~*37*~

The taxi pulled up outside the Akimoto household as Isao stepped out of the vehicle. He was still a bit bruised from his crash and hobbled along with crutches. Junko was waiting for him outside of their home. When she saw him she ran up to the man. "Oh Isao are you okay?"

"Yeah... Fine" He replied as he yawned.

"Come on in and I'll make us some tea" She smiled.

"Sure, that sounds nice" He nodded. Opening the door Junko led her husband inside as she sat him down on the sofa. Isao looked around his living room, the aura, if that was what he was feeling, seemed lighter for some reason. Junko returned from the kitchen with a pot of tea and two cups. Placing the cups down on the small table in front of the sofa she began to pour the tea.

"It's wonderful to have you home" She stated.

"And it's good to be home" Isao nodded with a smile. Junko took a seat next to Isao as they sipped their tea.

"Now, we have something to talk about" Junko muttered.

"Which is?"

"Our son."

"I thought he was okay where he is?" Isao said.

"I'm not talking about the living arrangements, more about the fact that in a few months, he won't be here anymore."

"Right" Isao nodded.

"I know things have been better between the two of you lately" Junko beamed.

"Yes... In some ways this accident was a blessing."

"I hate to say it but I think I might agree" She chuckled, Isao joined her.

"It's been a while" Isao mumbled.

"What has?"

"Since we last laughed together" He said. Junko smiled at her husband as he held her hand. "I promise, the future will be a lot brighter for us... All of us" He smiled. Junko nodded in agreement as they continued to drink their tea.

"We need to spend more time with him before he leaves" Junko said as she lay back on the sofa.

"I agree" Isao smiled in return. He then joined his wife in her relaxed position as, for the first time in a long time, he held her with his one good arm.

"There he is!" Takeshi roared as Kaito entered the reference room at lunch. "Man, we missed you!"

"Laying it on a bit thick aren't you?" Yumi whispered.

"Who cares?!" Takeshi retorted as he approached his friend, embracing him as he did.

"Thanks Keshi" Kaito smiled. "Sorry I wasn't in earlier, Miyagi said I could take my time so I thought I join you for lunch today and then go back to my usual school days."

"That's good" Juni said as he shook his friend's hand.

"Are you feeling okay?" Kumiko asked in a sweet tone.

"Yeah Kumi-Chan, I'm good" Kaito nodded.

"You gave us a scare" Yumi stated as she hugged the boy.

"Yeah, I am sorry guys."

"You don't need to apologise Kaito" Ushio said as she approached. Kaito and Ushio shared a smile, as they both thought back to the other night.

"Listen dude, I don't know if you've been thinking about it or not but... If you're not planning on staying in your house then my mom said you're more than welcome to stay with us" Takeshi said.

"Really?" Kaito asked.

"Yeah, she said it would be a delight to have you... Or something" He grinned.

"Well, I think I'll you up on that offer... Thanks man" Kaito nodded.

"Sure, just let me know when."

"Tomorrow? I still have a few things to sort out at home."

"That's fine" Takeshi said as he placed his arm around his friend, leading him towards a chair. The six of them all sat down at the table, Takeshi took his usual spot on top of one of the old desks.

"So, Juni, I hear your dads out of hospital today" Kaito said.

"Yeah, I'm gonna go see him after school."

"You going Kumi?" Asked Takeshi.

"No, I think I'll leave Juni too it today" She smiled.

"Yeah... We've got a few things to sort out, my family and I..."

"Right" Kumiko nodded.

After finishing their meals they decided to leave the reference room early to go and sit out in the courtyard. As they were making their way toward the school's exit the six of them heard a voice calling from behind them. As they turned around they saw Mayumi Hiroshima. "Kaito!" She cried as she jogged towards him.

"Hey" He smiled.

"I-I heard about your grandmother... I'm so sorry" She said as she hugged him. Kaito smiled as she pulled back. Kumiko and Ushio shared a look with each other as Kaito and Mayumi parted.

"Don't worry about it" Kaito stated "I'm coping."

"I'm glad" Mayumi smiled. "I-If you ever need anything... Well, you have my number."

"Thanks" Kaito nodded.

"Well, I have to get going" She said as she twirled a strand of her dark hair. "See you" She blushed as she walked away. The group watched her walk off into the crowd of students.

"See ya!" Takeshi laughed as he felt a dig to his ribs. "Jesus Yumi, stop it!"

"That wasn't me..." Yumi replied. Takeshi looked around as his eyes settle on Ushio. "Erm... Let's just go outside!" They all nodded as they made for the exit. Ushio and Takeshi hung at the back.

