AUTHOR'S NOTE: Missed me? I guess not. Sad unexpected events brought me back here. As you noticed I'll continue publishing this story. Please, read the chapter below for now…
IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not own anything
CHAPTER 7
A young woman smiled at her full length mirror when she finished preparing her usual hairstyle. The two low pigtails complimented as always her sweet, full of excitement face and perky personality. Not a single person from her daily surroundings had seen her with loose hair. For an unknown reason these people could never picture the Ling Xiaoyu they knew without her two low black ponytails. However, Asuka Kazama, as her roommate for three years now, had seen her once with her loose black hair. She still remembered how frightening the sight was…
"What the hell?! You're like you came out of a Japanese horror movie."
That was as always Asuka Kazama overreacting. As time passed by she came to get used to it. Poor Xiaoyu…Like she had to feel bad for letting her hair fall to her shoulders…
She took her light pink lip gloss from the counter, where she had her cosmetics. When she used it on her lips, she closed it and threw it at the bin below her desk. She had to buy one and remembered that she liked the new lip gloss of her favorite cosmetic brand. They were supposed to go to the mall. She noted to her mind that they were definitely going to stop by and buy it. She pursed her lips slightly and turned to her left to see her pinked haired friend smiling at her. Oh no! Alisa was making fun of her. She was used to Asuka teasing her but she didn't want anything like that coming from Alisa. She was her older "sister", anyway…
"F-Forget you saw that, ok Allie?" she said in a low voice not wanting to wake up Asuka. Whenever they had a day off she was sleeping like…who knows? As much as she wanted. And we're talking for a lot of hours…
Alisa giggled and gave her a nod. Xiaoyu walked towards her desk and placed her cell phone and purse inside her bag. She motioned for Alisa to stand up but Xiaoyu sighed when she gave Asuka a glance. She placed the bag on her bed and walked towards Asuka's side. She kneeled beside her and started shaking her lightly. No sign of contact from her. The Chinese girl didn't expect anything else. She stood up and yelled at her…
"Asuka, wake up!"
The only thing she did was to shift her body to the other side and murmur a simple… "Uh…hmm"
"Xiao-onesan?" Xiaoyu turned her gaze to Alisa… "Why don't we leave her?"
"We could but…Who's listening to her then?" The young girl lowered her body and took one of Asuka's pillows with her hands… "If we go out for breakfast and she finds out…well…You don't want to know what's gonna happen."
Alisa nodded. She realized from first glance that Asuka Kazama was a hot-headed woman, who was able to keep grudges for a long time. She watched Xiaoyu taking the pillow in her hands and her eyes widened as she witnessed her hitting Asuka with it…
"Open your eyes already!" said Xiaoyu and watched Asuka trying to realize what just happened…
Asuka looked at Xiaoyu and rubbed her eyes… "Oh Xiaoyu…" Suddenly, her eyes widened when she thought of something… "Don't tell me! Is it time for me to go to the photo-shoot?"
Her friend crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow… "What are you talking about? You have to go there the day after tomorrow."
The other girl made her hands in fists and said… "Then, why the fuck did you wake me up? I have a day to myself and you're gonna ruin it?"
"Well, fine then!" said Xiaoyu turning her back at her… "In the end, Alisa, we'll go by ourselves."
"Where?" asked Asuka raising an eyebrow…
Alisa smiled and made some steps closer to them. She touched her friend's shoulder and said excitedly… "I asked from Xiao-onesan to go and have breakfast outside and she agreed!"
"I agreed. Anyway, we have to go. We need to go shopping as well."
Xiaoyu grabbed her bag from her bed and walked towards the door with Alisa following her. She wore her jacket and unlocked the door. However, before she was ready to grab the doorknob, she heard Asuka's voice… "A minute there."
"We're not bringing anything back." She said rolling her eyes… "You have two options. Sleep or come with us. Choose."
Asuka crossed her arms and bit her upper lip… "Oh…whatever…" she said and stood up…
…
The mall in the center of the city was as crowded as always. People visited them because most of the stores were selling international products like clothing, cosmetics. In general, things mostly women were interested in. And, of course, you could see that the majority of the people were women inside there…Well, mostly in the morning. Later you could see students playing in the arcades or going on dates…All in all, all kind of people were having fun inside there. Even those, who didn't have a lot of money…
Ling Xiaoyu checked the receipt and paid the waitress the amount. She counted the rest of the money inside her wallet and sighed. They were just enough to buy the lip gloss she wanted. She had to call her mother. The last thing she wanted was to have her mother lending her money. She raised an eyebrow thinking that she could just call her father but that was something, which was going to annoy her old woman. Xiaoyu's parents' divorce wasn't from the easiest ones. Her father cheated on her mother, but Xiaoyu knew that the last one wasn't a saint herself. She thought though that by telling her father that she was cheating on him, as well, would make things worse. At least her father admitted it. However, Xiaoyu didn't care about them separating at all. The most important thing to her was that she was a loved daughter by both of her parents…
In the end, she closed her wallet and put it back inside her bag. She raised her head and looked at Asuka, who was staring at who-knows-where. She nodded. Asuka didn't have any more money herself. She shook her head and touched Alisa's hand, who was savoring her strawberry cake…
"Do you like it, Alisa?"
