Cartoonist in Doraemon

Compared to Nobita, Shizuka didn't express her thoughts as openly, but the subtle look of longing on her face was unmistakable—she, too, wanted to see more of Ashton's work.

"Really? Haha! That's great! Thanks, Ash!" Nobita beamed, his excitement clear.

Sometimes, Nobita's simplicity was almost comical. Just yesterday, he had been sulking and jealous because he saw Ashton and Shizuka getting along well. When Shizuka declined to walk home with him, he had even run to Doraemon to borrow gadgets to try to "win her back."

Yet today, after seeing Ashton's comics, all jealousy was forgotten. Nobita had instantly transformed into Ashton's biggest fan, eagerly admiring his talent without a second thought. It was hard to imagine anyone else who could shift gears so quickly.

"Ash, your comic is incredible," Shizuka remarked, her tone thoughtful. "You should submit it to a publisher. It has so much potential to make an impact."

Unlike Nobita, Shizuka had a more forward-thinking perspective. While Nobita was focused on his immediate enjoyment, Shizuka could see the bigger picture. With Ashton's talent and the level of detail in his work, she believed he could gain recognition if he submitted his work to Shonen Weekly.

Many of the comics that Gian, Suneo, and Nobita often read—like Kamen Rider and Ultraman—had been serialized in that very publication.

"That's a great idea," Ashton said with a nod. "I've been thinking about submitting my work to a publisher, actually."

Hearing this, Nobita's eyes sparkled. In his innocent view, only famous mangakas submitted their comics for publication. Yet here was Ashton, just a fellow fifth grader, talking about submitting his own comic. The idea of a future star cartoonist sitting right beside him left Nobita in awe.

Before today, Nobita hadn't thought much of Ashton. In fact, his jealousy had clouded his view of him. But now, after witnessing Ashton's artistic talent firsthand, Nobita couldn't help but admire him.

Even Shizuka, who had initially seen Ashton's interest in comics as just a hobby, was stunned. When Ashton had invited her to the shopping district to buy art supplies, she thought he was casually dabbling in drawing. Even when she'd jokingly suggested seeing his work, she hadn't expected much.

But now, after seeing the intricate drafts Ashton had created, she realized how wrong she'd been. His talent was undeniable. If he refined his skills further, he could easily rival professional mangakas.

What made it even more impressive was that Ashton was the same age as them. For a fifth-grade student to display such talent and potential was extraordinary.

Shizuka and Nobita now looked at Ashton with admiration.

Talent has a way of commanding respect. When someone excels in a skill, it naturally draws others' admiration.

Meanwhile, Ashton's system displayed a new update: his reputation score had risen from 0 to 79.

Reputation points, it seemed, were awarded based on how deeply people were impressed by his work. Nobita, being more easily awed, had contributed slightly more than Shizuka.

While this was just a small start, it gave Ashton a taste of success and a glimpse of what could be achieved.

If just two people's reactions had brought him close to 100 reputation points, what would happen when his work reached a broader audience? The thought of publishing his first three chapters and gaining more recognition made Ashton feel a surge of excitement.

"If that happens, Ash, you might really become a famous mangaka one day!" Shizuka said with a smile.

Nobita's eyes widened as the realization dawned on him. If Ashton's work got published in a magazine like Shonen Weekly, he would undoubtedly gain fame.

"I'll do my best," Ashton replied modestly. While his current skills were still developing—his abilities in drawing, storyboarding, and plot development were all at level 3—he knew he could improve.

Once he earned enough reputation points to upgrade his skills to the maximum level, his progress would skyrocket. He could create masterpieces in mere hours, works that would overshadow anything he could produce now. But for now, there was no need to get ahead of himself.

"By the way, Ash, why don't you come over to my house tomorrow?" Nobita suddenly suggested.

"My best friend, Doraemon, is a robot cat from the future. He has tons of amazing gadgets that might help you with your comics!" Nobita continued excitedly.

