"Isn't that Miss Bulma from Capsule Corporation?"
The moment Videl saw Bulma, she recognized her.
It wasn't as though Videl lived under a rock.
Of course she knew a celebrity like Bulma.
Although Bulma was already in her forties, she took such good care of herself that she looked like a woman in her thirties.
Videl took a deep breath and walked toward Bulma.
She greeted her. "Hello, Miss Bulma."
"Hello."
Bulma looked Videl over carefully. After confirming that she didn't know her, she continued, "Can I help you?"
Videl answered honestly, "Well, Son Gohan told me to come here to find him. Does he live here?"
"Gohan?" Bulma's eyes lit up. She gave Videl another thorough once-over, her expression growing increasingly animated.
"Yes, yes, he does! You're Gohan's girlfriend, aren't you? I never thought that boy would keep something like this so quiet. Come on inside."
Bulma enthusiastically stepped forward, took Videl by the arm, and pulled her into the house.
Videl stumbled along as Bulma ushered her inside, trying to explain the whole time. "Oh, Miss Bulma, I think you've misunderstood. I'm not Son Gohan's girlfriend. He just promised to teach me martial arts, so I came here to find him."
"I understand. I understand everything. And don't call me Miss Bulma anymore. Gohan calls me Aunt Bulma, so you can do the same." Bulma chuckled and plopped Videl down on the sofa.
"Wait here a moment. I'll go get Gohan. That boy should be training in the Gravity Room," Bulma said.
"O-okay." Videl was completely bewildered by her enthusiasm.
Miss Bulma didn't seem nearly as aloof as the rumors made her out to be.
Not only was she not aloof, she was incredibly welcoming.
She was nothing like her rumored image.
Under Videl's gaze, Bulma hurried away, only to return a little over a minute later.
She sat beside Videl and said, "Gohan was indeed training just now. I've told him you're here, and he's gone to take a shower. He should be ready soon."
Videl rested both hands on her legs and sat ramrod straight.
Facing the legendary president of Capsule Corporation, she couldn't help feeling nervous.
After all, to an ordinary Earthling, Bulma's reputation was simply overwhelming.
On-my-best-behavior.jpg
"Yes, okay. I'll wait here," Videl said.
"You don't have to be so nervous," Bulma said. "I'm not some strict parent. Let's just chat. Think of me as a friend."
"Yes, Miss Bulma." Videl agreed, but remained utterly stiff.
"Hey, see? I told you to call me Aunt Bulma like Gohan does. Why are you still calling me that?" Bulma complained.
"Oh, o-okay, Aunt Bulma."
"Yes, that's better. Here, have some fruit first."
"Thank you."
The two began chatting on the sofa.
Bulma started singing Gohan's praises. "I've watched Gohan grow up since he was little. Our families go way back, and we're very close. He's always been a smart child, and he picks everything up quickly. He's an outstanding young man. You could even call him the finest young man on Earth..."
"Mm-hmm." Videl's head was buzzing, and she felt as though she were sitting on pins and needles.
Bulma continued, "Oh, I haven't asked your name yet. What is it?"
Videl shot to her feet and stood stiffly upright, looking ready to give a military salute.
"My name is Videl. I'm from East City, and I currently work at the East City Police Department. I was born in Age 757, and I've never been in a relationship. It's a pleasure to meet you, Aunt Bulma."
"Uh..." Videl's performance left Bulma utterly stunned.
The poor girl was so nervous.
She froze for two seconds.
Only then did Bulma say, "Sit down. Hurry and sit down. You don't have to stand to talk."
Videl could only sit back down.
"I never would have guessed you were a police officer. That's a good profession. Very nice. Age 757? What a coincidence! Gohan was born in Age 757 too."
Videl hadn't expected Son Gohan to be the same age as her. Surprised, she said, "Really? What a coincidence."
"Well, that's why you two should spend more time talking. Young people need to communicate more. That's how you grow closer."