Alisa smiled at her and nodded… "I do!" for a moment she looked at her plate and pointed at the strawberries. She wanted to say that she liked them but mysteriously, she couldn't remember the name… "These…W-What are…"
Xiaoyu giggled slightly… "Strawberries, Allie…Straw-be-rries."
The pink haired girl smiled at her. Yes…Now she remembered… "Yeah…Hehe…They are really sweet."
Suddenly, a glass hitting the table was heard. Asuka Kazama just finished drinking the milkshake and placed the empty glass loudly on the table. She was, still, pissed off that they couldn't just bring with them something back home for her…
"That's because they are covered in sugar."
"B-But…"
A frown appeared above Xiaoyu's eyes. If Asuka needed to show some fake annoyance, she could just directed it towards her, since she was the one who woke her up…
"Asuka!" she then looked back to Alisa and said placing her hand on her shoulder… "She means that they are even sweeter because of the sugar. Fruits are usually sweet by nature."
"Huh? Grapefruit is, also, a fruit and is as sour as a lemon." Said Asuka raising an eyebrow…
"I said…Usually!"
Both of them looked at a different direction… "Hphm!"
Alisa felt the high tension in the atmosphere between them. Was it something she did? She looked at Xiaoyu and to Asuka. She did that for about three times. She bit her upper lip thinking of something to say. She knew that Xiaoyu wasn't going to yell at her…
"What about you, Xiao-onesan? Is this cake tasty?"
"Me?" she pointed at herself and looked at the plate… "Well…I wouldn't say that. I picked it because it was new in the menu and I decided to give it a try…Too bad I did, right?"
What she said gained Asuka's attention. She looked at Xiaoyu's cake and then at her… "Then, why didn't you say it sooner?"
"What thing?"
"Give it to me." Said Asuka pointing at the plate…
Xiaoyu smirked mockingly and pushed slowly the plate towards her… "Oh indeed…We have our personal trash can. Here…All yours."
"That was so damn rude!" she said and raised her spoon…
"Then, don't eat it."
Asuka shrugged her shoulders… "These are two different things."
…
Today, was the time of the month when new products were arriving in the stores. All those who were interested were aware of that. New boxes were outside the stores with the employees trying to bring them inside. This was going to be a busy day for them, especially because of the people, who were waiting to do their shopping.
"Phew…Finally, we managed to come in." said Xiaoyu walking inside a cosmetics store with Alisa and Asuka following her behind.
Alisa seemed impressed watching so many people being enthusiastic from just going to the mall. For a moment she looked at Xiaoyu, who had the same satisfaction pictured in her eyes. She remembered that she told her before they left that she needed to buy something. Then, she looked at Asuka. The intense frown above her dark brown eyes easily described her boredom and vexation. She really wanted to go back home. Why did that stupid girl had to buy this damn lipstick thing today?
Xiaoyu's eyes widened when she spotted her beloved lip gloss. She made her way quickly there and Alisa walked next to her. Asuka decided to approach them slowly. The Chinese girl raised her gaze and saw a poster advertising the item. She smirked and turned to face Asuka…
"By the way, Asuka…"
"Hm? Say it." She said crossing her arms…
Xiaoyu pointed at the poster making Asuka smile… "Lili Rochefort has just arrived and all the stores have taken out brands she advertised for."
"Where's the unexpected in that? She came here just a couple of days ago and everyone wants to know more about her. And, here, they have taken advantage of that by selling out their most outdated products. How stupid can people be sometimes, huh?"
Both Alisa and Xiaoyu smiled at her with the last one taking one of the lip glosses in her hands… "True. Say, though…You've seen her before. Is she that pretty? I mean according to how she looks in these posters?"
Asuka chuckled and said jokingly… "Well…I can't really judge that but…She's prettier than you."
"Is that so?" asked Xiaoyu making her way to the cashier…
The other girl punched playfully her shoulder… "Come on…Don't think of taking me seriously, ok? You have this ultimate Chinese traditional beauty."
Soon enough, they paid and walked outside with Asuka still trying to make sure that her friend realized her joke. Xiaoyu placed her wallet inside her bag and then caressed Asuka's hair… "Chill! I know when to give up."
Her eyes widened and said… "Let's change the subject, shall we? A-Alisa?"
Alisa raised an eyebrow and pointed at herself…
"Yeah…Say…How did you meet that hot guy?"
