Chapter 24: Preparation
When I finally emerge from my room, I'm clean and rested, but still as pissed off as before. I did listen to what Miharu said, and maybe she's right, but aren't I entitled to the odd hissy-fit every now and again? There is no way I'm going to be the one to initiate a conversation with Jin next time. But if he wants to come and apologise to me, I'll be sure to accept it gracefully, of course. Eventually.
To appease my growling stomach, I hurry down to the dining room and slip into the chair that Hwoarang's saved for me.
"God, I'm starving." I grumble.
"They stopped serving ten minutes ago."
"Ugh, typical."
He grins, sliding his plate towards me. "I've had enough anyway."
"Thanks." I sigh, pushing my hair out of my face, grabbing a fork and digging in.
He rests his chin on his hand and stares at me while I eat. I hate when people do that, so I narrow my eyes at him. He only smiles.
"What?" I ask annoyed, though it's a little hard to sound angry through a mouthful of chips. If he catches the irritation in my voice, he ignores it anyway.
"What have you and Kazama been up to all day?"
"Don't even ask." I snap, swallowing the mouthful and setting down my fork. "Let's just say I could do with a good, stiff - "
"Ah, well," he says, laughing. "I can help with that. Just give me a minute."
He starts fiddling with his belt, and I start scowling.
"Drink." I finish with a glare. So not in the mood for naughty innuendos right now.
"What number did you pick?" Hwoarang asks, smiling innocently.
"Don't ask me. I was so pissed off that I didn't check."
He rolls his eyes. "What's he done now?"
"Been himself, that's all."
"Say no more." he laughs, leaning back on his chair, the smile still on his face.
"Let me ask you something..." I begin after a long moment.
Hwoarang smirks, one hand going back to his belt.
"I knew it. You want to see it now, don't you?"
And I laugh despite myself. I can almost see Miharu now, rolling her eyes and saying "Don't encourage him."
"Seriously. What would you have said if I said..." I trail off, he's shaking his head already.
"Don't ask me what I would have said, Xiao."
"Why not?"
"'Cause it makes no difference, does it? I'm not Kazama." He stops and seems to be contemplating this for a few seconds before continuing. "Thank fuck for that. I can't imagine being that much of a moron."
You might think I'd get mad at Hwoarang for the way he talks about Jin, but I don't. I know full well he doesn't like him, and nothing I can say will change that.
I pick the fork up again to polish off Hwo's dinner, and find myself glancing around to see whether Jin's here or not. Not that I really care. It must be a subconscious thing, because I don't even realise I'm watching the door until Hwoarang asks me if I want to leave.
"Huh?"
"Well, you were staring at the door." he explains. "I figured you wanted to get out of here."
"Sounds good." I reply, and he looks kind of surprised.
"Thought you'd be wanting to mingle again." he comments, and I shake my head.
"I really can't be bothered."
"That's not like you, Xiao."
"I guess it isn't."
I head towards the door, Hwoarang a few steps behind, and the woman in the red dress from earlier passes in front of me and then stops. She turns back towards us, her dress swishing gracefully around her ankles, and I'm struck by how pretty she is. No, not pretty. Pretty would sound too immature for her. She's beautiful. Her hair is a silky reddish brown, chin length, and standing in front of her I've never felt more like a gawky teenager in my life.
"I haven't noticed you before." she tells me, and I immediately lower my gaze to the floor.
"My name's Ling Xiaoyu. Nice to meet you."
"Well aren't you just precious?" She says, amusement in her voice. I bristle, but stop myself before I answer back. Getting annoyed when someone patronises you about your age only makes you seem all the more immature.
"How old are you, little girl?"
"Sixteen." I bite out.
"Sixteen?" She puts a gloved hand to her mouth. "I thought you were much younger!"
I get that a lot. But I don't reply, and she chuckles.
"Sorry, did I say something to offend you, dear?" She flashes me a dazzling smile, then walks closer and leans towards me, lowering her voice.
"I really hope you aren't my opponent tomorrow. I'd feel simply terrible for smashing in such a lovely little face."
I'm really not a quick thinker today, and in all honesty I'm too surprised to think of a witty retort. The woman turns and walks away, and Hwoarang moves to stand next to me, frowning.
"What did she say to you?" he asks, and I shrug.
"Nothing worth repeating." I try to act nonchalant, but the truth is that I'm starting to feel out of my depth. I'm annoyed with myself for letting such a lame threat discourage me so easily, but I suppose with everything that's happened today I can't muster up enough confidence to shrug it off. Hwoarang isn't fooled for a second by my display of 'don't care', and after we get into the empty lobby he stops and smiles at me.
"She was probably trying to psyche you out, Xiao. Ignore it."
I sigh, turning my face away, and he reaches out a hand to cup my chin, turning me back to look at him.
"Ignore it." he says again, more firmly this time. "All you've gotta do is go out there tomorrow and do what you always do. That's all."
Then his eyes focus on something over my shoulder and he takes his hand away.
"Looks like they've finished the match-ups. Wanna know whose face you'll be kicking in tomorrow?"
My heart starts pounding, and Hwoarang heads over to check who he'll be fighting.
"Hmm. Yoshimitsu. Wasn't he in the second tournament?"
"Yeah."
Hwoarang purses his lips, thinking.
"Ninjitsu, then. I think I can handle that."
I follow him over to the notice board and trace my finger down until I reach my name. It reads: "Match 4, 12 noon. Ling Xiaoyu vs. King."