Afterwards: The Fourth Tekken Novel

Extra Guests

Shasha stood up when Jun came up with Lars. She smiled and greeted them with a bow.
"So, Steve told me that Heihachi has arrived, and they're already off to a bad start," Shasha said. "I suppose... you finally told Lars about this?"
Lars nodded, frowning. "Yes. And it already sounds like a terrible idea."
Shasha couldn't help but nod at that. "Well, I tried telling her countless times, but she just doesn't listen. What to do?"
Lars shrugged and turned to Jun. "Oneesan, please be careful with Heihachi. He isn't a very good person."
"I know," Jun nodded grimly. "But we will just have to try." She took Shasha's arm. "Let's go. See what's going on."
Shasha nodded and held a plastic bag with the silhouette of a box in it. "I got some Indian sweets on the way here. You think it'll be good enough for Heihachi?" She handed another box to Lars. "I also brought some for you guys."
Lars took the box and stared at it. "Rasa...gulla? What's this?"
"It's basically like... paneer but soaked in rose sugar syrup," Shasha grinned. "It's really good, it's something like gulab jamun, but less sweet."
Lars nodded and smiled. "Thanks, we'll try it later."
Shasha chuckled and turned to Jun. "Let's go."
They bade goodbye to Lars and went down to the basement to get Jun's car. Soon, the two of them were driving off to Nina's mansion.
"Steve was complaining to me that Heihachi was grumbling about not having rice in the menu so he walked in with temaki," Shasha said. "Well, I don't blame him, but temaki hardly qualifies as a source of rice. Or maybe I'm just so used to eating a large plateful of rice with curry..."
"Nah, we like our rice too," Jun chuckled. "Temaki is more of a snack than anything else, unless you eat more than one."
"Heihachi brought a large box of it, apparently," Shasha chuckled. "Also, Steve made a yam volcano."
Jun looked at her in surprise. "What?"
Shasha snorted. "It's basically a yam basket, something that can be found in Malaysian Chinese cuisine. Our friend decided to spice things up a bit by shaping it into a volcano instead. Don't know how he did it, it's actually pretty hard to make. He even sent me a picture."
Jun sighed, shaking her head. "This boy... I still shudder at the thought of what might happen when they're rooming together."
"Don't worry, you're already giving him a lavish fee for it," Shasha remarked. "He was gloating about it just the other day. Rubbing it in my face..."
"Oh, you heard about that," Jun chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, he laid down that rule."
Shasha nodded. "Yeah. By the way, who is my roommate? Because at first I thought it was Xiao, but she's sharing with Amber, right?"
"You'll be sharing with Asuka," Jun said. "You don't mind that, right?"
Shasha smirked. "Nah. Asuka is fun to hang out with."
Jun smiled. "Yeah. By the way, thanks for all of this."
"For what?" Shasha asked, not sure what she was referring to.
"For helping me get this plan straight," Jun frowned slightly as she stopped at a traffic light. "Nina and gang have been a great help too, but you're the one who's been by my side the whole time I struggled with this plan. Thank you."
Shasha smiled. "You're welcome, Auntie. I'm happy to help."