"Hot guy?"
"She's talking about Lars." Explained Xiaoyu rolling her eyes…
Alisa smiled and started saying… "It was when I…"
…
A key was inserted carefully inside the keyhole. The door was unlocked in a few seconds. The three girls walked inside the dark room and the first one turned on the lights by pressing the switch on her left. The room was lit up in an instant and they walked further inside. Xiaoyu took off her shoes first and then her jacket leaving it on the hanger. She rolled her eyes when she saw Asuka running towards the bathroom without closing the door. That thing again…At least, she closed the bathroom's door. That was something, right?
"Ugh…Allie, can you please close the door?"
Alisa gave her a nod and placed her hand on the doorknob…
"Can you lock it, too?" she asked her again…
"Yes, Xiao-onesan."
Xiaoyu threw herself on the sofa and started rubbing her feet. Alisa felt worried for her friend and made her way to her side…
"Do you want me to massage them for you?"
Her friend's eyes widened and she pointed at herself. Alisa smiled and Xiaoyu shook her head…
"What?! Definitely not!" she said and a frown appeared above Alisa's eyes… "I'm sorry…I didn't mean anything bad. You're not my maid or anything, that's what I wanted to say. And, anyway, thankfully…I'm not disabled."
Alisa wanted to say something once again but a door opening widely interrupted her. Asuka Kazama closed the same door loudly and crossed her arms…
"Are you satisfied now?" she asked…
Xiaoyu and Alisa looked at each other without having any idea of what she was talking about. Asuka raised an eyebrow when she noticed that they were not responding. She let her hands fall to her sides and walked to where they were taking a seat beside her friend. She gritted her teeth and said again… "I'm talking about that disgusting movie."
The Chinese girl ignored her and turned her gaze to Alisa, who was kneeling beside her… "Did you like it, Allie?"
"It was…entertaining."
The three of them had spent almost the entire day inside the mall. After finishing with shopping they went to the arcades wanting to cheer up Asuka for a moment. No…A person, in Xiaoyu's place, would describe it like doing something to make Asuka stop grouching and ruining their day. However, the result would be the same, so there was no need to explain any further. They let her spend as many time as she wanted, until she was tired enough to stop. Then, it was Alisa's turn to choose something. They had walked outside the cinema and she remembered what Xiaoyu said to her the other day. She looked shyly at her and as if Xiaoyu knew what she meant they walked inside to watch a movie Alisa would like. To Asuka's displeasure, Alisa chose as expected a romantic comedy…
"Hehe…I bet you'd find everything entertaining after you watched that gross thing with Asuka, right?"
Alisa giggled playfully… "Could it be?" Suddenly, she noticed Asuka looking irritated at them. Alisa felt guilty, like Asuka's bad mood was her fault… "Oh! My apologies, Asuka-san. You seem that you…didn't like it." She said and bowed…
The Japanese girl was taken by surprise. She was aware of Alisa's formal behavior but not that she would bow in front of her. To be honest, her meek and tidy personality was a little too much for Asuka. Even sometimes annoying but that was something she definitely wasn't going to spout in front of Xiaoyu. Her best friend's angry personality hid a powerful demon deep inside. It was true that once, Asuka had heard Xiaoyu arguing with her brother on the phone. Her voice and threats were like they came straight from hell…
A sigh left Asuka's lips… "Well, duh! I'm just getting pissed off whenever I watch these things. What the fuck?" she placed her hands in the air and said in a dramatic tone trying to mimic the actress' voice… "I'm gonna wait for you as long as it takes."
The other two started laughing and soon enough Asuka did the same… "Seriously? You must be joking, man."
Xiaoyu wiped a tear, which was ready to fall from her eye and asked her… "But come on, you're a woman…There's definitely a movie of this kind that you enjoyed."
Asuka placed her hand under her chin and thought for a moment. She nodded in the inside. Yeah…She watched a romantic movie in the past. It was an old one but she liked it…
"Well…You're right."
Her friend smile and nodded… "See? Which one?"
"I watched it four years ago in my laptop."
"I asked the name of the movie, not where you watched it." Said Xiaoyu hitting her at the back of her head…
Asuka started rubbing her head and said… "Ok…I watched "Titanic" and that's because Leonardo DiCaprio was in it, ok?"
"Eh? I'm surprised…"
"H-Huh?"
Xiaoyu shook her head… "No, no…I'm serious, since this movie is super romantic."
The Japanese girl didn't say anything for a moment… "You haven't watched it?"
"Of course, I did…Not for Leonardo DiCaprio, though." She answered mockingly to her friend…
"You don't like him, Xiao-onesan?"
Xiaoyu crossed her legs and started playing with her hair… "He's not my cup of tea."
