Chapter 4- Failed confession

(Imagine Dekisugi's home to be something like this in my story)

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That night...

Dekisugi had just finished getting ready for bed when his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the screen.

Daiken.

He let out a small sigh.

"Who calls someone this late?"

Still, he answered.

"Hey," Daiken's voice came from the other end.

"What are you doing?"

Dekisugi raised an eyebrow.

"I'm trying to sleep."

"What else would I be doing at this hour?"

Daiken laughed.

"What if I told you I found out something interesting?"

"You can tell me tomorrow"

Dekisugi said, expecting something teasing.

"I'm tired."

"Oh?"

"It's about Nobita."

The moment he heard that name, Dekisugi sat up straighter.

"I'm listening."

A quiet chuckle came from the other end of the phone, making Dekisugi sigh.

As Daiken began telling him everything Daiya had revealed, Dekisugi listened without interrupting.

His hand slowly rested over his chest.

It hurts...

So Nobita was still trying to confess to Shizuka...

Daiken's voice became quieter.

"You already know Shizuka's into girls."

"If He confesses..."

"...he's going to be heartbroken."

"I know."

Dekisugi closed his eyes.

"But you also know he finds me intimidating."

"That's why I haven't done anything."

Daiken stayed silent for a moment before speaking again.

"I know."

"But then change that."

A pause, then.

"If you keep waiting..."

"...someone else might walk into his life before you do."

Dekisugi looked out of his bedroom window.

The night sky was calm.

If only it were that easy...

How could he get close to someone who became nervous every time he approached?

"I know."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I only want one thing."

Daiken continued,

"I want Nobi to be happy."

"If he ends up choosing someone else..."

"I'll accept it."

"But don't lose because you were too afraid to try."

Dekisugi smiled faintly.

He had always respected Daiken for that.

Even though Nobita was his younger brother, Daiken never tried to control his future.

"...I understand."

"Good."

"Good night."

"Good night."

The call ended.

Dekisugi placed his phone beside him but didn't lie down.

Instead, he sat quietly on the edge of the bed.

His thoughts drifted back to the day he and Daiken had learned Shizuka's secret.

The shopping mall was crowded as usual.

People walked in every direction while music played softly through the speakers.

Daiken stood in front of a clothing store, staring at two different jackets with a thoughtful expression.

Dekisugi folded his arms.

"Daiken."

"Hurry up and choose."

"You've changed your mind at least ten times already."

Daiken looked at him innocently.

"I have to be sure before buying something."

Dekisugi sighed.

"You sound exactly like my mother whenever she goes shopping."

Daiken laughed loudly.

"Why are you so impatient?"

Dekisugi simply rolled his eyes.

"Careful."

Daiken grinned.

"If you keep rolling your eyes like that, they'll get stuck."

Dekisugi stared at him without saying a word.

"...Are you done?"

Daiken laughed even harder.

"You know..."

"You're way too serious."

He casually draped an arm over Dekisugi's shoulder.

"No wonder Nobita's scared of you."

"He's cheerful."

"He naturally likes kind people."

"But you hardly ever smile."

"And somehow you expect him to fall in love with you."

Dekisugi looked away.

"I know."

"But that's just how I am."

The two continued walking through the mall.

After a while, Daiken suddenly stopped.

"Hmm?"

"Isn't that Shizuka?"

Dekisugi followed his gaze.

Sure enough, Shizuka was walking through the mall with another girl.

The two seemed unusually close.

Daiken raised his hand.

"Oh!"

"She noticed us."

He was about to wave when Dekisugi gently lowered his arm.

"Don't."

Daiken blinked.

"Why?"

"Can't you tell?"

Dekisugi quietly replied.

"She's pretending she didn't see us."

Daiken looked again.

Only then did he notice it.

"...Oh."

The two silently watched as Shizuka and the girl disappeared into the crowd.

Neither of them said anything else.

The next day...

During lunch break, Shizuka quietly approached the two of them.

She looked unusually nervous.

"Can I ask you both something?"

"Of course," Daiken replied.

She took a deep breath.

"The girl you saw with me yesterday..."

"...she's my girlfriend."

For a moment, neither boy spoke.

Shizuka lowered her eyes.

"Please don't tell anyone."

"I'm afraid people will think I'm strange."

Dekisugi frowned slightly.

"Why would they?"

She looked surprised.

He continued calmly,

"There's nothing strange about loving someone."

"It doesn't matter whether they're a boy or a girl."

A small smile slowly appeared on Shizuka's face.

Daiken nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry."

"Your secret is safe with us."

Relief washed over Shizuka's face.