"She keeps doing things like that, Takeshi" Ushio whispered as they maintained a distance from the group.

"Don't worry; I know he feels the same about you... He just doesn't know it yet."

"I don't think he'll ever figure it out then" Ushio sighed. Takeshi placed his arm around Ushio as he chuckled.

"Don't worry Ushio, sooner or later; Kaito's bound to have a break through." He smiled. Ushio let out another sigh.

"I hope you're right..."

The bell rang again, concluding lunch. "Don't be late to Gym today Juni" Takeshi laughed.

"Yeah I'll try not" Juni laughed as he said goodbye to the others to go to homeroom.

Later that day... "Crap" Juni muttered to himself as he jogged towards the school gym. "Always late, it's not my fault the stupid gym is at the other side of school!" He said to himself. As he passed numerous hallways he heard a noise coming from down one. Stopping, he poked his head around. There stood his old nemesis, Gaku. He was holding Kenji up against a wall.

"Ain't got your body guards to help ya today have ya?" Gaku asked yet Kenji remained quiet. Juni was about to step out and say something when an idea entered his head. Time seemed to slow down as he explored his mind... There was no one around to witness this event, if Juni told a teacher; Gaku could simply get away with it. But, if Juni had proof of what Gaku was doing then, then Gaku would be expelled... Feeling in his pockets Juni found his phone. He didn't think it was a brilliant idea but... At least it was something. Juni set it to video record as he held the phone up. The only conflict he had against this plan was that he was filming Kenji's suffering, yet, if he just explained everything to Kenji, it would all be okay, right? As Juni recorder Gaku continued. "Now ya fucking wimp, give me your money."

"I-I spent it all" Kenji whimpered.

"Don't fucking lie to me!" Gaku yelled as he threw a punch at Kenji's stomach. Letting out a cry Kenji nearly dropped out of Gaku's grasp. Juni had to hold himself back from stepping in; this was for the greater good after all. After another couple of shots to the stomach, Kenji began to cough; Juni had decided enough was enough. Stopping the recording as he had enough evidence of Gaku's deeds, Juni ran forward as he grabbed Gaku from behind, pulling him away from Kenji. Gaku's eyes met Juni's as he spat on the floor. "For fucks sake!"

"What's the matter?" Juni laughed.

"Why is it always you... Meh, you're not worth it..." Gaku sighed as he walked away. Juni let out sigh of relief as he turned to Kenji.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah Juni, thanks" Kenji smiled.

"Listen... I've kind of done something."

"What?" Kenji asked with a cough.

"Don't be mad..." Juni said.

"Okay..."

"I've just filmed Gaku" Juni stated as he played the recording for Kenji. Kenji's face turned to a frown.

"Why would you do that?"

"I'm sorry Kenji but... With this, and you're help, we can get Gaku expelled."

"R-Really?" Kenji asked with hopeful eyes.

"Yes" Juni smiled. Kenji placed out his hand as Juni shook it.

"I'll give you all the help I can" Kenji stated as he smiled at Juni.

Back at Juni's home, Junko had just returned from a phone call that she had took in the kitchen. "Isao" She said. Isao turned to her.

"Yeah?"

"I have to go into Junichiro's school."

"Why?"

"He's been involved in some kind of fight... They've asked me to come in" She stated. Isao's brow creased as he tried to fight his anger. He placed his hand to his forehead as he spoke.

"For god's sake Juni..."

Junko entered the principle's office as she saw Juni sat down with another young boy and a larger boy off to the right. There was also a rough looking woman stood there. Behind a desk sat a rather slim looking woman, she had flowing dark hair with piercing eyes. "Ah, Mrs. Akimoto" The woman smiled. "This is Mrs. Space, her son Gaku and this young man is Kenji." She greeted them as she took a seat next to her son.

"Can you please tell me what this is about?" Mrs. Space asked.

"Well, it's come to my attention that your son has continued to bully other students after multiple warnings" The principle stated.

"Just rumours, am I right Gaku?" Gaku looked to his mother. "I better be" She said with a cross look. Gaku's eye's dropped to the floor.

"Mrs. Space" The principle began "According to Kenji your son has continued to bully him the past few weeks."

"As I said, they're just words, rumours."

"However, this time we have factual evidence" The principle replied as Mrs. Space sat up straight. "Mrs. Akimoto, you're son filmed such an event on his mobile phone." Junko looked to Juni with a look of confusion.