"Then, who do you like?" asked Asuka pointing at her…
She sighed thinking that this conversation should have ended a long time ago. She tried to remember of an actor she liked…She smiled when she did… "Well…I'm kinda into Robert Pattinson."
Asuka's eyes widened… "That guy?! No, no…I should have expected this…You…"
Xiaoyu hit her once again making her look at her… "Yeah, I like him! I'm into vampires, as well. Didn't you know?"
"You didn't have to hit me…Anyway…" she looked to Alisa's direction for a moment and smiled… "To finish with the bullshit already…Alisa, it's not your fault. Don't worry about it."
Alisa sighed in relief… "Thank you, Asuka-san."
Asuka stood up and walked closer to her… "You don't have to thank me, silly." She said and ruffled Alisa's hair…
She pulled Alisa up and touched her shoulders. Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow noticing Asuka's confusing look. What was she going to say now? She had never seen that excited expression, unless it had to do something with gadgets or photography…umm…including food, too…
"I have an idea!"
"What's with this excited look on your face?" said Xiaoyu and stood up…
"You haven't told me anything about yourself, Alisa. Hehe…Same goes for me, though…Umm…What about playing the "Question- Answer" game?"
Alisa smiled and before she was ready to say something Xiaoyu spoke…
"That's not a game! It's just you nosing around as always."
At first, Asuka frowned but then she smirked lifting her gaze to see her friend… "That's your opinion, right? Well…I'm not calling it "nosing around". For me it is "Want to know more about a person you're interested in"."
A faint smile appeared on Xiaoyu's lips. Asuka had a simple point at what she just said. And she couldn't do anything. Alisa seemed excited as well. She stood up and stretched her body, while thinking about having a relaxing shower…
"Ok, I give up…Whatever…If Alisa wants then, do what you like."
Asuka nodded making her hands in fists and brought her attention back to Alisa… "So, Alisa?"
She nodded and looked at Xiaoyu with Asuka following her gaze… "Sounds fun! Let's do our best, Xiao-onesan."
"H-Huh?! I'm playing, too?" asked Xiaoyu pointing at herself…
The brunette smirked playfully and placed her hand lightly on her friend's shoulder. She brought her mouth to her ear and whispered… "Aren't you a good…one-san?"
Xiaoyu made her hands in fists when she felt them shaking for a moment. She noticed Asuka making a step back and looked to her side… "You're gonna pay for your mockery, Asuka Kazama." She said in a low, yet scary tone in her voice…
"Show me what you've got, then."
Her friend smiled and nodded… "Just wait…"
Asuka started walking towards the kitchen and the other two sat down around the coffee table. Alisa sensed the irritation coming out from Xiaoyu. She did it again. Xiaoyu glanced at her for a moment and she was caught by surprise when she saw Alisa's sad expression. If she was a human, she would be definitely crying now…She was ready to comfort her but her eyes widened when she noticed Asuka spilling something in the sink. She stood up in an instant and said…
"What the hell, Asuka?! You didn't have to spill the juice. That's the one I made by myself! You're terrible!"
Asuka looked at the empty now bottle. She remembered the time when Xiaoyu was making it. She had even asked for her help with the oranges. As expected she had completely ignored her being drifted in her "anime world". She closed the bottle and smiled awkwardly at them…
"Umm…I'm deeply sorry."
"Tsk…Just come here already." Said Xiaoyu running out of patience…
Asuka made slowly her way there. She seriously felt bad about spilling Xiaoyu's homemade orange juice. It was the one, she offered Lili the other day. She remembered how much she liked it…
"Are you gonna come here or what?" asked her friend angrily…
She blinked her eyes several times and walked there. She took a seat and placed the bottle on the coffee table. Then, she moved it closer to Alisa. She smiled and looked at her…
"Hey, Alisa…Why don't you turn it first?"
The pink haired girl nodded and grabbed the bottle with her hand. She turned it and soon enough it stopped right in front of Asuka…
"Ok…I guess it's me…I'm waiting for you question, Alisa."
Alisa looked at Xiaoyu and placed her hand under her chin… "Umm…What should I ask?"
"Don't look at Xiaoyu! She's gonna deceive you."
"Huh? Why would I do that?" Xiaoyu, then, turned her head to look at her friend and touched her hand… "Allie…Don't think too much of it…It's a game. Just make a question to her…I mean, whatever you want."
"Umm…I got it." She said and looked towards Asuka's direction, who raised an eyebrow. For an unknown reason, Alisa seemed serious. What kind of question did she have in mind to make?
"Asuka-san?" The other one smiled and nodded… "There's this thing I really wanted to ask since the time you mentioned it…But I was feeling quite awkward around you…so, I didn't and…"
"Just make the fucking question already." Said Asuka after letting out a bored sigh…
"Asuka!"
