Tien and Launch walked quietly side by side. The path was quiet, and the night was calm. But in her heart, things were not so peaceful.
Launch looked down as she walked. She didn't say anything. She was too nervous. Her hands were sweaty, and her heart beat fast. She liked Tien a lot, but now she felt embarrassed. She never thought he would see her in such a strange moment.
Tien looked at her now and then. He wanted her to speak first. He needed to understand her better—how she thought and what kind of person she was. Only then could he truly win her heart.
Normally Tien wouldn't have cared about her, but the truth was, this Tien was not the same Tien from before. The real Tien had died. Now, someone from another world was inside his body.
This new soul knew something important—Launch loved Tien. If he could get her loyalty, things would be easier. But for that, he needed her emotions to come out.
He looked at her with his third eye, hidden on his forehead.
'She's still quiet,' he thought. 'If she calms down, she won't speak from her heart. I need her to be emotional.'
He had saved her earlier on purpose. He wanted her to feel grateful and emotional. That way, her heart would guide her.
Since she still didn't speak, Tien decided to talk first.
"Are you okay, Launch?" he asked with a soft smile. "You're not usually this quiet."
Launch froze. That smile… it made her heart beat even faster. Her face felt warm.
She had almost calmed down, but now all her emotions came back. She turned to Tien, clenched her fists, and looked him in the eye.
"Tien… why did you leave me?"
Tien was surprised.
"When Goku and Chi-Chi got married two years ago," she said, her voice shaking, "I asked you out on a date."
"But the next morning, you were gone. I searched for you everywhere. Why did you leave?"
Tien didn't answer. He looked surprised, but stayed quiet.
Launch kept going. She pulled out a small gun from her coat and held it up.
"Was it because of this? Because I used to shoot people when I got angry?"
"I stopped using guns, Tien. I haven't fired a single shot in two years."
"I changed myself… for you."
Her eyes were full of hope.
Tien crossed his arms and thought for a moment.
'So that's why she didn't shoot anyone earlier,' he thought. 'She was trying to become better for me.'
He stepped closer and gently touched her shoulder.
"I didn't leave because of that," he said. "And sure, it's a bit annoying when you shoot people—but it didn't really bother me."
"I'm bulletproof, remember? Your bullets felt like mosquito bites."
Launch's eyes grew wide. She was shocked.
For two years, she believed Tien didn't like her because she was violent. She gave up using guns. She tried so hard to change.
And now he told her it didn't even matter?
"Then… why did you leave?" she whispered. Her voice was quiet and full of confusion.
Then she suddenly thought of something. She looked around, then leaned close to Tien and whispered in his ear.
"Is it because of my secret?"
"I have another side… another me. I turn into a different girl when I sneeze. She has blue hair."
Tien raised his eyebrows. He was surprised that she knew.
"So you've met her?" he asked.
Launch nodded slowly. "I didn't understand it at first, but now I know. She's like a sister who lives inside me."
Tien smiled kindly.
"I've seen her before. Your blue-haired self is a kind person. She even rode the Flying Nimbus, which only good people can ride."
He pointed at Launch.
"And you're strong. You have courage. You once kicked Earth's god in the face."
"That's not something to hide. It's something to be proud of."
"You don't have a problem—you have a gift. You can transform. If you want to stop changing by accident, you just need to learn how."
Launch looked surprised. She had never thought of it like that. She always felt like something was wrong with her. But Tien made her feel proud.
"I want to learn," she said. "But I don't know how. I've never trained before. Can you help me?"
Tien nodded. "Of course. I can help."
He narrowed his third eye and spoke with care.
"I have the power to control every part of my body. Every cell. It's something I've trained to do."
"You and your other self share one body. But if I use my power, I might be able to help you control it—or even split you into two people."
Launch felt a warm feeling in her heart. She smiled happily.
'So he wasn't avoiding me. He just didn't know how to say he cared.'
Looking at the sky, she felt hopeful for the first time in a long while.
"We should start now!" she said. "I know a great place where we can train. Just the two of us."
She took Tien's arm and smiled. Her face turned red, but she didn't let go.
Tien gave her a side look. He knew what she was trying to do. But he didn't mind. He let her lead.
On a rooftop nearby, Chiaotzu sat alone. He watched the stars and sighed.
"Tien has a girlfriend now… and I'm still all alone."
He held his head in his hands and groaned.
Time passed.
The stars faded. The sky turned pink and orange. After six hours, Tien finally came back, flying through the morning sky.
"Tien!" Chiaotzu shouted. "Where were you?! It's been hours!"
He flew up and grabbed Tien's shirt.
Tien gave him a calm smile. "Sorry, Chiaotzu. I lost track of time."
"We can go now."
Chiaotzu followed, still grumbling.
"Wait—what about Launch? Isn't she coming with us?"
Tien shook his head. "I told her to go back to Kame House. We don't have money or a place to stay."
Chiaotzu sighed. "Yeah… I guess that makes sense."
After a few minutes, he asked again, "So… what are we doing next?"
Tien looked ahead and touched the third eye on his forehead.
"I'm going to train."
He remembered something from long ago.
"My mom once told me… we're not from Earth. We're part of a race called Triclops."
"We had special powers—powers I've forgotten."
"Because of Master Shen's bad teachings, most of those powers are gone. But one is still with me."
Suddenly, two extra arms grew from his back.
"I can control my body at the smallest level."
"I'm going to master this skill—and unlock the rest of my powers."
His eyes were calm but sharp. He had helped Launch. Now it was time to help himself.
Advanced chapters ahead on patréon
www.patréon.com/ImagineMaker