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Disclaimer: I don't own Chun Li, Street Fighter, or anything involving it.
The dress she buys, is her Alternate attire in Street Fighter 4. =D
6:30 AM
It was New Years Eve. The alarm clock was beeping continuously. Chun Li was glad to get that extra hour of sleep than she usually got. Though, she was still slow to even move from under her sheets. The other side of her bed? Still empty and cold.
Figures. A hand came out to tap the top of the alarm clock, though it felt more like it left her sheets and went into the freezer! She heard her heater come on--Grandma must of just now done it. She could also smell fresh coffee from her kitchen.
Still in her so-called PJ's, Chun-Li rubbed her eyes and left her bedroom to check on her grandmother. "Grandmother?" She called out while entering the living room. She saw Chao sitting on the couch with her eyes closed. Maybe she was taking a nap? Chun-Li just smiled, starting to head into the kitchen.
"Your novel was quite good, Chunnie." Chao spoke up as Chun-Li was just stepping foot in the kitchen. She froze like a raindrop in the North Pole."You have good taste in romance." Chao continued on.
Chun-Li just gave a nervous laugh. Maybe her grandmother could relate to her? "Well, um...they're really sweet..." She went on to explain, searching her cupboards to fetch her mug. "They're not too racy either, you know?" She did not feel right at ALL talking to her grandmother about this! Chun-Li realized she was awfully hungry as she made her coffee...what to eat?
"GET CHEERIOS!!" Her Inner-Terry shouted in her ear.
"Yes, yes. Not too racy. Though it got my heart pounding!"
Chun-Li was grossed out officially.
"Oh-ho-ho! I am only joking Chunnie. So, what are your plans for today...if any, my dear?" Chao started to get up from the couch, using her cane for extra support.
What was she planning today? Well, she did have to go shopping. New Years Eve was tomorrow. She needed a dress of some sort! "Well, I wanted to do a little shopping." Those last two words never went together in a sentence truthfully when it came to most women. However, Chun-Li was just trying to make a little shopping unappealing to her grandmother. At least until she had the courage to say why.
"A littleshopping?" Chao was once again suddenly in the kitchen, right next to Chun-Li as she was getting her cereal. Chun-Li was surprised from her grandmoster's silent speed, and nearly sent her box of Cheerios flying into the air!
"Aaah! Would you stop that please?!" Chun-Li held the box close to herself once she caught it.
"Hmhm! You are getting slower, Chunnie! Eat your breakfast, we will stretch before shopping." Chao gave a nod of her gray head before turning to head out of the kitchen.
"Oh, you don't have to come Grandmother. It isawfully cold out." Chun-Li was praying that Chao would stay home! She'd embarrass her! She was already nervous trying to shop for an occasion...should she be modest or...? It was a pain!
"I want to come. I need to see more of New York, America after all, Chunnie." Chao wasn't going to take no for an answer. She'd sensed Chun-Li was trying to get rid of her--but Chao was like quicksand. The more you fight against her, the more she's not letting you go!
"Alright, Mama...." She reluctantly agreed. She was just starting to pour her cereal into her bowl.
Seveal minutes after Chun-Li had finished her breakfast, she went through her usual stretching routine she had been doing before any fight she participated in. She had mastered the techniques, much to her grandmother's delight. The only problem came when Chun-Li was standing on her hands, keeping herself as straight as she could. She felt her grandmother's cane strike her knees quite hard!
"Straighten!" Chao would bark whenever Chun-Li messed up anything. If she didn't get it right, she probably wouldn't be able to walk for the day, let alone walk. Lucky for her, though, Chun-Li managed to pass Chao's morning boot camp. After a quick shower on both of their parts, the Xiangs were in a cab well on their way to the biggest mall in New York, via Chao's request.
I can't afford most of the stuff there...!Chun-Li thought to herself, nervously smiling in the backseat.
The ride was mostly silent, with a little of the taxi driver's radio playing. New York was always rough to drive through anytime...especially the Winter. Chun-Li was anxious to take a look at the dresses. She didn't want to drag old faithful out of he closet. She'd worn it everywhere there was a special occasion.
