The lights of the Briefs' estate were bright at night, and the spacious dining room was already filled with a sumptuous feast.
A banquet was in full swing to welcome the guests from the future, Trunks and his mother, Future Bulma, and also to celebrate Android 21's successful recovery of her sanity.
Bulma looked at the Future Bulma sitting opposite her, who carried a mature charm and a faint sense of world-weariness that she herself had never possessed. For a moment, she was in a daze, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
This version of herself from the future world had an indelible resilience hidden deep in her eyes that she couldn't quite understand!
It was a temperament that could only be forged after experiencing great hardship and shouldering countless heavy burdens!
But in contrast, she had been protected so well by Whitley, like a flower in a greenhouse.
Let alone experiencing any human tragedy, apart from sulking a few times over the issues with Vados and No. 18, she had basically never truly worried about anything.
This contrast made her feel a little strange, and even a faint hint of... unwillingness?
She couldn't help but pour out her little thoughts to Future Bulma in a low voice, with a hint of complaint and self-deprecation.
Unexpectedly, after hearing Bulma's complaint, Future Bulma just shook her head, a bitter yet relieved smile on her face.
She looked at this youthful and beautiful version of herself before her, who still had a hint of a young lady's petulance.
There was not a trace of smugness in her eyes, but rather, undisguised envy.
"You don't need to envy this so-called temperament of mine,"
Future Bulma's voice was soft, and she spoke in a gentle tone that had seen through the world. "To be honest, I should be the one who envies you."
Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the other end of the dining table.
To the figure who was currently burying his head in his food, eating with great gusto, yet inexplicably reassuring.
Her gaze on Whitley was a little complicated. She suddenly leaned close to Bulma, a mischievous and curious smile on her lips as she whispered, "Come on, tell me, how did you and this Whitley... meet? In your relationship, did you chase him, or did he chase you?"
The moment Whitley was mentioned, the fire in Bulma's heart flared up!
Just as she was entering the dining room, she had actually seen Whitley holding No. 18's hand at the door!
The two of them were being so caring and intimate!
At the time, she hadn't thought much of it. After all, it was just No. 18, a mere private secretary.
But later, her mother, who loved a good show, had secretly told her that Whitley had actually come back last night!
And!
The moment he came back, he had stayed in Vados's room with those two women, Vados and No. 18, for the entire night!
Just the thought of that absurd scene made Bulma's teeth itch with anger! Who was his proper wife?! And he didn't even call her?!
But if it were just that, it would have been one thing.
She had also caught a glimpse of No. 21, who had just regained her sanity and looked like an innocent beautiful girl, also secretly stealing glances at Whitley. That obsessed look in her eyes instantly set off alarm bells in her heart!
Heh! This woman thought she was hiding it well, but everyone here was sharp!
Apart from Whitley and Trunks, who were frantically eating, who couldn't see her little thoughts?
Bulma was already full of anger, so much so that she didn't even want to answer Future Bulma's question.
But she couldn't resist Future Bulma's gossipy face and persistent questioning.
In the end, she irritably told the story of how they had met. "...and that's about it. At that time, I had just set out to find the Dragon Balls, and I accidentally discovered an alien spaceship in a valley. He was in some kind of hibernation state inside, seemed to have been trapped for a long time due to a ship malfunction. I didn't think much of it and just rescued him. And then... and then he just followed me."
Bulma tried to say it as lightly as possible and deliberately omitted many details.
Especially how she had been charmed by this guy Whitley's good looks at the beginning, and had been half-willing...
Hmph!
Future Bulma nodded thoughtfully after hearing it, the curiosity in her eyes growing stronger. "So that's how it is... because you saved his life, he... gave himself to you? And from the sound of it, although you were a bit proactive, you two were actually... in love with each other?"
Bulma glanced at Whitley and said nothing, which was a tacit admission of Future Bulma's statement.
Although the process was a little strange, the result... was indeed mutual love.
The envy in Future Bulma's eyes grew even stronger.
She sighed, and with a hint of wistfulness, she murmured, "That's so nice... when I was young, I also wanted to have such a pure and adventurous love. It's a pity... Yamcha, he... sigh."
She sighed softly again and said no more.
