It was yet another boring day at Orange Star High School. Students sat at their desks, half-heartedly listening to their teachers drone on, as they dreamed about the holidays to come. One such student, Videl Satan, was no exception. With exams having finished two days prior, paying attention in class now seemed pointless. With nothing better to do, she found her eyes wandering towards the boy who had plagued her for months. Son Gohan. An enigma unlike any other.
Unconsciously, her eyes narrowed into a glare. Ever since he had first appeared at her school, Videl knew there was something off about it. While he might have fooled the other students with his naïve and goofy persona, she was positive he was hiding something. She had been trying fruitlessly to uncover his secrets, but alas, had come up short. Gohan was always careful to filter everything that came out of his mouth. His stuttering and slow responses may have been attributed to his shy nature, but Videl knew better. She wasn't the city's favourite crime fighter and aspiring detective for no reason, after all.
Son Gohan was hiding something big and Videl Satan was going to get to the bottom of it.
Too busy attempting to glare a hole into Gohan's skull, Videl was caught off guard completely when the teacher yelled her name.
"Miss Satan! I know the term is nearly finished but I would greatly appreciate it if you paid attention like everyone else."
Having the decency to look embarrassed, Videl retreated sheepishly, shooting Gohan one last glance. The teacher must have caught his attention, because he stared right back at her with a puzzled expression on his face. She blushed, quickly turning her head towards the front of the classroom. Damn it. He probably thought she was staring because of a stupid crush or something. She should have been paying more attention to her surroundings.
"Now, class." The teacher interrupted. "Like I said before, I understand this last week of term can be boring for many of you. Me included. So, to try and counter some of that boredom, I thought we could finish the term with a bang! How does a little field trip sound?"
Her words took effect immediately. Students started cheering loudly, sharing excited looks and sitting straighter in their seats. Chatter took over the classroom, everyone curious to find out where it was they'd be going. Erasa turned to Videl.
"Oh my gosh, Videl! Do you think we'll get to visit the mall? Or maybe Capsule Corporation! Meeting Bulma Brief is my dream." She swooned happily, smiling brightly.
On Videl's right, Sharpener scoffed. "Don't be stupid, 'Rasa. Obviously we're going to meet Mr Satan or something. Maybe we'll get to spar with the champ himself."
"I doubt it, Sharpener." Videl frowned. "My dad never mentioned anything to me about a field trip."
"Huh. Well what do you think, Gohan?" asked Erasa sweetly, turning to her left.
Startled, Gohan looked up from the book he was currently reading. Videl couldn't help but smirk to herself. He truly was a nerd, through and through. "Geez, I'm not really sure, Erasa. I've never been on a field trip before. I don't know what to expect."
Before anyone has the chance to reply, the teacher spoke once more. "Enough of your guessing! Settle down. Because the school is low on budget at this time of year, I couldn't organise anything as grandiose as some of you are expecting. But that isn't to say it's not exciting! The place we are visiting is…"
The class listened eagerly.
"The original site of The Cell Games!"
Instantly, everyone erupted in thrilled gasps and the loud chatter picked up once again.
"Holy crap, that's sick as!" exclaimed Sharpener, looking to Videl for confirmation. "We literally get to stand on the very ground where your dad beat Cell. Isn't that awesome, babe?"
Videl sighed. "First of all, don't call me 'babe'. And I mean, it's kind of cool, I suppose. But I feel like I've seen the video so many times, it's not gonna be anything I haven't seen before."
"Hm, I don't reckon, girl." Erasa shook her head. "Seeing something on television versus actually being there makes a huge difference! For example, I'm not satisfied just looking at pictures of Bulma Brief. I need to meet her in person! Duh!"
Nodding, Videl conceded. "I suppose you're right. It is pretty exciting. And anything's better than sitting here all day."
As the teacher finalised the details with everyone and handed out permission forms, the crime fighter couldn't help but notice how quiet Gohan was being. Silence wasn't uncommon for him, but this was genuinely exciting news and he hadn't reacted whatsoever. Studying him, she realised he was actually more withdrawn than usual. He continued to stare at his book, but his eyes weren't moving over the words and there was a darkness in his gaze she had never seen before.
She tried calling his name gently, but there was no response. Sharing a look with Erasa, she called again.
"Gohan!"
Jolting, Gohan looked up, and Videl caught one more glance at the expression in his eyes before it morphed into his usual happy one. "Yeah, Videl?"
"Er, aren't you excited for the field trip? You love history and all that stuff."
Gohan diverted his eyes, fiddling with a pen on his desk. "Yeah, I guess. But it's just a mound of dirt now, right?" He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck in a way that boiled Videl's blood.
Before she could reply, Erasa interrupted with a giggle. "You're so silly, Gohan. It's going to be amazing, just you wait, cutie!"
Cheeks flushing red, Gohan laughed again. "If you say so."
Content with her persuasive skills, Erasa turned away and began inspecting her nails diligently, finished with the conversation. But Videl wasn't sated. Not at all. Because as soon as Gohan thought the attention was off him, his face immediately twisted into that same, morose look as before. It was unsettling. And it was certainly out of place on the boy's usually cheerful profile.
The field trip was on Friday: two days from now.
And by the end of it, Videl promised herself she'd have all the answers regarding Son Gohan.