When the meal was done, Nina and gang sat with Heihachi in the living room. It was silent, none of them spoke, while an old episode of Tom and Jerry played on TV.
"You still watch this kiddie stuff?" Heihachi asked, turning to Nina.
Nina frowned. "It's nostalgic. Besides, Anna and I grew up watching this masterpiece."
Heihachi scoffed. "You and every other child in this world. I never watched this junk."
"Junk?!" Nina was offended now. Adam quickly placed a hand on her back and patted her in a soothing manner. Nina calmed herself down, with much difficulty, and glared at Heihachi. "Just because the show isn't to your liking, that doesn't mean everyone else hates it, Heihachi-san."
"San? For what?" Steve blurted out, immediately earning glares. "Oh, that San. I thought she said son. Like why would she call you that when you're older?"
Heihachi frowned and turned back to the screen. It was the episode where Tom's scaredy cat cousin George came for a visit, then ends up joining forces with Tom to scare Jerry off.
"Is this a compilation or something?" Heihachi asked. "Because this is going on and on forever."
Nina got up. "I'm gonna get the champagne."
Steve got up and went after her as well, leaving the Wilsons to entertain Heihachi.
"Well, this is awkward," Adam groaned to himself. He turned to Heihachi. "So uh... what's your favourite food?"
Heihachi scowled and turned away, but still answered. "It's curry rice and miso udon. I like sushi and sake too."
Adam nodded. "Oh. Nice. Mine's... Western food, mainly fish and chips and... fruit cake."
"That fruit cake... it was pretty good," Heihachi said, much to Harper's surprise.
"Why, thank you," Harper smiled. "How about the rest?"
"The yam was pretty good as well, shaped like a volcano too," Heihachi added. "And the spiced pork was good too."
"Steve made that," Harper proudly said. "He insisted on doing it himself for you."
"After all, you will be rooming with him in Chigasaki," Jacob added. "Took him a lot to agree with that."
Harper grimaced as she thought. 'This man... has the nerve to sit here after everything...'
Just then, the doorbell rang. Adam immediately got onto his feet and went to answer it. He immediately lit up upon seeing that it was a smiling Jun and Shasha. It still made him wonder how she can accept Heihachi after what he had done to her son when she had entrusted Jin to his care.
Well, she probably had her reasons for peace.
"Hi!" Jun greeted, stepping in with a smile. She bowed slightly when she spotted Heihachi. "Having a good time?"
Heihachi simply shrugged in response. Shasha chuckled when she spotted what's on TV.
"I brought some Rasagulla," the younger woman said as she placed a plastic bag on the coffee table. "Also, hi, Mr Heihachi."
Heihachi nodded. "So you decided to show up."
"Of course, we did," Jun grinned. "Anyway, we brought some other stuff too. Some miso soup, some Gyoza, fried rice cakes, and daifuku."
Shasha gasped at that. "Sign me up, I love daifuku. You guys can try these sweets later too, it's really good."
"Where's Nina and Steve?" Jun asked, bringing the bag with her as she looked about.
Adam pointed to the kitchen. "They're getting champagne."
Jun nodded and made a beeline for the kitchen to find them. She placed the bag down on the dining table and entered the kitchen.
"Hi!" Jun greeted as soon as she spotted the mother and son.
"Jun?" Nina turned to look in surprise. "Hey, I'm glad you came." She hugged her old friend.
Jun smiled and hugged her back. "Shasha is here too." She said. "In the living room."
Steve lit up at that info. "She's here? Oh, gosh. I'm glad she came. Heihachi has been driving me nuts!"
"What did he do?" Jun turned concerned.
Nina shrugged. "Well, besides calling the classic Tom and Jerry junk and offending me by saying it's kiddie, I'd say he was fine."
Jun gasped. "He called Tom and Jerry junk?! Alright, no more Ms Nice Kazama. Nobody insults Tom and Jerry."
Steve frowned. "Wait, so no one can insult Tom and Jerry, but it's fine that he insulted your family?"
"That's a different version of Heihachi," Jun reasoned. "Not the same thing." She grimaced, lifting her clenched fist. "If that Heihachi was still around... I will murder him with my own two hands!" She threw her fist down in a way that Kazuya usually did.
Nina smirked. "Well, I'm not surprise. I'd do the same if someone messed with my family as well."
"Yeah," Steve smirked. "Anyway, you came just in time for champagne."
"Champagne? I haven't even eaten yet," Jun sighed. "Is there any food left? Shasha was telling me about your world's famous yam volcano."
Steve nodded. "Yeah, there's some left. Shasha said she's bringing some sweet. Where's that?"
"On the coffee table," Jun said. "Let's call her to eat."
"And I want a reason to want out of there," Nina added. "Steve, you better go... engage with your new roommate."
Steve just rolled his eyes as he followed them out.