"Yamcha?"
Bulma's face was a question mark. She blinked and asked in confusion, "Who's that?"
Future Bulma was taken aback and looked at Bulma with some surprise.
Only after realizing that she really didn't know Yamcha did she try to recall her own experiences of searching for the Dragon Balls with Goku when she was young. "Yamcha! You don't know him? I remember... he was a desert bandit who robbed people in the desert at the beginning? As for his weapon... it seemed to be a rather conspicuous large machete?"
"A desert bandit?"
Bulma frowned and searched hard in her memory.
It wasn't until everyone had almost finished eating and started to chat that she suddenly slapped her hand and said with a look of realization, "Ah! I remember now! there was such a person!"
She recalled, "At that time, when Whitley and I were passing through a large desert, there was indeed a clueless guy with a knife who tried to rob us! But before he could finish his sentence, Whitley just casually waved his hand and sent him flying! It seems... there was also a little blue cat crying and chasing after him... that scene, thinking back now... was quite comical."
Just as Bulma was vividly describing the encounter in the desert, the corner of her eye suddenly caught that detestable woman, No. 18, who was now brazenly sitting on Whitley's lap!
One of her arms was wrapped around his neck, and with an ambiguous smile on her face, she was whispering something in Whitley's ear!
The string in Bulma's mind called "reason" snapped with a "twang"!
"No. 18! You detestable woman! Know your limits!!!"
She slammed the table and shot to her feet!
Like an enraged lioness, she quickly rushed to Whitley's side and, without a word, forcefully squeezed into his arms, trying to push the annoyed No. 18 off Whitley's lap!
No. 18 was a little angry at Bulma's merciless action.
She raised her hand, controlled her strength, and slapped Bulma hard on her behind, making a crisp sound!
"Hey! You stupid woman, No. 18!"
Future Bulma held her wine glass and slowly sipped the wine, her eyes a little wistful as she watched the lively scene before her.
When she saw Whitley helplessly reach out and firmly hold the fuming Bulma in his arms, while his other hand gently patted her back as if comforting a bristling kitten...
"Sigh!"
Future Bulma downed the remaining wine in her glass, and a sweet and bitter taste slid down her throat.
She whispered in a voice that only she could hear, "You really... make me envious... my past self."
If...
If there had also been a man as strong and gentle as Whitley in her world, would everything have been different?
Vegeta... he...
And at this moment, Trunks, who had finished eating and had been quietly paying attention to his mother, had taken in the fleeting loneliness and envy on her face.
He looked again at Whitley, who was surrounded by the ever-elegant Vados, Bulma, No. 18, and a secretly watching No. 21.
It was as if an uncontrollable thought was sprouting in his heart, and his eyes gradually became firm!
But the next moment, he belatedly locked his gaze on the blonde-haired, blue-eyed, exquisitely featured, and cool-tempered woman beside Whitley.
Trunks was as if struck by a bolt of lightning, and his expression instantly froze on the spot!
His expression was as shocked as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight!
"Th-that woman!!!"
A hoarse sound came from his throat, his eyes fixed on No. 18. "That... No. 18!!! Wh-why is she here!!!"
He had been so focused on eating! And after he was full, all his attention was on his mother's lonely expression.
Only now did he realize with horror that at this banquet to welcome them, one of the nightmares who had brought countless deaths and despair in his world, Android 18! was actually sitting not far from him! And her behavior with Whitley-san was so intimate!
Trunks shot to his feet, and the chair behind him was knocked to the ground with a "thud"!
This sudden commotion instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the dining room.
"Whitley-san!!!"
Trunks's voice was distorted with extreme shock and anger.
He pointed at No. 18 and shouted, "That woman!!! That... No. 18!!! Why is she here!!!"
Whitley thought something terrible had happened!
Hearing Trunks's shocked and hostile questioning, he realized that the boy had only now noticed No. 18's presence, and he was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. "Calm down, calm down!"
Whitley quickly tried to soothe him and get him to calm down.
But how could Trunks listen at this moment?
His mind was filled with images of the devastated future world, and the tragic deaths of his family and friends!
The face of the blonde woman before him completely overlapped with the image of the cold and ruthless demon who had slaughtered wantonly in his memory!
