Ling
I was given a fat stack of papers to file when I got to work at the zaibatsu. I didn't really know how to start my 'investigation' on Mishima-sama. (I was in Japan...speak as the Japanese would.) It never crossed my mind that he might be bad news. But if he was, it was worth finding out.
I had been living in the Mishima Mansion for two years. When Mishima-sama took me under his wing after I stowed away on his yacht, he sponsored me so I could go to school here in Japan. The school I attend really helps people who want to work all over the world by giving them the education and experience. It's also a very, very expensive school. The school also gave students the ability to work part-time...either at the school or at zaibatsu.
I work in the marketing and special events department as an assistant. That works great for me because most of the people in marketing like to talk a lot. I'll hear tidbits here and there about what's going on in each department.
I came across a piece of paper containing a list of preliminary entrants. Hmm. Hwoarang's going to enter this year. I remember him from the last tournament. Cute Korean guy with red hair. He and Jin ended up fighting each other before the tournament and had a draw. Jin told me that ever since then, Hwoarang wanted a rematch. Let's see...Paul Phoenix...Marshall Law. Same family name as Forest Law? King...Yoshimitsu...Most of these people I've met before. Christie Monteiro, Steve Fox, Craig Marduk. Never heard of them before. Kazuya...Mishima? As in...the Kazuya Mishima?
From what I remember Jin saying...Kazuya Mishima was his father who died before he was born. Most of the media believed that he disappeared since his body wasn't found. However, since the announcement of the new tournament, there have been reports of him being 'seen' at different parts of the world. Jin mentioned to me that his parents weren't given the opportunity to have a relationship like 'normal' people did. Kazuya had a lot of problems...(What's with Mishima-sama's male heirs having personal issues, anyway?) So Jin guessed that because of that, his parents weren't able to live happily-ever-after and all that good stuff.
I just remembered that there were some old files on the previous tournaments. Once I got finished with my work, I'd go to the old file room and do some research on Kazuya Mishima.
I ended up taking an hour long lunch break in the file room. I brought my lunch with me. The room is huge. A drafty place with metal drawers and drawers full of files. Anything related to the zaibatsu were in these files. The drawers contained hanging binder files for easy removal and storage.
I opened a drawer labeled 'Special Events'. Way, way, way in the back, I found a thick gray binder labeled 'Iron Fist'. I pulled it out and began flipping through the sheets. It contained entrant applications, pictures of applicants, lists of matches and results, receipts for expenses paid by the zaibatsu. One of the late entrants had been Kazuya Mishima. And according to one of the match lists, Kazuya and Mishima-sama had fought each other. Kazuya had won every single match up until his fight with Mishima-sama. So who won that fight?
A picture slid out. It was a man with dark brows, slicked back hair and piercing eyes. No doubt about it...He was Kazuya Mishima. Wow. It's very easy to see where Jin got his looks. The dark hair...the eyes...the facial structure...I tucked that photo back in.
Placing that binder back, I pulled out 'Iron Fist 2'. It looked like a lot of expenses had been put on the zaibatsu credit card...signed by Kazuya Mishima. And some of the receipts were pretty pricey. He had been eating at some fancy restaurants. I guess during that time, he had been running the zaibatsu. I looked through the lists of entrants...complete with photos. I searched for the one labelled 'Jun Kazama'. It was a simple black and white photo. She was pretty. Very peaceful-looking. Definitely gave Jin his interior characteristics. I studied the picture some more. Jin told me once that in spite of his father's flaws, his mother loved him. I believe Jin. She didn't seem to be the type of woman who'd take relationships lightly. I put the photo back and started looking through the matches and results lists. She had continued to advance...even winning by a forfeit. Then nothing. And Kazuya and Mishima-sama fought...again.
I put the binder back. What happened all those years ago? Was that final match how Kazuya Mishima died? How could he still be alive then?
Right after I clocked out for the day, I stopped by Mishima-sama's office. The receptionist, Mikawa, buzzed him through the intercom, letting him know that I was here to visit. She then escorted me into his office.
It's got a great view of the city. Lots of ceiling space. The walk from the door to the desk is pretty short. The carpet is really plush...kinda squishy beneath the toes. Not that I've stepped in this office in bare feet...
He was on the phone, but he hung up as soon as I stood in front of his desk.
"Xiaoyu-san," he spoke up in his deep bellowing voice. Don't let his old age fool you. He might be close to eighty, but he's got a big presence. His white hair and beard show how old he is...but his eyes were still sharp. "What can I do for you?"
"I was working today when I realized that I want to fight in the tournament," I said quickly and boldly.
On his desk was a photograph of Kazuya Mishima. I took a quick peek...quick enough so I could tell who it was. Wonder if he noticed.
"Why?" he asked, frowning.
I shrugged. "I want to beat up people."
A slow smile turned into a laugh. "You are bored."
I nodded. "A little. I don't want to inherit the company. I just want to fight."
"I see..." he kept his gaze on me...probably wondering what brought this thing on.
"Is it too late to sign up?" I asked.
"Not at all," he said, picking up his phone, punching in a number. "Mikawa, get Xiaoyu-san an Iron Fist application." Then he hung up. "Places are filling up quickly...I may have to hold some preliminary battles to determine who's eligible to compete."
"No problem," I said. I wanted to ask about Kazuya Mishima, but I not to. No point in him getting suspicious.
"Mikawa will have an application for you outside."
"Thank you, Mishima-sama," I said.
"I have some business to tend to. I will see you later at the mansion."
"Okay. Bye...and thank you." I turned away to exit his office. It was getting way too creepy in there...
