A/N: I forgot to mention this at the first chapter, but this story is actually a bit of AU. But, you'll find out why soon.


CHAPTER II

Lili


Asuka went off in a flash after I heard her name being called. She didn't look back at me anymore. Sebastian moved next to me and supported me in the elbows to stand up. My knees were trembling, preventing me to stand straight unless I hold the roof of the limo.

"Ms. Lili, what do you want to do?" Sebastian asked me. His voice carried the same hollow I was feeling.

"Let's go to the slurp store," I said without a second thought.

*Sour Grape*

The nearest Slurp store was a walking distance from the High Roller's Club stage. It was a small business that sold nothing but a variety of slurps. On occasions, they would also serve some crinkles and cookies. It's a treat that both were available tonight.

The waitress sets down my choco-milk mallow slurp (It's a personalized order), two chocolate chip cookies and a dozen crinkles in a plate.

"I think I should just go home." I finally said. Sebastian didn't say anything.

I took my slurp and sipped it slowly. I had finished the half of my large cup and ate all the crinkles before Sebastian moved and took one of the cookies.

"You would look like a coward if you did that, Miss."

I circled my index at the rim of my slurp cup. The perspiration of the cold plastic container drizzled on the table. "Hmm," I mumbled.

Sebastian took the last cookie. The crunching sound went nicely with the dipping sound of my finger in the perspired water leaked on the table.

"Do you want to talk about what happened Miss Lili?"

I bit my lower lip. It's been hard, but I've been able to keep the incident at the back of my mind.

I stopped playing with the dirty drizzle. "I blabbed everything."

"I'm sorry Miss Lili, it should've been my job to check the car before we rode off. If by chance they were kidnappers or killers, I would've failed to protect you in time."

"Sebastian, I would've liked it more if they were kidnappers or killers." It'll be easier to stop being so embarrassed and flushed if I were in a coma or better yet if I were dead.

"Ugh! I can't. I just can't! Asuka heard everything…she heard me say all of that. She and those others know it now. I can't live anymore Sebastian. Maybe you should just let me die here. Ask the waitress if they have some Cyanide or Muriatic acid in the kitchen."

Sebastian looked at his back, the waitress looked scared at us. My old butler smiled at her and gave her a wave to leave us.

"Miss Lili, you can at least try to see what happens tomorrow."

"Awkwardness and humiliation, and unending teasing, Sebastian. Don't try to reason with me anymore." I put my hand up in front of my butler's face, seeing that he was about to say something again.

I took my slurp again and sipped the remaining content without saying something.

Buried in my own thoughts, I can't believe how even my comfort food can't make things good for me.

My heart is still in palpitation mode, I can hardly subdue the need to whimper and yell like a child in a tantrum. It would make me feel better if I can at least express the extent of my mortification.

Crazy in the least, my emotions are torn into opposite spectrums of logical reaction.

I do feel mad, but I'm not mad about the fact that Asuka and the others (I don't know who she was with) came inside the car and extracted the truth out of me without any hard work. If in a normal situation, not even the Spanish inquisition could've made me confess. I'm mad because I let myself down. I never say my feelings out loud. I hardly say what I think about. Sebastian knows I like Asuka, but he knows it because I shared my struggles with him before.

Before this night, I never actually addressed my feelings so clearly, and direct. I guess it's my karma for not changing. From all the times I could've done it, I did it when the person-of-interest was just behind me. She heard it all. I can assume so by the look she gave me before she ran away.

Was she disgusted? Has she begun to hate me now? Has she never hated me anyways?

I shouldn't let this upset me. I've accepted from the start that I won't let my feelings for Asuka control me. I won't wish for her to like me back, and I never planned for her to ever know this self-invested secret.

I finish up the slurp in my hand and place the empty cup in the table. Sebastian looked at me.

"Do you want to go now Miss Lili?" He asked gently as if he's afraid that his veto to talk is still in effect.

I turn my head to the left and to the right, looking down at the floor as I did so. I wasn't done thinking yet.

Sebastian went out of the store, I was facing my back to him, but I can hear that he's fixing the bags inside the limousine. I scanned the vicinity of the store, and I found the waitress inside the kitchen. She had a phone on her ear, a smile on her face and her hips were swaying in and out. It must be nice. Having someone to talk to that can genuinely make you laugh and move your body unconsciously.

It's funny, I feel like smiling and swaying my body as well.

If I put aside the fact that my secret was exploded like a nuclear bomb that ruined me more than it should've saved me (cause the truth shall set you free, right?). I actually got something good out of that incident.

