Major thank you to CC6512 who drew the cover page for this! Her art is absolutely amazing guys, please check her out either on tumblr, pixiv, or deviantart !

Role Reversal Chapter 12- Videl IV

"Videl, you have to spill about what's going on!" Erasa demanded as her eyes narrowed. The serious tone of her voice was a drastic contrast to her usual cheeriness.

"W-what?" Videl stammered as she became alarmed at her friend's words. It was Sunday afternoon and Erasa had invited her out for lunch. The two of them were sitting at a table at a small cafe and had received their food and drinks. Up until this point, the experience had been lovely.

"Yeah, you've been like extra weird lately you know… Sharpener's noticed too and I think I have it figured out!" Erasa began to smirk knowingly.

"What are you talking about?" Videl questioned pretending to be confident, surely they hadn't managed to discover…

"Your secret," she said as she pointed a finger at Videl.

A sense of impending doom fell over Videl. Her worst fear was that her friends would figure out her secret identity. As much as she attempted to balance it with school, it was becoming harder and harder… even if over the last few weeks there had been a major decline in crime and she hadn't needed to suit up once. The public's interest in the Satan City Heroine was becoming too much… maybe it was good Erasa had finally figured it out. Videl took a large swig of tea to clear her throat and to mentally prepare herself to be honest with her childhood best friend.

"You and Gohan have something going on don't you!"

Videl began to choke on the tea and had to stop herself from spitting it everywhere.

"What? Me and Gohan?!"

"Yeah! I knew it! Look at your face, you're so shocked!" Erasa was full of glee seeing Videl's reaction.

"Erasa, what the hell! There's nothing going on with Gohan and I… you just scared me…" Videl said as she sighed and released the tension that had built up in her muscles. That was a close one.

"Whatever Videl, there's totally something happening between you two!" The blonde said almost singing.

Right as Videl was about to speak Erasa put her hand up silencing her.

"You are WAY nicer to him than anyone else, you sit next to him every day, you are always talking to him, and you asked him to meet Apollo! You've known Sharpener for years and have never once taken him to see Apollo! And Sharpener actually likes horses!"

Videl took a second to process this. "...I've really never asked Sharpener, have I?" She said as she acknowledged the statement in her mind. Maybe Bulma had been right, maybe she was cagey with others… guilt began to build up within her, maybe she was neglecting her friends.

"No! Honestly, you talk to Gohan more now than you speak to me!" Erasa retorted.

Videl was about to argue that no, she didn't, when her phone which was on the table completely visible to the both of them, pinged signalling that she had received a text. The screen lit up with the name 'Gohan' appearing. He had chosen the worst possible moment to text her.

Erasa had never appeared smugger. She pursed her lips together and gave Videl an insinuating look.

"What?! I asked him a question about my math homework…" She really had, Gohan was so good at explaining it. Over the past two weeks since Bulma had encouraged Videl to bring him along to meet Apollo, whatever barriers had been between the two had broken. Their knowledge in different subjects complemented one another perfectly and it somehow always worked out that they could exchange help evenly. The topics of their conversations didn't go beyond school and Gohan asking about Apollo every now and then.

"You could ask me you know, I'm in the same classes as Gohan," Erasa said.

Videl hesitated, "Well… yeah… but…"

Erasa's cheeks puffed up having taking offence, "but what?!"

"He's just better at explaining it Erasa! It's true! How many times have you tried to tutor me and it's not gone over well?"

"Humph, I could so tutor you!" Erasa said sternly. "Besides, that isn't what we are here to talk about! We need to discuss whatever is going on between the two of you!"

"There's nothing going on!" Videl defended with all her might.

"Well, he definitely likes you… even Sharpener thinks so!" The blonde was grinning.

"W-what?" The idea of Gohan liking her made Videl feel strange.

"Yeah, he stares at you ALL the time, he's always so eager to see you, it's cute really," Erasa said beginning to gush a little.

"N-no he doesn't," Videl said more to herself. Again, something about Gohan doing all of these things for her didn't settle right, her body was reacting in a foreign way. It unnerved her.

"He does! You need to pay more attention!" Erasa belittled her.

"Will you cut it out? I'm going to eat your cake!" Videl then inserted her fork into Erasa's slice of chocolate cake to distract her.

It worked. Erasa gasped over dramatically and the two girls began to laugh.

During the next few days at school, Videl couldn't get Erasa's implication out of her mind when she was around Gohan.

He couldn't possibly like her like that, it was just too weird. Sure, he was always really nice to her and was always willing to help whenever she asked… but that was because Gohan was just a nice guy. He would do that for anyone.

"Hey, Videl." Gohan greeted her smiling as he sat down next to her. It was their morning class, the only one the two of them shared.

"Morning Gohan…" Videl resounded trying to shake off her earlier thoughts.

Her eyes glanced at his bag which was placed right in front of her. There was a dark blue stain on the strap. Shame crept over her. It had been her that did that.

"Do you think you're ready for the exam today?" Gohan asked, adjusting his seat. He scooted closer to her.

