The next day, eager to finally end this journey that had already lasted two weeks, they didn't take any breaks on their way, heading at high speed towards the Western Capital.
The roads that were previously minimally marked had become actual roads, with well-maintained asphalt. They had passed through a city on the way, which despite not being a big city, was completely different from the places they had passed through.
The difference when approaching a capital was striking, when compared to places further away, it was almost as if they were different times in each place.
This wasn't something exclusive to that world, but it was still curious to notice this situation.
Akira leaned his elbow on the window as he stared at the landscape becoming urban, he hadn't been in this world for long, so he could still make a vivid comparison in his mind.
There were so many things to keep him entertained, be it training or his relationship with the two girls, that he hadn't even missed the technology of smartphones and everything, so only now seeing cities similar to his old one, he remembered that.
'It's strange how they have ships, capsules, even robots with their own intelligence, but they have to use paper maps' An ironic smile had appeared on his lips.
Bulma, who was holding the steering wheel with both hands, glanced at Akira from the corner of her eyes "Are you excited to see my house?"
He just let out a light laugh in response, not trying to clarify the reason for his smile, letting her have her own interpretation.
...
The Capital of the West, a huge metropolis where the richest family on planet Earth lives. A place full of giant buildings, skyscrapers and everything else you'd expect from such a populous place.
The clear colors took over the surroundings, which was a far cry from the colors of nature that the group had seen during their trip.
Although the dusk was making the environment darker, the artificial lights were minimizing this.
Chi-Chi was impressed by everything, whether it was the huge buildings, the huge screens showing various types of programs, or the colossal number of people walking through the streets.
She was very excited about the idea of exploring that whole place, if it weren't for the fact that she was also anxious to get to Bulma's house, she would have already started walking through the streets.
Soon they had arrived at their destination, Capsule Corporation, in fact this was the home of Bulma and her family, and it was not exactly a technological factory.
The place, besides being their residence, was also where Dr. Briefs created the prototypes of his creations, before they were used in real factories, created en masse.
"We're here!" Bulma stood under the entrance arch of the residence, there were still more than a dozen meters until the entrance of the house itself.
"Wow!" Chi-Chi looked at the entire length of the residence, barely able to see its boundary, it was basically an entire block "This is your house? This is bigger than our old castle!"
Akira looked around the place, which was as familiar as it was new to him "Well, Capsule Corporation is the richest company on the planet, even if they had a private island it wouldn't be strange. As grand as this place is, it's modest of your family to live in a place like this"
The blue-haired girl took his hand "It would be boring to live on a private island, I think this place is perfect. Come, I'll show you around!" An excited smile painted her red lips.
As Akira was pulled, something held him, it was Chi-Chi's small hand, who looked at the other girl with a hard expression "It's already getting dark, wouldn't it be better if we prepared dinner? I'm starving"
Bulma looked at the little girl and said "Don't worry, we just need to let you know that we're going to dinner too" She then continued pulling him.
Chi-Chi frowned, her expression mixed with confusion and disapproval, and reluctantly followed them.
Akira looked back and said "Don't worry, Chi-Chi, we'll just take a quick look and then we'll eat" He gave a slight smile, before turning his attention forward.
The little girl pouted 'The problem isn't the food, it's that stupid girl! I'm sure she wants to take Akira to her room and then they'll be kissing!' It was visible the flames of her childish jealousy shining in her eyes.
"Fine, but I won't leave you alone for a second!" She crossed her arms and followed them with heavy steps.
Oblivious to the girl's thoughts, Akira was looking at the surroundings as he walked towards the entrance "Throughout the city, I barely saw any trees and bushes, but around here there seem to be quite a few of them"
Arriving at the front door, Bulma quickly entered a code into the lock on the side of the door.
As the door opened, she said "Despite everything, my parents really like nature, we even have an indoor garden, I'll show you!"
The three of them passed through the front door before it closed again. Chi-Chi looked around, observing with surprise that it was an unconventional entrance hall for a house, it looked more like a hotel reception, or something similar.
"Hello, Miss Bulma, welcome back." A robotic voice sounded.
The little girl's dark eyes widened as she saw a robot wearing a maid's apron "A real robot, that talks!?"
'Chi-Chi must have never seen one like this, but Dr. Gero must already be creating his own, much more human than these ones here' Akira thought.
"You can add three extra dishes for dinner today" Bulma said casually, looking at that robot, without stopping walking.
"Of course, Miss" The robotic voice sounded, as it bowed slightly, before walking away.
Chi-Chi stared a little longer, before finally turning her attention to the two in front of her, then following them at a quick pace.
Facing the door they entered through, there was a huge door, which resembled that of a garage, being very wide and tall. Bulma again used a code and this door slowly opened, with a loud yes of gears.
