Trunks took the tissue and wiped his face briefly. He opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to call out,
"Gohan," but when his eyes fell on the younger Gohan's innocent face, the words stuck in his throat.
He had already learned that, in this timeline, even Goku couldn't transform into a Super Saiyan. So, he no longer expected any real help from them—especially since his time machine could only carry one person.
However, according to Goku and the others, Seventeen and Eighteen in this world were actually good people. Frieza had even been beaten half to death by Seventeen when he came to Earth, with Vegeta finishing the job. That meant there was no longer any threat of humanity being wiped out by the androids in this timeline.
That kind of peaceful world was exactly what he had longed to see. So he didn't intend to interfere any further. Once his time machine's fuel was replenished tomorrow, he would return to his own world. As for the androids in his timeline... he'd have to find another way.
Thinking about that bleak future of his, Trunks let out a long, heavy sigh. He felt completely lost.
Goku and the others didn't look any better. They all understood Trunks' predicament, but there was nothing they could do to help him.
Actually, everyone knew there was only one person who could help Trunks—Kaito.
To them, Kaito was practically omnipotent. Yet despite how approachable he usually seemed, that bottomless, unfathomable power of his created a natural sense of distance between him and everyone else.
It was hard for them to even ask him for help.
Bulma, seeing everyone sitting there looking so downcast, suddenly stood up and said,
"Why are you all making such gloomy faces? Don't we still have Kaito?"
Yamcha's expression darkened, and he hung his head without a word.
Goku and the others could only give a wry smile. Krillin spoke up,
"Of course we know that... but we haven't known Kaito for long. How are we supposed to even ask for something like this?"
Bulma huffed softly, patting her chest confidently.
"You're all overthinking it. Kaito's a very easygoing person... Hmph! Leave this to me! I'll talk to Kaito myself!"
She turned to Trunks and added with a bright smile,
"You, young man, just stay here and rest tonight! Everything will work out tomorrow!"
Trunks looked at the vibrant, youthful "mother" in front of him, and then thought of the older, weary mother back in his future—the contrast filled his heart with a swirl of emotions.
Even though the Bulma of this world would probably never become his mother, she had still stood up for him when he was at his lowest.
Trunks wiped his eyes vigorously to stop the tears from flowing again.
He didn't actually know much about Kaito. He'd only heard that Kaito possessed unimaginable power—but as for who he was or what kind of person, he had no clue.
He couldn't help but ask,
"Excuse me... who exactly is this Kaito? I've never heard of anyone by that name in my world!"
At the mention of Kaito, Bulma's expression turned mysterious. She covered her mouth slightly and said,
"Let me tell you—he's a god."
"A god? But... I remember Mom saying gods weren't really that strong. When Piccolo died, the god of Earth disappeared along with him, and even the Dragon Balls—"
At that, Trunks sighed again. If the Dragon Balls still existed in his world, maybe things wouldn't have been so hopeless.
Bulma wagged her finger, glancing briefly at Piccolo before continuing,
"Kaito isn't the kind of god you're thinking of. Even Shenron treats him with the utmost respect! After granting a wish, Shenron even seeks his permission before vanishing!"
"There's really a god like that...? Then, what's he like as a person?"
"He's wonderful! He's saved Earth from countless crises. When I first met him, I never imagined he was a god—he looked just like a normal high school student!"
"...A high school student?"
"Yup! Back then, he wore these plain black-rimmed glasses, but he was still really handsome. He spoke softly and politely—it was just so comforting to be around him!"
Bulma could go on about Kaito forever.
Trunks just stared blankly at her, and suddenly, he understood why this world's Bulma had no romantic connection with Vegeta at all.
It was because of Kaito!
After talking for a while, Bulma finally noticed that aside from Goku, Gohan, and Vegeta, everyone else was looking at her with knowing expressions.
Realizing how obvious she had been, her cheeks flushed red. She coughed twice to cover her embarrassment and said,
"Anyway, if Kaito agrees, this kind of thing will be nothing to him. Don't worry!"
Trunks nodded obediently. Looking at the confident Bulma before him, that dim light in his heart began to shine again.
He gazed out the window at the starlit sky, silently murmuring in his heart,
"Thank you, Mom. No matter the timeline, you're always the one who gives me hope... even if you'll never be my mother in this world."
...
Meanwhile, at Kaito's house—
Eighteen stared wide-eyed at Kaito in disbelief.
"In the future, Seventeen and I were that bad? We almost wiped out all of humanity?"
Kaito shrugged.
"Yup. Otherwise, why do you think Trunks drew his sword the moment he saw you? You and Seventeen are his biggest trauma."
"No wonder! I thought he was acting crazy. Well... even if that future me isn't really me, I'll forgive him. Poor guy's been through hell."
As she spoke, Eighteen snuggled into Kaito's arms and mumbled softly,
"Thank you, Kaito."
Kaito blinked, slightly puzzled.
"Huh? What are you thanking me for?"
Eighteen looked up at him, her expression deadly serious.
"I know that the future me must have been brainwashed by that twisted old doctor. If it weren't for you, Seventeen and I probably would've ended up like that too—and that's no different from being dead. So I want to thank you... for saving me and my brother."
Kaito chuckled, gently patting her head.
"Oh, that's what you meant. Don't mention it. There's no need for thanks between us. And besides, what happened in that other timeline has nothing to do with you."
"Mm..."
Eighteen closed her eyes and rested quietly in Kaito's embrace, like a gentle little cat.
Across from them, Vados took a slow sip of her coffee.
Mm... coffee with sugar really is sweet.