A/N: It's reunion time again! And this time, I brought Takasugi Reita (the ringleader at the end of season 3 as well as in the movie) along as well! He only says like two lines though, because there are too many characters in this scene and obviously the main characters get more 'air time'!
Nevertheless, there's a major OC in the next few chapters, and I've pretty much just modelled him after Reita's character. I even gave him the same first name, although he's just referred to as 'Takku' by everyone else.
The thirty odd schoolboys from 3-D class in Aoki Gakuen sat in tense silence. Their homeroom teacher, Yamaguchi Kumiko, or more affectionately known as Yankumi, was currently sitting in a disciplinary hearing before the school's Board of Directors and the Parents-Teachers Association. A magazine had leaked that she was actually the wife of a Yakuza boss. It also proceeded to reveal that she had grown up with a Yakuza background all her life, being the granddaughter of a former Yakuza boss as well. For some reason, their actual names and the exact Yakuza clan (or clans) had not been specified; but even that had been enough to spark a frenzy among 'concerned' school directors and parents.
The boys were confused. On one hand, she was the best teacher they have ever had. Perhaps even the only person they considered a teacher in their entire life. On the other hand, their parents had insisted that she was trying to lead them astray; and that it was her fault that they had become delinquents. The last part wasn't true, of course, they were already delinquents before she transferred to their school 2 years ago; but their parents were firm in their beliefs. Their parents had argued that no matter what, she had been trying to convert them into joining the Yakuza.
Takuya Reita, nicknamed 'Takku', their ringleader; stood up abruptly and slammed his hand on the wooden desk. "I don't care what everyone else says. Yankumi has taught me more than both my parents and all those so-called teachers combined. She has never lied to me, whereas my parents and the other teachers have done so repeatedly. I'm not going to allow those idiots to fire Yankumi!"
His best friend Kutta (whose real name was Sakuraba Suzuki, but everyone just called him Kutta because he was always glued to Takku. Takku-Kutta, get it?) stood up as well. "Takku's right, guys. I don't believe that she was trying to make us join the Yakuza. True, the words she used and the life lessons she taught us may have been Yakuza in origin; but how many of us can say that we wished we have never learnt those things? Every single thing Yankumi said or did was for our sake, not for some stupid hidden motive."
One by one, the boys joined in. "You're right. In fact, I think we were more likely to join the Yakuza before she came here than we are now. In the past, we never knew what we wanted for the future; and only knew how to pick a fight."
"Yeah. And that time Mizusawa punched her… She could have fought back, couldn't she? Or set her Yakuza husband on his ass? But she didn't. She just took it in stride and proceeded to give us that lecture about fighting for a reason."
"Yankumi deserves to be here more than any of the other stupid teachers in this school!" Someone yelled.
"Yeah! Come on; let's go and tell those morons that!" They got up as one and headed to the conference room.
Inside the conference room, Yankumi was sitting quietly in her seat. She didn't mind being fired, no; but she minded leaving her homeroom boys behind. They were still immature and rash and prone to rush headfirst into things; but they were all good kids. Just like all the delinquents she had taught over the years. All they needed was a little more guidance, a little more understanding and a little more patience. The little that she would not be able to give if she was forced to leave now.
"It's your fault that they became delinquents!" A red-faced father was screaming at her. Yankumi didn't respond, knowing that it would be futile to try to convince him otherwise. He had finally found someone other than himself to pin the blame on, so he was definitely adamant on believing it.
"Actually," Principal Sawatari interjected politely. "Mizusawa-kun was already a delinquent since middle school." He and Yankumi still went head to head over the most trivial of things every single day; but it had become something they did out of habit rather than genuine spite. In fact, he really respected her and her ability to rehabilitate delinquent students. He was the one who had offered her the job at Aoki Gakuen once he was (finally) appointed as Principal.
"Principal Sawatari, do not forget that this is your fault too! You admitted that you knew of her background when you hired her! How can you allow such a negative influence around the children?" A school director accused.
"Yes, both of you have caused irreparable damage to our children's futures! How are you going to take responsibility?" Another parent added.
At that exact moment, 3-D burst into the conference room. "Shut up you ugly hag! You are the one who have damaged your own son's future! Whereas Yankumi is the one who is trying to mend all the damage that you have done!" Takku yelled at the parent.
"Omaera, what are you doing here?" Yankumi asked quietly. "I told you to wait in the classroom."
"We couldn't, Yankumi." Kutta explained. "We wanted to tell them how we really feel, that you are the best teacher we've ever had. Why doesn't anyone listen to what we think?!" He turned to face the audience in the room. "All of you adults only know how to jump to conclusions. You don't even know her!"