Taking in his behaviour Videl realised something. He was much more comfortable around her now than before. When he had first started here he would keep his distance from her and have always seemed uneasy in her presence. She remembered how much that annoyed her at the time.

Even when she sat next to him at the art museum, which was uncharacteristic of her, he immediately scooted away from her. Now he was actually scooting towards her…and she found it exciting.

The art museum... memories of him chasing after her and trying to take her hand and comfort her…that all seemed so long ago. At the time she had taken her hand away, dismissing him. It was amazing that he still spoke to her after that considering how she treated him. Bulma was right, Gohan did have a forgiving nature to be able to overlook such things.

"Videl? Are you okay?" His voice snapped her out of it.

She looked at him to respond. As her eyes made contact with his she suddenly found him handsome. A strange heat began to spread up from her chest and into her face.

"Y-yeah, sorry, just thinking…"

"Oh okay. Do you think you're ready for the exam today?" Gohan asked.

Gohan was always overly preparing for exams. It was kind of funny because Videl's friends used to give her grief for doing the same, but he took it to a different level.

"Yeah, I think I'll be okay," She murmured before opening her book and staring at the text. She was finally calming down.

"Of course you will," Gohan added on chuckling.

The pink colour returned to Videl's cheeks.

The entire classroom jumped when someone's phone went off in the middle of the exam. The girl who it belonged to immediately began rummaging through her things to find it and shut it off. She did and glanced at the screen.

"Oh my god! City hall has been taken over! By the Red Shark Gang!" With the silence of the classroom, her voice was booming. Coincidentally it was the same girl that had informed the class about the fire.

Videl didn't have time to realise this though as she immediately looked up away from her exam and her adrenaline began to rise. How could those stupid Red Sharks possibly be at it again? Why now?

"Miss Hana, thank you for informing the class of this, but could you please put your phone away and get back to your exam!" Ms Espinacas name chastised the student with fervour.

"Y-yes, sorry…" the girl then sheepishly put her phone away.

All of the students returned their attention back to their exams except for Videl. Chewing on her lip and full of apprehension she didn't know what to do. If the people in city hall were in danger, how could she help them?

She began to stand only to feel someone's hand on her forearm.

"What are you doing?" Gohan whispered looking back and forth at Videl and the teacher. Ms Espinacas' attention was focused on her laptop in that instance and she had not noticed Videl yet. His hand was wrapped around her arm and his grip felt restrained. A chill went up Videl's spine as she realised he had the strength to keep her there if he really wanted to.

"I-I have to go…" Videl whispered back avoiding eye-contact. His touch was also having that effect on her. There wasn't time for this!

"What? Why?" Gohan asked stopping to make sure the teacher was still distracted, "Videl, if you go she won't let you make this up…" he reasoned. It was obvious he was really worried about her but was agitated with her behaviour too. She could tell that he was holding back both his strength and patience with her. She instantly felt ashamed that now she wasn't just lying to her old friends, but her new one too.

Videl knew she had to hurry. She found the strength to push his hand off of her before beginning to leave the room.

"Miss Satan! Where do you think you're going?!" The Ms Espinacas screeched.

Videl turned pale. Ms Espinacas was already annoyed with her previous outgoings and had actually already called her father about it after last time. Luckily Hercule took the incident as a one-off because Videl had such good marks, but he probably wouldn't a second time.

"I-I have to go call my father… he's at city hall!" She lied awkwardly. The sense of urgency she was experiencing was unreal, she couldn't think straight.

Ms Espinacas eyes narrowed at this as she deliberated over Videl's words.

"If you're not back in five minutes, I will personally see to it that you fail this course. I cannot tolerate any more disrespect from you Ms Satan…" her tone was ice cold.

Everyone in the class was staring now, all exams were forgotten. Videl was stunned, she stood with her mouth gaping. A teacher had never spoken to her like that, ever. Something inside her snapped and she became angry. Unable to keep face she rolled her eyes and huffed before running out the door, intentionally slamming it as loudly as possible behind her.

Videl ran as fast as she could to the school's courtyard. Luckily, it was abandoned. Stopping she began to pull out her phone. She dialled and her head was spinning.

"Hello?" Bulma answered.

"Hey… it's...Videl…" Videl had to take breaths in between. She was winded and the cold air outside wasn't helping.

"Oh hey, what's up?"

"Bulma! I don't have time for this, city hall is being taken over and I can't go help because Ms Espinacas is being a right bitch now and I don't know what to do, I'm really freaking out!" The words came out quickly and haphazardly. Videl was on the verge of tears from all of the humiliation and frustration.

"Okay, Okay, calm down, I think I have an idea… just go back inside okay? It'll be fine." Bulma reassured her before hanging up.

Videl then took the phone away from her ear and stared at it. The cold was making her hands numb already. She began to shiver as her coat had been forgotten about in the classroom.

Glancing at her watch she groaned. She literally only had a minute to get back to class.

