IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not own anything
CHAPTER 6: The trio's arrival in a rival's territory
Japan, Osaka…
"Asuka? Are you done searching?"
The girl took her gaze away from her laptop, when she heard her mother's voice. She turned her head slightly to notice the older woman standing exactly behind her. Asuka shook her head and turned again her attention to the computer. The woman giggled and caressed her head…
"You don't have to rush it, ok? Your decision must be the final one."
"But I don't have…I mean…From what I'm seeing in these websites, the colleges are having. I just can't find something I'd like to do." She said unsatisfied and a sigh escaped from her lips…
Her mother placed her hand under her chin thinking that she must do something to help her daughter but she wasn't an expert when it came to these kinds of things, as well. From the distance she was and as Asuka was searching around the website, her eyes caught a certain advertisement. She brought her hands together enthusiastically, when she imagined her daughter doing that job. She touched tightly her shoulders and said… "Honey?!"
Asuka closed her ears because of her mother's loud voice. Why was she so excited anyway? Her only child was here in a pitiful situation and she was there being all happy and laughing… "What is it, mom? And can you, please, low your voice? You damned hurt my ears."
"I found it!"
"What thing?" she asked uninterested…
The woman hugged her shoulders from behind and said in a more calm voice to her… "Why don't you try to be a stylist?"
The girl's eyes widened. This woman probably didn't know her own child. She covered her face with her hands and sighed. She would be less surprised if she told her to try and be a plumber. True…She could imagine herself doing that…
"Mom…Be serious."
"But why, sweetie?"
A frown appeared above her eyes and she lowered her head to look at her lap… "Everyone would laugh at you, if you tell them that your daughter, aka me, aka Asuka Kazama, is studying to be a stylist." She said as a weak smiled appeared on her lips… "So, I should tr…MOM?! Why are you squeezing my shoulder with your nails? What's with you?"
The young girl started rubbing her shoulder when she broke free of the woman's grip, however, when she raised her head to face her, she noticed her cold and scary expression… "M-Mom…What is wrong?"
Her mother shook her head and walked normally to close Asuka's bedroom's door, since she didn't want for her husband to hear them. She sat on her bed and motioned for Asuka to do the same. She stood up from the chair she was having in front of the desk and approached her mother. She sat beside her and the woman hugged her tenderly bringing her close to her chest. Asuka was confused by what was happening. Why did she close the door? What was this expression back there? It was without exaggeration scary. And, anyway…What's the thing, mom?
"Asuka?"
"Hm?"
"How have you pictured your future…and I mean, aside from taking over your father's dojo?"
…
Asuka stayed, for a long time, silent. When she would hear the word "future", unconsciously, the first thing that would come in her mind would be, indeed as her mother said, her father's dojo. But she was right…What could she possibly do aside from that? She knew that her stubborn old man was way too young to pass her the dojo. He was just forty. Yeah…Both her parents were very young when they had her and that was always her mother's advice. Do not do the same mistakes I did! Marry when you feel ready and have children, only if you want. You don't have to, just because you're in Japan. As she recalled, back there she had felt somehow annoyed and asked her mother, if she, actually, didn't want to marry her father and, especially, if she didn't want to give birth to her and she was just forced to do it. Her mother slapped her, when she said that. How dare you say that to me? You're the most precious thing I have. I would do everything for your happiness and your wellbeing. Asuka regretted the time she opened her mouth. The woman was just giving her advice, since she wanted for her to live her life with no regrets. She wanted her to feel fulfilled. And if it wasn't for you…I…I would have already divorced your father. Even though, her mother said that in a humorous tone, Asuka managed to notice a hint of honesty. Her father…As she had mentioned, her mother wasn't taking her in family meetings and such. She wanted for her daughter to grow up away from the "Kazama Influence". Even if she had their powers or not. That girl, she gave birth to, was HER daughter, not another "chosen one" for them. And, well, seeing Asuka's current character, someone could say that the woman did her best.
…
"I haven't really thought of it…to say the truth."
The woman heard her child's reply and smiled… "I see…" she said and released her… "My dear, just because you love fighting that doesn't make you lose your femininity, in the same time, you understand? You are a wonderful young woman…And you know…As a secret from your mommy, I will tell you this."