Xiaoyu placed her hands on Alisa's shoulders. She got confused when she heard Alisa making her question without spouting any useless apology. She had to admit that she felt quite proud of her. Asuka was sometimes rude and hot headed. Someone, who Alisa wouldn't be able to handle. As it seems being with Lars Alexandersson helped her to be more tolerant with other people's difficult personalities. In the end, next to him, Alisa was able to learn and experience way more than she would ever do if they were to be together…
"Ok…As I said, you had said this before…"
"On with it, Alisa…I say lots of useless stuff, anyway."
"We're aware of that." Said Xiaoyu turning away her head…
Asuka "showed" her her prepared fist but, in the end, she relaxed her hand and placed it on her lap. This time, however, Alisa made her question. One that surprised both Asuka and Xiaoyu…
"Why do you hate your own cousin?"
A frown appeared above Xiaoyu's eyes and raised slightly her body to take a better look of Alisa… "Allie…You…Why don't you ask something else?"
Truth to be told, Asuka wasn't confused or hesitant about answering or not. This was a matter that she had already finished questioning it. Maybe, it was Xiaoyu, who didn't want for "Asuka's cousin" to be mentioned. But she couldn't tell anything to her…Asuka knew nothing when it came to the relationship between her best friend and her own cousin…
"Relax, Xiaoyu…I can answer…No sweat!"
Xiaoyu sighed and sat down on her previous seat. She noticed Asuka crossing her arms and for a moment she drifted in her thoughts. Suddenly, she realized that having Asuka talk about this issue could help her find out about those things that Jin was hiding from her. Sometimes he was so close but some others…so far away. Maybe, that was the reason why he didn't say anything when he left…They were so far away…
"Actually, who knows? Maybe, thanks to Alisa, I'll manage to find out about these things, Jin would never talk to me about."
The girl remembered about how sometimes Jin Kazama wanted to pour out his soul to her but he would always stop. One of the things she definitely knew, though, was that Jin never acknowledged Heihachi Mishima as his grandfather. When Xiaoyu would want to go to his place, Jin would always say "no" because this man was there. Deep inside, she knew that he didn't want for her to go to his house not because of the old man seeing her but because Jin was afraid of how Heihachi was going to talk to him in front of her…
"Hehe…That's unexpectedly a tough one." Said Asuka playfully… "Whatever…You see I don't really hate "him"…You could say…umm…that I, actually, hate his decisions. But then I would try to get into his shoes and think that I would maybe have done the same. In the end, however, I would always shake these thoughts away from my head."
Once again, Asuka shook her head. Not because she wanted to release these thoughts. Alisa's question made her realize that she never discussed this with anyone. Her parents would always tell her that she was too young to understand or that she doesn't have to worry herself with the "grown-ups' problems".
"Actually, guys…I really need to get this out of my chest. It doesn't have to do with me but I was present all along. I saw my dear aunt getting weaker by the days passing. I saw Jin as he was preparing his stuff to leave with this man. He didn't cry because he was trying to keep his tears from falling…Uhh…You have to know, guys, that what I'm gonna talk to you about comes straight from my parents. I, always, wanted to make aunt Jun talk to me about it but, in the end, I didn't have the guts to do it. I would hate it, if she cried…And she was doing it almost every day from the moment Jin left…How many years, huh? Around six or something? Yeah…"
The two girls opposite her looked at each other. Xiaoyu tried to not seem that interested fearing that she might lose control. It wouldn't be good for everyone, if Asuka was to find out everything in this time period. Things were so complicated and, maybe, someone could say that it was pointless, too. What if Jin wanted to cut ties with her? If that was to happen the only thing that would have possibly happened is for Xiaoyu to seem completely pathetic in Asuka's eyes. Her eyes widened when she saw Asuka waving her hand in front of her…
"Hey, girl? I'm trying to pour my heart out, you know."
"Umm…Sorry. I spaced out for a moment. Go on…please."
Asuka raised an eyebrow suspiciously. She didn't seem convinced with Xiaoyu's reply. Her friend was spacing out quite a lot these few days. She placed her elbows on the table and rested her head in her hands…
"As you know, Jin is a Kazama. He uses my aunt's last name. That happened because my aunt decided to hide her pregnancy since she didn't want to cause troubles for Jin's father. My aunt wasn't acknowledged by Heihachi Mishima. He thought of her as a simple commoner, who didn't fit his son. As my mom told me, this man was threatening his son that if he doesn't leave her, he would harm her. Obviously, all of us, even now, know that Heihachi Mishima is really capable in doing something like that. However, two years later my uncle reappeared. He wanted to be with my aunt and from the moment, he found out about Jin, they got married in an instant…in secret of course…Oh! After they married my aunt asked if Jin was supposed to change his last name to "Mishima" but it was uncle Kazuya, who refused. Can you believe it?"
