Behind the preliminary arena lay a quiet bamboo grove, secluded and deep.
Fresh rain had left the bamboo leaves lush and jade green, as if carved from emerald. From time to time, crystal droplets slid from their tips, falling onto moss-covered stones below with a soft, melodic drip.
Far from the noise of the arena, the grove was so still that only the rustling of wind through bamboo could be heard.
Bulma stood there with her hands behind her back, idly kicking a small stone with the tip of her boot.
She had clearly dressed up for today.
A short red crop top hugged her upper body, revealing a slim waist and curves impossible to ignore. Below it, a pair of tight denim shorts showed off her long, fair legs, dazzling under the broken sunlight filtering through the leaves.
She glanced repeatedly at the watch on her wrist, brows knitting in irritation.
"He's so slow. That stupid bald idiot said he'd be here right away."
Hearing footsteps behind her, she spun around sharply.
Two faint blushes bloomed on her cheeks, and the complaints she had prepared instantly lost their edge.
"Y you're finally here. I waited a full five minutes, you know."
Krillin walked up with a smile, completely unfazed by her act.
He was taller than Bulma now. His shoulders were broad, his posture straight, giving off an unmistakable sense of security.
"Sorry," he said lightly. "Beating that fat guy took one second. Getting out of the crowd took four minutes and fifty-nine seconds."
Bulma rolled her eyes. "Tch. Braggart."
But the corner of her mouth still lifted despite herself.
She pulled a sleek silver metal case from her backpack and handed it to him.
"Here. What you asked for. I stayed up three nights straight to finish this."
Krillin took it and pressed the switch.
Click.
The case unfolded like flower petals, revealing a deep blue battle suit inside.
It was nothing like the bulky Saiyan armor.
Instead, it was a form-fitting, high-tech bodysuit. A faint glow flowed across its surface, mysterious and powerful.
"This is made from Capsule Corporation's newest nano-memory fiber," Bulma said proudly, the confidence of a genius scientist in her voice.
"It maintains ten times gravity at all times, regulates temperature automatically, and its breathability is a hundred times better than cotton."
"And the elasticity is insane. Even if your body expands tenfold, it won't tear."
She traced her finger lightly across the fabric, focused and captivating.
"Most importantly, I added micro gravity-buffer layers at critical points like the heart and spine. It reduces physical impact by thirty percent."
"I know you're strong, but extra protection never hurts."
Krillin looked at the suit, then at the blue-haired girl in front of him.
She was just an ordinary human. No combat power at all.
Yet she had pushed herself through sleepless nights, buried in dull data, all so he could be safer.
A warm feeling welled up in his chest.
"Bulma."
He suddenly interrupted her.
"H huh?" She froze, meeting his gaze.
Her heart began to race, her breathing quickening.
"Help me put it on."
"What?" Bulma exploded, face turning crimson. "Do you not have hands?"
"And we're outside. People could see us."
"I'm just wearing it over my clothes to check the fit," Krillin said calmly. "I'm not taking anything off."
He stepped forward, backing her against several thick bamboo stalks.
One hand braced on either side of her, trapping her completely.
"Or do you want to see me naked?"
"W who wants that, you narcissist!"
She protested weakly, but her body did not move away.
Blushing furiously, she picked up the suit and stood on tiptoe to help him into it.
Because the suit was designed to be skin-tight, she had to wrap her arms around his neck to adjust it, her fingers fumbling with the hidden zipper along his back.
They were far too close.
Bulma caught the scent on him.
Not sweat.
It was dry, warm, like sunbaked stone. A scent of raw vitality that made her dizzy.
Her fingers brushed the skin at the back of his neck. The heat there sent a jolt through her fingertips.
"Um… the size seems perfect…" she murmured, eyes darting everywhere except his face.
"I adjusted the elasticity here too…"
"Really?" Krillin said softly. "Feels a little tight to me."
Suddenly, he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Ah!"
Bulma cried out as she fell against his chest.
The nano suit was smooth, but beneath it, his muscles were hard as iron, pressing against her and making her chest tingle.
"L let go…"
Her voice was soft, breathless, sounding more like a plea than a command.
