Gohan barely made it outside of his room when a small child lunged into his chest, knocking some of the wind from his lungs. The two fell to the floor from the momentum.
"Gohan! Gohan! I missed you!" The child cried.
Gohan quickly sat up and rubbed his head as he looked to find his small brother in his lap. A wide smile grew on his face. "Goten? When did you get here?!"
"Dad and I flew here just now." Goten exclaimed.
"You flew? Oh no. Mother's scolding dad now isn't she?" Gohan smiled with a weak laugh escaping him though he couldn't hold back a wince imagining what his father was going through now. "Let's go distract her. I'm sure she'd rather see you."
The two swiftly descended the stairs finding Chichi and Goku still standing by the door.
"You weren't thinking were you?!" Chichi yelled her arms firm on her hips.
"Goten made a good point that we should return as soon as possible. I agreed, so you and Gohan wouldn't have to wait long. Flying was the only option." Goku explained.
"Remember when I said you couldn't fly anymore?" Chichi sighed. "How we were going to have to live like normal people once we moved here? Can you think back to why?"
"Mom, please don't be too mad at dad. It was my idea." Goten hurriedly rushed to her side.
Chichi happily picked him up and hugged him tight. "It's very sweet you wanted to see us sooner but he should have known better. It's not very safe to fly right now."
"Why not? I'm a great flier." Goku scratched his head.
"Because if anyone saw you they'd be upset." Gohan softly explained. "Flying, super strength, energy beams; it's all still too new to humans."
"Oh right." Goku sighed.
"I know it's hard and I wish I never had to ask you to hide your abilities but we have to comply with them so we can survive. If they shunned us out we wouldn't be able to get the things we need in daily life." Chichi explained.
"Really? We always had plenty of food and warmth at the old house. I can hunt and fish easily for us to survive." Goku thought with a knuckle to his chin.
"Yes but the clothes don't come out of thing air, neither does lighting for the house, soap, clean water, tutors and wives for your sons. Basic life as we know it, requires a lot of materials and work. So unless YOU want to farm sheep to spin wool to yarn and weave yarn to cloth or YOU want to turn animal fat to tallow and tallow to candle or if YOU want to pulp tree fiber into paper and stitch them into books to educate your sons, I suggest conforming." Chichi declared with calm confidence. "My father worked very hard to give me a good life in society and I will not have our sons' chance at that thrown away."
"Wow you thought of everything didn't you?" Goku's eyes were wide as he envisioned all of the work.
"Of course I did. I used to help my father budget and run the house before I married you." Chichi smiled, trying not to look too proud of herself.
"I promise I'll be more careful." Goku stood straight, as his face turning serious.
Chichi giggled as she pat Goku's arm, earning a smile from him. "I would appreciate that."
"With that settled… why is Goten home early? I thought we were waiting until after I was fully prepared to inherit the bank." Gohan inquired.
"Your father suggested last night that with all the extra stress of your memories, you would need as much family support as possible." Chichi explained, her eyes bright as she glanced between her sons with joy.
Gohan's heart warmed. He hugged both her and Goten. "Thank you."
"Dad said you were having trouble. Tell me what happened, I'll fix it." Goten declared.
Gohan rubbed his chin playfully. "Hmmmm…. Maybe I'll tell you after we get some snacks? You did just get back and you must be hungry."
"Yeah!" Goten exclaimed before forcing himself to whisper with his hands beside his mouth. "We should find some of mom's cookies too."
"If you're all just going to steal the cookies we might as well bake fresh ones instead." Chichi sighed and almost laughed as the child was still in her arms unaware she could very well hear him. She carried the excited Goten to the kitchen with Goku and Gohan following just behind, laughing to themselves.
"So does your head hurt from all that?" Goten asked from atop Gohan's shoulders as they walked through town. His hands carrying as many cookies as he could carry.
"Not really." Gohan chuckled. "I've had knocks to the head worse than this felt. How was your time away?"
"Pretty fun! I got to hang out with trunks everyday." Goten grinned bright. "Miss Bulma didn't even make me do studies."
