Under a wide umbrella, blue-haired Launch held it considerately, tilting almost the entire canopy toward Broly. She didn't mind that the fine rain dampened her own shoulder.
With her other hand, she affectionately clung to Broly's sturdy arm, pressing close against him. Her face was alight with a contented, tender smile.
It was as if even a rainy day felt bright as long as she could be by Broly's side.
Not far away, Master Roshi stood alone beneath an old umbrella. He watched the couple leaning against each other in the rain, then looked at his own solitary figure. His gray-white beard quivered, and he suddenly felt completely superfluous, like an unwelcome third wheel.
Master Roshi couldn't help sighing to himself.
The women those two brats Goku and Krillin had brought back had ended up going to Broly, that brat who cared about nothing but eating, sleeping, and video games!
What kind of sin did I commit...? I must have owed him something in a past life!
"Creak..."
A yellow taxi rolled over the wet road and stopped nearby, kicking up tiny splashes.
The door opened, and Bulma gracefully stepped out, deftly opening a fashionable umbrella.
Little Oolong and Puar nimbly hopped out of the car too, looking around at their familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar surroundings.
"Ah, it really is Bulma." Launch spotted her right away and waved from afar, her voice gentle and sweet.
"Long time no see, everyone!" Bulma smiled and waved back. Her gaze swept over their faces, then lingered on Broly, standing beside Launch, his build increasingly tall and broad. A hint of unconcealed admiration flashed in her eyes, and she couldn't help praising him. "Broly really... just keeps getting more handsome... That bearing, that physique..."
"That's right... Our Broly's the best, of course!" Hearing someone praise Broly made Launch even happier than if they had praised her. She giggled, pride written all over her face, and tightened her hold on Broly's arm.
"By the way, you two..." Bulma moved closer, wearing a knowing smile as she looked back and forth between Launch and Broly. Lowering her voice, she asked, "When are you planning to get married? You've been inseparable for three years now."
"Well... there's no rush, no rush..." At her words, two red clouds instantly rose in Launch's cheeks, like ripe apples. She lowered her head shyly and murmured.
"By the way, you two... have you, you know..." Seeing Launch so bashful, Bulma couldn't resist teasing her. With a mischievous smile, she gently nudged Launch with her elbow and made an ambiguous gesture with her other hand that only the two of them would understand.
"What?" Launch raised her head, her blue eyes full of innocent confusion. She tilted her head at Bulma's gesture. "Is that some kind of special greeting? I've never seen it before."
"What do you mean?" Broly looked just as puzzled as he watched Bulma, his clear eyes utterly guileless. He had no idea what she was hinting at.
"I mean, have you two gotten together? I mean... gotten together on a deeper level?" Looking at the pair—one far too innocent and the other hopelessly dense—Bulma couldn't help putting a hand to her forehead. She tried a more direct approach and smiled at Broly.
"Aren't we together already?" Broly was even more confused. He pointed at Launch, who was pressed tightly against his side and practically hanging off his arm, and answered matter-of-factly.
Bulma: "..."
Bulma felt as though she'd hit an unprecedented communication barrier.
Is that what I mean?!
Is he really clueless, or is he pretending?
"Don't just talk about Broly!" Master Roshi chuckled and seized the chance to come over. The familiar glint shone in his eyes behind his sunglasses as he looked Bulma up and down, taking in her increasingly graceful figure. He swallowed and offered heartfelt praise. "You really have grown into a beautiful woman! That figure... those curves... They're truly astonishing! Let your teacher have a good look!"
"Eek! You dirty old man! Stay away from me! Don't touch me!" Bulma was used to Master Roshi's antics and reacted at once, driving her elbow backward with pinpoint force into his approaching face!
"Thump!"
"Ow!" Master Roshi cried out in pain. Clutching his sore nose, he retreated two steps, muttering, "You're still so hot-tempered! Not cute at all!"
"Hmph! You're getting on in years, and you still can't behave! Have some dignity!" Bulma snorted, hands on her hips, and scolded him angrily. "Just look at Broly... He's so honest and well-behaved! It's a good thing he's always been with you and hasn't picked up your bad habits!"
"Him? That clueless blockhead..." Master Roshi glanced at Broly, who was still oblivious to what was going on, and let out a long, meaningful sigh. His voice was full of exasperation. "He's had a beautiful, gentle woman by his side every day for three years! And what's come of it? All he thinks about is eating and sleeping together! And playing video games together!!"
"Really? They've even been sleeping together... and still haven't made any real progress?" Bulma's eyes widened in astonishment at Master Roshi's words. She covered her mouth as if she'd heard something unbelievable, and looked Broly up and down as though he were a prehistoric creature. "They haven't even... even kissed? How have they managed to hold back? Their self-control is incredible!"
"Maybe... they don't know how it's done? Or... don't know where to put it," Master Roshi mused, rubbing his chin. He lowered his voice and gave Bulma his serious analysis.
Bulma's pretty face turned bright red in an instant, as if she'd been set on fire. She glared at Master Roshi in exasperation. "That... is a little hard to respond to! You lecherous old man!"
"What are you two talking about?" Broly listened to them muttering, but couldn't understand a word.
"My mother told me before," Launch said, raising her flushed cheeks. Her tone was very serious, almost as though she were giving a lesson. "When a girl and a boy kiss, they can have a baby... So something as important as that has to wait until after we get married."
As she spoke, Launch nodded firmly, as if emphasizing how serious it was.
Bulma felt dizzy after hearing that and nearly fainted on the spot.
She held her forehead, completely at a loss for words.
What on earth was this?!
That was such old-fashioned advice!
Watching the pair, Master Roshi could only shake his head and sigh, utterly exhausted.
After a brief silence.
As if she'd just remembered something, Bulma leaned close to Master Roshi's ear and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Then... what about blonde Launch? Isn't she more... more forward? Could it be that she also..."
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