Asuka smiled as she noticed her mother acting like she was telling her a secret…
"A woman can control a man, except with her mind and, also, by using her body in two ways…Number 1: Kicking his ass and Number 2: Seducing him with her sexuality and charm. Oh! After number 2, you can use number 1, as well…Umm, how do you…I mean…fighters say it…Uh…I found it! Combo!"
Asuka started laughing alongside her mother, who touched her hand…
"Listen…Choose whatever you like…But…Do not let how others picture you, confuse the real you." When she said that, the woman stood up from the bed and walked to the door. She touched the doorknob and before she was ready to open the door, Asuka said to her… "Mom?"
The woman turned to face her daughter with a smile on her face… "Yes, darling?"
"I get what you're saying. I may have confused myself with how others view me. As you said just because the others think of me as umm…for example…anyway, whatever it is…I'm forbidden to think like they do. I have a feeling that, there's still more inside of me and I want to find out. I will be a stylist."
"I'm happy for you, my child." She smiled. She opened the door and said before closing it again… "Lunch will be ready soon, don't be late."
Asuka nodded to herself and made her way to where her laptop was once again…
Osaka Suburbs, Rochefort Holiday House…
For now let's leave the commoners of Osaka and travel a little outside the center of the town. Big houses, expensive stores and a pleasant environment. From all these things you could sense that another "air" existed there, an elite one. But it was only a house that made every single person in the neighborhood to go out of their houses. It was the biggest of all but that wasn't the reason they were looking so eagerly at it. From the time it was built so beautifully, there was no single person, who lived there. However, these last days something changed. A lot of trucks had been arriving carrying high class furniture into the house. Some people started to stay there but they were probably a part of the staff. At least that was what the people of the neighborhood thought. Recently, the household acquired a security system of a very high technology. A lot of security guards were wandering around the place today. The family, who was going to live there, must be very rich and important, right?
The front doors opened, when a security guard pressed the button and a huge, black limousine followed by a black jeep entered the place and made their way for the private park station the house was providing. There were a lot of cars there as well and all of them were very stylish and of course expensive. One thing leads to another, right? Both the limousine and the jeep stopped and five men stepped out of the last one. They walked close to the limousine and they were already bowing in front of the passenger's door. An old man stepped out of the front passenger's door and opened the back door...
A beautiful blonde girl stepped out of the car. She fixed her dress and flipped her hair with a snobbish smile on her face. The same time a tall young man closed the door from the other side behind him and approached the girl. When, she saw him, the snobbish smile disappeared from her face to be changed into a shy one. There was, also, a hint of pink on her cheeks and no it wasn't the blush from her makeup. The blond man smiled at her and bowed as well at her presence. The girl felt embarrassed and said...
"Please, you really do not need to do that. I feel embarrassed"
The man gave her a playful smile and said...
"I'm sorry. I was just teasing you."
The old man closed the door from where the girl stepped out and asked from both the girl and the man to follow him. Five minutes later they walked inside the big hall of the house. Maids and butlers were around the girl waiting for her commands. The girl sighed. She hoped that with going on a vacation, she will escape a little from her everyday routine but no. Everything was just like it was back in her country. So boring...That was what she was thinking. Of course a girl of her class loved luxury but her heart wanted more. However, even though she was bored with the place and the things she would be able to do here, she had something up her sleeve. That thought made her smile devilishly...
"Welcome, ma'am!" said the staff...
The girl just chuckled. If she was alone, she would start already giving orders about dinner, the decoration and how bad it was but "he" was here. She knew that she wouldn't be able to act freely and be completely herself but her happiness that he would be staying in the same house made her heart's beats run faster than ever before. However, sometimes Lili Rochefort forgot the fact that he came with her because of his job as one of the Rochefort's family bodyguards. Even though, she was the one, who hired him and the other audacious friend of his to serve her father. The old man, who was behind them stepped forward, and said to his mistress...
"Miss Lili, if you'd like, you can have a bath. You can already use it. It's ready."
The girl looked at him and said stepping forward with the staff moving aside to let her through...
"I'd love that, Sebastian."
For a moment, she turned to face Steve, who gave her an honest smile… "Steven?" he heard her calling him…
"Yes, Lili?"
The young girl walked back to him and said looking at the white perfectly cleaned floor… "Don't listen to my father…anyway…He won't be here. Choose whatever room you like and why don't you have a bath as well? The flight was pretty tiring."