"Maybe you shouldn't tell mom that part." Gohan joked.
"I did miss home though." Goten admitted.
"Me too." Gohan sighed.
"Are you worried about the bank stuff? That was what you were supposed to be focusing on and the reason I was staying with Trunks." Goten inquired.
"I was focusing on it don't worry." Gohan assured. He recalled when his mother sat them down and explained the move. Goten was staying with the Briefs so Chichi and Goku could concentrate on Gohan. He hated how it sounded that he needed more attention and his brother was being sent away for it, but he did understand.
"Well don't focus too hard, we have to spend some time together before I go back." Goten stated.
"You're going back?" Gohan asked.
"Yep. Dad said there was an important event in a couple weeks and I was too young to attend. There's still a lot you have do so this is just a temporary visit." Goten explained.
"Oh… I forgot about the dinner." Gohan strained an exhale, his brows knitting new knots. He had forgotten amidst all the Piccolo events.
"Am I going to meet your friend?" Goten asked breaking Gohan from his worried thoughts.
"If we run into him sure, but it is his day off so... I wouldn't… bet on it." Gohan's words dragged out as he spotted a struggle on the side of the street.
A small gathering of women arguing, cornering someone against a building. "How are we to know for sure what you're serving in there?!"
"Could be some unnatural concoction."
"My husband has been acting different since he began drinking in your shop. He won't even talk to me anymore."
"I assure you any issues you have is between you and him." The deep voice of the cornered character was heavily laced with annoyance as it replied to the crowd. "Like EVERY OTHER SHOP my coffee is regularly monitored. There's nothing in it to poison or brainwash or whatever other rumor you've heard. This is ridiculous."
Once Gohan stepped closer he instantly recognized the tall green victim to the women's interrogation. "Mr. Piccolo?"
Piccolo stood against the wall with his arms crossed so tight Gohan was convinced his nails had drawn blood. His eyes closed firmly and brows twitching in his obvious restraint of frustration and anger. "Hello Gohan. Sorry, I'm in the middle of something."
The women were instantly distracted by Gohan's approach. "Young man, do you know this one?"
"Yes I know him. He's a very good friend." Gohan answered her a little upset that anyone wouldn't trust him. He swiftly set Goten down as he turned to Piccolo. "Is something wrong here?"
"We're announcing our complaints." A smaller woman spoke up. "If he doesn't address them properly we'll have his shop closed by an official."
"There's nothing wrong with his shop." Gohan frowned.
"Oh poor boy must have been drinking it too." One gasped.
"His head must be so fogged."
"You should really drink in a human run shop. The coffee won't be tainted or-" Another began.
"There is no coffee house I will trust more than his." Gohan's hands shook. "A good and honest shop doesn't depend on what race the owner is."
"Yeah!" Goten agreed with a vigorous nod.
"They get them addicted so young these days." an older woman mentioned at the sight of small Goten.
Gohan stepped before his brother. "Please leave my friend and his shop alone."
"Oh my, his eyes!" a young lady gasped.
"A saiyan child?!" The women clamored. The women began to connect dots of the man before them and with many mutterings, quickly dispersed.
Gohan forced himself to breath, the comment of his eyes alerting him to his rising power. They must have flickered teal. I didn't notice, damn.
"You didn't have to confront them on my behalf." Piccolo sighed.
"Why wouldn't I? The views they have against aliens makes me just… so sick." Gohan explained. His heart still pounded in his ears despite his attempts to quiet it.
"But you're being groomed to inherit an important bank aren't you? You'll need to appeal to the public to maintain an image." Piccolo replied.
"If I lose any business of people like them, I will not lose any sleep. My grandfather would feel the same." Gohan said.
"Gohan is there something wrong with being saiyan?" Goten asked, having watched the women leave with stern glances at them. "I know you said that people might be afraid but they seemed upset or even angry."
"No. Of course not." Gohan knelt down to his brother; his heart sunk into his stomach. "Don't let what they said bother you alright? Some people are just very mean."
