A/N: This is quite a long chapter, so I hope you make it through. ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own DB or any of its characters, be it canon or filler.
ORANGE STAR HIGH SCHOOL, SATAN CITY
Videl is finally back to school after that incident with Majin Buu last week. Everything seems normal as she goes inside their classroom. Erasa and Sharpner were already there, but there's that one person that she wanted to be there the most.
Unfortunately, he's not yet there.
ERASA: Videl! Thank God you're here!
Videl smiles as she sits down her chair.
VIDEL: How are you guys?
ERASA: We're fine. How are you?
VIDEL: I'm... good.
ERASA: Well, we heard that you were manipulated by that Babidi magician.
VIDEL: Oh that... (looks away) Yeah! I'm good now. It's like nothing happened.
SHARPNER: Good thing your father took care of everything. He really is the world champion.
Videl grimaced.
VIDEL: Yeah... you can say that...
ERASA: I wonder why the Great Saiyaman didn't show up. Even the Golden Fighter.
SHARPNER: Because they are just bogus superheroes, unlike Mr. Satan who's the real deal.
Videl lets out a nervous laugh. If they only knew what really happened.
ERASA: Actually, for a while we thought Gohan was really the Great Saiyaman and the Golden Fighter.
Videl was stunned.
ERASA: At first, I thought that he's only using the Great Saiyaman because he's a fan; but then he turned into the Golden Fighter.
SHARPNER: Yes, and then your father explained it was all Babidi's tricks. Of course, Gohan could not be both the Golden Fighter and the Great Saiyaman.
Videl lets out a nervous laugh, quite relieved to hear that Gohan's secret is still intact.
ERASA: Oh, Gohan!
Videl turns around, seeing Gohan arrive and walk towards his seat. Once again, her heart somersaulted upon seeing his handsome face.
Gohan was also affected by Videl's presence. Truth is, he's already blushing while walking towards her... or rather, towards his seat who happens to be just one seat away from Videl.
Though, if he has a choice Gohan would like to sit beside her instead of Erasa.
ERASA: It's been so long! I missed you so much.
Erasa suddenly clings onto his arm. Gohan awkwardly smiles at her. He looks at Videl and saw her angered look at him. His smile slowly fades.
SHARPNER: Hey Gohan! How are you after the tournament?
ERASA: Oh yeah! Mr. Satan said you were possessed.
GOHAN: Well, uh...
Gohan does not know how to answer his classmates. He looks at Videl, but her angered demeanor just made him grimace.
SHARPNER: It's bad that we weren't able to watch you fight.
ERASA: Oh! Did you take a leave to be strong for the tournament?
GOHAN: Uhm... Well, that and some other things...
ERASA: Wow! So you wanted to be stronger so that you could protect your family. Oh, that is adorable!
Erasa held on to him more tightly. Gohan could only grimace. He wants to pull away Erasa's arms but that would be quite rude. He's actually starting to panic because Videl still looks sharply at him.
ERASA: Too bad we weren't able to see how strong you've become. Oh! Maybe next time.
GOHAN: I don't think that is still going to happen.
ERASA: What do you mean?
Before Gohan could answer Erasa's question, the teacher walks inside the classroom. The students all sat down on their seats.
TEACHER: Good morning class! Today, we have a new student.
The teacher looks at the door where a male student stand. He is quite taller than the average sixteen-year-old and he has a toned physique. He walks towards the teacher and faces the class.
ERASA: Ooh! Another cutie!
The student introduced himself to the class.
RAYON: Hi! I'm Rayon. Nice to meet you all.
Rayon looks around the class, then stops when his eyes landed on Videl. He smiled at her, making Videl quite surprised.
TEACHER: You may take your seat, Rayon. Anywhere is okay.
RAYON: Thank you, Sir.
Rayon looks around and found an empty seat at the back of the room. As he passes by Videl, he once again looks at her and smiles. He then proceeds to his chosen seat.
ERASA: Is it just me, or did he really look at you, Videl?
Videl looks at her seatmate. She then sees Gohan, who looks innocently at her. She looks away.
VIDEL: You might be mistaken.
SHARPNER: Oh, he did look at you! It's obvious! He likes you.
VIDEL: That's not true! That look can mean anything. Can we just listen to the teacher? The lesson is starting.
Videl tries to focus on the lesson, but her mind is lingering on the guy beside Erasa. She's wondering what he's thinking right now. Did he notice that obvious stare from Rayon? She wonders how he reacted.
