IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not own anything
CHAPTER 18
Japan, Tokyo…
Mishima Zaibatsu Headquarters…
The mouse pad fell on the floor waking up Julia Chang from her thoughts. She didn't sleep last night at all and even, when Tougou called her to let her know that they were safe, she still wouldn't calm down, if she didn't see them with her own eyes. All of them…including Nina Williams, even though Julia knew that she would not appreciate anyone's concern. And anyway, the young woman was way too embarrassed to even look at her...The feeling would be definitely awkward. She wondered if her mother, Michelle, knew about Nina and if yes…What did she think of her?
Julia sighed and lowered her body to grab her laptop's mouse pad. Such a waste of time…To keep herself occupied she decided to continue working on her final essay before graduation. All these tournaments and stuff Julia had to deal with, kept her a little behind in her academics. However, she didn't care much about it. Not that she wanted to brag about it, Julia was well aware of her abilities when it came to studying. She had tutored lots of children in the past, too…She was smart and she knew it.
She stood up and buttoned her half buttoned white shirt. She fixed her two braids and took her cellphone in her hands. After taking a last good look of her face, she walked outside her room inside the Mishima Zaibatsu…
Before even managing to lock her room, Alisa appeared behind her giving her a startle… "Alisa!?" she called her name and touched her chest…
Alisa brought her hands together and bowed apologetically in front of Julia knowing that she surprised her, even though it wasn't on purpose… "Umm…P-Please, forgive me, Miss Chang…I should have been more careful."
Julia smiled reassuringly and shook her head… "Don't worry about it. It could, also, be my fault, since I was still dozed off."
The pink haired girl raised an eyebrow and Julia looked away… "Yeah…" she let out a breath… "I'm just…so…so…worried about them. Even though, Tougou said that they're ok…I just can't calm down if I don't see them with my own eyes."
The young girl opposite her smiled sweetly, something that Julia found confusing for an unknown reason… "I was coming to inform you actually…They came back."
"Huh?!"
She nodded… "Yes…They are inside Lars-senpai's o…" Julia ran off before Alisa managed to finish telling her what she wanted. She sighed and followed her with a smile. Julia's enthusiasm was quite obvious even to Alisa…
…..
Mishima Zaibatsu Headquarters…
Lars' office…
Zafina was leaning her body on the wall next to where the window behind Lars' office was. She stole a glance of the others, who were chatting randomly about things she didn't understand. What surprised her though was that Lars Alexandersson was silent. His body was right next to his best friend, who seemed like he was arguing with that Korean intriguing man. She still couldn't figure him out. She could tell though that she didn't make the best impression to him. A sigh escaped her lips. Her relationship with that man was meaningless, so there was no reason to worry about it. He didn't have to do anything with what she was supposed to do as part of her mission...He was interesting, though, for other reasons. She wasn't going to help him, if he was in trouble or…she would kill him, if he was to be a threat to her mission and most importantly her people. However, the same thing was supposed to happen with the black haired man next to him…He was no different for her. But what was the case when it came to the blue eyed man opposite her? Zafina was feeling something dangerous whenever she was near him…She couldn't describe this danger…She had never felt it before, maybe that was the reason. What she was aware, though, was…that she would do anything to not let it create doubts, miscalculations and especially, divert her from the mission she needed to accomplish. Could it be that in the depths of her mind she knew what was going to happen? Maybe…Who knows?
The beautiful woman frowned and took her gaze away from the three men. She looked at her hand and noticed the handmade bracelet she was wearing as a gift from her beloved sister. She trailed it with her fingers. Amina put so much effort in making this. Her eyes had gotten red because she didn't get any sleep. Zafina had scolded her for this but all Amina said was that, she would lose her focus and inspiration if she was to give it up in the middle. The older sister didn't say anything back. She understood perfectly what her sister meant. In the past, right after her father's death, Zafina was training day and night without rest or food. As everyone expected, she collapsed and stayed in bed for whole three days…For that woman…That was a living nightmare…
As she tried to look outside the window, the front door opened forcefully and a young woman entered excitedly the room…
"You guys!"
