The next day after returning
Bulma dragged Su Ming out for a shopping trip. She claimed that one necklace wasn't nearly enough to make up for more than a month of worry and longing. Even though they had chatted occasionally over the phone, she still wasn't happy.
As always, Bulma naturally linked her arm through his as they walked side by side.
Only then did her frustration finally subside.
And only then did Su Ming slowly bring up his request.
"A gravity room?"
Bulma repeated the words aloud, then suddenly raised her head. "Ohhh, so that's what this is about. I was wondering why you were being so obedient lately turns out you've been waiting for this moment."
"No wonder you brought me a gift and willingly followed me around all day. It was all just to get the gravity room, huh?"
She puffed her cheeks as she spoke, poking his chest with her finger each time she made a point. Her finger landed directly over his heartbeat strong and intense.
"You've never known me to go back on my word," Su Ming replied, locking eyes with her. His gaze was bright and clear, with not a hint of guilt.
Bulma felt scorched by the intensity of his stare. She quickly turned her head away, her face flushing red.
"I get it. You're always training. But with that brain of yours, a gravity room shouldn't be hard for you to figure out. Don't tell me you couldn't build it yourself," she grumbled, puffing her cheeks again.
Since Su Ming started training in martial arts, they'd spent less and less time together. This last trip had been more than a month apart.
Su Ming understood that he had neglected Bulma lately, but he had no choice.
The future was full of danger endless, escalating threats. Worse, he still didn't even know what timeline he was in. Was it the Super timeline? Or the dark, despair-filled future?
If this was the world where every Z-Fighter had already perished where only Trunks remained to fight then things were far worse than he had imagined.
The very thought of that possibility left him unsettled, constantly on edge. Becoming stronger wasn't a passion anymore it was a necessity.
He didn't want to sit back and wait for the Saiyans to save the world.
He wanted the power to carve his own path… to choose.
Especially if he truly was in that bleak future, where Bulma would have to endure everything alone helpless in battle, yet determined to survive, building the time machine to save a lost world.
He would never let that future happen. He swore it.
Back home, Su Ming kept up his physical training just like the body-tempering regimen Roger used in another world. With Senzu Beans helping him recover, his progress was astounding.
And within just half a month, Bulma brought him some good news.
"Ta-da! Gravity room, complete!" she announced cheerfully.
She led him out to a clearing near their home, pulled out a capsule, and tossed it onto the ground.
Puff!
A capsule-sized boom, and suddenly a large, room-sized oval structure appeared before them.
Bulma took his hand and led him inside, carefully explaining all the features of the gravity room especially the safety measures, which she repeated three times just to be sure.
"Don't forget: if you ever feel like you can't take it, just say 'stop' out loud. The gravity will shut off instantly. I also placed Baymax inside. If anything happens, he can treat you right away."
She wore a simple white blouse and light blue jeans, her hair tied into a single ponytail. No makeup just her natural self. As she spoke, her chest rose and fell gently with each breath. The soft lighting bathed her face in a warm glow.
Su Ming couldn't look away.
His hand moved before he realized it.
He reached out.
"Ah!"
Bulma stumbled into his arms. The sudden movement startled her, and she let out a small cry.
But Su Ming had grown taller from all the training, and now that she was nestled against his chest, she had to tilt her head slightly just to look up at him.
Apart from her initial surprise, she didn't push him away. Her cheeks flushed, her bright blue eyes sparkled as she looked at him. "Xiao Ming, what are you doing…?"
There was a hint of teasing sweetness in her voice.
"Bulma, I like you. Be my girlfriend."
He had long fallen for this brilliant, strong-willed girl who always looked out for him. He had planned to confess more formally, but seeing her confidence and charm right now… he couldn't hold back anymore.
He wanted her in his arms.
Bulma leaned against him, her eyes glowing with affection. A soft smile played on her lips. Her arms reached around his waist and gave a gentle squeeze as she nestled closer.
"I'm older than you, you know… How can Xiao Ming have such bold thoughts about his big sister?" she whispered with playful mischief.
You've been slow for so long guess this lady had to reel you in herself, she thought gleefully.
Bulma had waited for this day for so long. Somewhere along the way, she had fallen for this boy with a tragic past her Xiao Ming.
Su Ming's gaze fell to her lips, slightly curled in a smile. No lipstick, yet still full of color—soft, natural, and incredibly inviting. Under the lights, they shimmered with moisture.
He swallowed instinctively.
He leaned in.
Bulma saw darkness fall over her vision. A rush of warmth and masculine scent enveloped her.
Her knees weakened.
Her breathing quickened.
She instinctively pressed closer into his chest, yet tilted her head up just a bit.
Her beautiful eyes fluttered closed. Her lashes trembled slightly, surrendering completely to him.
Their lips met.
Su Ming moved slowly, gently afraid of hurting her. His kiss was feather-light, like a breeze.
But in that instant, it lit a fire in both of them, their blood boiling as time seemed to freeze. The world fell silent only their heavy breathing remained.
Bulma unconsciously clutched at his shirt, returning the kiss. In the cold of winter, their warmth burned bright, love spreading freely.
Huff… huff…
The kiss lasted for several minutes. When Bulma finally pulled away, gasping for breath, her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her face was flushed crimson, and even her ears were red.
Her lips were even more enticing now glossier, touched with dew.
"Y-You… how could you…! Hmph, I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Embarrassed, Bulma bolted for the door of the gravity room but stopped just before stepping out.
She turned, looking back over her shoulder.
"I was going to accept your confession right away… but since you kissed me without permission, I've decided to give you a three-month trial period."
"Xiao Ming, if you want to win this big sister's heart, you better behave yourself."
With that, Bulma finally couldn't hold back her embarrassment any longer. She ran off.
Su Ming pressed his lips together they still carried her sweet scent. Thinking of her vibrant smile, he clenched his fists.
He would protect that smile no matter what.
Click.
He closed the gravity room's door and adjusted the settings.
Bulma's design allowed it to go up to 50x gravity an impressive feat for a rush job.
Give her a bit more time, and even higher settings would be possible.
Su Ming couldn't help but admire her brilliance. Even in this world of advanced technology, building a working gravity room required serious skill.
Even with Dr. Erskine's memories, he couldn't compete with Bulma's sheer genius.