Goku understood. Bulma's methods might have been clumsy and a bit childish, but her intentions were clear—she was trying to keep him from seeing the full moon.
Grandpa Gohan had never told him the truth about his transformation. Instead, he used to warn that "monsters come out during the full moon," telling Goku to go to bed early. It was his way of protecting the boy's pride—shielding him from believing he was some kind of monster.
Goku smiled softly. That was love without words.
In the original timeline, Bulma had discovered the truth after witnessing his transformation. She had guessed that Goku was the one who'd accidentally killed his grandfather and decided to keep it secret for his sake. But here, Grandpa Gohan was still alive. Goku hadn't hurt anyone yet, and Bulma could've just told him everything openly.
Still, whatever she wanted to do, he decided to go along with it.
Touching the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him, Goku asked, "Bulma, I don't really want the kiss. Can I trade it for something tasty instead?"
Bulma noticed that he wasn't trying to remove the blindfold, and her tense expression melted into a smile.
"You little brat, you dare to reject a beautiful girl's kiss? One day, when you're old enough to want one, you might not get another chance! But… since you did save me, I'll make an exception.
If you keep that blindfold on until we stop, you can trade the kiss for a big meal. Deal?"
Goku frowned playfully. "Trade it back later? Bulma, are you trying to trick a kid?"
That caught her off guard. "Uh…"
He wasn't easy to fool anymore.
Then, to her relief, Goku grinned.
"Well, if you're offering food, I won't argue. I really am hungry. Let's see… tonight, I want fifty bowls of ramen!"
Bulma blinked. "Fifty?"
"Yep! With my appetite, that's about right!"
She remembered passing a small town full of ramen shops earlier that day—the same one near the Rabbit Gang's old base. It was close, cheap, and perfect.
"Alright," Bulma said, smiling. "Fifty bowls of ramen it is. But if you keep that blindfold on until bedtime, I'll add beef to every single bowl. How's that sound?"
"Add meat?" Goku's eyes practically sparkled. "Then of course I'll keep it on! I won't even take it off to sleep!"
Bulma chuckled. "Good boy."
The Nimbus flared gold and streaked across the darkening sky.
An hour later, they landed in front of a ramen shop called Ichiraku.
Everyone turned to stare at the strange sight—
a blindfolded boy with a monkey tail being led by a beautiful blue-haired girl.
Bulma bent down slightly, and Goku gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
"There, I gave it back! Now can I eat?"
Bulma laughed. "You can eat."
She pulled out a fat wad of cash—tens of thousands—and tossed it onto the counter.
"Boss, bring us ramen—lots of it! Every bowl with extra beef! Keep them coming until I say stop!"
The chef's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Yes, ma'am!"
Bulma led Goku to a seat, and as soon as the first bowl arrived, he devoured it in seconds.
She rested her chin on her palm, smiling fondly as she watched him eat, her expression soft and radiant—almost indulgent. The kind of look that made everyone else in the shop silently gasp.
'A kid… and she's feeding him like that?'
Whispers spread quickly.
By the time Goku finished, the attention wasn't on his monstrous appetite—it was on them.
When the two finally left, the shop erupted in murmurs.
"Man… are kids these days really playing like that?"
"Who knows, but she was gorgeous!"
"Didn't expect such a pure-looking girl to be so… bold!"
"I bet they're going to a hotel next."
"You bet they are."
"Damn… I'm jealous."
Out on the street, Goku stretched and patted his full stomach.
"Ahh, thanks, Bulma! I'm stuffed!"
Bulma smiled. "That's good. Was the ramen tasty?"
"Yeah, it was great!"
"Then how about this," she said sweetly. "Every month, I'll bring you back here for ramen. Sound good?"
The cheer in Goku's eyes faded suddenly. His face turned serious.
"Bulma," he said quietly, "Grandpa told you, didn't he? That I turn into a monster when I see the full moon."
Bulma froze.
"You—you knew?"
Goku smiled faintly. "I'm not dumb. I've always had a feeling. As long as you don't think I'm a monster, it's fine."
"You're not a monster!" she said firmly.
"I know," Goku replied. "But I don't want to hurt anyone… especially you. So how about this—let's find a hotel later, and you can cut off my tail. As long as it doesn't grow back, it'll be safe."
"What?" Bulma blinked.
He grinned, the blindfold still in place. "But you'll have to get me drunk first, or it'll hurt too much."
Bulma's expression softened, complicated emotions flickering in her eyes.
A short while later, she led Goku into a nearby hotel.
The front desk staff exchanged startled glances. A gorgeous woman and a boy with a tail—it wasn't something you saw every day.
Bulma walked straight up to the counter.
"Do you sell any strong liquor? Something that can knock someone out fast?"
The clerk's mind raced, misinterpreting instantly. He slid a bottle across the counter with a smirk.
"This one's perfect. Locally they call it Three-Cup Knockout. Guaranteed to… loosen people up. Price is eighty thousand."
Bulma smiled faintly and handed him a hundred thousand.
"Keep the change."
The clerk watched her leave, utterly stunned.
"Damn… she's not just beautiful—she's rich!"
"Forget it, man. You don't stand a chance."
"Didn't you see that kid with her? She's totally into him. Must be a… younger type."
"Ahh, what a waste…"