"Hnnghh...o-okay, she's upright. Let's get her to this interview once and for all!" Lili declared with great enthusiasm.
Lili and Josie had managed to prop up the unconscious Asuka, standing her up as they slung her arms over the two young women respectively. There was one slight difference with Asuka - she happened to now be donning a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses.
A bemused grin was on Josie's face as she looked at Asuka. "You really think this is going to work?" She asked Lili.
"These glasses are the only ones I have on me." Lili shrugged and soon gave a determined nod. "Sureeeeeeeeely things will be all well." She chuckled. "Now let's make haste."
"Yes ma'am!" Josie beamed a smile as the two steadily proceeded to head out of the establishment while doing their best to keep Asuka upright and 'walking'.
"You good?" Lili queried as they advanced forward.
"Mhm!" Josie affirmed. "Asuka's movement looks a little awkward though..."
"Ah, well no one is heeding us attention so it will probably be fine." Lili nodded with a smile.
"B-but..." Josie squirmed as she looked around and instead saw many of the patrons laughing at their direction.
"Well they could all be laughing about anything..." Lili gulped a little. "Anyway, all the more reason to depart."
"Right." Josie nodded as the two proceeded to exit the bar and were now back into the city streets. The city had lost much of its bustle with things being quieter as the night passed, something that Lili and Josie breathed a sigh of relief at.
"Alrighty! Ready to go?" Josie cheered.
"Let's do this!" Lili nodded but her eyes soon widened with a gasp. "Ehm...wait...I just realised I never got the location..." Lili clasped her hands on her head in sudden frustration and pulled on her hair. "Oh no, oh no, oh no! Lili, you dolt!" Lili moaned to herself.
"H-hey, don't worry..." Josie calmly spoke but was quickly interrupted.
"I've messed it up for Asuka!" Lili whined as she scurried about in a panic.
Lili's scurrying meant nobody was holding up Asuka from the right. The sudden extra weight made Josie gulp as she promptly let go and Asuka flopped down with a thud.
A squeamish Josie mumbled a little until she finally spoke in an assertive manner. "Lili, please calm down! I know where the interview will be!"
Those words immediately stopped Lili in her tracks. "You do?"
"Yes! I'm a fan of Julia! She always does these interviews at her favourite gardens. Luckily for us, it is not too far from here!" Josie affirmed.
"Oh, marvelous!" Lili clasped a hand to her mouth. "My, I sure picked the most delightful person to meet in that bar!" She gleamed a smile.
"Heheh...likewise. Thanks to you, I get a chance to meet Julia Chang!" Josie smiled back.
"Well...if we make it in time. Lead the way." Lili nodded as she then glanced down to see the sprawled Asuka, giving an awkward chuckle. "...We don't tell her about that." Lili stated with a sheepish smile.
"N-no we do not." Josie agreed as the two girls helped prop Asuka back up onto her feet.
"Away we go!" Lili declared as the three (or 2.5) proceeded on the journey with Josie guiding.
"So, you are a fan of this Julia, hmm?" Lili asked.
"Oh yeah!" Josie pumped her fist. "Not only is she into protecting the earth, she's also a rock-solid fighter! She's one of the reasons I'm gonna give the Iron Fist tournament a shot!"
"Iron Fist. It seems the tournament is something that connects us all." Lili gave a pleasant smile.
"Mhm! I look forward to seeing you there! Asuka too!" Josie cheered.
"I don't look forward to seeing you." Lili shook her head. "It would be such a shame to have to defeat you." She chuckled.
Josie returned a friendly scowl. "Yeah yeah...I do doubt myself a lot and am spooked easily...but I am gonna give it my best shot! I just hope there's nothing crazy like a bear or anything...I gotta impress the Tekken Force." A determined Josie stated.
"Ahah, I think a bear is the least of your worries." Lili giggled. "But I wish you the best of luck."
"You too." Josie's smile was wide. "Who knew a fighting tournament could bring people close together?"
"Yeah..." Lili agreed as she gazed at Asuka for a moment.
"Err...question." Josie tapped her cheek. "You solved the whole closed-eyes situation and all but uh...how's she gonna talk?" Josie chuckled.
"It is quite the predicament...but we'll think of something." Lili gave a slight shrug.
At that moment, a young teen girl walking past the trio stopped just short of the three. "O.M.G!"
