Disclaimer: I don't own gokusen or any of its characters…
Author's note: Well, this is the fourth chapter. I don't know what will be the next. I kept on watching gokusen many many times and I can't help but smile while watching… The only song I heard from the past days was its theme song 'Feel Your Breeze' by V6. I almost memorize its lyrics even if I can't understand it. :P
Chapter 4: The Gig Night
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Shin was not about to go at Yoshitori's but he was thinking of his friends who were waiting for him. Tonight wasn't a worth day performing because his Yankumi will not be present. His first plan was to sing and dedicate the last song of the night for her and tell her his feelings. But he found it too corny so he changed his mind. He was planning to walk her home and to tell his feelings for her in the middle of the night. But everything was ruined this morning. She will not come.
He came at the Yoshitori's around 11:00 am. The others were busy practicing and arranging their instruments for the night. He sat down drowsily and his eyelids were half closed.
"Shin"
"…"
"Oi, Shin"
"…"
"SHINNNNNN!" Uchi, Noda, Minami and Kuma simultaneously shouted.
"Something wrong?" he said as if the world has nothing to do with him.
"By the way, just asking if Yankumi will come today. I heard you inviting her this morning" Kuma said while wiping the amplifier.
"She'll not come" he said timidly.
"WHATTTTTTTTTT, I thought she said that she'll always support us." Uchi cried out.
"I said she'll not come! Haven't you heard it! She will be going with Shinohara this night! Forget about the things she said!" Shin shouted back to his friends. The others were staring at each other. They were confused about Shin's attitude today. This morning, he was smiling and even said 'ohayo' to all of them and now he is shouting to the top of his lungs as if he has some explosive inside him.
He stood up toughly and went outside. "I'll be back at 6" He stated plainly.
"We still have practices you know! Come back here!" Noda called him but he didn't even look at his back to recognize them.
"IS he bothered about Yankumi not coming here?" Kuma asked himself loudly that the others heard it too.
"I think so…" Minami said while tapping his own cheek.
"I smell something fishy…" Uchi as well tapped his chin while acting like thinking deeply.
0o-0o-0o-0o
Yankumi was on her way to the Oedo household. Gosh, I'm too early than usual. She released her hair out of its usual pigtails and removed her dainty glasses out of her eyes. She continued walking through the household as all the people whom she passes by bowed their heads and greeted their beloved Ojou.
"Oujo, welcome home." Tetsu, Minoru and Kyou bowed and greeted her in chorus.
"Nice day huh?" she smiled cheerfully while removing her shoes and getting her slippers.
"Lemme help you, Ojou." Tetsu was about to get the books that Yankumi carried when she snapped his hand to prevent him from doing it.
She saw the embarrassed expression of Tetsu who just stepped back. She felt sorry for him because he was the one who experienced her rudeness. Her bad mood was just bad enough. She was totally out of her cheerful face. She always have her fake cheerfulness when she have some trouble with class 3-D, but this unusual time, she can't even let out a fake smile.
I just wanna be myself for some time. I must go with my emotions somehow…
She immediately changed into her house clothes and tied up her hair in its half ponytail look that she usually does at home. She sat on the low table outside and started checking the test papers of her students. I thought I would be only kissing Shinohara. The first kiss that I was reserving just for him was finally gone. And the second one too. What a mess!
She suddenly remembered the gig of her students and the big lie that she told Shin. She remembered the pale look he gave her and sounds of his pleading voice. She felt sorry for him… not just for him but also her other students. By the way, it's not just Shin who will be performing… I'll be there but not for Shin. I'll support all of them. That's the duty of a good teacher, ne? She finally made her mind. She will go there.
0o-0o-0o-0o-0o
Shin was walking past the bridge where he and Yankumi usually talk about how their day went. When she gives him advice about Misaki, when he has family problems, when she talks about Shinohara… everything. This was still the most peaceful place for him. He was taking a walk and savoring the fresh air when Shinohara passed by with his bicycle.
He is probably on his way to fetch Yankumi… Kumiko… I think I'll just call her by her name when I'm thinking about her. Nice idea!