"Doraemon also loves comics, so I know he'd enjoy your work! What do you say? Would you come?"

Nobita's eagerness to share Ashton's work with Doraemon was genuine. To him, good things were meant to be shared, especially with those he cared about. His offer was simple, but it reflected his pure-hearted nature.

Nobita felt compelled to make it up to Ashton after wrongly blaming him the day before. Although his initial plan to apologize had been disrupted by Gian's unexpected interference, Nobita still carried a sense of guilt.

Now, with an opportunity to bond with someone who might become a famous mangaka in the future, Nobita wasn't about to let it slip away. He was even more motivated after learning about Ashton's challenging life circumstances, which sparked a sense of sympathy in him.

"Alright, I'll visit. Thanks for inviting me," Ashton replied with a polite smile.

Ashton couldn't help but find Nobita's enthusiasm amusing. It felt as though Nobita had given up all his defenses in an instant, willingly handing over every advantage just to make amends. Still, Nobita's offer to introduce him to Doraemon was too valuable to pass up.

Ashton saw the invitation as a perfect opportunity to visit Nobita's house and meet Doraemon under a legitimate pretext. Perhaps he could even bring along a small gift as a token of goodwill and then negotiate borrowing a gadget or two from Doraemon.

Tsk tsk tsk, with a little help from future tech, my rise to the top seems much closer than I imagined.

"Don't worry about it, Ash!" Nobita said, waving his hands as though to dispel any hesitation. "My parents and Doraemon are super friendly. They'll be happy to have you over!"

Nobita's excitement was genuine, but there was a strategic angle to his gesture as well. If his parents saw him inviting a new classmate over, they'd think he was mature and considerate, someone who looked out for others. At the same time, this would help Nobita forge a closer bond with Ashton.

Still, Ashton didn't mind humoring Nobita's little scheme. It was a rare moment of thoughtfulness from him, and Ashton saw no harm in encouraging it.

Shizuka, watching the interaction, smiled warmly. Over the past few days, she had come to see Ashton as a good friend. His maturity and composure often made her feel like she was interacting with someone much older, not a fellow fifth grader.

But no matter how mature Ashton seemed, it didn't change the fact that he was now part of their group. Shizuka hoped Nobita, Gian, and Suneo would come to accept Ashton as she had.

Suddenly, a loud rumble broke the moment.

"Guh... Sorry about that," Nobita said, embarrassed as he clutched his stomach. "I didn't eat much at lunch."

Nobita's awkwardness was unmatched. If he were a girl, Shizuka mused, his lack of self-awareness might have made it difficult for others to approach him.

"Actually, I'm feeling a bit hungry too," Shizuka said, stifling a laugh. "Why don't we head back? We've already taken up so much of Ash's time."

Shizuka's understanding nature once again smoothed over the situation. Her gentle approach made Ashton feel at ease, and even Nobita seemed less self-conscious.

"Yeah, let's go," Nobita agreed, eager to leave before his stomach made more noise.

"Take care, Ash. Remember, it's important to rest. Drawing comics might be your passion, but don't push yourself too hard. Your health comes first," Shizuka said as they prepared to leave.

"I will. Thanks, Shizuka," Ashton replied with a grateful smile.

Ashton had briefly considered inviting them to stay for a meal, but he quickly realized his fridge was nearly empty. Next time, he thought, he'd prepare in advance and properly host them, perhaps even introducing them to some dishes from his hometown.

After Shizuka and Nobita left, Ashton made himself a simple meal and returned to his desk. He felt encouraged by their reactions to his work.

Though Shizuka and Nobita were just two individuals, their enthusiasm showed him that his comics had the potential to captivate readers. The way they eagerly anticipated the next part of the story was proof that he was on the right track.

With renewed motivation, Ashton began sketching the next chapter, determined to refine his skills and create something truly extraordinary.