"May we help you?" Lili queried as she tilted her head.
"It's actually Asuka Kazama! No way! You were sooo great in the tournament!" The teen gushed. "Could I get your autograph?"
"Ahah..." Lili and Josie exchanged a glance at each other as Lili cleared her throat with a gulp. "Well y'see, Asuka's not really in the mood for autographs right now..." Lili ever-so-stealthily nodded Asuka's head from behind.
The teen's joy deflated like a popped balloon. "Bummer...okay then...did ya just come from a party or something? Only reason I could see you wearing those stupid glasses, hahaha!"
Lili had quite the irked face as she moved Asuka's arm and gave it a sharp flick, trying to imitate a 'go away' gesture.
"Wooooooooow. I see how it is." The teen grumbled. "Consider me no longer a fan! Jun was way cooler anyway..." She mumbled as she walked off.
Lili and Josie looked at each other for a moment. "Let's not mention this to Asuka either." They quickly nodded in agreement.
"You can see how things can go awry with Asuka's lack of talking..." Josie scratched her neck.
"We'll claim she's ill or something." Lili shrugged. "We don't have time to back out now."
"Okay! I'll back you all the way!" Josie affirmed. "We're almost there."
"Thank heavens it's late out and there's not much people about...One is enough." Lili sighed. "N-nothing's wrong with those glasses..." She murmured as they traveled the last few meters and the breathtaking garden was soon in their sight.
"Welp...there it is. Hopefully this all goes well...What a journey." Josie mused.
"It has to." Lili stated. "For Asuka." She nodded as they made their way into the gardens, lampposts illuminating the path forward until they spotted a woman in a plaid-patterned coat hoisting a large tablet as well as a microphone. She donned a shirt with a "Reforestation" logo, and the duo knew without a doubt this was the Julia Chang they were seeking.
"Well well...you've certainly kept me waiting." Julia mumbled. "Fashionably late, is it?" She raised an eyebrow at Asuka's heart-shaped glasses.
"Uhh...she's sorry she's late...there were just some complications." Lili expressed with a smile.
"Sorry, who are you two?" Julia asked.
Josie waved her hand high and nearly let go of Asuka as she wanted to rush forward to her idol, but managed to contain herself and stay put. "Josie Rizal! I'm such a big fan of your work! So honoured to meet you!" She gushed with great cheers.
"I'm Lili. I'm a...I'm a friend of Asuka's." Lili declared with a soft nod.
"I am flattered, thank you." Julia chuckled. "But this is an interview between Asuka and I...You did not tell me you were bringing your friends along." Julia tapped her foot as she crossed her arms with a frown towards Asuka.
Lili and Josie looked at each other and instinctively made Asuka's arms give a shrugging motion. Eventually, Lili spoke. "Oh, well uh, we have to be here...because Asuka has an unexpected sore throat!"
"Oh, is that so?" Julia tilted her head.
"Yeah...it's really bad..." Lili pouted as Josie made Asuka give a nod. "She's practically lost her voice! So...she's brought us along to communicate effectively." Lili smiled.
"I see..." Julia frowned before giving a smile. "Nice thinking, Asuka. I guess we can salvage this interview after all." Julia gave a thumbs-up as she tapped a button on her tablet. "Stream is live! You ready?" Julia gave a thumbs-up.
"YES!" Josie shouted with immense glee, followed by Lili with lesser enthusiasm and expectedly no enthusiasm coming from Asuka. Just a nod.
"Thank you all for joining me today! Woo! Record numbers!" Julia waved with a cheer. "No doubt due to tonight's special guest...or guests...We have the Kansai Peacemaker herself, Asuka Kazama!" Julia pointed the camera at Asuka as Lili and Josie made her give some rather sloppy waves.
"Unfortunately Asuka has lost her voice, so she will be joined by her friends." Julia stated before snapping her fingers. "Enough prattle, let's get straight into this exclusive only fans interview!"
"Excuse me?" Lili raised her eyebrow. "What did you say?"
"Did I say something wrong?" Julia pondered. "Just getting this interview started. One which only my fans are able to watch."
"Oh...I heard something else..." Lili chuckled with a blush. "Carry on."
"So, Asuka...You ought to have some explanation for the glasses here." Julia gave a polite chuckle.
