Title: Stand By You

Author's Note: Thanks for your support! I lubiu all... Sorry for the late update. :) .

Disclaimer: Gokusen characters not mine. Kawakaze Jyuu mine. :) . Shiro mine.

Chapter Three: Hostess Part II & Shin Knows?

It was Tuesday. Not particularly Jyuu's favorite day of the week. As soon as she got up from bed, she tried to decide whether she would go to school or not. "How troublesome," she complained loudly at the empty apartment. She was tired from working so much the night before, and she wanted to stay at home the whole day. Now that she would be able to pay her own way through school, she felt she could take things easy.

Just to rub off sleepiness, Jyuu took a shower and changed her clothes. By now, she was certain she'd stay home until six o'clock, the start of her work hours. To hell with school on Tuesdays. Somehow she disliked that day more so than usual. There was something wrong, though she didn't quite know what.

Her brows furrowed when the doorbell rang. She went to the door and opened it. A man she didn't know was standing there. He was wearing a dark suit, of really good material, too, Jyuu noticed. She always noticed things like that.

"Kawakaze Jyuu?" the man asked.

"That's me." That is I? I am her? "Can I help you?"

"I need you to come with me. David-sama wants to see you." When the man saw Jyuu's sudden frightened expression, he smiled kindly at her. "Your mother knows nothing about this. Your stepfather just wants to talk with you for a bit."

"Why?" Jyuu had never seen her mother's new husband before. She always thought of him as a horrid man, like those in storybooks. But looking at the man in front of her, Jyuu wondered if perhaps she had been wrong. This man seemed nice enough. Surely his boss would be a good one, too?

"I'm sure it's for your best interest," the man replied.

"What's your name, sir?"

"Tsumaki Toshiro, David-sama's assistant."

"All right, Tsumaki-san. I'll go with you."

---

"Hmm... Jyuu's not here," Yankumi said to herself. She glanced at the boys and called out to Noda.

"Nani, Yankumi?"

"Where's Jyuu?"

"We don't know, either..."

"She'll show up when she wants to," Minami joined in.

"True," Yankumi agreed. Jyuu was certainly an independent kind.

---

Everything about Taiyou Corporation suggested wealthy owners and successful business operations. The furnishings were all clearly expensive and of high quality. According to Tsumaki, Jyuu's stepfather Russ David was the CEO of Taiyou Corp. She hadn't known that before, and she was amazed that her mother was married to such a man. My mother's not exactly ugly. But still...

"Here we are, Jyuu-kun," Tsumaki said, stopping in front of a door at the top floor of the building. He led her into a large office and made her sit on the sofa. The secretary outside had told them that David-sama was in a brief meeting. He would soon be there.

It was about ten minutes later when he arrived. Jyuu just stared at him. Russ David was a tall, lean man with dark hair. He looked to be about forty and wasn't at all like Jyuu imagined him to look like before. She quickly stood up and bowed at him. "Good morning, David-sama."

Russ smiled at her and told her to sit, himself sitting across from her. "I'm glad to see you here, Jyuu."

Huoooh... he's the total opposite of mum... She watched him as he appeared to be thinking. After a closer look, she realized his eyes were grey. My favorite kind...

"Jyuu."

"Hai, David-sama?" She glanced at Tsumaki who was leaving the room. I'm glad he can speak Japanese.

"I can understand why you wouldn't go back to your old school," Russ began. He held up a hand when Jyuu's face darkened. "It's fine with me if you stay in Shirokin Gakuen, as long as you're happy."

"You know this much about me?" Jyuu asked incredulously.

The CEO laughed. "Of course."

"Well, you are the one spending for me till the end of this month."

"Not just because of that. I'm not such an unfeeling man, you know. After all, I'm married to your mother. I do care about you."

"That makes one of you," Jyuu muttered.

"Jyuu, why won't you go with us to America? You can go to a good school there."

