I'm very sorry for super another LATE posting for this chapter. I was busy with my internships,community development, and other campus stuffs. actually I had written this last year buy again, campus seemed loving me a lot so that I trapped on there. during finishing my thesis(meanin got stuck), I tried to finish it on some parts. well, still awful(for sure) but I hope you like the story(haha :p)...
I don't own Tekken + the character, only the story. I also don't own the song from Delain - On The Other Side, only take it as small part of my story :), last but not least enjoy it... :DD~~
-Sierra Vista Southeast, Arizona-
"Wow, this is amazing! The last song is never easy as today." said Ashley with cheer tone and guitar picked pointed to her bass.
"What do you mean?" asked Luke wiped his face with the towel next to him.
"Don't you realize that we ALWAYS have difficulties in finishing interlude and coda part even this is only instrumental song?" asked Ashley adjusted her bass strap position in her shoulder.
"Umm…." Luke murmured and tried to remember.
"Yeah, yeah…You're right Ash, I've just realized it. All that I remember was that Julia got stuck when she had to...restrain her emotion while shredding the strings in her guitars to make…. " explained Max and glanced at Julia with cunning smile.
"Sexy distortion? My God…" asked Julia back with light smile and cleaned her hands with the towel which hung in the amplifiers.
"Hahaaa…Bingo, baby girl! Yeah, she always said my God, guys sorry, I feel terrible and yeah…" replied Luke and torque his right drum stick.
"Yup! Exactly correct!" said Ashley started to play her bass again.
"Tsk…stop it, that's rude to mock your friend in front of you with a sarcasm language." said Julia smiling.
"Alright guys, what will be our evaluation today? I mean before we start to burn the stage?" asked Max in the end of their band practice.
"First, we came here ON TIME! Wohoo, finally." said Julia in cheer tone with clap on her hands.
"Hahahaha, yeah! And I was the first person who came here, hell yeah!" replied Max immediately after drank his beer.
"Alright, and next?" replied Ashley to continue the evaluation still playing some blues tone softly.
"Congratulation for Miss Chang because she passed making sexy distortion!" said Luke pointed Julia with his left hand which still hold the drum stick.
"Cool!" said Ashley with lure whistling.
Julia laughed and grabbed a bottle of water on the table next to her. She never felt very happy and relieved. She didn't know why, but something that stifling her heart was easily gone. Somehow she needed that kind of things happened every day in order to make her laugh loud very often.
"Okay fellas, back to the point. Tonight we'll perform in quite big venue and probably some producers will be there too. Be ready to be on the top then." said Max close the momentary evaluation.
They felt a bit nervous, especially Luke and Ashley. They really wanted to make record as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Julia seemed so calm and chilled since she did not interested to be "a rockstar". She felt that playing music helped her to forget hard things which tore her mind and her heart. While they cleaned their equipment, suddenly a call came to Luke's cell phone.
"Hello?" said Luke answering his phone call.
"Mr. Luke Moore?"said a voice in his cell phone.
"Yeah, it's me. Who is speaking and what's up?" said Luke again.
"This is Andrew Scold from Smoked club and I want to inform you that your band is included to the selection in Nebraska because the numbers of bands that join the audition in Phoenix are out of capacity." explained Mr. Scold in very sorry.
"What? But, excuse me, how can we go to Nebraska in very short time? To make it clear, we have no money in a big amount to get the flight plus Arizona and Nebraska is not that close!" asked Luke in impatience tone.
"Yes, I know Mr. Moore, that's why we inform you to reschedule your performance into tomorrow and you can get the ticket in our office with other bands starts from now up to 10 p.m., tonight." said Mr. Scold.
"Huh? Oh…um…okay…" answered Luke in confused.
"I'm very sorry for the inconvenience and I hope you can take the ticket today. Thank you very much, Mr. Moore." said Mr. Scold ended the call.
"Hey hold on, I heard that you talked about Nebraska in the phone with the person who called you." asked Ashley to Luke.
"Indeed! And guess what, that man said that our performance is cancelled and it is rescheduled tomorrow, in Nebraska! Funny, huh? Damn it" said Luke with annoyance.
"Nebraska? Why is it changed and why does the man call us when we almost perform?" asked Julia in curious tone.
"For that case, I don't know. Max, can you go with me to get the ticket from the club's office? Man, I'm mad!" said Luke still in his annoyance.