"Sawada!" The police officer suddenly stopped and greeted him.
Shin bowed his head silently to show respect to the older man. "Nice seeing you"
"Me too. I was about to go to our quarters since I'm the one assigned for patrolling the city tonight. In short, I'll be working overtime. Really exhausting." Shinohara explained.
"Overtime?" That question popped on his mind when he remembered that Yankumi told him that she was called by Shinohara and invited her to go out.
"Yeah. I received that order from the supreme police officer yesterday so I cancelled all my plans for today"
"So you mean you did not call Kumi… Yankumi this afternoon and told her to go out with you tonight?" Shin felt slightly relieved upon hearing the statement that came from Shinohara's mouth.
"Of course not. I told you that I got that order yesterday so I didn't plan anything for today. Wait, did she told you that I called her and asked her for a date?" Shinohara blinked in confusion.
"No, no, no. She didn't. I just thought that you are on your way to fetch Yankumi. You better get going before your supreme police officer fires you up." Shin sighed in relief. His heart jumped with joy when he knew that Yankumi was just lying.
"Well then, see you someday. Don't give your teacher any problems and trouble. You'll pay if you did that." Shinohara stated.
Shin didn't like the way Shinohara said that last statement. Shinohara looks at him like he didn't care for his teacher. She means everything to me. It's better to see Yankumi lying just to stay away from him than to see her owned by someone else.
He went down near the river and lay down on the soft grass. He crossed his fingers and placed them at the back of his head while he used his bag as his pillow. The sensation of her lips flashed back on his head as he closed his eyes. He licked his lips to moisten them. He didn't realize that he was already asleep under the calm sky while he was thinking of her.
0o-0o-0o-0o-0o
Yankumi was just finished taking a bath when she noticed the time. She wanted to feel fresh after what had just happened. It was weird because she took long enough inside the bathroom. She blinked at wall clock that it was already 5:10 in the afternoon. She needs to hurry up or the band will start without her. She walked out of the bathroom with her bathrobe. She wiped her feet dry so she would not mess up the shiny floor that Tetsu and Minoru polished a while ago. She headed up to her room and chose something to wear. She had a hard time in picking out clothes. She tried all the possible pairs she can make out of the clothes in her closet. She almost spent the twenty minutes in looking for the perfect match. Her hair was almost dry and her body was now shivering inside her cold bathrobe.
Wait, I'm just going to a bar and see my students perform. It's just Kuma, Noda Minami, Uchi and well… Shin. I always go to a bar and drink but I never had a hard time in picking out clothes, even when we get out with Shinohara. I just choose the most comfortable outfit that I like. This is really weird you know. It's just my students by the way! I don't have to look like I went to a parlor or something. Her conscience stated.
You just want to be noticed by somebody… by somebody who just kissed you sweet enough a while ago… The conscience of her conscience interrupted her conscience and her while they are talking. (A/N I was confused about that conscience of the conscience thingy. Is there something like that? I just don't know what to call it.)
She finally decided to wear the halter blue top and a thin jacket to protect her from cold this coming evening. She paired it with the simple blue jeans with some flowery details at the end. It has some patches that added to the style. She put on a little foundation, a little blush on, and a thin eye shadow matched with a light lipstick. She looked blooming with that face especially when night. Those simple and little details that were added to her face made her look much younger and cute. She really didn't need much to show her true beauty. She just didn't have a time to prepare since she was always in a hurry in going to school. Even when Shinohara invites her out, she didn't even bother to put even a little lipstick. She combed her hair and tied it in her traditional ponytails. It just added to her cuteness and innocence.
She finished beautifying herself fifteen minutes before six. She got her clutch bag and walked to the hallway of their house. She spotted her grandfather sitting and drinking his sake while watching television.
"You looked beautiful today, Kumiko. Is there something special tonight?" Her grandfather asked.
"Nothing really Ojii-san. I am just going out with my class. They'll be performing tonight at Yoshitori's." Her light make up darkened slightly due to the redness that formed when her grandfather asked her. She was putting on her shoes and makes her way to the door.
"Have a good time Kumiko."
"Thanks Ojii-san. I have to go now. I don't wanna miss a chair and end up standing the whole night at the bar." She finally waved him goodbye.
0o-0o-0o-0o-0o
Shin was on his apartment getting ready for tonight. He was in a hurry since he spent his time sleeping near the river. He took a bath quickly and looked for some clothes. He was not sure what he was going to wear. He took out the last piece of clothing in his closet.
Why are you getting paranoid! Just choose something comfortable. You don't need to look good tonight; Kumiko will not be there anyway. Don't expect her to come. You don't like other girls to take a look at you right expect her, right?
He just picked out the simple navy blue shirt with a cool print in it and that loose jeans. He combed his dark locks and checked his features on the mirror. Wow! He really looks too good no matter what he wear. But he really has a hard time dealing with girls even if he is good-looking. He sprayed a little perfume that gave him a more masculine scent. He put on his trademark necklace that adds to his coolness. He went near the door and put on his rubber shoes.
When he just finished preparing, he turned of the lights and headed to the door. He turned the knob and headed to Yoshitori's which were blocks away from his apartment. He just took a walk so he can exercise a bit.
0o-0o-0o-0o-0o
Shin came just about in time. He noticed the glimmering light with the banner outside saying "Yoshitori's Bar Now Open: featuring The SMUNK". (A/N: I decided o name their band he DUNKS because that is their initials: Shin, Minami, Uchiyama, Noda and Kuma.) He walked towards the bar. He opened the door and shocked when he saw his friends. They were all frowning and pale-faced while lazily sitting down and bowing on the chairs and tables respectively.
What happened? They all looked pretty good today.
"What's wrong?" He finally stated.
"Don't you know what's wrong Shin? Look around you." Noda said with much irritation in his voice.
He looked around the realized that the place is…
Empty.
Empty, no other people inside. Just them and the owner.
"No people, no costumer, mean no girls! How freaky!" Minami and Uchi exclaimed.
Kuma was sleeping for about fifteen minutes already woke up because of their voice. "Did somebody come already? Oh! Shin, You're here" Kuma said absent-mindedly.
"Let's just wait for about fifteen minutes more. After that you can all go where you want." Shin said calmly.
All of them growled.
"We even made our way to the parlor to have a treatment to look good tonight. But nobody came!" They all growled when they heard Minami.
They all went back to their original position and waited a few minutes more.
fourteen minutes later
"One minute more before the fifteen minutes complete." Shin declared without moving. Neither of them moved.
The door slightly slide and all of them almost jumped with joy when they heard somebody entered. All of them bowed without looking at the person who just came in.
"Welcome. Enjoy your stay!" They all exclaimed.
"Why is this place empty?" The voice sounded so familiar.
They looked their way upward and saw their beloved homeroom adviser. They felt embarrassed when because their teacher saw the bar empty.
I thought she is not coming. Well lucky me… She finally came and I don't care whether this bar is empty or not. Change of plans again… I'll say to her what I feel before the dawn comes.
"This is a new place so I got lost for a while. But Shin told me earlier that it is near Kuma's house so I decided to go to your place then I spotted this bar. And… Tadaaannnn… Here I am to support my students." She told them with her fists in the air. Her students frowned when they saw her.
"Fifteen minutes is up. We gotta go… Enjoy yourself Yankumi." Kuma, Noda, Uchi, and Minami all waved goodbye. "You're not going Shin?" They asked.
"No, I'll stay here for a while."
"You guys, I came all the way here to see you perform. Come and perform for me." She pouted.
"We are not going to perform for just one person. We'll just waste our time." They finally went out.
"It's just the two of us." Shin refused to look at her. She just stared from the corner of his eyes. When he saw her flushing features, he just can't help but stare at her. Her beauty glowed from top to bottom.
Did she do that for me?
"You look beautiful." Shin told her softly. He suddenly blushed when he said those.
"Thanks." She too was crimson red faced. Actually she was expecting that kind of compliment from Shin. She was imagining that Shin was telling her that she looks too good tonight. She used to be joking and acting freely when she is with Sawada, but this day, she just found herself blushing every now and then. She always pokes him on face, punches him and shouting at him, but now, she started to act more lady-like in front of him.
