"Wait, Bulma!" Goku exclaimed, reaching for her arm.
Bulma turned around, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Yes, Gok—?"
Before she could finish, she felt something soft press against her lips.
Her breath caught.
Her mind froze.
Her heart stopped—just for a moment.
Then, realization hit her like a tidal wave.
Goku is kissing me!
Wide-eyed, she processed the sensation—awkward, but tender.
Gentle, but overwhelming.
The moment she truly understood, her body moved on its own.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him closer, deepening the kiss she had longed for.
Goku, meanwhile, was completely lost.
His body was acting on its own, responding to something he didn't fully understand—but something that felt right.
What should I do now?
His cheeks burned, but instead of pulling away, his instincts told him to hold on tighter.
His hands slowly found their way to Bulma's waist, drawing her closer, and the warmth that surrounded them both felt magical.
Neither knew how long the kiss lasted.
Seconds?
Minutes?
Time had no meaning.
But eventually, air became a necessity, and they reluctantly parted.
Bulma stared into Goku's eyes, her fingers still curled around his collar, as if afraid he would disappear.
Goku, on the other hand, looked confused.
His brows furrowed, his lips slightly parted, as if he were trying to process what just happened.
Then, he spoke.
"B-Bulma… I… What did I just do?"
Bulma let out a small, breathless laugh, her cheeks flushed.
"You kissed me."
She smiled, gently brushing his bangs aside.
"Do you know why?"
Goku shook his head slowly.
"Because, Goku… you love me—just as much as I love you."
Love…
That word again.
Goku had heard it before.
But now, for the first time, he was starting to understand.
"Loving you…" he mumbled, as if testing the words.
His fingers curled slightly against Bulma's waist.
"Does it mean… wanting to be with you every day?"
Bulma nodded.
"Does it mean… wanting to eat with you, talk with you, laugh with you?"
"Yes, Goku…" she whispered, her eyes shining.
"Does it mean… wanting to protect you and never leave your side?"
Bulma felt her breath hitch.
"Yes," she choked out.
Goku's eyes softened.
"Then… I love you too, Bulma."
Her heart exploded.
With a cry of joy, Bulma threw herself into his arms, squeezing him so tightly it was as if she never wanted to let go.
Tears ran down her cheeks, but they weren't from sadness.
She was overwhelmed with happiness.
She had waited for this.
Dreamed of this.
And now, it was real.
Goku, her best friend, her partner, the father of her child—loved her back.
----
After what felt like an eternity, they finally pulled apart, though Bulma remained snuggled against his chest.
"If we love each other…" Goku asked hesitantly, "does that mean we're a couple now?"
Bulma laughed, cupping his cheek.
"Yes, Goku," she whispered. "We're a couple now."
The thought warmed her to the core.
This wasn't just about them anymore—it was about their future.
A family.
Their daughter would be born soon, and now, they would face it together.
But then…
Where would they live?
Bulma's mind raced.
Would she move to Mount Paozu, far from the city?
Or would Goku move in with her?
She briefly imagined a countryside mansion, where she could build a lab and still be close to nature.
That wouldn't be so bad…
"What do couples do?" Goku asked innocently, tilting his head.
Bulma smiled, pressing a kiss to his nose.
"The same things we always do, Goku. But… with a little extra."
Goku blinked. "Like what?"
Bulma smirked playfully.
"Like this."
Before Goku could react, she captured his lips in another soft kiss.
This time, he closed his eyes, trying to understand the feeling.
He didn't know why she was doing it.
But…
He liked it.
A warm, tingling sensation ran through his body, making him feel light.
When Bulma pulled away, she giggled, caressing his cheek.
"Did you like that?"
Goku blinked.
"I don't get why we press our lips together," he admitted, scratching the back of his head.
"But…"
He smiled.
"I like how it feels."
Bulma grinned.
"Do you want to try it?"
Goku nodded, leaning in slowly.
Bulma closed her eyes in anticipation, waiting for his lips to touch hers again.
And then—
"...I'm hungry."
Bulma almost fell over.
Her eye twitched as she looked at Goku's sheepish expression.
"GOKU—!!"
She grabbed his shirt, shaking him furiously.
"As long as you don't kiss me right now, I swear I'll make you go hungry for a MONTH!"
Goku gulped.
"O-okay…"
A chibi Goku shuffled forward, lips pursed.
Bulma closed her eyes again.
This time—she got her kiss.
A short, gentle brush of lips, filled with promise.
Bulma's heart soared.
"Couples do this often," she explained softly.
"That's why I kissed you before… and why I'll kiss you again."
Goku smiled.
"Then… I guess we'll be kissing a lot, huh?"
Bulma beamed.
"Yes, Goku. A lot."
----
Outside the Room…
Tights had her ear pressed against the door.
"YES!!" she exclaimed, throwing her fists in the air.
"They're finally a couple!!"
Fusui cheered, waving a flag with Goku and Bulma's faces circled in a heart.
Krillin sighed. "Man… I need to get a girlfriend."
Master Roshi grinned proudly.
Tenshinhan nodded in admiration—Goku had become a father and a warrior without losing his edge.
Meanwhile, in the corner—
Yamcha sat in a dark aura of despair.
Puar patted his shoulder.
"Hey… there's a new app where you can rent a girlfriend."
Oolong snorted. "Can't believe those two ended up together."
Launch smiled. "Love finds people in the strangest ways."
Chi-Chi, however, sat quietly.
She forced a smile, but her heart ached.
That should've been me…
But she knew.
Goku had chosen Bulma.
And she had to accept that.
She sighed, looking out the window, hopeful for her own future.
"I hope… I find love like that one day."