LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 7: Chapter 7
I felt excited and nervous, trying to keep my composure, but my eyes couldn't help but shift from one to the other. It was surreal to be here, surrounded by the Z-warriors, as if I had been transported to a childhood fantasy. To calm down a bit, I decided to get something to drink.
As I approached the refreshment table, I noticed Gohan and Piccolo approaching me, both with curious expressions. Gohan was the first to speak, with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Mira, right? I don't remember seeing you before. Where do you know Vegeta from?" asked Gohan, tilting his head with interest.
"Well, I'm an apprentice to Mr. Whis and Mr. Beerus," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Although, to be honest, this is the first time I've had the chance to meet so many amazing fighters at once. I've heard a lot about you guys."
I tried not to get nervous and responded with a smile that, I hoped, seemed natural. "Well, I was sent here for some... special training." I said not wanting to reveal the real reason why we were here yet. "I was told this would be a good place to find warriors of renown."
Piccolo raised an eyebrow, assessing me with his usual stern look. "Training? That's interesting, because you don't seem like an ordinary guy," he commented in a tone that made it clear he didn't quite trust me.
I laughed a little, scratching the back of my neck. "The truth is, I still have a lot to learn. Compared to you, my skills are still quite modest," I admitted, trying to sound humble.
Gohan nodded slowly, not looking away from me, "It's rare to meet someone who is on a quest for power without being a Saiyan like my dad or Mr. Vegeta. Most people have no interest in that kind of challenge."
Before he could respond, a familiar voice interjected. It was Krillin, approaching with a curious and friendly expression. "So, Mira, are you a friend of Vegeta's or someone he met at one of his training sessions?"
"Something like that." I quickly replied, smiling. "I guess I'm considered an apprentice in some ways. This place is totally new to me, and, well, it's my first time at a meeting of this kind."
Krillin patted me on the shoulder. "You'll get used to it. We're all like one big family here...albeit somewhat peculiar." He smiled, casting a complicit glance towards Vegeta, who seemed to be watching us from a distance with a mixture of annoyance and resignation. His intense presence and intimidating aura didn't seem to fit with the relaxed atmosphere of the party, but it was part of what made Vegeta.... Vegeta.
Then, Yamcha joined the group, holding a glass and looking at me with interest. "So you're here for training, huh? Well, Vegeta's pretty reserved, but I imagine you have some interesting skill if they decided to invite you to a meeting. Do you have any interesting techniques or tricks you want to show off?"
I paused to think about how to respond without raising too many expectations. "Well, my teachers have taught me a lot about control and concentration. I think it's a bit of a different approach from the training you're used to here."
Piccolo nodded, crossing his arms and keeping his piercing gaze on me. "Control and concentration, huh? That's not something everyone achieves or even practices. I'm impressed." He commented, in a neutral but somewhat more open tone than before.
Gohan sketched a smile, finally relaxed. "Well, I hope you enjoy the party, Mira. And, who knows, maybe someday we can train together. It would be interesting to see what you're capable of. Plus it would help me get in shape since I haven't been training much lately due to work."
I smiled back at them, trying to hide my excitement. Internally, my fan side couldn't believe I was here, talking to these characters I admired so much. It was an almost surreal experience, and I had to try hard not to be too dazzled.
I spent some time at the refreshment table, watching the other guests from a distance as I savored a drink. The variety of people at the party was impressive; from wrestlers to scientists, everyone seemed to have their own important role in this diverse group. It was fascinating to see how they interacted with each other, especially those who came from such different worlds. Next to me, Vegeta remained alert, casting sidelong glances at Beerus and Whis, who seemed to be enjoying the food served, helping themselves to various items from the feast.
Bulma, for her part, wasted no time in observing each of us, curious to learn more about these "new friends" of Vegeta. Sometimes, she would throw out casual questions, as if she wanted to discover some unexpected detail, but she did it with the subtlety that only someone like her could achieve. Still, the interest in her eyes was evident. Finally, after a while, she came over and spoke to me directly.
"So, Mira, where did you come from? I don't remember hearing about you before." She commented, with an intrigued smile.
"Uh... well, I'm from far away," I replied, being purposely vague. "I came here to accompany my teachers."
Bulma seemed satisfied with my answer for the moment, though I could tell that my vagueness had not gone unnoticed by her.
"Well, be that as it may, it's good to see that Vegeta is making new friends. This group needs more interesting people!" he commented, looking at Vegeta with an amused expression.
At that moment, Trunks ran past us and looked at me curiously. "And who are you?" he asked with the confidence only a child could have.
"I'm Mira," I replied, crouching down a little to be at his height. "And you're Trunks, right?"
He nodded, proudly. "Yeah, you're a friend of my dad's?"
"Sort of. It's nice to meet you, Trunks." I replied, as he smiled and continued on his way, running towards the area where the games were.
