Afterwards: The Fourth Tekken Novel

The Journey

"Lars, where did you get those sandwiches?" Jin asked when Lars opened a box of miniature egg sandwiches.
Lars took one and handed it to him, lined with a round piece of wax paper at the bottom and the sides like a taco. "You know Lieutenant Ito? From Tekken Force? Yeah, he's selling this."
"Wait... Lieutenant Ito... isn't that accountant Fumiko Ito's husband?" Jin asked, looking at the sandwich in surprise. He quickly turned back to the road when another car cut into his lane.
Lars nodded. "Yep. She has a side business. Both of them, husband and wife, actually enjoy baking together and preparing little snacks like this. I find it very cute, actually."
"I do too," Amber smiled as she reached for a sandwich as well. She took a bite and gasped. "Oh my gosh, this is so good!"
Kazuya reached for it too. "Gimme one too."
Lars handed the whole box to him, to which he frowned. He asked for one sandwich but his brother ended up giving him the whole box. Kazuya took one for himself and passed it to Jun, who eagerly helped himself and passed it to Xiaoyu who eagerly waited beside Jin.
"Is Asuka really okay with coming by herself?" Alisa asked, taking the sandwiches and passing it back to Lars. "How long would it take from Osaka to Chigasaki?"
"Around three hours," Jun said. "She left less than an hour before we did, she might arrive an hour or two after us."
"That's long," Xiaoyu can't help but say. "And Lili isn't coming?"
"No, but at least Shasha is," Amber said. "And another someone else too..." she quietly added under her breath.
Xiaoyu nudged her and shook her head. She knew about the Heihachi issue too.
"What was that last bit?" Jin asked, nibbling on his sandwich.
Jun gave Amber a warning glance before she can reply.
"The sandwich," Amber said, gesturing at her sandwich. "It's really good."
"Want another?" Lars asked, motioning towards the box he was holding.
Amber quickly nodded and reached for the box to get another helping of egg sandwiches. Jin was still oblivious to the fact that his roommate during the stay is perched in Heihachi's car at that moment.

Shasha and Steve couldn't help but feel surprised at how Hwoarang and Heihachi were having a rather lively conversation going between them.
"How?" Shasha asked Steve in a low voice.
Steve shrugged, just as confused as she was. "I'm actually not sure."
Shasha glanced at the laughing Heihachi before turning back to the blond. "What surprises me more is the fact that this guy," she pointed to Heihachi with her thumb, "is going with it."
Steve couldn't help but snort at that. "And they all thought I was the friendliest Tekken contestant."
"Come on, don't be so modest," Shasha smirked. "You serenaded him, remember?"
"Please, don't remind me," Steve groaned, turning red at the reminder. "That was so awkward. If it had been one of you, or even the Laws or whatever, it wouldn't have been so bad..."
Shasha snorted, but then her face darkened as she sighed. "Well, now I'm just wondering what would happen when we reach Chigasaki."
"Frankly, I'm just as concerned for it," Heihachi interrupted their conversation,
The two backseat riders exchanged glances. "Wait, how much have you heard, again?"
"Not much," Heihachi said. "Jun told me that... Kazuya and Jin still have no idea that... I'm coming..."
"Bro, if you're so scared, then why did you even agree in the first place?" Hwoarang snapped. Steve gave his shoulder a gentle pat. "It's not like it's bad that you're coming or anything, but you agreed to come even when you knew the circumstances and all."
Heihachi was silent at that.
"Maybe he just appreciated Auntie Jun's effort in trying to make amends," Shasha added. "I actually feel like it's really nice of her to do something like this. If it were me, I wouldn't even bother."
Steve nodded in mock agreement. "Yeah, that's main reason why you did the exact opposite when you found out who my mum was, right?"
Shasha frowned. "That's different. You didn't... you know... destroy people's lives, right?" She realised she said something that shouldn't have. "Oh, no offence, Mr Heihachi."
"None taken..." Heihachi sighed. "Why am I getting the blame for something that I didn't even do?"
"Maybe look in the mirror and you'll find out?" Hwoarang said. "I'm don't mean this in a bad way, by the way, just saying that it's because you look like the man who threw a child off a cliff."
"And that child is a grown man now, with a child of his own who is also a grown man now..." Steve added. "Yeah... that's it."
"And also because you came ready for battle when you invaded my taxi the other day," Shasha chimed in too. "Maybe it's not you, but the reason the real Heihachi created you. He wanted you to... you know... complete his Mishima Legacy or something?"
"And it doesn't help that you look and sound just like him," Steve finished.
Heihachi sighed. "Yeah, I can see where it's all coming from. But I still don't get where I fit in. My only purpose. It's gone."
"That means you don't have anything else other than... be the old Heihachi... on your to-do list?" Hwoarang sighed. "Well... you're the new Heihachi. And you're you, you're a separate person."
"Maybe you should just focus on doing what you love," Shasha added. "Maybe work on your hobbies, the ones that aren't destruction-related, and start to enjoy your life more."
Steve smiled when the signboard indicated the exit to Route 134. "And Chigasaki is the way to start."
"I'll give it a try," Heihachi shrugged.
"And maybe stay out of the other Mishimas' sight for a few days," Hwoarang added. "But don't let that disturb your holiday."

Nina and the Wilsons arrived at the resort before the rest did.
"And Steve isn't here yet," Adam remarked as he looked at the house that they would be staying in, hands on his waist. "It's a nice house, don't you think?"
"Yeah, but we'll have to share with that crackpot," Harper sighed. "But I guess he's not so bad."
"Tell that to those boys with the spiked hair," Jacob frowned.
Nina snorted. "You're making it seem like they're brothers."
Harper looked at her in surprise. "They're not?"
"Mum, Jin is Kazuya's son," Adam smirked.
"Oh, that boy looks so young, then," Harper smiled.
"I still have no idea how you have taken a liking to him," Nina smirked. "Usually, his first impressions are more to the... annoying side."
"Oh, let him be," Jacob chuckled. "Alright, let's take the bags out."
The Mishima Zaibatsu SUV drove up. Jun leaned out the window and waved at them, so did Jin from the front seat.
"Any idea where Hwo is?" Jin asked, pulling up beside them.
The four of them exchanged glances.
"I'm not sure..." Adam frowned, knowing full well where he is."
"Oh, then what about Steve?" Jin asked. "Shouldn't he be with you?"
Jun discreetly shook her head at them, an oblivious Kazuya right beside her. 
"He's umm... he's coming with Hwoarang," Nina said. "Yeah. And so is Shasha."
Jin nodded understandingly. "I see. You guys checked in yet?"
Adam held up the keys to the chalet and smirked. Jin grinned and waved at them before driving off to the chalet right beside theirs.
"And now it's gonna be harder than ever to sneak our moustached friend in," Jacob sighed. "So what do you guys have in mind?"
"Back door?" Nina shrugged. "Either that, or let him be seen and see what unfolds."
Jacob smirked. "I like the second option better."
Adam sighed, shaking his head as he went up the porch steps. "Since when do you not?"