Afterwards: The Fourth Tekken Novel

Beauty and Bath Works

The family saw Heihachi off, happily as they did, and he got onto his bike and rode off. His mind was in a slight whirl, leaving him in a sort of a daze as he sped to his beach house. Was it a good feeling? Heihachi wasn't sure. Was it bad? He wasn't sure about that either.
Instead of heading straight home, Heihachi decided to go to the mall and do some shopping for his travels. After all, he still needed to pack. And he needed a few things too.
Heihachi loved his skincare.
So he set off to Grand Market Square and made a beeline for Beauty and Bath Works, holding a cup of iced tea that he got from the new Posiden Coffee outlet downstairs.
Heihachi took his time, taking body care products like cologne, lotion, after-shave, they even had strongly scented pomade. They even had travel-sized products too.
And apparently they also had Kazuya.
Heihachi frowned when he spotted his son browsing through the shop as well, mainly in the travel-sized products section. Jin was there too, and they were both having a discussion on what to buy and what not to but. It also had Heihachi wondering. Where was Lars?
And then he felt a tap on his shoulder. There was no doubt where this was going.
"You're trying to hide from me in plain sight?" Kazuya asked.
Heihachi rolled his eyes and turned to him. "I didn't know you shopped here."
"Am I not allowed?" Kazuya crossed his arms. "So I'm only allowed lava and mud on my skin, then?"
Heihachi scowled, glaring at him. "This isn't what I'm here for."
He turned back to the counter, paid, collected his things, and left. Kazuya was about to go after him, but Jin stopped him, shaking his head.
"Let him," Jin said, a hand on Kazuya's shoulder. "He didn't pick a fight, we don't have to."
Kazuya frowned and shook himself out of Jin's grip, glaring at where Heihachi went before turning to the counter. Memories of this same young Heihachi standing before him flashed before his eyes. It made his blood boil, this was the face that ruthlessly threw a five-year-old boy down a cliff just because of something that his mother did. Jin frowned and put an arm around him as he turned to the cashier. "Put them together," he said.
The cashier nodded and started scanning the things.
"Why does he have to loiter around like this?" Kazuya grumbled. "And this Jun... why did she accept those snacks?"
Jin shrugged. "Because free food?"
"But after what he did to you? To us?" Kazuya retorted. "Jin, he shouldn't be forgiven!"
"Cash or credit card?" The cashier suddenly interrupted.
"Debit card," Jin said, taking his card out.
The cashier went on to explain a long story about what a credit card was. Jin had no time for that, so he just pressed the card against the reader and sighed, shaking his head as he turned to Kazuya. The payment was done, so they took their bags and left the shop.
"And now for the snacks," Jin said. "Wanna go down to the grocery store or wanna just stop by a provision shop later?"
"Downstairs," Kazuya grumbled, almost under his breath.
Jin put an arm around Kazuya, pulling him close as he brought him towards the lift lobby. Heihachi was nowhere to be seen.
"Let's get some ice cream too," Jin added. "Look forward to the holiday, Dad. A week without Heihachi."
"A week of us not knowing what his next plans are," Kazuya bitterly said.
Jin rolled his eyes. They arrived at the lift lobby, and then Jin suddenly pulled his father to the front and started pressing his shoulders.
"Will this release the stress?" Jin asked. "Worked on Mom sometimes."
Kazuya couldn't help but smile at that. "I'm glad that we're a team now."
"Yeah, I'm glad too," Jin smiled too.

Heihachi bolted out of the shop and started calling Jun.
"Why didn't you tell me that your husband is at Grand Market Square?" Heihachi demanded.
"He's at Grand Market Square?" Jun asked, surprised. "Oh, so that's where he went. Was Jin with him?"
"Yes," Heihachi sighed. "Jun, I don't know if this vacation plan of yours would work."
"Why's that?" Jun asked, sounding concerned. There was a pause before she spoke again. "Oh, no. Did he see you?"
Heihachi stopped at the lift lobby. "You bet, he did. He approached me, looking ready for a fight. I told him I didn't come for this."
"Heihachi, there is still hope," Jun quickly said. "He just needs to see you and not as a part of the original Heihachi."
Heihachi shook his head. "I don't think this would work. I see the same Kazuya, and he sees the same Heihachi. This was the face that threw a little boy down a cliff. I don't think this would work."
"But it has to!" Jun blurted out. "Heihachi... you realise that none of us will find peace in this distance that the real Heihachi has created, right? You're here to do something that he didn't get to, and this is what it is. A reconciliation."
Heihachi closed his eyes and sighed, glancing over his shoulder for a moment. "I don't want to destroy what you have created, what you have worked for. And you have worked to create a lot. My presence here is only putting all of that in jeopardy."
"You're not wrong about that..." Jun couldn't help but agree with him. "But now you have to show him. Show Kazuya that you can be a better man with the right circumstances. Because I know that your differences from the real Heihachi is only physical."
"I don't think that's true..."
"Then prove it! Show that you're willing to fix what the original Heihachi has shattered. I know you can do that."
"But I don't think I can..."
Jun groaned on the other end. "And to think that the original Heihachi had unwavering will that refused to diminish before the Devil Gene. I'm not saying that you should be like that, I see you as a separate being."
"Which is why I don't think I can pull it off," Heihachi quietly said. "When I see him, I see him as a child, I don't think I can do that again..."
Jun frowned to herself. It seemed like not only Heihachi's physical age had been reversed, but his mentality as well.
"Just see what you can do, but tell me by the day before the trip," Jun finally said. "I'll see you soon, Heihachi."
Heihachi hung up and turned to the lift, realising that he didn't even pressed the button. He smacked a finger against the down button and turned to the doors. To his dismay, he spotted Kazuya and Jin entering, the former wearing a scowl. Heihachi decided to take the stairs instead.