The next morning, the sky was high and the clouds stretched far and wide.
Nobi Hiroshi woke up early and went out for his usual morning run and exercise.
Although a hundred-meter sprint wasn't particularly demanding, he preferred steady, long-term improvement.
After all, increasing his physique had benefits far beyond just beating Gian.
If it were only for competing with Gian, that would be far too shortsighted.
"Let's eat!"
After finishing his exercise, Hiroshi reached the dining room early for breakfast. Nobita, meanwhile, was still buried in his bed, fast asleep.
Not wanting to go to school alone, Hiroshi eventually went upstairs, slapped Nobita awake, and dragged him along, heading to school at his own pace.
"Good morning, Nobita! Good morning, Hiroshi!"
At the school gate, they ran into Shizuka again.
Nobita immediately began bragging about his glorious mission of not being late, wearing a molester-like grin as he basked in the joy of showing off in front of Shizuka.
Hiroshi watched him from behind, speechless.
If it weren't for me, you'd be late again today.
Unfortunately, once they entered class, Nobita's happiness didn't last long. The teacher soon dragged him out for punishment.
Nothing unusual.
As always, he had forgotten to do his homework.
"Hey, Nobi Hiroshi!" A loud voice rang out.
"Are you ready to become my defeated subordinate?"
Gian, already changed into his gym clothes, stomped over aggressively. Each step felt like it shook the ground.
Behind him was his loyal lackey, Suneo, standing proudly like some kind of guardian deity.
One looked like a tank.
The other looked like a fighter jet.
"Of course," Hiroshi replied calmly. "But I might not lose."
"Hmph. Big words."
Hot air practically blasted from Gian's nostrils as he led Hiroshi toward the school track.
Thanks to Suneo's nonstop gossiping, everyone already knew about the race. Classmates gathered on both sides of the track, waiting excitedly.
In the crowd, Shizuka clenched her small fists.
She hoped Hiroshi would win—though deep down, she knew Gian had a much higher chance.
"On your marks!"
"Get set!"
"Go!"
Without a starting gun, Dekisugi waved his hand as referee.
Gian instantly exploded forward, his legs pumping hard.
Dust kicked up behind him. For someone so big, his speed was shocking—like a crazed chimpanzee charging ahead.
"Hahahaha! I've got this!"
Gian laughed loudly. He was already halfway down the track, while Hiroshi lagged several body lengths behind.
The result seemed obvious.
"Yes! Gian! That's it!" Suneo shouted excitedly from the sidelines.
But then—
Something changed.
Hiroshi's figure began to close the distance.
Side by side.
Then—slightly ahead.
"Gian," Hiroshi said calmly while running, "don't speak too soon."
"Then I'll go ahead."
His feet struck the ground steadily.
Hiroshi ran like a cheetah—smooth, controlled, elegant.
He enjoyed the wind rushing past his ears, carefully adjusting his breathing: three steps to inhale, five steps to exhale.
Sweat soaked his clothes.
He was still a bit weak.
But fast.
"You damn brat!" Gian roared. "How can I lose to you?!"
Anger threw his rhythm into chaos.
His steps tangled.
And in the next moment—
Hiroshi crossed the finish line first.
He won.
"I lost," Gian said dejectedly, walking up to Hiroshi. "Go on. Punch me."
In front of so many people, he could only accept defeat.
He clenched his teeth and shut his eyes tightly, waiting for the merciless iron fist.
"Ahem."
Hiroshi cleared his throat.
"Gian, I'm really glad I got to compete with you. There's no need for punching. We're classmates—there's no reason to be petty."
He held Gian's massive hand, smiling sincerely.
"..."
Gian froze.
Then—
"Hiroshi… Nobi Hiroshi!"
Tears burst from Gian's eyes as he hugged Hiroshi tightly.
"Thank you so much! Everything I did before was wrong! From now on, we're good friends!"
Hiroshi nearly suffocated in Gian's arms.
"Ahem—Gian! Let go first! I can't breathe!"
"S-Sorry!"
Gian released him awkwardly, then grinned brightly.
"Then it's settled. We're friends now."
"Yes," Hiroshi nodded. "Of course."
They bumped fists.
Hiroshi let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Winning wasn't enough—winning hearts was safer.
If he only beat Gian, the guy might come back for revenge later. But earning his respect? That stopped trouble at the root.
Gian admired strength.
That's why he respected Dekisugi.
Now, Hiroshi had earned that same recognition.
If Nobita had beaten Gian using Doraemon's gadgets, it would've been unfair—and Gian would've bullied him forever.
"Hiroshi… you're really amazing."
Before Hiroshi could walk away, Shizuka's gentle voice reached him.
She held a towel, stepping closer to wipe the sweat from his face.
"Even Gian isn't your match, and you're so magnanimous. I admire you more and more."
"Oh, it was nothing," Hiroshi said modestly, lowering his head slightly. "Just a lucky win."
Shizuka carefully wiped his sweat.
Her skin was fair and smooth, her face cute and delicate.
Hiroshi couldn't take his eyes off her.
They were so close that he could smell her fresh scent, which felt incredibly refreshing after exercise.
"Hiroshi," Shizuka said shyly, her cheeks red like ripe apples, "do you have any other plans?"
"Do you want to play badminton together?"
Behind her, several girls were already holding badminton rackets.
"Alright," Hiroshi replied immediately. "Let's go."
Some of those girls were nearly as cute as Shizuka.
But sentiment still won.
"Wait! I want to join too!"
Nobita rushed over in panic.
Hiroshi was with Shizuka again—how could he stay out of it?
People say you fear your brother will suffer—but fear even more when he succeeds.
Hiroshi had officially become his love rival.
And Shizuka too!
She was clearly going to be his wife in the future—so why was she always so close to Hiroshi?!
"It's fine if Nobita joins," a tall girl said bluntly, "but you don't even know how to play badminton, do you?"
Straight to the heart.
It wasn't just badminton—Nobita was bad at every sport.
Before things got awkward, Shizuka quickly stepped in to smooth things over and let Nobita join anyway.
As expected—
Nobita failed to return a single shot.
Then his racket flew out of his hand.
Smack!
It hit Shizuka squarely in the face.
"NOBITA!!!"
"I—I'm sorry, Shizuka!"