The Fourth Room
Street Fighter X Tekken Crossover
Chapter 1:
Fresh Air
The room was stone cold—it was a crisp winter in Yakushima—but Jin didn't mind the frosty air nipping at his skin. It had been three months of this 'experiment', and he hadn't really seen much a change in his behavior. He continued to tell himself it was still too early in to make any calls, after all, they still had nine months to go until the year was up and they could determine whether they still wanted to live together or not.
He had done this so he would know the best way to deal with the mood swings he'd been having as of late. The moments of pure bliss could easily melt away into blazing rage and then a dim melancholy, and he knew that wasn't good for the Devil Gene. He, at first, didn't want to get Hwoarang and Xiaoyu involved, just for their own safety, but he'd realized that they weren't any more safe with him acting like a hormonal bastard rather than him actually trying to fix whatever was wrong...or at least handle it.
Hwoarang and Xiaoyu didn't take long to accept his invitation.
In less than a month—it had taken all of them to scrimp on every iota of whatever currency they could get a hold of—they had purchased a four-bedroom apartment. It was really nice—all of the rooms had their own bathroom, the doors slid like new and the windows were large—and initially, Jin figured it was too high scale for a year-long experiment. Yet, Xiaoyu had convinced him that, if the experiment had ended in the way that they'd continue to live together, they'd have a nice, Japanese-traditional style apartment to call home.
Things were going alright. There weren't really any arguments, and when Jin would feel a sudden wave of rage crash over him, he would storm out and come back when the wave had subsided. Still. Hwoarang's constant complaining ad ass-like behavior didn't help Jin's frustrations, and Xiaoyu's panda was constantly getting to all the dry foods and that was always annoying. She refuses to discipline him, and cries when Jin or Hwoarang does, because it's 'just his nature'.
In a nutshell, they all notice the little things about each other that turn into big things and cause problems.
Xiaoyu strolled into the kitchen, breaking Jin's concentration. "Jin? You're up earlier than usual."
"Couldn't sleep." Was all Jin muttered. He was feeling nauseous earlier and decided to make tea and stare out the kitchen window. He occasionally felt blood rushing to his head, and his body threatened to pass out on him, though it never did. But Jin didn't really know when it would eventually stop with the threats and really give out on him.
"Oh..." Xiaoyu sat down across from him, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, don't worry." Jin knew that Xiaoyu was well aware he was here before she'd come in. He knew the real reason she was here. It was about that fucking fourth room, and finding someone to fill it, she'd been on him about it since the first day of living together.
"So Jin...about the room..."
He knew it. "Xiao, I already told you—the room is fine as a guest room."
"But we never have any guests."
"We might."
"Jin, no one ever invites anyone over."
Jin sighed.
"We bought this place because it was the cheapest nice place we could find, right?"
"Yes."
"So why not share it? We're not thinking about the full value. It almost seems like we pay rent for four people when only three people and a panda occupy this space."
"Xiao, no matter how many people live here, we're going to pay the same amount. And we don't need anyone else to live here, and that's it."
She sighed. "Alright, Jin." She aways said that. He knew she never meant it, but she knew she wasn't going to get her way...at least not for now.
The two of them sat in silence for a moment until Xiaoyu stood. "I'm going to go release Panda into the bamboo gardens. I'll be back in maybe an hour."
"Alright." Jin sighed.
"And go easy on yourself, Jin."
"I will." He falsely promised.
Xiaoyu knew that was a false promise. But she smiled at him anyway as she went to her room to dress and fetch Panda.
Hwoarang said hello to her in the hallway as he came into the kitchen. "Jin, good morning."
"Morning." Jin replied dryly. This morning didn't really deserve the title 'Good'.
"Any plans for today?"
"No. Besides training."
"Ah." He opened up one of the cabinets, "I heard Xiao buggin' you about that room."
Jin sighed, to at least show he was listening.
"Maybe she's right, Jin."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, if she's this persistent about it, she must see a really good reason for you to go for it. Plus, if anything goes wrong, you have every right to throw them out onto the street. The place is in your name."
"I just don't see what the point of having another personality here is." Jin rose, placing his cup into the sink and going to the hall.
He'd entered his room, and after a quick shower and dress, he was headed to the basement, bound to be there for hours, just training away.
…
Jin stumbled up the stairs, breathing heavily. His head was pounding as he leaned against the door frame of the kitchen.
"Jin!" Xiaoyu nearly dropped the plate she was holding, "Are you okay?!" She asked in alarm.
"I...I'm fine..." Jin straightened his posture best he could as he went for the door, "I just need...need fresh air..." And he'd slipped out, avoiding further question.
Hwoarang came into the kitchen shortly after, asking, "What the hell was that about?"
Xiaoyu shrugged, worry on her face.
"Maybe he's just having another mood swing."
"Hwoa," She shook her head, "I think it might be more than that."