Asuka sighed feeling relieved that she let it out. She was confused by the fact that the other two weren't saying anything. Ok, she expected something like this coming from Alisa…but Xiaoyu? She loved gossip, almost, in the same degree as she did. She raised an eyebrow when she noticed them looking as two love-struck kids…
"What's with you two?"
"How romantic?" said Alisa and closed lightly her eyes for a moment…
"R-Romantic?" asked Asuka not expecting a reply of this kind…
That time Xiaoyu spoke crossing her arms below her chest… "Indeed… He loved her so much that he wanted for his son to have her own last name. He was so unselfish and you know how men are in this part, right?"
"I believe he did it for his father to not find them."
Xiaoyu rolled her eyes and shook her head… "If that's true…Well, it's pretty stupid. Heihachi Mishima is a very powerful and fearsome man. It's better to stay away from people like him."
"Have you met him, Xiaoyu?"
For a moment, Xiaoyu was ready to say that she didn't but decided against it. How come she thought this way if she hadn't seen him? Asuka wasn't that clueless to not question this… "Uh…I won't lie…We had to deliver some flowers, there…They had a gathering or something…I saw him there, you see…He's super scary!"
Asuka nodded vigorously… "Isn't he? He's so damn creepy."
"I haven't seen him…" said Alisa looking away. As she said that, she felt Asuka's hands around her arms…
"And it's better if you don't."
"Asuka is right, Allie. If it's to bump onto him, close your eyes and go back the way you came." Said Xiaoyu seriously…
Alisa nodded several times seeing how serious they were. For a moment, she wondered if Lars knew this man. She knew that he used to work for the Zaibatsu in the past, however, he told her back then that he was a mere soldier. If only, Alisa was aware of Lars' lies? What would she say? Or was she going to be disappointed in him?
"Never mind that." Alisa looked at Asuka when she spoke… "Let me say that…When we were fifteen, the old man came and made a deal with uncle Kazuya. Both Jin and my aunt were in front of that…Tsk…But this stupid cousin of mines decided to play it "The Hero""
"Hero?" said Alisa confused…
"Well…You see…"
Six years ago…
"How did you find us?"
That's the only question Kazuya Mishima asked his father. It felt like the time never passed, even though he had to see him for thirteen years. This old man had the arrogant, full of hatred expression as always. Only more wrinkles crossed his face. He felt chills running through his spine when he watched him smirking at him. However, what Kazuya didn't know was that Heihachi smiled because of the two people, who were hiding behind a white wall. Even though, they were hidden, he was able to sense their presence…
"Are you dump? I know every single move of yours…Where you were from the moment you left…Hphm! I just felt sorry for you and let you "enjoy" the married life with that woman." A sigh left his lips after giving a glance towards the white wall… "You were a lost cause from the beginning. As you see, I decided to say that I enjoy my life without a wife or children"
A smirk crossed Kazuya's lips… "That's new. Except me, you're disowning mother, as well? I believed that you, at least, loved her. Have you no shame?" he said and shook his head disappointedly…
Heihachi made his hands in fists. Kazuya was aware of what he just said. Mentioning his mother was like he was stepping on his father's landmine. However, he tried to calm down not wanting to make his son believe that what he said messed almost everything he was supposed to do here today. Something that Kazuya wouldn't like…No one would…
"I don't allow you to talk so thoughtlessly about Kazumi. You have no right."
"No right? She was my mother…We shared the closest bond. If she was to choose…There was no doubt…She was going to be by my side."
The older man looked momentarily at the carpeted floor… "I know…She was very sentimental for a wife."
A frown appeared above Kazuya's eyes and he felt his heartbeats rising… "Maybe…Because of her kindness she tried her best and…loved you."
Jun's eyes widened as she saw her husband's trembling figure. She had witnessed in the past, Kazuya having nightmares concerning his mother. She tried to make him talk to her but he always refused. She could understand this. Every person, whoever he or she is, keeps something hidden within themselves that no one knows…
"Kazuya, let it pass…And, please…Calm down."
The man's body relaxed when he heard Jun's reassuring voice. He turned his head to look at her but he noticed Jin standing next to her as well. That was bad. He should have asked from Jun to leave with him from the back door. The last thing Kazuya wanted was for Jin to see the person, who humiliated their bloodline. Heihachi smiled as he realized how angrily both father and son were looking at him. Jin's cold, ruthless stare towards him was perfect…
"Listen to your beloved wife." He said and walked closer to Kazuya placing his hand on his shoulder only for the last one to snap his hand away. Even from a simple touch he felt his body getting frozen… "Anyway, if things were different I wouldn't even bother you. That's what I had in mind…But something changed…" the man walked his way towards the other two. He smirked when he saw how Jun placed her arms protectively around her son's body. Soon enough, Kazuya walked to their place…
"I didn't know that you had already a child." Heihachi looked specifically at Jin, who was looking emotionless at him… "Hello, Jin. As you realized, already, I'm your grandfather, since you are Kazuya's son."