"Calm down, Luke. We can ask that to that man as soon as we arrive in his office." said Max done with his equipment and immediately went to garage preparing his car.
"Do you want us to join too?" asked Ashley and pointing to herself and Julia and followed by Julia's nodded head.
"No, just me and Max that will be enough to…" said Luke immediately interrupted by Julia.
"Do not kick someone else's ass, Luke. Please, behave and control yourself. Okay?" said Julia gave warning to Luke.
"I don't know why you can keep your patience but…okay, I'll try to behave. See ya, buddies." waved to the girls then went to the car with Max.
"I hope he won't do something bad there." said Ashley and make a cross.
"Me too!" replied Julia and went outside the studio grabbed a bottle of water.
While Julia tried to relax her body and mind by playing the keyboard...
Will you wait?
I'm on the other side
The other side
Will you wait?
I'm on the other side
It's too late to tell you what I'm about
But god, I'm proud
A giant in the sky
A light flooded horizon
a silent peaceful cry
And the sun that is rising
Warms me up
Warms me up
Wears me out
Will you wait?
I'm on the other side
The other side
Will you wait?
I'm on the other side
It's too late to tell you what I'm about
But God, I'm proud
But God, I'm proud...
A different kind of quiet
A different kind of warning
You've said your last goodbyes
Before Julia finished playing the song, suddenly Ashley asked the unexpected question which made Julia a little bit annoyed.
"Hey, did you sing this song…for that…Japanese man?" asked Ashley carefully and played On The Other Side by Delain with the keyboard stayed next to Julia.
Julia choked and immediately looked at Ashley. "Sorry? I'm playing this because I like this song recently, that's all." asked Julia in annoying way.
"Umm.. no offense, but you rare to sing some kind of sad song and suddenly you pick that to be played while…" said Ashley tried to explain in proper way.
"No, Ash. I just…thought that playing a little bit slow song is okay, just that. Meanwhile, that Japanese has no relation anymore with me in other way." Julia clarified in annoyed way and threw her gaze to the keyboard in front of her.
"Do you still love him?" asked Ashley innocently.
"Stop talk about that Ashley, okay? I'm sick of that!" replied Julia in anger.
"Julia, look! I want to help you, get out from your pain. I know that all this time you kept your hurt feeling, alone, and try to erase that by yourself. But you can't …" explained Ashley in caring tone.
"Erase what? I don't erase anything. What makes you think like that? Besides, that's not your business!" yelled Julia.
"Erase your love to him. Julia, listen, you are my friend for long time and I know you very well. I don't like seeing you feel down and sacrifice yourself for person who never cares about your feeling." said Ashley in serious way.
Julia tried to calm herself down and told Ashley about her true feeling patiently.
"Ashley, thank you so much that you care about me, but I just want to let those annoying stuffs go by myself. I'm hurt, yes I realize, I feel the pain all of the time, I know. Let me just pass through it then I can forget about that to release my mother from the gate. My mind is full of my mother and no one can replace it, you know." said Julia.
"What about that man? He surely still sticks on your mind, no?" replied Ashley.
"To tell you the truth, he is no longer in my mind. I'm sure he is happy with that girl." said Julia again, in calm way.
"What if he isn't?" asked Ashley.
"Well….that is…his business. All I wanna do is take back the half flake of my pendant and release my mom, that's it." explained Julia hoping.
"If you said that, what else I can do beside stay by your side, supporting you? But promise not to hide anything so that we can share to solve any problems, okay?" said Ashley in caring tone.
"Of course, I promise." replied Julia with her sweet smile.
"Alright, let's just tidy up these stuff and have a rest." said Ashley in cheering tone.
"Yeah, and wait for the boys to know what kind of news they bring." replied Julia in a same tone.
(Andrew Scold's office at the same time)
"Done, Sir. What do you want next?" asked Andrew in annoying tone after finished calling Luke, still bounded in his comfy couch.
"Relax young man, of course you must give the tickets to Nebraska for them, both the flight and the accommodations. And don't forget to continue my plan. One more thing that you have to remember, don't try to tell this event with them, especially with the girl named Julia. If I figure out you tell about my plan, your head is mine!" said the silver – haired man with cunning smile by phone.
"Then don't forget about the payment. Once you forget about that..…." snarled Thomas and being interrupted.
