Cartoonist in Doraemon

"Well, since I live alone, I have no choice but to cook for myself."

Ashton saw no reason to hide his circumstances from Shizuka. Sooner or later, she would find out through their interactions, and it was better to address it now than to explain later.

"Ah? You live alone, Ash? What about your family?" Shizuka asked, her curiosity piqued.

Sometimes, curiosity isn't just a trait of cats—it's a hallmark of inquisitive girls. Shizuka couldn't resist digging deeper.

"Well, due to some things that happened in the past..."

Ashton gave her a brief explanation of his situation. He omitted any mention of his transmigration and system, but shared enough for her to understand his current life.

The atmosphere between them grew quiet after his explanation.

"I'm sorry, Ash," Shizuka said softly, her voice laced with guilt. "I shouldn't have asked. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."

She hadn't expected Ashton's life to be so difficult. Losing both parents in an accident, living alone in an unfamiliar place, and shouldering the burden of his studies—it was a level of hardship most fifth graders couldn't imagine enduring.

Yet, until now, Ashton hadn't shown any outward sign of struggle. His calm and composed demeanor left Shizuka marveling at his strength. She couldn't fathom how much effort it must have taken to appear so unbothered.

Respect and sympathy welled up in Shizuka's heart. Ashton, someone her age, carried such a heavy weight with remarkable resilience.

Seeing her guilt, Ashton smiled gently. "Don't blame yourself, Shizuka. I've grown used to it, and it's not as sad as you think. Life goes on, and I've learned to look forward, not backward. So don't worry too much about me."

His optimism eased her concern, but it also deepened her admiration for him.

"Well... after school, can I visit your place, Ash?" Shizuka asked hesitantly.

(TL: You shouldn't go to someone's house alone little lady hehe)

Her question surprised him, though he understood her curiosity about his solitary life.

"Of course," Ashton replied with a nod. "You're welcome to visit anytime, Shizuka."

Her sadness melted into a smile, and the mood lightened. Shizuka couldn't help but feel a deep connection to Ashton's story. Though it briefly left her reflecting on his loneliness, his positive outlook reassured her.

---

As lunch break neared its end, their conversation wrapped up. Ashton rested his head on his desk, his mind already racing with thoughts about his next task: finishing the first chapter of Demon Slayer within two weeks.

The challenge was daunting. His drawing skills, though decent, weren't polished enough to meet the deadline. He needed a solution to improve his speed and efficiency.

In the world of Doraemon, relying on futuristic gadgets was the most practical option. Ashton recalled a specific tool from the show: the Mechanical Pencil.

Doraemon had lent it to Nobita once to help him finish his homework faster, allowing him to join his friends for extracurricular activities. However, Nobita's tendency to boast backfired when Gian seized the pencil. Gian, infamous for his poor academics, suddenly aced every subject after using the gadget.

Naturally, this raised his mother's suspicions. Knowing her son's habits, she didn't need proof to conclude he was cheating. After a stern scolding, Gian returned the pencil to Doraemon, and life resumed as usual.

Ashton believed this gadget could be his solution. If he borrowed the Mechanical Pencil from Doraemon, his drawing problem would be solved in no time.

The main issue Ashton faced now was how to establish a good relationship with Doraemon.

In the original Doraemon series, Nobita was undeniably the protagonist, and the stories revolved around him. However, without Doraemon's help, Nobita was just a timid, forgetful, and clumsy elementary school student. Doraemon had been sent from the 22nd century with a mission to help Nobita overcome his shortcomings.

From what Ashton remembered, Doraemon had a friendly and easy-going personality, which made him relatively approachable. The challenge now was finding the right opportunity to initiate contact without making it seem like he was asking for help outright. It seemed the best strategy was to take things one step at a time.

With his plan in mind, Ashton lay down on his desk like the other students, closing his eyes to rest.

---

Soon, the school day came to an end.

Nobita had intended to walk Shizuka home after school, but when he packed his bag and looked for her, he saw her leaving the classroom with the new transfer student, Ashton.

Seeing how familiar they had become in just two days made Nobita uncomfortable. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to follow them, his schoolbag slung over his shoulder.

"Shizuka!" Nobita called as he ran to catch up.

Shizuka and Ashton had just reached the school gate when they heard his voice.

"It's Nobita. What's the matter?" Shizuka turned and asked with a smile as Nobita hurried over.

"Uh, nothing really," Nobita mumbled, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Where are you two going?"

"Oh, I'm visiting Ashton's home. Would you like to join us?" Shizuka replied cheerfully.

Nobita blinked in surprise. "Visiting Ashton's home?"

Shizuka nodded. "Yes. Did you know Ashton lives alone here? It's really not easy for him."

"Alone?" Nobita echoed, growing more curious.

"You'll see for yourself soon enough," Shizuka said with a smile before turning to Ashton. "Ashton, is it okay if Nobita comes with us?"

"Of course, I don't mind," Ashton replied, nodding with a friendly smile.

Although Nobita's decision to tag along was motivated by his interest in Shizuka, Ashton welcomed it. Establishing a good relationship with Nobita could naturally lead to building rapport with Doraemon.

Besides, Nobita, despite his flaws, was a kind-hearted boy. His occasional jealousy was typical for someone his age, and Ashton didn't hold it against him.

---

As they walked to Ashton's home, Shizuka shared some details about his situation with Nobita. By the time they arrived, Nobita had a better understanding of why Shizuka seemed so considerate toward Ashton.

However, seeing Ashton's home in person still surprised them both.

Shizuka, used to her family's wealth and comfort, found the modest single-family house humbling. Nobita, who often felt self-conscious about his family's circumstances, realized Ashton's situation might be even more challenging than his own.

"Is this where you live, Ashton-san?" Nobita asked, his surprise evident.

"Yes," Ashton replied with a nod. "Come on in, Shizuka, Nobita-san."

Ashton showed no trace of embarrassment. In fact, compared to the cramped one-room apartment he had lived in before transmigrating, this house was a considerable upgrade. At least he had his own space and no longer relied on instant noodles for every meal.

With his system to help him, Ashton was confident about his future. He knew it was only a matter of time before he achieved success.

Shizuka and Nobita exchanged glances before stepping inside.

By the time they saw Ashton's living conditions firsthand, Nobita's initial jealousy had melted away. Instead, he felt a newfound sense of respect and understanding for his new classmate.