Chapter 7

Hello, guys. Before anything else, I am grateful that you continue to review. Again, as I have mentioned before, it is your reviews that really pull me back to this fanfiction. I really appreciate your support and I apologize for not updating sooner.

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...

Nobita looked confused. He really did not know what she had said. However, he felt a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was the way she was looking at him that made him uncomfortable?

After all, he could almost see her eyes twinkling in delight.

"What?"

Nobita really could not help but voice out.

It did not wear her smile down at all. Instead, her smile widened before she reached out and took his hand in hers.

"If you had not been there, I would have never gotten this life. That is why I will always be thankful to you."

Now, Nobita had held a girl's hand before. However, it was never intentional. In fact, with Shizuka, it had always been for a few fleeting moments, like when he was dragging her with him, not paying any attention to it.

However, this time… it felt kind of different.

On the other hand, Doraemon felt both a little awkward and proud. Nobita was surely pulling Moon along. Thus, he did what he was supposed to do.

He coughed loudly in his hand.

Just as Nobita was beginning to wonder why it felt so nice to have her hold his hand, he heard the loud cough, which was clearly intentional, and pulled his hand back.

He smiled sheepishly at Moon before looking back at Doraemon with a glare. It ticked him even more when Doraemon shrugged his glare off and indulged in his ministrations again.

Nobita looked back again at the smiling Moon and he discretely felt his ears getting warm. Her smile was really beautiful.

"To be honest, it was nothing. I am just glad that it all turned out to be fine."

Moon just smiled at him before she looked out of the window. Nobita noticing her gaze and also looked out of the window to see the clear sky with only a few clouds. The weather was quite nice.

"Ne, Nobita, can we go out?" Moon asked, looking back at Nobita who tilted his head a little at her question.

In the back, Doraemon who had completely misunderstood the question, sputtered. Surely, she was not asking him about that, was she?

"You mean as if out in the neighborhood?" Nobita asked and Moon immediately nodded, looking excited.

"I really want to go out and see the neighborhood. Back at home, I never get the chance to be out." At the end of it, she was pouting a little and Nobita could not help but chuckle at her innocent expression. She looked cute.

Missing the relieved sigh of Doraemon, Nobita nodded with a smile. "Okay, why not? I will show you around."

In an instant, her eyes began to twinkle. "Thank you, Nobita!" She cheered, causing both Doraemon and Nobita to chuckle.

Nobita looked back at Doraemon. "Doraemon, do you want to come?"

Doraemon thought for a second before hiding a cat-like smile. "No, I am a little busy. You guys can go without me."

Nobita knew something was up because there was nothing particularly that Doraemon was doing at the moment. Still, he shrugged before looking at Moon.

"Let's go then, Moon."

"Okay!"

Once Nobita had informed his mother, he and Moon were out into the streets with Moon looking excitedly at everything, even trees. Nobita could not help but chuckle around her when she pointed at different things that were so normal for any other person.

He wondered for a brief second if Moon saw the world in a different manner than him.

Thus, he began to explain about different types of trees and even flowers. He did not know much about flowers but still, attempted to explain them the best he could.

They were nearing the small base where Nobita and others met when Nobita saw something. Just by the corner, there was a dark brown dog and Nobita was all too familiar with it. After all, he could count all the times that he was almost bit or really bit by it. It was a damned dog.

"Nobita, I am scared of dogs."

Moon's fearful voice reached his ears and that was when Nobita realized that Moon had also noticed the dog digging in the trash.

He also noticed something else. Her hands were on his shoulders as she hid behind him.

Nobita felt a strange sense of protectiveness for Moon.

He smiled at her over his shoulder. "Don't worry, Moon. I won't let it bite you."

When Moon nodded and returned his smile, Nobita looked back at the dog. Now, under normal circumstances, he would have been scared. But right now, he did not feel scared.

Instead, he felt braver.

Nobita put his hand in his pocket, entering the 3D pocket before pulling a pack of candies from it. Moon looked curiously at Nobita as he threw one candy at the dog. It was only a moment before the dog noticed the candy and ate it.

Nobita smiled at his accomplishment and looked at Moon.

"Let's go now, he won't bite now." Nobita said and Moon looked hesitant before she nodded. However, she still stayed behind Nobita as he went near the dog and patted him on his head.

Nobita looked back at Moon to see her astonished and he could not help but laugh at her expression. "You can always pet him if you want."

Again, she looked doubtful before she gently put her hand on the dog's head and the dog immediately barked in happiness.

Nobita watched her pet the dog in fascination before she squealed in happiness and giggled at the dog. He could not help but smile at her antics.

Once she had stopped petting the dog, she had immediately run up to Nobita with twinkles in her eyes.

"Nobita that was so great. How did you do that? You are so brave." She spoke, elated and Nobita chuckled.

"Well, it was nothing. Now, do you want to visit the lake?"

Immediately, her eyes glittered and Nobita smiled already knowing her answer.

"I would love to go there."

Thus, they continued to trek at a slow pace towards the lake, both enjoying the walk. Nobita was just happy that Moon was having fun.