"Who is the kid?" Piccolo looked down at the small child.
"This is my brother Goten. Goten this is Piccolo, the friend I was telling you about earlier." Gohan happily introduced the two, diverting from the darker topic. He knew like his father, Goten could be easily distracted.
"Thank you for being a good friend to my brother Piccolo sir!" Goten excitedly held out his hand.
Piccolo rose a single brow at the kid considering the handshake. His expression still firm from the confrontation. "Kid I'll be honest with you. A lot of people hate anyone who isn't human, aliens especially, because we look different and can do things they haven't been able to imagine most of their history. Some will only see aliens as dangerous and will do what they can to uproot and disrupt the lives of people like us. They live in fear and a false belief that they are superior to us. Gohan's right that you shouldn't let them bother you, but you should be aware of how they think and feel. Absolutely do not let them use you or insult or attack you just because you're saiyan."
Goten forced a serious face, he swallowed a lump in his throat as he struggled with a few thoughts and processed what was said. "I appreciate your honesty."
Gohan looked at Piccolo with concern. Piccolo gave no reaction. "You shouldn't sugar coat the important lessons in life. Everyone should be prepared to defend themselves."
"I understand. I just…." Gohan sighed.
"Kids can actually understand quite a lot. They read things from us we don't think they're capable of." Piccolo explained. "You taught me that."
"I did?" Gohan asked. He didn't remember anytime he could have but before he had proper time to think his attention was drawn to Piccolo.
"Did you have somewhere you needed to be?" Piccolo lifted a large nearby crate with ease.
"No. We didn't have any real aim." Gohan answered.
"Follow me then. I could use your help." Piccolo began walking. Gohan followed holding Goten's hand as the child stuffed a couple cookies into his mouth. It wasn't too long before they reached Piccolo's coffee house. With the crate shifted to one hand he unlocked and opened the door, allowing the two to enter first.
Gohan and Goten stepped inside, the smell of roasted beans filling the senses. Though it still wasn't Gohan's favorite drink, the smell was quickly becoming a calming sensation for him. Goten scrunched his nose some at the scent. "What help did you need?"
"I need to test a new drink." Piccolo explained as he swiftly entered the back room, crate in hand.
Goten hopped onto a stool by the counter. "If it's what makes this smell, I don't think I'll like it very much."
Gohan laughed as he stood beside Goten. "You would probably hate coffee."
"Does it taste as bad as it smells?" Goten asked.
"It can." Gohan whispered.
"Then why do you always come here and drink plenty?" Piccolo asked leaning against the frame of the back door, his expression smirked and teasing.
"Uh well…." Gohan shrunk, embarrassed he had been heard. "You always make coffee taste better than others-"
"You don't drink other coffee, Gohan." Piccolo added with a soft chuckle. "You're here too many days of the week for another shop; and I know for certain Chichi keeps more tea than any other drink in that house."
Gohan's face burnt pink. "W-what's the new drink?"
"It's a surprise, takes a little time to process." Piccolo returned to the back room.
"Are you alright? Your face is red." Goten asked, starting to nibble on the last cookie.
"I didn't think he'd hear me." Gohan admitted under his breath.
"You didn't want him to know you don't like coffee so much?" Goten inquired further.
Gohan groaned to himself. How humiliating would it be to admit he only ever came to the shop for Piccolo? To try to talk to him; to discern that strange feeling in his head? Would he wither away on the spot? He could swear he felt himself melting through the floor until he noticed the pressure in his cheek.
His eyes opened to see Goten pushing a finger into his face almost nudging him off of the stool. "Wow you were out of it there."
"Your perception has really dulled kid." Piccolo noted as he knelt over the counter.
"S-sorry." Gohan scratched his head.
"Continue what you were saying." Piccolo turned to Goten.
"Oh right!" Goten perked up. "He's got this party coming up and it's all going to be strangers for the bank business. I thought if he had some friends, it would be more fun and easier for him."
