Launch: I Like You Too, Broly

Bulma's thoughts were in turmoil. She had so much on her mind.

They were talking, still immersed in shock and all kinds of complicated emotions, when—

"Vrrrrr—"

The familiar roar of an aircraft engine suddenly came from outside.

"Grandpa and the others are back!" Son Goku's ears twitched. He was the first to react, and he cried out excitedly.

Everyone immediately poured out of the house.

A small plane was slowly descending onto a patch of flat ground beside the beach.

The hatch opened, and Broly was the first to leap out.

After landing, Broly casually brushed off his clothes. His face remained as indifferent as ever, as though he didn't care much about anything around him.

Master Roshi followed, hopping down with somewhat clumsy movements. He looked tired, but there was an unmistakable air of smug satisfaction and relief between his brows.

Chiaotzu carefully supported Tien Shinhan, who was still unconscious from the medication, and floated down to the ground.

Hearing the commotion outside—

"Goku! You little rascal! You came back to life too? That's wonderful!" Master Roshi spotted Son Goku, alive and full of energy, and immediately broke into a broad grin. Laughing heartily, he strode over and gave Son Goku a hearty slap on the shoulder. He felt rejuvenated, as if all his previous exhaustion had vanished.

After all, he'd gotten himself a ridiculously powerful grandson for free, and the world's crisis had been taken care of as well.

Master Roshi felt that even his old face had gained a little more luster. The pride of it put him in an excellent mood.

"Grandpa, I didn't die." Son Goku scratched his head, grimacing from the slap, then briefly recounted what had happened to him.

Everyone was filled with emotion and relief all over again. They marveled at Goku's good fortune and were grateful that the crisis had finally passed.

After a moment, everyone present seemed to share the same thought. Their gazes all turned toward Broly, who had just returned and was about to head inside. They stared at him with curiosity, shock, and even a hint of awe.

Broly, however, seemed not to notice their focused attention at all. He had no interest in what they were discussing, either.

The first thing Broly did after returning was head straight for the fridge, muttering, "I'm starving. I've been flying for ages..."

As he spoke, Broly rummaged through the food in the fridge without a care in the world.

Noticing that things had gone unusually quiet behind him, Broly stopped.

He turned around and saw everyone staring at him with strange expressions. At first, he froze. Then, as if he understood what was going on, he immediately grew wary. Spreading his arms, he stood in front of the fridge like a mother hen protecting her chicks and said very seriously, "Why are you all staring at me? Let me make this clear: all the food in this fridge is mine! Nobody's allowed to take any! If anyone tries, I'll be mad!"

Everyone looked at Broly's earnest, food-protecting stance and thought of the terrifying strength with which he had easily killed King Piccolo. Their mouths twitched in unison, their hearts filled with absurdity.

Who would dare try to steal food from someone like you, who could crush King Piccolo to death?

"Broly, what do you like to eat? I... I'll make something for you." Launch hurried over, her face wearing a smile so tender it could melt, her voice soft. Her eyes were full of affection and a hint of barely concealed admiration.

"Hm? You've changed back?" Broly looked at Launch's smooth blue hair, then thought of her previous, short-tempered, blonde-haired state. He nodded excitedly and said without any hesitation, "That's great. The blonde-haired you can't cook, and the food you make gets a little burnt... I like the blue-haired you better. Your cooking tastes good."

"I... I like you too..." Hearing Broly's words, Launch's cheeks flushed bright red. Her heart raced as she gathered her courage and quietly confessed how she felt.

"I feel like eating dumplings." Broly didn't seem to pay much attention to the latter part of what Launch had said—or perhaps his attention had already been completely occupied by food. He licked his lips, an expectant look on his face, and spoke to Launch.

Chiaotzu: "!!!!"

Floating nearby, Chiaotzu heard Broly's words and jolted in fright. His little face instantly turned deathly pale!

Chiaotzu stared at Broly in terror, trembling as he let out a despairing cry in his heart.

Y-you want to eat a person?!

I'm not tasty!

I'm all bones, with no meat!

Brother Tian! Brother Tian! Help me!

Why are you still asleep?!

"Huh? Are dumplings tasty?" Son Goku's curiosity was piqued too. He came over, looked at Broly, then at Chiaotzu, who was on the verge of fainting, and asked with interest.

Feeling Son Goku's curious gaze, Chiaotzu grew even more frightened. He wished he could dig a hole and crawl into it—or just faint on the spot.

At that moment, Chiaotzu felt as though his little heart was about to stop beating.

Why do I feel like... Master Roshi's school is even more evil than Master Shen's?!

His grandson wants to eat me, and his disciple looks like he wants to eat me too!

This place is too dangerous! I want to go home!

"I'll get everything ready!" Launch heard Broly and, still wearing a gentle blush, obediently nodded before turning and going into the kitchen.

The next moment, Launch came back out with a kitchen knife.

"Broly, how should we eat the dumplings?" Launch asked. "Dry or wet?"

All color instantly drained from Chiaotzu's little face, leaving it white as paper. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"Eek!"

Chiaotzu let out a brief cry of alarm and, almost by reflex, immediately used the Sky Dancing Technique. Like a startled rabbit, he flew out of the open living room window as fast as he could.

His figure cut a panicked path through the air, quickly vanishing into the distant horizon.

Everyone stared blankly.

"What's wrong with him? Why did he suddenly fly away?" Son Goku scratched his head and stared in the direction Chiaotzu had disappeared, looking confused and bewildered.

"You two..." Bulma looked at the pair of airheads and rubbed her forehead helplessly, silently wiping away the cold sweat that had appeared there. Her voice was tinged with exasperation as she explained, "You just said you wanted to eat dumplings... Don't forget, that child's name is Chiaotzu!"

Everyone froze at her words, then finally understood.

Imagining the terrified look on Chiaotzu's face just now, and putting it together with the ridiculous misunderstanding, everyone burst into cheerful, hearty laughter.

The inside and outside of Master Roshi's House filled with merriment.

After a burst of laughter, the mood lightened considerably.

A little while later, the small white figure cautiously floated back in through the window, looking awkward.

Chiaotzu blushed as he slowly landed and hid behind the still-sleeping Tien Shinhan. He peeked out with half his face and looked at everyone sheepishly.