"So, Chunnie, who is he?" Chao peeked over at her grand daughter mischievously.
"Who's who, mama?" She didn't want to make eye contact with Chao. She just looked straight ahead like a deer in the headlights!
"The man you're trying to impress. Don't think I don't know when you're trying to impress a man, Chunnie!" Chao closed her eyes, giggling. "You did speak of your troubles in your sleep dear." Chao lied about the last part, she could see it was effecting Chun-Li anyway! It had to be a man that was making her act so strange.
The words of her grandmother had gotten to her fairly quickly. Was she that obvious? "...I was invited to a party by a friend of mine." She stated, now looking to her grandmother. "I just didn't want to go looking a mess. It's a pretty high class gathering."
"High class? So you mean he'srich?" Chao pried a little.
"Yes, he is. In fact he's one of the top businessmen in the world. Also among the top fighters. I had the privilege to fight along side him years ago when doing father's case." Chun-Li gave a smile to her grandmother. "I saw him during the last tournament. I did not get to challenge him, however. After a certain point he seemed to of dropped out."
Chao seemed interested in this tale. Though she was sure she wouldn't like such a rich man. They were always the most awful people. Especially for her poor grand daughter.
"A lot of people say we fight alike, even if we're of two different styles." She looked out of the window, watching all the cars and people the taxi passed. "I just tell them I like to have fun and get into my opponent's head. Ken does the same thing. Everyone one else is just so serious and uptight. That's probably why I defeated them and won the tournament." Her head swung back around to Chao.
"So his name is Ken?" Chao just wanted that answered. She wanted to test something...
"Yes, Ken Masters."
"I don't like him." Chao turned her nose up, looking ahead to the driver.
"I don't like the guy neither," His New Yorker accent rolled through. "All'a that money and the guy doesn't buy this city new Taxis? This thing's a dinosaur for cryin' out loud. Sheesh. Millions of dollars and what's 'e spend it on?"
Chun-Li didn't ask for their opinions on Ken. Everyone was different for everyone. He was a good person in her eyes. That was all that mattered, right? "You are entitled to your opinions. The mall is right here, sir. Thank you." Chun-Li put up her poker face and paid for the ride.
She and her grandmother were soon inside the noisy mall, going from store to store. There never was a time Chun-Li could go here and just go directly where she wanted to go. She'd come here for a new handbag one day and left the mall with a couple of CDs, shoes, clothes, a few pairs of shades, a movie, some slipper socks, and a prepaid cell phone.
Hey, they were on sale!
After going through the several floors on the mall, the Xiangs wound up in one of Chun-Li's favorite dress stores. They had everything from casual wear for women, to wedding stuff. She always enjoyed watching other women picking out those white dresses like they were opening Christmas presents. That kind of thing just wasn't fun until it was actually happening to the person.
Among the various clothing, there were also Chinese and Japanese garments by top class designers from all over the world. In-and-out of the changing room Chun-Li went. Each time she looked in the mirror, a little happy, a little upset, and a little horrified.
Chun-Li looked at herself from the front. She looked alright. From the side--she felt like she was getting a little gut--which she really wasn't. She was just being over critical of how she'd be seen. Not by the men or Ken at all, no. It was about what other women would say about her in the dress that bothered her.
She looked to her grandmother for approval, each one was a 'no'. Huffing, Chun-Li would continue to pick out various dresses of different lengths, but none seemed to satisfy her grandmother's taste. Chun-Li was about to say the hell with it. That was until she heard a familiar younger woman's voice entering the shop and speeding toward her favorite dresses.
"So anyway, I'm like, 'Andy, you should really be more open', and he's all woo-woo-woo and stuff, you know? Augh it's so hard to manage sometimes, but I love him." The voice belonged to none other than Mai Shiranui. "Hey I'm in the mall right now, I'll text you in a minute. Smooches!" Mai hung up, sorting through the rack quickly. "Augh, everybody has these." She scoffed.
