Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken.
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Chapter 31 – Fights and Feelings
26th APRIL
In a few minutes Ling would find out who was her next opponent. She was getting dressed but her mind was still focused on the tournament. There were now only four contestants and she was the only girl. Heihachi, Hwoarang or Jin? Who was going to face her? Actually, Ling didn't even know who she would choose. Heihachi was out of the question, if he was going to be her next opponent, she would lose for sure. Heihachi was the boss; he was too strong, besides there were chances that he would continue to be the boss. Jin was also too strong, he had trained with Heihachi, he was his grandson and she had lost against him once. As for Hwoarang, there was a tiny chance that she could beat him up, but she didn't know if she could actually win.
When Ling left the elevator, she was feeling all sort of things. Her head was spinning and her stomach was going up and down. Then, she noticed that Julia was standing in front of the screen without moving.
The screen was showing the matches. Ling's face turned white when she saw her opponent's name. But Julia was more worried about the other match.
-'It's Jin…I'm going to face Jin…'-Ling said feeling slightly disappointed.-'Maybe I should quit.'
Julia didn't answer.
-'What's the problem?'-Ling asked.
-'Nothing…'
-'Hwoarang is going to face Heihachi…Are you worried about him?'
-'No…why would I be worried? I hope he…'-Julia didn't finish the sentence. She didn't want Hwoarang to lose, she hated him, but she hated Heihachi even more.
-'Damn it…If it was Hwoarang, maybe I could win…'-Ling complained.-'I don't have a chance against Jin. Do you think he would quit if I asked him?'
-'No…In different circumstances maybe he would quit, but this is a chance of a lifetime and Jin wants to find Heihachi in the final.'
-'Yeah, you're probably right. It would be selfish if I asked him to quit for me. I know that Jin wants to defeat Heihachi.'
-'I'm sorry for you…'
-'It's ok. Anyway, I think you're worried about Hwoarang…'
-'That's not true. It's just that he's going to lose and he'll feel completely humiliated.'
-'That serves him well. He's a stupid jackass who thinks he's the best. Anyway…I better go…'
-'Do you want company?'
-'Not really…I think I need to be alone for a while.'
Ling left the hotel and since her match would only happen in twenty-four hours she decided to go to the arena and practice.
When she left, Julia noticed that Jin was coming to see the screen. He wasn't pleased when he saw that he would have to face Ling.
-'Bad luck this time, huh?'-Julia said.
-'Yeah. I know that she made progresses, but I really need to win.'
-'She knows that. I think she also knows she's going to lose.'
-'At least that stupid redhead is going to have what he deserves.'
-'Do you think Heihachi will be cruel? I mean…will he beat him up really hard?'
-'Usually he's not violent unless Hwoarang forces him to be…Unfortunately I don't have any doubts that Hwoarang will be persistent, so he won't be spared. By the way, do you know where Xiaoyu is?'
-'She left the hotel…she said she needed to be alone.'
-'Thanks…see you later.'
By coincidence, Jin also decided to go to the arena, and so he found Ling there. She was training hard. In his opinion she had improved a lot since the last time they had fought. Unsure of what to do, Jin stepped forward because he wanted to speak to her. He wanted to let her know that he had no choice but to face her and win that match.
-'Hey…'-Jin greeted.
-'Hi…have you seen the screen?'
-'Yeah, I did. I wish we didn't have to fight.'
-'Well, I guess sooner or later we would have to, besides I would never win this tournament.'
-'You never know…you're a great fighter.'
-'We both know that you're saying that just to make me feel better.'
-'I'm speaking the truth. I've seen your matches…you have improved.'
-'Maybe just a little. The match against Lei was pure luck; I never thought I could win. But it's ok…I guess I was dreaming too much. It's the first time I enter this tournament, besides even if I could win tomorrow I would still have to face Heihachi, and I'm sure I would lose.'
-'So, you're not sad?'
-'Maybe a little. My dream was down the drain the moment I saw your name standing next to mine in that screen. But I'm happy for you…at least you still have a chance to get what you want.'
-'That's not why I'm fighting…I need to fight Heihachi for all the bad things he did in the past.'
-'And then what? What will you do if you win?'
-'I just want to have a normal life and for that I need to win against my own grandfather and to get Julia's mother back.'
-'Do you think she can cure you?'
-'I think so…I mean I hope so…I shouldn't pay for my father's mistakes, I don't want to be a demon…'
-'Don't worry, Julia and her mother will help you.'
Jin faked a smile and prepared to leave.
-'I should get going…I didn't mean to interrupt your training.'-he said.
-'It's ok. By the way, what will you do when you're free from the devil gene?'
Jin thought about the question. The truth was that so far he had been a normal teenager, with some exceptions. It was only in the past two months that he started to feel the symptoms related to the devil gene. But during all of his life, he had felt that he was different from the other kids. That was why he had created a barrier to protect himself and everyone else. He didn't want to hurt other people, even if that meant having no friends, no girlfriends and spending all of his time all alone. It had been his choice. All of this could now change, he just needed to free Michelle Chang and hopefully she would know what to do. If she could really cure him from that curse, he would definitely change his behaviour towards people, and maybe then he could spend more time with Ling to get to know her better.
So, in the end, Jin realised that what he really wanted was to be with someone; someone just like Ling. Did that mean he liked her? More than just a friend?
-'Hey Jin? Are you ok?'-Ling's voice made Jin return to reality and he noticed he had been daydreaming.
-'Sorry…I'll see you tomorrow, ok?'
-'Geez…was about time!'-Ling and Jin turned around and saw Hwoarang arriving.-'After these past five minutes I really have to say that you two make me sick…'
-'Get a life, will you?'-Ling spat.
-'And you two should get a room…all that lame talk…I almost threw up my breakfast.'
-'Mind your own businesses.'-Jin said.
-'What's wrong with you man? Can't you see the girl wants you? What's your problem?'-Hwoarang asked Jin, with a mischievous grin.
Fortunately for Ling, Jin started to walk on his way to the hotel, ignoring Hwoarang's words. This way he didn't notice how red her face was. As soon as he disappeared, Ling jumped from the arena and faced Hwoarang directly.
-'Who the hell do you think you are?'
-'I was trying to help…'
-'Help? I don't need your help, moron! Jin is just a friend, got it? Or maybe your brain is so small that can't process this information!'
-'Look it's not my fault if you and that stupid boyfriend of yours are just two frustrated souls…waiting for a love letter or something.'
-'Get real, you IDIOT! First of all, I'm too old to enjoy love letters and second I DO NOT LOVE Jin…ok?'
-'Ok…fine…suit yourself.'
-'I hate you! You know that?'
-'Yeah…and that's why I like you, Pigtails. Don't you think you should go now?'
-'Actually, I was thinking about that, asshole!'
-'Well, bye then.'
Ling stuck her tongue out and left Hwoarang. The Korean was a complete jackass in her opinion, and she couldn't wait to see him being knocked out by Heihachi. He deserved it more than everyone else in the world. As for Hwoarang, he had now the arena all for himself.