Julia Chang sighed in relief and brought her hands to her chest. Yes…Now she could calm down. She checked everyone out. Lars was here…Tougou was here…That foul mouthed young man was here. She didn't see Nina Williams but that didn't surprise her. Why would this woman be here as she noticed that the three men were talking casually between them? She nodded in the inside…But then? Her eyes took a glimpse of a beautiful woman standing silently next to the window behind Lars' office. Julia tilted her head…She was definite that she knew her from somewhere. Suddenly, Zafina brought her brown eyes back and met Julia's, who flinched and averted quickly her gaze away from Zafina. The young girl could understand that the woman's look towards her wasn't intimidating, yet it felt kind of…intense. However, she didn't feel any negative aura from her. For a moment, she thought that it might have been her imagination…These last days, it was true that it was running "wild"…
"Julia."
Lars' calm voice woke her up from her thoughts. He got worried for a moment. She was there calling for them and the next minute was looking at the opposite direction. Then, he realized something…Julia exchanged glances with Zafina. He wondered for a moment…What was this woman doing? It wasn't like Julia to be unfocused. At the very end, the relief appeared on his handsome features as the younger woman showed him a very reassuring calm smile…
"Oh…I'm so happy you all made it back safely." She said making her way towards them…
A playful smirk crossed Lars' lips… "Eh…As I found out the only person you called, though, was Tougou…" he, then, turned to look at his friend, who was standing there dumbfounded… "Isn't that right?"
"Lars!"…his friend's voice wasn't loud but the slight anger was obvious… "I believe…uh…Julia thought that you might have been busy…You went through a lot after all."
The blond man sighed… "We went through the same things…Hwoarang, even."
"What's that supposed to mean?! Like…Even?!" However, Hwoarang's voice was loud enough to make even the level headed Zafina widen her eyes… "Us two were in a more difficult situation, since if something was to happen, we would have to save your sorry ass, Alexandersson."
"Hwoarang…Behave…" Tougou scolded him in a calm way. But his words were just the ones, which were going to make things worse…
"The hell…Shut it! I only take orders from my master…The rest of you, I don't give a shit. So, screw."
None of the others tried to say something…They didn't know what…The silence in the room was what Zafina needed to focus her mind on someone again…and that was the person, she decided to not have any interactions with…Once again this man…
His eyes were getting darker from crying…
He didn't wipe the blood from his hands or change his clothes…
Everything was blank…It was all his fault…The fallen bodies in front of him, behind and around him…
But the person in his arms…Why? He brought his hand to that person's head and closed slowly his dead eyes. They were never going to look at him or sent shivers through his spine…And it was all his fault…
In the end, he was no different than "him"
Zafina's eyes widened… This boy…His hands were cold, yet his tears warm and full of regret. She shook her head and it was then when she found out that the others were looking at her. Julia had a concerned frown above her eyes…Tougou was puzzled, when Lars was there looking motionless at her. The only person Zafina watched though, was the man with the auburn hair. His expression had changed to a forlorn one…However, he was looking straight at her…
A sigh escaped his mouth and after raising his head once again he made his way towards the black haired woman. Hwoarang pulled the chair of Lars' office and almost effortlessly placed Zafina on top of it. She was still stunned in order to dissuade him from the act…
"Sit here until you feel better…You had a long journey. There's no need to push yourself…" with that he turned his back at her and walked towards the door, only for Lars to stop him with his voice…
"Where are you going?"
The younger man tilted his head… "Find Alisa and spend time with her…She's the only one, who's not becoming an eyesore."
