Dekisugi and Shizuka approached the group, curious about the lively conversation between Jaian, Nobita, and Suneo. Both Jaian and Suneo were chuckling heartily, while Nobita wore an awkward smile, unsure how to contribute. Dekisugi pulled up a stool, gesturing for Shizuka to join him, and asked curiously, "Jaian, what are you guys talking about? You all seem so excited."
Jaian, unable to contain his enthusiasm, turned to Dekisugi with a wide grin. "Oh, Dekisugi! Let me tell you—my sister Jaiko has finally finished her manga after working on it for a whole month! I've decided to show it to everyone after school today. What do you think? Doesn't that sound amazing?"
Dekisugi raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Wow, Jaiko has been working hard. That's fantastic! I'd love to take a look," he said with a smile.
Shizuka, sitting beside Dekisugi, joined the conversation. "Jaiko's been putting in so much effort. It must be really good! Oh, Dekisugi, maybe you and Jaiko can exchange ideas. You've already finished an episode of your manga too, haven't you?"
Jaian's eyes widened in astonishment. "What?! Dekisugi, you've already drawn an episode of a manga? That's incredible!"
Dekisugi nodded modestly. "Yes, it's just one episode so far. I'm planning to visit Hakusen Publishing House after school to submit the manuscript. If it gets accepted, I'll treat everyone to a big meal."
At the mention of food, Jaian's face lit up even more. He stood up and clapped Dekisugi on the shoulder with such force that Dekisugi winced. "You're the best, Dekisugi! You've got yourself a deal. When the time comes, I'm having pork chop rice!"
Shizuka giggled, watching Jaian's enthusiasm. Suneo, however, muttered under his breath, "He says 'deal,' but it's not like he's really asking."
Unfortunately for Suneo, Jaian had sharp ears. He turned to Suneo with a scowl. "What was that, Suneo? Are you complaining about me?"
Suneo immediately panicked, waving his hands frantically. "No, no, no! Of course not, Jaian! I'm your best friend—how could I complain about you? I was just saying how much I'm looking forward to reading Jaiko's manga! I'm her number-one fan, after all!"
Jaian's scowl melted into a grin. "Now that's more like it!" He wrapped an arm around Suneo's shoulders. "Since you're Jaiko's biggest fan, I'll let that slide. But remember, we're meeting in the open space after school to read her manga. Don't forget!"
Dekisugi, amused by the interaction, interjected politely, "Jaian, I'll have to join you a bit later. I really need to drop by the publishing house this afternoon to submit my manuscript. Is that alright?"
Jaian waved a hand dismissively. "Of course, Dekisugi! You've got important business to handle. Just don't forget to come by after you're done!"
Dekisugi nodded in gratitude. It was moments like these that made him appreciate how Jaian could be surprisingly considerate when it came to certain people.
The conversation shifted to their usual lunch break banter, with Jaian teasing Suneo, Nobita occasionally chiming in, and Shizuka laughing along. Dekisugi observed them with a smile, reflecting on how friendships could develop in unexpected ways.
As the group finished their lunches, they handed their trays back to the teacher and headed to the playground for their usual baseball game. Nobita, however, looked visibly tired and lagged behind. He rubbed his eyes, clearly struggling to stay awake.
"Hey, Nobita, are you coming or not?" Jaian called out, holding a baseball bat over his shoulder.
Nobita waved them off. "I'll catch up… Just let me rest a bit first." He found a patch of grass under a tree and lay down, falling asleep within seconds.
Shizuka chuckled softly. "Nobita must be exhausted after standing outside the classroom all morning. Let him rest."
Jaian shrugged. "Fine, but he better not complain later when he misses out on the game. Dekisugi, you're filling in for him!"
"Sure," Dekisugi agreed with a smile. He picked up a glove and joined the others on the field.
The game went on with its usual energy, Jaian's booming voice directing the team, Suneo's attempts to impress everyone, and Shizuka cheering from the sidelines. Despite their occasional squabbles, there was an undeniable camaraderie among the group.
After an exhilarating match, the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. The students returned to their classrooms to gather their belongings.
As planned, Dekisugi headed straight to Hakusen Publishing House to submit his manuscript. The editor he met was impressed with the quality of Dekisugi's artwork and storytelling, promising to review it thoroughly and provide feedback soon. Dekisugi left the publishing house feeling optimistic.
Meanwhile, Jaian, Suneo, Shizuka, and Nobita—who had finally woken up—assembled in the open space with Jaiko's manga in hand.
"Alright, everyone, gather around!" Jaian announced proudly, holding up the manga. "Prepare to be amazed by the genius of my sister Jaiko!"
The group crowded around as Jaian carefully flipped through the pages. Jaiko's artwork was detailed and expressive, with a compelling storyline about a young girl navigating life in a magical world.
"Wow, Jaiko's really talented!" Shizuka exclaimed.
"Yeah, this is way better than I expected," Suneo admitted, his usual arrogance replaced with genuine admiration.
Even Nobita, who often struggled to focus on anything for too long, was engrossed. "This is amazing, Jaian. Jaiko could really become a famous manga artist someday."
Jaian beamed with pride. "Of course! She's my sister, after all. Talent runs in the family!"
When Dekisugi arrived a bit later, he joined the group and reviewed Jaiko's manga as well. "This is excellent work. Jaiko has a unique style that stands out. She should definitely consider submitting this to a publisher."
Jaian looked thoughtful. "You think so? Maybe I'll talk to her about it. Who knows, she might become famous one day, and then I'll get to brag about her even more!"
The group laughed, enjoying the moment. Despite their differences and the occasional bickering, they had come together once again, united by their shared appreciation for creativity and friendship.