Afterwards: The Fourth Tekken Novel

As Guests

Apparently, the dress code for lunch was formal, just how Kazuya was expecting it to be.
"So... we're actually going for this?" Jin asked, sounding so bored. "But it's SUNDAY." He groaned. "I had plans for today and it's all gonna go down the toilet."
Jun smirked. "Mind explaining what these grand plans of yours are?"
Jin shrugged. "There's this new book that I started."
"Wait, since when do you read stuff again?" Lars asked, sounding surprised at this revelation.
"He always did during high school, but I rarely see Jin reading now," Jun shrugged. "What brought it back?"
Kazuya sighed. "The Two-Pointy had something to do with it."
Jin looked at him in surprise, then burst into laughter. "Two-Pointy!" He laughed again. "Oh yeah, it was him. He was reading this really interesting book called The Master Key by some lady writer."
Kazuya gasped. "Is it Masako Togawa?"
"Yeah," Jin nodded, surprised that his father recognised the author. "Heard of her?"
"Heard of her? Jin, that book's a classic!" Kazuya frowned slightly. "But now I'm wondering... he read that book?"
"Wait, it's a classic?" Jin didn't sound as shocked as his father did.
"Yep," Jun nodded. "It's an old book, released back in the fifties, I think. But yeah, it's a really good book. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it."
"Oh..." Jin nodded slowly. "Well, I just got it. Rather..." he snorted. "Two-Pointy got it for me."
"Nice nickname," Lars chuckled. "Should we say it to his face? Or is this a behind name?"
Kazuya shrugged. "Up to you." He turned to Jin. "You can read that book later, can't you?"
Jin frowned. "Yeah, but I have work tomorrow. I was hoping that I could finish the book today since it's not that thick. Also because of your high opinion towards it."
"Just bring it with you," Jun urged. "Flourish it around, maybe read it when things get boring."
Kazuya was more surprised at the fact that Heihachi actually read that book. He remember reading it back in his days in high school, he borrowed it from the library, and had to get a copy for himself after he was done with it. That reminded him. Whatever happened to his copy? Was it still with Heihachi? Or did it blow up with the Mishima Manor? Then again, Kazuya remember bringing it out with him, maybe it was sandwiched somewhere in his office in G Corp.
"Can I see your copy of this book?" Kazuya asked, holding his hand out.
To his surprise, Jin pulled the book out from somewhere under the couch he was sitting on. The book was pristine and creaseless, though. Instantly, Kazuya knew that it wasn't the same book that he had. It had a much different-looking cover than the one he had back in the '80s. He grabbed the book from Jin's hand and flipped through the pages. The font was different, more spaced out, but it was the same book.
"If you're not gonna read this, I will," Kazuya said, making as if he was leaving with the book.
Jin groaned. "Come on. How good is this book?"
"It's very good," Jun nodded in agreement. "Give it to me after you're done, Kazuya."
Kazuya sighed and handed the book back to Jin. "Let Fringey read it first."
"Aww..." Lars chuckled. "Alright, I'm gonna get ready."
Kazuya looked at him in surprise. "Lars, it's only ten o'clock."
"What time does he want us in?" Lars asked.
"At one!" Kazuya sighed. "Wow, someone must be really excited."
"Excited to call him Two-Pointy," Lars grinned. "I wanna see what happens."
Kazuya shrugged. "Go right ahead, I'm sure he wouldn't even call. Lee and I had been calling him Old Fart for literal decades, but has that bothered him?"
"Yeah, but this is a different Heihachi, remember?" Amber shrugged, finally entering the chat after laughing about the new nickname. "He's not the same, as he says."
Jun sighed. "The three of you..."
"I'm glad you didn't involve me in this," Jin snorted. "As I said, all I wanted to do is bring a book with me."
"Which is good, and I support it," Jun added. "Alright, I'm gonna make some muffins to bring along."
Kazuya groaned. "Come on, how come we don't get muffins?"
Jun smirked as she poked at his nose before walking past him. "I'm making a batch for us as well."
"Yummy," Jin chuckled, getting up. "I'm gonna start on my book."
"I'll help with the muffins," Kazuya said as he followed Jun to the kitchen.
Jin stopped short and slowly turned around, then proceeded to go after his parents. Somehow, watching them bake together seemed better than a quiet reading session.
Lars chuckled and turned to Amber. "What about you? Any plans?"
Amber shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe we should get some drinks since they're planning muffins."
"The drinks better not be sake," Lars snorted.
"Nah, I was thinking root beer or something," Amber grinned. "It's kinda hot for a spring day, don't you think?"
"Sure," Lars shrugged. "And maybe we can get some ice cream too."
"And maybe some other groceries that we're missing," Amber said, going over to the kitchen.
Lars groaned at the thought of shopping for groceries. "Come on... groceries?"
Amber smirked. "Ah, so I'll be going alone then. But that's okay, I am always alone anyway."
"Fine," Lars sighed. "I'll come with you."
"Great," Amber smirked. "Finally someone agreed to come with."

Heihachi smiled as he looked at all the food beautifully set up on the dining table. Kiara stood nearby, making sure that everything was in order, instructing the servants to hurry up since the guests were nearing.
"All that's left is the music," Heihachi grinned. "Kiara, my playlist?"
Kiara nodded and rushed to the screen that was connected to the sound system. A few seconds later, soft traditional Japanese music started playing.
"There," Heihachi smirked and left the room, taking his phone to see if they were any updates from his guests. "Where could they be?"
Just then, he spotted a black SUV with Jin's crest printed all around it, together with the Mishima Zaibatsu's logo, stop in his driveway. Heihachi immediately commanded his gates to be opened with the press of a button. He stood in front of his home and motioned for them to drive into the estate. They could barely see him from the distance, but they still drove right in and parked in front of the abode.
Heihachi smiled as he went towards them, dressed in a very formal silk kimono with a haori, haori-hime, pleated hakama, and geta sandals. Kazuya was the first to come out of the car, dressed in a white leather suit with a fancy tailcoat and a purple shirt underneath. Jun got out as well and clasped onto her husband's arm with a smile, wearing a flouncy white blouse with a scarf and black slacks.
Even Jin and Lars were dressed up nicely, the former even wearing a pair of sunglasses for good measure. Jin was wearing a simple buttoned black shirt with a white coat while Lars was dressed in all white, a tailcoat and slacks. Amber stepped out last, wearing a pleated black top and a pair of white bell bottoms, her outfit styled with a gold necklace.
"You all look great," Heihachi smiled.
Kazuya smiled slightly. "Yeah, so do you. New kimono?"
Heihachi laughed, pulling at the ends of his Haori. "You said it. Also, come right in."
They followed Heihachi into the house and Kazuya immediately parted with Jun.
"I need to use the toilet," Kazuya said, gently unlinking his arm with Jun's. "Somehow managed to lose the way more than once."
"You didn't know the way?" Heihachi asked, confused. "But you've been here before, right?"
Kazuya sighed. "It's been more than thirty years since I came here, and even that was with the Old Fart, forced. I never drove here."
Heihachi nodded. "Right, right. Know your way around?"
Kazuya nodded and entered the passage that led to the dining hall.
"Yeah, he knows his way around," Heihachi chuckled.
Lars looked around. "This is quite the nice place you've got here. Your interior designer was good."
"Yeah, I decided to keep it vintage," Heihachi shrugged. "I didn't change anything from before."
Jin pointed at the humidifier resting on an end table in the corner. "You didn't buy the one I sent?"
"I did, but it hasn't arrived yet," Heihachi shrugged. "Why don't you guys have a seat first? You've been standing around since you walked in."