His eyes were fixed on No. 18, and a golden aura began to seep from his body uncontrollably. The powerful presence made the air in the dining room heavy!
Just as Trunks was about to lose control and attack!
No. 18 had just been interrupted from cultivating her relationship with Whitley by Bulma, and she was already in a bad mood!
And now she was being stared at by this kid who was said to be from the future with such a murderous gaze, and he even dared to question her loudly?
If this were back when she had just come out of Dr. Gero's lab, she would have already gone up and taught him a lesson without a word!
But, now...
No. 18 first glanced at Whitley. Seeing that he was helpless but had no intention of stopping her, she instantly felt confident.
She crossed her arms and looked back at Trunks with composure.
She even deliberately raised a delicate eyebrow, a faint, almost provocative sneer on her face.
"You!"
How could Trunks stand such a provocation from his enemy?
Rage instantly overwhelmed his reason. He let out a low shout, and his right hand shot to the hilt of the sword on his back, about to draw it!
"Swoosh!"
An afterimage flashed, and Whitley instantly appeared beside Trunks.
He didn't say a word and just rapped Trunks hard on the head!
"Calm down, Trunks!"
Whitley's voice carried an unquestionable authority.
At the same time, Future Bulma also reacted extremely quickly, grabbing Trunks's arm and shouting anxiously, "Trunks! Don't be rash! Calm down!"
With a knock on the head and his mother holding him back, Trunks's surging momentum instantly faltered.
He clutched his aching forehead and took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the urge to strike.
But his hand on the hilt of his sword did not loosen. He stared deadly at No. 18 and said to Whitley in a deep voice, "Whitley-san! Why is Android 18 here?! Please give me an explanation!"
His voice was filled with confusion, anger, and a hint of pain from being betrayed by someone he trusted.
Whitley sighed with a slight headache.
He had known that Trunks would have this reaction upon seeing No. 18. He had originally planned to give him a heads-up, but he hadn't expected to be delayed by the escaping No. 21.
He was just about to explain to Trunks...
But on the other side, No. 18 had already heard about Trunks and his tragic future in a whisper from Bulma.
She raised an eyebrow and calmly walked up to Trunks, ignoring his almost-spitting-fire gaze, and said, "I heard about your ordeal from Bulma. Your original world was destroyed by the me and No. 17 of that timeline, so you're this agitated, and you hate me this much, right?"
Trunks gritted his teeth and did not answer, but his eyes said it all.
No. 18 looked at him and continued in a calm voice, "But in this timeline, I have not killed anyone, nor have I done anything wrong."
She paused, her gaze looking straight into Trunks's bloodshot eyes. "Do you still want to kill me for revenge now?"
"What?"
Trunks looked at No. 18 in disbelief, almost suspecting that he had misheard.
Android 18...
The demon who treated human life like grass was claiming that she had not done anything wrong?!
How was that possible?!
But just then, Whitley couldn't help but interject, weakly reminding No. 18, "That... wifey, there is... there actually is. You destroyed a clothing store in that small town near South City, and the owner of that store..."
Hearing this, No. 18 gave Whitley a charming glare, reached out and pinched his ear, and retorted righteously, "That was No. 17's doing! What does it have to do with me, No. 18?"
Whitley: "..."
Fine, whatever you say.
Trunks shook his head forcefully, still unable to believe No. 18's words.
His gaze turned to Whitley with a final hope, hoping that this being he respected so much would expose this demon's lies!
However, Whitley just slowly nodded at him.
He walked up and patted Trunks's shoulder with some sympathy, his tone a little helpless. "That... Trunks, I know this is hard for you to accept, but she's telling the truth. The No. 18 of this timeline is... my woman now. She's also my private secretary at the Prince Logistics company under Capsule Corp. And it's not just her. Android 16, No. 17, and even Cell are all working at that company now."
He looked at Trunks's dazed expression and continued with some reluctance, "The current No. 17 has, through his own 'efforts,' already been promoted to a supervisor position. Even Cell... that guy is now a leader of a logistics team. Although he's a bit too eager for vacation, at least he hasn't caused any destruction."