To satisfy her curiosity, she slowly peeked at him, careful not to be noticed. Gohan seems unperturbed, listening carefully to the teacher. That made Videl feel annoyed. And her annoyance increased when Erasa leans over to Gohan and asked him about something on her book, which Gohan answered amiably.
VIDEL: (on her mind) Really, Gohan? She's obviously flirting with you!
Videl looks in front and tries to concentrate, even though she's already enraged by Gohan's actions.
At lunchtime, Erasa is still onto Gohan. They were at their usual spot at the cafeteria, but Videl feels like transferring to another table.
ERASA: Try this one, Gohan! My mom really makes delicious beef steak.
Erasa tries to feed Gohan the meet on her chopstick.
GOHAN: (politely) Thanks, but I'm good.
Gohan looks at Videl. The latter is quietly eating her lunch, but Gohan could feel the annoyance in her aura. He felt confused as he's caught up between being polite and appeasing the girl he likes.
GOHAN: (on his mind) What shall I do?
Suddenly, Rayon approached their table. He went directly at Videl, who was surprised when he approached her.
RAYON: Hi! Can I share the table with you, guys?
Rayon seems to be asking the group, but he's particularly looking at Videl. She stared at him not knowing what to answer.
ERASA: Yes, of course.
RAYON: Thanks.
Rayon sat down on the chair beside Videl. He then smiles at her as he takes out his food, which is no doubt aplenty.
SHARPNER: That is a lot.
RAYON: Well, I need to eat a lot. Especially protein. It's for muscle build up.
SHARPNER: Oh yeah, I can see you're kind of well-built.
RAYON: Thanks. I'm into martial arts, you know.
He then looks at Videl and smiles at her.
ERASA: Oh, so you're doing martial arts, too?
RAYON: Yes. I'm a big fan of the great Mr. Satan.
Gohan literally choked on his food. Videl just looks away, quite embarrassed at what Rayon said.
ERASA: (quite worried) Are you okay, Gohan? Here, drink some water.
GOHAN: Thanks.
Gohan chugged down the water that Erasa handed to him, realizing only in the end that that tumbler is hers.
GOHAN: This is yours.
ERASA: (nonchalantly) Oh, that's nothing!
Not to Videl. She's actually fuming as she continued eating her lunch. Her classmates noticed her fast-paced eating.
ERASA: Are you hungry that much, Videl?
RAYON: Wow! So that's why you're really strong.
Videl looked at Rayon.
VIDEL: Hmn?
RAYON: I saw you on the world martial arts tournament. Actually, that's what made me decide to transfer here at your school… Though, I am a fan of you since when you started joining the tournament, and even so when you started helping the police in fighting crimes in the city.
Rayon is even blushing when he said that. It made Gohan frown. He's not liking how Rayon talks and acts towards Videl.
SHARPNER: Wait, that was just last week. How come you transferred that fast?
RAYON: Oh! My father talked to some people, and they arranged my transfer. By the way, my father is the mayor of East City.
The four classmates were amazed at what Rayon said.
SHARPNER: Wow! That is why you easily transferred here.
RAYON: Kind of. I really wanted to transfer here as soon as possible.
ERASA: So Rayon, you're into martial arts?
RAYON: Yes. I want to be as strong as Mr. Satan. Actually, I'm training hard every day, if my schedule allows.
SHARPNER: You must be strong since you practice every day.
RAYON: I can say I am, but not as strong as Mr. Satan. He saved the world again against Majin Buu, right?
Again, Gohan choked at what Rayon said. This time, it's Videl who gave him her tumbler.
VIDEL: (blushing in embarrassment) Here… Be careful next time.
Gohan drinks the water.
GOHAN: Thanks.
ERASA: But why didn't you join the tournament?
RAYON: Well, I know I wouldn't win anyway. I don't fight when I know I will lose in the end. It's just a waste of time.
Rayon looks at Gohan, obviously implying about him. But since Gohan is this innocent child he did not get offended with what Rayon said. It was Videl who reacted for him.
VIDEL: That is the most coward reasoning I heard.
Gohan looked at Videl. She's obviously mad, and Gohan kind of figured out as to why and whom.
VIDEL: If you're confident with your strength, then why would you not fight just because you assumed that you can't beat someone? Playing safe does not make you a winner.
RAYON: I'm just saying, I know how to assess my strength. I know when I have a chance. Those are the battles that I choose to fight because I know that in the end, the fight will be unfavorable. I'll just waste my energy and time.
