"You want to come to my place?"
Kaito found Vados's little request a bit odd. He didn't answer immediately; instead he turned to ask Eighteen for her opinion.
After all, that house belonged to Eighteen originally — a little respect was due — and Eighteen felt that respect.
Vados also looked at Eighteen, her gaze sincere.
Eighteen was cool-faced but warm-hearted. Even though Vados's earlier words had made her a little uncomfortable, the apology had been offered, so she didn't press it. She nodded and agreed.
A pleased smile lit Vados's face. She walked over to Kaito and stood beside him, looking ready to go at any moment.
Trunks swallowed. He'd been genuinely frightened by Vados a short while ago — whenever she came near, his nerves tightened.
Vados glanced at him and said calmly, "You don't need to be so nervous. I won't bring up your time-traveling again."
Trunks tested out, "But I still have to go back. I'll have to—"
"Do as you like."
Only then did Trunks breathe easier. If he couldn't go back it would crush him — his mother was still in the future; she was his only family. Thinking of that, he couldn't help stealing a look at Bulma.
Bulma noticed his look and immediately spoke up, "Little brother, why are you staring at me like that?"
Trunks flushed and waved his hands, "Sorry — that was rude of me!"
Kaito patted his shoulder.
"Enough. There's nothing to hide anymore. Tell them everything that happens in the future. I'm heading back now."
With that he didn't wait for Trunks to speak; Kaito simply took Vados and returned home with Eighteen.
Seventeen wasn't home. Judging by the motorcycle gone from the doorway, he probably wouldn't be back tonight.
Back at the house Kaito relaxed; the austere air he'd had earlier disappeared. His white fitted coat shifted into a black set of comfortable loungewear, and Eighteen went to change into a white outfit — they looked like a couple's set.
Vados blinked and asked, "Should I change too? My outfit seems a bit odd to those Earthlings. Someone once asked if I was 'Cosper'."
Eighteen laughed at that and shook her head,
"Cosplay. They were asking if you were role-playing a character."
Vados, curious about everything on Earth, immediately asked,
"Role-playing? What character on Earth would I be playing?"
"Hmm... I can't tell. I can only say your outfit has a very exotic style!"
Vados looked down at her clothes, thought about the girls she'd seen on Earth recently, and with a thought her long robe transformed into a short white-and-green top and pure white shorts.
Her figure was already excellent; even the previous loose robe hadn't hidden it. This slimmer outfit accentuated curves — she was distinctly voluptuous.
Her white high ponytail extended down to her hips. She spun once in place and asked Kaito,
"How is it? Does this look good?"
Kaito, old-fashioned in his tastes, nodded. With Vados's figure she could easily rival most female characters in the pirate world.
That high ponytail, especially, was very much to his liking.
Eighteen felt a sudden twinge of insecurity. She straightened her chest without thinking. Her figure was good by Earth standards, but compared to Vados it really did feel like a different tier.
Having changed, Vados no longer carried that angelic, divine aura. She walked barefoot into the living room and plopped down on the sofa, curiously taking in the room's decorations.
Eighteen brought out a tray with water and three tubs of ice cream.
Vados looked at the ice cream and exclaimed,
"Eh! White poops?"
Eighteen was speechless. "...That's ice cream, okay? Don't say nonsense!"
She scooped a spoonful and handed it to Kaito first. Kaito smiled and took a small bite. Eighteen naturally put the remaining spoonful into her own mouth.
Vados watched the little "performance" between Kaito and Eighteen and felt, oddly, a sudden sense of fullness.
She scooped a spoonful herself and tasted it — sweet.
Before long she polished off a whole tub of ice cream. She set the empty container on the table and said politely,
"Thanks for the treat. This thing called ice cream is really tasty!"
She meant it. In her Sixth Universe there wasn't much worth eating — in culinary skill alone, a Seventh Universe Earth could wipe the floor with the entire Sixth Universe.
Kaito watched Vados, amused at her lingering appetite. Even gods' angels could indulge in gluttony, it seemed.
After a moment he said, "Stay tonight. I'll cook."
Eighteen froze for a second, then asked, "Kaito, you can cook?"
"A little. Though it's been a while since I last did."
On Blue Star and during his first crossing into the Naruto world Kaito had been an orphan; cooking was a skill he'd learned young. Saying "a little" was modesty.
He was in a good mood and decided to show a hint of Earth cooking to the angel who'd never seen much of the world.
When Eighteen heard he'd cook she was even more excited than Vados. She jumped up from the sofa and volunteered,
"I'll go buy ingredients — you do your best tonight!"
After a quick change she left the house; once she'd gone the room was left with only Kaito and Vados.
Vados propped her hands on the sofa and seemed lost in thought. Kaito took a sip of water and asked flatly,
"What are you thinking about?"
Vados suddenly leaned toward Kaito, her face serious as she looked straight into his eyes.
"Kaito, if someone wanted to make this universe disappear, what would you do?"
Kaito's expression didn't change. Of course he knew Vados meant — the King of All who casually erased things.
He set his glass back down slowly and said, "Then I'd make that person disappear first."