The underground laboratory's air purification system worked overtime, struggling to clear away the lingering scent of ozone.
Lazuli sat on the cold metal examination table.
The oversized white lab coat draped loosely over her body, slipping halfway down one shoulder and exposing her smooth, fair skin.
She stared blankly at her own palm.
The warmth...
The faint moisture from her skin...
It all felt so unfamiliar that it frightened her.
Then her stomach growled.
Grrr...
The sound shattered the silence of the laboratory.
Lazuli's face instantly turned bright red.
It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in years.
Embarrassment.
As Android 18, she had only needed water to maintain her organic tissue. Her Infinite Energy Reactor supplied everything else.
She had never known what hunger felt like.
"Looks like the reconstruction was thorough. Even your digestive system is working perfectly now."
Krillin walked over with a grin.
Somehow, he had already prepared a sizzling steak, still crackling with hot juices.
"Here. Give it a try."
"This is one of the finest cuts of beef on Earth. Bulma keeps it hidden as her personal stash."
Lazuli eyed the plate warily.
Her nose twitched.
It smelled incredible.
The rich aroma of caramelized fat filled the air, the savory fragrance rushing straight through her senses and assaulting her newly awakened taste buds.
Her mouth immediately began to water.
"I'm not eating..."
She tried to refuse.
Her body betrayed her.
She swallowed.
"Stop pretending."
"You're human now."
"If you don't eat, you'll starve."
Krillin cut off a small piece of steak, speared it with a fork, and held it near her lips.
"Open up."
Lazuli glared at him.
Her eyes practically screamed, Are you trying to poison me?
Then her stomach growled again.
Even louder.
She shut her eyes in defeat and bit into the steak.
The world exploded.
The crisp seared crust gave way beneath her teeth.
Rich juices burst across her tongue.
Savory.
Buttery.
Perfectly seasoned.
Every flavor danced across her taste buds.
Lazuli's blue eyes flew open.
Her pupils trembled.
So...
This...
This is what it means to be alive?
In that hopeless future...
In a world filled with nothing but death, smoke, and machine oil...
She had never experienced something so vivid.
Tears quietly rolled down her cheeks.
"Crying because it's that delicious?"
Krillin set the plate down and casually wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes with a tissue, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Don't worry."
"There's plenty more."
Like a magician, he pulled dish after dish from his storage ring.
Creamy mushroom soup.
Seafood gratin.
Tiramisu.
Lazuli stopped pretending to be reserved.
She picked up the fork and began eating.
At first, her movements were stiff, like a machine that had rusted from disuse.
Soon, they became smooth and natural.
She ate quickly, but not crudely.
Instead, there was an oddly adorable enthusiasm to the way she devoured every bite.
Krillin rested his chin on one hand and quietly watched her.
"Slow down."
"No one's going to steal your food."
He handed her a glass of warm water.
Lazuli accepted it and emptied the entire glass in one gulp.
The warmth slid down her throat into her stomach.
That comforting sensation finally melted away the last trace of coldness buried deep inside her heart.
She set the glass down.
Hic.
She froze.
Then hurriedly covered her mouth, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Full?" Krillin asked with a smile.
"Hmph..."
"I guess."
Lazuli turned her head away.
The tips of her ears were bright red.
"Don't think one meal is enough to win me over."
"I am..."
"You're Lazuli."
"A gifted martial artist blessed with an Infinite Energy Core."
Krillin interrupted her before she could finish.
He stood and extended a hand toward her.
"Now that you've eaten, it's time for a little exercise."
Lazuli immediately shrank back, clutching the front of her lab coat.
"Y... You're not planning anything weird, are you?"
"This is a laboratory!"
Krillin rolled his eyes.
"What are you thinking?"
"Your imagination is dirtier than mine."
He pointed at the oversized lab coat hanging loosely from her shoulders.
Then at her long, bare legs.
"I'll admit, I like this look."
"But if you keep wandering around my house dressed like this..."
"Lunch and Aki are probably going to tear you apart."
"So come on."
"I'm taking you somewhere."
"Where?"
"West City."
"The greatest paradise for women in the universe."
A mischievous grin spread across Krillin's face.
"I'm taking you..."
"Shopping."
"Time to buy you some beautiful clothes."
Nearby, Bulma continued hammering away at her computer keyboard without even turning around.
She casually tossed a black-and-gold credit card through the air.
It landed perfectly on the table in front of Krillin.
"Take it!"
"Buy whatever you want!"
"The PIN is your birthday!"
Her bloodshot eyes remained glued to the monitor as endless streams of data raced across the screen.
She let out a laugh that sounded almost unhinged.
"Hahaha!"
"So that's how it works!"
"If I just rearrange the mitochondria slightly..."
"And combine it with..."
"Frieza's research data..."
"The Saiyans' S-Cells..."
"Android 18's blueprints..."
"And Cell's genetic map..."
"Krillin!"
"Get her out of here!"
"And don't come back tonight!"
"You're interrupting my research!"
Krillin immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
Just what is Bulma trying to build...?
Nope.
Time to disappear.
He caught the black card between two fingers and raised an eyebrow at Lazuli.
"See?"
"Our sponsor has spoken."
"Come on."
"My prize."
"Tonight..."
"I'll teach you how to live as a real woman."
Lazuli looked at the hand stretched out before her.
She hesitated.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Finally...
She slowly placed her hand in his.
His hand was large.
Strong.
Warm.
It was the warmth she had once longed for more than anything.
And the warmth she had once feared touching the most.
--------------------------------
Unlock exclusive early access to 20 advanced chapters on my P@treon. Join today and dive into the story before anyone else!
DAILY CHAPTER HERE
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a