I know I should be ashamed. But, when Asuka fell on top of me. That was the closest contact I've ever had with her. Good thing there's no mirrors in this store, or I'd be slapping myself because I'm pretty sure I'm wearing a ludicrous smile right now.

Snap out of it! You're not supposed to enjoy that. You've promised yourself that you will not fall victim to this. The first one who falls in love always loses.

And you've never even won anything to Asuka. Don't put another hole in the belt.

Though I'm sure that the feeling of Asuka's body touching mine, and her breast pressed on my face will likely cause me to blush, tomato red every time I'll remember it. Who knows how long my mind will keep repeating that? Considering the fact that I have almost no control of how my body can react when it comes to anything about Asuka.

Just her name creates a minor heart attack in me.

What am I going to do now? It would've been fine if she just heard it in a recording, or better yet, if someone else told her about it. Any other situation would've been better than how she heard it in real time.

She doesn't like me. She never will like me.

Maybe I can just ask her and whoever she was with to forget about it…
If I can convince them to do that, I'll just have to finish this year's tournament, and then I won't come back anymore. I won't join next year's Tekken, or the year after that, or the year after that. That's the only way I can continue to live.

I won't be able to take it if I'm close to Asuka, knowing that she knows I like her.

From now on, I will stop following her, and slowly, I will teach myself to forget about her. I won't go to Japan anymore, no matter how much I miss her.

I'm going to move on. Even though there was never a relationship to end with.

"Miss Lili?" I felt Sebastian wrinkly soft hand on my shoulder.

I raise my head up. "Why is my face wet?" I asked him, feeling a cold watery sensation in my cheeks.

"You're crying Miss." He said, giving me a sad look.

I took my fingers up and discovered that he was saying the truth. I stood up quickly and dabbed my eyes with the sleeve of my dress. The waitress went out of the kitchen. She went to clear my table and when she gave me the check, I swear I saw pity on her eyes.

I'm pathetic.

Back inside the Limo, I had decided to sit at the back now. The bags and luggages were neatly arranged at the wide floor in front of me.

I wonder if I'm sitting where Asuka sat at. I thought as I rubbed my hand on the velvety cushions of the Limousine's seat.

"Why didn't I become like mom," I asked rhetorically.

"You have her manners and her beauty Miss Lili."

"I didn't mean that Sebastian. Mom is very good when it comes to playing with Daddy's feelings. Why did I become like Daddy? Why do I have to be so invested with feelings?"

"Mr. Rochefort is a sweet man who loves your mother unconditionally Miss Lili. There are people worth loving so much."

"Only when it's redamancy. It's better to just free yourself if that isn't the case. You do that, or you're just going to subject yourself in emotional agony."

Letting go of someone you really like, is hard. But trapping yourself in a love unfulfilled is torture.
I want to try and convince myself that I can still continue to love the beat out of Asuka, but the circumstances don't allow for that anymore. I'm letting go, whether it kills me.

*Sour Grape*

Out of my mind, I'm standing outside the cafeteria of the Tekken Center.

The double door entrance had mirrors on the middle. I made a quick look to see if Asuka was there. It was lunch time, and I know she spends this hour of the day ravaging the food in the Center Buffet.

I was right. She was at the head seat at the fourth table from the Buffet Service lane. She was sharing her table with Xiaoyu, Alisa, and Leo –which I assume to be the one's she was with last night.

This isn't a new setting. She's always with them, sitting anywhere inside this smelly food court. They would chat there for hours into the afternoon then she would retreat to the park and eat some more alone. She eats so much, you'd have to envy her for maintaining a good body. A hot, sexy body.

Wait, stop it, Emilie! You're not here for the usual stalking. You're here because you're going to convince those four that everything about last night should be forgotten. If they don't want to taste your wrath or vengeance, they should know that it will be best for their lives to agree with you.

Be confident, be cool, and be aggressive. Don't say too much, but don't be vague either. Let them see that you're not as affected as you really are.

And don't make any eye contact with Asuka!

I inhaled and exhaled, and went inside the cafeteria with my almighty walk and air of confidence. The bang of the doors on the wall was enough to get some eyes on me. Up until that moment, I had things under control.

The eyes on Asuka's table followed me and I was supposed to go directly to them, but I felt nervous. I maneuvered to the Buffet lane and was given a plate. I had put a lot of food in it, taking up my time to gather up the courage I had before entering here.

When I looked back at Asuka's table, all four of them looked scared at me. Good.

My tray of food is heavier than I intended, but I still walked straight and full, finally reaching their table this time.

Asuka moved quickly, running to change seats in the last vacant chair behind Xiaoyu and Alisa. The two girls, along with Leo, carried a protective stare. They were there to protect Asuka. It's not like I'd attempt to hurt Asuka, but I'm glad to see that they're there to worry about her.

