DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gokusen or any of its characters although I really wish I did… This story was written keeping the Live Action Drama in mind…Shinkumi forever! Enjoy reading!
CHAPTER ONE"I wanted to ask you, um, whether, um, will you marry me?" asked Shinohara-san.
"Yes," answered Kumiko.
"Oh, that's nice. So, well…"
"Let's kiss," suggested Kumiko and came forward.
"Ojou! Ojou!" came Tetsu's voice from somewhere, "Wake up, Ojou"
"Huh?" said Kumiko rubbing her eyes, "It's still quite early. Let me go back to sleep"
"You were the one who told us to wake you up an hour early, Ojou," said Minoru ruefully.
"I guess I did," muttered Kumiko and got out of bed, "Isn't it a lovely day today?"
"Well, it looks just like yesterday," said Tetsu with a dumb expression.
"Just look at the sky, it's so clear and the birds are chirping so happily. The trees are shaking with joy because of the lovely, cool breeze. The flowers are in full bloom. Isn't that beautiful?"
"Yes, but the weather's been like that for quite sometime now"
"Has it? Maybe I just didn't notice"
"Ojou…" said Minoru slowly, "Are you alright?"
"Of course, I'm alright. It's just that I'm feeling really happy today"
"Is it because of the dream you were having?"
"Oh, no," blushed Kumiko, "Nothing like that," saying this she went to wish her parents' photographs a good morning.
Kumiko rushed down and joined her grandfather for prayers. After prayers, she sat down for breakfast.
"Ah, Kumiko," said Kuroda Ryuichiro, the head of the Oedo group, "You're up early today, I see"
"Well, I've been getting to school pretty late these days so just thought it would be nice to leave a little early"
"Well thought"
After her breakfast, Kumiko got up to leave.
"Ojou, aren't you leaving a little early?" said Tetsu and Minoru coming up to her.
"I know," replied Kumiko, "I just had something else to do," she said and smiled enigmatically.
Tetsu had handed her lunch and this day was going to be as normal as ever…
Or maybe notWhatever the future had in store for her was not her concern for now. She headed towards one of her favorite spots. It was a riverbank that was not very far away from the school. She didn't go there very often but once in a while, when she liked her privacy, that place was a good option.
She walked to the river slowly and sat down near its banks. The water was crystal clear and she could see her reflection in there. Tetsu and Minoru were right. She did look happier than usual. It definitely had something to do with her dream. After all, Shinohara-san proposed to her…something, which seemed little likely to happen in real life. As she kept smiling to herself, there came a voice from behind-
"Yankumi, what are you doing up here so early?"
"Sawada!" said Kumiko looking startled, "How come you're here?"
"I asked you that first…" he said slyly and sat next to her.
"I, well, just wanted to be alone for a while…"
"Hmmm, I see"
"Now, you tell me," said Kumiko, "What are you doing here?"
"I just thought I'd drop by," replied Shin.
"Drop by?" said Kumiko raising her eyebrows, "Sounds strange but anyway…"
"Hey, Yankumi," he said looking straight into her eyes, "You look happier than usual"
"Is it that obvious?" said Kumiko turning red little because of her happiness being discovered and more because of the look that Shin just gave her.
"Yeah, well, you're glowing"
"It's nothing, just the weather…"
"I see," said Shin looking suspicious, "You can tell me things, you know. I'm not a little kid"
"I know you're not," said Kumiko playfully ruffling his hair and smiling, "But I don't wanna talk about it"
"Why? Is it about that Shinohara?" asked Shin apprehensively.
"No, no, it's nothing like that," said Kumiko blushing.
"If it's not about him, then why are you blushing?" he continued in the same tone.
"Why are you sounding so angry if I dreamt about Shinohara-san," asked Kumiko, "Could it possibly be that…"
"No"
"I'm saying that…"
"No"
"Ok, let's not talk about it…"
"Good idea"
"Sawada, don't you think, we've become quite friendly?"
"Don't bug me," said Shin getting up. This is what he had always liked about Yankumi. She could talk about uncomfortable things in a very easy manner. That was something he had never quite managed to learn from her. He got up and walked towards the school only to be followed by Yankumi.
"Ohayo," said Kumiko as she entered the class.
"Ohayo, Yankumi," chorused the entire class.
"Wow! The entire class wished me a good morning at the same time! I knew today was a good day. Let's have a surprise Math test today…"
All of the smiles on Yankumi's class' faces vanished instantly.
"Yankumi and her crazy ideas," laughed Kuma, Noda, Uchi and Minami, "Don't you think so, Shin?"
"Huh?" said Shin, "Yeah, well…" he said and started staring into space.
"Guys," said Minami in an undertone so that Shin wouldn't be able to hear, "Don't you think he's been acting a little funny lately? Especially when we talk about Yankumi"
"Maybe," said Kuma slowly, "He's in love with her"
"Baka!" said Uchi and all of them whacked Kuma on the head, "Stop talking such nonsense or you'll get us all killed"
"Guys," said Shin apparently unaware of all the whispering that was going on about him, "It is a lovely day today…"
"Oh, yeah," said Noda, "Beautiful day…"
Author's Notes: This is my first ever Gokusen fic…hope you guys enjoyed it! The second chapter's ready…Reviews shall be appreciated…Thanks in advance! Yours, Mr. Evil Eyes.