"I'm the excellent man, money is just a piece of cake, dog. Leave that man and make sure he does what we have told to him. " replied the man raised his browned – eyebrows and asked his people to spy on Andrew.
"Yes, Sir!" replied the black –suited men who held Andrew on the couch.
-Tokyo, Japan-
The leaves fell down in the breeze autumn of Tokyo. A girl with dark blue sweater, black straight jeans, and mocca suede boots walked into Asakusa temple after paid for five talismans sold outside the temple. She went inside, lit the candle, threw some coins and prayed in the altar solemnly.
"I hope you can help him to reach his happiness by finding the woman whom he loves so much, Gods." said the girl in a hope.
When she finished praying, she walked outside in a rush to go to Mishima Zaibatsu. She walked fast and hopping she was not late to be there. Suddenly, when she wanted to across the street, a handsome tall man with brown medium length hair greeted her in cheering tone.
"In a hurry, Kazama Asuka?" asked the man kindly.
"Huh? Kamiya Shin? What are you doing here? You suppose to be in your office and not taking a walk around here!" said Asuka tunred her head to the voice surprisingly.
"So what? I work for your family and they trust me. Beside, this is time for people having lunch. I can have a break for several hours, eh?" replied Shin winked his right eye.
"Uh, whatever. I'm busy and I have to go to Jin's office as soon as possible." said Asuka fastly left Shin alone.
"So we can go back there together. I've just finished buying my lunch, just get into my car, lady Asuka." Offered Shin in kind way.
(Huh? We? asked Asuka in his heard, confused)
"No no no…go with the car makes me late! Don't you hear that I HAVE to arrive there as soon as possible? Talk with you waste my time, okay!" replied Asuka in curt tone.
"Wohoo… just coming with me so that you will arrive in Jin's office ON TIME. Come on!" said Shin and grabbed Asuka's right arms.
"Whoaaaa!get of me! I can walk by myself, Kamiya Shin!" asked Asuka yelled. Shind did not recognize her then they went to the parking lot to get into Shin's car. After he got the key, he "forced" Asuka to go inside his car then went to Mishima Zaibatsu.
"So, how is your day lady Asuka?" asked Shin in friendly tone.
"Huh? Terrible! You mess my day for sure!" replied Asuka in anger.
"Hahaha…chill out Asuka, what's wrong with me? I'm just trying to be nice to you and…help you." said Shin teased tone.
"Yuckz! Do not dare to tease me or I will kick your candy ass!" warned Asuka in annoyed tone.
"Come on, Asuka. You look funny even when you are angry." Shin commented with a laugh.
"Don't say any words, again! Okay? Just drive your car and bring me to Jin's office, NOW!" replied Asuka in anger way, pointed her right forefinger to Shin and hide the blush on her cheeks.
"Hahahahaha…seriously, you make me laugh now!" said Shin with a loud laugh. Meanwhile, Asuka starred outside and hoped Shin could arrive in Mishima Zaibatsu office soon. After Shin felt tired to laughed, no one talked anymore. Then, he tried to asked Asuka to break the ice between them in the car.
"Hey, don't just keep silent like that. Jin said that you're talkative person." said Shin looked at Asuka.
"I'm just lazy talking with people today, especially you." replied Asuka in lazy tone gazed outside of the car.
"Ooookay, sorry for disturbing you. Ummm, why do you go to the temple? Do you have serious problem so you ask God to give you solution?" ask Shin in kind tone.
"Honestly that's not your business, Shin. But to make it short, I pray for my family." said Asuka calmly.
"Oh, okay. What you have just done remind to go to the temple to. I haven't gone there again for about two months. Hhhhh…" said Shin in a chill way.
"What? Two months you didn't go to temple? Tsk, lazy Shin…" Asuka commented still in lazy way. Shin just smiled and said, "I am. You know, go to the temple alone is not comfort sometimes."
"Why not? I go to the temple every week, alone, and I'm just fine. It is about how do you reduce your laziness to see God." said Asuka innocently.
"Hahahaha, see the God. That's funny, Asuka. Well, maybe I can accompany you to the temple, next week." said Shin with a wink in her left eye and light smile then parked his car in Mishima Zaibatsu's parking lot.
"H-h-huh?" asked Asuka in confused.
Shin opened the door of the car and suddenly met Jin who walked in hurry to his sport car.
"Hey, Jin. Where are you going? Asuka wants to meet you." said Shin in a sec.