Jin expression changed to an uninterested one. Heihachi had to admit that this young man was quite…interesting…
"I am my father's son…not the person you simply call Kazuya."
"Jin!" said Jun surprised by her son's words…
The old man shook his head and looked at his son… "See what kind of a woman you chose? She can't even handle her teenage child."
Jun looked at the floor releasing her son from her grip. It was all her fault. Kazuya walked to her side. He knew exactly what she was thinking. What a silly woman? He thought and took gently her hand with his… "Enough with that…What do you want from us?"
Heihachi nodded… "I'm informed that you have some problems concerning that woman's health. You're going to say that you don't have any economic problems. I'm aware of that. Kazumi passed to you everything she had…And don't worry, I'm not interested in money…Your money, I mean."
"Hphm! Good thing you pointed it out…For a moment I wondered about your mental health. You not having an interest in money? What a joke?"
The older man decided to not say anything back. He looked at his wristwatch and realized that the time has passed… "I can help you with the cure."
He noticed Kazuya's surprised expression and smiled in his mind. He turned his gaze for a moment towards Jun. The woman shared the same expression as Kazuya. Jin, on the other hand…He remained calm and composed. Like he was waiting for more…He would be able to create another "him" inside Jin. That boy was nothing like Kazuya. Everyone could tell by first glance…
"My hospital is of the highest technology inside Japan or even Asia. If you take her to another one, the only thing you would be able to do is to make her fill her stomach with pills…And, anyway, her body wouldn't be able to handle this anymore. However, Kazuya, I'm offering you her complete cure."
Kazuya stayed silent. He tried to read his father's eyes and what he possibly had in mind…He had a very bad feeling about this…
"Heh…You won't say anything like you don't need my help? As expected of you…You would sacrifice everything for her, correct?"
"There's no asking it." He answered tightening his grip around Jun's hand…
A pause remained from Heihachi's side…
"I see…What about your dear son?"
For a moment, he was surprised. He believed that Heihachi would possibly ask from him to leave Jun and go back with him to Tokyo. Heihachi was aware that Kazuya wouldn't be able to live away from them…But asking for Jin? He preferred anything but that…
"Don't meddle Jin inside our busyness…This whole thing is between the two of us. Leave these two alone."
"Kazuya…From the very beginning, I was here to take that boy with me or else…Why would I even bother in curing that woman, who ruined you?"
Jun felt something like a knife "stabbing" her heart. This man was so ruthless…Why? They never asked anything from him…She looked at her husband and noticed his helpless face expression. Could it be that he was thinking of giving Jin to him? That would be, indeed, a sacrifice…Their son was the last person to be punished…
"Don't tell me you're thinking of it, Kazuya?"
The man looked at her and caressed her cheek… "Never, Jun…Just let me think for a moment…"
Suddenly, a sigh was heard from behind Jun. They looked at the place and there was Jin…
"I'll go with you." Said the young man looking at Heihachi…
"Jin! Why did you…Why?" Jun closed slowly her brown eyes…She didn't care anymore for any visible tears…
Kazuya walked angrily away from Jun and towards his son. He grabbed him from the collar of his shirt and said… "Take that back, Jin!"
Jin touched his father's hands and removed them away from his neck. He managed a faint smile to calm down his father. He had to know that they could count on him. He wasn't a small boy…He was now a young man, who could take care of himself…
"No, father…If it's for mother to be cured, then…It's no…I mean, I'll pull through. I promise you."
In an instant, Jin felt his mother's arms around his torso. She was shivering. Jin knew that she was always blaming herself. All he had to do, now, was to make sure they are safe. He hugged his mother back when her tears started wetting his shirt…
"Your tears won't make me change my mind, woman. You know yourself that this is your entire fault."
Jin tightened his fists when he heard Heihachi talking that way towards Jun. He looked at his father and nodded at him. Jin released his mother and crossed his arms… "I'll come with you but do not dare to spout insults concerning my parents. I won't forgive you! And believe me…I'm a man, who keeps his word."
Heihachi smiled evilly. He was so "proud" of his grandson… "The last thing I want is your forgiveness. Get ready. We need to go."
"Not until mother is cured. Then, I'm all yours. As I said, I keep my word."
The older man didn't say anything at first… "Fine…It will be that way…but then…You're coming with me."
…
A sigh escaped Asuka's lips as she finished telling them about her family's biggest problem…She didn't hear a word coming from Alisa nor Xiaoyu. They seemed kind of sad, to tell the truth. She bit her lip when she realized that she completely ruined the mood. Well, you don't mention the Mishima family when you want to keep the mood high, do you? She cleared her throat to gain their attention…
"That was it…Indeed, my aunt was cured and as soon as that happened, Jin left with that man. Since then, I've never seen him."
