Kevin had just finished buying potatoes, chicken, and carrots from the town grocer. Looked like dinner was going to be curry rice tonight.
A soft smile played on his lips. Noby's mom, Tamako Nobi, was a surprisingly good cook. With the golden sunset shining across the rooftops, Kevin hovered gently in the sky, slowly flying home with a light heart.
On his way back, he passed a small, timeworn general store. The sign read "Okada General Store."
That was Gian's house.
From his aerial vantage point, Kevin happened to glance into Gian's room through the window and what he saw made him slow to a hover.
Gian was crouched suspiciously in the corner of the room, his back turned toward the window. He had a ruler in his right hand and appeared to be… measuring something?
"What is he up to, acting all sneaky like that?" Kevin muttered, adjusting the shopping basket in his arm.
He couldn't see clearly from the air, so curiosity got the better of him. Quietly, he descended and peeked in through the edge of the curtain.
"Ah…"
"No matter how many times I measure it, it's still only 3.8 cm…"
Gian pulled his shirt back down and sighed, utterly dejected.
From those downcast eyes alone, Kevin could already guess what had just happened.
"Pfft… 3.8 cm… hahaha!"
He couldn't hold it in. Kevin burst out laughing, quickly covering his mouth, but it was no use. Even someone like Gian had insecurities who would've thought?
"Who's there?! Which bastard is laughing at me?!"
Gian's eyes snapped wide as the sound of laughter echoed from outside the window. He rushed over and flung it open, glaring out.
No one was there. Just a few kids running down the street, playing tag in the twilight.
"Did I imagine that? No way… It's the second floor. Who else could be up here?"
Still frowning, he turned back into the room.
"Well, just in case, I better measure again. Maybe I did it wrong…"
He shut the window and returned to his corner, ruler in hand, determined to challenge fate once more.
"Whew… that was close…"
On the roof above, Kevin wiped at nonexistent sweat from his brow, relieved he hadn't been caught.
"3.8, huh? Not great, Gian. Good luck with that."
Grinning mischievously, he gave a subtle nod as if conducting a serious appraisal, then flew off into the fading light.
Back home, Kevin glided into the second-floor room. Noby was sprawled across the tatami floor, his stomach grotesquely bloated. Toast littered the floor around him like fallen leaves.
"I… I can't eat anymore…"
"No way! Keep eating! We still have over twenty pages of important material to cover. You need to make proper use of my gadget!"
Doraemon stood nearby with a pitcher of cold water, forcing toast into Noby's mouth between gulps. Noby's belly swelled visibly as he struggled to keep up.
Kevin returned the bamboo copter to Doraemon, then headed downstairs and handed the groceries over to Tamako Nobi.
"Auntie Tamako, here are the things you asked for."
He smiled politely at the warm and gentle woman standing in the kitchen.
"Kevin… it was you who did the shopping? That lazy kid Noby dodged it again, didn't he?"
She frowned for a moment but soon softened. Reaching out, she gently patted Kevin's head.
"If only my own son were half as thoughtful as you…"
As Tamako began washing the vegetables and chopping ingredients, Kevin rolled up his sleeves and offered to help, winning even more of her favor.
"Kevin, thank you so much. You've made things a lot easier for me today. If Noby could just be a little more like you…"
"You're too kind, Auntie Tamako. Noby means well too, even if he gets a little mischievous sometimes."
His modesty made her smile. For someone only a few days older than Noby, Kevin was remarkably mature and likeable.
As the curry simmered in the pot, Tamako sat down on the tatami to rest. She absentmindedly rubbed her neck, a result of years of housework leaving her muscles sore and tight.
"Auntie Tamako, does your neck hurt?"
Kevin's voice was gentle.
"It's nothing serious. I've just gotten used to it. I usually give it a quick rub and it gets better."
"Would you like me to massage it for you? It might help you feel a little better."
Tamako hesitated, then nodded with a warm smile.
"Really? That would be lovely. Thank you."
"No problem. Leave it to me."
Kevin settled down behind her, his hands moving to her shoulders. Tamako turned slightly to give him access, her eyes drifting toward the TV as she relaxed.
He placed his thumbs near her neck and began gently applying pressure, using slow, circular strokes.
"How's that? Is the pressure okay?"
"Mmm, yes… maybe a little more… yes… right there…"
[Massage Technique +1]
Half an hour later, Kevin heard a faint chime in his mind but that wasn't what mattered most.
What caught his attention was the faint shift in Tamako's expression.
"Ha… what's going on with me…? So strange…"
"I feel a little… fuzzy…"
Tamako patted her cheeks, trying to snap herself out of the daze. Her willpower was strong, and she quickly returned to her usual self.
Kevin, however, wasn't disappointed. On the contrary, he looked pleased.
This was only the beginning.
Things might get a little… complicated in the future.
"Dinner time, Noby! Doraemon! Come eat!"
The curry was ready, and Nobita's father, Nobisuke, had just come home from work. Kevin politely greeted him with a respectful "Uncle."
For a second, Kevin thought he saw a shadow around Nobisuke's forehead. He wondered if something bad was going to happen soon hopefully, it was just his imagination.
"Noby, why aren't you eating?"
"This is your mother's special curry. Look how much Kevin and Doraemon are enjoying it."
At the table, Tamako raised her voice at her son, who was sitting motionless, a pained look on his face.
"I… I can't… I'm too full…"
"What?! Are you saying my cooking is bad? Sit up and eat it properly!"
Noby's disgusted expression was enough to trigger Tamako's fury. She shoved a spoonful of curry into his mouth, forcing him to eat.
But Noby couldn't explain the truth he'd just eaten way too much toast and couldn't fit anything else.
Doraemon and Kevin sat nearby in silence, quietly offering their sympathy.
This was the result of his own choices, after all. Actions have consequences.
Better luck next time.