"Thank you."

After talking for a little longer, they returned to their classrooms as if nothing had happened.

But neither Daiken nor Dekisugi had forgotten that conversation.

That night, Dekisugi lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

'I guess it's finally time to take the first step...' he thought.

A small idea slowly formed in his mind.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Hmm... Yeah. A good first step."

With that thought, he closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.

The Next Morning

The sound of a startled gasp echoed through Nobita's room.

He suddenly sat upright in bed, breathing heavily. Tiny beads of sweat covered his forehead as he looked around the room.

"...That dream again."

He reached for his phone on the bedside table and checked the time before quietly getting out of bed.

A few minutes later, he stood in front of the bathroom mirror.

The moment he looked at his reflection, flashes of the dream rushed back into his mind.

The familiar blurry face...

The warm embrace...

The gentle yet possessive kiss...

He quickly turned on the tap and splashed cold water over his face.

"What is wrong with me...?" he muttered softly.

"Why am I having these dreams?"

"And who is that person?"

He rested both hands on the sink, staring at his reflection.

"Is the person from yesterday's and today's dream the same... or are they different?"

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't find an answer.

With a frustrated sigh, he ran both hands through his messy hair.

"So many questions..."

"But no-one to answer them."

After standing there quietly for another moment, he finally shook his head.

"Maybe someday... I'll find the answers."

"But right now..."

"I need to get ready for school."

Pushing those thoughts aside, he picked up his toothbrush and began his morning routine.

Later...

Kaito's car slowly came to a stop in front of the school gate.

He stepped out and gave the driver a polite smile.

"Thank you, Uncle."

The driver smiled back before driving away.

As Kaito looked around, he noticed Andriette standing near the school gate with her school bag resting on one shoulder.

He walked over to her.

"Good morning."

She smiled.

"Morning."

"You haven't gone inside yet?"

She shook her head.

"I was waiting for you... and everyone else."

A small smile appeared on Kaito's face.

"Then let's wait together."

The two stood side by side, chatting quietly while watching the students walk into the school.

About ten minutes later, two familiar cars pulled up in front of the gate.

Everyone climbed out except Daiken and Gian, who drove off to park the cars.

The others greeted each other with cheerful smiles.

A few minutes later, Daiken and Gian walked over.

Almost without realizing it, Kaito's eyes drifted toward Daiken.

At that exact moment, Daiken looked up.

Their eyes met.

Daiken smiled warmly and gave him a small wave.

Kaito froze for a second before quickly waving back.

He could already feel his ears growing warm.

Meanwhile... Andriette happened to notice the small exchange.

Her eyes moved from Kaito... to Daiken ...and back to Kaito's slightly red ears.

A slow grin spread across her face.

Oh...?

Is he blushing?

I think I just found a new ship.

Before she could tease him, the school bell rang.

There goes my chance.

she thought, chuckling to herself.

Everyone quickly headed toward their classrooms.

Fortunately, the teacher hadn't arrived yet.

As usual, Nobita, Kaito and Suneo sat together.

Andriette took her seat beside Shizuka.

A few moments later, their homeroom teacher entered the classroom, and the morning lessons began.

Lunch Break

After finishing her lunch, Andriette stepped out into the hallway to get some fresh air.

A cool breeze gently brushed against her face as she leaned against the railing and looked across the school grounds.

Her eyes wandered until they landed beneath one of the large trees.

Nobita was standing there with Shizuka.

They seemed to be talking about something serious.

Curious, Andriette narrowed her eyes.

"...Wait a minute."

Her gaze shifted slightly.

On the other side of the tree, mostly hidden behind the trunk, stood another familiar figure.

Dekisugi.

"...Is he..."

She blinked.

"...Is he listening to their conversation?"

Before she could think any further, Nobita suddenly turned around and walked away.

But instead of heading back toward the school building...

He walked in the opposite direction.

"Where is he going?"

Almost immediately, Dekisugi quietly followed after him.

Andriette's curiosity only grew stronger.

Without wasting another second, she hurried downstairs toward the school grounds.

She walked over to Shizuka, who was still standing beneath the tree.

"What happened?" she asked.

"And..."

She glanced toward the direction Nobita had disappeared.

"...where did Nobita go?"

Shizuka lowered her eyes for a moment before quietly answering.

"...He confessed to me."

Andriette blinked.

"But... you're into girls."

The words slipped out before she could stop herself.

"Ye—... Huh?"

Shizuka's eyes widened.

"How do you know?"

Andriette scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.

"Yesterday... I accidentally saw you kissing your..."

She paused for a second.