Rayon is still trying to impress Videl, but all his reasoning just turns Videl off.
VIDEL: There are circumstances that you need to fight even if you're uncertain you'll lose.
RAYON: Those are the fights that you need to give up because it might cause you a great disadvantage.
Videl looks at Gohan.
VIDEL: What if it you need to save the world? Like against Majin Buu, or Cell? You're not sure of what the outcome will be, but still you go because you need to save the world.
RAYON: Those battles are taken up by heroes like your dad. Me, I'm just a fighter who loves martial arts. And also, your father is confident he will beat Cell and Majin Buu, so he takes those battles.
Videl looks at Rayon.
VIDEL: (sarcastic) Is that so? You seem to know my father a lot.
RAYON: Been a fan since he beat Cell.
That made Videl laugh.
VIDEL: Well, unfortunately you didn't acquire the spirit of being a hero from him.
She looks down at her lunch box.
VIDEL: I like heroes… someone who's not afraid to fight even though he knows he'll lose. He still does it because he knows if he doesn't, then there's a greater chance that the world will lose.
Gohan felt joy with what Videl said. She is not looking at him, but he can feel like she's telling that to him. He tried to suppress his smile as he continued eating.
RAYON: Well, everyone can be a hero, if they could be as strong as Mr. Satan. That is why I'm training hard so that I could be as strong as him and be the world champion, saving the world from deadly androids and aliens and monsters.
Videl puts her water bottle in front of Gohan, which surprised him.
VIDEL: You might choke again.
Gohan smiled as he took the water bottle.
That afternoon, Gohan's class had their PE subject. But instead of going out in the field, they went to the martial arts room of the school.
Gohan: Why are we here?
Erasa: Oh right. You've been out from school for almost a month. We changed our PE class.
Gohan looks at Videl, who looks guiltily at him.
VIDEL: (whispers) Sorry, I forgot to tell you.
SHARPNER: We're doing martial arts now. The school administration thinks that the students should learn some self defense just in case some zombie thing comes out again. At least the students know how to fight them. Not everyone has a baseball bat, you know.
Gohan gave out a nervous laugh at what Sharpner said.
ERASA: Hey! Gohan is strong! He trained to be at the martial arts tournament. It's just unfair that we never saw him fight.
RAYON: It would have been fun.
The four of them looked at Rayon.
RAYON: I wonder if you're really strong enough to be included in the semis. I heard that the punching machine was having a bad day that time. There were a lot of dubious scores from some contestants. Imagine having a score of 200, which is way higher than Mr. Satan himself! How about you, Gohan. What was you score?
GOHAN: Well… I think it's 180.
RAYON: See! How can you even have that high score?
VIDEL: (mumbles) Because he's restraining his strength.
ERASA: What did you say, Videl?
VIDEL: Me? Oh! Haha! Just randomly talking to myself. Don't mind me.
Their PE teacher arrived, signaling the start of their class.
TEACHER: Good afternoon class! We will now continue our practical exams as you apply the basic skills you learned. By the way, I was told you have a new classmate.
RAYON: Oh, don't mind me, Sir. I know martial arts long enough.
TEACHER: I see… And then, there's also Gohan who took a leave from school. But I saw you at the tournament, so maybe you know a little martial arts as well, huh?
Gohan smiled nervously at the teacher.
SHARPNER: Sir! Why don't we have Gohan and Rayon take the practical exam? Just to witness two experienced martial arts fighters.
RAYON: Training for the world tournament doesn't make you experienced; but, I will fight him. If he's sure he can take some blows.
VIDEL: (irritated) Why not? Let's see what you got.
Gohan looks at Videl.
GOHAN: (on his mind) Is she mad?
The teacher agreed on the match. Gohan and Rayon were asked to go to the center and fight. But before they began, Rayon asked their teacher an additional 'incentive' for whoever wins in the match.
RAYON: If I won the match, can I spar with Ms. Videl?
Everyone is surprised at what Rayon said.
RAYON: Please, I'm really just a fan.
Videl is enraged at what Rayon said.
VIDEL: (on her mind) He's so cocky! As if he's sure he'll win!
Rayon smiled confidently at Videl, and that made her more annoyed.
VIDEL: I'm okay with that.
If Rayon is really strong enough to beat Gohan, which Videl doubts unless the Saiyan teen tries to goof around again to hide his true identity, then she will be the one to beat the hell out of this arrogant new kid. That is the reason why she accepted the challenge.
