Bulma lay in bed, staring at the stars scattered across the night sky. Neither Goku nor Bra had returned after being gone for half the day.
"I'm so stupid."
She sighed, remembering her argument with Tights.
She had ruined everything with her words.
Deep down, Bulma knew that Tights was right.
Being intimate with Goku would bring them closer, strengthen their relationship in ways beyond simple affection.
But… wasn't it too soon?
Ten years of friendship.
Six months of dating.
By Tights's standards, they were taking too long.
Yes, Bulma had lost her virginity to Goku, and in a way, she was happy that it had been him. She wouldn't have wanted anyone else.
But… she had lost it in the worst way possible.
Had she been in her right mind, she would've wished for a different first time—one born out of love, not drunken impulse.
If she could, she'd gather the Dragon Balls and ask Shenlong to restore her virginity.
But that would mean erasing Bra's existence.
And she could never do that.
She didn't want to rush into sleeping with Goku again—
Because, on one hand, Goku didn't fully understand it. He was still learning about love, discovering new emotions, and she didn't want to force anything.
On the other hand… she was afraid.
Afraid that forcing things too soon would ruin everything.
But now, Tights's words haunted her—
"You two have been together long enough. What exactly are you waiting for?"
"Am I wrong for holding back?"
She sighed, rubbing her temples.
Bulma glanced at her phone.
10 PM.
Where were they?
A mix of worry and frustration bubbled inside her.
Then—
"We're home!"
Goku's voice boomed from downstairs.
Before she even realized it, Bulma was rushing down the stairs in a blur, standing in front of him with fury in her eyes.
Goku gulped.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
It wasn't just anger—she was a mother who hadn't seen her daughter in half a day. Of course, she'd be worried sick.
Bulma's eyes narrowed.
Goku stood there, holding a giant cotton candy in one hand and wearing a cap that read "Amusement Park."
Her gaze shifted to Bra, who was happily sitting in her stroller, wearing a matching red shirt that said the same thing.
Bulma's vein twitched.
"Don't tell me…"
She turned to Goku slowly.
"You took Bra to the amusement park…"
Her voice dropped.
"WITHOUT ME?!"
Her furious shout echoed through the house, and Bra giggled, clearly amused by the scene.
"Traitor!" Goku cursed in his head.
His daughter was laughing at his suffering.
"I need to fix this—fast!"
Then, an idea struck him.
"Wait, Bulma! I got you something!" Goku blurted, desperately trying to save himself as she raised a flip-flop in warning.
Bulma huffed, crossing her arms.
"A simple cotton candy is not going to save you, Son Goku!"
Goku quickly searched his pockets.
Where was it?!
His heart pounded as he fumbled—
Finally!
He pulled out a small navy blue box and held it out to her.
Bulma snatched it, expecting a cheap peace offering—
But when she opened the box, her breath hitched.
Inside was a gold necklace with a heart-shaped pendant.
Her eyes widened.
"I got it after we left the supermarket," Goku explained, scratching the back of his head.
"We ran into some old friends, and since there was a park nearby, I figured Bra would have fun."
He paused, watching Bulma's expression soften.
"There was a lot of money left over from what you gave me for groceries, so I went to the jewelry store where you and I went before."
A gentle smile spread across his face.
"And… I thought you'd like it."
Bulma felt her eyes burn.
Not because of the jewel's beauty.
But because of the thought behind it.
Her mind drifted to a memory—
---
Flashback
Ornaments sparkled in the window display, and various jewels of all shapes and sizes gleamed under the bright lights, drawing the attention of passersby.
At the entrance, a store clerk instructed them to set aside their bags before entering. Goku obeyed without hesitation.
Inside, Bulma stood wide-eyed, captivated by the splendid, ostentatious jewelry laid out behind the glass cases.
"Look, Goku! What do you think of this pendant?" she asked, pointing to an amethyst necklace with a gold chain.
"Or how about this one?" She gestured toward a ruby pendant, equally dazzling.
Goku scratched the back of his head, clearly out of his depth.
Jewelry? What did he know about that? He had grown up in a forest, where the only shiny things he ever saw were stars and waterfalls.
"I think…" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "Both are… pretty?"
Bulma laughed. "So you think? Then I'll buy them both!"
She turned to him with a playful smirk. "Do you want something?"
Instantly, Goku shook his head.
"I figured as much," Bulma giggled. "Knowing you, you'd probably try to eat the jewels!"
Goku blinked. "Wait… what are the jewels for, anyway?"
Bulma struck a dramatic pose. "They make you look prettier and more beautiful!"
A sweat drop formed on Goku's forehead.
"But you're already beautiful, Bulma," he said without thinking.
Bulma froze.
Her eyes widened.
It was the first time in all their years of friendship that he had ever said something like that.
"Really? Do you really think I'm beautiful?" she asked, feeling an unexpected warmth in her chest.
"I think so…" Goku replied, rubbing the back of his head, looking a little unsure.
Bulma grinned.
"Ooooh, I never knew you had a romantic side, Goku!" she teased, nudging him playfully with her elbow.
Then, without thinking too much, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
It was the third time in six months.
After all, they were just friends… right?
End of Flashback
----
Bulma stared at the necklace in her hands, tears welling in her eyes.
She wasn't crying because of how beautiful the necklace was.
She was crying because Goku had chosen it himself.
Months ago, he would never have done something like this.
He was still the same naïve, innocent Goku, but over the past year, she had watched him change.
He was more attentive, more thoughtful… and even if he still had a lot to learn, he was trying—
For her.
And that made her happier than anything in the world.
Her anger melted away, replaced by pure, overwhelming joy.
"Bulma… why are you crying?"
Bulma blinked, startled by the concern in Goku's voice as he stepped closer.
"If you don't like it, I can go back and exchan—"
She cut him off.
With a kiss.
Goku's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly surrendered to the moment, moving his hands to her hips, pulling her closer as he returned the kiss.
Bulma let out a soft moan, feeling his tongue tentatively brush against hers.
He was learning.
And damn, was he a fast learner.
A wave of heat surged through her, making it almost impossible to stop.
But—
'I should stop this before it goes too far…'
…Except she didn't want to.
Her body wanted more.
She wanted more.
With great willpower, Bulma pressed her hand against Goku's chest, gently pushing him away.
Their foreheads remained pressed together, both of them breathing heavily.
Goku's dark eyes burned with something primal—a feeling he couldn't quite name, but desperately wanted to understand.
Bulma's lips were swollen, her cheeks flushed, her heart pounding.
Goku swallowed, still struggling to grasp what just happened.
"I'm really not good at this…" he admitted with a small, nervous smile.
"I still have a lot to learn."
Bulma giggled softly, brushing her fingers across his cheek.
"That's okay," she whispered. "I'll be here to teach you."
She pulled back slightly, then held out the necklace to him, turning her back.
"Help me put it on?"
Goku nodded, carefully fastening the delicate chain around her neck.
'Why is this so difficult?' he wondered as he fumbled with the tiny clasp.
After a few seconds, he finally managed to secure it.
Bulma turned around, striking a pose.
"So?" she asked, flashing him her most dazzling smile.
Goku scratched his cheek.
"You look… beautiful."
Bulma beamed.
"Oh yeah?" She jumped into his arms, wrapping him in a tight embrace.
"Thank you for the gift, Goku," she whispered against his ear.
"You have no idea how much I love you."
Goku's chest swelled with warmth.
"I love you too, Bulma."
And at that moment, he knew—
He wouldn't trade this life for anything.
Because to him, it was already perfect.