Goku landed back on the upper floor, his boots hitting the wood with a dull thunk. Colonel White was trembling, both hands wrapped around a pistol that looked like it might slip from his sweaty grip. His once smug, arrogant face was pale as chalk. The sound of the monster's last muffled scream still seemed to linger in the air, though no one but Goku and 8 knew what had happened below.
White's voice cracked.
"W-What… are you?"
Goku tilted his head, calm… almost playful. "I'll be the one walking out of here… with the villagers. You're going to make sure of that, right?"
White nodded, lips quivering. He stepped aside and gestured shakily toward the exit. The villagers, confused but unharmed, were quickly gathered. They didn't see the blood, the scorch marks, or the scraps of charred flesh.
Once outside, the crowd erupted in cheers. Goku gave a small, lazy wave, his eyes half-lidded like nothing had happened. Android 8 smiled awkwardly, happy to see everyone safe.
But up in the tower, Colonel White's pride boiled. Being forced to obey, in front of his own men? Impossible. His hand clenched around the grip of a heavy rocket launcher, the kind that could shred a tank. He shouldered it, lining up the scope on Goku's back as the group made their way toward the village.
He smirked coldly. "Say goodbye, freak."
But just as he pulled the trigger, Goku's fingers twitched. Without turning his head, without breaking his stride, he casually pointed one finger over his shoulder. A pin-thin beam of glowing ki shot out, slicing through the air.
It passed through the incoming rocket — and a half-second later, the projectile erupted in midair, the explosion whipping back toward the tower with brutal force.
White had just enough time to see the tiny hole burned clean through the warhead before the blast hit him. The fire ate his skin instantly. Flesh melted, sloughed off in sheets. His scream choked halfway, the force peeling away the last of his face until nothing remained above his collar but blackened bone.
The walk back to the village was quiet except for the crunch of snow under their feet. By the time they arrived, the entire place came alive with shouts and cheers. Villagers rushed out of their homes, faces beaming. Suno and her mother didn't hesitate — they ran straight into the arms of her father, hugging him like they'd never let go. The man laughed, voice cracking with relief.
Suno turned toward Goku, cheeks flushed red despite the cold.
"Thank you, Goku…" she said softly.
He gave her a quick nod, hands behind his head. "Mm."
Not long after, Goku, Suno, her parents, 8, and the village chief were seated around a small table piled with food. The smell of hot stew and freshly baked bread filled the air. Goku dug in like a man possessed, his hands moving faster than most people could think. In the time it took everyone else to eat a single serving, Goku had already gone through five — then six, then eight.
With a warm smile, Suno's mother kept returning from the kitchen with more plates.
"Eat all you want~" she said sweetly.
"Thanks, ma'am!" Goku replied instantly, polite as a schoolboy.
8 watched him between bites, his thoughts drifting. He was terrifying earlier… like something out of a nightmare. And yet here he is, just a boy smiling over a bowl of stew. I'm thinking too much… He still went out of his way to save us.
Halfway through his twelfth bowl, Goku suddenly froze. "Oh! I forgot to grab the Dragon Ball…"
8 blinked and reached into his pocket. "You mean… this one?" He set the two-star ball on the table.
"Yeah—" Goku picked it up, inspecting it. "—but this isn't the one I'm looking for." Still, he tucked it into his bag without complaint. With the kind of trouble these balls brought, it was better not to leave it lying around.
The chief turned to 8, curious. "Why did you have that in the first place?"
8 explained calmly, "When White was close to finding it, he planned to kill everyone in the village, so I kept it hidden.
Goku finished the last sip of his soup and stood. "Thanks for the meal. I'll be heading out."
The words hit Suno like a snowball to the face. Her chest tightened, tears almost spilling, but she quickly shook her head and put on a determined smile. "You can't go now! You'll freeze to death out there! You can… sleep in my room!"
Her mother glanced at her knowingly, hiding a small grin. "Yes, Goku, stay the night. It's settled."
Goku shrugged. "Alright."
The chief and 8 headed off to their own homes while Goku followed Suno upstairs. Her room was small but cozy, warmed by a crackling little heater. While Goku changed into the pajamas she'd lent him, Suno sat on the floor with the two Dragon Balls in her lap, turning them in the light.
"So these are Dragon Balls? They're really pretty! How do you find them?"
Goku pointed lazily at his bag. She rummaged through it until she found a small, round device.
"Oh! This must be—" She pressed a button, but nothing happened.
"Geh. Must've broke when I was fighting… Guess I'll have to go to Bulma's."
At the mention of the name, Suno's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who's Bulma? Is she a good cook? Can she do chores? I bet she can't even make a good warming stew."
Goku smirked faintly. "Damn, how do you know her so well?" he said, clearly teasing.
They talked a little more, then decided to sleep. Goku stretched out on a futon on the floor, arms folded behind his head. Suno lay on her bed, watching him as his breathing slowed. Her lips curled into a soft smile. The day had been exhausting, but seeing him safe and close by made it all worth it. Slowly, her eyes drifted shut, dreaming of adventures where it was always just the two of them.