By midday the next day, Son Goku returned to Earth and immediately rushed to Capsule Corporation.
Honestly, he'd visited here more often than his own home.
Dr. Brief and Mrs. Brief were long-time acquaintances, and the moment Mrs. Brief saw him, she smiled brightly.
"Oh my, Goku!
Weren't you supposed to be training on King Kai's Planet? Why are you back?"
Goku scratched his head.
"Yeah, I was there, but… there's no food.
I came back to get supplies. Is Bulma around? I checked her room and lab—couldn't find her."
Mrs. Brief chuckled with her usual laziness.
"Bulma? Oh, that's right.
She said something about building a gravity room for you guys, but she didn't have the materials.
Apparently, the alloys don't even have a proper supplier, so she went out to gather them herself. Said she'd be gone for a few days."
Goku blinked.
"Building a gravity room? Man, Bulma never stops!"
Mrs. Brief giggled, gently wrapping her arm around Goku's.
"No need to worry about her, sweetie.
If you're out shopping, why don't we make it a date?
I'll help you pick out all your favorite foods.
Look at these muscles… absolutely prime!"
Goku gave an awkward laugh.
"Ahaha, thanks… but really, there's no need.
If Bulma's not here, I won't stick around. And maybe… don't tell her I dropped by.
It's just a quick shopping trip—I can manage."
Mrs. Brief waved a hand, smiling slyly.
"You're practically family now. Don't be so formal."
Then her eyes lit up.
"Oh right! Buying that much food must cost a lot.
Hang on—I'll go grab some cash for you."
Goku quickly waved her off.
"No, it's fine. I still have a lot saved up.
Back when Bulma and I were treasure hunting, we struck it rich.
Buying food barely makes a dent."
Mrs. Brief laughed behind her hand.
"Well well, you're such a gentleman."
Leaving West City, Goku went to the marketplace.
He bought massive amounts of fresh meat, frozen meat, ham, canned goods—and even a few vegetables for balance.
He sealed them all into capsules.
By the time he finished, the sun had started to set.
Rather than returning to King Kai's Planet immediately, Goku decided to rest a night.
Since Bulma wasn't home, he flew off toward Mount Paozu—his real home.
Knock knock knock!
"Launch? Are you home?"
The blue-haired Launch, wearing pajamas, sleepily answered the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me—Goku!"
She blinked several times, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
"Goku?! I thought you were training with King Kai. Why are you back?"
Goku sighed and gave the full explanation.
Launch smiled.
"So that's what happened, huh? I knew you guys left in a rush.
If I'd known, I would've helped pack for you."
"You're too kind. It's alright—I managed.
I grabbed some frozen meat, canned food, veggies… not much else."
"Knowing you, of course it's all meat-heavy." Launch nodded.
"But you need balanced nutrition.
Add some fish, and definitely some fruit—
Go without vitamins for too long and you'll get sick."
Goku scratched his head.
"True… Chi-Chi loves fruit, too. I usually don't eat much of it.
I'll go pick some up at the morning market tomorrow."
Launch looked out at the dark sky.
"It's late. Let's sleep early so you can get a head start tomorrow.
You look like you've had a long day.
Want a bath? I'll run the water for you."
"Thanks, Launch. That'd be great."
As she filled the tub, Launch called out,
"Did you eat dinner?"
"Not really. I popped a Senzu Bean on the way back."
"There's fruit and snacks on the couch—help yourself."
"Got it!"
Goku sat on the sofa and scooped up half a watermelon with a spoon.
Then he noticed a pile of job offers and delivery receipts.
"Central Express... Northbound Courier… Global Freight?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Launch, are you job hunting? Why are all these courier applications?"
Wiping her hands, Launch came over.
"Yeah. I don't really have any skills or a high education level.
These delivery jobs are all I can manage—low barrier to entry."
Goku nodded slowly.
Then—he remembered a moment from the Majin Buu arc.
An old Launch, working at a logistics company, arms raised high to contribute energy for the Spirit Bomb.
In his heart, Launch was always that kind, blue-haired woman.
She could cook. She was gentle.
The perfect housewife.
"You know…" Goku said seriously,
"I don't think delivery jobs suit you.
You should marry someone good and live peacefully as a housewife."
Launch chuckled.
"No way. I tried dating before.
Went on two dates—both guys seemed nice.
But I sneezed during dinner and almost mowed them down with a machine gun.
After that… ten years went by. I stopped trying.
No one's going to want a woman like me."
Goku stared, stunned.
'That's… tragic.'
Launch headed back to the bathroom.
"Let me check the water temperature. Should be good soon."
Goku watched her walk away.
For a moment, he saw her aging figure in his mind—alone, tired.
In canon, she had liked Tien, but Tien only liked Chiaotzu…
After that, she vanished from the series entirely.
Goku looked at the capsule on his wrist.
He'd just bought an entire month's worth of food—and barely spent one percent of his savings.
He still had mountains of treasure.
Even with his appetite, it would last a lifetime.
Without a second thought, he pulled out an entire chest of jewels and gold.
Moments later, Launch came back out.
"Bath's ready. Go ahead—"
Goku turned to her.
"Launch… if you don't like working, then don't.
Here's a chest of treasure.
Even if you splurge like crazy, this will last you your whole life.
Bulma's rich anyway—I don't need it.
Just take it.
And, well… I'll probably end up living in West City more often.
You can treat this house like your own."
Launch stared, stunned.
The chest was filled with priceless gems.
Some worth billions each.
Before she could respond, Goku had already disappeared into the bathroom.
She stood in silence.
Her eyes misted.
"Goku… you've really grown up."
She tried to lift the chest, but couldn't budge it.
Without her transformation, she was just a normal woman.
She sniffled slightly.
"Achoo!"
Suddenly, her entire demeanor flipped.
The gentle Launch vanished—replaced by the wild, gun-toting version.
With ease, she tossed the chest into her bedroom and stormed toward the bathroom.
Goku was soaking in the tub when—BANG!—the door flew open.
"Launch?!"
"This is a robbery!"
Goku's mouth twitched.
"Didn't I just give you all my treasure? I don't have anything left…"
"I'm not here for money, cutie. I'm here for you!"
"...Please don't joke like that, Launch."
"I'm not joking!" she growled.
"SON. GOKU.
I've been drooling over you for years.
You think I don't see how good you look? You trying to say I'm not good enough for you?!
Fine—I'll leave."
Goku opened his mouth, ready to refuse.
But then paused.
Because honestly?
What would hurt her more than anything was:
"Put your clothes back on—I'm not that kind of guy."
And Goku wasn't cruel.
So this time, he said nothing.
He let go of his resistance.
Launch smiled wickedly.
Spring had arrived.
And on that night…
The air over Mount Paozu felt a little different.