Ignoring the gossip of others, Yamiru was enjoying being fed by Tights quite happily.
Although he was covered in injuries, he wasn't immobile yet. Tights insisted he rest in the hospital for a few days, considering the emotional and physical toll of what he'd just been through. Not only was he physically exhausted, but mentally as well. Taking the risk of being transformed into a demon, he finally rid himself of the nightmare that was Tao Pai Pai. Yamiru needed some time to empty his mind and calm the mental turmoil.
After chatting with Master Roshi and the others for a while, the night grew deeper. The hospital became quieter, and the visiting friends and family began to prepare to leave.
Master Roshi, along with Tien and Chiaotzu, got up to leave.
"Whether it's with Yamiru, or with Shen and Tao Pai Pai, what's in the past is in the past," the Martial Arts God advised. "As a martial artist, the worst thing you can do is feel ashamed of your own skills. You need to be proud of your fists and feet, proud of the sweat you've put in every day."
Tien and Chiaotzu listened attentively.
Even though Yamiru was strong, he was still from the same generation. Tien and Chiaotzu held great respect for Master Roshi, an ancient figure from the same era as Crane Hermit.
"Well then, come stay at my place for now. Once you've thought things over, we'll make plans," Master Roshi said.
"Understood."
Meanwhile, Dr. Omori asked Jaco to take him home, but the Galactic Patrolman wasn't pleased. "Isn't this a bit rude? My spacecraft isn't meant to be used for such a small planet. It's supposed to be for intergalactic missions!" Despite the complaint, Jaco used a remote control to call his ship, which was parked at Dr. Omori's island.
"Why complain after agreeing?" Dr. Omori said, exasperated.
"This is style, Omori, you're really no fun," Jaco remarked.
The ship automatically flew over, and Jaco grabbed Dr. Omori and hopped on. Whoosh—the ship took off, and within a few seconds, it quietly landed back at Dr. Omori's island.
"Every time I experience it, I'm amazed by the advancement of alien technology," Dr. Omori remarked as he stepped off the ship.
Jaco waved goodbye and disappeared into the depths of space. Dr. Omori returned to his home and found an invitation letter addressed to him.
"A robotics seminar?" Dr. Omori casually set it aside. "It's a year away, why are they sending invitations so early? Ridiculous."
---
As for Goku and Bulma, they were left in the hospital.
Yamiru had a single-occupancy room, but there was a bed for a caregiver nearby. Tights had asked the nurse for two thin blankets, intending to let the two kids make do for the night.
"Still, you should take a shower first. Goku, you go first, I'll help you wash," Tights said, considering that Goku might not be familiar with the hospital's shower system. She wore shorts and a tank top, twisting the water valve and calling Goku over.
As the sound of water splashing came from the bathroom, Bulma sat on the caregiver's bed, feeling a bit bored. She turned to Yamiru, who was lying quietly, leaning against the bed and seemingly lost in thought. "Yamiru, do you like my sister? Last time, you said you didn't know."
The "last time" referred to the day they found the Dragon Ball in the valley. Bulma had a good memory.
Yamiru turned to her and smiled. "This time, I can say for sure that I really like Tights."
"Oh," Bulma nodded.
"What about you, Bulma?" Yamiru asked. "What kind of guy would you like in the future?"
"I don't know," Bulma replied, somewhat confused. "I've read a lot of books, but I don't really understand. I think it's because I'm not old enough yet."
"Would you prefer someone as smart as you?"
"…" Bulma looked at Yamiru coolly. "Do you really think there's a boy as smart as me?"
"Alright," Yamiru smiled helplessly. "You're probably the smartest among your peers. In some ways, you're also the loneliest. It seems like you don't have many friends your age."
"That's not my fault," Bulma said. "It's because they're too immature. But I have my sister, and my parents. Oh, and now I have you. You're going to be my brother-in-law, right?"
Yamiru thought for a moment. This answer didn't just concern him and Tights, but also the way Bulma would view relationships in the future.
He said, "Not necessarily. What I mean is, Bulma, in relationships, never force yourself. To be selfish, your own feelings should always come first. When you get a boyfriend in the future, and if you ever reach a point where you just can't stand him anymore, there's no need to force things. Break up quickly, it will be better for both of you."
"Then what?" Bulma asked, confused. "Do I need to accommodate others? You're so strange."
"Haha," Yamiru chuckled. "But I think Bulma will definitely find someone who will be with her for life. I think that's how it is with Tights and me. So, yes, that's my answer. You'll treat me like a brother-in-law in the future. — Oh, unless your sister gets tired of me and wants to break up, then I can't do anything about that."
Just then, the bathroom door opened with a swish, and Goku walked out, rubbing his wet hair and dragging his soaked tail.
"What are you talking about?" Tights leaned against the doorframe, smiling. "I think I heard my name." Her skin looked soft and flushed, almost like it could be easily broken, due to the hot, humid air.
"We were saying that Tights has excellent taste in boyfriends," Yamiru laughed, turning to stick his tongue out at Bulma. Bulma giggled. Tights waved at Bulma with a smile, "Alright, your turn, come take a shower." Bulma obediently got off the bed and walked into the bathroom.
The shower head sprayed water, and Tights squeezed some shampoo into her hands, massaging Bulma's hair until it was full of foam.
Bulma sat on a small plastic stool, scrubbing her body, when she suddenly asked, "Does sister really like Yamiru?"
"Aha, I get it," Tights gently poked her sister's armpit, "You were talking about things like this with Yamiru just now, weren't you? You're so smart, aren't you?"
"It tickles, it tickles~~" Bulma giggled.
"I really like him," Tights said softly. "At first, I admired him, thought he was a lot like me, but slowly I realized he's much stronger than I am. I thought we would become really good friends, but... hehe, this is how feelings develop, so strangely. If there's anyone who could make me want to be with them forever, I think it's Yamiru."
"......" Bulma listened silently, and then she heard her sister ask with a smile, "Bulma, what kind of boy do you like?"
Bulma thought for a moment and then said, "Someone handsome?"
Tights smiled.
After finishing washing Bulma, Tights shook her finger at Yamiru on the bed and smiled as she closed the bathroom door. It was her turn to shower.
As for Yamiru, the nurse had already cleaned him up while he was unconscious.
On the caregiver's bed, the two kids each had a thin blanket and were lying together. Goku had already fallen asleep, and Bulma blinked her eyes, soon feeling sleepy as well. She faintly heard her sister finishing her shower, closing the bathroom door, and then crawling into Yamiru's bed. She heard them whispering...
!