The following morning the group gathered in the mess hall again to eat a breakfast prepared by Chi Chi. Piles of french toast, dozens of scrambled eggs, and perfectly crisped bacon lined the table. Goku and Vegeta sat beside each other and devoured twice as much food as the others. Bulma had always thought Goku was the only person who could eat like that, but apparently he had met his match.
Bulma joined Goku and his bunkmate and enjoyed two slices of french toast. She was borderline resentful over how good they were. Chi Chi being kitchen manager was definitely not as much of a leap as Bulma previously thought.
"Are you guys excited to get started today?" Bulma asked the two boys.
"Totally," Goku replied with his mouth full, and Vegeta just grunted between bites. Bulma decided to give up on conversation with these two, they were much too engrossed in their meal. After their plates were cleared, everyone gave their thanks and compliments to Chi Chi before heading out for the morning.
Outside, Bulma met up with Seventeen who sat with several books and maps splayed out on a picnic table. She sat down and began inquiring about his research and the plans he had for the campers. Bulma was impressed by the depth of his knowledge of wildlife. His plan was to map out a few different hikes of varying difficulty, that way the older kids could trek the more advanced trails.
"Everything looks great! Thanks for all your hard work," Bulma said sincerely.
"Sure," Seventeen replied with a small smile. It was apparent as he spoke of his plans how passionate he was about the outdoors. It was almost ironic that someone who Bulma initially thought was kind of scary was so invested in protecting all the cute forest creatures. Bulma left Seventeen at his picnic table and checked her clipboard.
Next, she walked into the kitchen in the mess hall to talk to Chi Chi. The kitchen had industrial grade appliances and just about everything was stainless steel, including the counters. Massive refrigerators lined the wall and centered in the middle of the room was an island, with bar stools on one side and counter space and a sink on the other. The raven haired girl donned an apron as she stood behind the kitchen's island and carefully chopped up various fruits.
"Ooh," Bulma squeaked, "can I have some of those?" she asked as she pointed to the bowl of freshly washed strawberries next to Chi Chi's cutting board.
"Go ahead!" Chi Chi smiled as she pushed the bowl closer to her. Bulma took a seat on a bar stool across the island from Chi Chi and began snacking on her favorite treat.
"How has everything been going in here?" Bulma implored.
"Its been great! This first week isn't too bad only preparing meals for the counselors, but when the campers get here there will be so many more mouths to feed. I've already decided on the menu, so I'm taking the time to prep ingredients, then its just a matter of throwing everything together!"
"Wow, sounds like you got it all figured out!" Bulma complimented. Chi Chi nodded appreciatively. The girls sat in comfortable silence for a moment as Bulma continued to snack on the juicy, red strawberries.
"Can I ask you a sort of personal question?" Chi Chi asked shyly, as she finished slicing a pineapple.
"Shoot," Bulma replied unconcerned.
"Are you and Goku like a thing?" she questioned. Bulma's eyes slid from the strawberries to Chi Chi's deep brown eyes. Was she being serious?
"Goku and I never have been, nor ever will be, anything romantic," Bulma laughed. "He's like my little brother." Apparently that was the answer she wanted to hear because Chi Chi smiled really big in response.
"You're really good at this," Bulma commented as she popped another strawberry in her mouth. "I was super impressed by your french toast this morning. Where did you learn to cook?" she inquired conversationally.
"From my mom actually," Chi Chi smiled as she continued cutting other fruits for today's lunch.
"Are you and your mom close?" Bulma asked.
"We were," Chi Chi replied softly, "She actually passed away a few years ago. That's why my dad and I are so close. We're all each other has, ya know?" The blue haired girl suddenly felt guilty for her line of questioning.
"I get that," Bulma replied trying to change the subject," my dad and I are really tight too. In fact, I want to be a scientist just like him someday." The girls smiled at each other in a newfound appreciation for the other.
"I'll let you get back to work," Bulma said as she exited the kitchen. "Let me know if I can help you with anything!"
Bulma left the mess hall and spotted Vegeta sitting on his lifeguard tower near the shore of the lake. He didn't really have as much to prep for camp's start as the others, but she decided to check on him anyway.
His tower was essentially a large elevated chair made of white painted wood. A brightly colored umbrella sprouted from the top to provide shade for the chair's occupant. Vegeta sat leaned against the back the chair, one elbow propped up on the armrest with his head resting in his hand. One of his legs dangled from the chair while the other was fixed flat on the seat.
