Afterwards: The Fourth Tekken Novel

Comin' Over

The Mishimas decided to invite Heihachi over for some tea right when they returned home. Their baggage stood in a heap in the living room while Jun busily started putting everything back in order, like cleaning the humidifier and refilling it and lighting incense to make the house smell nice.
"This is a nice place you got here," Heihachi said. "Very comely."
"Unlike your drab house," Amber chimed in.
Heihachi frowned. "That's so mean..."
Jun frowned thoughtfully. "Well, she's not exactly wrong... your house is a little... boring."
"It's nice on the outside though," Amber piped up. "Just not as good on the inside."
"Because you have a nice garden," Jun added.
"Which you probably don't even take care of yourself," Kazuya added. "You have people for that, don't you."
Heihachi sighed. "I do." He decided to change the subject. "Make sure you set up the humidity fire I got you in your bedroom," he told Kazuya.
Kazuya rolled his eyes. "Dude, it's humidifier. Say it right first and then I might consider."
Heihachi sighed. "Fine. Humidity fire."
"Humidifier," Kazuya said.
"Hu... mifire?" Heihachi tried.
"Humidifier."
"Humidity fire."
"Humidity..." Kazuya stopped himself and sighed. "Humidifier."
"Humidi... humidifier?"
Everyone started cheering for Heihachi, much to his surprise.
"Yay!" Xiaoyu clapped, grinning. "You finally got it."
"You must be very proud of yourself," Jin added, smirking.
Heihachi couldn't help but smile at that. "I got you essential oils too, don't forget to use them."
Kazuya nodded. "Alright. And don't forget our plan..." he grinned.
"I'm not sure how stupid this plan is, but it's making me a little worried," Jun said when she rejoined them. "Because you guys look so sinister." She poked her husband's waist, causing him to flinch. "Especially you."
Kazuya smirked. "Well, you're right about the sinister part, but it's nothing like that. It's a harmless trick."
"Well, I believe you," Jun shrugged. "But don't try to mess with him too bad."
"Nah, we won't," Kazuya smirked. "We just wanna see him squirm."
"Not we, you," Jin added. "I didn't even meet this guy to want to mess with him."
"Well, I did, and I wanna see this happening as well," Heihachi added. "Anyway, you guys want some... I dunno... snacks? I can have it delivered."
The rest exchanged glances.
"Oh, he doesn't know about it," Jun chuckled. "Heihachi, we don't buy snacks. We just go to the nearest lounge and get some for free."
That was news to Heihachi. "Oh. Nice setup."
Kazuya got up. "Thanks for reminding us of the snacks. I'm gonna go fetch some right now."
Lars raised his hand and got up as well. "I'm with ya."
The brothers left the penthouse and made a beeline for the lounge.
"Am I the only one who feels disturbed by all that?" Lars piped up. "Like, I'm not used to seeing him loitering about in our home."
Kazuya nodded in agreement. "Same here. But it's not as worse as seeing the Old Fart sitting in our home and making demands with that smelly gi of his, right?"
Lars grimaced. "I don't even wanna know what he did for it to end up in that state. Yuck."
"Yeah, we've seen some stuff," Kazuya shrugged. "Anyway, you wanna sit around here, have a snack or two, and only then get back?"
"Sure, I'm onboard for that," Lars smirked. "Hang out where it's less awkward."
Kazuya nodded. "Good idea."

By the time the brothers had returned, Heihachi was already getting ready to go home.
"But why?" Lars asked. "We got the snacks!"
"You guys took forever, he grew bored, and he's gonna go home to make sure everything's okay," Jun said, shaking her head. "What have you guys even been doing?"
"Probably snacking without us," Jin suggested with a shrug.
Kazuya subtly pushed a crumb off the side of his mouth but didn't say anything. Heihachi turned to him and clapped his shoulder, much to his dismay.
"That's okay, we'll meet each other tonight, carry out your ingenious plan," Heihachi smirked. "I'll see you all tonight," he looked at everyone and nodded before turning to leave.
Jun pushed her husband and son towards Heihachi. "At least see him out." She whispered.
"But why me?" Kazuya hissed. "Lars is his son too!"
Lars gave him a look of betrayal.
"Yeah, but he wasn't the oldest now, was he?" Jun countered.
"Illegitimate," Lars added, pointing at himself. "You're the only one with the Mishima name."
Kazuya groaned and stumbled slightly when Jun shoved him forward. He pulled Jin and followed Heihachi.
"Where you guys going?" Heihachi asked, confused.
"To see you off," Jin said.
Heihachi snorted. "But why? You do know that I know this building just as well, right?"
"It's still your first time coming here, and you are our guest," Jun said. She took the bag of snacks they brought in and handed them straight to him, much to Lars and Kazuya's horror. "Here, we can't leave you empty handed too, can we?"
Heihachi frowned, but took the bag with a nod. "Thank you." He bowed slightly.
Kazuya and Jin practically pushed him out of the penthouse and led him to the lift lobby to take him downstairs.
"So... this lift..." Heihachi began. "Just for your floor?"
"Just for us," Jin added. "It's a private elevator."
"Nice touch," Heihachi generously said.
Kazuya sighed, wondering how they were going to normally live with this. Having him on their holiday wasn't all that bad, but this is real life. This was his everyday life here.
And Heihachi was showing up more now, making things more awkward.
Kazuya turned to look at Heihachi, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet with his hands clasped behind him. He turned to look at Kazuya when he felt his gaze on him and smiled. Kazuya didn't know what to do but smile back before quickly turning away. Jin noticed this little interaction and snorted.
"What time do you want to go to La Poisson again?" Jin asked, nudging his father.
Heihachi shrugged and pointed at Kazuya. "What time?"
Kazuya frowned as he thought. "How about eight? Or seven-thirty?"
"Seven-thirty sounds better," Jin added.
Heihachi shrugged. "I'm okay with that."
The lift finally opened and the three of them got in. The ride was silent, with soft jazz playing in the background. Apparently, this was their definition of 'seeing him off'.
"When are you guys getting back to work again?" Heihachi asked.
"Monday," Jin said. "I'll be here, in the 70th floor. Dad goes to G Corp."
Heihachi nodded. "I heard you guys are collaborating or something. That's nice. Two powerful companies having a diplomatic relationship."
Kazuya was suspicious at that last bit. "And?"
"More good things can be done," Heihachi added. "Like all of those projects for peace and development. That was nice to read."
"You stalk us?" Jin asked, surprised.
The lift opened and the three of them stepped out.
"Why not?" Heihachi shrugged. "If I had done that sooner, I'd have come in peace."
"So you're doing that now instead," Kazuya frowned.
Heihachi shrugged. "Well, not now, more like last week and after my... arrival. Now I can just ask you."
Kazuya sighed. "You seem to have a reason for everything."
Heihachi smirked. "So do you."
Jin burst into laughter at that.
"Like you're any better," Kazuya added, smacking Jin's backside.
Heihachi couldn't help but smile at the way they were acting, heavily contrasting his memories from the older Heihachi.
They walked over to the Mercedes-Benz and watched as Heihachi unlocked it and got in. Then merrily waved him off before hurrying back to the lift lobby as if he would come back.
At least, it was Kazuya dragging Jin off as if Heihachi would make a u-turn and come straight back to them. Jin was a little annoyed by this, but he was amused nonetheless.