As Nobitha reached the ground his hands  and legs were still hurting from the punishment he was given at school. His morning had been horrible like always! ....Everyone at school laughing at him... All being disappointed............

But among all those Laughling's there had been one person who looked at him without disappointment... A pair of warm eyes which belonged to none other our Daikisugi.

As he arrived at the field he saw Dekisugi talking with Gian and other members of the team.

"Dekisugi you're so smart! I wish I could be as intelligent as you" Suneo praised his usual flattery was evident in his tone. Gian nodded in agreement. "Yeah! You're good at everything! Unlike someone here! ." His eyes flickered toward Nobita with a smirk.

Nobita clenched his fists he hated how much everyone admired Dekisugi. It wasn't that he disliked Dekisugi or annything but it was ... why did they have to  always compare him with everything and everyone? He was already tired of being called a loser long ago. Absence of Doraemon made it even worse for him. He felt small and useless in front of others!

Finally, The match began.

Gian's team was fielding first while other team was batting. Nobita stood at the side he was very nervous They all know he  wasn't good at baseball. In fact.... he was terrible at it. But he didn't want to humiliate himself more than he already had today.

One by one every players took their turns. Nobita heart kept raising fearing for the moment he would have to bat. Then unfortunatly.....it was his turn.

He hesitated as he stepped forward gripping the bat shakily. The ball came flying toward him at full speed and his heart pounded very fastly. He swung the bat, but....

Miss.

The ball gone past him untouched.....

"Ugh! Nobita!! are you blind?!" Gian shouted controlling his urge to beat him then and there. 

The next throw came he tried again but......

Miss.

Someone groaned and a few boys groaned louder. Nobita didn't dare look up.

"You're useless as always Nobita!" Suneo screamed "Why do you even bother coming to play?'( bro it was u all who forced him to play🙄😑)

The snickering and whispers from others present there made his face burn in embarrassment. He lowered his head gripping the bat tighter his hands were shaking as a leaf!

"What a loser!"

"He should just quit."

Gian stomped toward him. "Get out of the way! You're ruining the game for everyone!" He shoved Nobita aside  very roughly. poor Nobita stumbled badly barely catching himself before he hit the ground. His throat felt tight, He clenched his jaw to keep it together.

Then, suddenly....

"Stop it." The voice was calm but firm. Nobita looked up in surprise.

Dekisugi stood between him and Gianwith a straight face .... his usual warm face now filled with serious.

"You don't have to talk to him like that" Dekisugi said his gaze steady. "Everyone has a weak point they struggle with."

Gian scoffed. "Oh yeah? Then maybe he should struggle somewhere else instead of wasting our time." Suneo snickered beside him. 'Yeah if he can't play... he shouldn't be here its very simple!."

Dekisugi didn't budge "He can play and am sure he will get better at it. You don't become good at something in a day."

Nobita stared at him too stunned to speak no one had ever defended him like this before it was only Doraemon who would always help him with gadgets but this... this was different.

This wasn't because of some devices but because Dekisugi genuinely believed in him. After the game ended...Nobita sat quietly on the bench staring at the ground. His heart still ached from the fight earlier but something about Dekisugi's words still lingered in his mind.

"You should enjoy playing baseball" Dekisugi said sitting beside him. 'One day you'll be able to play it well too."

Nobita blinked at him. "You... really think so?"

Dekisugi nodded with a small smile. "I know you will."

At those words something inside Nobita cracked. His eyes burned and no matter how hard he blinked the sting wouldn't go away.

"H-Hey! don't cry" Dekisugi said sounding startled.

"I-I just... I'm so tired of this" Nobita choked out. "Gian and Suneo always treat me like I'm nothing. and... and Doraemon isn't here today... I feel so alone."

Dekisugi hesitated for a moment before placing a gentle hand on Nobita's shoulder. "You're not alone Nobita." Those simple words were enough to make Nobita break down completely. He hid his face in his palms crying loudly.

The kindness,  the reassurance he hadn't even realized how badly he needed this. After a while...he suddenly felt arms wrap around him.

Dekisugi was hugging him. The gesture was hesitant at first but when Nobita didn't pull away, Dekisugi's hold became firmer.

"I believe in you" Dekisugi whispered.

Nobita sniffled. "Thank you..."

Something inside him eased like he could finally breathe. Maybe he wasn't si alone as he thought..... Right? They played baseball together for the rest of the day!..... Dekisugi taught him everything from the start like  how to hold the bat properly, how to aim....how to keep his balance ete,....

Nobita stumbled a lot he missed a lot but for the first time he didn't feel like useless. He laughed and moreover He enjoyed himself.

They played until the sun dipped below the horizon... The birds all were flewing back to their home...

As they sat on the grass exhausted by the game.  Nobita glanced at Dekisugi. 'Hey... do you really think I'll get better at baseball one day?'

Dekisugi looked at him with a soft smile. "Yes. You'll get better at many things Nobita."

For the first time in a long while, Nobita truly believed it.... he believed in Himself

That night as he lay in bed he  stared at the ceiling he finally realized something. his day had started horribly. It had been full of scoldings, punishments and humiliation.

But in the end.... it didn't feel like a bad day at all Because someone had believed in him.

And that... that made all the difference for him....He was looking forward to Next day.....

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