"SOOO" Absolute began as he and Nobita both stared at the teacher with boredom "This is what it feels like learning again" Nobita's eyes twitched, annoyed at Absolute sitting next to him. it can't be helped since no one can see him but Nobita. A literal threat to humanity AND time is sitting right next to him and nobody can see him. It doesn't help that the teacher's lecture was boring and about 5 more hours before school ended, Nobita was trying his best to pay attention but a certain someone kept bugging him to no end.
It's been since Absolute appeared in front of him. I guess you could say keeping him company and telling stupid jokes. Which annoyed him to no end. As much as he wanted to punch Absolute in the face. He couldn't.
"Hey, what's that?" That certain someone asked as he pointed out the window.
"That's a butterfly, idiot," Nobita said, not worrying about talking a bit louder than a whisper since his seat is placed in the back row, not afraid the teacher might hear his. But he still needs to be careful. He noticed Absolute's face slowly grinning. Oh boy.
"You just yourself an idiot" Absolute pointed out, Nobita knew that his evil counterpart is just trying to get his attention and annoy his. So, he ignored him and tried to pay attention in class. Ignoring a "You're no fun" from Absolute. The teacher was too caught up in explaining the mathematics problem to the class. He did not notice Nobita talking to his imaginary friend
"Yakow. I already learned this" Absolute chimed in as he had his legs kicked up against the table. Now that got Nobita interested.
"Learned already? Didn't you like, destroyed the timeline?"
"Unlike you who WOULD have fun in just destroying timelines. I take my time to observe and learn many things. being able to manipulate time is neat if I do say so myself" Absolute boasted, Nobita raised an eyebrow as his eyes kept track of the teacher's movements. In case he realized what Nobita is doing
"Ah, so I'm a nerd then?" Nobita retorted back, Absolute raised an eyebrow. but quickly realized what Nobita meant
"Am not. I prefer the word. ' Genius'. " Absolute said as he held his chin high and crossed his arms, however. Nobita was not going to stop there
"Genius? But surely you said by studying every timeline. You MUST be a nerd to be THAT interested"
Absolutes cocky attitude has seemingly vanished, looking offended even though he knew it applies to both him and his insulter "Am not! "Nobita grinned slightly as he observed Absolutes losing his cocky attitude from before… God that feels good
Finally. The bell rang and everyone was allowed to leave for the day. Absolute still stayed in his seat as he watched whatever was outside the window as Nobita packed his stuff
"You know. " Absolute started, Nobita rolled his eyes. Oh boy, here we go again. I Wonder what other insults or questions will be coming his way? will it be how stupid he looks without his glasses on? or ask something about the sun or something? maybe even ask him if fish know they live underwater. Hmm. what other stupid question will this sarcastic criminal come up with?
"I always thought about this. What will it be like if I never destroyed my timeline?"
.
Well, That was surprising.
Nobita froze. That took him off guard. Finally, a question that even Absolute was serious about but Nobita didn't know what to say. I mean. Absolute WAS an alternate version of him but. he still did not know how to answer. Absolute sighed as he stood up "Never mind that. L-let's just go home. " Absolute said as he walked past Nobita. Nobita felt a skip in his heartbeat. he always wondered. Had Absolute known the true meaning of 'home' in his timelines. After running away and devising a plan that took 3 months to come up with and finally destroying his timeline. Did Absolute ever know the meaning of that word again?
Sometimes. He needs to remember that Absolute if. Or WAS human, to begin with.
But did something outside made Absolute suddenly ask that type of question? Nobita shook his head as he left the classroom… shame, if only he looked out the window. He would see a beautiful sunset as children are playing together in the schoolyard. the air filled with their laughter.
Nobita stayed quiet on the way back home as he watched Absolute who was ahead of his. The once powerful being was in deep thought and Nobita knew that he was searching for an answer to his question. Absolute was once Nobita. but due to revenge and hatred had turned him into a human with powerful control over time. Nobita shivered as the thought of turning evil scared him.
"Nobita?"
Absolute stopped dead in his tracks as he heard the very familiar voice. Both he and Nobita turned to look behind them to see.
Rarer
"Oh. Riruru! What are you doing here?" Nobita asked as he approached the robotic girl. She only gave a smile "Oh! I was just walking around again. I can never get tired of the surroundings. even though it is kind, small…"
"Oh. Are you coming back now? I just finished school and now I'm on my way back home" Nobita offered, Riruru shook her head. Nobita knew that she wanted to explore more. honestly. She was quite an adventurous girl. Nobita knew the gesture and nodded "Ok. But be sure to come back after dinner" Nobita asked as Riruru gave him a quick peck on the cheek
"Don't worry I will" Riruru said as she ran past the two boys. Of course. Not noticing Absolute staring at her as she ran off. Nobita was about to resume walking back home but noticed Absolute still staring in the direction Riruru ran off to. Nobita was about to open his mouth to say something but Absolute cuts him off
"So. You bought her back?"