"I'm fine right here," Jyuu snapped. Then she reddened. "I'm not being ungrateful. But in case you haven't noticed, my mother and I do not exactly have a good relationship." Wouldn't want to 'spoil the atmosphere' as she put it.

For a fleeting moment, Russ' face showed sadness. Jyuu caught it, and she wondered about it, but Russ spoke again. "I know that. Anyway, I brought you here to see for myself if you were sure about staying here in Japan. And since now I know that indeed you are, I am satisfied."

"Satisfied?"

"That you'll be fine here."

"Indeed." Jyuu liked the word, so she used it. She grinned at Russ. "Thanks for personally asking me, though."

"But I wouldn't want us to go off without leaving you anything, so I've asked Toshiro to pay Shirokin Gakuen in advance. The transaction is going on right now."

"But there's no need to... I got a job—"

"Then keep your salary for yourself." Russ smiled. "I'll be sending you money monthly. Just enough to cover your rent, since I know you'd rather work for your own money."

Jyuu's jaw dropped. "Are you serious? You don't have to send anything! If mum finds out..."

"Don't worry. She doesn't pry into my business," Russ assured her with a wink. He stood up, with Jyuu following suit.

"I guess I'll go now. Thank you for everything, David-sama."

"I'll let Toshiro drive you home. I'm sure he has already sent the tuition fee."

"Thanks again. By the way, when will you be leaving?"

"This friday."

"Oh, OK. Goodbye, then." Tsumaki appeared at the door to lead her out.

"And Jyuu..."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry you can't get along with your mother. She's not a bad person."

"I'm sorry, too. It was nice meeting you, David-sama." Then she left with Tsumaki.

Russ sat on his chair and looked at the woman who had just walked in.

"Well?" she asked.

"She's as proud as you are. If only you weren't."

The woman said nothing. She sat down. Both she and Russ were silent for a long, long time. Then she said, "I'm glad you got to meet her, Russ."

"As am I. She's a really interesting girl. If you could just—"

"I can't tell her anything," the woman quickly replied. "She's hated me for this long. It's just as well."

"But it seems like such a waste. The two of you could have made it as mother and daughter if you'd been honest with her."

"I'm a bit worried about her new job, Russ."

"Don't be, hon. I've checked the owner. Kaguro Morichi is a good man."

"I'm glad."

---

The rooftop was a bit of a sanctuary, as far as Shin thought of it. As long as he was by himself, everything was fine. He had been a little distracted in class and wasn't able to sleep as well there. Jyuu hadn't shown up for any of the subjects, so far. He couldn't help thinking about where she could be at the moment. Lately Jyuu had been turning down any after-school activities that went past 6pm. The guys were worried about her, so Shin decided that was the reason why he did what he did next.

"Hello?"

"Shin?" Jyuu's voice said on the other end.

"Yeah, it's me."

"What's up? First time you've called me. Not that I've wondered why you haven't done so before."

Shin grinned at her familiar chatter. Maybe calling her wasn't such a bad idea, after all. "Where are you?"

"At home. Too tired to go to school."

Something changed in her tone, but Shin didn't mention anything about it. "Are you by yourself?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I'll go there, then."

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! What's gotten into you, ne?"

"You don't want me to?"

"I don't care, actually," Jyuu joked. "But come over, if you want. Beats boredom, that's all."

Shin knew she would never admit that she'd like him to come over. He yawned. "Never mind."

"Ehh??? How come? Not that I care much."

"I'm tired."

"Lazy ass. Bye, then."

"Bye."

---

Jyuu frowned as she ended the call. That guy is too frustrating for my taste, she thought spitefully. She pouted and continued lazing about on the floor. A little company would have been nice, especially after her meeting with David-sama. But she supposed being by herself was fine. She was a ball of confusion. She was happy to be receiving her stepfather's support, which meant that her life wouldn't be as difficult as it had been.

