"Hahaha, that's more like it!"
Seeing that Da Xiong finally gave in, Fat Tiger lowered his raised fist. He and Xiao Fu exchanged a glance, both wearing sly grins — the kind that made them look like partners in crime.
"As expected of my best buddy! Da Xiong, I really have to thank you — you're the only one who understands me! Hahaha…!"
Not only did Fat Tiger drop his fists, he even shook hands with Da Xiong and pulled him into a hearty hug, patting his back like they were lifelong brothers.
"N-no need to thank me…"
Being forcibly dragged into Fat Tiger's arms, Da Xiong could only awkwardly comply, his face twisted into a smile uglier than crying.
"Good! Since that's settled, let's get moving. It's still early — once we find a place, we need to start practice right away! The Fat Tiger Team absolutely cannot lose the match next week!"
After pretending to be friendly with Da Xiong, Fat Tiger patted his shoulder with an air of responsibility, as if carrying the fate of the world.
"Ah? You guys are… coming too?"
Da Xiong hadn't expected Fat Tiger and Xiao Fu to be so eager, so he couldn't help asking in surprise.
"Of course we are! Stop wasting time and move it already!"
Fat Tiger barked back, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Yes…"
With no other choice, Da Xiong led Fat Tiger and Xiao Fu back home to ask Doraemon for help.
"Do~ra~A~mon!"
"Please, I'm begging you this time — you have to help me!"
Once they returned home, Da Xiong explained Fat Tiger's request, looking utterly distressed.
"So, what you're saying is… you guys want a place that's spacious, open, quiet, and warm — to practice baseball?"
Even though Da Xiong's explanation was clumsy as usual, Doraemon quickly understood what they wanted.
"That's right, exactly that! I'm sure this isn't difficult for you, Doraemon," Xiao Fu added smoothly, flattering Doraemon at just the right moment.
As long as Doraemon took the bait, even if only to protect his pride, he wouldn't say "I can't do it."
And that would mean Xiao Fu and Fat Tiger got exactly what they wanted.
When it came to slyness and flattery, Xiao Fu had truly mastered the art.
"Well, if that's all you need, then it's really not that hard," Doraemon said, nodding thoughtfully.
After hearing their request, he didn't find anything too troublesome about it. After all, there were plenty of warm, open places on Earth that met those conditions.
And since they only needed to play baseball — not build a city — a space about half the size of a soccer field would do.
"So that means… you'll help us, Doraemon?"
Da Xiong looked at him with hopeful eyes. If Doraemon refused now, Fat Tiger might really beat him to a pulp later.
"Sure, I never said I wouldn't help," Doraemon said, tilting his head. "You're talking weird today, Da Xiong… or are you hiding something from me?"
By the time he finished, Doraemon's eyes had narrowed dangerously. He transformed into "Detective Doralock," staring straight at Da Xiong like he was a suspect under interrogation.
After living together for so long, Doraemon knew Da Xiong's behavior patterns inside and out.
If nothing had happened, Da Xiong wouldn't be acting like this.
Whenever something went wrong, his first instinct was always the same —
See Doraemon.Frown, then see Doraemon.Hesitate, still see Doraemon.
It was practically his life motto.
Unless…
Da Xiong had recently done something he felt guilty about — something against Doraemon — which made him hesitant to come for help this time.
It wasn't the first time such a thing had happened, which was exactly why Doraemon was suspicious.
"N-no… of course not!"
"Don't accuse me of random things, Doraemon!"
Da Xiong's face went pale under Doraemon's sharp gaze. Already nervous, he now looked even guiltier, stammering as he spoke.
His flustered reaction only confirmed Doraemon's doubts.
"Really, Da Xiong? Because if you're hiding something from me, I'm not helping you," Doraemon warned, pressing him harder.
"Alright, alright! I'll tell you!"
"Actually… the dorayaki you bought yesterday… I was the one who ate them…"
Da Xiong blurted it out in a panic — he had no choice. If he didn't confess, Doraemon wouldn't help.
But the moment the words left his mouth, regret immediately hit him.
Because Doraemon's eyes instantly turned scarier than Fat Tiger's ever had.
"DA XIONG!!!"
"I knew it was you! You're the one who ate all the dorayaki I spent a week's allowance on!"
"Hmph! I searched everywhere yesterday because of you! You must pay me back!"
In truth, Doraemon had suspected Da Xiong all along, but since there was no solid proof — and stray cats had recently been sneaking in through the window — he hadn't pursued it too hard.
If Da Xiong hadn't confessed, Doraemon might've let it go over time.
But today, because Fat Tiger cornered him, Da Xiong had no choice but to come beg Doraemon for help.
After all, he had eaten Doraemon's most precious dorayaki.
Feeling guilty, he'd hesitated earlier when Fat Tiger threatened him — that was why he hadn't immediately thought of asking Doraemon for help.
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