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"I'm so proud of you, Kakarot." She said for the nth time since Kakarot woke up. But it was just as true as the first.
"Thanks, Mom." Kakarot said warmly as he hugged her tightly.
Then she looked toward Krillin, then Chi-chi, then Yamcha, and even knowingly towards Roshi. "And to all of you, you all fought so amazingly well."
"Thanks, Gine." Krillin said, "You did really well too with kicking Crane's butt!"
Gine still felt uncomfortable with them singing her praises about that, but accepted it politely. "Oh please, it was nothing. You did really well fighting against Chiaotzu and Kakarot! It takes a lot of strength, courage, and wits to get as far as you did against the foes you had."
Krillin blushed at being praised too, "Ah, shucks." He said, and scratched the back of his head as Kakarot would. Gine found it quite adorable that he shared the same uncomfortableness as she did.
"And how inspiring it was to see someone like Tien turn into a good guy, something you don't see everyday." Gohan added. That indeed was very true, especially for someone like a Saiyan to see.
Roshi looked over Gine's shoulder and perked up. "Ah, speaking of whom!"
Gine turned around and saw Tien and Chiaotzu walking up to them. They no longer exuded an air of hostility as they did with Crane around. Now they felt calm, and even benevolent.
He looked at her for a moment, and she wondered what he was going to say or do. Even if he did turn away from the darkness and let go of his vendetta against her son, she still broke his rib even if he was defending a master he would abandon.
He turned toward Kakarot.
"Kakarot, Listen. I've been thinking about it and there's something I want you to have."
He held out to him a thick envelope.
"Tien, that's your prize money, isn't it?" Kakarot asked incredulously.
"It's no big deal. I just think you should take half. We both know that if you hadn't hit that truck, you would've won. You are the stronger one of us."
Kakarot only thought about it for a second, then handed his envelope back to Tien. "No thanks, I appreciate the offer but I wouldn't know what to spend it on anyway."
Gine was so touched by how unendingly kind Kakarot was, and by this gesture from Tien himself.
"Yeah, but-" Tien started to protest but Roshi spoke up.
"Tien, it's true luck that helped you win, but don't let it discount your achievement. In fact, luck and strength go hand in hand sometimes."
"And I learned a lot from our fight." Kakarot chimed in.
"There you are!" Came from Bulma and the rest of the gang as they joined them.
Yamcha clutched up to Tien, he couldn't look Yamcha in the eye.
"You fought well, really." Yamcha said softly and genuinely. Tien didn't know what to say, but looked ashamed.
"Uh, thank you. I'm sorry about your leg. I did a lot of terrible things during the last few days."
"No big deal, bones heal like everything else." Yamcha said, meaning what he said.
Tien was taken aback, not expecting forgiveness. but Yamcha wasn't finished. "But next tournament, I expect a rematch, deal?"
Now Tien knew what he would say. "Of course!"
Roshi decided to change the topic. "So what will you do now? Three years is a long time until the next tournament. You can stay with me if you wish, just have to put up with Launch's terrible cooking."
"I heard that!" Launch said angrily, everyone flinched.
"I appreciate the offer." Tien said politely, "But even though we went against Shen, we can't switch schools, we'll find a home somewhere."
Roshi nodded understandingly "As you wish." Then turned to everyone. "Anyway, why don't we take advantage of the local cuisine and celebrate your victory with a feast!"
"SOUNDS GREAT!" Everyone chanted, even Gine. For she could still never turn down a free meal. Then Roshi turned to Tien and Chiaotzu.
"You two can join us if you want." He offered.
Tien looked surprised and delighted. "Sure! But on one condition: that I treat."
They were all taken aback by his generosity. To pay for them all? Even two hungry Saiyans?
"That's very kind of you, Tien. But there is no need for that." Roshi said warmly.
"Nonsense!" Said Tien. "I wish to treat you all after such a taxing but amazing tournament. And besides, the prize money is mine to do as I please, right?" He added playfully.
"Hmmm, very well then. It's a deal!" Said Roshi.
"Guess you got to spend your quarter of a million zeni afterall!" Krillin joked to Kakarot.
Even Gine inwardly poked fun at Tien's fool
hardy offer to pay. Feeding two hungry Saiyans will be quite a nasty surprise.
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Want to read more?
The next 10+ chapters are already available on my Patreon!
By joining, you'll get:
📖 Early access to future chapters
🗳️ Polls to shape the story
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🔥 Bonus scenes & content you won't find anywhere else
👀 Don't fall behind—others are already ahead!
👉 patreon.com/FanfictionTakashi
(If link doesn't show, just search on Google: FanfictionTakashi Patreon)