Steve smiled at her concern. He started to get suspicious of the fact that Lili might have feelings towards him. When he asked Hwoarang, this jerk just started laughing and then lit up a cigarette. In the end, the poor man ignored him and he was left wondering by himself. However, he remembered what his "helpful" friend asked him the same night…
…
"Yo, Steve?"
The blond man turned his gaze away from the window and noticed his friend exhaling some smoke while looking at him… "What is it?"
Hwoarang with his other hand started playing with the little white box, he had his cigarettes inside… "Even if she likes you…What are you gonna do?"
Steve's lips turned downwards, since Hwoarang was completely right and that was the most annoying thing of all. Hwoarang being right! But…If he wanted to be honest with himself…He would say that he would be happy to hear it but…how was he supposed to answer her? He shook his head negatively and looked at the Korean man behind him, who was having an irritating grin on his face…
"I don't know…I really don't…"
"Hehe…" Hwoarang laughed at him, until he noticed Steve smirking at him…
"By the way, Hwoarang, my dear know-it-all friend, what would you do if a girl, you might not be so uninterested in, comes to tell you her feelings? I mean in our current way of living."
He lit up another cigarette and stood up. He walked to the door and grabbed the doorknob. He noticed Steve's confused expression and laughed in the inside. He gave him a small mocking smile, still having the cigarette between his lips… "That's up to your imagination, dude!" he said and walked outside the room…
…
"That annoying guy!" Steve thought as he recalled the moment and tightened his fists…
"Are you ok?"
His eyes widened when he heard her voice. That was so lame, he thought. He completely forgot what Lili asked him. He touched her shoulder and she raised an eyebrow…
"Is something wrong?"
He shook his head. Thankfully, he somehow remembered what she asked him and said… "In the end, I believe that I should have this bath thing."
"See? Well…Sebastian?" she said and in an instant her butler arrived at her side…
"At your service, Miss Lili."
The blonde girl without thinking and realizing it brought her slender body slightly close to Steve's. She touched gently his chest and said turning her head to her butler's direction… "Take, Steven to one of the good bedrooms. I don't want to see him disappointed…"
"You…really…don't…"
"Steven!" Lili called his name and crossed her arms. Steve Fox, alongside Hwoarang, was tutored by Sebastian in the matter of handling his beloved mistress. One of the lessons was to "read her expressions". That one, she was having now, was one like… "If you won't do as I said, find a place to hide!"
Lili smiled at Steve's obedience even though that saddened her, in the same time. She didn't want for him to fear her but to love her. Could it be, then? That in this one month that this man is working for her family, she fell in love with him?
"Sorry! I shouldn't be rude, since you're showing me such kindness…And you might be right. Maybe, I'll have a bath myself."
"Good!"
The girl gave him a brief nod and smiled. She turned away from him and towards the stairs. Sebastian didn't follow her but he motioned for some of the staff to do that for him. The two men were watching her walking gracefully as always the stairs to go to her bedroom. Soon she took the corner and disappeared from their eyesight. Steve turned to Sebastian and said scratching the back of his head… "Really now…A normal bedroom would be just fine."
Sebastian gave him a weak smile and said… "Mr. Fox, Miss Lili is a very hospitable person. For her, you two, are not pictured as members of the staff. You are more like friends to her. Even if you don't believe it, she used to be a very lonely girl and that was the reason why she is so attached to her father. But now…She is happy. I can definitely tell. Her father had said that she seemed livelier, too."
"Is that so?"
The older man nodded and motioned for Steve to follow him. He led him to a room in the same floor as Lili's, since he knew that if he was to do otherwise, she was going to kill him. He stopped outside the door and said giving him the key… "Here. Miss Lili's room is the one with the white double door, in case she wants something and I'm not around."
The blond man gave him a nod and placed the key in the keyhole. He opened the door but before walking inside he heard Sebastian saying to him…
"The bath is ready for you to use as well. The lunch will be ready soon. We'll be waiting for you at the dining room."
"Like I know where the dining room is…Whatever…I get it. I'll be there."
Sebastian bowed, something that made Steve feel completely uncomfortable, and walked away…
He made his way inside his room and closed the door behind him. His eyes widened. That…was…He didn't have words to describe it but only one thought crossed his mind…
"If that is one of the good rooms, then, imagine what Lili's like."
…
When Lili Rochefort entered her bedroom she looked around her and a smile of satisfaction appeared on her lips.
