Work Text:
A joyous fever spread through the lantern-lit streets. Stalls lined the roads, families and couples flooded restaurants and stores, all while performers entertained the children running about.
Yet a lone young man with black hair aimlessly wandered past it all, paying no heed to the festivities around him. Stopping in a city square, he turned to the night sky above the illuminated city, staring at it for a long time.
But suddenly, he lowered his gaze, turning slowly until...
"There you are!"
...Caulifla slapped him on his back, nearly tripping him. "We've been looking all over for you, Dragon boy!" Caulifla said.
The 'Dragon Boy' straightened as he reached for his back. "Is nearly breaking my back just your way of saying hello after so long?" he asked.
Caulifla gave him a toothy grin. "Oh come on, I'd be concerned if THAT broke your back," she said. The 'Dragon Boy' rolled his eyes, before looking past Caulifla to see another figure running up to them.
"It's good to see you again, Ryushin," Kale said, giving the young man a smile, though her eyes shifted awkwardly between him and Caulifla. "Sorry about..."
"It's fine," Ryushin said, and waved it off. "What are you and the pincushion doing here on Earth?"
"I heard that," Caulifla said, smiling through grit teeth as she glared, but Ryushin only glanced at her.
"Then answer the question, or did your brain finally quit?" he said, Caulifla cracking her knuckles in response.
Kale quickly cleared her throat. "We heard that Azure is holding the New World Festival again to make up for last time, so we figured we should pay a visit," she said.
"We also bought some new threads!" Caulifla said, grabbing onto her new jacket that matched Kale's, who blushed in return.
"You mean you made ME buy them for you."
The trio turned to see Cabba walking over, with a new outfit of his own, as he gave Caulifla an exasperated stare.
"Is there a difference?" she asked, shrugging, making Cabba sigh before he turned to Ryushin with a small smile.
"It's good to see you're doing well, Ryushin. Sorry for not staying in touch," he said, offering Ryushin a hand that he shook.
"It's not like Earth has the technology for that... plus you've probably been too busy anyway," Ryushin said, before glancing back. "It's nice to see you too, Hit."
The three Saiyans looked past Ryushin, seeing Hit, looking the same as usual, peacefully sitting on a fountain as he ate donuts.
"I had feared the skills I taught you may have dulled... but it seems like I was mistaken," Hit said, taking another bite of his donut.
"Anyways." Ryushin turned back to Cabba, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I must warn you, Cabba," he said, confusion coming onto Cabba's face, before his expression darkened. Ryushin almost dramatically leaned in, whispering in Cabba's ear.
"Caperini is in town."
"...You're kidding," Cabba said, his face becoming pale. "S-She shouldn't even be here."
"Afraid she is. Apparently the leaders of Earth were supposed to appear at the last Festival, 'show our unity' or something. Though they declined the first time," Ryushin said, leaning back and crossing his arms
Cabba held his head, sweating bullets as Kale placed a hand on his shoulder, while Caulifla leaned on Ryushin. "What? Scared she'll try sweeping you off your feet again?"
Caulifla grinned as Cabba tossed a glare her way, making him sigh, his hands washing over his face to wipe away the sweat.
"I'll deal with that later," he grumbled beneath his breath, turning to Ryushin. "In the meantime, there's some people I want you to meet."
Ryushin raised a brow. "Who? Did you bring Caulifla's brother?" he asked, but Cabba shook his head.
"No, Renso couldn't make it," Cabba said. "Do you remember Magetta and Botamo?" Cabba asked.
Ryushin grabbed his chin as he glanced to the side, titling his head. "I think...? You said Magetta was a robot-looking guy right? And Botamo was a huge yellow bear?" Ryushin said.
"Yes, I spoke to them recently. They heard about what happened and wanted to visit Earth so they could meet you," Cabba said, Ryushin looking around the area.
"Where are they then? I doubt I'd miss two giants even if I tried," Ryushin asked, Kale chuckling at his words.
"We let them enjoy the festivities while we looked for you, they should be—"
"Botamo is at an 'all-you-can-eat' buffet two blocks from here, Magetta is with him."
Hit interrupted Kale, suddenly appearing next to the trio of Saiyans and Earthling. "Did you need to Time Skip?" Ryushin asked, but Hit remained silent.
Hit turned, walking away from the group. "I'd like to enjoy my time here too, what little of it I can afford," He said, not even glancing back as he disappeared into the crowd.
"Forget him," Caulifla said with a smile, Cabba and Kale turning to her. "Let's go find those two so we can really start having some fun!" she slapped Ryushin's back again... to no response.
She glanced at Ryushin, still staring where Hit went. She flashed a smirk. "Oh? Were you getting lonely without us?" she asked, nudging Ryushin with her elbow. "Didn't figure you were such a sentimental perso-"
"I did miss you guys."
Caulifla blinked, staring wide eyed as Ryushin glanced back at her. "I was never the sociable type, so running around with you guys was a change of pace..." Ryushin trailed off, turning away. "One I've missed."
The following silence among the trio of Saiyans as they stared at Ryushin lasted for a few moments, filled only with the ambient chatter around them, until Caulifla spoke up. "Well..." she said, scratching the back of her neck. "I didn't expect that."
"I strive to be unpredictable," Ryushin said, smirking, until Cabba placed a hand on Ryushin's shoulder.
"Don't worry, we're not about to forget about you anytime soon," Cabba said with a smile as Ryushin turned to him. "Earth will integrate with the rest of the universe eventually, we'll be able to talk from anywhere by then."
"Cabba is right," Kale said, clasping her hands together. "We've went through so much together, and now that we know you're worried about that, there's no way we'll forget!"
Ryushin stared at Kale for a moment... before bashfully looking away. "I never said that..." He muttered.
Kale tilted her head. "But you sounded like you did?" She said.
Ryushin fully turned away from Kale, hiding the slight blush on his cheek. "Well, you misunderstood what I meant, now let's just-" He began, but he never got finish.
For Caulifla slapped his back a third time, sighing with a smile. "You surprised me up by being so honest earlier, and NOW you want to act tough? Man you're hopeless."
Ryushin whirled to glare at her. "Could you leave my back alone?!" Ryushin nearly yelled, quickly letting out a sigh. "Just forget it, do you want to enjoy the festival or not?" he said.
Caulifla smirked at him, before puffing out her chest. "Of course I do, but I think Kale is looking forward to it more than I am!" she said, putting an arm around Kale's shoulder as she drew her close.
"I wouldn't say THAT," Kale said as she leaned closer to Caulifla, glancing at the ground with smile. "We never got to explore the city last time we were here, so..."
"Yeah yeah," Caulifla rolled her eyes. "Let's go meet up with Botamo and Magetta already so we can REALLY have some fun!" she said, taking Kale by the hand as they ran ahead, leaving Cabba and Ryushin behind.
"There they go..." Ryushin said, hands on his hips as Cabba smiled to him.
"I really hate to trouble you, but could you..." Cabba began to say, trailing off when Ryushin raised a hand.
"No need to ask," Ryushin said, following after the girls. "Just know you didn't pick the best tour guide."
Cabba chuckled, walking beside Ryushin as Kale and Caulfia called out to them. Ryushin gave the sky a final glance, the stars sparkling back at him. Smiling, he focused on the festival ahead, and the new friends he made.