Afterwards: The Fourth Tekken Novel

Leaving

Heihachi dumped out the remainder of water from his humidifier and used the hotel towel to dry it. Jin was still packing his bag, trying to stuff everything in it and now had difficulty to zip up the top. Heihachi's gaze then fell on the vanity, his eyes scanning the top to see if there was anything that he forgot.
"Did you check the drawers?" Heihachi asked as he placed the humidifier back in its box.
Jin nodded. "Yes. They're all empty. Not that we put anything in them in the first place anyway."
Heihachi nodded and stuffed the humidifier into his large bag. "Great."
Jin got up and slung his bag onto his shoulder. "I'm done."
"Wait, I'm not," Heihachi said, readjusting his things a little so that his luggage would close properly. He grunted and placed the luggage onto the ground. "Alright, now I'm done."
Jin nodded and followed him out of the room. The rest were already there, and Kazuya was holding a rather large bag. It was evident that he sensed the rest, especially Jin, starring at it.
"What, the two of us are sharing one bag, okay?" Kazuya justified, point at his wife and then at himself. "Look at that guy, his bag is bigger than both of ours combined!"
Heihachi sighed, seeing how it was true. It didn't help that it looked like it was close to bursting a seam too. "Fine, I did overpack."
"Hah, why don't you guys jump on that instead?" Kazuya complained. "Always have your eyes on me."
Jin couldn't help but snort as he turned to Heihachi. "So, you'll be following us in your car?"
"Yeah," Heihachi nodded. "I think it's the same arrangement, right? Those three will still be coming with me."
Jin realised that that arrangement was crucial to their plan and nodded vigorously. "Yes. Hwoarang, Steve, and Shasha will be riding with you, just like how when you arrived here."
"Alright," Heihachi wheeled his bag away. "I'm gonna go load up the car."
When he left the chalet, he spotted Shasha walking over from Lee's chalet while Steve and Hwoarang were already leaning against the Mercedes-Benz. The two men straightened themselves when Heihachi came up and stepped away from the car.
"Mind if you open the boot?" Steve asked.
"Yeah," Heihachi nodded as he unlocked the boot.
Shasha caught up and placed her bag in the boot as well. "Do we have snacks this time?"
Hwoarang frowned. "No, not this time."
"Oh," Shasha pursed her lips. "Wanna make a stop at a provision shop?"
Hwoarang nodded. "Sure, that sounds good."
"And maybe this time, I can get the stuff instead," Steve added. He stuffed his bag into the boot and turned to Heihachi. "What do you think? Wanna make a stop?"
Heihachi shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
The rest of the Mishima family stepped out, waving at the four of them with smiles on their faces before walking over to their Chevrolet Suburban. Jin and Xiaoyu stopped while the rest left, the latter looking very happy as she practically clung onto her boyfriend's arm.
"Remember our plan tonight," Kazuya said as he walked past them.
Jin snorted, shaking his head. "And remember our other plan."
Heihachi nodded, smirking. "That, we will start next week."
"Noted," Jin nodded curtly. He gave Hwoarang a pat on the back and Steve a squeeze on the shoulder. "Try not to lose us on the Highway."
"So long as you don't speed ahead," Heihachi added.
Xiaoyu chuckled. "We're thinking of making a stop for some iced drinks at Kixue."
"Oh, Kixue?" Shasha excitedly repeated the name of the place. "I love their lemonade. But I have always wanted to try their matcha boba."
Heihachi shook his head, closing the boot. "Don't bother. It's too bitter."
Hwoarang frowned. "I thought you said it was really good?"
"With the vanilla," Heihachi added. "But on its own, it was kinda bitter. They use the lower grade, probably food grade, and not ceremonial."
"It wasn't actually that bad, I kinda liked it," Jin added. "Not too sweet."
Xiaoyu nodded in agreement as well. "I tried their matcha boba too and it was pretty good."
Shasha considered the comments and nodded slowly. "I think I'll try the matcha boba. Ice cream in a car sounds messy." She turned to the rest. "What do you've guys think? Wanna stop at Kixue?"
"I don't mind that," Steve said.
"Neither do I," Hwoarang added. "Gotta get me some iced tea."
"Heihachi?" Jin asked.
Heihachi nodded. "Well, maybe I'll get something as well."
They all got into their cars, Lee's Tesla close behind, and drove out of the resort after checking out.

It wasn't as exciting driving down Route 134 to go back to Tokyo as it was to drive to Chigasaki. But at least it felt lighter, though their vehicles were only heavier with extra baggage from shopping.
Jun looked out the window and sipped her Peachy Jasmine tea, then turned to her husband. He was long done with his Grape Fruity tea, his cup empty as it sat in the cup holder, and was now staring at his phone.
"So, you guys are really carrying out your plan at La Poisson tonight," Jun snorted as she placed her cup down beside his empty cup.
Kazuya placed his phone down and turned to look at her with a smirk. "Well, of course I am. That Ichiya weirdo needs to be messed with."
Amber smirked. "Can I come watch? Sounds fun."
"Maybe you can sit not far off," Kazuya said. "But I want him to see just us three so that he gets more confused."
Jun turned to glance out the back windscreen and chuckled when she spotted Heihachi's SUV driving at their heels. She readjusted herself and lifted her drink to take a sip again. "Yeah, I kinda wanna see that nosy bartender's reaction too."
"He deserves that," Amber added.
"Am I coming?" Xiaoyu asked.
"Sure, why not?" Jun shrugged. She reached over and gave her son a smack. "You didn't tell her to come?"
Jin sulkily rubbed his arm. "I didn't think of that."
Asuka sighed, shaking her head. "You not only jeopardise your relationship, but tried to do the same for mine."
"That wasn't cool, Jin," Lars added.
"Hey, I stepped off, okay?" Jin scowled.
"Only after we told you," Kazuya added. "Still, like Lars said, not cool."
Jun chuckled. "Funniest part is, even Asuka's fatter doesn't mind her being with Hwoarang."
Asuka nodded in agreement. "In fact, he encourages it."
"That's even funnier," Lars snorted. He turned to Jin. "I'm just glad that you gave them a chance at some point."
"Well, I was forced," Jin grumbled before continuing to slurp his milk tea.
"Cheer up," Kazuya clapped his back. "Think of what we're doing tonight."
"But I don't even know what this Ichiya looks like," Jin added.
"You will know tonight," Kazuya added.