"y-yeah. "
Absolute merely shrugged as he walked to catch up to Nobita. The two boys were silent the whole journey.
"I'm home!" Nobita said as he entered the house. Absolute not far behind as he viewed his surroundings. Nobita still has his eyes on him. Absolute suddenly had his eyes fixed on Nobita's mother who came to greet him
"Welcome back Nobita. Lunch is ready. Go clean your room first and come downstairs" His mother told him as she went back to the dining room. Once again, the two boys were silent as Nobita placed his shoes on the shoe rack
"Mom. "
Nobita heard Absolute whisper under his breath, he turned to the invisible boy behind him and was shocked at the sight.
The powerful being. was. Crying?
Oh, how Nobita wanted to have a camera to take a picture of this. (Not that it would work). but this is unusual coming from a cocky criminal. A criminal that mind you again, almost destroyed his timeline 5 months ago and killed various versions of himself. and yet here he was. Crying after seeing his mother who he also killed in his timeline.
A being blinded by rage and hatred that he could not see what he had until it was gone. destroying timeline after timeline before being stopped by himself in another timeline. Scattered in millions of pieces in various timelines he destroyed only to return as some sort of tiny spec in time. as a ghost in the timeline in which he was stopped
Nobita concluded in his mind. Absolute noticed Nobita staring at him so he wiped away his tears before speaking "Don't say anything. Just shut up. "
Having stared at his dead mother's face once again. Absolute stood outside as Nobita had dinner with his family. Doraemon, Riruru, mother, son, and father eating happily at the dining room table. Absolute smirked a little.
He missed it. He missed those times. He was so blind by fury and hatred for the world. He did not realize what he was doing. now. Like milk that has been spilled all over the floor. He can't turn back.
Did he regret it?
Yes. he finally concluded. Had he not destroyed his timeline. perhaps given himself a little more time. Perhaps. he would have become the Nobita of this current timeline. with a happy family by his side. a girlfriend and good friends. this were something that he could have had in his life should he be more forgiving and calmed himself down. But rage took him to the future to destroy everything he once loved. and he tried to destroy those feelings along with it. but seeing this new timeline. Those feelings are surfacing. Once again showing itself within him.
Curses. He felt tears building up again.
"Absolute?" Nobita called as he entered his room. He found the boy lying down on the tatami mat floor. Staring at the ceiling. "Uh. You, ok?" Nobita asked. he didn't know how to respond to Absolute's sudden change of behavior. First, he was a being full of himself and cocky… now, he was just this timid and quiet being. Absolute suddenly stood up and walked in front of Nobita.
"I've decided. "
"Huh?"
Absolute took a deep breath "I'll restart. I'll build a new timeline for myself. "
Absolute said as he walked around the room, in deep thought "But. that would mean. " He paused.
that I won't exist.
Nobita looked on in shock as Absolute continued talking "I managed to appear in front of you due to a fragment of the time ring attaching itself to the time stream and myself. that's why I'm able to appear in front of you. And the only thing that kept me going was my hatred. but. " Absolute suddenly chucked as he walked to the window
" You made me realize how much better of a person I can be before I destroy everything in my path. how much life would give me if I was better than who I am now. How my life would turn out if I had become. I guess. a person like you. "
"But you've shown me Nobita. and I guess I have you to thank for that. " Absolute said as he reached for his time ring. Which Nobita had not noticed before and watched as Absolute pulled it out. glitching and almost fading away. Nobita wanted to reach out to him but couldn't touch him at all. Absolute gave one more smile. a genuine smile which was rare from him.
"You won't remember me. but thanks to you. You let all my hatred and sadness go. Don't worry. You will not remember me at all since Absolute will not exist. but I will be in another timeline. Perhaps. you could say. Not as Absolute. But as Nobita. " Absolute took another step forward
"Thank you. From my heart. "
Nobita's heart sank. why was he feeling this way? why was he feeling sadness? could it be that the 5 days they were together meant more to him than what it seemed to be? forcing a smile. He slowly accepted "You know. How much I wanted to punch you back then. Right?" Nobita asked with a shaky voice. He hated to admit it. But he was going to miss his counterpart.
Absolute gave another chuckle that turned into a laugh as he slowly fades away once again. "Yeah, So. I guess. it's time to say. " Absolute paused as if thinking what to say next
"Goodbye. Partner."
Nobita opened his eyes. As he woke up in the middle of the night. strange. why was he crying? He slowly stood up and looked at the sky. he felt a heavy feeling within him. he turned to see Doraemon sleeping soundly and Riruru sleeping in a bed next to him. sighed. he went back straight to bed. still thinking why his chest felt heavy. and painful. But he smiled.
That the future will go perfectly.