The waves of the ocean crashed at Kame House, located on a small island. Krillin arrives home from his police officer shift. "I'm home! 18? Marron? Roshi?" he calls out.
He hears a faint response from inside the house, and after a moment, Android 18 emerges from the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel. "Hey, Krillin. How was your shift?" she asks, her voice calm and collected.
"It was fine, just another day at the office," Krillin replies, leaning against the doorframe. "Where's Roshi and Marron?"
"Roshi's cooking and Marron's probably playing with her toys in the living room," 18 says, walking past him.
As Krillin walks into the living room, he spots Marron, their 4-year-old daughter, playing with a small, intricately carved wooden boat on the floor. Krillin chuckles and kneels down beside her, taking the boat from her hands. "Wow, you're a great sailor, Marron."
"Dinner's ready, folks!" a voice calls out from the kitchen.
Krillin looks up at 18, who nods towards the dining table. He stands up and takes Marron's hand, leading her to the table. As they sit down, the aroma of the food fills the air.
"Wow, Roshi, you outdid yourself tonight," Krillin says, taking a bite of the steaming hot dish in front of him. It's a mix of vegetables and rice, seasoned to perfection.
"Thank you, Krillin," Master Roshi replies, his mouth full. "I thought we could use a change from our usual fare."
The group eat and share stories around the table. A couple hours pass, as 18 puts Marron away to bed and returns to the table.
As the evening wears on, the group continues to chat and laugh together, the warm glow of the dining table lights casting a cozy ambiance over the scene.
Master Roshi clears his throat. "Both of you, there's something we need to discuss."
Krillin and Android 18 exchange glances, their curiosity piqued. They turn their attention back to Master Roshi, who continues, "I've been thinking about the future, and I wanted to talk to you both about it."
"Our future?" 18 repeats, her eyebrows raised in question. "What about it?"
"The cost of owning this island and this house has risen astronomically the last few years. And my winnings from the Tenkaichi Budokai are starting to run dry. I hate to ask, but I can't continue to pay for this on my own."
Master Roshi's words hung in the air, a subtle concern creeping onto his face. Krillin's expression turned thoughtful, and he exchanged a glance with Android 18, who seemed to be calculating the implications. Marron's early bedtime had been just a few minutes ago, and the peaceful evening atmosphere had been shattered by Roshi's announcement.
"Well Master Roshi, what's the amount looking like? I'm sure I can help." Krillin said.
"It's 1 million zeni per year." Roshi replied.
Krillin took a deep breath. He was lucky to make 10,000 zeni a month. That was way more than he'd make in a year, not including taking care of 18 and Marron.
He looked at Android 18, who seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"We'll see what we can do, Roshi." she added, fully aware that Krillin's funds would barely help.
"I hate to charge a former pupil rent, but I have to do what I must." Roshi said.
Krillin took a deep breath, trying to process the information. "We'll figure something out, Master Roshi. Don't worry about it." He said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
Krillin walked outside to gaze at the ocean and the night sky, leaving 18 and Roshi at the table.
He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind and come up with a solution. The cool ocean breeze brushed against his skin, and he could hear the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore.
18 silently remained hopeful, but her dream of having a family and a great marriage seemed to be in danger. They didn't have many other living options while taking care of a child. West City was completely out of the question in price.
"Roshi..what can we do?" she asked in desperation.
"Well, 18. There's something you can do.." he burrowed.
"Y-you! You fucking perv! How dare you!" she yelled as she slammed her hand on the table and stormed off.
The sudden loud noise echoed through the small house, startling Krillin, who was still outside, lost in thought. He quickly went inside, wondering what had happened.
Inside the room, 18 was sitting on the edge of the bed, her fists clenched tightly. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She couldn't believe Roshi would even suggest something like that.
"It's okay, 18. We're gonna make it work." Krillin said, trying to calm her.
After 18 cooled off, the pair slipped into bed.
Krillin wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. "It's going to be okay, 18. We'll figure something out," he whispered softly.
18 snuggled closer to him, her body trembling slightly. She couldn't believe they were in this situation. They had worked so hard to create a life for themselves and Marron, and now it felt like it was all crumbling down around them.
As the night wore on, the couple lay in silence, lost in their own thoughts. The gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore was the only thing that broke the silence.
The next day came, and Krillin left for work, taking Marron with him to drop her off at school. 18 sat in the kitchen, as Roshi entered for a morning coffee. Complete silence enveloped the room.
Roshi took a sip of his coffee and cleared his throat. "So, um...about yesterday," he started, his voice slightly nervous.
18 looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "You've got some fucking nerve, old man."
"18, you didn't even listen to my offer." he replied.
"What offer? What's there to listen to? You think I don't know you, you perv?" She asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Roshi finished his coffee and stood up. "First of the month, you have sex with me. Your rent is covered for the month. No questions asked." he said, and began to leave the kitchen.
Even with the appalling offer he had just given her, there it was: Rent covered, no worry for Krillin and Marron. Sure, she would have to entertain the geezer, but it would solve her problems right away.
"Wait!"
18 stood up from the table. "Fine. But I am doing this for my family only. And the exact terms you agreed upon. Once a month. You touch me the next day, you're a dead man, I don't care who the hell you are to my my husband." she said, her voice cold as ice.
Roshi nodded in understanding.
He peered over at the calendar on the wall.
"The first of the month is in five days. I'll make the payment then, and prove it to you. Then you return the favor for me."
They shook hands, as Roshi walked into the living room.
"Fucking...old man. What have I gotten my self into..?" 18 thought aloud, clueless to what the future held.