The incessant rain had finally ended. The gray clouds that had blanketed the sky began to break apart, revealing glimpses of blue. Though the landscape remained overcast, the air felt lighter.
"Oh, looks like the rain stopped," Goku said, glancing up at the sky. He then turned to the woman resting against his chest. "Hey, Bulma, you should wake up."
Bulma stirred, her head still nestled against the warmth of her best friend's chest. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked around.
"What happened?" she mumbled sleepily, noticing the absence of rain. "Oh… I guess we should head back."
Goku scratched his cheek, hesitating. "Well… you kinda fell asleep, and—"
He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the sly, knowing smile forming on Bulma's lips.
"Y-yeah," he stammered, "we should go back."
Bulma stretched, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "You know… I was really comfortable just now," she admitted as they started walking toward Capsule Corporation. I've never felt something like that before… It was magical. If I could, I'd stay like that forever.
She turned to look at Goku, only to find him already gazing at her. For a brief moment, their eyes locked—deep onyx meeting brilliant blue. It was as if time had frozen around them.
Goku quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward chuckle. Bulma, on the other hand, smiled to herself, lost in thought.
"Hmm… do you want a drink?" she asked after a moment, surprised that Goku hadn't already dragged her somewhere to eat, as he usually did.
"You need to rest—for your sake and the baby's," Goku said simply.
Bulma blinked at him, momentarily stunned by his unexpected response.
"A-Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere?" she asked, raising a skeptical brow. "Aren't you hungry at all?"
"Of course I'm hungry!" Goku exclaimed. His stomach, which had been growling like an alarm for the past half hour, confirmed his words. "But the doctor said you shouldn't overexert yourself, and we've been walking all day."
Bulma sighed. Now that he mentioned it, her body did feel unusually tired. She hadn't even realized how often they'd stopped so she could rest on the park benches.
I'm lucky to have you in my life, she thought with a small smile, closing her eyes for a brief moment.
"Then let's go ho—"
Before she could finish, Goku effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
"Hey! I can still walk, you know!" she protested, squirming slightly.
"I know, hehehe," Goku laughed, adjusting his grip. "But I saw how hard it was for you to keep walking, so I figured I'd help. That's my duty as a father!"
Bulma's mouth fell open. "Wha—"
"Or at least, that's what the book you bought me says," he added with a sheepish grin.
Bulma's heart skipped a beat. He's really following what he read in that book… and what the doctor said too. He might not even realize it, but… he's paying more attention to me than ever before.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, settling in more comfortably. Step by step… just let things flow.
Suddenly, she tensed, a tingling sensation rushing through her lower body.
"Oh no…" she muttered.
Goku, feeling her shift, glanced down in concern. "What's wrong, Bulma?"
She clenched her fists, a look of horror crossing her face. "I need to pee."
Goku blinked. "Oh… but there's no bush or toilet around here."
Bulma groaned. "I know that! We need to find a public restroom. Now."
Goku tilted his head in confusion. "But last time, you were scared a dinosaur would—"
A dark aura radiated from Bulma before he could finish.
"Do I look like I'd be afraid of a dinosaur in the middle of the city?!" she snapped, a vein twitching on her temple.
Goku gulped and quickly changed tactics. "So, uh… what do we do now?"
"Take me home. Right now!" Bulma demanded.
"Okay!" Goku nodded, then dashed toward Capsule Corporation at full speed, carrying her bridal style.
Her furious scream probably echoed through the entire city.
Capsule Corporation – Five Minutes Later
Goku skidded to a halt outside Capsule Corporation. Before he could even set her down properly, Bulma jumped from his arms and sprinted inside.
In her desperation, she knocked over Dr. Briefs, sending him to the floor along with a few of his robots.
"W-what's the rush?" the older man asked as Goku jogged up and helped him to his feet.
"She needs to pee," Goku replied with a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.
Dr. Briefs adjusted his glasses and tugged at his whiskers. "Ah… well, dear, your mother is using the bathroom downstairs. Better head to your room."
Bulma groaned but wasted no time bolting up the stairs. Goku followed at a slower pace, still sporting the large bead of sweat on his forehead.
Bulma is so weird…
Dr. Briefs sighed, watching them go. "Ah… young people," he muttered, scratching his cat's head before heading back to his workshop.
As Bulma disappeared into the bathroom, Goku sat on the edge of her bed, waiting.
Three months left until the baby is born… The thought sent a rush of emotions through him—excitement, anticipation, something he couldn't quite explain.
He had never imagined himself as a father. His whole life, he had trained, fought, and pushed himself to be stronger. That was all he had ever cared about.
But now…
Now, he found himself learning new things.
He knew how to change diapers.
He knew how to make a bottle.
He knew how to properly hold a baby.
He even knew lullabies, thanks to that book Bulma had given him.
And, more than anything, he was starting to understand what it meant to be a father.
It was a mystery he was still unraveling, step by step. But as the months passed, he realized that his life was changing—he was changing.
Then there was Bulma.
She had kissed his cheek three times in the past few months. Each time, it sent a strange, unfamiliar feeling through him. He didn't quite understand it yet, but…
It was warm.
It was comforting.
It was magical—just like when he held her.
Something was different now.
He just wasn't sure what.
But sooner or later, he would figure it out.