After saying that he opened and then closed the door behind him…
…
From the time Hwoarang left the office there was a strange silence between them. Tougou was actually feeling guilty. He managed to find out from Lars about what made the Korean man join him and be part of the Tekken force. He stepped on his landmine. A sigh escaped his lips…I have to apologize…He said to himself in the inside. However, Julia was the one, who decided to break the awkward atmosphere by walking towards Zafina having a kind casual smile on her face. She didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable…
"Umm…I'm Julia Chang. Nice to meet you…" she stopped and hesitated for a moment… "You're Zafina, correct?"
Her eyes widened slightly… "How do you know of me?"
The brown haired girl extended her arm to shake hands with her. She was cautious at first but Julia was a person with a welcoming aura around her. Zafina couldn't feel anything ominous coming from her. It was actually the first time she met a person with genuine innocent motives, since the time she left her village. Zafina returned her handshake and the younger woman sighed in relief… "You see…Two years ago, I tried to consult a woman about what was happening in the Middle East. My mother…for strange reasons…was having nightmares at that time, until I found out that her heirloom pendant was causing that distress to her…That pendant of hers has the power to sense and awaken evil. So, I took it off her and decided to make my research…Anyway." She paused and shook her head… "This woman told me that I should seek you out. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to search for you, since my boss needed me for a…umm…special m-mission."
Zafina gave her a nod… "Then…That's it." She said and Julia gave her a shy nod… "Miss Chang, I would be glad to have any conversation with you, if we ever have the time."
A grin crossed Julia's lips after listening to what the woman opposite her said. Seems like Zafina wasn't "that" unapproachable. You just needed to know the ideal way to approach her... "Oh thank you so much!...Uh…You can just call me Julia, alright?" Zafina didn't give her an answer, instead she smiled faintly to her direction…
Who would have guessed? A surprised expression was created on his face, as soon as Julia made Zafina smile. If only he knew, he would let her do the talking from the start. Now that he thought better of it, he should have considered taking her with them in the Middle East. However, with Kazuya out there…He would never risk Julia's safety. She was a girl, who went through a lot, as Lee told him. But he witnessed it, too, in a way…When he rescued her two years ago. It passed some time until she realized that she was safe and away from G Corporation. The color was drawn from her beautiful face…
Lars cleared his throat…
"That sounds…nice, actually." He said with a small smile… "Why don't you do it now, Julia?"
"What…Lars…But you…" she stammered and he walked to her side. He placed his hands on her shoulders, causing a blush on her cheeks. This was noticeable by him but decided to feign ignorance…
"Well, it's true that it was the first time I saw Zafina smile…and not to mention that you have been pretty lonely, right?" Julia tilted her head and glanced towards Zafina, whose expression never changed… "Tougou said so."
The Japanese man's eyes widened… "I said what?!"
Julia made a step back pushing gently Lars' hands away from her shoulders. Lars couldn't be more obvious. He wanted to be alone with Tougou. She flinched in the inside. How rude of her? She didn't even welcome him back. And he was so nice all this time, they were away. Calling her to let her know that they were doing alright and if she needed anything to not hesitate and call him. She clenched her fists. She was definitely going to talk to him later. All she did now, though, was to clasp her hands together cheerily…
"I got it!" she placed her hands behind her waist… "Zafina, would you like to try my mother's tea recipe? Those guys tried it but said that it was bitter…I need an honest opinion." Julia rolled her eyes in the inside. What kind of stupid things she was saying to the woman opposite her? A frown appeared above her eyes when Zafina stood up and walked to her side…
"I understand. We can also discuss those things you wanted to tell me about, right?"
Zafina made her way towards the exit and said once more… "Shall we take our leave?"
The younger woman looked towards Tougou for a moment, who flinched when his eyes made contact with her own. Julia stared at the floor for a spilt second and then back to Zafina… "Sure!" she answered and followed her… "Guys, we'll see you later."
Both Tougou and Lars gave her a nod and waited until the two women were outside the office…
…
The double black door closed silently and it was that time when Tougou, who was staring at the floor raised his gaze to look at his friend. Lars was still having his eyes on the door…
"You couldn't be way more obvious."
