"Marry you?" Goku repeated, tilting his head in confusion.
Chi-Chi nodded, though there was a hint of reluctance in her expression.
"I'm sorry, Chi-Chi, but I can't," Goku stated plainly.
Chi-Chi's eyes widened in shock.
The crowd reacted immediately—some groaned in disappointment, others murmured curiously, intrigued by what was unfolding between the two fighters.
Chi-Chi's lips trembled. "Why... why... WHY?!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she clenched her fists.
She had traveled so far, dreaming of this moment. She had believed, with every fiber of her being, that Goku would honor the promise he made as a child.
But now… he was rejecting her.
She had loved him ever since they first met—when Goku arrived at Fire Mountain to help her father, Ox-King. They had ridden the Flying Nimbus together, spent time together, and he had proposed to her back then.
That moment had defined her entire future.
When she saw him again, fully grown and stronger than ever, her heart had pounded.
She had held herself back, suppressing the overwhelming urge to run to him and embrace him.
But instead… he hadn't even recognized her.
And now, just when she thought she was getting her happy ending, she was denied.
"No, Chi-Chi! Wait!" Goku called out as she turned and ran from the arena, tears streaming down her face.
The crowd gasped in response.
The referee wiped his forehead, sighing before raising his microphone.
"Since the anonymous participant has withdrawn, the winner of this match is Son Goku!"
Applause erupted from the audience, though it was clear they were still buzzing with questions about what had just transpired.
"Well done, Goku!" Akemi cheered excitedly, waving enthusiastically. She didn't fully understand what had just happened, but if Goku won, that was all that mattered to her.
'Did Goku… break that girl's heart?' Akemi mused, smiling to herself.
Goku scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable, before heading back to where his friends were waiting.
"What was that all about, Goku?" Krillin asked as soon as he returned. "Who was that girl?"
"A friend named Chi-Chi," Goku explained.
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Wait… that was Chi-Chi?!" Yamcha blurted out, stunned.
They had met her years ago, but she had changed so much that none of them had recognized her at first.
"I promised her when we were kids that we'd get married," Goku added casually.
"WHAT?!"
The entire group—including Master Roshi—shouted in disbelief.
Master Roshi adjusted his sunglasses, still trying to process the information. He had never imagined that Goku, of all people, had made a marriage proposal in the past.
"M-marry that girl? Do you even know what marriage means?" Yamcha asked, still trying to wrap his head around it.
Goku hesitated.
Over the past few months, he had learned a lot about social relationships—including marriage.
"I think I do… but I don't want to marry Chi-Chi. She's my friend."
"Then why did you promise her?" Master Roshi asked, raising an eyebrow. "That girl's probably been waiting for this moment for years, and now that she's here to claim that promise, you've rejected her. That's why she ran away."
Goku sighed, feeling a bit guilty. "It's just… back then, when she said we'd get married, I thought she meant we'd have a big banquet."
A large sweat drop appeared on Yamcha and Krillin's heads.
"...Seriously?" Krillin muttered.
Chiaotzu and Tenshinhan, who weren't exactly experienced with relationships either, exchanged confused glances.
Yamcha crossed his arms, feeling a twinge of jealousy.
For years, he had been the heartbreaker of the group—the guy who got attention from girls.
Now, without even trying, Goku was unintentionally stealing that spotlight.
"What should I do, Master Roshi?" Goku asked, suddenly looking serious.
Master Roshi paused, observing his disciple closely.
In the past, Goku wouldn't have cared about something like this. He would've just shrugged it off and moved on to his next fight.
But now?
He actually felt bad about hurting Chi-Chi.
He really has changed over these past nine months… Roshi thought.
"Go talk to her," Roshi advised. "Explain your reasons. She deserves to hear the truth."
Goku nodded, determination flickering in his eyes.
---
As Goku walked through the corridors of the tournament building, he ran through everything in his mind.
He now understood that marriage wasn't just about eating a feast together.
Marriage meant two people committing to each other—choosing to spend their lives together.
And while he didn't know about love, he did know one thing for certain.
He didn't want to marry Chi-Chi.
Because…
He wanted to be with Bulma.
It wasn't just because of the promise he had made to her nine months ago. It wasn't just because they were going to be parents.
It was something deeper.
Something he couldn't quite explain.
With Bulma, he felt something different.
He wanted to talk with Bulma.
He wanted to laugh with Bulma.
He wanted to play with Bulma.
He wanted to get scolded and chased by Bulma.
He wanted to watch movies with Bulma.
He wanted to go shopping with Bulma.
He wanted to eat ice cream with her.
He wanted to sing with her.
He wanted to see the sky with her.
These past nine months had reshaped his vision of the future.
Before, all he imagined was training and fighting strong opponents.
Now, he saw something more.
He saw a future with his daughter.
He saw a future with Bulma.
And the thought of a future without her…
It just didn't feel right.
---
Goku finally spotted her.
Chi-Chi was sitting against a corridor wall, her face buried in her hands as her shoulders trembled.
She was crying.
"Hey… Chi-Chi," Goku spoke, scratching the back of his head as he crouched down beside her.
She stiffened, quickly wiping her tears before turning away.
"G-Goku? What are you doing here?" she asked, avoiding his gaze.
"I came to apologize," he said sincerely. "And to explain…"
Chi-Chi slowly turned toward him, her eyes still red and puffy.
"Why?" she whispered. "Why don't you want to marry me? Don't you… want us to be together forever? I love you, Goku… I always have…"
Her voice shook with emotion as she looked at him with pleading eyes.
Goku took a deep breath.
"Because…" he hesitated, gathering his thoughts.
"Because… I want to be with Bulma," he finally said.
Chi-Chi's heart stopped.
"I don't want to marry you, Chi-Chi, because I want to be with Bulma. And in two weeks… Bulma and I are going to be parents."
Chi-Chi's eyes widened in shock.
"...What?"