First question and both Lili and Josie were absolutely stumped on what to say. This interview was sure going to go well...
Lili eventually flicked Asuka's wrist in some sort of 'whatever' gesture. "She just felt like it." Lili stated as Josie chimed in. "Yeah! She's all about peace!"
"Ahah...well we understand that you're the 'cool chick' in the Iron Fist tournament...but these glasses are a bit much." Julia gave a giggle. "I hope you're taking this seriously."
"Oh she is." Josie nodded. "It's been a big dream of mine to be here! ...And hers too, of course." Josie chuckled.
"Excellent." Julia smiled. "Oh man, I've been hanging out with Lee too often." She mumbled to her audience as she turned back to the group. "Anyway! Tell us about life as the Kansai Peacemaker."
"Uh..." Lili put her head close to Asuka to pretend she was listening to some whispers. "Yeah, she says it's going well. She loves putting the beatdown on all the delinquents." Lili stated.
"Ahah...but some would say that's not very 'peacemaker' of you, perhaps?" Julia tilted her head.
"She's a fighter at heart." Lili stated. "That's why she's in all the Iron Fist tournaments. She fights for justice." Lili gave a smile. "We're all fighters within. But Asuka makes sure to fight for what's right."
"I guess you can't argue with that." Julia nodded with a smile. "Your showing in the fifth tournament was quite impressive. My audience loves the way you effortlessly took down one Emilie Rochefort." Julia said as Lili's eyebrow twitched in irritation.
"Mmm...what's that?" Lili muttered as she put her ear near Asuka. "Oh it was not an effortless battle?" Lili turned to Julia with a smirk. "Asuka says it was one of the hardest brawls of her career. Oh, she's also saying she got lucky with the victory."
"Ah. Interesting." Julia scanned her live chat. "Apparently you bare a striking resemblance to her opponent, Lili." Julia shrugged. "Anyway, glad you had the time to come and talk with me, Asuka. It's fun to know the inside scoop about these things!"
Lili and Josie gave polite nods and smiles. Asuka, on the other hand, picked one of the worst times to start snoring loudly.
"Uh..." Julia gave an awkward chuckle. "Well then."
Lili and Josie looked at each other, horrified. Lili quickly gave a sharp pat on Asuka's back which stopped the snoring for the time being. "S-sorry, she's a bit tired this late out...you know..." Lili chuckled.
"I see." Julia frowned a little but kept a smile. "Won't make this too long then. Speaking of the inside scoop...I have heard some spicy information from one Ran Hibiki of Taiyo High School, that she attended your very own dojo...and happened to knock you out with one kick." Julia placed a finger on her chin in thought. "She alleges your dojo to be a fraud. Any comment on that?"
"Well." Lili scoffed. "Asuka says that she was the one that taught silly Hibiki how to kick like that in the first place. She just got distracted." Lili leaned her head towards Asuka. "And she says if Hibiki really thinks she's a fraud, she should put her money where her mouth is and sign up for the next Iron Fist tournament! Then I'm going to kick her butt! Well, Asuka will." Lili fumed.
"Okay okay, settle...That's not very peaceful of you." Julia chuckled.
Lili gave a sigh. "Sorry. Uh, I mean, she apologises. She is just upset that people don't want to give her dojo a chance. Nevermind those foolish ratings. Besides, the place has had a major glow-up and she is sure everyone will love it!" Lili cheered.
"You heard it live, people! Go give the Traditional Kazama-style Martial Arts Dojo a try! And be sure to thank her if you see her in the street doing her peacemaker duties." Julia smiled.
Lili as well as Josie gave pleasant and wide smiles. The interview seemed to be concluding perfectly.
"I won't hold you up, Asuka. I guess the last question to end us off would be, what are your upcoming plans?" Julia asked.
"Well, Asuka has heard the news about this mysterious Pandora's box that can grant any wish...She wishes to check it out." Lili once again leaned in towards Asuka, only for Lili's stomach to sink in horror as she clearly heard a loud groan pierce her ears.
"Ugggghhhh..." Asuka slowly moved her head around as her eyes fluttered open to be greeted by a bunch of dark-tinted figures. "W-what in the-"
Josie quickly put a hand over Asuka's mouth with a nervous giggle. "Oh boy, she sure is tired...Ehmmm maybe w-we better just go now-"
"Mmmmmngghhhh!" Asuka grunted before nearly twisting Josie's arm, making Josie pull her hand back with a loud yelp. "What the hell?" Asuka glared.