Akira knew what was on the other side, so he wasn't curious, on the other hand, the little girl behind him craned her neck to see as soon as possible.
"How is this possible?!" Chi-Chi ran inside as soon as the door opened wide enough. She looked around, seeing the lawn, the trees, the rocks, the animals...
It was getting dark outside, but here it felt like daytime, and despite the light being artificial, the whole environment made everything feel very natural, as if it were daytime in a green field.
If it weren't for the walls or the path of floors that formed a pathway, it was very likely that people would believe that this place was completely natural.
"Calling this place a garden is quite simplistic, don't you think?" Akira commented with a slight smile "It seems like I'll never miss nature living here"
An excited smile had painted Bulma's face once more "I'm glad you liked it" She walked across the white floor "There's not much else around here, but I want to show you a place, come on"
Because the place was not flat, it was not possible to cover the entire distance from that place. Walking a little, everyone could see a beautiful fountain, where there were some birds drinking water.
While Chi-Chi was observing the animals, Akira had already seen something else that caught his attention.
In the distance, dozens of meters ahead, there was a young-looking woman with short, slightly curly golden hair.
'It's Bulma's mother. I don't remember her name, but she looks pretty much like I remembered...' It was still very far away, but he could see it quite clearly.
Bulma was heading in that direction, and after some time, she noticed the familiar figure. She intertwined her fingers with Akira's, then pulled him along as she took quicker steps.
"I'll introduce you to my mother" There was a mixture of excitement and trepidation in his voice, but his steps remained vigorous.
When the three got close enough, they could all hear a happy and sweet humming sound that the woman made as she watched a group of animals.
"Mommy" Bulma's voice rang out, interrupting the humming.
The blonde woman turned her face with an expression of happy surprise "Bulma, my dear, you're back!..." Her gaze followed the girl's face, passed by her arm and then saw the figure that was beside her "And you're not alone from what I see"
There was a gentle smile that never disappeared from her face, as if there was nothing capable of bothering her.
Akira looked at her ears, specifically the pair of diamond earrings 'Those earrings are probably worth more than my old house... But for the richest woman on the planet, she dresses quite simply'
She was wearing a casual blue dress, which didn't look like anything special, and although she was wearing expensive jewelry, it wasn't very flashy.
"I knew you were lying, saying you were going to travel the world alone, but you actually wanted to spend the holidays with a boy" The woman chuckled, as she accused her daughter.
"Mommy!" The girl snorted, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks "It wasn't exactly like that, it's just...."
As Bulma thought about the right way to explain the situation, her mother stepped forward and faced Akira "My daughter is young, so she sometimes forgets her manners, so I'll introduce myself. I'm Panchy, I'm glad you're with my daughter, she's a bit of a rebel, but I see she has good taste"
"Who is a rebel?!" Bulma screamed loud enough for the nearby animals to run away. Chi-Chi who was right behind let out a small laugh.
Akira smiled at all that, and looking at Panchy, he said "Don't take it the wrong way Bulma, we really only met in the middle of your trip, so she didn't lie to you. My name is Akira, I hope to make your daughter happy by my side" He gently squeezed Bulma's hand.
Without changing his smile, Panchy swept his eyes over his body. Since he wasn't using his technique right now, he was only a little taller than average.
"I must say, I'm a little jealous of my daughter having such a handsome, muscular boyfriend..." Gently, she ran her finger down his arm, feeling his firm muscles.
Bulma quickly pushed her mother's hand away, almost slapping her "Stop it!"
With a helpless and cowering expression, Panchy said "Do you see this, dear? How aggressive my daughter is towards her own mother"
Before Bulma could explode in anger, her mother looked over and saw Chi-Chi "Oh, you guys brought a little girl too?" She walked over and gently pinched the girl's cheek "What's your name, cutie?"
"My name is Chi-Chi..." She said, a little uncomfortable with that treatment, but still being polite "And I'm not a little girl, I'll be 14 next month"
"Really? That's great, just don't be a rebellious and ill-mannered girl like my daughter" she said with her smile.
Snorting, Bulma pulled Akira "Let's get out of here, I want to show you the rest of the house"
"Are you guys leaving already? Don't you want to have a drink with me?" She showed a glass she had next to her, and what looked like a bottle of sake.
"No!" Bulma screamed and continued pulling Akira, who was letting himself be carried away.
///
{ Author's Note: Well, to be honest, if it were today, I would write a lot of different things, but I can't rewrite everything from scratch every time I change my mind.
After half a year, a new chapter. I'm sure this wasn't one of the best, but I'll try to do my best always. I don't know how often I'll be able to write new chapters, but I hope to get 2 a week }