But Gohan didn't get what Videl was thinking. He's not liking that Videl accepted Rayon's request, especially when he saw how happy that made the new classmate.
GOHAN:(on his mind) Is she mad because of me? Is that the reason why she wants to motivate Rayon and beat me?
The thought suddenly provoked him.
GOHAN: Then if I win, I also get to spar with her.
Now, that made everyone more surprised. Even Videl looked at Gohan after he said that, and that fierce look on his eyes made her breathless. In a good way.
TEACHER: Okay, since Videl is okay with that, then so be it.
Gohan looks at Rayon. The guy is giving him a mocking stare, but Gohan is not affected in any way. What he's actually doing is assessing his opponent's strength.
GOHAN: (on his mind) He doesn't seem strong to me. Except if he's concealing his power. I doubt if he can do that.
VIDEL: Hey Gohan!
Gohan looks at Videl.
VIDEL: Don't hold back.
He was suddenly confused. Why would Videl ask him to not hold back, knowing that he's obviously much stronger than Rayon. Except…
GOHAN: (on his mind) She does not want him to win.
He smiled confidently.
Rayon noticed that connection between Videl and Gohan, which annoyed him.
RAYON: Are you ready to get knocked out?
Gohan did not answer. Rayon did not give him a chance to answer anyway as he already charged to him. He gave him a combination of punches and kicks, which Gohan dodges perfectly.
GOHAN: (on his mind) He's quite good, and he has some speed. I think he might be better than a normal fighter, a little below Yamcha on physical combat.
Gohan continued to dodge, making Rayon more annoyed.
RAYON: Why don't you fight like a man?
He then charged again, and again Gohan just dodged.
RAYON: Don't just dodge!
Rayon charged again. This time, Gohan did not dodge. He instead blocked a kick using his arm.
GOHAN: (on his mind) His hits are not that strong.
Rayon was quite surprised that Gohan seems unaffected by that kick.
RAYON: (on his mind) He's a tough one, alright. Tch! Let's see how tough you are!
Rayon continued attacking, giving Gohan a series of punches and kicks. Gohan just blocks the blows, making his classmates notice how strong he really is.
SHARPNER: He's blocking every blow. And they're solid blows.
ERASA: (awed) Gohan… He's really strong!
Videl smiles proudly as she watched Gohan fight.
His classmates started cheering for Gohan, which he started noticing. It made him embarrassed he even blushed. That made Rayon more annoyed. The cheering and the fact that Gohan seems unaffected by even his most powerful attack. So he pushed himself further and made his blows faster and more powerful.
Which Gohan noticed.
GOHAN: (on his mind) He's leveling up his moves! I wonder how far he could go.
RAYON: You fool! Fight, not just block and dodge.
Once again, Rayon charged onto Gohan. Still, the young Saiyan does not want to fight.
RAYON: You're not taking me seriously, huh?
He's panting, not only due to exhaustion but also because of frustration.
GOHAN: I am. You're actually good.
RAYON: Don't patronize me!
Rayon charged once again. Anger took over him, making his attacks faster and more powerful. Gohan can sense Rayon's frustration.
GOHAN: (on his mind) I guess I better do something before he becomes more frustrated.
Gohan held back his strength, then gives Rayon a slower and less powerful punch as compared to his usual blows. Rayon was able to block it, since Gohan held back his speed, but even if it's not as powerful as what he usually throws, it's still too powerful for Rayon that it pushed him to the end of the floor mat.
GOHAN: (on his mind) That's… okay, is it? I guess it's not unusually powerful.
All of their classmates looked with awe at Gohan.
TEACHER: (amazed) That was…
MALE CLASSMATER: He's not even tired!
Rayon recovers, and looking at Gohan seemingly unaffected by the fight, it angers him up more.
RAYON: (on his mind) He's not even tired? What kind of person is he?
ERASA: Gohan! You're amazing!
And the class cheered for Gohan again, making him feel embarrassed. But that also made Rayon more annoyed. He looks at Videl, and upon seeing her smile at Gohan, he totally lost his cool.
RAYON: Ahh!
Fueled by anger, Rayon's moves become more powerful. He has also become faster that Gohan was forced to step up his game as well.
GOHAN: (on his mind) I can't believe it! His anger levels up his fighting ability! He's like us Saiyans when it comes to that.
