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The oppressive silence of Nobita's classroom hung heavy in the air. Nobita stared blankly at the empty desk in front of him, the usual occupant, Dekisugi, conspicuously absent. A gnawing worry had settled in his stomach ever since he'd arrived at school that morning to find Dekisugi's seat vacant.
"Hey, Nobita," Gian's booming voice cut through the silence, "did Dekisugi sleep in again?"
Nobita shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. "No, I don't think so."
The previous day's revelation echoed in his mind. Dekisugi's shy confession, the hesitant touch of their hands – it all felt like a dream. Had he imagined it? Had the pressure of the situation caused Dekisugi to have a change of heart?
Throughout the day, a dark cloud of worry shadowed Nobita. He stole glances at Shizuka, hoping to glean some information. Perhaps Dekisugi had confided in her, their shared academic prowess forging an unlikely bond. But Shizuka seemed oblivious, her usual cheerful demeanor unchanged.
Lunchtime arrived, offering a temporary escape from the stifling atmosphere. Nobita joined Gian and Suneo under their usual tree, but his appetite had vanished.
"Hey, Nobita," Suneo nudged him, his voice laced with concern, "you look like you swallowed a lemon. What's wrong?"
Nobita hesitated, unsure if he should confide in them. But the worry gnawing at him was too much to bear alone. He blurted out the entire story – from the Truth Teller incident to Dekisugi's confession and their strange, new understanding.
Gian and Suneo listened with wide eyes, their usual boisterousness replaced by stunned silence. Finally, Gian spoke, his voice uncharacteristically serious.
"Whoa, Nobita. No wonder you're freaking out. But disappearing like that… that's not like Dekisugi."
Suneo nodded in agreement. "Maybe something happened at home? We should try contacting him."
The afternoon dragged on in a blur of worry and unanswered calls. As the final school bell rang, a sense of dread settled over Nobita. He wasn't ready to face the emptiness of Dekisugi's desk, the uncertainty of his friend's disappearance.
Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the school gates. It was Doraemon, his blue ears drooping. He approached Nobita, his robotic voice devoid of its usual cheer.
"Nobita," he began, "I have some news about Dekisugi."
Nobita's heart pounded in his chest. Was Dekisugi alright? Doraemon's next words sent a jolt of surprise through him.
"Dekisugi left a message for you," Doraemon said, his voice grave.