Lars chuckled. What was he supposed to do? Both Zafina and Julia were clever women. He would never be able to trick them even if he tried to think of a way… "Right, I guess…These two women would see right through me, even if I was trying to be oblivious."
His friend didn't give a comment but just scratched the back of his head… "Anyway…What's wrong?"
He hesitated for a moment… "I'm intending to visit Wang Jinrey."
"The reason? Is he having a lead or something?" asked Tougou without taking an answer… "You can trust me."
"There's no doubt on the fact of trusting you or not. I even trust you with my life."
A sigh escaped Tougou's lips… "Now you're turning our following conversation into a cliché soap opera."
Lars laughed slightly… "No, no…Sorry…I just need to talk to him. You could say that I'm going there for some advice."
The black haired man bit his upper lip. Lars asking for advice? Well, it was true that he started making "progress" on this…Some time ago, he even consulted him. Tougou crossed his arms and looked at his friend… "Is that so…Even if you say that…" he started saying raising an eyebrow in question… "Are you gonna take him seriously this time?"
Lars frowned after hearing his friend's question. He stayed silent for a moment wondering what he actually meant… "I don't understand your question."
Tougou breathed out. He had a feeling that Lars would find a way to avoid the question. In a way he was right, since he wasn't expecting from him a reply like that one… "Back then…Two years ago. You told me afterwards…" the Japanese man waited for any kind of movement from the other one but he didn't do anything… "Alright, then…I'll say what I wanted from the very start. That man told you to not trust Alisa…yet you did and..."
"Tougou?" he called his name interrupting him… "That's all in the past. There's no need to keep bringing it up."
With a purposely defeated expression Tougou shook his head and placed his hands on his waist… "I apologize…It's not my business after all."
"You don't have to be so dramatic, you know?" said Lars jokingly and Tougou's eyes widened…
"I'm being dramatic? This role is entirely yours, my friend."
Lars gave his friend a pressed smile. He knew that Tougou was right. Sometimes the fact that his friend seemed much more dependable to their comrades than he did was slightly irritating. But even he was letting a lot on the Japanese man's shoulders, how did he not expect from his soldiers to show so much respect towards him? However, what Tougou was telling him whenever his friend was complimenting him, was that these people still trusted Lars with their lives not him. In other words…The soldiers viewed Tougou as the respectable, dependable lieutenant, when Lars was their target of admiration, who deserved their absolute devotion…
"Hey…Boss." Tougou's voice was heard and Lars blinked his eyes several times. He shook his head when he noticed his friend's worried expression…
"Uh…S-Sorry…I spaced out." The man cleared his throat and walked with hurried steps towards the exit. His friend raised an eyebrow without taking his eyes off of him. He opened slightly the door and looked first on his left and then right. Lars nodded to himself and closed the door in front of him. Good…There was no one around…
"What was that?"
"Have a seat and I'll explain." Said Lars and walked to sit on his chair…He, soon, watched Tougou doing the same… "I need to tell you something…" he stopped believing that the man opposite him was going to interrupt him…something he didn't… "I'll tell you what I'm intending to do but whoever asks you…act like you know nothing."
"All this prologue is unnecessary. You could just say that you wanted it to stay between us."
Lars frowned. He could actually do that. He tried to say something but Tougou was the one, who spoke first… "Uh…Yeah…You would do that back then…When I was the ONLY one you trusted."
He sighed… "Who's the one turning our following conversation into a cliché soap opera now?"
"Don't try to turn it against me, alright?" he said and Lars gave him a nod… "Out with it, then."
"You said something back then, Tougou." The black haired man was staying on alert since he had a feeling that what he was going to hear wouldn't be good…
"I'm saying lots of things, which I usually forget since you never listen to me." Lars rolled his eyes… "What is it this time?"