"...girlfriend."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to spy on you."

For a moment, Shizuka simply stared at her.

Then realization crossed her face.

"Oh..."

"So that's why you avoided my eyes yesterday?"

Andriette nodded sheepishly.

"Yeah..."

"I didn't know if you wanted anyone else to know."

A small smile appeared on Shizuka's face.

"Thank you... for keeping it a secret."

Andriette smiled back.

"Of course."

She then remembered the reason she had come over.

"Let's leave that aside for now."

"Do you know where Nobita went?"

Shizuka's expression became worried again.

"I asked him where he was going..."

"But he didn't answer."

Andriette looked toward the school gate thoughtfully.

Should we go after him?

Then she remembered seeing another familiar figure.

Dekisugi followed him...

He should be able to find him... Right?

Before she could think any further, the school bell rang across the campus.

She let out a small sigh.

"Break's over."

"Let's head back for now."

Shizuka hesitated.

"But... what about Nobita?"

"Shouldn't we go look for him?"

"I saw Dekisugi go after him," Andriette replied gently.

"So let's hope he finds him."

Shizuka looked confused.

"Dekisugi? I didn't notice..."

"Yeah, I saw him standing behind the tree while you two were talking."

"He probably heard your conversation."

"And..."

She smiled knowingly.

"I think he was just as worried about Nobita as we were."

Shizuka slowly nodded.

A few minutes later, the two girls hurried back to their classroom.

The teacher had already arrived.

"We're sorry for being late," they said together before taking their seats.

Across the room, Kaito and Suneo immediately looked toward them.

Both silently gestured the same question.

"Where's Nobita?"

Andriette simply shook her head and motioned that she would explain later.

The two boys exchanged worried glances before turning their attention back to the teacher.

Earlier...

During lunch break, Nobita looked around the classroom.

Shizuka wasn't there.

He quietly stood up.

"I'll be back in a minute," he told Kaito and Suneo before leaving the classroom.

As he stepped into the hallway, he spotted Shizuka sitting beneath a large tree in the school grounds, peacefully reading a book.

His heart immediately began racing.

"This is my chance."

"There aren't many students outside."

"I have to tell her today."

Taking a deep breath, he walked downstairs toward her.

Every step made him more nervous.

When he finally stopped in front of her, his hands had already formed tight fists.

"Sh... Shizuka..."

"I..."

"I want to tell you something."

She closed her book and looked up at him with concern.

"What is it, Nobita?"

"Is something wrong?"

Nobita took another deep breath before blurting everything out at once.

"We've known each other for a long time."

"And we've always been good friends."

"But..."

"I've never thought of you as just a friend."

"I've liked you for a long time."

His voice trembled.

"W-Will you... be my girlfriend?"

For a moment...

Silence.

Shizuka looked at him sadly.

"Nobita..."

"We really are good friends."

"But I've never thought of you that way."

His hopeful smile slowly faded.

"And..."

"I can't be your girlfriend."

"I'm already with someone."

His heart sank.

"...Who is he?"

he asked quietly, lowering his head.

Shizuka hesitated before answering.

"It's... she."

Nobita looked up in surprise.

"...She?"

Shizuka nodded.

"Yes."

"I like girls."

"Do you know the girl I usually sit with?"

"The one who couldn't come to school today because she's sick."

Realization slowly dawned on him.

"...Sakura?"

Shizuka smiled softly.

"Yes."

"She's my girlfriend."

Everything around Nobita suddenly felt quiet.

After a long moment, Shizuka spoke again.

"But..."

"I still want us to stay good friends."

Nobita forced a small smile.

"...Yeah."

Without another word, he turned around and began walking away.

"Nobita!"

"Where are you going?"

Shizuka called after him.

He didn't answer.

"I just..."

"I want to be alone."

His steps gradually became faster.

Where should I go?

Then one place came to mind.

The mountain behind the school...

Without looking back, he started running.

Behind him, he could hear someone calling his name.

"Nobita!"

"Stop!"

But he kept running deeper into the trees.

His vision blurred with tears.

Suddenly—

He tripped over a tree root.

"Ah!"

He fell hard onto the ground, scraping both of his knees.

The pain barely registered.

The tears he had been holding back finally spilled over.

He quickly moved behind a nearby tree and pulled his knees close to his chest, hiding his face.

Don't let anyone see me like this...

He stayed there, hoping whoever had followed him would leave.

Instead...

The footsteps came closer.

One step...

Then another...

Until they finally stopped right in front of him.

Nobita slowly lifted his head.

His eyes widened.

The last person he had expected to see...

...was standing right in front of him.

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