"Mom... Kenji's my friend, I couldn't jus-"

"Junichiro, you shall speak when spoken to" The principle stated. Juni nodded at her as he went quiet. "Kenji, are you sure you're okay for this footage to be shown?"

"Yes Miss" Kenji nodded. The principle held up Juni's phone as she gestured from him to press play, he did so. They all watched the footage, roughly about 30 seconds, of Gaku insulting Kenji and throwing multiple punches at him. As the video stopped Gaku's eyes returned to the floor as his mother displayed a look of disgust.

"I will not condone violence in my school" The principle stated. "After many, many warnings, detentions and suspensions your son has refused to stop. I have no choice but expulsion."

"You're expelling him?!" Mrs. Space asked in a worried tone.

"Yes, to be removed from the school site and system immediately. I'm afraid you will have to leave. We'll be in touch with details of what to next." Mrs. Space began to fume as she grabbed Gaku by the shoulder, dragging him out of the office.

"You stupid shit! You'll never amount to anything, just like your father!" She cried as the door closed. The principle spoke again.

"Now, as for Junichiro."

"What will happen?" Junko asked. The principle sighed.

"Off record, I do want to say that you should be proud of your son for doing something like this. Officially we cannot condone violence of any kind, even things such as filming an event."

"So, I'm okay right?" Juni asked. The principle shook her head.

"No, I am sorry but in such an event I have to treat all parties equally. I'm afraid you will have to face suspension."

"S-Suspension?" Junko whimpered as the principle nodded. Kenji gave Juni a concerned look.

"It's fine" Juni whispered.

"Will this affect his scholarship?" Junko asked. Juni's face went white, in all the madness of today he hadn't even considered what affect this would have on him.

"Yes... To some extent."

"What does that mean?" Juni asked.

"We will have to inform the college you wish to attend. It is up to them to make the decision on whether they still want to offer you a place. Yet, we will provide them with all the information so, due to the circumstances you may still get in."

"So there's still a chance?" Kenji asked.

"Yes" The principle replied.

"Thank god..." Kenji sighed "I wouldn't want you to mess up your future on my account" He said as he turned to Juni. Juni nodded as he looked to his mother. They shared a hopeful smile.

"Right, now that everything's sorted, you may return to your classes."

The bell rang, ending the school day. Juni and his friends were walking out of the courtyard as Juni had just told them the news, leaving out the fact that he may not make it into his choice of college. "Really? So Gaku's gone, fucked off just like that?" Takeshi asked.

"Yep, just like that" Juni smiled.

"We should've thought of that a lot sooner" Yumi sighed.

"Yeah, good going Juni" Kaito laughed.

"I'm still upset you got suspended" Kumiko stated.

"It'll be fine" Juni said as he held her hand.

"Yeah Kumi, Juni's an even bigger hero now" Ushio smiled. Just then a large figure approached the six friends; he had dark hair, a broad build and a bruise across his face. It was Gaku.

"Just leave man!" Takeshi yelled as he saw the boy. The others stopped dead in their tracks as Gaku remained unusually calm.

"What do you want?" Juni asked.

"To talk" Gaku replied.

"You've done enough haven't you?" Yumi yelled. Gaku ignored her as he looked to Juni.

"I've come to tell you... To watch your back."

"Yeah, old news" Kaito retorted.

"I will get you" Gaku said, also ignoring Kaito. "I promise you, you little, wimpy, ginger shit" He smirked. "I will end you one day."

"You'll probably be in prison before then!" Ushio shouted as Gaku turned away and began to walk off.

"J-Just ignore him man" Takeshi stated. Juni had gone white.

"Juni?" Kumiko asked.

"I-I'm fine" Juni smiled. "I'm gonna go to my parent's house now, I-I'll see you later" He smiled. Juni then left the group as they stared at him, walking away.

"You guys need to watch out for him, even more so now..." Yumi stated. Kaito and Takeshi looked at each other as they nodded.

"We're on it."

Juni reached the front door of his previous residence. Letting out a sigh he walked in. There, sat on the sofa was his mother and his father. Isao stood up on his crutch as Juni walked in. Junko remained quiet. As Juni approached he spoke. "Dad... Please don't be angry." Isao shook his head.

"Juni, you idiot. Of course I'm angry" He replied as Juni's eyes fell to the floor. Isao came close to his son as he placed his hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry" He said "If worse comes to worse, we'll work something out" He smiled. Juni nodded as he and his father embraced. Isao sat there with a smile, as she had said before; things were beginning to work themselves out, or, at least she hoped...

~*37*~