The hall buzzed with the low murmurs of conversations. Nobita — or rather, Reo — adjusted his tie with a flick of his fingers, exuding a calm, collected aura that was far removed from the weak boy everyone once knew. His black hair, slightly longer now, framed his sharper face perfectly. He wore a simple yet exquisitely tailored navy blue suit, a far cry from the childish clothes he used to stumble around in.
Next to him, Doraemon waddled nervously, carrying a small pouch of gadgets just in case things went south. Despite all their preparation, today was a major step.
Today, Reo was attending his first official business conference.
It wasn't anything massive — a local technology networking event hosted by several smaller firms — but it was enough. Enough for him to begin weaving his influence into the adult world. Enough for him to test the waters of real power.
He had forged a new identity for these events: Noburu Tanaka, a "child prodigy entrepreneur" whose talent had supposedly been discovered by a hidden investor (an identity Reo had meticulously created through anonymous funding).
Stepping into the conference hall, Reo's eyes scanned the room.
Men and women in formal wear, polished shoes, and expensive watches. Conversations about mergers, funding rounds, tech startups, AI, and blockchain echoed around him.
Perfect.
He could see it — the wide-open spaces between the weak and the strong.
He could already see where he would fit in — not as a pawn.
But as a king.
"Are you sure about this, Nobita— I mean, Tanaka-san?" Doraemon whispered, adjusting his tiny bowtie.
"I've never been more sure," Reo murmured, his voice low.
Just then, a tall man in his thirties, with glasses and a sharp suit, approached him.
"You must be Tanaka-san," the man said, extending his hand. "I'm Hiroshi Sakamoto, director of NextGen Solutions. We heard about your project... very impressive."
Reo shook his hand firmly, smiling with professional charm.
"Pleasure's all mine, Sakamoto-san."
Nearby, some older executives glanced over, whispering among themselves. A few chuckled, no doubt thinking it was cute that a "kid" was here.
Reo didn't mind.
Let them underestimate him.
He would show them the price of underestimating a man who had clawed his way through the gutter of his last life.
Sakamoto gestured for him to join a small group gathering near the stage. "We'd love to hear about your vision, if you don't mind sharing."
Reo nodded.
"My pleasure."
As he walked toward the group, Reo caught sight of something — or rather, someone — that made him pause.
Across the room, surrounded by a group of photographers and young managers, stood a girl about his age. Long black hair flowed down her back like a waterfall. She wore a simple white dress, but it only enhanced her natural beauty. Her skin was luminous under the lights, her features elegant, poised, but not cold. She was laughing softly at something one of the men said.
Ayaka Hanabira.
The rising star.
The young actress who had taken the entertainment world by storm.
So, she's here too...
Reo's eyes narrowed slightly.
He hadn't expected to run into her so soon.
In his plan, he knew he would eventually have to stand alongside the brightest — whether in business, politics, or entertainment. Ayaka was not just a pretty face; she was an unstoppable force of influence and popularity in the making.
And... in some future he envisioned, she would be standing by his side.
But not yet.
Not yet.
For now, Reo turned his attention back to Sakamoto and the gathering of investors.
One step at a time.
Still, a smile tugged at his lips.
The real game is just beginning.
---