Chapter 67: Persuasion
Franklin rubbed his forehead helplessly. "You just said you hit me and sent me flying — if I didn't pretend, how would that look? You're supposed to be the young lady here. Can't you figure out something that simple?"
Hearing Franklin's explanation, Saki Tenjōin and Rin Kujō finally seemed to catch on, looking as if a lightbulb had gone off in their heads. Their expressions made Franklin start doubting their collective intelligence.
"I told you Franklin was faking it, but you wouldn't believe me. You just had to come. Now look — awkward, isn't it?"
At Fujisaki Aya's teasing, Saki Tenjōin shot her a glare so sharp she instantly shut up, tilting her head aside and pretending to be dead.
Seeing the trio's "wise" faces, Franklin decided not to pursue the matter of them barging into his courtyard any further.
"All right, calm down. Look at me."
The three girls turned their eyes toward him. Franklin continued, "Where's Bulma? She told you to go to school, but she didn't come herself — what's that supposed to mean? Is she busy with something important?"
As soon as Franklin laid things out plainly, Rin Kujō's expression stiffened. She shook her head quickly. "Franklin, what are you talking about? We don't really get it."
"Still trying to struggle? What's the point? The daytime nanocameras were Bulma's doing, weren't they? I'm honestly curious — why go through all that trouble? Do you have any idea?"
Seeing that look on Franklin's face — the kind that said everything's under control — Rin Kujō completely lost her composure.
"We can't tell you. The young lady forbade it. Coming here tonight — we did that behind her back."
Franklin nodded knowingly. "So Bulma really did send you. Thanks for confirming that. Tell her this — if she's not too busy, I'd like her to help me collect the seven Dragon Balls. I'll be needing them soon."
Rin Kujō froze, looking as if the sky had fallen. Whatever calm she'd been holding onto shattered completely, and she looked at Franklin with a tearful, pleading face.
"Please don't, Lin-senpai! My mission's only been going for a day, and it's already blown! The young lady's going to yell at me for being useless!"
Franklin was speechless. "Do you really think you're that useful? Bulma already knew she was exposed this afternoon. Just go back and tell her. She won't blame you.
"I'm guessing she's got her own secret reasons for having you watch me. Whoever can dig up what she's hiding — I'll make sure you're handsomely rewarded."
Seeing the three of them look like the world had ended, Franklin didn't say any more. The vines drew back, setting all three girls outside the courtyard wall.
"I'll leave that to you, then. Find out what she's up to. When the Dragon Balls are no longer in use, I'll grant each of you one wish."
From the second-floor window, Franklin waved down at them. Saki Tenjōin and Rin Kujō slumped weakly to the ground.
"It's over. Completely over. We've offended both sides now — what are we supposed to do?"
Fujisaki Aya adjusted her glasses expressionlessly. "Honestly, I think your only purpose in all this is to be part of their little play."
Her blunt remark stabbed straight into them. Saki Tenjōin and Rin Kujō both jumped to their feet. "No way! Lady Bulma isn't like that, and neither is Lin-senpai!"
Aya shrugged. "Believe what you want. Let's just head back. It's late, and hanging around here isn't going to help."
Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Cainan City, Bulma watched the 360-degree surveillance feed covering the area around Franklin's house, a satisfied smile curling her lips.
"Found me that quickly… as expected of the man I've got my eye on. Those three little girls are quite something too — sending them was the right call."
After washing up, Franklin sat cross-legged on his bed, summoning the Guardian Sword and resting it across his knees before slowly sinking into meditation. According to his parents, meditation was a skill every sword cultivator had to master.
It not only strengthened a swordsman's connection with their blade, but also helped them gradually harmonize with the Way of the Sword, advancing their sword cultivation faster.
Back in the Dragon Ball world, Franklin meditated every night. Sometimes, if he reached a deep enough state, he could resonate with the sword spirit of the Guardian Sword.
When permitted, he could even enter the sword itself to chat with You Wange about stories from the Spirit Continent — and seek her guidance on swordsmanship and cultivation problems.
As night deepened, Lala — who stayed up late every night doing research — quietly opened Franklin's bedroom door. Seeing him sitting cross-legged in meditation, she casually tossed Peke aside and lay down beside him.
Watching Franklin so focused in his cultivation made Lala smile softly.
The man she'd chosen wasn't just handsome — he was talented and capable. He was working hard to improve himself, to one day convince her father and be with her forever.
Lala felt coming to Earth had been the best decision she'd ever made, and meeting Franklin — pure luck.
She reached out and gently held his right hand, smiling faintly as she drifted into deep sleep.
After six hours of nightly meditation, Franklin opened his eyes — only to find Lala beside him, completely unclothed.
He calmly put away the Guardian Sword, then felt Lala's hand still holding his. Seeing her flushed face, he picked up her tail with his other hand and gradually fell asleep himself.
Yesterday, he'd already noticed that the dream that had been haunting him was gone. Today was his chance to confirm it.
When morning sunlight poured into the room, Franklin sat up from deep sleep. The recurring dream really was gone — at least for the last two days.
He didn't know whether that was good or bad, but at least he could finally sleep.
He didn't exactly need sleep, but that sense of peace — of being able to drift off naturally — was something meditation could never replace.
At breakfast, everyone noticed Franklin was in unusually good spirits. Mikado Ryōko's sharp eyes narrowed as she stared straight into his.
"You didn't… give in, did you?"
Franklin blinked, momentarily confused. After thinking a moment, he realized what she meant and quickly shook his head.
"Of course not. I'm not stupid. A moment's pleasure could make things a lot harder later."
Ryōko looked doubtful. "Then why do you look so refreshed today? You take something? Or did your strength make a big leap?"
"No. It's that dream that was bothering me — it's gone. It disappeared yesterday, and I thought it might be a coincidence. But it didn't show up again last night. I think it's gone for good."
Mikan paused mid-bite. "It's gone? That dream used to freak you out every morning, but it was kind of fun for me to watch you blow off steam afterward."
Her regretful tone made Franklin sigh helplessly. This sister… she's too savage.
Seeing Franklin's wounded expression, Mikan coughed twice.
"Uh, I was just kidding, big bro. When you kept having that dream, you always looked like you couldn't wake up properly. I was actually really worried."
"Dream? What dream?"
Before Mikan could answer, Lala looked over curiously, and Franklin could only groan inwardly.
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