After entering Roppuru's house, we talked and laughed, even staying for dinner. Doraemon and I assumed it would be nighttime back on Earth too.
But it turned out, Koya Koya's time flowed differently—a whole day here was only an hour on Earth.
So, Doraemon and I decided we'd return to Koya Koya the next day.
…
The next morning, Doraemon and I slipped through the spaceship's tatami-mat passage and arrived on Koya Koya again.
"Roppuru!" Doraemon and I called, spotting him and Chammy by the ship.
"Nobita, Doraemon, long time no see!" Roppuru said, all smiles.
For him, several days had passed because of the time difference between Earth and Koya Koya.
"Nobita, just in time! I'll take you sightseeing on Koya Koya." Roppuru was about to start up his ship.
"Doraemon, Take-copter!" I grinned, stopping Roppuru.
Doraemon cheerfully pulled three Take-copter out of his pocket.
Roppuru stared at the yellow gadget, looking confused.
"Roppuru, here's how you use a Take-copter," I said, placing one on my head and pressing the button. Instantly, I lifted into the air, the anti-gravity device whirring above me.
Doraemon and I flew up, soaring through the sky.
"So this is how you fly on Earth—with amazing gadgets like these!" Roppuru's eyes sparkled with excitement as he watched us.
He tried it himself, sticking the Take-copter on his head and pressing the button.
"Whoa! This is incredible!" Roppuru exclaimed as he floated up.
From the sky, I scanned the land below. Streams had started to appear, but the place was still barren.
"Why is it still so desolate here?" Doraemon asked.
"It's still better than your Earth, with its polluted air," Chammy muttered defensively.
Roppuru laughed. "That's because winter just ended. In a few days, spring will be here."
"But Roppuru, your house already came back up—why aren't there more people around? Where are all the houses?" Doraemon asked, puzzled.
"We've only lived on this planet for seven years!" Roppuru explained.
"Oh! So you're still pioneers!" Doraemon said, understanding.
Chammy piped up, "Roppuru's dad was the one who found this planet!"
"So where's your dad?" I blurted out.
"He… he died a long time ago," Roppuru answered, trying to sound calm, but his hand curled into a fist.
"Sorry…" I said, feeling awkward.
But for some reason, I suddenly thought of Roppuru and Clem's gentle, capable mother.
"It's okay," Roppuru said, trying to brush it off.
He added, "There are lots of planets like this being developed—within a thousand light years, there are many. But this one is especially rich in resources."
As we flew, the barren wasteland below slowly gave way. We saw patches of grass, then fields, then a wide prairie.
In the distance, a fenced-in pasture appeared, with herds of cattle grazing.
"It's a ranch!" Doraemon exclaimed.
Roppuru smiled fondly. "This is Sister Morina's ranch."
"Who's she?" I asked.
"We grew up like siblings," Roppuru said, grinning.
We landed in front of a house at the heart of the ranch.
Roppuru jumped out and called, "Morina? Are you home?"
"Strange, she's not here?" he muttered.
I peeked in through the window—it was a mess inside, packed like a storage shed.
"In the past, Roppuru's family always asked Morina to move in with them, but…" Chammy started.
"Chammy, don't say any more," Roppuru suddenly interrupted.
Glancing at the family photo inside, I kind of got it.
Just then, a cold, sharp voice called out, "Who's there?"
Roppuru ran towards the voice, happy. "It's me, Sister Morina!"
At the front door, a woman in a brown cloak came in, carrying a calf in her arms.
"I told you not to come here anymore," Morina said coldly.
"Sorry…" Roppuru apologized.
Chammy tried to help, "It's because—"
Morina cut her off, noticing Doraemon and me. "Who are these people? Why are they here?"
Roppuru hurried to explain. "They're Doraemon and Nobita, from Earth. My friends! They saved me last time."
Morina didn't seem interested, just walked past us, her eyes cool and distant.
She set the calf down on the grass. "You already told me—last time you went shopping. I'm a settler too, so I want to do my part."
Roppuru apologized again.
Morina watched the calf return to the herd, silent for a moment.
Suddenly, another calf rushed over, accidentally pulling off Morina's cloak.
Sunlight revealed her stunning features—delicate face, natural red hair burning like fire, tied back with a white scarf. She wore a skin-tight, pink Koya Koya-traditional outfit, like a one-piece dive suit with a round collar. Her body was curvy and full, with long slender legs—an absolute bombshell.
Her whole presence was regal and icy, but that fiery red hair made her seem both cold and hot—a dangerous combination.
Morina stood, her tone even colder, "Relying on kids for help… Adults really are useless."
She added, "You shouldn't have come. Get out of here before something happens."
She picked up a pitchfork, ready to feed the cattle.
Just then, the sky darkened as something blotted out the sun.
<><><>>><><><><><><><>
Advanced chapter here: p-atreon.com/Sajaboyzzz
<><><><><>><>>><><><><>
Keep the Chapters coming - Support with Power Stones!
Every 200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter!