Disclaimer:I don't own Gokusen… But if I give you a cookie, would you let me own it…? Nah… Probably not… Hehehe… Nevertheless, I own this story! Wahaha! Fight o!
Author's notes:Hi! I'm back, you guys! Sorry for my soooo late update… I know you've been waiting and I thank you deeply for it. I finally got myself some time off after all the schoolwork… Hah! Thank the heavens! Hehehe… Thanks for all the reviews! I really appreciated all the encouragement. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
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The Only Way
by Nia Ashin
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It was another school afternoon.
Just another ordinary school afternoon.
And like any other ordinary school afternoon, the usual crowd of Sawada and his friends had their going-ins at the bowling alley. Bowling wasn't part of their plan after school, but they figured the arcade center wouldn't provide much of a thinking place for a certain redhead in their group. Shin seemed to be out of sorts for the rest of the afternoon after his and Yankumi's small argument at the rooftop. Though he didn't say anything about it, they felt that the talk the two of them had had something to do with how their friend's acting now. Add to that the fact that not even once did Shin stand up to bowl with them. He just sat there, eyes to space, a frown playing on his face. The others knew better than to ask.
Kuma had tried to open up a conversation with him, but he just answered uninterestedly. Kuma gave up on this project almost immediately. No use talking to a sleeper anyway. In turn, he tried to get the others to ask him what's wrong, but Noda, the ever knowing, pointedly refused saying that if Shin doesn't want to talk about anything, then he won't talk about anything.
"Not if Yankumi's the one who's trying to make him talk," Kuma had interjected insightfully.
At that, the others shut their mouths.
At the mention of their teacher's name, they instantly recalled the scene they witnessed earlier that afternoon between their friend and their pigtailed teacher. Something didn't feel right about how the two of them acted out earlier. Not that argument between the two was unusual. But because it was the first time that Shin sounded unexplainably frustrated and hesitant at the same time.
"Should we ask him?" Minami asked the others as he prepped to bowl.
"About?" Noda raised an eyebrow. "Yankumi?"
Minami shrugged before bowling out.
"Maybe we should just let him be," Kuma came up behind Noda. "I don't really know what to ask Shin-chan."
Noda stretched lazily.
"Maybe you're right, Kuma," he nodded to the redhead seated behind them. "He'll loosen up soon, you'll see."
But when the minutes dragged on and Shin refused to loose up and join them, the others appointed Uchi to go and see how Shin was doing.
Uchi took his seat beside the impassive Sawada and spent a few minutes trying to come up with some not-too-prying words. But it to his surprise, it was Shin who spoke first.
"Why stop bowling, Uchi?" Shin asked.
"Huh…?" Uchi was confused. "Uh… ano…"
Shin smirked at him and shifted his resting position.
"They sent you here to check on me, right?" he said directly to his blonde friend.
Uchi grinned embarrassedly.
"Can't we hide anything from you anymore?" Uchi said thoughtfully.
"I've got eyes and ears, you know," Shin said. "And no. You guys can't hide anything from me."
Uchi laughed quietly. Shin just shrugged.
"Well, now that you know why I'm here," Uchi started. "Mind telling me what's up?"
Shin stared blankly at him.
"What do you mean?" Shin asked.
"You have been acting strangely the whole day," Uchi said a matter-of-factly.
Shin leaned back on his seat and fixed his eyes on the bowling line in front of him.
"What do you want me to tell you, Uchi?" he asked.
What a lame diversion… Shin thought to himself.
Of course, he didn't want the others to know that he had been thinking of a certain pigtailed woman and the lip-action they nearly had that eventful lunchtime. He was mentally punishing himself for being to big a wimp for not going for it when she seemed to have been expecting it.
Eh…?
Expecting it?
He tried to frown at the thought. No use letting Uchi see how he wanted desperately to grin like a bobcat.
"What's with you and Yankumi earlier?" Uchi asked.
Shin shifted his gaze onto his friend.
"Yankumi?" Shin echoed.
"Ou," Uchi said. "You seemed to be upset with her for something."
Shin instantly looked away.
"She's got nothing to do with anything," Shin said.
Uchi smirked at him knowingly.
"Yeah," he said. "Go and tell another one."
Shin eyed his friend who seemed to have made himself comfortable on the seat next to him. Uchi closed his eyes and rested his head on the support behind him.
"The way the two of you are acting out earlier…" Uchi mused. "It seemed like you…"
Shin felt something hot creep up on his cheeks and he looked away.
"Seemed like what?" he asked.
"Seemed like you two have something going on," Uchi hit home run.
Shin smirked at his friend.
"What made you think like that?" Shin asked. "Do you really think that I'd get into something serious with that manly… man?"
Uchi laughed. Shin just raised an eyebrow.
"Hey," Uchi said. "You may be smart. But I can see right through you, mate. Yeah," Uchi brandished a hand at him. "Right through your clothes and body."
"What do you mean…?" Shin felt completely confused.
Uchi raised his arms as if in protest.
"Hey," he said, laughter in his voice. "You were the one who said that you liked that manly man, right?"
Shin felt like boxing himself until he's knocked out cold.
How could he forget…?
When he didn't answer, Uchi smirked triumphantly at him.
"See…?" his friend said in a singsong voice. "I'm right, ain't I?"
Shin felt not unlike a mouse trapped in a mousetrap. And Uchi was the cat. What exactly can he tell his blonde friend about his problem? If you could ever consider that a problem… For heaven's sake. And how much too…?
Shin decided to risk it, even if he knew that he's probably going to regret telling anyone about this sooner or later. He just hoped that it would be later… He didn't really want to deal with anything else at the moment.
He breathed deeply for a moment before launching into telling the truth to his blonde friend. In fairness to Uchi, he listened intently, not saying anything while Shin talked. He might have shaken his head a few times, but still he kept quiet.
When he finished, Uchi could only smile at him.
"So…" Uchi said. "You really fell for her… hard, eh?"
Shin ran a hand through his hair.
"I guess so…" he said.
"There's no guess about it, Shin," Uchi said.
Shin just shrugged.
"Oh wow…" Uchi breathed. "This is the first time I've seen you unsure on what to do. That is so unlike you…"
"Hey…" Shin said. "I know, alright? You don't have to remind me… It's just that…"
For the first time, Uchi understood. This is just one thing that Shin wasn't good at. Okay, maybe he's got all these high grades. He's good in sports. He's good in a fight. But with this? Maybe it's just because it's Yankumi. Or maybe Shin is just not used to someone who can actually stand up against him. Or whatever. All that he knew at the moment is that he has to help his friend out. Somehow. Anyhow.
"The argument you two had earlier…" Uchi chose his words carefully. "It's not just about what you did, right…?
Whatever it was… Uchi added as an afterthought.
"What do you mean?" Shin asked.
"Are you…" Uchi inched slowly away. "…jealous of that cop guy?"
Uchi noted the change in Shin's expression.
"Because Yankumi liked him?"
The scowl showed clearly this time. Then Shin turned away.
"No damn way, Uchi," Shin grunted.
"Oho…" Uchi smiled to himself. "You are jealous…"
"Drop it, Uchi," Shin said. "I'm not."
Uchi knew better than to even try, so he stopped. But he knew the truth and so did Shin.
"Does she know?" Uchi asked.
Shin looked at him again.
Uchi just nodded. "Yankumi, I mean."
"I don't think so…" Shin said thoughtfully. "She's too dense for that…"
Uchi let out a laugh.
"Hai," Uchi said. "She is."
Shin was lost in his thoughts for a moment. She pictured the pigtailed woman once again and he couldn't help but smile. How could she know? She's like a kid… Too playful. Too dense. Too… ignorant.
"You do know that she has to know, right?" Uchi's voice broke through his thoughts.
Shin stared at him and then nodded slowly.
"But then…" Uchi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "How can you tell her that?"
That left Shin stumped. The silence between the two of them stretched, each lost in their own thoughts.
Shin knew he couldn't just go and blurt the truth out in front of her. It would just make their situation all the more worse. She might just laugh at him… Or worse. She might even say that he's just going through an adolescent kind of phase or something like that.
But he knew. What he's feeling right now is not just some phase. She had grown in him and he couldn't deny that. She had changed him and he hadn't had the slightest idea of reverting back.
But how to tell her all that…?
He just had to think of a way…
He had to find a way.
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Kumiko was just about an inch to falling asleep when she realized that the sun had already begun to set outside. She looked around the faculty room.
Yep.
She was the only one left.
She sighed as she stood and began to neatly arrange the stack of test papers on her table. She usually reserves the task for the evenings, but her change of routine came about swiftly. She decided to do whatever she can at the school, and then just bring home whatever's left unfinished. She couldn't exactly pinpoint the reason for the change. She just… felt like doing something new this time.
She yawned and checked her watch.
Nearly evening… she thought, scowling. Now, how did it get to be that late already?
After shoving the pile into the desk drawer, she grabbed her bag and took her time walking out, shutting the lights off as she passed the door. The frown on her features clearly showed that she was thinking deeply about something. Or someone for that matter.
She didn't exactly know why, but she had been over her head all afternoon, thinking about what the redheaded student of hers said earlier.
If you'll just be willing to open your eyes and try to see who you got around you, you'll understand…
"What the hell does that mean?" she unknowingly asked aloud.
Maybe she should just ask him. It would be easier. But knowing him, he wouldn't give her a straight answer.
Maybe not.
She had embarrassed herself enough in front of Sawada already. And remembering what happened between them in the wee hour of lunch, she couldn't help but blush scarlet despite herself. She didn't notice she had stopped walking.
He nearly… I nearly… We nearly…
"Stop it," she closed her eyes and breathed. "It didn't happen. Forget it, Kumiko."
After a few more seconds of convincing herself, she opened her eyes and smiled timidly.
Yeah, right… she thought. It didn't happen. She gripped the strap of her shoulder bag and she began walking again. She passed by the darkened hallways and made a turn at the lobby. The smile she wore was slowly fading away when she recalled the events again.
It didn't happen. It didn't happen.
A mantra played on her head.
And at that, she all of a sudden found herself a little disappointed that it indeed did not happen.
Whoa! She felt like someone had just dropped a bucket of icy water on her head that she skidded to a halt in front of the school's double doors. She stared back at her horrified reflection on the glass.
Disappointed…? What gives?!
She felt cold.
"Why do I a give SUCH A DAMN?!" she felt like punching the reflection on the glass. That disappointed, pathetic-looking reflection on the glass.
No, Kumiko… she held her breath. You can't risk destroying school property now, can you?
She forced the tight muscles on her face to smile.
Now, that reflection sure looks stupid… she thought when she saw its effects.
At that, she sighed frustrated.
"Damn you, brat," she said and proceeded to march out of the school building.
She marched across the path leading out of the school, trying desperately to kick a certain redheaded boy out of her mind and out of her system. She just felt tired and wanted to get home as quickly as possible. She doesn't need interruptions. Not of this kind anyway. And she is determined to really get rid of her disturbing thoughts for that day. She had gone nearly all the way out of the school gate muttering nonchalantly about 'that damn brat' and his 'silly ideas of this and that', when she was stopped short by the sound of five short words.
"What took you so long?"
She stood frozen in her tracks.
No… she thought, her body becoming immobilized. No, please…
She slowly angled her head towards the direction of the voice and found that her worst fear had just been confirmed.
Sawada Shin, the certain redheaded boy, was leaning beside the school's front gate, with his arms crossed on his chest and a bemused frown on his face.
Oh, Kami-sama! She wanted to raise her fists and cry out, but didn't, for fear that it would bring another splash of embarrassment. You just don't forgive, do you?!
This is the second damn time…She stood there eyeing him wearily as he pushed himself off from the wall. He moved easily and started to walk away.
"The bus came and went about an hour ago," he said airily. "And here you are, staring at me like a complete idiot."
His words jolted her back to life and the sudden desire to punch anything, or anyone for that matter, came back to her in a flash. She didn't really know why he's there, waiting for her, after what transpired between the two of them that afternoon. His promise, maybe? Or pride?
Whatever…She uncomfortably hid her hands inside her jacket pockets and walked behind him, observing his slow gait as they went.
The brat… she thought. He may have waited for her to come out of the high school, but that doesn't mean he's actually going to ask her to go with him.
She knew him well enough not to even try question him about it. She'll never get a straight answer anyway.
"Oi, Shin," she voiced, trying to create a conversation between them. "What are you still doing here? Aren't you supposed to be home?"
I feel like such a fool…she shook her head.
Shin gave her a glance that clearly said 'like you don't know already…'.
"How many times are you going to ask me that question, Yankumi?" he asked.
Oh yeah… she thought. He had promised to watch over me…
"Oh, I see…" she tried to think of other words, but nothing came. "Alright then."
Shin walked in front of her and she just lagged behind, quietly observing the young man. If it weren't such a pain, she would have just walked beside him and talked freely like she used to with him. She wouldn't bother him at all, she knew. But due to some unknown reason, she found herself at loss for words.
Shin, on the other hand, was used to the silence around him. He had always liked silence. But he definitely wasn't used to the silence concurred by the pigtailed teacher behind him. After the short conversation earlier, which comprised of about three to four unfinished sentences, she didn't even start up another conversation. Or another scolding speech. Or another… whatever. Something's not quite right.
Shin gave her a glance, and noticed that she was staring at her feet as she walked.
Just like a high school kid…Shin smirked. Maybe she's still upset about what happened earlier… But it wasn't my fault anyway. She was the promulgator of it all…
But then he really couldn't bear the silence anymore.
"Yankumi," he said, when they reached an intersection. "You're awfully quiet today."
Having no choice but to stay beside him as they waited for the pedestrian light to turn green, she raised her eyes to look at him.
"Eh?"
Shin just cocked his head.
"You're awfully quiet…" he repeated. "Anything wrong?"
Kumiko shook her head a little too quickly for a response.
"Iie," she said, raising her hands in front of her. "No, nothing at all, Sawada."
Shin shrugged.
After a few more seconds, the pedestrian light turned green. Shin was about halfway through the street when he realized that his pigtailed teacher was nowhere near his side. He stopped walking abruptly and took a quick look around. And sure enough, he found her still standing on the sidewalk, looking absolutely interested at the ground. Shin let out an impatient sigh and started to walk back to her.
What the hell is wrong with her…?Maybe it was because of his shadow, or his foot, or just his sudden presence in front of her, that she was able to tear her eyes away from the ground for a moment. Seeing his face, she wondered why he was sporting his all-too-familiar annoyed look this time.
"Really, Yankumi," he breathed. "Do I really have to watch your every move?"
She stared at him in confusion. Then her eyes traveled to the green pedestrian light. The it sank to her. They have to cross the street.
"Oh!" she panicked and then stepped around him. "Sorry, I didn't noti---"
Her words were stopped when she felt him grabbed her upper arm and yanked her back to the sidewalk. She gave a yelp and she was pulled to his direction.
"Oi!" she cried. "What---!"
"If you're trying to kill yourself, Yankumi," Shin said in complete irritation. "Don't do it during my watch."
He pointed to the street behind him, and she saw that the cars have started up again.
I nearly got… she rubbed her temple. Oh god…
Shin got to the sidewalk beside her and kept quiet. They stayed like that for a few seconds, his hand, still her on arm and holding on. She felt not unlike a child being watched over by an overprotective father.
"Sawada…" she voiced after a few seconds. "I'm sure I can walk on my own, thank you. Now if you please…"
"Yeah," Sawada just rolled his eyes at her. "I'm sure you can, Yankumi."
And his hand still stayed where it was.
This is utterly embarrassing… she thought to herself.
She tried to look sideways at her silent companion and saw his bemused frown.
"Uh, Sawada," she started. "About…"
Shin gave her a glance. Though he tried to remain cool and nonchalant, something about his expression changed. But it was so slight that one wouldn't see it even if he tried.
"What?" he asked, running a hand on his tousled hair.
Kumiko fidgeted with her hands, finding it difficult to do so as he still held her arm. He wasn't really looking at her, but she still felt uneasy with what she was about to say. She wanted to ask him about their deal this afternoon, but found herself unable to say anything further. In truth she was trying to figure out what gave them the push to act the way they acted out that afternoon. They clearly weren't involved with each other in any way. Well, maybe except for the fact that Shin was watching over her. But still…
"Uh…" she lost her nerve. "Nothing…"
Shin gave her a quizzical look, but said nothing.
How long till I get home…?! She sighed and just allowed him to lead her all the way to her house.
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It had seemed unbearably long for the both of them before they had finally reached the district where the Kuroda household was strategically situated. Kumiko had already started acting strange when they entered district limits, seeing as Shin still held her arm as they went. Shin, knowing full well as to who she is on her family's grounds, quickly let go of her arm and slowed his walk so as to let her walk ahead of him.
Greetings from left to right showered the ojou as they went past the stores that were still open for the night. Kumiko just gave them a slight nod and went on her way. Whether this was her custom or not was unknown to the lad that followed her, but the shopkeepers instantly became wary.