Chun-Li's eyes went wide as she saw Mai in her skirt, tank top, and heels. Yes, all in the winter time. Someone must of been holding her coat. Chun-Li hoped, of course. Chun-Li safely ducked into the dressing room and shut the door, taking a breath of relief.
That was when a knock came on the dressing room door. Chun-Li could feel her heart stop for an instant.
"Hey, don't be shy girl! What do you think you're doing?" Mai playfully spoke on the other side of the door.
"CHANGING!!"Chun-Li's inner Terry yelled in her ear.
"Uh! I-Uh! Hi Mai! Didn't know you were here!" She lied, nervously chuckling. "I'm just trying on some..uh..dresses! You know!" She knew Mai knew all of her business, since they talked all the time online. Well, Chun-Li would just get instant messages from Mai's cellphone, but still the same thing!
"Dresses, huh? Got a hot date tonight?" Mai pried a little more, with a giggle. "It's about time, girl. Get rid of those cobwebs!"
Chun-Li's face went bright red on the other side. She opened the door up partially, giving Mai a death glare. "Mai!" She gave a hushed yell.
"What? What's wrong? Tsk--Ugh! What the hell are you wearing?! Is that generic?!" Mai continued to embarass Chun-Li, not knowing her grandmother was listening the whole time.
"Mai!" She interrupted her again in a hushed yell. "My grandmother is sitting just a few meters behind you!"
Mai's eyes went wide as she stood up, covering her mouth. "Owe-Em-Gee, I'm sorry!" She turned to Chao, giving a bow. "Hello Mrs. Xiang. I'm Mai Shiranui. You may know of my family." Though she was a party girl, Mai was respectful of her elders!
"Yes. I see all of them are hiding in your shirt." Chao responded, turning her nose up. She really didn't care for those Japanese! It was all about Chinese martial arts!
"Grandmother!"Chun-Li slapped her own hand onto her head.
"Of course I'm only kidding, child. Pleasure." Chao could sense Chun-Li was embarrassed enough. She didn't want to alienate herself from her only family left.
"Oh....hee hee. Pleasure to meet you as well." Mai adjusted her insanely expensive purse on her forearm and looked back to Chun-Li. "Look, girl. You need help from an expert. I'll go get three dresses. One of them is a gaurenteed winner." Mai promised before strutting off, bouncing all the way!
"OKAY!" Her inner Terry liked the idea!
"No it's fine...M...ai..." She was too late. Mai was already doing it! After a few minutes, Mai brought Chun-Li several dresses. One, as promised, was indeed a winner. It was a black dress that showed off much of her shoulders and back. Especially her long shapely legs which outdid the best of women. It was pretty cute, too!
"Oh! It's lovely!" Chao actually gave a clap as Chun-Li posed a little bit. She was very shy about it of course. Getting such praise from her grandmother andMai!
"There you go, girl!" Mai cheered her on. "Don't worry about the price tag on it. I'll handle it." She was a good friend, wasn't she?! Chun-Li felt guilty for liking a dress that would of cleared her own bank account...and then she felt small for the fact Mai was buying it like it was a side ordered salad.
"Th..thanks, Mai!"
( Later.... )
The three had gone on a little extra shopping with Mai, and stopped for a break in the food court. They sat at a table--Chun-Li and Mai just talking while drinking hot was just eating her oreo blizzard ice cream.
Mai was doing most of the talking ,expressing her problems with Andy, their future, what he does that gets on her nerves, what he does that she loves, and things like that. Chun-Li, being the outsider looking in, was able to give her some pretty decent advice. Hopefully, it would work!
However, everything changed when Mai shifted the subject to Chun-Li.
"So! Who's this guyyou're getting all dolled up for? Oh, you don't need make-up, okay? You look perfectly fine." She reached across the table to pat Chun-Li's hand wrapped around her cup.
Chun-Li looked down into the half-empty cup of hot chocolate. She was a little nervous to admit to Mai of all people who she was trying to land. It was a juicy topic, but she knew Mai knew him, and was a little reluctant to say. "...Well..um..."
Mai just kept eye contact and a smile. Following Chun-Li's eyes where ever they moved. Even if she was just looking down. Chun-Li may of been older to her, but she acted a lot younger!