"..."
Just then, Son Gohan walked in from outside, dressed in casual clothes.
"Videl, let's go."
He curled his right hand into a fist and pointed his thumb toward the door.
"Oh, okay." Videl hurriedly stood up.
She said to Bulma, "Aunt Bulma, I'll head out now. Let's chat another time when we're free."
"Yes, all right. Go enjoy your date," Bulma replied, then turned to instruct Son Gohan, "Gohan, don't bully her."
"I know," Son Gohan said helplessly.
Videl followed behind Son Gohan, her cheeks slightly flushed.
The two arrived at Capsule Corporation's Back Garden.
"This spot will do." Son Gohan pointed to a lush green lawn.
"Mm-hmm, okay." Videl nodded.
They stepped onto the lawn.
"Sit down cross-legged." Son Gohan pointed to the spot opposite him.
Videl was wearing jeans today, so sitting cross-legged wouldn't be a problem.
Videl nodded and obediently sat down opposite Son Gohan, looking perfectly well-behaved.
She studied Son Gohan's face and asked curiously, "Son Gohan, were you really born in Age 757?"
"Yes, that's right. Is there a problem?" Son Gohan asked.
"No. Aunt Bulma said you were born in Age 757, so I was a little curious, since I was born in 757 too. My birthday is May ninth. When's yours?"
Son Gohan: "..."
"Can't you tell me?" Videl pressed.
Son Gohan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You weren't like this in front of Aunt Bulma just now, were you? Aren't you afraid of me?"
Videl smiled. "That's because she's an elder. You and I are the same age, so naturally I don't feel so restrained around you."
"So when is your birthday, exactly?"
"May eighth," Son Gohan said helplessly.
"Oh, really?" Videl's eyes widened.
"Why would I lie to you?" Son Gohan said.
"You're only one day older than me! What a coincidence!" Videl said happily, her smile radiant.
"What did you come here for today?" Son Gohan deliberately asked with a frown.
"Uh, I came to learn the Flight Technique from you. We agreed on it yesterday," Videl said.
"Then what are you doing now?" Son Gohan asked.
Videl pouted. "Being nosy. Okay, okay, I was wrong. I'll stop asking. Please teach me the Flight Technique, Gohan."
"Good. Then stop talking for now," Son Gohan said calmly.
Videl: "..."
This wasn't Son Gohan's first time teaching.
He had been teaching Trunks for over ten years, so he could certainly be called experienced.
He gathered his thoughts, then said, "To learn the Flight Technique, you first have to learn how to use your own ki. Once you learn to control the ki in your body, the Flight Technique will come naturally."
"Ki? What's that? If I don't have any ki, does that mean I can't learn the Flight Technique?" Videl asked nervously.
"Don't worry. Everyone has ki in their body. They just don't know how to use it."
"What we call ki is a kind of energy hidden inside our bodies."
"It's hard for ordinary people to draw it out, but it's much easier for martial artists like us. We can readily sense ki, control it, and then use it."
"I know you've studied martial arts, so learning to control your ki shouldn't actually be too difficult."
Son Gohan spoke at length, explaining a whole lot of things Videl only half understood.
To Videl, it might as well have been gibberish.
"Watch closely," Son Gohan said. He raised his right hand in front of him, palm facing upward, and loosely curled his fingers.
Videl stared unblinkingly at his hand.
Just then,
A swirling current of ki rose from Son Gohan's palm, glinting with a cold light as a round energy sphere formed in his hand.
"Wh-what is that?" Videl's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"This is ki," Son Gohan said.
As he spoke, Son Gohan flicked his hand, sending the Energy Blast flying toward a huge boulder in the distance.
With a boom, the massive boulder was instantly blasted into powder. A fierce gust swept back toward them, blowing Videl's long hair upward.
"I-I really have something like that inside my body?"
Videl was utterly stunned.
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