Vegeta looked incredibly relaxed lounged on his tower. Bulma noticed it might be one of the first she saw him not frowning since he arrived. He wore his red lifeguard shorts, a camp t-shirt, and his typical mirrored, aviator style sunglasses. Summer had just began but his skin was already a sun kissed bronze.
"Hey stranger! Is there anything you need to get ready for camp?" Bulma called out in a cheery voice as she approached his tower. Vegeta didn't respond, in fact he didn't even move.
"Vegeta?" she tried again as she stood at the base of his tower. Still no response, then she heard it. He was softly snoring. Everyone was working hard to prepare for the campers arrival and he was napping!
"Vegeta!" Bulma yelled this time as she yanked on his dangling foot. He immediately jolted awake and reflexively kicked his leg out and knocked Bulma roughly onto her butt. She was unhurt but glared angrily up at him.
"Why the hell did you scare me like that!" Vegeta muttered as he descended from his tower. He offered her a hand, she took it and his firm grip heaved her back to standing. "I didn't mean to knock you down, you just surprised me," he said in half apology.
Bulma stood and stared at her hand he was still holding. His hand was tan and rough whereas hers were pale and soft. A stark contrast of one another, but Bulma was surprised at how much she enjoyed the feeling of his warm skin on hers. Wait, what was she doing? Forget his masculine hands, she was about to yell at him for sleeping on the job! She stole her hand from him and gave him a scowl.
"You're not supposed to be sleeping! You need to work on your lesson plans! I will not have any kids drowning at my camp!" Bulma reprimanded. Her face was red with irritation, and maybe a hint of embarrassment from her reaction to holding his hand for a moment. But he didn't need to know about the latter.
"I've been working at the rec center teaching water safety and coaching a youth swim team for the last two years. I could literally teach the class in my sleep, so don't worry your pretty little head, director, the kids will be fine," he replied, using her title mockingly.
"Fine," Bulma grumbled, "But expect me to come watch your class so I can know you are actually proficient at your job."
"You are welcome in my class any time, director," Vegeta smirked. "Just remember, private lessons cost extra," he added with a wink, before turning around to climb back up his tower.
Bulma flushed at the insinuation in his joke. She looked up at him to see if he noticed but he was already lying back with his laced together fingers supporting the back of his head. She stomped away, but turned back to yell, "You better not be late for our staff meeting at 5 tonight!" He only gave a dismissive wave in reply.
A few hours past and the group congregated in the mess hall once again for lunch. Everyone filed in and filled their plates at the buffet style tables. Bulma grabbed the seat next to Goku. Her best friend had been at the front of the line, so he was the first to claim a table. She assumed Goku was so eager for meal time because he's always hungry, but this was the second time she noticed him smiling brightly at Chi Chi as he stacked his plate.
Her observation combined with Chi Chi's question this morning made Bulma suspicious. She was enjoying some fruit salad when Yamcha slid into the seat next to her.
"Hey beautiful," he greeted, "how's the director's life treating you so far?" Bulma smiled at Yamcha, right as Vegeta joined the table in the seat across from Goku.
"Oh you know, staying busy," Bulma replied. "I've just been checking on everyone's stations, making sure no one is snoozing." At the mention of sleep, Bulma shot a look at Vegeta, but he didn't even flinch at her subtle jab.
"Well, I'm glad you are saving the best for last, aka me! I have a great activity planned for you when you come by my station tomorrow, so get ready!" he informed her.
"Looking forward to it," Bulma said as she got up to throw away her empty plate. She didn't bother saying bye to her best friend, between his food and Chi Chi he had barely spoken a word to her all lunch. Bulma made a mental note to ask Goku about the developments in his relationship with the raven haired girl.
Bulma spent the remainder of the afternoon sitting in a hammock and working on her script for the welcome event the night the campers arrive. Five o' clock came faster than expected and Bulma waited patiently as her staff gathered in the mess hall for their nightly dinner meeting. After everyone arrived, grabbed their meals and were seated, Bulma greeted them.
"I'm so excited that we are all going to be spending the summer together! In the interest of getting to know one another better, I've planned a ton of ice breakers and activities for us this week. Tonight, all of you are invited to my cabin for a pajama party!" Bulma spoke with enthusiasm.
Yamcha raised his hand, and Bulma called on him to speak. "What if I sleep naked?" he asked with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows. The entire room rolled their eyes in unison.