The blond man looked away. He pursed his lips tightly and ran a hand through his hair. Tougou raised an eyebrow suspiciously. He was ready to say something but Lars was ready to talk to him this time… "It's about…Alisa." His friend gave him a nod and motioned for him to continue…
"I won't risk it this time." Lars glanced at the man opposite him. He had an unreadable expression. He was always like that… "Just because I have no idea where Jin is that doesn't mean he's dead…Even, Alisa said it. Her mission of protecting him is not deleted inside her data…Meaning that if he's alive, he would do as he pleases with her…He might even turn her against us."
"Lars…I believe your intention was to make amends with him. Especially after those things he told you." As soon as, Tougou said these words, something was created inside Lars. It was true that his purpose was to find Jin and fight Kazuya alongside him…But? He didn't know if the Japanese man was willing to get rid of his father, while aiding him and the Zaibatsu. Jin Kazama was a man, who wouldn't put his trust just to anyone and prefer to do things by himself. Even, Lars knew that the people his nephew would trust were counted in one hand. And that was one of the reasons he needed to do something. However, if he was to succeed, Alisa would never forgive him…She could even try to kill him without taking orders from "her Master". So, the way for her to not know was to be away from him. But he wasn't going to say this to Tougou…never…since, the man was going to probably stop him…
"Exactly…I am the one, who wants to make amends with him…I have no idea what he's going to do, if he ever appears."
"Then, why don't you stop looking for him?" Tougou suggested and the man looked at him confused… "Do you really want to take that risk? We both worked under him. Jin Kazama is a clever man and quite obviously powerful. You don't have to make it easy for him."
Lars chuckled at his friend's serious expression. Indeed, Tougou always meant every word he was saying. Seems like, even his best friend considered Jin more powerful than him. Of course, the man sitting in front of him didn't seem pleased with his friend's thoughts. "Are you saying that I'm weak?" he asked with a playful smirk. Tougou didn't say anything and Lars sighed. What was the point in getting angry? Even though, he had his pride, the man knew himself that he was no challenge to Jin…under certain circumstances. Unfortunately…or thankfully…Tougou wasn't aware of those "circumstances". He stretched and pursed his lips… "Whatever…I'm not indenting to give up on capturing Jin…at least, until I find out that we're in the same page."
"Don't you think that you're going to confuse these people around you? Julia…even, Hwoarang…and now Zafina."
"Tougou…I don't want to worry about that because it has nothing to do with them." The Japanese man had to admit that his friend did have a point here. But what about him? Didn't Lars care about what his friend started thinking about him? He shook his head…No, Lars is still the same. He was the one, who was getting soft and all that because of a certain woman. But Tougou had no intention in turning her away just because his thoughts started differing from those of Lars'. He still served his friend…Till the very end. The man nodded in the inside. As a soldier and a lieutenant, he would die to protect his captain if he needed to. That would never change, even if Lars would tell him to run for his life.
"I apologize…" he murmured and the blond man raised an eyebrow momentarily… "Enough with that…In the end…What do you have in mind? What are you gonna do with her?"
Lars smiled suspiciously at his friend… "I'm sending her with Hwoarang." Tougou's jaw was dropped. He blinked his eyes…
"You mean that you're going to tell him everything?"
He shook his head negatively… "No…Just like me, this guy cannot hide his feelings. He would be easily exposed." Tougou believed that his friend was right in this part. He opened slightly his mouth trying to say something but Lars spoke once again… "I know what you're gonna say next…" he paused and the other man frowned… "I have no reason not to trust Zafina. I was the one, who approached her from the start, right? Heh…In her case…" this time he glanced at him… "I'll take that risk."
Tougou shrugged his shoulders… "You're unbelievable." Was the only thing he said and Lars chuckled…
"True…I have you as a friend, that's why." His mocking playful tone made the black haired man roll his eyes…
"Don't change the subject. What are you going to do with Nina? You have to be cautious here."
Lars closed his blue eyes remembering those endless conversations he had with Tougou when it came to Nina's involvement with the Zaibatsu and their missions. The man obviously had multiple and justified reasons to be concerned about a matter like that. "You still don't trust her?" asked Lars knowing that he wouldn't take an answer…
"We're thinking the same thing in her case, you remember?" Lars gave a knowing look towards his friend, in which Tougou smiled for the first time… "I have to say it…You were able to fool everyone…even her. Here you really got me, my friend. I admired you."
