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"Piccolo-san, do you even understand? For someone this small to go back alone... it’s far too dangerous, don't you think?"
As I asserted this firmly, Piccolo-san’s brows knit together. Making no effort to hide his dissatisfaction, he gave a light shake of his head.
I had no idea why such a phenomenon had occurred. All I knew was that Shenron had appeared in the sky, and a brilliant flash of light had streaked directly above us at the Lookout... Had we been dragged into someone else's wish?
Before I knew it, hands that had been covered in sand from training only moments before had shriveled up like tiny maple leaves, and the oversized gi barely hung precariously from small shoulders. Though Piccolo-san had immediately held out his hands, using his magic to resize the garments appropriately.
"You exaggerate. I have taken care of myself since ancient times."
"When a body becomes this small, it ought to be carried by someone trustworthy!"
I crossed my arms, speaking with the decisive tone of a teacher scolding a student. The reversal of our roles felt strangely surreal.
"I was walking right after I hatched from my egg, and I was about this exact size. Is there really any need for carrying anyone?"
"There is, absolutely! The stride is much shorter now, and when body size changes so drastically, the sense of how to move is completely different... It would be dangerous if a fall happened."
Perhaps sensing a grain of persuasion in my words, Piccolo-san turned his face away in silence. It wasn't permission, but a faint trace of hesitation flickered in his eyes. Refusing to let this opportunity slip away, I pressed on further.
"Besides, when a body is small, it's difficult to maintain body temperature. Surely you have a firsthand understanding of how hard that is, Piccolo-san? Most oviparous creatures are terrible at regulating their body heat right after hatching, after all."
"...Aren't you worrying far too much?"
"Of course I'm worrying! To keep from freezing, what is needed tonight is sleeping by your side!"
The moment the words *sleeping by your side* left my mouth, I could tell Piccolo-san was utterly exasperated. His reaction was not wariness, but sheer disbelief—likely thinking that with such a vast difference in physical scale, there was no chance any improper behavior could occur.
"Listen here... Do you have no intention of hiding your ulterior motives whatsoever? Sleeping by my side..."
"It’s a necessity! Living body heat is far better than any heating system!"
When I declared this without flinching, Piccolo-san was pressed into silence, his mouth snapping shut. He looked as though he wanted to retort, yet found himself entirely at a loss for words. In moments like this, the way he looked downward in his bewilderment made him appear far younger than usual.
After contemplating something for a while, Piccolo-san crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He remained silent for so long that I grew anxious, until finally, he let out a quiet sigh.
"...I suppose it can't be helped."
Muttering with a faint, wry smile, he stooped down for the very first time. His slightly softened eyes peered into mine from the exact same height—into the eyes of a disciple who alone had shrunken back into a child.
"Do I look... about the same as when we first met, Piccolo-san?"
Because my tongue and mouth had also returned to those of a child, my articulation was far from clear.
"No... I feel as though you are even smaller than you were back then."
"T-That's why... it's okay, right?"
With our eyes suddenly meeting at the same level, a sudden wave of timidity surfaced, and I tightly squeezed Piccolo-san's finger. Until just a moment ago, I had felt bold enough to treat this as a golden opportunity... Was this emotional volatility another side effect of reverting to a child?
"Just while sleeping is enough. If you just let me into your bed, Piccolo-san... then I won't feel so helpless."
For a short while, Piccolo-san quietly stared down at his finger, which was grasped in my hand. Between my child self and the adult Piccolo-san, our hand sizes were far too different; taking hold of a single finger was the absolute best I could manage. Even so, as I held on firmly without letting go, a soft relaxation gradually touched the corners of his mouth.
"What a troublesome disciple... I am no match for you."
Piccolo-san reached out his arms, easily scooping me up as he stood tall.
"I was alone when I was born as well, so I have no idea how one ought to handle a child."
"...Just lifting me up like this and taking me to your room is more than enough."
I reached my arms—now shortened to those of a child—around the back of Piccolo-san's neck. By embracing the Piccolo-san of today, I intended to embrace the newborn Piccolo-san of that lonely past as well. As I buried my forehead into his shoulder, he shifted slightly, looking delightfully uncomfortable.
"Just as I thought, you really are the warmest, Piccolo-san. Now neither of us will freeze."
My heart, which had almost been overcome by timidity only a moment ago, was now floating with an unstoppable flutter at our close body heat. Whether this was because I had returned to a child, or simply because I had always loved Piccolo-san so deeply to begin with, I truly couldn't tell.