As I watched the party, I sensed a quiet, powerful presence beside me. It was Piccolo, who had been silent for much of the party but finally decided to strike up a conversation.
"You've got something interesting, Mira. I don't know what it is, but there's something about your energy that seems off." Piccolo commented, his voice calm but serious.
I turned to him, trying not to look too surprised. "Well, it's possible that it's... something different from what you're used to around here." I replied, choosing my words carefully.
He nodded slowly, as if he was evaluating every word I said. "I don't know you, neither you nor the beings you came with but there is something about you that reminds me of the Kaioshin, do you know them?"
The conversation was interrupted by Bulma, who had approached again with Vegeta at her side. "Well, you seem to be making friends quickly, Mira," she commented, clearly pleased to see that her guests were conversing. "Vegeta, you should invite your friends over more often. It's not every day you bring such... unique guests."
Vegeta grunted, crossing his arms. "It's not that simple." he retorted, in his usual curt tone. But Bulma, used to his attitude, simply rolled her eyes and continued.
"Anyway, Mira, make yourself at home. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to say so," Bulma commented before walking away again, probably to check on some party detail.
After a while, I moved away to a corner of the party and the moment gave me pause to reflect on everything that had happened so far. It was amazing to be here, sharing space with those I had always considered heroes. I couldn't help but feel immense gratitude.
As the party continued, I noticed a figure standing apart from the hubbub near me, almost hidden in the shadows, holding his glass and watching the others with an expression that oscillated between apathy and mild annoyance. It was Android 18. I remembered her attitude in the anime: cold and distant, but at this moment she seemed even more reserved, almost melancholy.
I decided to approach. There was something about her posture and her apparent discomfort that piqued my curiosity. As I arrived, I cleared my throat softly so as not to startle her.
"Hi, are you... by any chance Android 18?" I said, trying to sound casual.
18 raised an eyebrow and gave me a sidelong glance, without turning fully around. "Mmm? Yeah. Who are you?"
"My name is Mira. I'm... new here, I'm an acquaintance of Vegeta's though I've never come to Earth before." I said as she looked at me with a neutral gaze, which made it hard to tell what she was thinking, yet I continued talking. "I don't know many people here, and I saw that you were kind of... secluded. I guess you don't really enjoy these kinds of events, or am I wrong?" I said with a slight smile, hoping I didn't sound too intrusive.
She sighed, looking at her glass without particular interest. "You're not wrong I guess. This isn't my thing. I'm only here for my husband and Marron."
Seeing that I had managed to break the ice, I followed up the conversation by asking her questions and playing it cool.
"Marron? Who's Marron?" I asked, pretending to not remember or even hearing ever that name.
She looked at me with a mixture of surprise and some distrust, as if she didn't know if I was joking or being serious until the realization hit her.
"Oh right, that you're new here I'm sorry. It's just that I take it for granted that you already know everyone." She said in an apologetic tone as if apologizing.
"It's okay no problem."
"Just so you know she's my daughter." She finally replied, her tone showing a slight smile that lit up her expression where instead of her usual seriousness I could see there was an unmistakable glow of pride and affection.
"Oh I had no idea and I guess the husband you mentioned is..."
"Krillin, how strange that he didn't tell you about me, before he always bragged about me being his wife." Said 18 with a half smile that almost seemed like a joke, though there was a hint of genuine bemusement in her words.
To which I laughed lightly, at the bizarreness of the situation.
However, at that moment 18, she shifted her gaze and paused and, after a moment, added quietly, "Truth be told, if I can be honest with you I sometimes have a hard time feeling like I fit in here."
I watched her curiously, surprised by her sincerity. She wasn't the Android 18 I remembered, at least not entirely. This version of her seemed more introspective, as if she carried something that wasn't visible to the naked eye. "You mean not fitting in with? Warriors or in general?"
18 let out a slight wry chuckle, but her eyes remained serious. "In general. Most here live for fights and challenges, like Vegeta, or saving the world, like Goku. I'm not like that. I fought because... it was the only thing I knew how to do before. But now, having a family... it's changed things."
I nodded, remembering that she and Krillin had started a family after all they'd been through. I couldn't help but wonder what her life must have been like before that, with her personality and history so different from the rest. "It must be hard, finding a place among people with such... extreme lives, so to speak."
She nodded, and her gaze was lost for a moment on the horizon. "It's hard to explain, but... I imagine I imposed this barrier on myself. Being an android... at some point it makes me feel like I shouldn't be here. They are humans, warriors with clear purposes, and I am.... something else."
Her tone was almost wistful, which took me by surprise. I was looking at an Android 18 who was not only tough and strong, but also someone who, deep down, questioned her place. "But...have you ever been made to feel like you don't belong?"
