Doraemon: Starting by Taking Care of Tamako Nobi

Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, and birds chirped noisily from the power lines outside. Another school day had arrived.

The Nobita family sat leisurely at the breakfast table, enjoying a delicious meal. Unbeknownst to the others, however, there were a few subtle secrets hidden beneath the surface.

"Mmm..."

Seated across from Hiro Nobita, Tamako suddenly let out a soft sigh. The bowl of miso soup in her hand trembled slightly, nearly spilling onto the table.

Her head bowed, her posture hunched, skirt drawn close around her legs.

Though the surface seemed calm, something beneath stirred a mysterious door within a forgotten sanctuary had quietly creaked open.

And only one man, a cultivator of extraordinary power, had dared to enter this forbidden realm.

"Tamako, are you all right? You've seemed... off these past few days."

Nobisuke, sipping his coffee, cast a puzzled glance toward his wife.

Her cheeks were flushed with an unnatural rosiness. Her eyes were half-lidded, trembling faintly. Her legs shifted slightly under the table.

Was she sick? But she didn't look sick...

"I'm... mmh... I'm fine... maybe I just didn't sleep well last night."

Tamako leaned on the table with one hand, her voice trembling as she spoke.

She stole a shy glance at Hiro, who sat pretending as if nothing had happened. Her eyes were filled with a softness that only he could understand.

"Auntie Tamako, could I have another bowl of miso soup, please?"

Unfazed, Hiro raised his bowl, calmly requesting a refill. Even during breakfast, he continued to practice his psychic abilities.

His telekinesis, now refined into a great invisible hand composed of many smaller hands, extended outward to subtly check Tamako's health condition, ensuring everything remained stable.

"Oh, sure..."

Tamako accepted the bowl, stumbling slightly as she made her way to the stove. With some effort, she ladled out another serving of miso soup.

She let out a quiet breath of tension, feeling dazed under the watchful gazes of her husband and son. It was as if she were lost in a fog of sensation and emotion.

The dual stimulation of mind and body created a strange kind of pleasure.

"All right, I'm heading to school."

Having finished his breakfast, Hiro slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and made for the door, withdrawing his telekinetic presence.

That ability really was quite something. Without physically moving, he could touch real objects unnoticed.

And the mental feedback was far more vivid than expected.

"I'll head to school too!"

"Be careful out there, boys."

Nobita scrambled to follow Hiro out the door, while Tamako, now visibly relieved, smiled warmly at her son. At last, Nobita was showing up to school on time. All thanks to Hiro.

"Hmm? What's this pink box doing here?"

As he changed into his suit, Nobisuke suddenly noticed the cookie box sitting by the sink and picked it up curiously.

"Oh, that's from one of Nobita's classmates. He has a habit of leaving things lying around. Honestly, I never know what to do with that boy."

Tamako walked over with a hand on her cheek.

"I was just thinking I wanted something sweet. Perfect timing. Let him know I'll save some cookies for him after work."

With a cheerful hum, Nobisuke picked up the box and left for work unknowing that the cookies still contained a hidden Fool Bomb.

"What a beautiful day. I have a feeling something wonderful is going to happen."

He looked up at the clear blue sky, then stepped forward into a future from which there would be no return.

"Oh no! I forgot to bring Shizuka's cookies to school this morning! I wanted to show them off to Gian and Suneo..."

"...Pathetic."

"Hiro, what did you just say?"

"Nothing. I was just guessing what today's snack might be."

Afternoon arrived swiftly. At the entryway, the sound of a familiar voice rang out. Hiro and Nobita had just returned from school.

In Japan, students often finish early in the afternoon, so it was around the usual three o'clock snack time.

They took off their shoes and opened the door, only to find Doraemon sitting restlessly in the living room. In front of him was a plate with three dorayaki.

"There you are! Finally!"

Doraemon lit up the moment he saw Hiro and Nobita. He eagerly picked up one of the dorayaki and began eating as the three of them gathered in front of the TV to watch Lion Mask.

Ring ring! Ring ring!

Suddenly, the phone at the entrance started ringing. Tamako put down her sewing and stood up to answer it.

Clatter 

Hiro heard the sound of the receiver falling to the floor.

Peeking down the hallway, he saw Tamako standing frozen by the phone, pale and motionless.

A voice on the other end shouted, "Ma'am! Ma'am, please stay with us!"

"Auntie Tamako, what's wrong?"

Hiro hurried over and gently held her by the shoulders, speaking softly.

"How... how could this happen..."

"Hiro... your uncle... he suddenly had a breakdown at work. He ran to the rooftop and... jumped."

Tamako stared at Hiro with hollow eyes, struggling to comprehend the shock. She covered her mouth with her hand and began to sob.

Tears slid silently down her cheeks. Despite everything, she had cared deeply for her husband.

Though Nobisuke had struggled with alcoholism over the years and was no longer the man he used to be, they had still shared a life together.

Though there was little intimacy left, they had remained husband and wife.

Now, grief overwhelmed her as she hurriedly changed into simple clothes, grabbing Nobita and Doraemon as they rushed to the hospital.

At the emergency room, Nobisuke lay under a white sheet. Tamako and Nobita wept beside his lifeless body.

Doraemon stood silently at their side, dabbing at his eyes. Hiro, too, was left with complicated emotions.

He was grateful to the kind man who had taken him in and offered him shelter.

But fate is unpredictable, and tragedy comes without warning. Just like that, Mr. Nobisuke had left them forever.

"Uncle... rest in peace."

"I swear... I'll take care of your wife. You don't have to worry anymore."

Clenching his fists, Hiro made a silent vow in his heart.

As a real man, a true protector, he knew what had to be done. He would take responsibility. He would care for the people left behind.

The next day, the Nobita family held a memorial for Nobisuke.

A black-and-white photo of him rested on a stand, surrounded by chrysanthemums and carnations.

As is custom in times of mourning, friends and family arrived one after another to pay their respects. Gian, Suneo, Shizuka, and even their homeroom teacher all came to offer condolences.

Monks were invited to chant sutras. After the ceremony, Nobisuke's ashes were finally laid to rest.

"Don't worry, Uncle. I'll take good care of Auntie Tamako. May you rest in peace."

Before the newly placed gravestone, Hiro bowed deeply.

Kneeling before the headstone, Tamako wept uncontrollably.

"Nobisuke... don't worry. I'll raise Nobita properly. Even without you, I'll keep this family going."

"Dad! Dad! Waaaah-"

Behind Hiro, Nobita collapsed to the ground in tears, kowtowing as he cried out for his father.