"Father, you never let me down." She thought and walked to one of the couches her room was having...
Sebastian knocked on Lili's door after leaving Steve by himself and he heard her voice allowing him to come in. He walked inside and watched as Lili was sitting down on one of the couches inside her room. She was having her legs crossed and said...
"Well? How did it go? I mean you know what I'm talking about, right?"
Sebastian nodded and said...
"I know, Miss...It was all a success. We managed to get what you wanted."
Lili smiled...
"So? What is that that "we" managed?"
"Miss, this envelope in front of you, has the photos you asked for." He said showing her the envelope...
She looked in front of her and her gaze fell on an envelope placed on the coffee table in front of her. She lowered her body and took it in her hands. She opened it carefully and took out a bunch of photographs. She started looking at them and a smile crossed her pink colored lips. She threw the pictures on the table but some of them, well almost all of them fell on the ground and Sebastian rushed to gather them. Lili relaxed her back on the sofa and laughed...
"Ahh...Hehe...Fantastic! Absolutely perfect. That friend of yours made an acceptable job, Sebastian. Be sure to award him accordingly." She said resting her head on her hand...
Sebastian stood up after gathering the photos and said...
"He's not my friend, Miss. You asked from me to hire him."
Lili frowned irritated...
"Whatever it is."
Sebastian watched his mistress' satisfactory smile and said...
"But even though, you didn't like the idea of travelling here, Miss. You seem to be rather excited."
Lili was playing with her hair and after hearing these words of his, she raised an eyebrow and looked at him...
"You think? Truth to be told when I learned that father bought this house here in this town I believed it was pretty useless, since I found that move of his just a waste of money. It's not like he bought a house in Hawaii or in the Bahamas. We're just in a commoners' town. I still wonder why he only allowed me to come to this place if I wanted vacation...But at least, I…. "
For a moment she stopped what she was saying and Sebastian looked strangely at her...
"Miss?" he asked to gain her attention...
Lili's annoyed expression disappeared from her face and she smiled. Sebastian was clueless as to what this smile meant...
"What I wanted to say was that since father made me to come here, I guess that I should at least entertain a little myself."
Sebastian realized what she meant and what this kind of entertainment was. It was something that had to do with the photographs Lili asked from him to find. However, he decided to not continue with that kind of discussion and said...
"It's relieving that you found something to occupy yourself with already, Miss. Your father will be at ease after learning this."
Her eyes widened. She stood up suddenly from the couch and said kind of scared...
"Was father worried for me?"
Sebastian smiled and nodded. He was aware that Lili and her father shared a unique relationship, especially from Lili's side. She was devoted to her father as no one else...
"As always, Miss."
Lili brought her hand to her chest and lowered her head. She smiled, thinking of her father's charming face. It was true that he was quite young for him to have a child of this age but as he said one day to his daughter, he was afraid that if he wouldn't marry her mother when he met her, someone would have taken her from him. Also, a lot of women after her mother's death, were aiming for him but Lili was always a strong opponent. It wasn't like her father didn't have any mistresses and she was fine with it as long as no one of them tried to take her mother's place...
"Oh father...I'm so grateful for giving birth to me."
A tear fell from her eye but when she noticed it she wiped it and tried to change the subject not wanting to reveal her weak side...
"By the way, are you informed as to when Hwoarang is coming?"
Sebastian fixed his glasses and said...
"Your father needed him, since he was going to appear in a party this morning, he was invited. Anyway, he will be here in the evening. He was going to have Mr. Fox with him as well but he didn't want you to be by yourself."
Lili blushed once again in the mention of Steve's name. His handsome face and tall beautiful figure appeared in her mind. After realizing that she was zoned out again, she cleared her throat and said...
"Ok...Umm...Thank you, Sebastian. I'll have my bath now and I'll come for lunch when I'm finished."
Sebastian nodded and excused himself...
…
Osaka…
Kazama Residence…
"That was so good, mom!" said Asuka as she was ready to stand up from the table…
"Asuka, thank your mother."
The girl shook her head and placed her hand around her mother's shoulder… "I prefer to give her a kiss." She said and kissed her mother on her cheek. The woman smiled and touched her hand. She was happy that her daughter cheered up and especially because she was the one, who helped her…
Asuka Kazama walked away from the kitchen but her father managed to catch up with her… "Asuka?" he called her…
She turned her body to see her father having his arms crossed and looking at her with a frown…
"What is it, dad?"
