Doraemon: Starting by Taking Care of Tamako Nobi

Some time later, they moved to the kitchen. Hiro Nobita tied on an apron, took out a large mixing bowl, and began pouring in flour and baking powder, adding water as he stirred.

Since the little girl didn't have the strength to knead the dough thanks to certain activities earlier it was only right that Hiro took over the job.

"Should be all washed off now..."

At the sink, Shizuka turned on the tap, rinsing her delicate, pale fingers under the stream. Her skin was smooth and fragrant, carrying the faint scent of osmanthus lotion.

It had taken a while, but she'd finally scrubbed off the warm hand cream. Now she was ready to make cookies.

Face slightly flushed, Shizuka stepped out of the bathroom, her large, expressive eyes wide with thought. She absentmindedly clenched her fingers as she imagined what shapes she wanted to roll out for the cookies.

Ding-dong!

"Shizuka, are you home?"

Out of breath, Nobita pressed the doorbell anxiously.

Hearing the voice, Shizuka sighed and went to open the door.

"What's up, Nobita? Is there something you need?"

Her delicate brows pinched together ever so slightly as she looked at him, her tone not particularly welcoming.

Even among friends, no one liked having their quiet time interrupted.

"Oh, nothing really. Just came by to hang out. Can I come in?"

Scratching the back of his head with a big, toothy grin, Nobita sounded harmless enough he played his part well, giving no hint of hidden intentions.

"Sure. I was just about to bake some cookies. You can try a few when they're done."

"Wow, that sounds amazing! I bet your cookies are delicious, Shizuka!"

He showered her with flattery as he followed her into the kitchen, though his eyes flickered with a sly glint that vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Upon seeing Hiro kneading dough at the counter, Nobita felt a pang of jealousy, but managed to maintain the facade of friendly banter.

"Oh, you're here too, Hiro? What a coincidence."

"Quite the coincidence indeed. Nobita, have you finished your homework?"

Looking up from the bowl, Hiro asked the question with pointed calm. Judging from Nobita's guilty look, the answer was a clear no. Hiro didn't bother pressing him after all, he wasn't the one who'd be punished at school tomorrow.

Still, the fact that Nobita showed up now made it obvious he was up to something. He had almost certainly borrowed one of Doraemon's gadgets for another prank.

That kind of trick might fool a sweet girl like Shizuka, but not Hiro. Not even close.

He'd already sensed someone tailing him at the shopping district earlier. The culprit? Most likely Nobita.

The atmosphere in the kitchen turned oddly tense. Shizuka, completely unaware, continued humming as she moved about, while the two boys silently calculated their next moves.

One plotting in secret.

The other anticipating that very plot.

"Hiro, could you get some butter from the fridge?" Shizuka asked sweetly.

"Sure thing."

Hiro walked to the fridge, opened the door, and retrieved a foil-wrapped block of butter. As he passed Nobita, the latter seized the moment. Quickly, he pulled out the Fool Bomb from his pocket and stealthily stuck it onto Hiro's back.

But Hiro had already been expecting this. He noticed everything, yet pretended not to.

Glancing over at Nobita who was smirking to himself Hiro let a faint smile curl at the corner of his lips.

"Nobita, in this world, what goes around comes around."

Without a word, he removed the Fool Bomb and joined Shizuka in shaping the cookie dough.

"All done. Now let's go watch a little TV while the cookies bake."

Shizuka slipped on a pink apron, carefully brushed an egg wash over the bear-shaped cookies, and slid the tray into the oven.

Then the trio moved into the living room, where she turned on the TV. A sad movie happened to be playing a tragic tale about a young kun who had trained for two and a half years, only to be squashed flat in his first real challenge.

Shizuka watched with rapt attention, her eyes misting over. Sitting beside her, Hiro gently reached out and held her hand in silent comfort.

"Shizuka... you're so adorable..." Nobita murmured as he gazed at her longingly, entirely oblivious to the movie.

What he didn't realize was that his blank stare, his grin, his sudden dazed chuckle... had all turned him into a complete fool.

"Nobita, what's so funny? And why are you laughing so hard?"

The sorrowful mood was instantly shattered.

Shizuka turned toward him, cheeks puffed and brows furrowed in displeasure.

Could he not see her precious little kun had just been crushed? And he was laughing?

What if it had been him getting flattened?

"S-sorry, really! I didn't mean to. I just... wasn't paying attention."

Realizing his slip-up, Nobita hurried to explain, though in truth, his mind had been far from the film the entire time.

"Hmph."

Shizuka turned her face away with a pout. She couldn't stand boys who laughed at the misfortune of others.

Half an hour passed, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies began to fill the room. The oven chimed.

They were ready.

Shizuka went to the kitchen and soon returned with a tray full of warm cookies, neatly arranged on a plate.

"Yay! Cookies! I love your cookies the most, Shizuka!"

Without hesitation, Nobita was the first to dive in. He grabbed a cookie and shoved it into his mouth, trying to eat more than Hiro.

But as he chewed, a troubling thought arose: Why hadn't the Fool Bomb gone off?

He'd clearly stuck it on Hiro's back. Where did it go?

Was it another one of Doraemon's faulty gadgets?

It made no sense. He couldn't figure it out.

"What do you think, Hiro? Are the cookies good?" Shizuka asked with a hopeful smile, watching him closely.

"They're delicious," Hiro said warmly. "But I still think your lips are even sweeter."

A soft breath brushed her ear, sending warmth all the way to her heart.

"W-what are you saying..."

Blushing furiously, Shizuka turned her head down and cupped her cheeks with her hands.

One eye peeked shyly at Hiro, sparkling with joy.

The other flicked to Nobita hopefully he hadn't heard that.

~

Later that evening, after the cookies were gone and they'd played a bit more, it was time to go home and rest.

"Bye, Shizuka," Hiro called.

"See you tomorrow morning!" she waved cheerfully from the doorstep.

Hiro turned as he walked down the street, eyes lingering on her smiling face.

And then came the voice he didn't want to hear.

"Hey, Hiro! Look what I've got! Shizuka gave me all the leftover cookies!"

Nobita laughed proudly as he held up a pink takeout box.

He seemed convinced that Shizuka still cared for him more.

"Good for you," Hiro said with a faint smile and a trace of mockery in his tone.

So proud of something he had to beg for. Meanwhile, Hiro could get however many he wanted, whenever he wanted.

Besides, Nobita had no idea what he was holding.

The only reason Hiro and Shizuka had been safe earlier was because he'd discreetly tucked the Fool Bomb into one of the cookies set to explode with a single bite.

He and Shizuka had eaten carefully, taking only small bites, avoiding the trap entirely.

Nobita, however, had packed up the leftovers and was now carrying it around like a prize. The fool had brought misfortune upon himself.

Hiro gave him a sympathetic glance.

A boy who willingly turned his back on Lady Luck.