Days passed since the mission where Goku had revealed his Super Saiyan form, and life in the Shadow Garden had somewhat returned to normal. Or as normal as things could be with Goku around. The Saiyan's presence had thrown a wrench into their usual operations—not because of any problem, but because he was a force of nature that none of them could fully predict.
His strength, carefree attitude, and simple but sincere words had left each of the core members of Shadow Garden thinking about him more than they cared to admit.
---
**Beta's Thoughts**:
Beta sat at her desk, staring blankly at the reports in front of her. Normally, she would have finished this kind of work in half the time, her sharp mind always focused on details. But today, she found herself distracted.
Her thoughts kept drifting back to Goku.
She could still remember that night in the training area when he'd spoken so honestly about his passion for fighting. There had been no pretense in his words, no attempt to impress. He was just... Goku.
Beta sighed, resting her chin on her hand. Goku was unlike anyone she'd ever met. Strong, yes—unbelievably so—but it wasn't his strength that had stuck with her. It was his heart. That pure, unshakable determination to keep moving forward, not because he had to, but because he loved it.
*He's so simple,* Beta thought to herself. *And yet... that simplicity is what makes him so different.*
She didn't realize it, but her heart had begun to beat a little faster at the thought.
---
**Gamma's Thoughts**:
In another part of the base, Gamma was quietly studying a map of their next target, but even she couldn't fully focus. Every so often, her eyes would wander to the door, half-expecting Goku to come bouncing in, full of energy and questions about what they were doing next.
Gamma was used to being the strategist, the one who always thought two steps ahead. But Goku? He didn't operate on strategy. He just acted, moved forward with instinct, and it worked for him.
*Why does someone like that intrigue me so much?* Gamma wondered. She could still see his bright smile in her mind's eye, and for some reason, it warmed her.
*I shouldn't be thinking about him this much,* Gamma thought with a quiet sigh. But it was no use. There was something about him—his strength, his simplicity—that tugged at her.
*He's different from all the others. I can't help but wonder...*
---
**Delta's Thoughts**:
For Delta, there was no confusion. Goku had impressed her from the very beginning, and she made no secret of it. As she paced the training room, her body itching for a fight, she could feel her excitement building.
*Goku's so strong! I have to fight him again!* She clenched her fists, her Saiyan-like love for battle bubbling to the surface.
Delta wasn't one for deep thinking. For her, things were simple. Goku was strong, and that made her want to be around him. But there was something else, something deeper that she didn't fully understand yet. She just knew that every time she saw him, she wanted to get closer.
*I need to fight him. And when I do... maybe then I'll figure out why I feel this way.*
---
The day passed slowly for all of them, but Goku, unaware of the growing feelings around him, was simply enjoying himself. He had made new friends, found strong people to fight alongside, and learned more about this world with each passing day.
In the evening, Goku found himself back in the training area, his usual spot after a day of rest. He liked the quiet here. It gave him time to think... not that he thought too deeply about much. Mostly, he wondered when his next fight would be.
He hadn't expected company, but soon enough, Beta walked in, her expression unreadable as usual.
"Hey, Beta!" Goku greeted her with a bright smile. "Here to train?"
Beta hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "No. I just wanted to talk."
"Oh? Sure!" Goku said, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "What's up?"
Beta didn't sit, but instead leaned against the wall, watching him with a soft gaze. "I've been thinking about what you said the other night. About why you fight."
Goku blinked, tilting his head. "Oh, yeah? What about it?"
"You said you fight because you love it," Beta began, choosing her words carefully. "That's... not something most people would say. Most people fight because they have to, not because they want to."
Goku shrugged. "I dunno. I've just always loved it. It's what I'm good at. But... I also fight to protect my friends. That's important to me too."
Beta's heart skipped a beat. There it was again—that sincerity. Goku wasn't trying to impress anyone. He was just being himself. And yet, that was what made him so... endearing.
"I don't know how to explain it," Beta said quietly, her usual confidence faltering slightly. "But there's something about you, Goku. You make everything seem so simple, like nothing's ever too complicated."
Goku chuckled, scratching his head. "Yeah, I guess that's just how I am."
Beta looked away for a moment, trying to steady her nerves. *Why am I getting so worked up?* she thought. *He's just Goku. Just...*
But when she looked at him again, she couldn't deny the truth. She liked him. More than that, she felt something deeper.
"Goku," she said, her voice softer now, "I..."
Before she could finish, Delta burst into the room, full of energy as usual.
"Goku! There you are!" Delta exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement. "Let's spar! I've been waiting all day!"
Goku jumped to his feet, his grin widening. "Alright! I was just thinking about training!"
Beta watched the exchange, her heart sinking slightly. She didn't have the chance to finish her thought, but perhaps... perhaps that was for the best. For now, anyway.
---
The sparring session between Goku and Delta was intense, as always. Delta's wild energy clashed with Goku's controlled power, but no matter how hard she fought, Goku always stayed one step ahead.
At the end of it, Delta was panting, her body covered in sweat, but her grin was wider than ever.
"You're amazing, Goku!" Delta said between breaths. "I can't believe how strong you are!"
Goku laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks, Delta! You're pretty strong yourself."
Delta's heart raced. Goku's words, simple as they were, meant the world to her. She didn't know why, but every time he complimented her, it felt... different.
*I've gotta figure out what this feeling is,* she thought, watching him as he smiled at her.
---
As the night wore on, Beta, Delta, and Gamma each found themselves thinking more about Goku, their hearts slowly but surely being pulled toward the Saiyan.
And Goku? Well, he was just enjoying the ride, completely unaware of the hearts he was stirring.