"Calm down you nosy riders. I'm not here to start a fight."

Xiaoyu's eyes roll from each girl before she eyed me. "Lili, are you here to see Asuka?"

The words made my heart skip a beat, and as follows, my eyes betray my promise. I did a quick glance on Asuka. She shortly gave me a look and then she turned her head away. It hurt to receive that reaction. But it was the best motivator to carry on with my decision. "No. I'm here to warn you that what happened last night is not something I'm going to let you survive to tell. If you don't want me giving you an amnesia, we should all agree to forget about what I said, and what you four heard. Do you get it?"

I hoped that my voice didn't sound as weak as I felt. I couldn't help but look at Asuka the whole time I was speaking.

All of them, except Asuka, seemed mad. For once, it looks like Asuka and I were on the same side.

"You can't do that." Alisa started. Xiaoyu nodded her head in agreement.

"It's the 21st century Lili. You don't have to hide it anymore." Leo said that, but she was careful not to let the statement get out of the table.

I looked at Asuka again. She looked horrified with what her friends are saying. She's uncomfortable. The way her eyes are arched too low, and her lips pressed hardly in a pout. It's both cute and endearing. Too bad I can't enjoy that anymore.

"I don't know what you low-life people are even talking about," I said with my eyebrows shifting up. "You're annoying. Zip it before I loose my temper and bury the four of you alive."

Ok, excessively cold and menacing, but I think it's working. Xiaoyu's hands turned into a fist. She stood up from her seat and banged the table loudly. I simply snorted, keeping my reserve in check.

"You've finally admitted it last night, and now you want to act like it never happened? Well, I'm sorry Lili. I can never forget that you have feelings for Asuka. You like her! You even stalk her!"

I felt light headed all of the sudden. The clanging silverwares had stopped. Everyone's eyes were on me. Most of them were halfway to putting their food on their mouth, others coughed out what they were chewing. The terror in Alisa, Leo, and Asuka's eyes were impeccable.

The tray on my hand started to wave to and fro. I was trembling. My whole body was going to fall down right now. I made a prompt move of placing down the tray on the table. I couldn't control the violent shaking of my hands, causing some of the food to fly out of the tray. The soup bowl rolls and the hot content fell on my boots. I gasped, almost ready to cry –not from the stingy heat I was feeling on my feet- but from embarrassment. Utter public humiliation.

"Oh, my God…Lili, I didn't mean to yell it out…" Xiaoyu tried to explain with her hand over her mouth.

I didn't want to hear the end of her apology. I wanted to be out of that place as soon as possible. I turn around and walk off. The door slams behind me and when I was far enough, I heard dozens of voices exchanging comments and opinions. I tried not to listen, but some words just floated ever so clearly.

Lesbian.

In Denial.

Unreciprocated.

*Sour Grape*

"Sebastian, why did I even listen to you? I'm supposed to be your boss. You have to do what I say, not the other way around." I complained in a voice that's comparable to someone who's drunk.

I had finished three large cups of my choco-milk mallow slurp, and I'm not even close to feeling "fine".

"It wasn't enough for me to be embarrassed by Asuka, and her merry band of friends. Now everyone knows I like that good for nothing Japanese, who looked so happy to forget about everything -

"Miss Lili, please calm down. The table screws are starting to loosen."

I removed my hands from the edge of the table. But I soon felt like wrecking something. I'm not just angry anymore. I'm furious and totally distraught.

Heck I know the girl doesn't like me, no need to have a discussion about it anymore!

And what if I'm a lesbian? I never said I was straight!

Who cares about Asuka. That….

Ugh! I can't even say curse words at her even when I'm mad. Damn it. This is so inelegant, but damn it. Damn it that I still tried talking to them. Damn it, that soup ruined my boots! It's gone from white to yellow.

I stumped my left foot where the soup dropped. The smell of mushroom reminded me of the god forsaken Cafeteria. I swear, if I wasn't on my right mind, I would buy that whole Tekken Center and burn it to the ground. Then I'll throw a grenade at that Limousine, and hunt down everyone inside that cafeteria, including the Buffet Waiters and kitchen staff and I'll throw all of them into a Cliff. See if they'll remember anything of what happened this afternoon.

"I shall then arrange your flight back home Miss Lili." Sebastian took out his phone –a black, nexus 6 phone given by my father's company. It's the official wireless transaction unit that employees of the Rochefort Enterprises use.

"Hold that call Sebastian." I stopped him, feeling an impulsive idea come up into my distressed brain. "These sleeves of mine aren't long for nothing. I still have something up on them."