"And I don't intend to. After all, I make it my business not to know people from the Yakuza, kiddo." A director interjected condescendingly. "Now leave us, you guys are too young to understand what's going on. We're acting in your best interest!"
"Our best interest is to have Yankumi continue to teach us!" One of the boys yelled.
"Nonsense! What all of you need is proper guidance!" Another director rebuked. "Look at all your hair and uniforms! And the way you talk! Obviously this teacher has led all of you astray!"
Suddenly, the door swung opened and a group of young men strode into the conference room with an air of authority and confidence. The first man spoke. "Would it convince you that Yamaguchi-sensei's continued tenure is in the best interest of the boys; if we told you that we are all her former students?"
"Who are you?" The director asked rudely.
The man raised an eyebrow, as though he was genuinely surprised that the director had not recognised him. "Kazama Ren, CEO of the Red Lion Group of Companies. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi." He replied civilly, without any hint of disrespect.
Another man stepped forward, wearing blue scrubs and a white lab coat. "Dr Ogata Yamato, surgical consultant at Natsume General Hospital. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Odagiri Ryu, public defence lawyer with the Legal Aid Commission. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Yabuki Hayato, Chief Financial Officer of the Red Lion Group of Companies. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Uchiyama Haruhiko, Project Development Manager at OS Constructions. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Minami Youichi, medical intern at Natsume General Hospital. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Kumai Teruo, owner of Kumai Ramen. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Noda Takeshi, fashion designer at Marc Jacobs' Japan Division. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Takeda Keita, actor, singer and entertainer at WaT Entertainment. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Tsuchiya Hikaru, lead cameraman and assistant lighting director at NHK News. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Kamiya Shunsuke, model at MS Agency. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Honjo Kengo, owner of Honjo Tofu Products. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Kuraki Satoru, mechanic at Shirokin Automobile. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Ichimura Rikiya, barista at Starbucks by day and bartender at Kentz by night. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
"Takasugi Reita, sous chef at Le Bistro. Former delinquent and student of Yankumi."
All the audience in the room was shocked into silence, including the rowdy boys from 3-D. They stared at the group of well-dressed and well-educated newcomers in disbelief. Those people were… former delinquents?
Grasping the ensuing silence as an opportunity, Ren spoke up again. "We are not here to tell you how to decide, of course. After all, all of you here are the legal guardians of the boys in this school. We are not attempting to dictate whatever their futures may be. That is your decision to make. Therefore, if you still find Yamaguchi-sensei unsuitable for the position, you are in the rightful position to dismiss her." He concluded politely, playing on reverse psychology.
"Will you allow us to discuss this in private, Kazama?" Principal Sawatari asked him quietly, although Ren could detect the slightest tinge of pride in his voice.
"Of course, Principal Sawatari." Ren nodded his head respectfully and gestured his companions to leave. "Perhaps you guys too?" He asked the 3-D schoolboys. Takku frowned slightly, before turning to walk out; followed by all his classmates.
"Yamaguchi-sensei, can you can keep an eye on 3-D temporarily while we make our decision?" Principal Sawatari prompted.
"Of course. I will be in 3-D if you need me." Yankumi excused herself and left.
Just before Ren left the room, Principal Sawatari put a hand on his shoulder. "All of you cleaned up well, Kazama." He whispered, but was just loud enough for the others in the room to hear.
Ren smiled at the man's ingenuity. Who knew that the Crazy Monkey Head Teacher who was always trying to expel them would one day be on their side? "Thanks. We couldn't have done it without Yankumi." He bowed his head and left.
"How did you know about this, Ren?" Yankumi asked quietly.
Ren turned to look at her with an inscrutable expression. "How do you think?"
"But I didn't tell Shin about it!"
Ren gave her an omniscient look. "The Kuroda Brothers hide things from you, Yankumi; you do NOT hide things from the Kuroda Brothers." He looked at Minami pointedly. "And that applies to you too, Minami."
Minami gave Ren a guilty look but nodded dutifully.
"Good. Because I'm meeting your hospital director this Friday." Ren informed him.
Yamato looked at both of them curiously. "What happened, Ren? Why are you meeting the director?"
"Later." Ren murmured, acutely aware that everyone in the vicinity was listening to their conversation. "Can we wait in your classroom?" He addressed Takku, knowing that boys at that age hated being ignored or undermined.
Takku gave an indifferent shrug and walked past them.
The group of them made their way to 3-D classroom. As usual, the delinquent class was placed at the furthest and darkest corner of the school; as if they were some sort of contagious disease that should be kept away from the rest of the student population.
Ren and the seniors walked into the classroom and were immediately hit with a wave of nostalgia. It was a totally different classroom in a totally different school, but all the main 'features' were there – the mess, the graffiti, the swear words on the blackboard – it was 3-D alright.