I was given a fat stack of papers to file when I got to work at the zaibatsu. I didn't really know how to start my 'investigation' on Mishima-sama. (I was in Japan...speak as the Japanese would.) It never crossed my mind that he might be bad news. But if he was, it was worth finding out.
I had been living in the Mishima Mansion for two years. When Mishima-sama took me under his wing after I stowed away on his yacht, he sponsored me so I could go to school here in Japan. The school I attend really helps people who want to work all over the world by giving them the education and experience. It's also a very, very expensive school. The school also gave students the ability to work part-time...either at the school or at zaibatsu.
I work in the marketing and special events department as an assistant. That works great for me because most of the people in marketing like to talk a lot. I'll hear tidbits here and there about what's going on in each department.
I came across a piece of paper containing a list of preliminary entrants. Hmm. Hwoarang's going to enter this year. I remember him from the last tournament. Cute Korean guy with red hair. He and Jin ended up fighting each other before the tournament and had a draw. Jin told me that ever since then, Hwoarang wanted a rematch. Let's see...Paul Phoenix...Marshall Law. Same family name as Forest Law? King...Yoshimitsu...Most of these people I've met before. Christie Monteiro, Steve Fox, Craig Marduk. Never heard of them before. Kazuya...Mishima? As in...the Kazuya Mishima?
From what I remember Jin saying...Kazuya Mishima was his father who died before he was born. Most of the media believed that he disappeared since his body wasn't found. However, since the announcement of the new tournament, there have been reports of him being 'seen' at different parts of the world. Jin mentioned to me that his parents weren't given the opportunity to have a relationship like 'normal' people did. Kazuya had a lot of problems...(What's with Mishima-sama's male heirs having personal issues, anyway?) So Jin guessed that because of that, his parents weren't able to live happily-ever-after and all that good stuff.
I just remembered that there were some old files on the previous tournaments. Once I got finished with my work, I'd go to the old file room and do some research on Kazuya Mishima.
I ended up taking an hour long lunch break in the file room. I brought my lunch with me. The room is huge. A drafty place with metal drawers and drawers full of files. Anything related to the zaibatsu were in these files. The drawers contained hanging binder files for easy removal and storage.
I opened a drawer labeled 'Special Events'. Way, way, way in the back, I found a thick gray binder labeled 'Iron Fist'. I pulled it out and began flipping through the sheets. It contained entrant applications, pictures of applicants, lists of matches and results, receipts for expenses paid by the zaibatsu. One of the late entrants had been Kazuya Mishima. And according to one of the match lists, Kazuya and Mishima-sama had fought each other. Kazuya had won every single match up until his fight with Mishima-sama. So who won that fight?
A picture slid out. It was a man with dark brows, slicked back hair and piercing eyes. No doubt about it...He was Kazuya Mishima. Wow. It's very easy to see where Jin got his looks. The dark hair...the eyes...the facial structure...I tucked that photo back in.
Placing that binder back, I pulled out 'Iron Fist 2'. It looked like a lot of expenses had been put on the zaibatsu credit card...signed by Kazuya Mishima. And some of the receipts were pretty pricey. He had been eating at some fancy restaurants. I guess during that time, he had been running the zaibatsu. I looked through the lists of entrants...complete with photos. I searched for the one labelled 'Jun Kazama'. It was a simple black and white photo. She was pretty. Very peaceful-looking. Definitely gave Jin his interior characteristics. I studied the picture some more. Jin told me once that in spite of his father's flaws, his mother loved him. I believe Jin. She didn't seem to be the type of woman who'd take relationships lightly. I put the photo back and started looking through the matches and results lists. She had continued to advance...even winning by a forfeit. Then nothing. And Kazuya and Mishima-sama fought...again.
I put the binder back. What happened all those years ago? Was that final match how Kazuya Mishima died? How could he still be alive then?
Right after I clocked out for the day, I stopped by Mishima-sama's office. The receptionist, Mikawa, buzzed him through the intercom, letting him know that I was here to visit. She then escorted me into his office.
It's got a great view of the city. Lots of ceiling space. The walk from the door to the desk is pretty short. The carpet is really plush...kinda squishy beneath the toes. Not that I've stepped in this office in bare feet...
He was on the phone, but he hung up as soon as I stood in front of his desk.
"Xiaoyu-san," he spoke up in his deep bellowing voice. Don't let his old age fool you. He might be close to eighty, but he's got a big presence. His white hair and beard show how old he is...but his eyes were still sharp. "What can I do for you?"
"I was working today when I realized that I want to fight in the tournament," I said quickly and boldly.
On his desk was a photograph of Kazuya Mishima. I took a quick peek...quick enough so I could tell who it was. Wonder if he noticed.
"Why?" he asked, frowning.
I shrugged. "I want to beat up people."
A slow smile turned into a laugh. "You are bored."
I nodded. "A little. I don't want to inherit the company. I just want to fight."
"I see..." he kept his gaze on me...probably wondering what brought this thing on.
"Is it too late to sign up?" I asked.
"Not at all," he said, picking up his phone, punching in a number. "Mikawa, get Xiaoyu-san an Iron Fist application." Then he hung up. "Places are filling up quickly...I may have to hold some preliminary battles to determine who's eligible to compete."
"No problem," I said. I wanted to ask about Kazuya Mishima, but I not to. No point in him getting suspicious.
"Mikawa will have an application for you outside."
"Thank you, Mishima-sama," I said.
"I have some business to tend to. I will see you later at the mansion."
"Okay. Bye...and thank you." I turned away to exit his office. It was getting way too creepy in there...