*Sour Grape*

"Lili" Xiaoyu called my name, sounding remorseful.

"It's a good thing you went here alone like I asked you to." The Tekken Park was empty, except for me and the Chinese girl.

"I'm really sorry about what happened yesterday. I talked about it with everyone –

"You talked about it?" Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse.

"No one finds its bad Lili. In fact, Asuka's going crazy with the support flooding her in every direction. Everyone is rooting for her and you."

I can't see it, but I'm sure my face is twisted into an inexplicable expression. On the other hand, Xiaoyu was smiling hopefully.

"Do you think that actually makes me happy?" I ask her. No joke intended.

I always thought I hated Asuka (as much as I love her) more than anyone I've ever known, but Xiaoyu is sprinting –practically leaping -to take that position away.

Xiaoyu laughed, nervously. "Asuka said the same thing. I can't believe it. You two go so well together."

Blank. There goes my heart, skipping ten beats.

"Oh, you're blushing." The Chinese said, her fear absent now.

"Stop it. Just do as I say and everything will be over." I can't believe it, I've been losing my cool so quickly ever since yesterday.

"What do you mean everything will be over?"

"I'm quitting. After you do this, I'll leave the tournament and I won't ever come back again." Once again, I blabbed everything without thinking.

"Lili, running away from this isn't going to solve your problems. You haven't even tried talking to Asuka since the night of the incident."

Talk to her? It's like asking me to commit suicide. "She knows everything, what is there to talk about? Unless she has some answer to give me." Sigh. Why did I need to include that last sentence? I sounded so desperate, dégeulasse!.

Xiaoyu bit her lip. She fell silent and went on like that for a long time.

"If I do what you want me to do, will you try and speak to Asuka?"

"Have you been listening? I said I was leaving right?" I sighed irritably. "You know what, I'm done here. I've wasted enough time and patience already. Celebrate my resignation for all I care. This tournament was becoming boring for me anyways."

Xiaoyu's feet left the ground before I could turn my body. She landed in my front, and stretched her arms on the sides. "What do you want me to do?" She asked. Her eyes focused on me and her sincere determination flowing in the space between us.

I smiled, feeling remarkably in victory. "An eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth. You made me confess my feelings to Asuka. I know you have your own feelings to tell Ling Xiaoyu."

"Fair deal. But if I confess to Jin, face to face, and ask him an answer…you have to tell me that you'll do the same."

I hysterically laughed. My hands went flying, I couldn't stop myself. Xiaoyu's hands drop down; her face is painted with disappointment at my response.

"I always thought you were a risker Lili. But I guess in the end, you're really just a coward who can't stand up to her own feelings."

My humor got stuck in my throat. I've heard that before. And I never thought that it'd come to back to haunt me again. Those words always triggered the worst. Right now, I'm about to let my rage take over me again.

"Say that to yourself once you get over confessing to the devil who runs this place. If you get him to answer your confession; I will personally knock on that primitive violent buffoon's door and feed her my heart."

Take your words back! Take your words back! Oh, please, Emilie, don't let your pride get in the way for once.

Xiaoyu looked hesitant to agree further after hearing me say the most ferocious words I had ever spoken in the most daunting voice I had used ever since I joined the tournament and met her. This is your cue Emilie. Tell her you were only worked up.

"Alright. If I get an answer, you need to talk with Asuka. I started this mess, and I'm not afraid to take responsibility of it." Xiaoyu's face changed into a dismal expression. "I realized that by outing your feelings for Asuka, it's only right for me to out myself. I'm sorry for violating your privacy Lili. I also want to tell you that I'm going to do this not because I want to, but because I feel guilty that you're going to leave the Iron Fist because of my meddling."

She's getting serious. Stop her now before she continues with it.

"I don't care. I forgive you, honestly, it's all behind us Xiaoyu. Do you want me to buy you a slurp? I know a shop nearby that sells the best slurps in town. They even make customized orders." I did my best into looking all jumpy-excited and happy. It doesn't matter whether she decides to think if I'm moody or crazy; I'd rather be called mentally disabled than face Asuka. After all she's heard, and how I acted yesterday –It will be the end of me if I talk to her.

I slid my arm on top of her shoulders and tried to drag her out of the park. She easily untangled from me and moved away. "You can buy me slurp after I confess. I can then decide if it's for celebration or for mourning." The girl jumps and lands on the branch of the highest tree in sight.

"Let's see." She drones while she scans from her high position. "I bet he's in the Mishima Dojo…ironic."

I got what she said. The Mishima Dojo must be where they mounted in the Limousine. I got caught off with my thoughts, I hadn't realized that Xiaoyu was hopping her way to the dojo.

