After Roppuru finished singing my praises, I gradually calmed down.
Roppuru was still super excited, though. "Nobita, let's hurry back and report this to the authorities!" Even though I knew it wouldn't do any good, I played along.
"Sure, you go report it and tell everyone the good news."
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much. Roppuru was thrilled to have caught Galtite Mining in the act and was eager to report it, probably thinking this would finally force them to back off.
I just thought he was naive. Capitalists always have tricks up their sleeves—connections with those in power, cosmic patrols looking the other way, all sorts of dirty moves. The higher-ups are even dirtier than you think.
So I wasn't optimistic about Roppuru's excitement. But seeing how much it meant to him, after so many failures, I didn't have the heart to burst his bubble. Let him enjoy it while he can.
…
That night, in Roppuru's living room, his whole family and the other settlers gathered around as Roppuru told them what happened.
He was describing the fight, cheeks flushed with excitement, waving his hands wildly. "I wish everyone could have seen it—Nobita moved like lightning! He took down all those Galtite Mining thugs in a flash!"
"Wow, amazing!" everyone gasped in admiration.
I couldn't help but laugh at how exaggerated it all sounded. But then I noticed Clem looking at me with wide, star-struck eyes.
"Nobita-nii is so amazing!" she said, her face blushing bright red.
The other settlers were the same—looking at me with that same adoration. I started to get it: after so many failed struggles, sometimes what people really need is hope and confidence. And I'd become their source of it.
"Ah, it's nothing!" I could only say, surrounded by all the praise.
But not everything was so rosy. Some of the settlers, the chubbier, lazier ones, were already celebrating as if we'd won. "With Nobita here, we can finally relax!" "Galtite Mining won't be able to touch us now!"
I wanted to facepalm. Celebrating before the battle's even won? Depending on a kid to protect your home—don't you feel any shame?
Why does what I do have anything to do with you? It's not like I'm from here.
Now I finally get why Superman in the movies sometimes resents humanity. They're quick to morally blackmail their heroes. But I'm not some all-good superhero. I'm not your savior just because I happen to be a decent guy.
I saw the worst of human nature coming out, but I didn't say anything. Some people are just doomed to bring about their own downfall. I only really care about helping Roppuru and his family. The rest? Not my problem.
I watched the little drama unfold, feeling oddly detached. Sometimes, people's joys and sorrows just don't connect.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted someone unexpected—the red-haired, mature woman, Morina.
She was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, one long leg resting on the other, her curvy figure on full display. Her face was as cold as ever, eyes flashing with contempt at the settlers who just wanted to rely on others. Who knows what she was thinking?
Maybe I was staring too obviously, because Morina suddenly noticed me. She didn't say anything, but she did give me a rare smile. The ice queen smiling—it was enough to surprise me, and I smiled back.
But things weren't over yet.
Suddenly, Clem's mom burst in, looking anxious. She didn't go to Roppuru—she came straight to me. I was a little stunned. Why come to me? Isn't Roppuru the hero here?
I guess my heroic actions today had earned their trust, so now they were looking to me as their pillar.
"Nobita, this is bad!" she said, then quickly explained the situation.
Before she could finish, Roppuru rushed to the comm station.
"What? There's no sign of Galtite Mining's attack?" Roppuru shouted, and everyone in the living room heard it loud and clear.
The comm operator replied, "We arrived at the location you gave us, but found no trace of any incident. Not even debris from Galtite Mining's ship."
"But we definitely encountered them there!" Roppuru insisted, desperate.
"Are you sure it was Galtite Mining's security ship?" the operator said, sounding skeptical.
"I'm not lying! I saw it with my own eyes!" Roppuru pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but without evidence, our security force can't take any action," the operator replied.
Right then, I knew Galtite Mining would never be punished for this attack. When Roppuru had handed those bad guys over to the cosmic police, he'd been all fired up, dreaming of justice for Koya Koya and a peaceful life for everyone.
Now, with no evidence, Galtite Mining had slipped away, and the ones I'd captured probably got released as well. It was all for nothing.
I hadn't expected much in the first place, so I wasn't disappointed. But the other settlers couldn't hide their frustration.
Realizing how powerful Galtite Mining's backers were, they started getting up to leave.
"I thought we could finally live in peace..." someone muttered.
"They'll only get worse from here..."
"I've had enough..."
Clem's mom looked at me, worried. "Nobita..."
"Nobita-nii..." Clem said, clutching my sleeve.
Roppuru put down the communicator, his hands trembling. Then he loosened his grip, head hanging low. He looked like he'd been drained of all energy, dragging himself back to his room and slamming the door behind him.
Watching all this, I couldn't help but feel moved.
But I was also curious to see how Morina was reacting—was she different from the others?
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