The trip back to West City took hours.
By the time the Capsule Corp domes appeared on the horizon, the sky was bleeding gold and violet. The storm was behind them — but the silence it left behind was heavy.
Bulma stopped at the front gate, exhaling. "Finally. Civilization. I can practically hear the hot water calling me."
Mai scanned the skyline. "So this is Capsule Corp, huh? Not bad."
Buu tilted his head slightly, hands in his pockets. "I've seen smaller cities that bragged more."
Bulma shot him a look. "It's called modesty."
He smiled. "No, that's pride pretending to be polite."
Before she could argue, the sliding doors hissed open.
"Oh! Bulma, darling!"
Mrs. Brief's voice chimed like music as she appeared in the doorway, bright-eyed, cheerful, her cat perched on her shoulder as always. "You're home! And you brought friends!"
"Hi, Mom," Bulma sighed. "Uh… this is Mai, and—"
Buu stepped forward, bowing slightly, a faint, confident smile curving his lips. "Buu. It's a pleasure, Mrs. Brief."
Her eyes lit up. "Oh my! Such good manners — and such a handsome young man! You look like someone from a movie!"
Buu's grin sharpened a little, teasing. "Only the romantic ones, I hope."
Mrs. Brief laughed, brushing her hair back. "Oh, stop it, you'll make me blush!"
Bulma groaned. "Mom, seriously?"
Mrs. Brief ignored her, waving everyone inside. "Come in, come in! I just finished cooking — there's enough for everyone!"
Mai muttered, "Is she always this happy?"
"Always," Bulma said, resigned. "It's genetic, apparently."
Inside, the smell of food hit them — warm, rich, alive.The table was already overflowing, plates and colors everywhere.
Buu took a seat like he belonged there, lounging slightly, one arm resting over the chair.Mrs. Brief fluttered nearby, serving dishes faster than anyone could eat them.
"You'll have to forgive me," she said cheerfully. "I haven't had guests this interesting in ages!"
"Then I'm honored," Buu replied smoothly. He tasted the first bite, closed his eyes, and smiled faintly. "You cook like someone who doesn't know how to make mistakes."
"Oh, you!" Mrs. Brief giggled. "You're too kind!"
Bulma facepalmed. "Can you not flirt with my mother for five minutes?"
"I wasn't flirting," Buu said mildly, not even glancing at her. "I was complimenting perfection. There's a difference."
Mai nearly choked on her drink. "I can't tell if he's serious or suicidal."
Mrs. Brief clasped her hands, delighted. "Oh, he's wonderful! You can stay as long as you like, dear!"
"Careful," Buu murmured with that sly half-smile. "I might take that literally."
Bulma slammed her chopsticks down. "You're impossible."
He met her glare calmly, eyes half-lidded. "You say that like it's news."
Later, when the table was cleared and the lights dimmed, Bulma sank onto the couch with an exhausted sigh.Mai sat across from her, arms crossed, watching Buu — who leaned casually against the wall, looking more at ease than anyone had a right to be after what they'd just lived.
"You act like nothing happened," Bulma said finally. "Like you didn't just tear through time itself."
Buu looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Because nothing happened that I didn't expect."
Mai frowned. "You're serious."
"Always," he said simply, then straightened. "Now… you two deserve answers. But not tonight."
Bulma blinked. "Excuse me?"
He smirked faintly. "You look like you're about to collapse, and she—" he gestured toward Mai "—is still pretending she's not exhausted. Rest first. Then I'll talk."
Bulma wanted to argue — but her body betrayed her with a yawn. "Fine. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Buu agreed.
Mrs. Brief's voice floated in from the hallway. "Guest rooms are ready, dears! Fresh sheets and everything!"
Bulma's eye twitched. "She so planned this."
Buu chuckled quietly. "I like her sense of timing."
Mai leaned toward Bulma. "I'm locking my door."
"Good idea," Bulma muttered.
Buu started toward the hall, pausing only once. "Don't worry. I'm not planning anything… tonight."
Bulma glared. "That's not comforting."
He smiled — calm, confident, maddeningly sure of himself. "It wasn't meant to be."
And then he disappeared down the corridor, his aura fading into silence.
Mai exhaled. "You sure he's on our side?"
Bulma stared after him, eyes narrowing just a little. "For now."