"Won't you be there?" Piccolo asked. Gohan just watched the conversation a bit uninterested. When it wasn't about his health all his family would talk about was bank this and bank that. He knew it would still be on his brother's mind and it was heartwarming to know Goten worried for him but he also didn't want to bother Piccolo with it.
"I want to but I'm going back to Miss Bulma's. I'm staying there while mom and dad help Gohan." Goten replied.
"I see. So that's why you want me there instead?" Piccolo said.
"Wait what?" Gohan blurted.
"I'm inviting Piccolo for you to the dinner. Dad said it's going to be the biggest event you've been to thus far. I'd hate to go into one of those without Trunks with me and Piccolo is your closest friend right?" Goten explained.
"Well yes, he is, but-" Gohan began.
"Would you prefer I didn't show?" Piccolo interrupted.
"Honestly I'd love to have you there but it might be a work day for you. There's also going to be a lot of people and I know you're not fond of crowds. Mother doesn't even know he's inviting you and might lose her mind at another guest. She's also quite picky about party attire and-" Gohan
"It's fine. She won't need to budget more food for another guest since I won't need to eat. If it's weird that I'm not eating with the rest I can stand aside in another room while the dinner is served." Piccolo explained. "I'll even tolerate formal attire and the crowd if it's to support you. You should have said something if you were worried about going alone."
"I had forgotten about it and at this point it's just another gathering. I'll just smile through it like I did the others." Gohan sighed with his admission.
Piccolo said nothing further though his eyes seemed to say he was thinking more than plenty. He turned to a burner, revealing a pot boiling just behind him. Gohan watched him whisk the contents vigorously and adding a scoop of some grounded ingredient similar to coffee but the smell was very different. It sent excitement shivering through his body, his tail trying to wriggle free of the restraints of his coat. Just as he noticed his salivation, Piccolo slowly poured the liquid into two simple mugs. Sugar was added and stirred into each before Piccolo slid them before Gohan and Goten.
Gohan stared into his mug puzzled by it but falling deeper into elation at the scent he inhaled with each breath. "What's this?"
"It smells great." Goten said as he blew to cool the surface.
Gohan picked up the drink and took a slow sip, cautious of the temperature. The instant the drink flooded his senses of taste he knew what it was… Chocolate. "This cannot be what I think it is."
"It is." Piccolo confirmed with subtle pride in his expression.
"It's so smooth and the spices are very different." Gohan explained as he succumbed to a second sip. He had hot chocolate before but only very few times and at the most special occasions. It was a hard drink to make, requiring so many steps to prepare properly. The best on offer still had grit after grinding and filtering, and no one has made it as sweet and creamy as the drink he held now.
"Of course with current devices and technology of mankind, this drink isn't possible. Making the chocolate takes too much work and processing. I asked a favor from someone with more advanced techniques and tools. The cream and sugar are everyday items I have here." Piccolo explained.
"What spices though?" Gohan asked.
"That's a secret blend." Piccolo turned and began cleaning.
"And you made it in the short time we were here? This is bound to be a success here in the shop." Gohan sighed with content.
"I'm not offering it in the shop." Piccolo replied. "Not to everyone at least."
"Why not though?" Gohan asked his mind trying to equate the business behind it. He suddenly looked at his drink with concern. "Would it be too expensive for most people?"
"No, I'm just offering it for a very select client." Piccolo explained, his back still turned and his voice and expression unwilling to give an answer.
"That is one lucky customer." Gohan took another heartwarming sip.
"Gohan look." Goten wiped the drink from his lip before pointing outside.
Gohan turned and glanced at the golden light of the setting sun. "Oh no it's already getting late."
"So soon?" Piccolo asked a single brow raised.
"Unfortunately." Gohan sighed. He contemplated the hot chocolate for a moment before chugging the rest. "It's a shame to drink it so quickly… but even more so not to finish it at all."
"Thank you very much for the delicious drink!" Goten smiled as he finished his own cup.
"I'll let you know about the dinner later." Gohan stood and made his way out with Goten just behind. A gentle wave and soft smile given, and he had left.
Piccolo sighed to himself as he collected the mugs and began cleaning them.