The announcement came unexpectedly.
According to the teacher, a symposium would be held between schools.
Each school is set to send two representatives.'
This year, our selection is not determined by rank alone.
The class stirred.
Dekisugi didn't react.
Nobita didn't either.
Teacher looked down her list.
"Dekisugi Hidetoshi," she said.
"And… Nobita Nobi.".
The room froze.
Then exploded.
Murmurs. Whispers. Doubt.
Despite feeling the familiar tightening in his chest, Nobita was not crushed this time. It remains strong.
He breathed.
Steady.
Dekisugi turned.
Not quickly.
Not instinctively.
Deliberately.
Their eyes met.
And this time—.
There was no confusion.
They prepared together.
Not as alpha and omega.
Not as rivals.
As equals.
Dekisugi challenged Nobita's ideas.
Nobita corrected Dekisugi's assumptions.
They argued. They laughed quietly. They learned each other's rhythms.
And something remarkable happened.
Their scents didn't clash.
They aligned.
Balanced. Calm. Strong.
Teachers noticed.
Students whispered.
Shizuka watched—and finally smiled.
It was the symposium's day.
Uncommon alphas and confident betas encircling a stage, with intense lighting to show appreciation.'
Nobita lapsed for half an hour.'
Dekisugi noticed.
He didn't touch him.
Didn't shield him.
He leaned in tightly to whisper—just right.
You're not here because of me.".
Nobita exhaled.
"I know.".
And then he spoke.
Clear. Sharp. Brilliant.
The audience listened.
Judges leaned forward.
Dekisugi followed—not leading, not correcting—supporting.
They finished together.
Applause filled the hall.
Not polite.
Earned.
On their way home that night,
The air was cool.
Quiet.
Honest.
Dekisugi stopped near the river.
"Nobita," he said.
He had such an excruciating voice this time.
Only certainty.
"I choose you.".
Nobita didn't answer immediately.
Say it properly,' he said softly.
Dekisugi turned fully toward him.
"I choose you," he repeated.
"Not because you're an omega.".
"Not due to the influence of my gut feeling.".
He made a careful approach.
"My choice is based on my feeling of being more authentic when I stand in your company.".
Silence.
Then—.
Nobita reached out.
Not trembling.
Not hesitant.
He pressed his forehead against Dekisugi's chest.
And nodded.
He whispered, "I choose you too." HELP!
"Not to be protected.".
Dekisugi's breath caught.
"But to be matched.".
Their scents rose together—.
Not explosive.
Not overwhelming.
Just right.
The formation of a bond is not imminent, and it cannot be quickened by pressure.
Acknowledged.
Accepted.
The next day at school—.
Dekisugi sat beside Nobita openly.
No distance.
No avoidance.
When someone laughed—.
Dekisugi didn't glare.
Nobita didn't flinch.
They simply stayed.
Together.
They weren't rivals anymore.
They weren't a secret.
The world did not write their roles.'
They were—.
Chosen.