Goku begged his dying wife for permission go. He could save her; she wouldn't have to suffer anymore, if he could just - but she wouldn't let him go.
"For once, just stay with me." Chi Chi leaned into her husband and stared into his eyes. He looked the exact same as when she had confronted him at the World Tournament a lifetime ago, save for his eyes. They were the only feature that seemed to age.
She didn't want him to leave her side, not again. Even if gathering the dragonballs would save her life, she knew he would just leave again afterward. No, this time she wouldn't let him go. She hugged him as tight as her old frail arms would allow and watched as his eyes became glazed and swell up with tears.
Goku had never truly cried before, not when he died the first time, and not even when all of humanity had been wiped out. No, those times he had been mad at the heartless villain; this time he was mad at himself.
All the training he had done away from home was to protect his family, and now it was all for nothing. He couldn't save her. He could've used that time to spend with her, to make her happy, to watch her laugh and smile her winsome smile, but that wasn't an option now. That time had passed and instead, in the limited time he had with her, he would watch her die instead.
Goku nodded slightly and silently held her, waiting for the inevitable to happen. That was the price for being the Earth's protector. He had saved many lives, but when it came to the one that mattered to him most, he was powerless. A wave of regret washed over him, but was dismissed by Chi Chi's calming words.
She told him she was proud of him. She told him that he had made the right decision, but Goku wasn't so sure.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"One day, I'll join you," Goku started, "and then I'll stay. We can even have dinner."
With her last breath, Chi Chi managed a small chuckle.