an: so here is the first part of the movie. To be completely honest I did not think I would have time to update this chapter this month, but I had an accident a week ago concerning my knee, and because of this I have to use crouches. Since my work is mainly spent on my feet I can not work and instead I use some of my time to write (not the report for school, but ff).
I do hope you will enjoy this chapter.
The Movie- the first day
I worked hard these last few years after graduation. Early on I realized those students with the best grades was given the best opportunities in picking the schools in which they wishes to perform their internship.
A quick check in with Kuma confirmed my former homeroom teacher was employed at Akado High School. Shortly after finding out that particular fact I delivered a note to my teacher at college, stating my wish to intern at that specific high school.
Having read a little about Akado the second I found out she was working there I realized Yamaguchi was yet again teaching at an all boys school.
Why did she always stay close to other males. Did she like to worry my ailing heart?
For the first time during my years at college my teacher called me into his office. Almost insistently trying to make me change my mind. Hinting quite intently that with my grades I should intern at another school. A better one. Nonetheless I refused to change my mind, and in the end he gave up.
My request was sent to Akado High School, and for the next few days, I mostly spent biting my nails on one hand and crossing my fingers on the other.
It took almost two weeks before I got my reply in the mail.
I remember it vividly the day my life yet again changed.
Since I was still living at home, my mother was the one who presented me with the letter, already knowing it's importance. As I took the letter from her with shaking hands I had to sit down because of my weak knees. With a gentle fingers I carefully opened it, unfolding the papers while my heart was beating in the hundreds.
There in black and white was a confirmation that my request had been processed and I was welcomed to start my internship at Akado High School in less than one month.
For the first time in years I hugged my mother in joy. As she realized for my behaviour that I had been accepted she even cried a few tears on my behalf, congratulating me.
That day my mother dragged me out of the house. For the first time ever we went shopping together. She bought me a dark grey suit jacket with black pants and a matching black tie, while informing me I should dress to impress. My new clothes looked nice on, while still giving the impression I was not trying to hard. Perfect.
oOoOo
Today was the day. For the first time in years I was going to stand in front of Yamaguchi. No longer her student, but not yet her equal, bus a teacher in training. In my new uniform, a grown man's suit.
Looking at myself in the mirror I could hardly see any change in myself from when I was her student. I was slightly taller and maybe my shoulders was a little broder. My new haircut made my hair seem a little more styled than in the past.
The butterflies in my stomach was trying to break out and I felt almost sick with worry as I stood in my bathroom, trying to make my hairstyle perfect.
Giving myself one last look in the mirror as a good luck I exited the room.
Would she notice the difference I wondered to myself as I walked down the stairway.
As I came downstairs my mother was by the door waiting for me. It almost looked as if she was as nervous as me. With a soft pat on my shoulder she wished me good luck and closed the door behind me as I walked out into the sunlight. For once she had not argued for me to eat breakfast, probably already realizing that my stomach could not handle any food at this moment.
Originally I was early, but my nervously did not help my efficiently at all. My phone had beeped the whole morning with messages from my friends and former classmates. Hayato must have told Take, Tsucchi and Hyuuga about my internship, and those had probably reviled the information to the rest of the class as well. Most of the messages was wishing me good luck, and some extended a request for me to sent their regard to our former homeroom teacher. A few of them even dared to ask me to take a picture of Yamaguchi, and to send it to them. I ignored those texts.
In the end I had to turn off my phone in order to hinder it from taking up my whole attention. Just before the screen turned black I noticed the clock in the right corner. I was late!
I ran into the school yard, stopping a confused male student asking him for the direction of the teacher's office. Shockingly he pointed toward the building on the left and I ran off again while yelling out a "thank you".
Without thinking I ran into the teachers lounge with my head down as I was trying to fasten my name tag. My feet carrying me forward as I expressed my apology to those present for my lateness, feeling annoyed with myself.
Finally I managed to fasten the tag and stopped and yet again to acknowledge my lateness with a sorry. This time more professionally with a small bow.
Before I could lift my head and look about the room I heard a familiar voice yelling out my name in shock.
Lifting my head I froze.
There she was. Her shockingly face shining just a few meters in front of me.
Even if I had expected to meet her, I was surprised to see her so soon. Her familiar nickname "Yankumi" fell from my lips in shock before I could stop myself. I was even more confused when Baba, my former gymnastic teacher, also yelled out my name breaking my stare at the female in front of me.
I remember clearly Baba had shown some interest in Yamaguchi in the past, already feeling skeptical of his presence in this teacher's lounge. Luckily my former homeroom teacher had never accepted Babas feelings from what I had seen in the past. Nonetheless his presence here today worried me. Maybe her feelings had changed and she was now together with that ignorant man. Had I been too late?
Before I could question them about their relationship, from behind my goddess a third person said my name. Yet again I could not hold back my words and out loudly, with an uncertain clang to my voice I said "Vice principal Monkey Brain" when I saw the man in front to me. The man in question looked offended and corrected my naming, defining himself as "Principal Sawatari".
Everything was almost too much for me, so many memories began flowing around in my head.
I had expected Yamaguchi to be here, it was after all why I had chosen this school, but for now it felt more like a high school reunion than a chance for me to present myself as a man for the woman I loved.
And who the hell was so ignorant they made Mr. Monkey principal?
After a short introduction to everyone else present the school bell rang, signaling the start of today's classes. One by one the teachers left the lounge wishing me good luck as they walked away. Leaving me alone with just Yamaguchi and the headteacher. For me there is no way I will ever recognize him as a principal, even if the plate on his desk identified him as such.
As he himself was walking towards the exit, Mr. Monkey turned towards Yamaguchi, informing her to "Give him proper guidance". Hearing those words I could almost kiss him. He let Yamaguchi be my guidance teacher. He let me spend more time together with her than I had ever been dreaming about. Realizing I would follow her for around eight hours daily, made me feel like I had landed in heaven.
After all these years without her, my heart could almost not take the prospect of having the opportunity to spend so many hours together with her daily. If I was suppose to follow her all day I would even spend more hours together with her at this school right now than what I had been given the opportunity to do in the past as her student.
When he had exited the room it was just the two of us left.
As we walked closer together I could finally tell the woman in front of me "It's been a while". Oh, how many years I have waited to say that sentence. As I stood close enough to smell her earthly body scent I let my eyes drift over her. Had she always been so small? Maybe I had grown a little higher than I had noticed myself.
Letting my eyes take in her whole being I felt, strangely, a little sad she was not using her jersey. Luckily she was still using those ridiculous glasses and her hair was divided into her classical pigtails. She was a sight for sore eyes.
Yamaguchi was smiling as she looked at me in the eyes. Making me almost uncomfortable with her praise of how I had changed for the better. She grabbed my hand with her small ones, holding them up as she declared another one of her dreams. That to have a student admiring her enough to follow her footsteps in order to become a teacher themselves. Her sparkling eyes, and the feelings of her hands on mine almost made me pass out. The strong impact her presence had on me was almost too much. When she looked down for a second I could not hold back a small smile. I was fulfilling another one of her dreams. Just thinking about it made me feel warm inside.
Like a child she was touching my shoulders, hands and elbows in joy. Loudly she declared "You and me and the students united with passion and sweat". Just thinking about her words made a scene completely different from the setting she was probably thinking about entered my mind. Leaving out the part of the students from my dream, I was thinking about what she and I could do together behind closed doors in order to "united with passion and sweat".
Shaking my head, trying to forget those thoughts for a moment as she put her fist in the air I gave her a short reply about her strange behaviour. She even agreed with my statement herself, still with her fist high in the air.
Not long after I followed her outside. Ready to face her class of troublemakers.
oOoOo
With her walking in front as she did in the past, I told her I did not want to become a teacher. In a way this was the truth since I wanted to follow her more than I wanted to teach.
Walking past her still figure I informed her I did not know anything for certain, and that I just took the teacher- training course in order for me to study something. Finally she got over the shock and ran in front of me, asking me "You're not here because I'm here?"
Her question hit shockingly close to the truth and for a second I froze. Feeling the panic spread through my body. Of course I was here because of her, but there was no way I wanted to admit it already. Finally finding my voice I told her a big lie, "of course not".
Like a small child being told there was no Santa Claus she made a disappointing sound.
I had during her sulk managed to make my feet move again, and quickly walked faster in order to put up a distance between the two of us. Giving myself some extra time to control my blushing face.
When Yamaguchi managed to walk up to me again she showed me the direction of her classroom. Just from seeing the outside I concluded she was yet again teaching a 3D class. Hopefully giving hope and support to those who had lost it themselves.
I had always thought fondly about my own dirty classroom, but as I saw the graffiti in the hallways we were walking thru I almost found it to be childish. Nonetheless I got a little sentimental remembering my own time as an outcast student.
Walking next to her I had to keep our conversation flowing so I would not make a fool out of myself. Anxious asked her questions about her troublesome students in order for her not to notice my nervousness.
Hearing that she had difficulties gaining acceptance from her specific homeroom students made me shake my head at their ignorance. If only they knew what she would do for them in order to protect them, her new cubs.
From what Kuma had told me, this was the first school Yamaguchi was employed for more than one year. Had not the under classmates in 2D noticed how the 3D students had changed last year? Well, the former students of 2D was now officially 3D and would accept her. I would stake my life on that theory.
oOoOo
Just before we entered the room she bravely informed we she was taking her time with these students. After all "Teachers have to patient with their students" she concluded before requesting me to join her in her classical "fight oh". I did not join her, just soaked in the silly woman standing close to my body.
When she turned around facing me again with a bright smile, I asked her "You still do that?" Yamaguchi's smile fell and she looked disappointed, like I was lecturing her. How I longed for the opportunity to tell her I did not mean my question to be something negative, I was delighted she had not changed.
Her head even bowed down to me, walked quietly towards the classroom door and opened it as if she was shameful of her behavior.
The second the door opened loud voices attacked my hearing. This school must have put extra money into this classroom, making it soundproof, I thought to myself as I stood behind the small female in the doorway.
With a soft, fake, feminine voice, Yamaguchi tried to tell the students to quiet down. No one was listening to her of course, too busy throwing balls around and discussing things among themselves loudly.
Closing the door behind me as I walked into the room I opted to stand back in order to see how much she had changed.
So far I was a little disappointed in her small voice.
Finally the angry goddess came forward and demanded her students to be quiet. At least she got a reaction from the young men. All of them stood up in respect. Trying to act tough.
Leaning on the doorway I used the words Yamaguchi had told me earlier out in the hallway against her. "Teachers have to be patient, right?" I asked as I looked at her back. Like a scared child her head went back and forward in confusion as she comprehended her actions compared to her own words just a few seconds ago.
One of the ignorant boys in the back reacted to her demanding presence and sent a tennis ball at full speed towards her head. The ball hit the blackboard before I could react. How dare they disrespect her in such a way. Luckily the ball flew back again hitting the young boy who had thrown it, leaving everyone speechless for a few seconds.
In a classical way Yamaguchi hid her talent at dodging and had found a cigarette on the floor. As she was demanding to know who owned it, her students sat down feeling certain her dodging was unintentional and nothing to be worried about.
Yamaguchi, with the smoke still in her hand announced that everyone should use an ashtray when smoking.
Yet again I felt the need to correct her, telling her the use of an astray was not the main problem. Her slow brain finally comprehended what I ment and with an impatient voice demanded to know who was smoking.
One by one the students at the back told her they did not know, and if they did, they would not rat on any of their friends.
I could no longer manage to hold back a small happy laugh at what was happening in front of me. It felt like I was back in time, only this time I was standing in front instead of sitting down in between the students.
Even if I never wished to replace my memory of meeting Yamaguchi outside Frentzen all those years ago I have always envied my classmates who had been present on Yamaguchi's first day. In a way what I saw today almost made of for that.
Having heard my laugh the students looks shifted from Yamaguchi and onto me. Loudly they demanded to know what I thought was funny. Wonder what they would think if I confessed to the fact that I found this behavior to be sentimental. I was giddily happy being in a classroom yet again with this marvelous female, seeing how she handled her ungrateful students. Realizing those thoughts was not suited in this setting I simply told them "nothing", while quietly inside whispered to myself "everything".
Before the young boys could question me any more Yamaguchi began lecturing about the cigarette and how it is forbidden. Her students noticed her strange wording and asked her what she meant. To hear her talk about how the sun was watching made my heart flutter. She had not changed at all.
In order not to answer the question directed at her, Yamaguchi decided to use me and an diversion and introduced me to her students.
As I walked towards the blackboard I felt a shiver flow down my spine as she said my name. Stopping close to her as I made a small bow in the direction of her students making me feel like I had grown a little. Before I could do a proper introduction she told everyone we would play kick the can in order for them to become acquainted with their new teacher in training. Loudly all her students disagreed with her decision. Not hearing their unpleasant response she told everyone to change into their jumpsuits and to meet us outside.
The both of us left first. She unrealistically thinking they would follow her request, and me being a realist, knowing no one would show up. I should feel sad on her behalf, knowing her students did not listen to her, but to be completely honest I felt happy knowing their absence meant more time alone with her. Just the two of us.
oOoOo
As we stood together on the green grass she finally realized no one else was coming and said "At least we can get acquainted." Afraid I would break and tell her to much I replied with a short "No thanks".
Frustrated with the situation Yamaguchi kicked the metal can with all her power. Sending it toward a nearby building so hard that it broke part of the wall. Afraid of someone busting us for property damage she told me to run. I never imagined my first school day as a teacher in training together with this woman would end in me running after her like in the past. The only difference was my clothes, age, and the fact we were running from something. In the past we were always running toward someone in order to save them or to fix a problem
Since no one would see me, I followed her running figure with a bright smile on my face. Oh, how I had missed running together with her like this.
oOoOo
When all formalities was over for the day I finally managed to collect my courage and asked her if she wanted to have a small celebration meal together with me. She agreed at once with a smile and told me we could go to Kuma's restaurant. Despite the fact I was a little disappointed with her choice I felt like the ramen restaurant might be a safe start. If I got to nervous I could hide behind Kuma and his stories.
It felt nice walking together with my former teacher on the street. No longer dressed in my high school uniform and without my friends. Just two grown ups walking together in search for some food after a hard day's work. Almost like a date.
With her in front we walked into the restaurant together. Even if there was hardly anyone else present Yamaguchi yelled out for Kuma, requesting a table for two and pushed out a chair for me to sit on by a table next to the windows. Before she could sit down herself she handed me a menu trying to recommend something. I cut her of telling her I already knew the menu. She might not have seen me here except for my time as her student, but I had spent many hours inside this restaurant over these last few years and already knew what I prefered.
Kuma's restaurant had in a way became my safe haven, and as long as I was there before Yankumi was done with work for the day, or in late evenings I knew my heart would be safe from her present. Safe from temptation.
oOoOo
The second I sat down the noise I had heard when we walked into the restaurant was completely gone and I felt eyes burning in our direction. Yamaguchi turned around, probably feeling something was amiss as well.
Her happily greetings to the group of young men sitting and standing just a few meters away from our table made my heart drop a little. Even if they were not dressed in high school uniforms I just knew they had to be some of her former students. On beforehand I had already told myself not to consider this a date, but I felt like Kuma would be a enough representative on behalf of her former students. Six more former male students was a little too much for even my imagination to dream of this meal as a date.
When she did not get a reply to her question on why they were here as well, Kuma came forward clearing up the air surrounding the group of young men, while greeting me as if he had not seen me in a long time. Less than one week to be exact.
After all these years Kuma knew of my feeling and his shock of seeing me there together with Yamaguchi made him clap his hands together, making a loud noise. The big man ran forward, his joy obvious on his face. I hastily interrupted his greetings by telling him hello while declaring that it has been a while since we had last seen each other. Hoping to divert his thoughts from saying more than I felt comfortable with.
The group of young men had still not said anything yet. Kuma on the other hand turned his eyes from me and Yamaguchi and informed the group that I was a former student of "Yankumi". Glad he had not exposed my past behaviour I smiled at him before turning my eyes towards the menu I was holding in my hands. Giving myself a few more seconds before I acknowledge the strangers ruining my date.
Collectively all the young men yelled out "Student?!" Their shock obviously reflecting the first impression they had, they had thought Yamaguchi was dating me. Finally I had grown enough for someone to acknowledge me as a possible partner instead of her student.
When the guys first realised I was, like them, a former student I felt insulted at their relief. Even if I was a former student, this did not exclude me being in a relationship with the woman sitting across of me over the table, I argued in my head.
Beside, why would the be express relief? Was one, (or more of them) interested in this unique woman?! My thoughts calmed down quickly hearing the words "Yankumi could never find a good-looking boyfriend" from a guy with bleached yellow hair. When the rest of them agreed with his statement my mood both darkened and brightened at the same time. If only they knew, this particular good-looking guy wished he was her boyfriend. Maybe even a husband.
As the boys kept on making fun of Yamaguchi and her lack of romantic relationships I could feel her anger burning. She stood up, violently demanding they go outside with her. Before she could finish her angry speech I grabbed the back of her jacket and dragging it upwards. Stopping her angry words while insisting for her to calm down.
In the past I had used my words in order to change her speech. This on the other hand was the first time I used some form of strength to stop her rage. Personally if felt a little too good having her so close by. Showing my power over her, that I was more than one of her innocent students made me feel exhilarated. All the things I wished to show her began circling around inside my head.
In order to hinder my thoughts from drifting too far I quickly turned towards Kuma, ordering two bowls of ramen. One for me and one for my woman.
oOoOo
I do not know whose idea it was but when the food arrived everyone sat down by one long table eating together. Even Kuma sat down.
Yamaguchi was sitting at the head of the table, a place she had rightfully earned through sweat and tears on behalf of the rest of us sitting close by. I took the place on her left side, usually preserved for a close relative or the spouse of the person sitting at the head of the table.
Quickly I realized these guys had recently graduated, making them the upper class mates of the students I had met just a few hours ago. Yamaguchi was still a doting teacher and asked her former students questions about their new lives. Giving them advice and showed how proud she was on their behalf on how they had grown. I just sat there, enjoying the food while listening in on the conversations around me. Feeling more calm than I have felt in a long time.
As we sat there eating Yamaguchi admitted to them she was still having some problems with the new 3D students.
One of the young men told us he and his classmates had also given her problems when she first became their teacher. Another one followed up talking about her awful lectures, while someone voiced they had taken bets on how long she would last as their teacher. Kuma broke into the conversation informing everyone how his class had also made a similar bet.
Everyone turned towards me, asking if my classmates had done something similar. Since I had at the beginning not been an active student in my class, and for the first few days back excluded from my classmates I could not confirm the statement. But knowing my friends I told those listening in that there was a high probability of such an bet existing.
After everyone laughed a little about those bets I could hear small sniffing sounds from the woman sitting next to me. Turning towards her I noticed her glassy eyes and asked her if she was crying. Yamaguchi of course not wanting to admit anything rebuked my concern, calling me a idiot.
Hearing her confess she was happy she was surrounded by former students from three different schools made my heart jump on her behalf. She was glad she became a teacher because it gave her the opportunity to sit here today surrounded by former students laughing together. We all sat there quietly soaking in her words, feeling her love.
The moment was broken when her glasses steamed and made it impossible for her to see. I gave her my handkerchief suggesting she wipe them. After she was finished she put the handkerchief on the table next to my hand. As everyone else was laughing at her, I quickly grabbed the handkerchief and held it in my hands. Liking the idea that something of mine had been so close to her face.
Yamaguchi promised to pay for the food before I could stop her. Despite the fact she was a yakuza heiress I knew she was not made of money and cautioned her that payday was not until a few days. She quickly tried to fix the situation. Instead of withdrawing her invitation to pay like everyone else would in similar situations she requested us to eat smaller portions without roasted pork. As everyone protested on her changing their orders I had to smile.
The noodles I was eating right now have never tasted as delicious as they do at this very moment.
oOoOo
After we finished at Kuma's restaurant I originally thought my time with Yamaguchi was now over for the day. Luckily my assumptions was wrong.
We said goodbye to both Kuma and the rest of Yamaguchi's former students as we walked out the doorway together.
Standing outside I turned toward the woman next to my, ready to wish her a good night. Yet again she surprised me. She grabbed my hand and dragged me in the wrong direction compared to my home. Proclaiming since I now was old enough I should join her back home for a drink.
I followed Yamaguchi without arguing against her, but still felt a little weary considering I have never had a drink near her before. Afraid of what I might do or say.
When we finally arrived at her house she yelled out for everyone she was home, and that she was bringing a guest. Still holding my hand she dragged me into her living room pushing me down to sit at the head of the table. One by one her family members came forward greeting me as an old friend.
It felt nice knowing they still remembered me, despite the fact most of them had only met me for short moments years into the past.
Someone put a big bottle of sake in front of me, filling a small cup completely to the edge. As I sat there I was almost confused when Yamaguchi did not stop them from presenting me with the alcoholic drink. Realizing she was allowing it, knowing I was at the legal age for drinking, I accepted the cup.
In the beginning I still felt a little concerned for my possible reaction to the alcohol. I had of course had my fair share of drinks in the past, but this nice atmosphere made me relax and feel right at home, something I have never felt before with a cup of sake in my hand.
As her student I had promised myself to never return to this house until I had grown a lot as a person. Today I was accepted as someone they could share alcohol and joke around with. I was welcomed.
It felt like I was accepted into the house not just as her student, but now as a man.
As I held my cup containing the drink I had to wonder at how they would act if they knew of my feelings concerning their only female family member. Would they still be as accepting, or would they draw forwards the swords they usually kept hidden? Just thinking about it made me swallow the whole cup in one shot. As I could feel the alcohol burn down my throat I shifted my thoughts.
Yamaguchi kept both mine and hers cup filled during the night, and in the end she fell asleep on the floor. From the reactions of the other men present this was not something unusual and they just found her a pillow and let her sleep.
One by one the yakuza members bid me and goodnight as they left me and Tetsu alone with the sleeping woman. Tetsu stood up, showing his care for the innocent woman sleeping a few meters away as he put a blanket over her body. Just seeing the familiarity in which he acted around her sleeping figure out a stab of jealously in my heart.
Tetsu came back to where I was sitting with his glass in one hand and sat down close by. Already having seen hints of the feelings the man sitting across from me had for the same woman I loved it was surprisingly easy to have a small heart to heart conversation with him.
I told him about my uncertainty concerning my chosen profession as a teacher, informing him I had problems finding my way in college. How her words had affected me into not giving up and so forth. That I wanted to find my own path like she had.
The years I had been without her I had followed her footsteps, but even I must admit that math was not my favorite subject and had in a way followed my own path considering how I had chosen different subjects than she had in the past.
Sharing a few more drinks in silence while looking at the sleeping woman I felt a connection to the man sitting across from me. Knowing with certainty Tetsu had his own problems but volunteered to discuss mine instead of talking about his complicated life.
oOoOo
Since I had gone out for a meal after work, and after that beeing dragged home by Yamaguchi I got home a little later than expected. The second I walked through the front-door at my family's home my mother was on me like a dog in heat. Throwing out questions after questions like she was trying to win the Olympic.
For a second I could do nothing except trying to remove my shoes. Finally she was out of breath and I told her quietly we could discuss my day over a cup of tea.
Not missing the beat my mother grabbed a hold of my hand, dragged my thru the hallway and into the living room, hastily shoving me unto the couch while ordering me to sit still. Quickly she walked out of the room and in less than a minute after she came back with two cups of steaming tea.
Quickly she sat down next to me."Now that you have your tea, tell mother everything," she demanded while looking me straight in the eyes. Almost afraid of my own mother behavior I told her about my day. Seeing her joy when I informed her the principal had assigned me to Yamaguchi, and her happy laughter on my behalf when I talked about going out with my former homeroom teacher warmed my heart. When I told her Yamaguchi had even brought me home with her my mother grabbed my hands showing her support.
My mother was genuinely happy for me.
Hearing my mother laughs for the first time in as long as I can remember, I felt like I had another thing to be thankful for. My relationship with my mother had completely changed and if I was not careful my mother would begin picking out our wedding date, before I could even secure the bride in question.
Since it had been a long day, I bid my mother a good night not long after and walked up the stairs and into my bedroom. I fell down on my bed with my face facing downwards, just soaking in everything that had happened today.
I will never admit it out loud, not even to my mother, but I cried a few tears in happiness before falling asleep that night.
oOoOo
An:
So there you have it. To be honest I have no idea what to make of his mother, she is kind of writing herself, but I love her character.