This picks up right where No Less Than Perfect left off. The theme today is Confession. Hope you like it. :)

Day Three

All That Trouble

Videl had stayed by his side until the medicine "took effect", or, rather, until half an hour passed and Gohan pretended that he felt better. She would change the humid cloth on his forehead to try and get his "fever" down, she made sure he drank enough water so as to stay hydrated, and she didn't leave until he "felt better". Even when the nurse came back, Videl insisted to stay and take care of him.

Once the half-hour was up, Gohan gradually relaxed the muscles on his face.

"Are you feeling better?" Videl asked with relief in her eyes. "Are the meds taking effect?"

Gohan gave a meek smile. He felt awful for lying to her. "Yeah, I think so."

She put her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. "Your fever seems to be down. I'm glad! The medicine is working."

"You can go now if you want, you don't have to stay with me." He felt bad enough that Videl wasted her time taking care of him when he wasn't even really sick.

She shook her head and gave a warm smile. "It's okay, I don't mind. I want to make sure you'll be okay."

Gohan pulled up the cover over his nose, wishing he could hide his shame and guilt. Why was Videl being so nice to him? It was just making him feel worse about lying to her.

He sighed and turned his head to the side. At least his perfect grades and his secret identity were safe. That didn't make him feel any better.

"I think I'm good now." Gohan sat up on the bed, but in his rush to get up he got dizzy and winced.

"Are you sure? You don't look too well."

When he opened his eyes, Videl's face was right in front of his. Time froze for a moment; her sweet scent tickled his nostrils and made his throat tighten. When did she get so close? Were her eyes always so blue?

He blushed deeply and quickly scrambled off the bed. He coughed in his fist and assured Videl that he felt fine now.

"Thanks for taking care of me," he added, but he was still feeling rattled from being so close to her just now and was too embarrassed to meet her gaze. "That was really nice of you."

Videl lowered her head. "I felt bad for doubting you. It's just…"

Gohan looked at her and tilted her head, wondering if she was going to finish that thought. "What is it?"

She suddenly stood and faced him, planting her eyes deep into his. Gohan took a step back, feeling his face heat up again for some reason. He swallowed.

"Tell me the truth, Gohan. You're the Great Saiyaman, right?"

A lump rose to his throat. After all that trouble, Videl still thought he was the superhero? He supposed his convenient timing for getting sick, even though she believed him in the end, didn't rule him out of her list of suspects.

"I think you got sick because of the stress that you were going to get found out during PE earlier," Videl said. A valid conclusion, if only he'd actually been sick. "You knew you wouldn't have been able to hide the fact that you can fight so you panicked. Isn't that right?"

He averted his gaze and scratched his cheek. Well, that much was true.

How was he supposed to respond to that? He couldn't risk telling anyone his secret. He had to protect his family at all costs. If word got out that he was the Great Saiyaman, they would never have a private moment ever again. His pseudo-normal life would be over.

"Let's just… Let's just go back to class, Videl."

He avoided her gaze and turned away. He heard Videl's steps behind him as he walked out of the nurse's office.

"You didn't deny it," she pointed out.

He sighed, before looking at her over his shoulder. "You just don't give up, don't you?"

He couldn't help the smile curling up his lips at her defiant smirk. That fire of hers was something he'd always liked about her.

"Never. And I know I'm right about this."

In the middle of the empty hallway, Gohan suddenly stopped walking, so much so that Videl almost bumped into his back. She craned her neck over his side to try and catch a glimpse of his face. Gohan looked back at her with a serious expression. His mind was reeling.

"Can I trust you?"

She blinked, then her face softened and she smiled. "I won't tell anyone, if that's what you're worried about. I can keep a secret."

Gohan pursed his lips, still unable to make his mind. Was he seriously considering telling Videl the truth? After all the trouble he went through to make sure she didn't find out he could fight?

"I… I'll think about it. Will you be patient?"

She crossed her arms and smirked. "You pretty much admitted it, you know." Gohan blanched. He did, didn't he? He never denied it either. Videl patted his shoulder. "But okay, I'll wait for you to be ready to tell me officially. And I won't try to jump for your helmet again for the time being," she added with a playful wink.

"Oh, okay. Thanks," he said without thinking. He didn't even realize that he confessed to the truth with that simple reply. Videl chuckled and decided not to point it out. It was good enough for her.

His eyes widened, finally putting two and two together in his head. "I mean, thanks for understanding, not for the helmet thing! I… I mean…"

Videl laughed at his expense. Gohan sighed in defeat, his shoulders slumping.

"I just walked right into your trap, didn't I?"

"I honestly didn't think it would work." Her eyes shone with amusement. "Don't worry, I'll keep my promise." She put her finger over her lips and gave him a wink. "You can trust me."

Gohan blushed. Videl looked… really cute when she did that. His face burned up even more at his thoughts.

Oddly enough, he wasn't worried at all about Videl knowing his secret identity. He did trust her. Maybe it was because of how sweet she had been to him earlier while taking care of him. Maybe a part of him never thought Videl would knowingly compromise his privacy. Maybe he was just glad she wouldn't be trying to find out his secrets anymore, though he had to admit that it had certainly made his high school life more interesting.

"Thank you, Videl."

Maybe he just liked that he could be himself around her, that he didn't have to hide who he really was with her anymore.

Maybe he just liked Videl.

That last thought made his heart thump hard. His face flared up as the girl smiled at him, before turning and walking away. Gohan jogged after her; they still had class, even if PE was almost over by now.

"Hey, Gohan," Videl said softly just as he was reaching for the doorknob of the glass door to get outside. He paused and looked at her, showing that she had his attention. She smiled sheepishly. "Will you teach me how to fly?"

April 10, 2021