The 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament had finally arrived.
Even though the sky drizzled softly, it couldn't keep the crowd away.
The tournament grounds were already teeming with people from all over the world—martial artists, spectators, and thrill-seekers alike.
Suddenly, a super-luxury helicopter roared in, descending just outside the arena.
It was no ordinary chopper—this was the Deluxe Executive Falcon, one of only sixty-six made worldwide.
People craned their necks to get a better look.
"Is it a royal official?"
"Maybe a mega-rich tycoon?"
"That thing must cost a fortune!"
"I bet whoever steps out is super hot."
Click—the door hissed open.
A sleek stair ramp extended to the ground as a tall, blue-haired woman descended with poise and grace.
Bulma.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Whispers filled the air. Photos were snapped.
"She's gorgeous…"
"Rich and beautiful—life's unfair."
"Maybe she's a sugar baby?"
"Or an heiress!"
"Please be a sugar mommy…"
But just as speculation reached fever pitch, a familiar voice called out from the distance:
"Bulma!"
Goku and Chi-Chi approached hand-in-hand.
"Bulma, you look amazing today!" Chi-Chi said warmly, stepping closer to admire her friend's new lipstick. "That's such a pretty shade!"
"You like it?" Bulma smiled. "I'll give it to you."
Chi-Chi grinned. "Thanks!"
"You're so fresh-faced already," Bulma teased, giving her cheeks a playful pinch. "But when you get older, I'll teach you how to use makeup. It can make you even more gorgeous."
Goku suddenly piped up. "Bulma, since you're not training, why don't you go hunt Dragon Balls in your spare time?"
Thwack!
Bulma punched him lightly on the chest.
"You blockhead! Who says I'm doing nothing?! I run a company! And you're not a kid anymore—think before you talk."
Goku scratched his head. "So… you don't like what I said?"
Bulma sighed. "Forget it. You two go register. I've got your martial arts uniforms ready for you back in the ship."
"Okay!"
As Goku and Chi-Chi walked off, the crowd nearby tried to make sense of what they'd just witnessed.
"That woman… she's close with both of them?"
"Wait, are they a couple? But she's hugging them?"
"Are they siblings? Is she their sister?"
"Maybe it's a love triangle?"
"I'm so confused!"
Bulma simply watched the two leave with a faint smile.
"He's grown up…" she thought.
But as she saw Goku and Chi-Chi walking side by side—perfectly matched, comfortable together—she felt a pang of hesitation.
She wanted to throw her arms around Goku, like couples do after a long time apart. But something stopped her. Maybe the crowd. Maybe time.
She turned back into the chopper and brought out the clothes.
A few minutes later, Goku and Chi-Chi returned to the ship. Bulma handed them their uniforms.
"I made three sizes for each of you," she explained, "in case the fit isn't quite right."
With the press of a button, the helicopter's windows darkened and the doors sealed shut.
Goku immediately began stripping. Chi-Chi followed. But when Bulma glanced over…
"…Teddy bear underwear?"
Chi-Chi chuckled sheepishly. "I bought those. He used to not wear anything back when he had a tail, remember?"
Bulma blinked. "Oh, right. Wait—his tail?"
"He had it removed," Chi-Chi explained. "Kami worried he might transform into a Great Ape on King Kai's planet and accidentally wreck the place."
Bulma nodded. "Wow. You really are practical. Budget undies and all."
Then her eyes caught Chi-Chi's matching set.
"…Wait, you two wear matching teddy bear underwear?"
Chi-Chi blushed. "Hehe… you saw that?"
Bulma nearly bit her tongue. "You… you didn't do anything up there on the Lookout, right?"
Goku and Chi-Chi tilted their heads, puzzled. "Do what?"
Bulma looked into their innocent, clueless faces… and sighed.
Forget it.
She turned red, her mind racing.
Why do I feel like a teenager again? Am I seriously blushing at this age?
Soon the two had changed. Bulma restored the glass and doors. "Alright, let's go meet up with the others."
Chi-Chi peeked outside. "Oh! Krillin's here—with Snow! I'm going to say hi!"
She ran off excitedly.
Bulma looked at Krillin and Snow holding hands, smiling.
"Did Krillin say when the wedding will be?" she asked.
Goku shrugged. "He said no rush. They'll do it after they visit her family."
"Huh. It's been three years since they got engaged. Everything's ready—why wait?"
Just then, Bulma felt a familiar warmth behind her.
Goku hugged her.
She froze.
The soft pressure of his arms, the warmth of his body… she was stunned into silence. Her heart raced.
Part of her wanted to push him away—but she didn't.
Then he whispered:
"Bulma, I missed you."
She turned slightly to face him. Goku now towered over her.
He'd grown.
And for the first time, she had to look up at him.
He was no longer the clueless boy she raised. The blockhead had bloomed.
She poked his chest and muttered, "You heartless brat… took you long enough."
Goku smiled down at her. "Actually, I've wanted to say that many times… I just didn't."
Bulma's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
"Hey," Goku asked. "Didn't I get taller?"
She nodded, still stunned. "Yeah… used to be a little squirt, and now you're a head taller than me."
Goku added, "Krillin's jealous. He wants to borrow the radar so he can collect the Dragon Balls and wish to grow five centimeters taller."
"…Five?" Bulma blinked.
"Yup," Goku nodded. "I told him to go bigger, but he said too much at once would look suspicious."
Bulma burst into laughter.
Watching her laugh so freely, Goku was momentarily dazed. The makeup, the lashes, the bright red lips…
Suddenly, Bulma tiptoed up—and kissed him.