"Your mother told me of your decision and that relieved me. It was about time for you to cheer up. But now…you must come to the dojo. You know I'm right."
She nodded. She would definitely go but for now she had other things in her mind… "Don't worry, dad! I might not be able to come as usual as I did in the past but I have a reason for that. I want to work to be able to pay you back."
"Enough with that…You are my daughter, my child. I, still, want to provide for you and it's not like you ever asked anything from me. What about that then?"
"I don't know…It's a lot of money."
"See? You said it by yourself. Even if I let you go and find a part time job, it will be ages for you to pay me back."
She took her gaze away from her father's when she heard him saying those things. He was so annoyingly right! Her father wasn't taking his pressuring stare from her and she looked at the clock on the wall opposite her. It was still afternoon but not a bad time for a stroll around the city…Correction…an "Asuka Kazama Stroll" around the city. Use your imagination to find out what this means. She looked at the floor and her father took a confused face expression…
"What's wrong?" he asked her…
"Umm…I'll go outside for a walk."
"But…It's afternoon."
The girl waved her hand to her father and started walking to the hall of the house and to the entrance door. Her father was muttering different reasons for her to stay at home but she was barely listening to what he was saying. She maybe have taken decisions about how she was going to move on with her life but she still needed a way to make this "life plan" of hers work. She stood in front of the shoe rack and chose her favorite pair of snickers. She tried to wear them, supporting her body by placing her hand on the closer wall…
"Asuka, listen to me!"
"Not now, dad! Tell mom, that I won't be late." She said and opened the door to walk outside the house. The man sighed desperately and he was the one to close the door his daughter left open…
The girl heard the noise of the closing door and smiled. Good thing, she escaped from her father's ranting. She walked to the garage and saw her bike leaning at the wall. It's been such a long time. She caressed the bike's saddle and noticed the dust…Indeed, it's been a long time. She cleaned the dust from her hand by rubbing it on her T-shirt. So ladylike, huh? She was so in the mood of a wannabe stylist…NOT.
She crossed her hands and shook her head. She wanted to ride her bike but decided against it. She needed to clean it, first. She took out her cellphone and called a number…
"Mom? Didn't he tell you? I'll have a walk. Uh…Can you clean my bike for me? Oh, come on? Thank you, you're as always the best."
She dropped the call and placed the phone inside her pocket. As she was ready to walk outside the house, in front of her appeared a small white cat. She heard the familiar "meow" of her pet cat, which she called "Neko-chi". Asuka smiled and placed her hands on her thighs leaning closer to the cat…
"Neko-chi? You've grown up!"
The cat approached her further and Asuka took her in her arms… "Next to it, you, also, got fatter." She rolled her eyes and sighed. What was her mother feeding her? On the other hand, she wasn't in the position to say anything, since the cat was her own responsibility. The cute cat started rubbing affectionately her furry head on her neck making her giggle… "Neko, stop that!" she said between laughs...
At this time, she took a decision…She placed the cat more comfortably inside her arms and said… "What about you join me on that walk, huh?"
She didn't, of course, wait for any kind of response or better…reaction from the cat, which was still rubbing her head on her neck, and they walked out outside the yard of the Kazama Residence…
…
Osaka, Rochefort Mansion…
Lili stood up from the bathtub and walked out of it. Drips of water were falling on the floor from her naked body. She wrapped her hair with a towel and after that she wore her light pink bathrobe and walked out of the bathroom. She fell on her "queen sized bed" and in an instant the towel from her head unwrapped with her blond locks falling on each side of her head. She sighed...There were so many things she wanted to do here. Spend time with Steve and, of course, mess with Asuka Kazama. That was her first priority but she was willing to drop it if there was a day when Steve would ask her on a date. She closed her eyes and for a while she drifted into sleep...
...
Knock, Knock!
"Ma'am? Are you alright?"
Lili's eyes snapped open. She rubbed her eyes and answered with a loud voice at her maid's voice...
"I'm fine. I'll be there in some minutes. Can you please now leave?"
"Yes, ma'am!" said the maid and left...
Lili sighed when she heard her walking the stairs down and stayed on the bed...
"What kind of dream was that?" she thought...
She smiled and closed her eyes again for a while...
"Not that it was something bad. But it's still weird…B-But is there a chance for it to come true?…Uhh…" She said to herself...