"Hey, ummm….I…want to go the Zaibatsu's airport, now…" replied Jin.
"Where are you going? Escape from the engagement?" asked Asuka immediately and approached her cousin.
"Asuka? What are you doing here? Shin, why do you…." asked Jin in confused.
"I want to meet you and Shin lifted a car for me." said Asuka fast and followed by Shin's salute to both of them. "Huh? Engagement? Jin? With who?" asked Shin in his heart.
"Okay…well I don't have much time now…I'll explain as soon as I arrive in..Arizona…"replied Jin in serious tone.
"Arizona?" asked both Asuka and Shin.
"You want to find…"asked Asuka and immediately interrupted by Jin.
"Yes, Asuka. Please just act that you don't know everything about me today when the engagement party or whatever you call it is happened tonight. Okay? I promise I'll call you as soon as I find and meet her." said Jin in serious way.
"O…kay…well, good luck...and…wait, wait Jin…" said Asuka interrupted Jin's way to his car.
"What?" asked Jin in a bit annoyed.
"Take this. I've just gone to the temple and…I prayed for all of our family, bought this talisman, and I wanna give you one so that you can find her quickly. Here, take this." said Asuka in a bit stammered. When Jin saw that, he gave light smile to Asuka and hugged her to say goodbye.
"Arigatou, Suka. I hope God will help me." said Jin and followed by Asuka's nodded head.
"Take care." said Asuka then Jin got into his car, turned the machine on, and went to Mishima Zaibatsu private airport. Asuka and Shin were alone and Shin wanted to go upstairs to the front office accompanied Asuka.
"Her? What do you mean by her? Who is she?" asked Shin in a sudden to Asuka.
Asuka did not tell Shin about Julia, because she was afraid that some people spied on her in the office. She did not want others knew about that.
"Asuka? Hello? I'm asking to you." said Shin while Asuka was in her silence entered the elevator and pressed the G (for Ground) button.
"Huh? Yeah? Um…" replied Asuka turned his head to Shin.
"Come on, can you just pay attention to my question?" asked Shin frank.
"Oh…um…yeah, well, um…Jin wants to…meet his old friend there…yeah…"said Asuka in a stammer tone.
"Is that friend so important so he HAS to be in hurry like that?" asked Shin in confused.
Asuka felt hesitant to answer Shin's question. When the elevator arrived in the ground floor, suddenly Asuka answered it in short, "Yeah…I think his friend is extremely important for him…"
"Oh, okay….well, Arizona isn't bad place, eh? At least the nature is challenging to be defeated and…hot!" said Shin glanced to Asuka with naughty wink.
"What?" asked Asuka confused and turned her head to Shin.
"Nothing…" replied Shin.
They walked to the front part of Mishima Zaibatsu's office. Both of them did not pay attention that one of Ling's men was still there. At first, he spied on Jin as Ling's request because Ling was mad with Jin who did not want to accompany her bought a gown for their engagement party. He actually did not catch the information about the place where Jin would go, but after he heard Shin and Asuka's conversation, he knew that Jin went to Arizona.
"Nah, are you sure you don't want to meet your uncle?" asked Shin to Asuka while they were walking to the front door.
"For what? We will meet tonight." said Asuka.
"You don't want me to bring you home with my car, again?" asked Shin.
"No." replied Asuka in a short.
"You…don't want me to…umm…accompany you, in the…engagement?" asked Shin nervous.
Asuka was surprised with Shin questions. She did not expect to be asked like that by Shin. So did Shin, he was nervous to ask that. He was afraid that Asuka would refuse it and cluttered her day up again. Asuka did not know what to say, but he was happy that Shin wanted to accompany her.
"Um…if I call you, meaning I agree that you will accompany me…see ya, Shin!" said Asuka and waved to him. He was extremely happy, danced like a nut and immediately clenched his arm then said "yes" to himself when she entered the bus to go back home. Shin could not wait for that night.
Meanwhile, the man whom Ling asked to spy on Jin called Ling in a second to tell about Jin's departure to Arizona.
"Miss Ling, your fiancé will go to Arizona, this evening with his private Jet. Okay, I understand" said the man on phone.
whoaaaaa...don't know what to say about that...comments+critics+suggestions = VERY ACCEPTED!,,sorry for bad grammar/diction/phrases,well English isn't my first language but I hope I can improve it... :) thank you...