A quick short little thing that doesn't fit with the next chapter but obviously I couldn't include at the end of the last one

Third upload since emails went down

OnTheTidesOfEvermore: lol thanks

ArguableReader: yeah that was the first thing I checked

JCINNABAR: :)

Qinlongfei: Goku being invested in the state of his mountains seems integral to his character to me. He was found and raised there, and when left alone to be to himself he just stayed there with Chichi and Gohan again in near solitude before the start of Z since he's not good at keeping in contact by himself. That, plus the fact that he set up his new home right next to Grandpa Gohan's, it just makes me feel like he's just super connected to the place. The scene itself was even based off of a scene from the anime, just adding and changing some context, and also the ending because there is no way that egg could touch the water and not die
And many thanks ^.^ I do love Hanvi as a ship, as Videl has the initiative that Canon Gohan just really doesn't. It just obviously wouldn't work for the fic for multiple reasons lol.

I scanned the halls to make sure no one was there. Once I determined it was clear I rushed down- scanning the numbers on the doors until I found my target. I quickly knocked on the door, scanning the halls in either direction to make sure no one showed up.

Eventually- a very long eventually- the door opened at which I hurried inside without risk of being spotted.

Erasa closed the door behind me. She looked somewhere between confused and amused. Which was not helpful to my situation.

At least she lived alone now. She got her own apartment pretty quickly after graduating. No unknowns lurking around to interfere or overhear.

"So what was so important that you, quote, 'couldn't leave any physical evidence,' over text?" She asked.

I found I was pacing and stopped to glance back at her. I realized my mistake: she had gotten between me and the door. Escape would not be so easy should it be necessary.

"So? What's up?" She asked again.

This was dumb. This was dumb and I should just leave. But I was here now and it'd be weird if I did that.

"You can't tell anyone," I emphasized, "you can't tell anyone under threat of…I will call you a liar."

"Alright alright, I won't say anything. What's so important anyway?" She sounded far too amused at my plight.

I hummed, though it ended up leaning closer to a groan. Was it too late to leave? I could still do that. That was still an option.

But I was already here so I just- I had to. That was the whole point.

"How-" I cut off, my face heating, "how…do dates work..?"

Nope nope. Immediate regret. Should have just left. 0/10 will not recommend.

Erasa, however, was delighted. She was immediately fussing over the whole thing and asking what the plans were and dragging me to her room so that she could find me better clothes since "she already knew what I had." Which she did. But still.

This was dumb. This was dumb and stupid and why was I asking someone who was effectively half my age anyway? Not that she knew that but still.

I just- I haven't even thought about the concept in like twenty years now and even before it's not like I was good with this kind of thing and I just-

I don't know.

"So, is it with that older boy then?" She asked.

"What?"

"You know, the pretty one that was in the tournament. I saw you talking with him a while back."

"Oh, uh, yeah. I guess," I shrugged.

"How much older is he anyway?" She asked, conspicuously inconspicuous.

"I mean, I don't really see why that matters…" I absolutely lied. But like, if even she noticed and she didn't even know the whole thing- it was definitely gonna be an issue. I already knew that. Why did I even agree to go?

"That much older, huh?"

I shifted. This was not in the plan. I barely had a plan. But this wasn't in it.

"Well! I'm not about to go and tell you what to do, but you have to promise one thing. Never ever let him, or anyone else for that matter, pressure you into anything. You go at your own pace and no one else's. Got it?" She looked at me with uncharacteristic seriousness.

"Uh, sure. Yeah," I agreed. It's not like I had any intentions otherwise. Though it was obvious that the reason for the concern was the age issue all over again.

Erasa's serious demeanor remained for a moment more before she immediately perked back into her prior state, rifling through her closest and excitedly talking about the possibilities.

I just kinda stood there, still embarrassed and uncomfortable about the whole thing. But I guess it's good I had the help. Better than second-guessing everything at least.