Ken's scheme
"Reward unlocked: 1 slot of Inventory." The system chimed in with its unmistakable voice, an instant mood-lifter for me.
After Takeshi wrapped up his dramatic episode, a delightful spread of snacks and treats, generously contributed by our bunch of buddies, awaited our eager appetites.
In a true-blue Nobita-and-Doraemon fashion, a spacious cloth was unfurled onto the lush grass, serving as our designated picnic zone. Nestled cozily upon it, we embarked on a merry symphony of conversation and camaraderie.
As the chatter flowed around me like a cheerful river, I found myself engrossed in a tête-à-tête with none other than Dekisugi. Our tête-à-tête dance saw me nodding along, occasionally chiming in as Dekisugi painted vivid canvases of galaxies and astronomy, exuding a passion for the wonders of science and nature. At times, it crossed my mind: had Dekisugi been thrown into the Marvel universe with Tony Stark's financial artillery, he might have well become the brilliant, charismatic genius we all know and love, a second Stark in his own right. And even if the comparison to Tony Stark seemed a stretch, Dekisugi could easily step into Peter Parker's shoes, sans the spandex, of course.
Such conjectures were merely an outcome of his sheer brilliance. In a momentary flashback to the Doraemon cartoons, I couldn't help but marvel at how the realm of technology and industry had catapulted to an entirely new echelon. It was as though the technological evolution of Doraemon's world, especially in Japan, had leaped from industrial revolution 3 straight into the sixth iteration, with numbers 4 and 5 conveniently bypassed.
To be frank, this unconventional leap defies all conventional reasoning. Yet, when I dived into deeper contemplation, a tantalizing idea emerged: perhaps this extraordinary leap owed its origins to the subtle nudges of time travelers like Doraemon himself. The blue robotic cat stood as living testament that the fabric of time—multiple timelines, myriad possibilities—wasn't just science fiction but a very real thing.
And so, amid the picnic's lively backdrop and the animated conversations, my mind playfully wandered into the realm of speculation, where timelines intertwined and imagination knew no bounds.
I often find myself musing, lost in thought, pondering whether the time tunnel nestled within Nobita's desk is a uni-directional passage tied to a colossal server... My recollection of the cartoon brings to mind instances when Doraemon journeyed through time, encountering multiple versions of himself—all emanating from that same server or timeline. Yet, what if this is just one among numerous servers or timelines? Beyond these exist other timeline servers, awaiting exploration, almost like parallel universes.
"Ken-san, you with us?" Dekisugi's friendly wave draws my gaze and snaps me back from my reverie.
My brain's gone deep-dive mode again. AN: Yeah, readers might start throwing "info dump" signs at me.
In hindsight, I really ought to have pondered these ideas earlier. After all, with this trusty system at my disposal, I'm now armed with the power to duplicate Doraemon's nifty gadgets. I might even have a shot at copying Nobita's desk, the one that houses the illustrious Time Tunnel and the time machine.
My mind races with giddy enthusiasm. The prospect of entering Nobita's room? It sounds almost too easy, doesn't it?
A spontaneous giggle bubbles up, but I quickly rein it in, wary of appearing odd. Thankfully, Dekisugi's engrossed in his book, occasionally gesturing at a page while he carries on with his monologue.
Classic nerd, this one.
Shaking off my amusement, I decide to buddy up with Dekisugi. I've got a hunch that this guy's destined for greatness. If my memory serves, he's on track to become something akin to a pilot—albeit navigating spaceships, if I recall correctly.
As the backdrop hums with Nobita's chat with Shizuka and Suneo's and Takeshi's conversations, there's an occasional melding of their voices in harmonious symphony. Soda cans clink, toasts are made, and the atmosphere radiates with the kind of camaraderie that warms the heart.
Everyone's soaked in the joy of the moment, letting their hair down until it's time to part ways.
However, just before Doraemon and Nobita can fade into the horizon, I seize the spotlight with a lively holler, "Hey Doraemon, Nobita! Fancy swinging by our place tomorrow?" This is my invitation strategy—to open the door to a reason to visit Nobita's abode. (AN: Press 'F' for the mc's poor memory, he forgotten his Dokodemo Door that can literally go anywhere including Nobita's room... The mc will surely realize this later.)
I make the opening move with the invitation, knowing full well they'll volley back in due course. Even if their response overlooks me, trust me, I won't let it slide. Thanks to the insider intel from the system (which kindly informs me that Copycat slots undergo a weekly recharge), I'm aware that in about a week's time, that coveted slot will be good to go. My fingers are crossed, anticipating that a mere seven days from now, I'll be exploring Nobita's quarters, primed to mimic his enviable setup. Whether the system duplicates randomly or provides a options, that's still a mystery. But really, what harm is there in giving it a shot?
"Really!?" Nobita can hardly contain his excitement.
With an affirmative nod from me and a grin from Doraemon, Doraemon's thoughts begin to wander. Doraemon can't help but speculate—given Ken's family's wealth, there's bound to be a treasure trove of snacks or doriyaki waiting for him at his place, right?
"Tomorrow it is!" I confirm, but Nobita throws a curveball, "Did you remember to invite Shizuka?"
Ah, shoot. The truth is, her invitation kind of slipped my mind. I managed a somewhat reluctant nod, secretly deciding that he'd have to take charge and round up the gang tomorrow at school.
AN:
Ken's other thoughts:
I found myself deep in a tête-à-tête with Dekisugi. He was spouting off about galaxies and astronomy, and I was nodding along like a bobblehead. The dude could give a TED Talk about science and the wonders of nature.