"That's the question I'm now asking." Julia stroked her chin. "All of a sudden you can speak, Asuka?"
"What are you talking about? W-wait...Julia?" Asuka blurted with a gasp. "Oh man! Our interview...I'm so sorry, I was at the bar and then..." Asuka drew a blank.
"Okay, I must confess." Lili looked down with a frown. "Asuka had been knocked out this whole time."
"This is starting to make a lot of sense. No wonder she looked so odd." Julia mused.
"Hey!" Asuka whined. "Wait what? D-did I miss the interview? Oh my gosh, Lili! I hate you!" Asuka glared. "And who's this?" She eyed Josie with a scowl.
"Eep...uh...I-I'm Josie Ri-" Josie raised a hand.
"Shut it." Asuka snapped. "And what's with these stupid sunglasses!?" She tossed the sunglasses away in annoyance.
Lili was slightly miffed at her glasses being tossed but could not blame Asuka for her reaction. "Hold on, Asuka...Josie and I found out about your interview. You weren't gonna wake up, and I did not want you to miss out on your interview...so we carried you all the way here." Lili explained.
"Grrrrr..." Asuka was still annoyed but a little less so after Lili's words began to sink in. "Sticking dumb kiddie glasses onto me? Reeeal funny..." Asuka chided.
"It was the only pair I had! And why does everyone think they're so tacky? I think they're cute!" Lili crossed her arms with a huff. "I just wanted to make you look good for the interview...I did not make you say anything foolish, do not worry." Lili affirmed.
"Better not have..." Asuka pouted. "This wouldn't have been a problem if ya didn't keep getting me knocked out!"
"Hey!" Lili rolled her eyes. "I admit I may be at fault for eh...a few...instances...but you decided to try have me fight Feng Wei so, that's on you." Lili flipped her hair with a grump.
Asuka grumbled as the memories came back to her. She did not know what to say in retort, as deep down she knew Lili had a good point. "Damnit...out of all people, that bouncer had to be Feng freakin' Wei..."
Asuka eventually looked up at Lili with only a faint scowl. "Thanks for bringing me here I guess...You're...not so bad after all." Asuka mumbled.
Lili chuckled. "Josie was a big fan so I kind of had to you knoooow..." She twisted her hair.
"Whatever." Asuka chuckled then worried as she looked back at Julia. "H-hey! I hope you're not mad at me or anything..."
"Yeah...Apologies for deceiving you." Lili nodded. "I just could not let her miss out."
Julia looked on and eventually cracked a large and jovial smile. "What an absolute one-of-a-kind situation this was! Of course I'm not mad or anything. You ought to be the best guests we've had on here! And Lili only spoke wonders about you and your peacemaking efforts." She cheered as Asuka looked amazed.
"Really?" Asuka gave an elated smile toward Lili. "...T-thank you."
"I'm still in my prime y'kno! Not much older than you lot. I can take all kinds of jokes and curveballs." Julia laughed.
"Delightful!" Lili cheered as she clapped her hands. "I am most glad at this turn of events, for when we spoke on the phone, you sounded like a complete...er...how do they say...asshole." Lili smiled.
Julia's jolly demeanor immediately disappeared. "What did you say?"
"Lili! S-shush!" Asuka gasped in aghast.
"Maybe I said the wrong term...hmm..." Lili tapped her cheek. "Like...jackass? Asuka, what is the term for extremely unpleasant again?"
Julia was certainly fuming now. Asuka waved her hands as she quickly walked over to Julia. "Just pretend Lili's not here, okay." Asuka nervously chuckled.
Lili raised her hand with a smile. "Oh! I remember it now! Motherf-" Josie quickly covered Lili's mouth.
A now majorly ticked-off Julia cracked her knuckles. Unfortunately for Asuka, she was the one standing in front of Julia.
FWAM!
The night was coming to an end with Lili, Josie and a now calmed-down Julia staring down at the again unconscious Asuka with an awkward atmosphere in the air.
Julia slowly picked up her tablet with a sweat-drop. "...Don't forget to subscribe!" She sheepishly chuckled with a shrug.