I run after her, still expectant that I can stop her. But then her tracks went missing. I circled the park, trying to look for her. A cracking sound disturbs me. I come back to the center of the Park. The speakers everywhere were glowing in red.

One thing I didn't tell. I had spies to look after Xiaoyu's confession. In the event that she is to tell her feelings, those spies of mine will record the moment and transmit it to the general speaker system. Her confession would be heard in every existing stage, office and room inside the Tekken Complex.

Well, I thought it'd be perfect for my revenge. I wouldn't have planned this much if I knew I was going to get myself deeper into chaos.

The red glow is a signal for a new message. Wherever Xiaoyu is, my spies had tracked her down, and are all ready to record her confession. The red glow goes in standby for a long time. I went to the Limousine and asked Sebastian to take me to the Mishima Dojo –quick.

It was a fast ride, but not fast enough. By the time I went down the car, the speakers were already on.

"Jin…." Xiaoyu's voice was loud and clear throughout the area. I'm wondering why she hasn't notice it herself.

I was in front of the Dojo door, when one of the spies went down from the ceiling and blocked my way to get inside. "Ma'am, by all means, we are paid not to let this moment be interrupted."

There were spies everywhere; dressed in whole black fatigue duty with green sunshades and boots. They carried white sound-barrier mics. (no wonder she can't hear herself) and wires of plugs connected to the main system speaker.

"…Jin, I need to tell you something…" Xiaoyu's voice reverberated to great lengths.

I slithered my hand on the open side of the spy and reach for the doorknob. "Let me in or your payment is never going to come." I warned him before he could try to stop me.

"I know you're busy and you have a lot of things in your hands. But…I need to confess to you…and you need to act along."

Act along? What do you mean Xiaoyu?

"Xiaoyu, what are you up to now?" The sound of Jin's calm voice brims in high volumes through the speakers.

"You know how you told me not to mess with Lili…well, I still did. I'm sorry, Jin. I couldn't help it! You know how I like helping my friends out…" Xiaoyu replied in a voice filled with hesitation to continue.

"And why do you need to confess to me?"

"Because I made a bet with Lili that if I can make you answer me, she'll go and talk to Asuka. Please, Jin, she needs to talk with Asuka. She needs to or she'll leave the tournament."

"So, all I have to do is listen to you confess and I have to tell you that I like you too."

"Yes, just that would do."

Jin's sigh ran deep into the sound stream. "I am busy. But I guess I can do it."

"Yes. Thank you, Jin! You are the best boyfriend ever!"

Cut the volume! Boyfriend?

I made the spy in front of me fly off into the grassland. With one side-kick, I broke down the door. Jin was seating at the parquet in a meditating position while Xiaoyu was embracing him from the back. The spy's come out from everywhere, leading Xiaoyu to squeal in surprise.

Jin stayed calm as he said "Though I think it's unnecessary anymore." He then proceeded to stand up. He turned around and went close to me. He eyes the spies that have gathered behind me; the look on his eyes indicate that he is not naïve about the white circular microphones that everyone carried in their hands. "Everyone knows we're together now."

"Lili!" Xiaoyu bellowed, coming fast at my direction.

"Xiaoyu!"

The Chinese stopped running, and suddenly, Jin and her eyes were focused on the sight of someone back at the door. I get it by that time that the voice who just shouted was not me. And then, recognition sipped in.

"Turn off the Mic. ya bunch of airheads! Everyone can hear you!"

The blast of the shout in the speakers made all the birds fly out of the area. That tremendous eruption of temper and unceremonious construction of words. I know without looking – it's Asuka.

Great. Good Luck, Emilie.


Mhuki: Hey! thanks for reading it dude! and for making the first review! I'm glad Asuka's POV went well, and haha, yeah, like Asuka said, it's great when your middle is actually your start...but it's better when it's both your start and ending ;D...and lastly, here's some more :D

Nutellaholic: Great to hear that the story is coming out as adorable :D haha, and thank you for saying that my writing has improved! And we all know, no one else was more happy with Asuka's chest landing on Lili's face but Lili herself ;)

Charlieclarke98: Yeah, we're the same. Chronological storytelling can be boring sometimes :D thanks for saying that the first chapter was enjoyable. lol, Amaterasu indeed! (PS. I'm sorry I couldn't type your name correctly, Fanfic erases it when I put the period after Charlie.)

AsukaEnergetic1: glad to make you laugh! Hello, after a long time, and yeah, I'm sorry about the long update in my other fic. but I'll tell the reasons on my next post there. It's coming soon, really, I'm working on it right now!