Disclaimer: a noun that refers to the act of repudiating another's claim or renouncing one's own. Oh you meant regarding copyright? Fine, I don't own Tekken. Keep rubbing it in now will you. *grumbles*
[Chapter 2]
LILI POV
Emilie de Rochefort is a refined woman. Yes, I just called myself refined. I can sense you rolling your eyes right now, reader.
Be that as may, I am also a woman who appreciates good food when she is given the oppurtunity to. Granted, I can be picky about some stuff like furniture, clothing and the like. But not food. No, food is food and this lady can appreciate the effort and love poured into each new dish by their makers. Life has its ups and downs. Food was one of the ups and I, Emilie de Rochefort, looked forward to that up every time.
I've always liked embarking in new experiences and trying out new things. Combine that eagerness to embrace new things with the aforementioned reverence of food, and you bet I'd have a good time.
So when this glorious feast was laid out before me, courtesy of one currently smiling Asuka, I felt myself getting excited. As she turned to look at me, her face painted with a look of satisfaction, I could only nod back at her and her father with a smile in return as we all took in the sight before us. 'Asuka's pretty awesome for this. I won't say that out loud though, teehee.' I thought inwardly as I inhaled the glorious smell of the freshly laid goodness that was Asuka's cooking. She may have been a brute most of the time, but it seems Asuka had a smidgen of female delicacy in her. I chuckled a bit at that thought.
"What's so funny princess?! You got something to say?" it seems Asuka heard my snickering and a comical pout was pasted on her features. Before I was able to reply, Mr. Kazama intervened.
"Asuka, not now. We're about to eat and it won't do good to disrespect the food. Even if you were the one who made it."
"Y-Yes, dad." After that exchange, all 3 of us turned back to look at what we were about to partake in.
Asuka had prepared 3 sets of what appeared to be a traditional Japanese breakfast. One for myself, one for her dad, and one for her. There was a bowl of steamed rice portioned generously in its serving, a hefty slice of grilled salmon, a pickled side dish which Asuka referred to as "tsukemono", some nori leaves, two pieces of shrimp tempura, and a bowl of miso soup. I would be drooling right now but I held myself back in front of my hosts as that wouldn't be proper of a lady with an upbringing of high class such as myself. 'God, this looks so good...'
Mr. Kazama, followed by Asuka then had their hands in a prayer position. Not wanting to be disrespectful, I followed suit. The two then said in chorus: "Itedakimasu!"
"Itey-daki-masoo." as I tried to imitate what they said.
Okay that came out wrong. I blushed a bit in embarassment as Mr. Kazama had an amused look while Asuka was snickering. Probably payback for my earlier chuckle. I'll show you all one day! But right now that wasn't important, as I didn't want to keep this wonderful food waiting any longer.
Now it was time for the real test. So far everything looked amazing. But did the taste match the look? Can the "Gang Mediator" actually impress someone of my palette? We shall see.
I readied my chopsticks, broke off a piece from my salmon fillet and took some of the white rice. I didn't have difficulty using the asian utensil as I had my fair share of experience eating in Japanese restaurants. Chopsticks were often used in such establishments so I took it upon myself to learn how to use them.
I took my first bite of the meal. Under my peripheral vision, I noticed Asuka and her father staring in anticipation. Neither having started on their own meals and were instead observing me with mischievous eyes, mostly Asuka doing so while Mr. Kazama sipped on his jasmine tea.
As the flavors exploded in my mouth with glee, I shakingly dropped my chopsticks onto the rice bowl and took a whiff of the miso soup. Even more deliciousness! Asuka, what have you done?!
In a similar manner as with my chopsticks, I slowly placed the bowl of soup down and turned to Asuka and Mr. Kazama.
Moments of silence ensued. And then, I exclaimed.
"The moment of victory, I love it!"
More silence. You could hear the cicadas chirping outside the window. It was autumn indeed. The sun continued to shine bright, its warmth covering the area while leaves were being blown around by the morning breeze.
"Huh?"/"Are you okay Emilie?" were the responses of Asuka and her dad at my sudden outburst. As expected of a literary expert such as myself, I had to express my current unparalleled glee in a detailed and vivid manner.