After saying all this, Whitley looked at Trunks's completely stunned expression, feeling as if he had completed a very arduous task!
He quickly turned and slipped back to Bulma and the others.
No. 18 naturally followed immediately. As she passed by Bulma, she even deliberately showed off by holding Whitley's hand tightly.
She, No. 18, had just been personally acknowledged by Whitley as his woman!
Although it was under such awkward circumstances, it was still an acknowledgment!
As for how No. 17 became a supervisor...
Hmm, it was naturally because his own sister, the private secretary of a major shareholder, had "helped" him a little.
Promoting her own brother's position in the company... was that so surprising?
The banquet, after this sudden outburst from Trunks, the atmosphere became a little strange, and it soon ended.
Whitley bid farewell to the ladies, wanting to go to the gravity room to exercise and digest his food.
And by the way... also digest the events of the day.
And as he left, Bulma was still sulking about the No. 18 situation.
Vados gave him a "don't forget our appointment" look.
No. 21 was shy and didn't dare to make eye contact with him.
No. 18, on the other hand, was in a good mood and kissed him on the cheek, saying it was a reward for his good performance tonight.
"Phew..."
After arriving at the gravity room, Whitley finally let out a sigh of relief.
He flexed his muscles and walked to the control panel. "Let's start with five hundred times gravity to warm up."
He increased the gravity multiplier to five hundred, adjusted his breathing, and was about to do a few tens of thousands of push-ups to get a feel for it when there was a sudden knock on the door of the gravity room.
"Hmm?"
Whitley was a little puzzled. "At this time... could it be that that kid Trunks has thought things through about No. 18 and has come to train with me?"
He turned off the gravity, walked to the door, and pulled open the heavy door with a swoosh.
Standing outside was indeed Trunks.
The excitement and anger from the banquet were gone from his face, replaced by a kind of hesitation and... resolve?
"Come in, remember to close the door,"
Whitley said casually as he turned. "Just in time, let me test how much your strength has improved."
He turned and walked towards the control panel, preparing to turn the gravity back on.
Unexpectedly, Trunks just stood at the door, showing no intention of coming in.
He took a deep breath, his hands unconsciously clenching and unclenching, as if he had finally made some kind of decision, and he finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of an imperceptible tremor. "That... Whitley-san! I... I have something I'd like to talk to you about alone..."
Whitley turned his head and, seeing Trunks's hesitant but exceptionally firm gaze, he sighed in his heart and reached out to turn off the power to the gravity room.
"Alright, it seems tonight's training is ruined."
The two of them did not talk in the enclosed gravity room but prepared to take a walk around the Briefs' estate.
Unknowingly, they walked to the front yard, to the garden that Mrs. Briefs meticulously tended, and began to stroll slowly.
The night air was a little cool, and mixed with the fresh scent of flowers and plants, it slightly dispelled the heavy atmosphere between the two of them.
Trunks kept his head down and did not speak, as if he were organizing his words.
And Whitley did not rush him. He walked leisurely with his hands in his pockets, preparing to wait patiently for Trunks to speak.
After a long while, Trunks finally seemed to have mustered enough courage, and his voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet night. "Whitley-san, I... have a favor to ask of you."
Whitley nodded, thinking that he was still feeling sorry for his outburst at the banquet, or that it was about the potential threat related to No. 21.
So he guessed in a relaxed tone, "It's about No. 21, right? Let me guess... is it related to that Cell MAX?"
"No! It's not!"
Trunks suddenly looked up and interrupted Whitley, his face filled with surprise. "H-how did you know about Cell MAX?! Th-this is news I just found out at Dr. Hedo's research institute, and I haven't had a chance to mention it to anyone yet!"
He looked at Whitley with utter disbelief, as if he were looking at a god who could see the future!
Although Whitley was indeed a god.
Whitley shrugged, as if to say, "Was that hard to guess?" but he did not explain.
Trunks composed himself and quickly shook his head. "The favor I want to ask of you is not this! If that Cell MAX really does appear one day, I will find a way to deal with it! This is my responsibility as an... Earthling of that world!"
"Oh?"
This time, it was Whitley's turn to be surprised.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at Trunks with great interest. "If it's not Cell MAX, then what could it be? It can't be..."