Do I want him to be pleased at me?
"You kinda look good too. You did that for me?" She told him with a grinning face. She started going with him comfortably again.
"Don't flatter yourself, Yankumi. I don't even know that you will come." He lied.
I might spend the whole afternoon getting prepared if I knew you'll come.
She felt something weird. Something pricked her when he said 'Don't flatter yourself Yankumi'.
He doesn't like me after all that he'd done? Why do I expect him to say that he likes me anyway?
They've been awkward with each other for a while. Shin started to pull a chair. Yankumi had no idea of what is he trying to do. He offered her the chair and she gladly accepted it.
The perfect time for my perfect plan. I'm thankful that nobody came. I'm thankful that they were gone already. I'm thankful that she came. I have to say what I really feel. It's now or never.
Shin got the microphone and the acoustic guitar at the stage.
I know that I have a small chance in winning your heart. I know that you might not return my feelings but at least you know what I sincerely feel for you. She can think about it and I'm willing to wait.
"I gladly dedicate the first and last song to the only person who came, the only person I trust, the only person I respect, the only person I love. I rather perform to you alone than to perform in a crowd." Shin said his introduction.
Yankumi stared in awe about what she heard. She can't believe her ears.
He loves me.
She felt her heart jump out of joy. She doesn't know why.
But it was just this morning when he kissed me. Then I started to feel these weird feelings. Well I felt this before when he courted Misaki. I felt jealous… Jealous? Oh my God! I'm confused. He's now turning my world upside down. But the big question is… Do I love him?
Her thoughts just snapped away when she heard gentle fingers pluck the strings of the guitar that caused it to produce a marvelous sound. The calm music mesmerized her soul. He started singing a song that penetrated her soul.
He's an awesome performer. Good thing I came or I missed this nice performance. And the big thing is… he did it just for me… exclusively for me.
He continued singing the song until it finally finished.
"I love you Kumiko. Not just a teacher, not just a big sister. I love you-romantically speaking." He told clearly so that she couldn't get the wrong idea.
She just can't believe it. She just stared at him for a minute, and then she looked down.
I love him. I haven't realized it earlier but now it's official. But how could I say this?
"I'm sorry for what I've done earlier. I took advantage of you." He said reluctantly. He felt like he was stabbed directly on his heart when she didn't respond.
"You might not return my feelings but I'm willing to wait. I can wait forever if you just give me a chance." He said embarrassingly. He never knew he can do such things. Even with Misaki.
She just smiled in return. She didn't know how to respond. She was just tucked in place. As if the whole weight of the earth was above her.
His heart was crushed into pieces. He knew he would cry in any minute. He just held back his emotions so she would not call him a boy.
"I know you'll stay away from me after this. I know you'll never hang with me again. Your reputation will be destroyed. I don't want you to suffer just because of me. I just want you to know what I feel because I'm going insane thinking about you day and night." He finally got the courage to tell her.
"Sawada…"
"Call me Shin. That is my first request and for my final request… Can I walk you home? I know this will be the last time that I'll walk with you. You'll be getting a distance between us when classes start again." He let out a deep sigh as he said those words.
"Hai, Shin." He didn't even ask me if I love him or not. He just continued telling about his own feelings. How dare he! I must do something before he gives up…
Shin came close to her and held her hand as he guided her towards the door. She didn't protest about his actions. She just let things happen they way they should be. Shin closed the door as they finally get out and started their way back home.
"How sweet… So romantic… I wish I had done that when I was a little younger. I probably have a family of my own now if I just told my feelings to her before she got married." The owner of the bar stared at them as they walked through the empty street.
Author's note: Whew! That's it! Pretty exhausting. My back ached because of typing the whole night. Well please review… This is the longest chapter I've made so far. Thanks for those who reviewed… I really appreciate the effort. I just felt relieved when I have put all of my ideas here. I have better plans for Shin and Yankumi. I think this will be longer than expected. That's all for now… See you next time…