She stood up and dressed herself. She decided to wear something casual inside the house. Well, something like Lili would think that it's casual for her standards. Then, let's leave it into your imagination...
She dried her hair and combed it. She then made her way in the dining hall. Her heartbeats started rising when she saw Steve having already his lunch. She walked there and when he noticed her, she was already there. Sebastian pulled the seat for her to sit and Steve watched her as she did. He wiped gently his mouth with a napkin and said apologetically...
"Forgive me, Lili! I would be waiting for you but I was so damn hungry."
She smiled and said dismissing him...
"You don't have to apologize. I was the one late and of course you wouldn't let yourself starve because of me."
Steve nodded...
"Thanks...but I needed to apologize anyway. You're the woman of the house, right? I shouldn't have been eating without you present here."
"I understand what you mean but, really now, you don't have to be so considerate in things that I'm involved."
Steve raised an eyebrow...
"What...do you mean with that?"
Lili tightened her grip around her fork and said nervously...
"I mean...I don't want to trouble you any further. You are already stressed from the fact that you must be on alert to protect my father and myself and you try really hard for that reason. So, do you get me now?"
Steve nodded and continued eating his food...
"But, I'm sorry, I forgot to ask you earlier...Are you enjoying the food? Is it in your tastes?" said Lili...
He lowered his glass of water and smiled at her. Lili couldn't understand why he smiled. He then touched her hand making her blush feverishly and said...
"You said before that you don't want to trouble me any further. Don't you think that this should be my line?"
"Huh? What are you saying?" said a confused Lili...
"All of that, I mean you hiring us and giving us such a nice payment and not to mention that we live in an awesome house…And on top of that, you and your father are from the kindness people I've ever met…And, of course, I believe that there's no reason to even mention the beautiful mistress, who lifts my spirits everyday…Uh…I mean you!"
Lili didn't say anything but just looked inside her plate. Steve lowered his head to get her attention but even though she noticed him, she didn't want to show him her embarrassing face, so she said...
"I think I'll go out for a while...Umm...would you like to join me?"
Steve rested his head on his hand and thought about it...
"Oh yeah sure...I have nothing else to do anyway." he said cheerfully...
However, that wasn't what Lili wanted to hear. She frowned but tried successfully to hide it and said...
"If you don't want to then, don't force yourself. You're not my butler or anything."
"There's no problem...I want to come with you, that's why I said it."
Lili took a dreamy face and an idiotic smile. She had started to realize her feelings for him, so she couldn't help it, right?
"He wants? Maybe, this staying here will be the most romantic ever in my life."
Steve was looking confused at her... "What's with the dreamy look? I guess she has a lot in mind for shopping...Poor me!"
Lili stood up and said happily at him...
"Well then, I'll go get some things I may need and I'll meet you at the entrance, ok?"
Steve nodded and watched as she excused herself with Sebastian following her behind. Lili was so happy and enthusiastic that she was walking really fast the stairs to her room, with poor Sebastian trying to catch up. You should be more considerate of your personal butler, Lili. He's of some age after all...
Lili walked inside her room and took out her new shoes, which she bought especially to match this outfit. She then proceeded to do her makeup. However, it was the first time making it by herself but Steve was waiting she didn't want to give the wrong impression. In his eyes, she wanted him to see her as a normal girl, he would date. She managed to have an acceptable result in within twenty minutes and believe it, this was a new personal record for her. She stood up from her seat in front of the toilet and asked Sebastian's help, for the first time in history, in choosing her handbag and the appropriate parasol. The sun today in Osaka would be a really bad influence on Lili's fair skin. After that they walked outside making their way in the entrance and there they found Steve, waiting impatiently resting his body on the wall. One of the servants opened the door and the two walked outside...
Sebastian had prepared for them one of the cars and Steve after thanking him walked to opened the door for Lili. She bowed and walked inside. Steve smiled and made his way to the driver's seat. He turned on the engine and before they left only a simple thought entered Lili's mind… "Oh father, I'm so thankful you decided to take Hwoarang with you!"
