“Hey, Dad?”

“Yes, snookums?”

“Can I go to Eraser-chan’s for New Year? She invited me over specially.”

There was a short pause following the young girl’s request. Her father swallowed hard, then lowered his fists and turned. Instantly a warm towel was thrown around his shoulders and he began dabbing at his sweat-drenched face.

“I don’t know, Videl,” he said finally. “It’s a bit late notice, don’t you think?”

Satan Videl frowned, her lips drawing together into a tight line. She was wearing a long baggy T-shirt and shorts, the outfit completely hiding the curves she was beginning to develop. Of course, her father couldn’t be happier about that.

“Please, Dad?” she asked, and there was more than a little threat in that voice. “Pretty please?”

“I don’t think so, not this year.” Hercule frowned a little, then grinned widely at his daughter. “How about next year?”

Videl didn’t say anything. She crossed her arms, then turned and strode from the room, her nose pointed skyward, her eyes closed. Hercule sighed. He was never going to hear the end of this one.

This wasn’t exactly true. Videl had no intention of bringing this up to her father ever, ever again. That was because she didn’t plan to talk to him ever, ever again. How dare he restrict her like this? She was twelve years old, dammit! She was almost a teenager! She should have as much freedom as she wanted.

She went to her room, made a point of slamming the door behind her, then sat down heavily on her bed. What was she going to do now? She had already told Eraser that she would be at her house for New Year. She had promised. She had been so sure she would be allowed to.

Damn.

Inspiration struck. It was New Year’s Eve for another five hours (did asking your father to go to a friend’s house for New Year at seven o’clock on New Year’s Eve count as late notice? She didn’t think so…) and the sun was already dipping below the horizon outside. She could…well…it wasn’t the first time she had done it… Still…