She denied softly. "No, Krillin has always been... unconditional. And Marron is... well, a little light that reminds me why I'm here. But sometimes, it's like my android nature reminds me that I was created to destroy, not to feel or form a family. I guess I'm still learning to deal with that."
"Good." I replied, trying to give her some encouragement. "I think people here don't see those things when they look at you. They just see someone who overcame their past and is doing what's best for those they care about. And that, deep down, has more value than any fight or challenge."
She looked at me, and for the first time, I noticed a glimmer of something resembling gratitude in her eyes. It was subtle, but it was there. "Maybe you're right."
There was a moment of silence, a comfortable one, that we both shared as we watched the party from our secluded corner. I noticed that 18 had relaxed her shoulders a bit, as if that conversation had, at least for an instant, lightened the weight of her thoughts.
18 looked at the other guests, her expression becoming softer and more thoughtful. "You know...before I wouldn't even have bothered to come to something like this. Krillin insisted, he was saying it would be good for me to 'relax' a bit. Though I don't know if he understands how complicated it is for me to just...fit in."
I gave her a sympathetic smile, trying to imagine what she must be feeling. "It's hard for me to imagine, but I can see that deep down you want to belong, even if your nature or your history makes you hesitate. I guess wanting to be here is already a big step."
She looked at me, thoughtful, and for a moment seemed to hesitate before speaking again. "It's just that sometimes I feel like I'm not... enough. These warriors, these heroes... they always seem to have such a clear purpose, something that drives them beyond themselves. And I... I just want to keep Krillin and Marron safe. Sometimes I feel like, compared to them, my purpose is insignificant."
I shook my head, amazed that someone like her, whom I had always seen as an unbeatable fighter, could harbor such deep insecurities. "Maybe what makes a person great is not their purpose, but what they are willing to do for it. And taking care of those you love...that, in my opinion, is one of the greatest strengths someone can have. Not just anyone would do it like you."
18 was silent for a moment, her eyes now looking at me with something that looked like a mixture of surprise and gratitude. "I've never looked at it that way before."
She admitted, her voice softer. "I guess I've spent so much time comparing myself to others that I forgot what I have."
"Krillin and Marron are lucky to have you," I replied sincerely. "And everyone here...although they may not always tell you, I think they also value having you around, as part of this group. True, they have their challenges, but you faced yours and, instead of giving up, you decided to choose a new path. Not just anyone would be capable of something like that."
For the first time, 18 let out a smile that seemed genuinely cheerful, devoid of that usual barrier of harshness. "Maybe I'm not so out of place after all."
We both shared another comfortable silence, watching as the party continued around us. Away from the fighting and challenges that had defined her life, 18 seemed to have found a moment of peace. With no need to prove herself or fit in perfectly, she could just be.
And I, seeing her like this, felt that I had met a side of her that few were lucky enough to see.
In the end, it was she who broke the silence. "Thank you, uh... sorry what was your name?"
"It's Mira." I softly reminded him, sketching an amused smile. It didn't bother me; in fact, I thought it was a charming gesture from someone who doesn't usually pay attention to other people's names.
She let out a slight laugh, somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry, I'm not good at remembering names."
"Don't worry," I replied, reassuring her. "It was a pleasure for me to listen to you. Truth be told, I think I've gotten to know a side of you that very few have seen."
18 nodded again, a small smile creeping onto her face. "I guess it was needed to talk to someone who wasn't so... involved in all this. Maybe you're not such a stranger after all."
18 stood thoughtfully for a moment, surveying the party as if searching for something in the bustle around her. Then she turned to me with a somewhat softer expression that seemed to invite me to open up.
"You know," she said, in a casual tone, but one in which I could detect a certain sincerity, "if you ever want to stop by my house, you're welcome. I know you're not from around here-I don't even know how you got to this party-but...I could use a friend."
The offer took me by surprise, and I couldn't help but look at her with a mixture of gratitude and bewilderment. That wasn't the Android 18 I remembered, at least not the one I imagined. There was something in her tone that conveyed an honest need for connection, for someone to rely on who didn't see just the warrior she once was.
"Thank you, 18," I replied with a genuine smile. "I'd be honored. And well, it never hurts to have a friend, does it?"
She smiled sideways, crossing her arms as one who feels somewhat more comfortable. "Yeah, something like that. Sometimes someone who just listens, without judgment, comes in handy."
I nodded, grateful for the trust she was placing in me. "I'll keep that in mind. And don't hesitate to call me if you need someone to stop by and remind you that you're not alone in all this."
She looked at me with that determined look and, for the first time at the party, her eyes reflected a mixture of relief and camaraderie. Although she was still reserved, there was an openness in her, and that made the idea of seeing her again really something to look forward to.
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Surprise chapter!! I hope you all have enjoyed it, remember to give stones and review.