The Chinese girl looked at the floor and touched her chest closing her eyes tightly in the same time… "Jin…Now, I understand...The reason you didn't say anything…You didn't want me to pity you. I can't even imagine how you must have felt when you realized that your mother's life depended on you. I wish I could comfort you in any way possible. If only you had told me…Maybe, I would have never doubted you…Now, it's late, though…You have forgotten of me…And how can I tell Asuka that for whole three years we were classmates and not to mention…lovers."
Suddenly, Asuka punched lightly Alisa's shoulder, who flinched in return. The young girl sighed like a huge burden "left" her body. Well, that's the reason why she talked to her friends in the first place. However, remembering that created mixed feelings inside her. She was relieved that she let it out but in the same time her beloved aunt's awful mental situation entered her mind. Jun Kazama might have been cured but she was still very weak inside her heart when it came to her dear son's life away from his family…The people who loved him…
"Oh damn it! Why did I remember all that?"
Alisa touched her hand and shook her head… "It's my fault, Asuka-san…But do you feel better now?"
She smiled at her new friend and waved her hand… "Don't worry about it. I could just say a simple "I hate his decisions" and finish it…But…whatever…I kinda felt good letting it out. Don't you agree, Xiaoyu?"
Both Asuka and Alisa looked confused at Xiaoyu's place. How come she dozed off all of a sudden? That was so unlike her…Or maybe not?
"Xiaoyu?" she called her name waving her hand in front of her face…
The young girl blinked several times her eyes when Asuka called her. That was so embarrassing…Asuka wouldn't let it go until she would make Xiaoyu tell her the reason… "H-Huh? You talked to me?" she asked…
"Are you…alright?"
The black haired girl looked at her two friends and nodded vigorously… "Uh…Sure! I just spaced out for a moment."
"Really?" asked both Alisa and Asuka in unison…
Xiaoyu placed her hands together on her lap. For a moment, she looked at the coffee table but then she turned her attention to her friends… "I was just thinking…This person…must really love his mother."
Asuka raised an eyebrow and bit her lip… "Who doesn't love their mother? Don't get him into a special category, ok? His…situation was just different…Just a b-bit different."
For a moment she smirked at her friend's awkward words. Soon enough, though, her lips turned downwards and she brought her legs to her chest as she hugged them with her arms. A sad and kind of nostalgic eye expression appeared on her face…
"I want to see my mom…Hear her voice."
Asuka heard her friend's words and the same feeling was created inside her. She placed her hand on her face and sighed faintly…
"You're damn right…I miss her, too…"
"But…" Xiaoyu was ready to say something but stopped in the last minute…
"Hm? Spill it…Whatever it is…
She looked away from her fearing of any unwanted emotion appearing on her face… "Jin…I…I m-mean…Jin Kazama…He seems as a nice person."
Xiaoyu's words ruined slightly Asuka's mood… "Tsk…Well, I guess, he used to be…Now he's just a huge pathetic jerk"
"No!" said Xiaoyu without realizing her bold opposition, which confused Asuka…However, she didn't back down. She didn't care if Asuka found it weird that she was defending Jin… "They may say that people change…But deep inside, there's still a piece of the person they used to be…For that I'm sure."
Asuka smirked sarcastically at her friend. As it seemed, Xiaoyu was living away from the thing called "Reality". If only she knew, though…
"You're so naïve, girl…That's what I'm sure."
Without expecting it Xiaoyu giggled happily. The other two looked perplexed at her. The young girl stood up and placed her hands at each side of her waist… "Hehe…Who knows? But that's enough! Let's get rid of these disturbing thoughts and focus on our game." She looked at Asuka and pointed at the empty bottle… "Isn't it your turn, Asuka?"
"Right…" she said and took the bottle in her hands… "Let's do this!"
…
Some time later the game stopped. None of them was sleepy and especially Asuka, who was still excited about the photo-shoot in two days. She would manage to learn so many things. And anyway, seeing a supermodel as famous as Lili Rochefort in action was somehow an experience on its own…
The three of them were watching TV…Without letting the others know Xiaoyu stood up and walked in the balcony having her cell phone in her hands. However, Asuka took a glimpse of her…Whatever…She noticed Alisa watching the news and rolled her eyes. She must really love this "box", thought Asuka…She's even watching the news with the same excitement as when they were at the cinema. For a moment, she called her but Alisa didn't look at her. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. She stood up and took her cell phone from the coffee table as well. She gave a last glance to Alisa and, then, made her way to the bathroom closing the door behind her…
Both Xiaoyu and Asuka dialed each one a different number in the same time…
It was just a few seconds until a person answered. The voice made them smile and they said in unison…
"Hey, mom…It's me…"
Entry eight: A mother and her child share the purest unconditional bond
Thanks for reading!