8:30. Hiro sighed and rubbed his forehead.

He trudged up the stairs to the third floor like an old man leaning on a cane, each step feeling heavier than the last. Whatever "tofu" he had been pressing last night had apparently drained his energy reserves plus that last-minute sprint at the front door this morning didn't help.

Even though he now had the body of a normal boy, he felt like his energy had completely bottomed out. What use was a divine sword when the wielder could barely stand?

"Hiro, you're finally here! Heh heh."

Standing at the classroom door was a boy in a yellow shirt and round glasses Nobita. He lit up the moment he saw Hiro. Today, finally, he wouldn't be the only one being punished for being late. Suddenly, standing in the hallway didn't feel quite so humiliating.

"Oh? Nobita, are you actually happy to see me get punished too?"

"What?! No way, absolutely not! Ha ha… totally not."

But Nobita's grin gave him away. Hiro didn't even have to guess he could see exactly what was going on inside his friend's head. This was payback for all the times he had teased him.

"Nobita… Aminos."

Patting Nobita's shoulder with a mysterious grin, Hiro left him with this strange, profound-sounding word and walked into class.

"What the heck is he talking about?"

Nobita scratched his head in confusion. Was that some alien language? There was no deciphering it.

"Now, let's all turn to page Wait, Hiro Nobita?! Why are you only just arriving? Since you're late, you know the drill outside, please."

The teacher, Mr. Terakoya, paused mid-sentence, surprised to see Hiro at the door. But as always, he remained fair and impartial. Rules were rules.

"Understood, sensei."

Hiro leaned casually against the hallway wall. Standing outside wasn't going to shake his pride. He glanced at the sky through the classroom window, the breeze brushing against his face. He did feel a little drowsy, but he wasn't the type to fall asleep on his feet like Nobita.

Speaking of which…

Hiro turned to see Nobita already nodding off, his head bobbing like a balloon and a snot bubble inflating under his nose. It was oddly peaceful. For someone being punished, he really didn't look the part.

The recess bell rang, and Hiro finally got to return to his seat. His legs tingled with pins and needles, but at least he could sit down and relax again.

"Hiro, why were you late today? Did something happen?"

A soft voice drew his attention. He looked up and saw a white-collared blouse and a pink skirt Shizuka, smiling gently beside him.

"Oh… it's nothing. I just stayed up too late studying."

"I see. But still, you need to take care of yourself. You look so pale today."

She didn't question his explanation. Her voice was soft, filled with quiet concern.

"Yeah… I'll be more careful."

Changing position on his desk, Hiro tried to rest his cheek against his arm. Shizuka's gentle voice was like a lullaby, and it only made him sleepier. But ten minutes between classes wasn't nearly enough. All morning, he fought to stay awake.

By lunch break, the students spilled out onto the sunny playground. Some played baseball, others lounged in the grass.

Sunlight filtered through the trees, making the school lawn shimmer with golden light. The breeze carried the scent of summer, rustling the skirts of the girls sitting nearby.

"Go get 'em, Nobita, Gian, Suneo! You guys can do it!"

Shizuka sat on the grass, legs tucked to one side, cheering for her friends. Next to her lay a small, sleeping boy Hiro. His face, lit softly by the sun, looked almost angelic in his nap.

The soft grass was the perfect bed. Hiro stretched out, fidgeting a little as the tickling grass poked his cheek. Then, instinctively, he rolled closer to the most comfortable spot he could find Shizuka's lap.

"Eek!"

Shizuka's eyes widened as she felt Hiro's head press gently against her leg.

He was still fast asleep.

"Is he… really asleep?"

She glanced down, noticing how peaceful he looked, even as he unconsciously placed a hand on her skirt. After a second of hesitation, she smiled faintly and gently repositioned herself, letting him rest more comfortably on her lap.

It was embarrassing but also kind of sweet.

"It must be really comfortable, huh?"

She brushed his bangs aside and leaned in, studying his sleeping face up close.

A stray breeze lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, brushing across Hiro's cheeks. The ticklish sensation made him frown and shift. Shizuka gasped softly, holding her skirt down with both hands, cheeks flushed with a mix of panic and bashfulness.

Should she wake him up? Or just let him rest?

As she hesitated, the school bell rang, signaling the end of break. The students on the field returned to class one by one.

Feeling a lack of air, Hiro finally stirred, his breath shallow.

"Haah… haah…"

What was that? Why did it feel so stuffy?

He sat up abruptly, confused, blinking at the sky and then at Shizuka's blushing face.

Totally unaware of what just happened, Hiro simply scratched his head, thinking he'd just had a weird dream.