Goku understood.
Bulma's methods were clumsy and kind of silly, but she was only trying to keep him from seeing the moon.
Grandpa had never told him outright about the giant-ape thing—only said monsters appeared on full-moon nights, so Goku should sleep early.
He'd been protecting Goku's self-esteem, not wanting him to feel like a freak.
Goku had always sensed the care behind it.
In the original story, Bulma had seen Goku transform and guessed that the ape had killed Grandpa, so she chose to keep it secret from him.
But in this world, Grandpa was alive and well.
Goku hadn't hurt anyone yet.
Bulma could've just told him plainly instead of hiding it.
Still, whatever Bulma wanted, he'd go along with it.
He touched the cheek she'd kissed.
"Bulma, I don't want a beautiful girl's kiss. Can I trade it for something tasty?"
Bulma saw he didn't struggle to rip off the blindfold, and her brows instantly relaxed.
She laughed. "You little brat—嫌弃 my beautiful girl's kiss?
When you're old enough to want one, you won't get it so easily!
But since you saved me, I'll let you trade for food.
If you keep the blindfold on, once we get there, you give the kiss back to me,
and I'll treat you to a super feast. Deal?"
Goku pouted.
"Give it back?
Bulma, you think I'm a kid you can trick?"
"Uh…"
Bulma choked for a second.
This Goku wasn't dumb—he was harder to coax than she expected.
But the next moment, he gave her an out.
"Since you said I can trade for food, I won't be polite.
I'm really hungry.
Let me think…
Tonight I want fifty bowls of ramen. How's that?"
Bulma blinked. "Ramen?"
"Yeah! With my appetite, fifty bowls is the minimum!"
Earlier, when they passed the rabbit gang's town, there had been several ramen shops.
That was the closest place Goku could think of where he could get full without them going broke.
Nimbus was fast—an hour's ride, max. Perfect.
Bulma nodded happily. "Okay! I'll buy you ramen tonight.
But are fifty bowls enough?
If you don't take the blindfold off before sleep,
I'll add a plate of beef to every bowl. Sound good?"
Goku's eyes lit up. "Beef?!
Yes! Absolutely!
Don't worry—if you say don't take it off, I won't.
A blindfold doesn't stop me from sleeping anyway.
I won't take it off all night!"
Bulma smiled faintly.
Nimbus accelerated again, turning into a streak of golden light as it vanished into the night.
An hour later—
They arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
People stared at Goku's bizarre look.
At that moment, Bulma bent down.
Goku lightly kissed her cheek.
Then he immediately asked, "Okay, I gave it back. Can we eat now?"
Bulma laughed. "Yes, yes!"
She pulled out a fat wad of cash—at least several hundred thousand—and slapped it onto the counter like a boss.
"Owner! Lots of ramen. Add meat to every bowl.
Don't stop bringing them until I say so!"
Seeing such a big spender, the owner nearly sparkled.
"You got it!"
Bulma led blindfolded Goku to a seat.
The first bowl hit the table, and Goku started devouring.
Bulma propped her chin in her palm, smiling as she watched him eat—like a rich girlfriend doting on a cute kid.
Everyone else was stunned.
Goku was still a child!
Lip marks on his face, a blindfold, and a tail…
So what if you're rich? At least be rich toward me—
After a while, Goku finally ate his fill.
But nobody was focused on his appetite.
They were too busy staring at him and Bulma.
Once the two left, the shop finally dared to talk again.
Several people sucked in cold breaths.
"These days, kids play that wild?"
"Who knows…"
"That girl was so pretty!"
"Can't believe such a pure-looking girl is this good at… playing, huh?"
"I bet they're heading to a hotel!"
"Like you needed to guess."
"Man, I'm jealous…"
…
They reached the street.
Goku rubbed his round belly.
"Whew. Thanks, Bulma. I'm so full!"
Bulma smiled. "Good.
Was the ramen tasty?"
"Yeah, super tasty!"
Bulma coaxed gently, "Then how about I bring you here every month?"
Goku's smile faded.
He didn't follow her line.
Bulma froze, suddenly nervous.
"Goku… what's wrong?"
Goku asked seriously, "Did Grandpa tell you that I turn into a monster when I see the full moon?"
Bulma startled.
"Y-you… you already know?"
Goku grinned. "I'm not stupid. How could I not know?
As long as you don't hate me for being a monster."
Bulma shot back immediately. "You're not a monster!"
Goku nodded. "I know you won't hate me.
Honestly, I'm worried that if I see the moon and turn into a monster, I might hurt you.
So… how about this?
Later we find a hotel, and you cut off my tail.
If I don't have a tail, I won't be dangerous until it grows back."
"What?" Bulma blurted.
Goku smiled beneath the blindfold.
"But you should get me drunk first.
Otherwise it'll hurt a lot."
Bulma's eyes flickered with a complicated emotion.
After a moment, she took Goku to a hotel and brought him upstairs.
The front desk staff saw his look and Bulma with him and almost fell off their chairs.
While the clerks were whispering about how two kids could be "playing so wild," Bulma walked up to the counter.
They shut up instantly.
She asked, "Do you have strong liquor?
Something high-proof—preferably the kind that knocks you out after one drink?"
The receptionist's brain worked at light speed.
He produced an expensive bottle.
"Yes, absolutely!
This one's called 'Three-Cup Drop.' Guaranteed to get you tipsy in no time.
Perfect for dates and flirting!
It's pricey though—eighty thousand."
Bulma smiled faintly, paid a hundred thousand, and added, "Keep the change."
Then she carried the bottle upstairs.
The clerks gulped again.
"Damn. She's gorgeous and a rich lady!"
"I'm so jealous of that kid!"
"Forget it. You don't stand a chance.
Didn't you see how small he is?
She's totally a shotacon!"
"Aah… what a waste…"