"...I got invited," She lifted her head, smiling. "to Ken's New Years Party and...I just....you know..." Chun-Li admitted, Chao only giggled a little from her seat.
Mai's jaw dropped. She leaned back in her seat, placing her hand on her chest. "Owe-em-gee! Kenny?!Oh my gosh!" She was surprised!
Chun-Li looked back down to her drink, but was still smiling.
"Ken and I always hang out! He's a really nice guy!" Mai started.
Chun-Li's head suddenly went up. Ken hung out with Mai a lot?!
"We sometimes catch dinner in Italy. Sometimes we meet up in Japan for a little shopping~, sometimes Miami or Brazil to catch a little sun~," Mai could of gone on, but she saw Chun-Li had a new look of surprise in her eyes.
They go to different countries together?! Why isn't she dating him instead of Andy?! I swear, Mai, you're a beautiful girl, but you could use more brains...what am I saying, I passed him up too.
"He's sucha good kisser..." Mai teased, biting on her pinky nail.
"What?!" Chun-Li almost stood up--Chao just giggled!
"I'm only joking, sit down! Ha ha!" Mai found that reaction so hysterical!
"S...so...you're going to be at the party tonight too? I guess Ken will have his hands full." Li felt defeated just when her spirits were getting higher. The party wastonight afterall.
"Nope. Told Ken I wouldn't be in town. My birthday's tomorrow and I'm spending it in Japan." She admitted, taking a sip of her drink.
"Oh...oh, happy early birthday, then!" She put back on her best smile, even if she was irritated with all the teasing.
"Thanks. So Chun-Li, what do you plan to do at the party? Catch Ken's eye? Draw him somewhere private? Huh, huh?" Mai's eyelids lowered and her grin grew more mischievous. She could see Chun-Li start to freeze up at the accusation, yet she was swimming in the thought of it.
"No, nothing like that..." She took a sigh. "He's way out of my league. I'm not a super rich model. I'm just an agent." She was diving into her own doubts slowly. "I just want to rekindle our friendship. My job has kept me away, I don't want to lose a friend forever..."
There was silence. Mai and Chao made eye contact, both of their moths sealed shut in thin lines. They didn't buy it.
"Uhm, Chun-Li? When's the last time you've been with someone? Be honest." Mai was tarting to think Chun-Li's loneliness was making her believe her own lies.
"Huh!? Thats not a nice thing to ask! Especially infront of my grandmother!" Chun-Li stood up this time, both hands on the table. She was mad!
"Junior year in high school. Eleven thirty to eleven thirty two." Chao spoke out, taking another bite of ice cream.
"BURN!" Terry shouted in Chun-Li's mind. She could of died...right then, right there. She crashed back into her chair, looking at her grandmother in absolute horror. "Wh...what?! How do you know that?!"
Mai was doing her absolute best not to laugh!
"I heard the whole thing."
( Flashback#5: March, 1999. Afterward )
Chun-Li had waved out of her window, wrapped up in her sheets. "Bye...I'll see you at school tomorrow." She blew a kiss, and shut the door. Sitting back on her bed, she hung her head.
"That....was horrible. I'm neverdoing that again." She buried her face in her hands. "Can't believe I got put on the spot like that. 'It was amazing' my ass...."
She gave a scoff. "It was like...it was like taking a shower, and just getting lathered up, then the water gets shut off!" She continued to complain to the air.
( The Present )
"So you started using work as an excuse to not be in contact with the poor boy. Once things broke off, you officially became a workaholic after your father passed." Chao gave a matter-a-factly nod at her story.
".. .. .. .... .. " Chun-Li didn't say a word. She was just too ashamed of herself.
"Pretty...long time there, Li." Mai was still holding her laughter. "So, my advice is don't try to do anything but talk, okay? Don't drink too much. I know Ken pretty well, so I can give you some topics to bring up if you want." She awaited Chun-Li's response. She waited for a while.
"....I can't believe my grandmother heard me." Chun Li said against the table.
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Next Chapter: The Party ( New Years )