…
Osaka, Downtown…
Asuka Kazama having her cat in her arms was strolling around the city for an hour now…
No gangs…
No brawls…
No everything…
A sigh escaped her lips and she looked at the ground. She was so damned bored but she didn't want to go home and not to mention that this fat cat was starting to make her sneeze. She had to, at least, rest for a moment. She looked at her left and noticed a park, which was full of people. Were they having a fair or something? She thought…She smiled and made her way there. If that was the case, she would both entertain herself and grab a snack. When she arrived, she realized that, indeed, there was a fair taking place. How come her mother didn't know of this? She was always into that kind of stuff. Anyway…
She took a ham sandwich and some cola and found a quiet place inside the park to eat it. She spotted a big tree and after glancing at her cat, which was still rubbing her neck, made her way there… "What kind of fetish is this cat having? Can't I have someone normal inside my family? I had this hope upon this creature but…screw that."
She placed carefully her pet on the grassy ground and sat down beside it. She gave her cat a smile and placed the ham inside her mouth. She noticed the cat preparing herself for something…Asuka glanced at her sandwich and then back at the cat…The animal was preparing an attack but Asuka Kazama wouldn't allow herself to lose even on an animal. No way!
"Neko? That's mine not yours…You already ate, anyway."
She sighed… "Don't give me that look, ok? Mom said that she fed you and I saw your plate back at the house, so shut it, and let me eat."
Like she understood what she told her, the cat turned away from Asuka and started cleaning herself…
…
"Here's nice, I suppose." Said Lili and smiled at the handsome man beside her…
Steve wasn't expecting to hear that from her. He would be sure that she would be more the type of those "cocktail parties" or how they were called…
Well, all in all, he was expecting everything else than that. He nodded at her and she said again noticing his strange to her expression…
"Is everything alright? Are you feeling unwell?"
The man noticed the genuine concern in the girl's voice and that warmed his heart… "This is bad…" he thought…
"No…I'm ok…I was just a little taken aback."
"What do you mean?" she asked and started walking further inside…
"Well…you see…been grown up in the place you did, I imagined that you would be more of the "party" type…That's all."
Lili smiled… "I can't deny that I enjoy them, as well. Is that really bad? Is this telling you anything about my character?"
He shook negatively his head… "No…Actually, I hate that "stereotypes" thing."
"Really?"
"I can give you an example, if you want."
Lili nodded and he started saying… "You see, let's take Hwoarang, for now. In the surface, he seems as a rude guy, with no manners or completely callous but truly…He's a very kind person and considerate about other people's feelings. You maybe haven't seen this side of his…but believe me…There is."
"I see…I'm curious to see that."
Steve laughed and she said… "But I definitely prefer a place, where people gather and enjoy themselves for their own reasons. All these parties, my father was taking me with him were all about a big job someone got, about an engagement or marriage. Most of the times, I was congratulating people without knowing the reason. Who knows? I may have congratulated someone for killing a person…I hate myself even thinking of it."
The man placed his hand on his mouth to hold himself back from laughing, however, Lili noticed this… "Feel free to laugh, if you want."
He shook his head and motioned for her to continue…
"But there's this thing…even though, I'm very good at it, I may say…that I really can't stand."
"What do you mean?" he asked her…
"Those…Those fake smiles and laughs…For an unknown reason, it gives me both shivers and scares me."
Steve gave her a nod. Who didn't hate that thing? "You're completely right, Lili! Actually, who doesn't hate that?"
She gave him a giggle and he looked at her confused… "You sure are very innocent, Steven." She said and placed her hand gently on his shoulder…
The man decided to not continue the subject and when he was about to say something to her, he noticed her as she was looking persistently at something or better, as Steve noticed…someone… "Lili?"
The young girl had a playful smile on her lips but it disappeared in an instant when Steve called her… "Yes?"
"Is anything wrong?"
She shook her head negatively and turned in front of her once again… "I just spotted an acquaintance. Would you mind if I give her a greeting?"
Steve shook his head and said… "Why would I mind? Let's go, except if you want to go by yourself."
"Certainly not! I can't wait to introduce you to her."
…
"Neko?! I said sit. Sit!" she commanded but the only thing the cat did was to yawn…
Her father kept telling her that this isn't a dog and the only thing a cat does is sleeping and, definitely, eating. Asuka shook her head and said to him that she had made her "play dead" once before. The only thing the man did back there was to…leave her alone…
"No, that's not it! Do it properly, already." Said Asuka again pointing her finger at the cat, until she bit her for ruining her sleep…
"Ouch! Stupid cat…" she gritted her teeth and started licking her finger…
…
"You're not having a good relationship with animals, have you?" said a voice mockingly…
Unfortunately for her, Asuka knew who it was. That irritating bitch, again. Enough already! How many times did she want her ass kicked? Is she a masochist or what? She noticed her eyebrow twitching and that wasn't a good sign. The girl stood up and faced the blonde younger woman…
"Are you my stalker or anything? I'm thinking of taking some restrictive measures against you."