"Whoa." Uchi, Minami, Noda and Kuma chorused.
Ren watched them in amusement. "Feeling old?" He teased.
Uchi shook his head in disbelief. 3-D felt like a lifetime ago to them. "You have no idea."
"So who's on the Delinquents List right now?" Hayato tried to make conversation with the schoolboys to dispel the awkwardness.
"Number 1 last year was Azuki Hito from Karatsumori High." A mousy-faced boy in front answered. The 'sitting hierarchy' was the same too. The head of the class right at the back, and the runt of the class right in the front. Ryu remembered sitting at the front of the class for a whole week when he first came back to school. That had stung almost as much as Hayato's refusal to speak to him.
"Eh, really? What happened to your record, Yankumi?" Yamato gave her a friendly poke in the shoulder.
Yankumi stifled a smile. "They were still in 2-D last year." She said by way of explanation.
"Ah. That explains it then. Do you guys think you stand a chance when you graduate this year?" Ryu asked Takku and his group.
Takku totally ignored him. Kutta hesitated before speaking up. "We don't know. Takku will probably make it though." He looked at his best friend and leader admiringly.
"Come on, be more confident in yourselves!" Kuma told them cheerfully. "Yankumi's students have always been top delinquents for as long as we know."
"Really?" The rest of the boys – except for Takku – were leaning in closer now; eager to find out more.
"Stop influencing them, you guys." Yankumi lectured half-heartedly. She was secretly proud of her students' achievements. After all, her first student and husband had been a top delinquent too.
"Stop pretending, Yankumi." Reita grinned at her. "You treated me to a meal when I became top delinquent!"
All the other former students crowded around Yankumi upon hearing Reita's statement. "What is this blasphemy?" "Where are our meals?" "How can you play favourites, Yankumi?" "Are you saying that you're not proud of us?" They berated her one by one.
The 3-D boys were impressed. All of these men had been top delinquents! It was almost unimaginable, seeing them in their fancy suits and uniforms right now. They looked like intelligent and respectable men, a far cry from the useless delinquents that the 3-D boys currently felt they were.
They were interrupted by the door sliding open. It was Principal Sawatari. The noise in the room died at once. "Yamaguchi-sensei, a moment please."
Yankumi swallowed and went out of the room.
"Go on guys, eat as much as you want!" Yankumi declared happily.
"Really? Can we get dumplings too?" One of the boys asked.
"And more chashu?" Another boy asked hopefully.
"Of course, get whatever you want; I will pay for however much you guys can eat today!" Yankumi responded enthusiastically.
(Three hours, 50 bowls of ramen, 15 extra serves of chashu and 10 plates of dumplings later…)
"That will be 97 thousand yen, Yankumi." Kuma said cheerfully.
"NINETY-SEVEN THOUSAND? FOR RAMEN? How much did you guys eat?" She turned to look at them in horror.
"You said to eat as much as we can!" The boys informed her mischievously.
"I can't afford nearly 100 thousand yen just on ramen! I don't care; you guys have to chip in! Everyone, pay up at least 1000 yen! The older ones, 2000 yen!"
Everyone, old and young, broke into a loud protest. "No fair, you said you were going to treat us!" "You're our teacher!" "We're here because we're celebrating with you!" "You already owe us for not buying us a meal for being top delinquent!" "We didn't go to work today because of you!"
Ren just smiled and handed Kuma his credit card. He knew that this was going to happen. After all, Yankumi 'treated' her students every year. "Go on, charge it all to me."
"Are you sure? Alright then." Kuma busied himself with the bill.
Ren signed the receipt without a single glance. He trusted Kuma enough.
"Alright guys, stop squabbling! The bill's been paid for." Kuma announced. "Now shoo, so that my other customers can come in!" He said in jest.
"Eh? Paid for? Who did?" Yankumi looked at Kuma in bewilderment. She spotted Ren who was leaning against a pillar with an amused expression on his face. That's right; he had been curiously absent from the group that was hounding her a moment ago. "It's you, isn't it? Well, I can't say that it's unfair… After all you are the highest paid one among all of us…" She reached out to elbow him, which he of course avoided with practised ease.
He gave her a pointed look. "I didn't pay because of that, Nee-san." He emphasized the last word.
Yankumi – who had received proper lessons in diplomatic speak from her patient husband – understood the undercurrent of Ren's statement immediately. He had only called her Nee-san twice in his entire life. Once on her wedding day when he was required to pay his respects to his Aniki's wife; and once today. He was telling her that she has and will always be his family. She wasn't just a former teacher or even a teacher who had changed his life. She was more than that. She was his sister-in-law. And just as he had stepped up to pay for her today, he would step in to protect her as often as he needed to.