"Amazing…" started Lars with widened eyes… "I have Tougou-sama's admiration. I can die happily now."
The black haired man clicked his tongue and stood up… "Anyway…For now, she hasn't shown me anything that would make me suspicious of her."
"That's because she's good in her job." Mumbled Tougou and searched his pocket looking for his cellphone…
"Perhaps…" was the only reply from the blond man… "By the way, Tougou…"
The man raised an eyebrow and waited for him to speak… "I'd like for Julia to join you to the first base."
"WHAT?! You can't be serious. What about her duties here?" the surprised man tried to reason with him… "It might be dangerous."
Lars walked back to his office and sat on the chair… "Firstly…I'm completely serious. Secondly, I'll talk it over with her and finally, Julia is a capable fighter…" the man smirked… "…and if something is to happen…You'll protect her…won't you?"
All the Japanese man did was to sigh and look away. He took a moment for himself and then faced his friend… "Understood. I'll do as you command." After hearing that, Lars nodded satisfied… "Do you need me anything else? I have some paperwork left behind that I need to take care of before I leave."
He shook his head and crossed his arms… "No…You're free to do what you want. I'll talk with Julia today and then, let you know of the details." Tougou turned to leave after giving him a small bow, which Lars always found ridiculous… "Hm…Tougou?" the man looked at him over his shoulder… "I promise you…I'll allow nothing to happen to Julia."
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked while tightening his fists…
"You know why…don't try to deny it, alright?" Tougou took the decision to not continue talking with him, instead he relaxed his tightened hands and walked outside Lars' office…
…
Mishima Zaibatsu Headquarters…
Julia's room…
Zafina was watching as the younger woman walked to her side and poured some tea for her. The bittersweet aroma reached her nose and she smiled faintly to herself. This felt so nostalgic. Amina, her sister, used to make very delicious drinks from multiple herbs she was gathering whenever she was having walks alongside Zafina. Amina wanted to explore but her sister's overprotectiveness allowed her to do this only with her by her side. Of course, it wasn't a bad thing, since Zafina was away for long periods of time and Amina was missing her. It was obvious that she would enjoy and treasure these moments with her sister. At the same time, the older woman's feelings were returned…
She raised her head and noticed Julia making her way to sit opposite her. The brunette smiled nervously…Now what? She thought…Lars' wish to be alone with Tougou was obvious to both of them. She cleared her throat and sipped carefully some of her tea. It was still hot… "Umm…I know that it's still hot, so you're not tasting it but…could you tell me if you like the scent?" she asked…
The woman gave her a positive nod and Julia clasped her hands together… "Sure…It is sweet, yet I can tell that the taste will leave some bitterness at the back of the tongue."
Julia seemed satisfied with Zafina's answer. Noticing the older woman's positive aura towards her, she decided to be the first to talk. Suddenly, the young woman realized in the inside that she didn't want to find out about what happened back then anymore. She was more concerned about what was lying ahead. Julia Chang was a woman, who liked to be prepared about everything that was supposed to happen. She would like to find a way to protect the people she cared about sooner rather than later. Seems like, she felt the same way here as well. Even though, Michelle was still in Arizona that didn't keep her entirely safe. Unlike her, Michelle was careless sometimes and didn't trust her daughter's abilities in taking care of herself. If she ever sensed that Julia was in danger, her mother would get inside the plane in an instant and find her way here…in Japan. Then, which one of the two would be safe? Mother or daughter? Since each other wanted to protect the other one with her life…
"Z-Zafina…" she mumbled the older woman's name… "What is going to happen to us?"
