After I finally wrapped up that movie adventure, I got to rest for a few days. Then I continued training my superpowers. Because I'd drained my mental energy with that big move before, it seemed like my mental strength had improved—from a 600-meter range to 800 meters. If I trained a bit more, reaching a kilometer was possible. That way, I'd have more moves I could use.
Then, I went back to my usual school routine, because that's my character—I can't just drop it. But now, my peaceful school life had a bit more fun to it.
I suddenly noticed a new transfer student in our class.
"This is our new classmate starting today, Saotome-san," said our teacher, Sensei with his buzz cut, introducing her from the front.
"I hope everyone gets along well!"
"I'm Saotome Seiko. Nice to meet you all!" A cute girl in a white shirt and blue skirt, with a single ponytail, bowed slightly on stage.
Looking at this pretty girl, a lot of people in the class stared at her without blinking.
After class, many people crowded around to introduce themselves.
But watching the crowd around her, I didn't go up. After all, I'm not the old Nobita anymore—I didn't need to force myself into it.
Though Shizuka, Suneo, and Gian were pretty enthusiastic. Even Shizuka went up to make friends with the new girl.
But with so many people, Saotome, sitting in her seat, looked troubled.
Seeing this, Shizuka quickly stepped in and said, "Everyone, don't do that. How can Saotome-san remember all these introductions at once?"
"I thought something like this might happen, so I prepared these," Saotome Seiko said, pulling out a stack of small cards.
"Like this, exchanging little cards—maybe we can get to know each other quickly!"
"This is my personal profile card. Please take one!"
Saotome suggested using these personal profile cards for introductions to deepen our understanding. She handed them out to everyone, even me.
As expected, Suneo wrote about how rich his family is, and Gian wrote about being good at fighting. But Gian shamelessly added that he has an angelic singing voice that heals hearts.
Of course, Suneo mocked him for that, and ended up getting punched a few times.
Seeing this, I just facepalmed.
Originally, I didn't want to write anything. After all, she's just a transfer student—in my impression, she'll probably transfer out soon anyway. I didn't want to bother with her.
With that time, I'd rather keep training my superpowers. Who knows when the next movie adventure will hit?
But then Shizuka asked with interest, "Nobita, what are you going to write?"
"Speaking of which, you have way more strengths now than before!"
Yeah, the current me isn't like the original story. I can handle studying, sports, even housework.
So I didn't need to ask Doraemon for gadgets to fake a profile like in the original.
"Nobita, once you're done, can I see it?" Shizuka wanted to know more about how much I've changed so far, for some reason.
I couldn't help but chuckle. I wasn't planning to write, but since Shizuka said that, I figured I'd do it!
So on the card, I wrote things like shooting, cat's cradle, studying, sports, and stuff.
I was too embarrassed to write more.
Seeing what I wrote, Shizuka exclaimed, "Wow! Nobita, you're really good at so many things now!"
I felt a bit embarrassed.
Shizuka casually handed my profile card to Saotome Seiko too.
I was about to say something, but then I thought, whatever.
…
After school,
As usual, Suneo and Gian wanted to grab the new classmate's attention.
First, Gian tried to show off his manliness by proving how good he is at fighting.
He even picked a fight with someone. Of course, he couldn't beat me now, but Suneo was smart and ran far away when he saw it.
This time, Yasuo and Haruo, who were just watching, got dragged in—under the pretense of "strengthening exercises."
Then they got beaten up badly.
"Did you see that? That's my strength, hahaha!" Gian boasted.
But just as Gian raised his arms to show off his muscles,
Saotome, along with me and Shizuka, happened to arrive.
"Saotome, did you see my heroic pose just now?" Gian asked.
Me and Shizuka were speechless—this is exactly the kind of thing only a brute like Gian would do.
Suneo had already run back by then and saw it all, secretly glad he'd escaped fast.
Saotome Seiko suddenly stepped in front of Yasuo and Haruo, checking on them, and said, "Yasuo-kun, Haruo-kun, are you okay?"
Seeing how badly they'd been beaten, Saotome Seiko angrily told Gian, "I hate people who bully the weak!"
Hearing that, Gian deflated completely.
It made Suneo, who was watching from the side, burst out laughing.
But he didn't laugh for long—Gian got mad and chased after him.
Suneo, with his rich escape experience, slipped away first, leaving Gian in the dust.
Of course, Gian was partly venting his anger and partly trying to flee the awkward scene.
Luckily, Yasuo and Haruo were fine—they lay on the ground for a bit, then bounced back. Probably used to getting beaten by Gian.
Next up was Suneo. After escaping Gian, he was all smug, secretly calling Gian a chimpanzee for not being as agile.
Then he planned a big banquet and invited everyone to show off his wealth.
Even Gian was invited, but he just buried himself in the food and didn't want to deal with anything.
So Suneo started bragging about his family's collections in front of Saotome Seiko, spouting all sorts of big talk for free.
It made Saotome Seiko pretty awkward—not just her, the other classmates in the back were speechless too.
Gian just scoffed and ate a fancy snack.
Suneo didn't even notice the problem and later came out wearing golden clothes.
But then Saotome Seiko said, "Suneo-kun, you look so flashy!"
That hit Suneo just like it did Gian.
So the whole banquet ended with Gian eating heartily, while Suneo sulked.
Later, I thought Dekisugi might cause some trouble too, but I realized he had no interest—he was still at cram school.
He didn't show up at all from start to finish.
The rest was Shizuka inviting Saotome Seiko to hang out, welcoming her into the girls' group or something.
I thought I had nothing to do with it.
But one day after school, after everyone else left, Saotome Seiko suddenly came over.
"Is something wrong, Saotome-san?" I asked, puzzled.
"Nobita-kun, I heard you like playing cat's cradle too?" Saotome Seiko asked.
I was a bit confused about what she wanted.
"My grandma likes cat's cradle too, so I do as well. I didn't expect to meet someone with the same hobby here," Saotome Seiko said with some surprise.
Next, Saotome Seiko chatted with me a lot about cat's cradle.
She even asked me to demonstrate my skills.
"Wow! Nobita-kun, I didn't expect your cat's cradle to be so good!"
"Can you teach me sometime?" Saotome Seiko asked with expectation in her eyes.
"Sure!" I didn't refuse.
"Then, let's get to know each other again. I'm Saotome Seiko!" She extended her fair little hand.
"Nobi Nobita!" I shook her hand.
"From now on, we're friends!"
What Suneo and Gian couldn't pull off, I somehow did by chance.
But I didn't care much—after all, it seemed like this transfer student wouldn't stay long before transferring again.
However, some things find you even if you don't seek them out.
Perhaps, from the moment it was written in the diary, fate was already set.