"Asuka, your food is of utmost excellence indeed! Having been able to experience such perfection in the form of your cooking is a victory to me. My, who would have known that monsieur Kazama over here-"
"You can call me Akira, Emilie..."
"-had been housing his own master chef! Why haven't you entered cooking competitions my rival! Your prowess in the kitchen matches your abilities in battle! We must tell the world of the immaculate blessing that is your cooking ability! Alert the masses! Spread the news!-"
"Lili, you're doing it again..."
Eventually I simmered down and we all began to eat normally while commencing some small talk. Mr. Kazama, or Akira was surprisingly attentive as I drabbled on about how Asuka and I had this great rivalry. I detailed on some of our encounters, much to Asuka's chagrin.
After insisting to Akira and Asuka that I be the one to clean up, they headed over to the Kazama Dojo. Something about practicing katas or forms as I was told. True to my word, I cleaned up the dining area nicely and had the dishes done in no time. I consider myself a clean freak in all honesty. I mean, years during my childhood observing how the housekeepers kept the Rochefort mansion spic and span lead to me developing a cleaning habit after trying out the vacuum machine one time.
I liked my things to be as clean as my beautiful self, thank you very much.
Whenever papa wasn't looking, I'd secretly help in cleaning the mansion even at the multiple remarks of scolding from the staff which varied from "Miss Lili! You don't need to do that!" or "Mr. Rochefort would get mad if he found out you were being made to do this!", yet I merely brush them off saying I was happy to help. What papa doesn't know won't hurt him! Then again, it's not as if my cleaning streak was the only thing hidden from the Rochefort Patriarch aka my father. He still thinks I'm on modelling tours or whatever creative excuse I manage to give him whenever I go out to fight.
Someday I do hope to come clean with him about the fighting, no pun intended regarding that cleaning bit haha, but papa can be such a worrywart sometimes. So I hesitate and the status quo remains as it is.
Grinning from the memories I had back in Monaco, I finished tidying up the Kazama dining area and stepped outside. The weather was mighty fine today. I then remembered that Asuka and her father were at the Kazama Dojo, which was a short walk from the Kazama household. I trotted over towards the direction of the Dojo and had a bit of pep in my step. The meal was good, but it was time to kick some butt!
ASUKA POV
"Knowing princess over there, she'd probably make a mess instead of actually being able to clean. Dad, I should go check on her."
"That's not nice Asuka, you shouldn't underestimate Emilie like that."
"But Dad..."
"No buts dear. Emilie was nice enough to volunteer to clean up and we should respect her wishes. What's one of the things I've always taught you during our sessions in the Dojo?"
"I really should check on her Dad thou-" I insist. I didn't want my rice cooker getting broken or the dining table being split in half. Lili came from a wealthy lifestyle so she probably wasn't used to menial tasks such as cleaning! Dad didn't understand!
"Well?"
"She might've bro-"
"Well?" dad repeated with a stern voice. He looked at me with a smile, but I knew better. That smile spelled out "If you don't stop this I will have you do katas for 10 hours straight." and I had no plan of doing that any time soon...
"Never... sigh... judge a book by it's cover. Underestimating your opponent is the mark of arrogance." I robotically stated. Dad looked pleased at hearing that.
"That's right. So I don't want to hear anymore of you being too uptight on Emilie alright?"
"Yes dad... haaah..." I slumped in defeat as we were greeted by the Dojo's entrance. I went straight to the changing area and put on my hakama and my Aikido training outfit. The other students were to come in an hour later but Dad and I always went earlier to get in some sparring. A good spar after a meal was ideal. I finished tying up my headband onto my forehead and went out into the general fighting space of the Kazama Dojo.
I was then met with the sight of Lili talking with Dad about something, both laughing while doing so. Now that I think of it, Lili did say she was gonna start living with us in order to learn the Kazama Style. Sighing heavily, I cracked my knuckles and went up to them. Might as well get this over with...
-Chapter 2 END-
A/N: An update? From DaMastah101? What alternate timeline is this?!
I'm so sorry for the very long gap between the first chapter and this one, but here is the second chapter to By Your Side! It's not that long and I know I should update more but fear not! Lately I've been having more free time so I should be able to update more often. Till next chapter guys! Thanks for reading and happy holidays everyone!