The black haired woman's eyes suddenly widened. Julia had a pained and frightened expression on her face. She could feel the confusion, stress and desperation. She didn't notice them when they were inside Lars' office but now. Zafina stayed still. She couldn't know how Julia was feeling and didn't try to search into her soul. She tightened her fists… "I don't know…" she said softly and Julia raised her gaze to look at her… "All the cards are open…the only thing that matters is which one of them we're going to choose." That was the only response Zafina left for Julia. So, all possibilities are open…It made sense to her. It was still early for everyone…even her. Feelings change leading to the conclusion that our choices are doing the same.
Suddenly, a knock was heard on Julia's door. She flinched and looked briefly towards Zafina, who had her eyes set on the door. The younger woman stood up and made her way to the door. She grabbed the doorknob and opened it slowly. Soon enough, she made eye contact with Alisa's cheerful green eyes. Her bright face brought a smile on Julia's lips…
"A-Alisa…Come inside." She welcomed her inside but Alisa shook negatively her head…
"No, thank you…Actually, Lars-senpai asked me to inform you that he's waiting for you inside his office."
Julia smiled and turned her head back to look at Zafina, who tilted her head confusingly. "I see…We're coming." She turned her head to her left and asked… "Shall we go?" in return Zafina gave her a positive nod…
…
Mishima Zaibatsu Headquarters…
Lars' office…
Hwoarang seemed a little less irritated about what happened before. Maybe, it was the fact that Tougou realized his mistake and apologized to him. Well, he knew deep down that he overreacted himself. He was fed up with Lars' whims after all. He wondered if that man had actually any specific plan inside his mind or if he was just moving on impulse and intuition. Who knows? Could it be that this was the reason he approached that sexy psychic? He made this question to himself. Yes, Zafina was one of the most beautiful women he ever saw but she still was weird in the bad and creepy way…That somehow was turning him off…
From the time he entered Lars' office he asked him to move away, since he wanted to sit on his chair. Childish but he felt that way. It was skeptical that Lars didn't react sarcastically at him…Hm…
"You're awful." He said suddenly and Lars blinked his eyes…
"E-Excuse me?"
The younger man clicked his tongue and looked away… "Alisa…Don't you have your own legs? Why are you sending her just to fetch someone?"
Lars frowned. He knew that Hwoarang and Alisa managed to create a very nice friendship. He didn't know what they might had in common and if they had but he looked out for her and she was fond of him. That was one of the reasons that Lars was intending to entrust her to him. He opened his mouth to reply but the door opened widely as Julia alongside Alisa and Zafina made their way inside. Hwoarang looked at Zafina. She seemed better now. Well…being with Lars all the time will be pretty tiring and exhausting. Poor woman…She needed every kind of rest…
"Lars…We're here as you asked." Said Julia and closed the door. Lars smirked at them and watched as Alisa walked happily at Hwoarang's side. Could it be that Alisa herself might have sensed what was he going to do with her?
"Oh Julia…Did you two have a nice chat?" he asked and the two women exchanged glances…
"Don't be a busybody, you jerk! Just give us your damned orders!" the Korean man said in a loud voice with Alisa giving him a worried gaze…
"Hwoarang-senpai…Are you alright?" his eyes widened at her concerned voice. It made him smile for the first time today…
"Sorry for upsetting you, Pinky…I'm all good." After these words of his, he touched comfortingly her hand and squeezed it softly… "And about what I was saying before, Alexandersson. Tell us what you need and get over with it."
The blond man sighed… "Alright, Hwoarang…If you calm down…I will."
"What do you mean "if I calm down"? I'm just fine." He said and Lars rolled his eyes in the inside…
"Anyway…My devoted lieutenant." He started and looked at the man sitting on his office's seat… "Next week…You're going back to the Second Base."
His eyes widened. He didn't know how to react… "Seriously, man?!" he asked eagerly and the other nodded…
"You don't have to show your excitement…so obviously. Till then, you'll go to the First Base with Tougou. Alongside him you'll prepare a new practice plan and decide on how many of your soldiers are staying there and how many you're taking back. Tougou can assist you here, if you want." He stopped for a moment to think of how he was going to explain the next part… "Umm…By the way…" his mumbled words made Hwoarang raise an eyebrow… "Alisa's going to come with you."