"You seemed pretty happy watching from the stands earlier," Krillin whispered, lips brushing near her ear.
"You kept staring at my muscles. Almost drooling."
"I was checking the suit's fit. That's scientific observation."
She insisted, but her ears were burning red, her body already melting against him.
"Genius scientist," Krillin murmured. "Your heart rate is at one hundred twenty. Body temperature up by half a degree."
"Is that scientific too?"
Bulma looked up at him.
Her blue eyes shimmered, reflecting his face.
When did that bald little kid turn into this man?
Dominant. Strong. A little wicked.
And she loved it.
"Idiot…"
She closed her eyes, lashes trembling.
"If you're going to kiss me, hurry up. Stop talking."
That was an invitation.
Krillin tightened his arms, pulling her fully into him, as if he wanted to fuse her into his very bones.
Then he lowered his head and kissed her hard.
"Mmph!"
This was no gentle peck.
His kiss was fierce and possessive, his tongue prying open her defenses, taking everything without restraint.
Bulma's mind went blank. The world spun as oxygen left her lungs.
Her hands clutched at his broad back, fingers digging into the new battle suit, knuckles turning white.
The bamboo grove felt like it was burning.
Wrapped in his overwhelming presence, she felt like a small boat in a storm, and Krillin was the only harbor.
Time stretched and collapsed all at once.
Only when Bulma was completely breathless, legs weak, clinging to him just to stand, did Krillin finally ease back.
Their lips parted, a thin silver thread lingering between them.
Bulma gasped for air, eyes unfocused, lips swollen and glossy like ripe cherries.
"That was interest," Krillin said hoarsely, thumb brushing her mouth.
"When I win the championship, I'll collect the principal."
Bulma leaned against him, face blazing, about to speak when suddenly
"Hey, Krillin. Bulma."
"What are you guys doing? Fighting?"
That unmistakable loud voice could only belong to Goku.
Bulma shoved Krillin away like a startled rabbit, frantically fixing her hair and clothes.
"N no. We were testing the suit's durability. Yes. Durability."
Goku poked his head out from behind the bamboo, staring suspiciously.
"Why do you need to put your mouths together to test durability? Is the switch in the mouth?"
"Shut up, idiot Goku!"
Bulma grabbed a pebble and hurled it at him, face red as a tomato.
"I'm going back to the stands."
She covered her face and ran off toward the arena, her retreating figure flustered yet sweet.
Krillin sighed, then looked at the ultimate mood killer beside him.
"Goku, you really know how to ruin a moment."
"Do that again and I'll take away all your dinner."
"Heh heh. I was actually looking for that scary girl," Goku said innocently.
"She's still mad at me. I tried to apologize, but she snorted and walked off."
As he spoke, Chi-Chi appeared on the path beyond the bamboo, already changed into her tournament uniform.
Seeing Krillin and Goku together, she snorted and turned away, quickening her pace.
"See? She's mad again," Goku scratched his head. "Who is she anyway? Why does she get angry whenever she sees me?"
Krillin laughed, watching Chi-Chi's stubborn back.
"Goku, do you know what fate means?"
"Is it food? Is it good?"
"No," Krillin said, patting his shoulder with sympathy and amusement.
"That's your future wife. Get ready. Married life for a Saiyan is… intense. In some ways, she's scarier than Frieza."
"Huh? Wife? Does that make you stronger?"
Goku's eyes lit up.
"…Yes," Krillin replied seriously.
"It increases your endurance and survival instincts."
He turned toward the arena.
"Come on. Let's go."
"By the way, Chiaotzu lost earlier. Mercenary Tao did it. He was way too arrogant."
Goku clenched his fists angrily.
Krillin barely heard him.
A familiar system notification echoed in his mind.
[Ding. Host has completed a deep emotional interaction with Bulma.]
[Charm +5]
[Passive Skill Acquired: Blessing of the Research Goddess]
[Effect: Capsule Corporation equipment effectiveness increased by 50%]
[Current Task Updated: In the first official round, defeat your opponent with absolute dominance and display a power gap that leaves the audience in despair.]
Krillin clenched his fist, feeling the power within him grow more active from the emotional surge.
"After the next match," he thought calmly,
"Bulma will truly be mine."