Hiroshi picked up a piece of chalk, held it in his hand, and began to solve the problem on the blackboard.
Things like the Crazy Construction Team were just ordinary problems for him; he could solve them with ease.
"Teacher, I'm done."
He put down the chalk, and as the last number was written, a neat set of calculations appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Wow… good, good!"
"Nobi Hiroshi solved it perfectly; let's give him a round of applause."
Terakoya Eiichirou looked at Nobi Hiroshi with pleasant surprise, feeling deeply comforted, and clapped his big hands.
Nobita and the others were dumbfounded, not expecting Nobi Hiroshi to actually solve the problem.
For a moment, all the attention in the class was stolen by him.
Nobi Hiroshi, however, didn't feel the slightest bit of excitement, calmly returning to his seat.
Ding-a-ling-a-ling—
The school bell rang, ending the boring day, and students, like zombies released, ran in groups on the road.
"Hiroshi, I didn't expect you to actually solve that problem this morning; you're amazing."
"It's nothing; it's all thanks to your good teaching, Shizuka."
"Hmph, I don't recall teaching you that kind of problem."
On the way home from school, Nobi Hiroshi walked shoulder to shoulder with Shizuka, hands in his pockets, the two chatting happily.
Nobi Nobita followed behind with a displeased look, carefully observing Nobi Hiroshi, who was chatting happily with Shizuka and smiling so brightly.
Normally, Shizuka never smiled like that when walking home with him, because she was always comforting him, and the atmosphere was heavy.
"Damn it, why can this kid be Shizuka's deskmate and chat so happily with her?"
Nobita's eyes were filled with jealousy.
What's so good about Nobi Hiroshi? He's just a bit taller than me, a bit handsomer than me, a bit smarter than me, and a bit more humorous than me.
Other than that, where is he better than me?
"Hey, you kid up ahead, stop right there!"
"Nobi Hiroshi, stop for us!"
Suddenly, two ill-timed shouts came from behind, making one unconsciously annoyed.
Hiroshi turned around to see a short, spiky-haired, sharp-mouthed fox, and a big-headed, thick-waisted black gorilla, like an enraged Vajra.
It turned out to be Gian and Xiao Fu, the usual big bullies.
To put it nicely, they were Nobita's best friends; to put it harshly, they were simply scourges.
If it weren't for these two's bullying and mischief, Nobita's life would at least be half better.
They were practically the epitome of school bullying, but thankfully, with Doraemon and the submissive, kind Nobita, it all turned into a tragic yet joyful friendship story.
"What's wrong, Okada, Kotsukawa, do you two need something from me?"
Nobi Hiroshi feigned confusion looking at the two, though he already knew in his heart they were looking for trouble—how troublesome.
"Hmph, of course, we do."
"The new guy dares to be so arrogant; Gian-sama must teach you a good lesson today."
Rolling up his sleeves as he walked, Gian approached Nobi Hiroshi with a villainous grin.
As one of the jealous trio, Gian naturally couldn't stand others' arrogance and planned to give Nobi Hiroshi a good beating.
Judging by their respective physiques, the slender Nobi Hiroshi was definitely no match for him.
"Good, Gian, give him a good beating, heh heh heh."
Nobi Nobita bent down, revealing a cunning smile.
He felt Gian at this moment was like a righteous messenger, doing what he himself dared not do.
"Wait, you're not allowed to bully Hiroshi."
"Bullying weaker boys is the most useless thing."
Just as Gian was about to make a move, Shizuka suddenly turned around and unhesitatingly shielded Nobi Hiroshi.
Hiroshi looked at the girl standing in front of him, feeling a bit emotional.
This back was both unfamiliar and familiar; he had only seen it on screen before, but now he was experiencing it firsthand.
Presumably, Nobi Nobita was influenced by such gentle actions and slowly fell in love with Shizuka.
Then… sorry, Nobita, don't worry, I will work hard for both of us from now on.
"Tch, it's Shizuka again."
"Nobi Hiroshi, if you're still a man, then stand out honorably and fight Gian; hiding behind a girl is too weak."
Seeing Shizuka step forward, Xiao Fu immediately launched into a barrage of sarcastic remarks, trying to provoke Nobi Hiroshi.
Gian also looked at Nobi Hiroshi with disdain, pouting and retracting his fist.
Although he advocated violence, he wouldn't lay a hand on a girl.
"Hiroshi, don't let them provoke you."
"Or should I tell the teacher for you? Otherwise, Gian will definitely beat you up."
Shizuka turned her head to look at Nobi Hiroshi, her eyes full of concern.
Hiroshi raised an eyebrow, feeling a warmth in his heart, but being a coward didn't align with his values.
He was a man who dared to eat pig's head meat and methanol duck blood; how could he hide behind a sweet girl for protection?
What's more, he wasn't afraid of Gian at all.
Although his current physique was definitely no match, who said he was going to fight?
"Arigato, Shizuka-san, it's okay, I'll have a good talk with Gian."
Nobi Hiroshi patted Shizuka's shoulder, gave her a reassuring look, and then walked up to the big bully.
In this situation, Hiroshi's image rose quite a bit in Shizuka's heart, specifically in comparison to Nobita.
Not only was he diligent in his studies, but he was also exceptionally brave.
"Tch, Arigato, Shizuka-san…"
Hearing their conversation, Nobi Nobita put on a sour face, muttering sarcastically to himself.
"Oh, so you've come over.
Are you ready to taste my fist?"
"You'll see Gian-sama's power!"
Gian looked at Nobi Hiroshi's slender physique, a hint of smugness in his eyes.
He was in a bad mood today, and someone had to pay the price.
"Go, Gian, show him what's what!"
Xiao Fu was even more fanning the flames now, eager to see others bullied by Gian.
Since he had been rained on, he naturally didn't want to be the one holding an umbrella for others.
"Wait, Gian!"
"I think we don't necessarily have to solve problems with force.
Someone as tall and mighty as you, I imagine, wouldn't casually bully the weak, would you?"
Nobi Hiroshi dodged, narrowly avoiding Gian's fist.
Gian didn't strike again after his attack missed, standing frozen in place, clearly flattered by the compliment.
"Oh, then what do you suggest we do?"
"Simple.
Isn't there a sports class tomorrow at school?
We can decide the winner by having a race."
Nobi Hiroshi said confidently.
Although he wasn't good at fighting, he was excellent at running, winning the track and field championship every year.
"Hahahaha!"
"Kid, I'll accept your request.
We'll decide the winner in tomorrow's sports class."
"If you lose, you'll still get a beating."
Gian burst out laughing upon hearing this.
Who didn't know that he, Takeshi Goda, was the best athlete in the class?
This newcomer was simply seeking his own demise; he just had to wait for a beating tomorrow.
"Hiroshi, are you really going to race Gian?
Gian is the class's sports committee member, you know."
After Gian and Xiao Fu left, Shizuka looked at Nobi Hiroshi worriedly.
A race was not a wise choice.
"Oh, it's okay, Shizuka, I believe Hiroshi can definitely beat Gian.
See you tomorrow!"
Before Nobi Hiroshi could answer, Nobita pulled him away, his face beaming with an exceptionally bright smile.
He believed that tomorrow, he would see Nobi Hiroshi get a good beating from Gian.
Serves you right for being so arrogant!