Rayon once again attacked, and this time Gohan catches his hand, holding it. Rayon pushed his weight towards Gohan, but even if he exerts all his strength, he still could not make Gohan move from where he's standing. That made Rayon flare up again.
RAYON: I swear I'm gonna win this, and I'm gonna spar with Videl. Then she'll know how strong I was and then we'll start dating and she'll be my-
Rayon flew to the wall.
The whole class looks at Rayon as he fell down to the floor after being suspended to the wall for a few seconds. The PE teacher rushed to him, checking if he's alright.
TEACHER: Rayon! Are you alright?
The poor boy lays on the floor, obviously shocked at what happened.
TEACHER: Oh! Thank God he's breathing.
Videl was also surprised at what happened, but not as shocked as her classmates since she already knows this might happen. She was just surprised at how sudden the attack was. She looks at Gohan, and once again saw that fierceness on his eyes.
VIDEL: (on her mind) Is he...
Gohan looks at her, making her heart skip a beat. Upon seeing her bewildered face, Gohan looks away.
GOHAN: (on his mind) I think I overdid it.
Worry took over Gohan as he looked at Rayon, who is now sitting by the wall, leaning on it for support.
FEMALE CLASSMATE: I think we need to take him to the clinic.
RAYON: N-No... I'm fine.
Rayon looked at Gohan, still with that angry demeanor.
GOHAN: (guilty) I'm sorry…
RAYON: Don't be… You won. You get to spar with Videl.
Gohan was surprised. Oh yeah! So the winner get to spar with Videl. He looks at her, and she smirked. He looks away as he blushed.
VIDEL: Alright! It's my turn.
Videl went to the floor mat in front of Gohan.
ERASA: Videl, please be careful!
SHARPNER: Oh come on! Videl is super strong like his dad. Gohan, be careful!
GOHAN: Huh?
VIDEL: He's right. Be careful, Gohan.
Her cockiness made Gohan smile.
GOHAN: I will.
Videl charged onto him. Gohan perfectly dodged and blocked her attacks, as he analyzed her fighting skills.
GOHAN: (on his mind) Videl is stronger than she seems! She's far stronger than Rayon.
VIDEL: Are you analyzing me?
Gohan was surprised at her question that she almost landed a perfect kick on his left side. Good thing his reflexes are still fast. He was able to dodge it with his arm.
VIDEL: You have to be careful in letting your guard down, Gohan.
Gohan is amused at her confidence.
GOHAN: (on his mind) She's really giving me a lecture on fighting…? Well then, let's see who's the better teacher.
This time it was Gohan who attacked. Videl was surprised that she panicked a little. She wasn't able to fight properly and Gohan almost had her, if only she wasn't able to doge that.
GOHAN: Your nerves can get in your way. Better learn how to control them.
That remark and Gohan's confident smile made Videl flare up. She charged onto him, but her emotions are getting on her way. She's being clouded by frustration as her attacks were all dodged by Gohan. That made her lose her advantage until Gohan was able to pin her down.
GOHAN: What happened to not letting your guard down?
Videl did not answer. Instead, she looked at Gohan innocently, blushing a little. Gohan gazed at her, suddenly realizing how close their faces are to each other. He could actually feel her breath on his face, and the fact that her lips are slightly parted does not help.
VIDEL: (mumbles) Gohan...
In an instant, Gohan's resolved vanished. It's like he was mesmerized, like everything around him vanished. It was just him and Videl and her slightly parted lips and-
He suddenly felt a sharp pain on his stomach. It's like that pain he felt when Videl punched him when she suspected him being the Great Saiyaman. It's not the most painful blow he had and it hardly hurt him, but it's enough to send him limping down on the floor mat.
Though partly, he was just acting.
Videl stands up, then looks down at Gohan who seems in pain as he holds his stomach.
VIDEL: That's what happened when you let your guard down.
She confidently went back on the side of the mat.
TEACHER: (stressed) I think that's enough for the day. Gohan, are you gonna be okay? Do you want to go to the clinic?
GOHAN: No, I'm good.
TEACHER: Are you sure?
VIDEL: He'll be fine, Sir.
TEACHER: Okay. If you say so.
All her classmates praised Videl. She smiles confidently at them, but when she looks at Gohan, she tried her best to not laugh.
Gohan, on the other hand, smiles awkwardly as he felt embarrassed on how he reacted earlier, and also because he kind of like the idea that the situation earlier might have lead to.