Yamcha's emotions were a chaotic mix right now.
He had just taken a few girls for a joyride in the Capsule Corporation's newest sports car model. Feeling smug and refreshed, he returned to the company—only to catch the exact moment when Kaito's power went out of control.
The sheer pressure of that energy forced him to his knees. When the oppressive force finally faded, Yamcha scrambled to his feet and rushed inside to check what was going on.
And that's when he saw it—the scene that shattered his heart.
His girlfriend was lying in another man's arms.
If Yamcha had been a Saiyan, he might've awakened as Super Saiyan right on the spot.
He extended a trembling finger, his voice low and broken.
"Bulma, you…"
Bulma knew full well how the current situation looked. Even if nothing had really happened, just being in Kaito's arms like this would crush Yamcha emotionally.
A pang of guilt flashed through her heart as she looked at Yamcha's face. But in the very next instant, that guilt vanished completely.
Because she saw it—bright and clear—an unmistakable lipstick mark on Yamcha's neck.
Bulma's expression hardened. She pressed herself closer into Kaito's chest, landing another direct hit on Yamcha's soul.
Before he could even get angry, Bulma struck first.
"Yamcha! You've gotten worse and worse! You didn't even bother to clean up before coming back from fooling around, did you?"
"Eh…?"
Yamcha froze, instinctively raising a hand to his neck. That single action said more than words ever could.
Bulma's long-held frustration finally exploded. She shouted furiously,
"Yamcha! I've had enough! We're finished!"
Kaito was utterly bewildered.
What the hell was happening here? Did he just… accidentally take Vegeta's place in this breakup?
Then doesn't that mean Trunks won't even be born?
…Yeah, no, probably overthinking it.
Yamcha's whole body trembled. He hadn't expected Bulma to break up with him outright. Normally, he'd just laugh it off and try to charm his way back in—but not today. He was in no mood for that.
He clenched his fists, turned sharply, and said in a low voice, "You said it yourself."
Then he walked away without looking back.
Bulma's last bit of affection for him died right then and there. She said nothing, just buried her face in Kaito's chest.
Kaito's mouth twitched. After a moment of awkward silence, he said,
"Bulma… I'm sorry this happened. Don't be too upset about it, alright?"
Bulma had been genuinely hurt a moment ago—but his clumsy attempt at comforting her made her laugh out loud.
She looked up suddenly, eyes still wet with tears but smiling brightly.
"What are you saying? You make it sound like someone died. It's just a breakup! And it has nothing to do with you. Even without you, Yamcha and I were already over long ago."
She wiped her eyes, stepped away from Kaito, and put her hands on her hips.
"How could I be sad over a breakup? If I really wanted to, I could find someone better than him in minutes!"
Then she glanced around at the wrecked laboratory, turned her back to Kaito, and said briskly,
"Anyway, I should clean this place up. It's a total mess!"
Kaito quietly watched her back for a moment. Then he placed a small Flying Thunder God marker on the table.
"I'll be going then," he said. "This is for you. If anything happens, just call my name through it."
"Mhm…"
He patted her shoulder lightly. In the next instant, his figure flickered—and he was gone.
Bulma didn't clean the lab like she said she would.
Instead, she slowly sat down, wrapped her arms around her knees, and stared blankly into space.
"So… I'm single now?" she murmured.
...
18 had already come home from school.
She was lying sideways on the couch, lazily flipping through TV channels with the remote.
Whoosh!
Kaito suddenly appeared beside her, smiling.
"What are you doing? Out of all these channels, there's not a single one you like?"
18 flinched at first, then broke into a radiant smile when she saw him. She leaned into his arms naturally and said,
"They're all boring. You're way more interesting to watch."
Just then, Seventeen appeared right on cue, pouting.
"Brother-in-law, if you hadn't come back soon, Sis was about to wear the buttons off that remote!"
Smack!
A pink slipper flew straight into Seventeen's face. He fell on his butt, and the slipper slid down his cheek, leaving behind a perfect shoe print.
18 gave him a side glance and said sweetly,
"Oops, sorry. You looked so worried about the remote, I figured I'd toss it to you. Guess I missed. Could you hand me that slipper back, my dear little brother?"
Seventeen gritted his teeth, glaring—but didn't dare talk back.
He looked to Kaito for help, but Kaito pretended not to notice, clearly enjoying the show.
Realizing even his most reliable ally had abandoned him, Seventeen sighed in despair. He picked up the slipper and placed it neatly by the sofa.
18 nodded in satisfaction.
"As expected of my good little brother. By the way, your brother-in-law hasn't eaten all day. Why don't you do us a favor and cook dinner tonight?"
"Sis… we could just order takeout."
"Takeout's not clean. What if it upsets your stomach? It's fine for me and your brother-in-law, but you're still growing!"
"I…"
"Hm?"
Seventeen wanted to slap himself. Why couldn't he just shut up?
With a heavy sigh, he turned dramatically and trudged toward the kitchen.
Kaito watched his "tragic" retreating back and couldn't help saying,
"18, maybe let him off tonight? He's had it rough enough already."
Seventeen hadn't even reached the kitchen yet, but his enhanced hearing easily caught those words. Tears welled up instantly.
Brother-in-law really does care…!
But 18's next words dumped a bucket of cold water over his burning gratitude.
"Don't worry about him. He's got more than enough energy. He even got himself a girlfriend."
"Oh? Seventeen's dating now? Well, he is an adult, I suppose that makes sense."
"Heh. Do you know how old she is? Six years older than him!"
"…Huh?"
Seventeen's shoulders hunched as he dashed into the kitchen. If he stayed another second, he'd die of embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Kaito's curiosity was piqued.
"Really? Six years older? That's… bold. What's her name?"
18 thought for a second.
"I think it was… Maron?"