Chapter Text
“I’m sorry, I should have never let you go.”
******
There was no doubt that the Son house wasn't exactly the quietest place on Earth, but that early summer Sunday morning, it felt definitely more chaotic than usual. Guests poured out from every corner and while the men took every opportunity to stay outside and engage in discussions about various combat techniques, the women assisted the hostess in preparing lunch for what seemed to be an entire army. The table, overflowing with dishes of all kinds, left little space for glasses and chopsticks hidden among the plates.
“Will it be enough?” Chichi asked.
“I wouldn’t worry too much Chichi, we’ve done more than enough for those monkeys.” replied Bulma, seating herself on the first chair she could find.
“I still can’t fathom how they can eat so much.” mused Videl, observing them from the window.
“They’re Saiyans, or better known as ‘bottomless stomachs.’ Unfortunately, they have no limits. You’ll have to get accustomed to it, dear.” remarked the turquoise-haired woman with a smirk on her face.
“It’s fortunate, nonetheless, that there’s enough room for everyone here. For a moment, I feared we might have to relocate to the Capsule.”
“This house has its resources.” replied Chichi proudly.
“Better this way. It was already difficult to convince Vegeta to come, imagine if, once here, I had to tell him to go back. Goodness, sometimes they’re worse than us women.” she said, involving the other two in a hearty laugh.
The Saiyan wasn’t exactly the type of man they would have expected to marry, and often, they found themselves counting their faults more than their virtues.
Devoted to combat, insatiable, perhaps princes of some planet, but lacking in gallantry and attention to their own consorts, not to mention a poor attitude toward anything related to work in general. In short, real disasters as husbands.
“I’d better go change before my father arrives. I want everything to be perfect for once.”
“So, Gyumao doesn’t know anything about this surprise party you’re throwing him?”
“That’s right, he doesn’t expect anything at all. He’s always done so much for me, so for once, I wanted him to feel special too. As his daughter, I know I owe him a lot, and then he’ll be happy to see you, I’m sure of it.”
She left the kitchen with a smile and headed towards the bedroom. That day, Chichi felt an extreme need to feel different, both in spirit and appearance. She knew that aside from her father’s birthday, it would be just another Sunday, but that didn’t matter, the need to treat herself to something nicer than usual felt much stronger. Wardrobe open, a tons of clothes in front of her and not a clue. She was hopeful to find something that would surprise not just her guests or herself, but especially one being able to stir up some emotions in her Goku, that husband she loved and adored so much, but who unfortunately seemed to become increasingly distracted towards her.
After the euphoria of being reunited after spending seven long years apart, everything now seemed to be exactly as before, perhaps a bit too much. Chichi had never doubted their marriage throughout all that time, but the fact that she felt his presence more and more absent, began to make her think that perhaps, something between them was fading. To dispel those thoughts, she decided to take the first step herself. Maybe it was just her silly fantasies.
After a couple minutes, she picked out a dress from the wardrobe.
“Another cheongsam,” she said, huffing, tossing it onto the bed behind her.
She really liked her traditional dresses, but they certainly didn’t evoke what she wanted. It seemed there was no way around it; she would have to settle for that day. She grabbed a sleeveless white dress with floral prints on the sides of the skirt and collar, not even remembering she had ever worn it before.
“At least it’s something different,” she said to herself as she put it on.
Then she approached the mirror, searching in the drawer below for the few makeup items Bulma had given her some time ago, and finally tied her hair in an elegant braid. She looked at herself in the mirror and marvelled at how with those few gestures, she seemed to be completely another person, yet something didn’t seem to convince her. She stared at her reflection for a long time until she decided to let her long, raven hair loose, which, thanks to the braid, became unusually wavy.
“I wonder if Goku will notice,” she thought dreamily, imagining the scene. Ready for that long afternoon with family and friends, she came back to the stairs and found everyone in the dining room.
“Wow, Chichi, you look stunning!” exclaimed Bulma, causing everyone to turn in her direction.
The brunette blushed, seeking Goku’s eyes. He seemed happily surprised by his wife’s change, but it took him a few seconds before turning his attention back to the food on the table. Chichi barely had time to huff before the doorbell rang. She passed by her husband, deliberately bumping into him.
“Chichi, what-”
She ignored his reaction to the little push, not knowing if she should feel more sad or angry; for once, she had sincerely hoped it wouldn’t be another disappointment.
Taken a deep sigh she decided to focus all her energy and presence to the man on the other side of the door: her father.
“Happy birthday, Dad!” she exclaimed with the biggest smile on her face.
Behind her, Goku, Gohan, Krillin, and the others welcomed him with a warm applause and cheers, except for Vegeta, who, as usual, preferred to stand aside. Gyumao, still with his hand near the doorbell, looked at them astonished and with tears in his eyes.
“All this… for me?” he asked, moved.
“Of course, Dad, you deserve it!”
“It’s a beautiful surprise, my dear, thank you,” he said, hugging her tightly. “After all these years, you still manage to amaze me, just like your mother used to.”
“Come on, now, come in; everyone’s starving.”
“Wait, but let me look at you, you look-”
“Beautiful.”
A male voice was heard a few steps from the giant, but Chichi didn’t recognize it. In truth, she hadn’t even noticed that there was someone next to her father. She shifted her eyes curiously to the mysterious man, but what she saw left her speechless.
“You see, darling, this morning he came to wish me a happy birthday in person.”
“Hiro.” she said in a whisper.
“So, you still remember me.” replied him in a suave voice.
-What the hell is going on?!- thought the brunette, who no matter how hard she tried, couldn’t move her eyes from him.
“He no longer lives near the castle, but apparently, he was in the area and came to greet me for my birthday. I thought you would be pleased, so I invited him for lunch. I hope it’s not a problem.” her father said happily, entering the house.
“N-no, not at all, there’s room for one more person. Please, come in.” The man settled into the house, greeting everyone with a small bow.
“I apologize for barging in like this. My name is Hiro, it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”