Chapter 52: Bulma
West City.
Bulma was disassembling an aircar in her home laboratory.
Since the Demon King Piccolo incident ended, she hadn't contacted her companions in three years. So when her mother—wearing an ambiguous expression—said two handsome young men were looking for her, Bulma felt somewhat puzzled.
Exiting the laboratory, Bulma looked at her family's courtyard. Aside from skin tone, the nearly identical Turles and Goku initially confused her. But noticing the tail wrapped around Turles's waist, she immediately reacted.
"Goku!"
Bulma excitedly ran several steps, suddenly pulling Turles into an embrace.
Feeling the softness against his chest, Turles somewhat awkwardly raised his hands. Speechlessly glancing at nearby snickering Goku, he said quietly: "Miss Bulma, I think you've mistaken me for someone else!"
"Ah?"
Hearing this, Bulma also recovered from excitement. She looked up, confusedly examining Turles's handsome face.
But the next second, two red clouds floated across Bulma's face. She subconsciously released her grip, stepping backward while somewhat shyly lowering her head.
"Boss, I told you Bulma would mistake you!"
At this moment, nearby Goku suddenly laughed while speaking to Turles.
Turles smiled bitterly while shaking his head: "Fine, you win!"
Just now, Goku had suddenly proposed a bet with Turles—whether Bulma would mistake Turles for him. Needless to say, Turles lost.
Hearing their conversation, the intelligent Bulma now reacted. She realized the person before her only resembled Goku. Meanwhile, Goku had just made a bet using her.
Bulma's pretty face grew even redder—though this time from anger at Goku. She rushed before Goku, stomping on his foot while loudly shouting:
"You idiot! You haven't visited me in so long! Finally coming to see me, you make bets about me! Too much!"
Turles watched somewhat dumbfounded. Though he'd long known Bulma was bold and lively, old friends meeting and immediately acting like this was truly rare.
After disciplining Goku, Bulma exhaled deeply. Suddenly, she realized something. Her body stiffened. Mechanically, she slowly turned her neck, looking toward Turles.
Seeing Turles staring wide-eyed at her, Bulma's mentality directly exploded. After screaming once, she ran straight toward the house.
Turles recovered, watching the already-distant Bulma. Helplessly, he shook his head.
"Bulma's being ridiculous. Just a joke—why so angry!"
Goku approached Turles, dissatisfiedly muttering.
Hearing this, Turles glanced at Goku with somewhat strange eyes.
In his previous life, many people had discussed the emotional entanglement between Goku, Bulma, and Chi-Chi. What most frustrated Dragon Ball fans was Goku ultimately choosing Chi-Chi over Bulma.
But from Turles's perspective, all three lived very happily.
Though Goku had confusedly agreed to marry Chi-Chi, after marriage they lived very happily. Though Chi-Chi constantly complained about Goku being irresponsible, this couldn't hide her love for him.
Bulma and Vegeta's feelings went without saying. Vegeta's "doting husband demon" title wasn't undeserved.
Regarding Bulma, Turles held considerable admiration. Though initially somewhat boy-crazy—belonging to comic relief—later she was truly amazing. Beautiful appearance plus genius intellect made her hard to dislike.
And in Trunks's dark future parallel timeline, the aged Bulma had brought countless people to tears. Who'd have imagined the eternally youthful beautiful girl Bulma would age like that—just to send Trunks back to the past seeking the most reliable person in her heart.
While Turles contemplated these matters, a blonde beauty carrying two drinks approached them.
"You're Bulma's friends, right? Two such handsome young men!"
The blonde beauty familiarly handed drinks to both Turles and Goku, then smiled while watching them.
The blonde beauty wore sexy clothing, displaying a perfect figure. Precisely Bulma's mother—Mrs. Brief.
However, Mrs. Brief didn't resemble Bulma much. Instead, she resembled Tights, whom Turles had previously met.
"Right—which of you is my Bulma's boyfriend? Looking identical—did Bulma find both you brothers as boyfriends? That's quite wasteful!"
Looking at the two handsome young men before her, Mrs. Brief suddenly spoke shockingly.
"Pfft!"
Having just sipped his drink, Turles turned and sprayed it out—directly onto Goku's face.
"Boss?" The clueless Goku wiped facial moisture, uncomprehendingly looking at Turles.
"Cough cough cough!"
Turles coughed several times. After recovering, he explained to Mrs. Brief with mixed emotions: "Ma'am, you've misunderstood. We're just Bulma's friends. We came today because we need Bulma's help with something."
"I see—what a pity!"
Mrs. Brief sighed regretfully. Before Turles could relax, she immediately continued: "Won't you consider my Bulma?"
"Last time Bulma brought home a young man named something-tea. Though also handsome, his father couldn't accept his profession. Plus, they've been having conflicts lately—haven't contacted each other in days. If..."
"Mom!"
A loud shout interrupted Mrs. Brief's words. Bulma appeared before her with flushed face, embarrassedly glaring at her.
"Oh ho ho, my Bulma's embarrassed!"
Seeing Bulma appear, Mrs. Brief showed no awareness of being caught. Instead, she teased Bulma.
"Mom! How can you talk nonsense? This is Goku I told you about! And this one is..."
Unable to endure more, Bulma had to explain to her mother. She introduced Goku, but suddenly got stuck when introducing Turles—only then remembering she didn't know Turles's identity.
"You're...?" Bulma looked at Turles confusedly.
"Turles. Kakarot's—that is, Son Goku's—clansman."
Before Bulma could guess, Turles quickly spoke first, introducing himself.
"Also my Boss!" Goku supplemented from the side.
"Boss?" Bulma felt somewhat confused.
Turles helplessly nodded, simply introducing Goku's origins to Bulma.
After listening, Bulma suddenly understood: "So that's how it is! No wonder Goku's different from us—even has a tail. Turns out you're all aliens!"
"And can transform into giant apes!" Bulma added internally.
During their previous adventure searching for Dragon Balls, Bulma had witnessed Goku transform into a Great Ape under the full moon. She'd nearly died at Goku's hands—she had deep impressions of this.
However, the kind-hearted Bulma didn't mention it. Because she knew Goku always believed his grandfather had died at a monster's hands—not knowing that monster was himself transformed into a Great Ape after seeing the full moon.
Actually, what Bulma didn't know—Goku had long ago seen Grandpa Gohan's spirit and learned the truth.
Just as Turles wanted stating his purpose, Mrs. Brief interrupted.
"What? You're aliens? So cool!"
Mrs. Brief stared at both Turles and Goku with shining eyes, excitedly asking: "Can aliens and Earth people marry?"
"Mom!" Bulma was defeated by her mother, weakly calling out.
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