Lili crossed her arms… "Heh…Shouldn't I be doing that? You're a complete eyesore. How come others didn't pull those measures? As I remember you are quite troublesome for the people here."
Asuka shook her head, since she believed that she didn't have a good feeling about this… "I should be going."
"Wait!" said Lili and raised her hand. Asuka looked at her and saw her snobbish smile… "Allow me to introduce you my friend Steve Fox. Steven?"
The man turned to face her and said… "Yes?"
"This…umm…woman? Is called Asuka Kazama."
"K-Kazama?!" said Steve and pointed his finger at her…
Both Lili and Asuka figured that his reaction was based on the fact that she was Jin Kazama's cousin…
"You are…"
"I know, I know…That jerk's cou…"
"The hot girl that Hwoarang fought against." He said and smiled…
Asuka was left with widened eyes. It was surprising that he didn't react like that because of the reason she thought but then… "Who is Hwoarang?"
Lili was equally confused but it was another thing that irritated her more… "Who is hot?!"
"Lili, what's wrong?"
The young girl flipped her hair and looked away… "Nothing…Don't worry about it."
"She's definitely mad and I guess I know the reason…That idiot Hwoarang!" He thought. To say the truth,Hwoarang was the one, who was calling her hot and all that because he didn't want to even pronounce that surname of hers. It would be like cursing your own self. That being said, he passed the way of calling her onto Steve as well and look at what happened now…
Asuka Kazama raised her head and crossed her arms... "I would prefer to be called by my name."
"Uh…Sorry! Nice to meet you, Asuka."
"Yeah…I need to go now…" she said and turned away. Lili was too angry to stop her… "I was supposed to be looking for a job anyway." She muttered…
Lili's eyes widened, when she heard Asuka's last words and she unconsciously stopped her with her voice… "A minute there! P-Please…"
The brunette sighed and rolled her eyes. What did she do to deserve this? She turned her head once again… "Say it!"
"I noticed you saying that you're looking for a job."
Asuka nodded… "Your point?"
"What would you say, if I hire you to be my companion and if needed my bodyguard?"
"Lili?" said Steve confused. Wasn't this his job?
The Japanese girl didn't say anything… "I really need to WORK! So, stop kidding around."
A frown appeared above Lili's blue eyes… "What makes you think I'm kidding? You can ask Steven. He's my father's bodyguard but for now he accompanies me until my father arrives. I'm paying well!"
Asuka looked at the blond man, who gave her a nod. She crossed her arms. For a moment, she thought that if she had to agree she would have to tolerate her idiocy and whims but then that blonde stuck up bitch was rich enough to give her the money she wanted. She sighed not knowing what to do. Lili Rochefort took out of her bag one of her cards and gave it to Asuka, who took it confused in her hands…
"Here's my card. I'm aware of your dilemma. I will give you some time to think, ok?"
The older woman nodded being completely defeated and Lili said once again motioning for Steve to follow her… "Be sure to reply until tomorrow morning."
"HUH?!"
The other two ignored her but the blond man stopped for a moment… "By the way, Miss Kazama…"
"What?" she said angrily…
"Your cat is missing." He said pointing to the place where he last time saw the cat…
Asuka's eyes widened and turned her head behind her. The cat was nowhere to be seen. She looked around the area but still no sight of hers. Steve felt bad for the girl and for a moment he thought of offering his help until Lili stopped him. He nodded and followed her lead…
She brought her hands on her face and felt her eyes getting teary… "Neko…where the hell are you?"
…
Osaka, Airport…
A tall man walked to the airport's garage as he was supposed to. He saw his beloved bike standing between two SUVs. A grin appeared on his lips. Even between two stupid expensive cars…His "goddess" was the one, who was taking the whole attention. What could you say? Was it maybe that his name was written on the bike? He laughed to himself…It definitely was a possibility…
With a small backbag on his back, he hopped on the bike and made his way to the exit…
He smiled when the Japanese evening air hit his face…Now, it was this town's turn to welcome his greatness…
Thanks for reading!