Entering the classroom Videl avoided everyone's glances as she approached her seat. She was still breathing hard. Her lungs were stinging from all of the cold air she had inhaled and her hands were red with hardly any feeling left in them.

She briefly struggled to hold her pen before returning her attention back to her exam.

After the last of the exams had been collected, nearly every study was scrambling checking their phones.

"Before any of you look and ignore that phones aren't allowed, City Hall is fine, the Satan City Heroine saved the day," the Ms Espinacas informed everyone.

Much to her dismay though, none of the students listened and was engrossed on their phones anyway. Gasps were heard.

"What the fuck?!" Videl cried out as she read the headline of one article.

Satan City Heroine Mesmerised by Flying in to Save City Hall

Accompanying the article were several clear photos of someone in her suit over five stories in the air.

Videl was completely unaware of everyone around her, Gohan, Erasa, Sharpener, all looking at her surprised that she swore. Her ears were ringing and her insides were twisting. She felt like she was going to be sick.

"Videl, are you okay?" Erasa asked getting out of her seat and wrapping an arm around her best friend.

"Y-Yeah… I just don't understand how it's possible…" Videl strained to speak.

"Is your father alright?" Gohan asked, surprising both girls. His voice was off. His tone was serious and his appearance had somehow changed like he was on edge.

"Oh y-yeah, he's fine, he had already left actually…" Videl lied, her contorted insides spasming further. Lying was not as easy as it used to be.

Gohan took a deep breath as though he was trying to calm down. Videl could see that his brow was furrowed and his fists clenched, something was agonizing him. Could he know who was in her suit?

Shaking his head he then looked at Videl smiling again but for once it felt forced, "that's great Videl. When did he get back anyway?"

Videl blinked, surprised by this question and unable to answer.

"...back?" She asked. He really had no idea what he was talking about.

"Yeah… when did your Dad get back from being abroad? You told me last week that he was gone again and wouldn't be back for a few weeks this time."

Videl bit her cheek. 'Shit, why does he have to be such a good listener?!' she thought. Her father was currently out of town again and wasn't going to be back for weeks.

"Uh, I don't really know, he came back late last night but has to go back tomorrow morning… probably some sort of… business thing?" Videl managed to say.

This must have worked though because Gohan nodded. He then began to look sombre again and proceeded to return his attention to his phone.

The rest of the day slogged on. Videl had tried to text Bulma numerous times asking what on earth was going on, but she never responded.

Videl, Gohan, Sharpener, and Erasa were all sat at a table. Since there were several mid-term exams going on, students had been allowed to have an afternoon study period right before the end of the day. Both Videl and Gohan had been quiet.

"Oh wow there's more photos of the Heroine flying! That is just so cool!" Erasa exclaimed as she scrolled through them all on her phone.

"That can't be real. There's just no way…" Sharpener said full of cynicism peering over Erasa's shoulder.

"Uh, hello? Can you not see this!" Erasa chastised him by putting her phone right in his face.

Sharpener swatted her phone out of his face.

"What do you think Gohan?" Erasa asked trying to get someone on her side.

"What?" Gohan looked up surprised taking a second to process what Erasa had asked before becoming unusually defensive, "I-I don't know what I think…"

"What makes you think Gohan would know anything anyway?"Sharpener said chuckling. It wasn't personal at Gohan.

"I don't know? Just trying to get different opinions Sharpener, god you're so stubborn!" Erasa then proceeded to whack him on the head.

"Gohan… do you have any ideas? As to how… she flew like that…?" Videl asked almost desperate as the two blondes were busy in their scuffle.

Gohan stared at her intensely for a few seconds before answering "uh, no… people can't fly…" he said looking away with a hand behind his head.

Videl's nose crinkled. This situation with all of its secrecy was so frustrating! Gohan definitely could help, but that would mean revealing that she knows he can fly and to do that she would have to reveal that she is the Satan City Heroine which she couldn't possibly do… what an absolute mess!

Her thoughts were cut short. The last bell rang and students began to head to the doors.

"Videl I have to go I can't study with you after," Gohan stated flatly.

"Oh, oh!" Videl responded as she had completely forgotten she and Gohan were meant to study together after school, "that's okay, something urgent came up actually… we can reschedule?"

"Okay, that sounds good." he murmured as he quickly packed his bag, "bye everyone! I'll see you tomorrow" Gohan then proceeded to quickly walk out.

As Videl watched him leave she realised Gohan was acting exactly as he had at the art museum and in the street that time she got punched in the face. He had to have known something, but there was no way she could question him about it. Frustrated with that and whatever was going on with her alter ego, she also told Erasa and Sharpener goodbye before rushing off to the train station herself.

She had to speak to Bulma and as soon as possible.

I don't have much to say for this chapter, except that I think Role Reversal is still in a bit of an awkward place and hopefully after this chapter it'll get back on track. I was unable to get this properly beta-read, so apologies if there's some major errors in there.

Thanks so much to everyone who I consulted and requested a read through from!

Review what you think please, I would love to hear all thoughts!