And that was all because of Kumiko wearing that expression that clearly translates they should just get out of her way… or else.
Kumiko managed to keep a straight face until they reached the gate of her house. Feeling relief wash all over her, she turned abruptly around to face the young man behind her.
Shin just observed her.
"Well," Kumiko spoke to the street behind him instead of him. "Here we are…"
Shin just gave a shrug.
"Looks like it," he voiced. "Well, Yankumi. I guess I'll just see you tomorrow."
Kumiko stared at him for a moment.
Was it really all right for her to just let him go home? Should she invite him in?
Well… Ojii-san always wanted him to come around… she debated to herself. But then… I'm feeling a little too embarrassed around him… And I can't risk another few minutes…
Shin gave her a small nod, turned around and started walking away. He had gone about a few steps when he heard Kumiko call out to him again.
"What did you mean.. earlier…?" Kumiko asked him quietly.
Shin stopped walking and turned to face her. He wasn't at all surprised when he saw that she had taken another interest at the ground. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"Say what?" he asked.
"Who…" she raised her eyes to his. "..do I got around me?"
At that, Shin was stumped. He just stared back at her as she waited for his answer. He considered his options before speaking, but he found too that he couldn't decide.
Maybe now's the chance?
Should he answer her?
Or just let it pass?
Shin couldn't really blurt out what he thought he should say. But he knew somehow he just got to tell her. Maybe Uchi was right. Maybe he should just let things happen. Maybe it would help things between them. Or not.
Whatever…
I'm going straight to foolsville for this…
"Why do you ask?" his subconscious mind battled for his last defense.
"You should clear what you said," she stated simply.
Shin tried to smirk, but it ended up bland.
"You…" he shook his head. "…wouldn't want to know…"
He returned her gaze. Something in his eyes told her that if she didn't back away from this moment, she'd regret it. But she had the conviction to know.
"Yankumi," Shin started. "I---"
"Ojou!"
A chorus of voices filtered out from the doorway of the house and cut off Shin's starting confession.
Kumiko felt about a dozen bricks hit her head that time and all she could do was to turn around and look at who those intruders were. Shin just looked over her shoulder.
All at once, Tetsu's and Minoru's faces came into view.
"Welcome home, ojou!" they greeted.
Kumiko had the sudden urge to run amok all over the household. But seeing as she couldn't really do that, she just gritted her teeth and tried her best to smile. Or rather, at her current state, grimace would be the appropriate term.
"Ta… Tadaima," she said.
Shin was beside himself for the relief that flooded his system.
That was close… he breathed. I nearly got myself in trouble… Thank the heavens…
Shin pasted a smirk on his face.
Oh well..
"Ah, Shin-chan is here too!" Minoru exclaimed when he saw him.
Shin's stomach dropped when he heard it.
Shin-chan…?
Shin nodded to the other members of the household and took a step back.
"Well," he waved off. "I guess I'll be going then."
But before he could even turn around, Kumiko's voice stopped him again.
"Maybe you just stay here with us," she said. "Dinner?"
Shin studied her expression, but it was unreadable.
He thought about it for a few seconds. Eating together with the Kuroda family was always an enjoyable feat, but there's risk of Yankumi asking him again. But going back to his dark apartment didn't look too appealing to him either. He stayed quiet for a few seconds more.
"We're having hotpot tonight, Shin," Minoru backed up the idea.
"It's only appreciation for taking care our ojou," Tetsu added.
Kumiko faced Tetsu with her hands on her hips.
"And who said he 's taking care of me?" she demanded.
Tetsu immediately bowed. "Well, he just happens to be with you, so I thought…"
Kumiko let out a huff.
"So," she turned to face the silent redhead behind her, her all-too-frightening yakuza demeanor returning in a flash. "Are you staying or not?"
Shin' smirk grew all the more bigger as the seconds passed. He just loved seeing Yankumi get all bossy.
"I'll stay," he said as he watched her turn away and stomp straight inside the house.
This is going to be a long night… he thought as he allowed himself to be led inside by the other household members.
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Author's notes:Done! Another chapter! Wahaha! Can I just say I'm so sorry for the late update? Fatigue's caught up with me now that I'm pressured to pass my finals in comparative anatomy… TT bear with me, ok? Anyway… I'm currently editing my next chapter so you guys can just relax and wait for it… I promise it won't be long… Hehehe…
Anyhow… Ja ne!