When Shin-chan left the house, the sky had yet to fully brighten.
"Shiro, let's go."
Shiro sat at the door, tilting his head as he looked at him.
At this hour, Shin-chan would usually still be in bed, locked in a battle of wits with Miya. Yet today, he was up so early—and he had even taken the initiative to ask Shiro to come along?
Shiro barked and followed him.
One boy and one dog walked down the early-morning streets.
The air was cool, and there were few people on the road. Only a handful of ninja who had risen early to exercise were out running.
Shin-chan carried his schoolbag and walked slowly.
Shiro stayed by his feet, occasionally looking up at him.
School Entrance.
The gatekeeper was yawning as he opened the gate. When he lowered his head, he saw a little red figure standing before him.
"Oh? You're early today."
Shin-chan nodded. "Good morning, Uncle."
The gatekeeper's yawn froze halfway. He rubbed his eyes hard, watched Shin-chan walk through the school gate, then looked up at the sky.
Had the sun risen in the west?
The classroom was empty.
Shin-chan walked to his seat, put down his schoolbag, and sat up straight.
Shiro lay at his feet.
The first person to arrive was a girl who normally wasn't very familiar with Shin-chan. She pushed open the door, saw Shin-chan sitting in his seat, and froze for a moment before stepping back out to check the sign on the door.
Then she poked her head back in.
Shin-chan was still there.
She rubbed her eyes. "Y-you... why are you here so early?"
"Mm." Shin-chan nodded. "Early to bed, early to rise keeps you healthy."
The girl stood there, stunned, without moving for a long while.
The second and third