He said jokingly, his tone light and smiling, "Hahaha... are you asking me to help take care of your mother?"
But!
After he had said this joke, Trunks did not, as he had expected, immediately object or show a wry smile.
Instead, he fell silent.
He just stood there quietly, looking at Whitley.
The expression on his face slowly changed from surprise to a... complex mix of shock, admiration, and a hint of "as expected."
The smile on Whitley's face also gradually stopped. An ominous feeling welled up in his heart.
Could it be... his casual joke... had actually... hit the mark?!
Trunks took a deep breath and said in a tone of near admiration, "I didn't expect... you can actually read minds! I think I've heard of this technique somewhere before, and I always thought it was a trick! But I never would have thought that you, Whitley-san, would actually know it! And be so proficient at it! You even know the most difficult thoughts in my heart..."
Whitley: "..."
He slapped his hand over his forehead, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness wash over him.
This kid... isn't his imagination a little too strong?!
Trunks, seeing Whitley's appearance, thought he was admitting it.
He hesitated for a moment, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and as if he had finally made a fateful decision. He said, word for word, the request that almost made Whitley jump on the spot. "Since you already know, then I won't hide it from you. The favor I want to ask of you, Whitley-san, is..."
He paused, looking at Whitley with an incredibly serious gaze, and said in a clear and firm voice, "I want you, Whitley-san... to accept my mother, that is... the future Bulma-san!"
Whitley: "!!!"
He猛地 dropped his hand, and his eyes widened wider than saucers! His whole person seemed to have turned to stone, completely petrified by Trunks's words!
Good grief!
Trunks!
Do you even hear what you're saying?!
What do you mean... accept! your! mother?!
Whitley felt...
His brain was about to fry from this absurd request!
His mind was buzzing, and all that was left was a blank!
He looked at Trunks, who was looking at him seriously, even with a sense of relief that he had finally said it, and it felt as if ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through his heart! (Alpacas, you know~)
You kid! I thought of you as a friend, and you want me to be your stepfather?!
What is this? A buy-one-get-one-free? He already had Bulma, and now he was getting a... mature and charming... older Bulma as a bonus?
Whitley opened his mouth, and it felt as if something was stuck in his throat. He couldn't get a single word out for a long time.
He looked at Trunks's expectant gaze and only felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!
This place is cursed, I can't stay here!
If he stayed any longer, who knows what even more terrifying things this kid would say!
The next second, the expression on Whitley's face instantly switched to "I didn't hear anything, I don't know anything"!
Without a word, a powerful aura exploded from his body with a "boom." He even forgot that he knew Instant Transmission and, with the fastest speed of his life, "swooshed" away! He left only a blurry afterimage and a gust of wind.
Trunks stood there, watching the direction Whitley had disappeared.
His outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his face filled with astonishment and bewilderment. "Whitley-san? You... don't go! I haven't finished speaking..."
...
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the main house, in an elegant room.
Vados, who was leisurely leaning on the sofa and reading a book on the philosophy of human emotions, seemed to sense something.
Her light purple eyes moved slightly, her gaze shifting from the pages of the book to the closed door of the room.
Almost at the same instant she turned her head—
"Swoosh!"
Whitley's figure, carrying a cool night breeze and a not-yet-completely-calmed ki, abruptly appeared at the doorway of the room.
He still had a hint of undiminished panic and relief on his face, and his breathing was a little more ragged than usual.
Vados put down her book, her beautiful face calm.
She looked at Whitley's slightly disheveled appearance but did not ask what had happened. She just gracefully rose from the sofa, walked to the wall with her bare feet, and with a "click," turned off the bright lights in the room.
In an instant, the room was plunged into a hazy darkness.
Only the bright moonlight from outside shone through the sheer curtains, casting a little bit of silver light that outlined Vados's blurry silhouette.
In the dim light, Vados silently walked to the bedside and, with a fluid motion, threw back the soft covers and slipped in.
Then, a series of faint, suggestive rustling sounds came from under the covers.
"Well then, my dear Lord Whitley~"
Her voice paused, as if brewing some kind of invitation, and she asked slowly with a hint of a smile, "Tonight~ who do you want me to be for you?"
...
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