Hwoarang frowned. It didn't bother him the idea of Alisa going with him, of course. However, he found it confusing from Lars leaving her behind. Something here was shady. Yes…Alisa was honest and as he had found out…Completely loyal to her "master". Something made sense here. All he just needed was something new to put the pieces together. For now, he returned to his previous thoughts. Don't trust Lars Alexandersson. Seems like what he first thought of the man might be, unfortunately, correct… "Why?"
"That's up to you to realize." The lie couldn't be clearer than that. Hwoarang was positive that Zafina, at least, noticed. He scoffed…
"How irritating? And back then you kept whining about how Jin was using Alisa…You, hypocrite! It's very satisfying that whatever I say ends up being the truth." Hwoarang managed to make these words of his sound as a way to show the fake irritation you'd expect from a person as him. Thankfully, it worked for most of them. For a slight moment, his attention took Alisa, who had a sad frown above her eyebrows. That was the last thing he wanted. To hurt her… "I mean, of course…It's better for me to have Alisa than you taking advantage of her…Alisa…" he called her and she looked at him… "Will you come with me?" he asked tenderly…
"Thank you, Hwoarang-senpai." Alisa brought her hands happily to her chest… "Now, I understand the reason you and Xiao-onesan were such good friends."
Lars and Julia's eyes widened. Both of them knew that Alisa had created a friendship with that girl but how come Hwoarang did, too? The Korean man cursed his luck. Why, Alisa? Why did you have to say that? He thought nervously. He cleared his throat to dismiss the subject… "Anyway…What are you gonna do?"
The other three looked at each other. Julia thought that she would continue her work here but still…as Alisa said, Lars asked for her, too. The blond man glanced at Julia and remembered his conversation with Tougou. Of course, he knew that the young woman was needed here but part of her work could be handled at the First Base, too. However, the truth was that Lars wasn't positive of Julia's safety here. Nina would be around but everyone could tell that she would never put Julia's safety above a possible mission or while the Zaibatsu could be under a sudden attack. He took in consideration all these possibilities and the only solution was for her to be with Tougou. Lars had a feeling…actually, he was almost sure of it…that his friend would be the one to put Julia above everything else. He didn't consider it a bad thing. In a way, he was happy for him…
"Julia…" he called her and she looked alerted at him… "You'll be joining Tougou on the First Base." The young woman didn't complain at all. Instead, she accepted it with a heavy nod. He was surprised… "Are you ok with this?"
She raised an eyebrow… "Why wouldn't I be? I, actually, want to thank you. Alisa will go away and I was going to stay back here…all by myself?"
A chuckle was heard by Lars… "Then, I'm glad you think that way. I'll send you a report about your new duties, alright?"
"I got it…" she said cheerfully and smiled… "And well I guess if I need something Tougou will be able to help me."
"I am sure, he will."
That time, Julia crossed her arms and wondered… "Then…What are you two gonna do?"
Lars stared intensely at Zafina and she tightened her fists… "Oh about that…Zafina and I will do an investigation on our own."
Thanks for reading!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'd like to give a response to a guest review, I had for the previous chapter (Thank you for the review by the way). When I was writing the chapter, I thought about giving an explanation as to why Asuka lost to Xiaoyu but then decided not to. I mean is it impossible for Asuka to lose to Xiaoyu just because she has more physical strength? (I don't think so, at least) Whatever…That wasn't the reason I made her lose anyway. In this story, Asuka is going to experience events, which are going to help her realize her powers. She depends a lot on a man, who she is not confident of his feelings towards her and that makes her insecure and threatened by other females, including Lili. The feelings of love, hate and loss that exist in her heart are making her mentally unstable, in other words. That "might" be the possible reason of why she lost to Xiaoyu. Don't worry about it. She's gonna snap out of it soon enough.