She was also a little sad. There was a possibility that she wouldn't see her mother again. It wasn't that she really liked her, but the thought that she was the only blood relative she knew of... it was a little sad. Look at the bright side of things... she thought to herself. At least David-sama doesn't hate me. Which still surprises me.

She closed her eyes. She'll just have to pass the time till work sleeping...

---

By the time Yankumi was able to walk out of Shirokin Gakuen, she was already late for the group date. Kawashima had planned another drinking session for them and Shinohara-san, but they had all gone ahead of Yankumi. "How could they?" the 3-D homeroom teacher lamented. The head teacher had kept her after office hours, bidding her to check and recheck some papers that weren't really her responsibility. Oh the unfairness of it all!

Dragging her feet as well as her bag towards the bus stop, Yankumi looked like lost soul wandering the streets, but she didn't mind. That drinking session was supposed to be her chance to ask Shinohara-san out on a date.

"Oi. You look pathetic."

Yankumi looked up, startled. "Sawada-kun! What are you doing here?"

"Just got out of there," he replied, pointing to a nearby restaurant where the other guys were still eating, as Yankumi saw through the glass.

"Why aren't you staying with them?"

Shin shrugged. The truth was, he had seen their teacher walking in that direction. And he purposely wanted to talk to her. Seeing as how dejected she looked. "What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all! Hah-hah-hah why would you think anything's the matter?"

"That."

Yankumi looked behind her to where Shin was pointing. She gasped. "Oh my!" Her bag had opened from being dragged all the way from the school building, and her things were scattered in a trail, like bread crumbs. Fortunately, the bag opened not so far back, so the things could be gathered easily. Shin helped her.

"Thanks, Sawada-kun."

"No problem."

"Oh, by the way, Kyo has been looking for you."

Just then, Shin's phone beeped. As though sensing the mention of his name, it was Kyo calling. "Nanda?"

"Oi, Aniki of the Red Lion! Where are you?"

"Near my school."

"Let's meet up outside your school gates, then. We're taking you somewhere!"

"What?" But Kyou had already hung up.

Yankumi looked at him. "Who was that?"

"No one," he mumbled.

---

"Kawakaze!"

"Hai, Kaguro-san?"

"Get changed."

"NANIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!?"

---

At about 7pm, Sayuri's Host Club was once again crowded. Kaguro looked at the customers happily. Business is doing good. He went back to the staff area and knocked on the dressing room. "Oi, Kawakaze. Come out here."

"You suck!" Jyuu bawled from inside. She hadn't expected to be posted as a hostess again, but here she was, clad in something that was similar to a towel but not nearly as comforting.

"Come on, now," Kaguro said with a sigh. "I'm sorry to do this, but it's what Kyo and the others want. You like them yourself, so what's the problem?"

"The dress! That's the problem. I don't want to have to wear this! I can talk to them just the same if I don't wear weird stuff, right?"

"Well, you could," Kaguro agreed. "But I can't allow you to do that. The other girls would complain. You're getting same as what they get, remember. At least I'm not forcing you to wear makeup." Kaguro knocked on the door again. "Get out of there. They'll be here very soon. You wouldn't want your eyes to look red in front of the men, would you?"

"Hurmph. You're a sadist, Kaguro-san." Jyuu opened the door. She was wearing an emerald-colored dress that was just as short as the last one she wore. "I suppose this outfit is better than the last one..."

"There you go. Now let's get out of here."

---

Jyuu marched off towards Kyo's table. "Hey, you guys!" She waved and started to sit when she caught sight of Sawada Shin among the group. Her cheeks reddened and her hands got cold. "Hoh..." was all she could utter. Shin's presence was so unexpected that she was rendered speechless.

Shin was just as surprised. Jyuu? A hostess? That could explain her recent actions, but it was hard to believe. "Jyuu."

Kyo looked from Jyuu to Shin. Then Shin to Jyuu. "You two know each other? What a small world!"

Too true, Jyuu thought. Suddenly aware of her attire, Jyuu cowered behind Minoru's seat. What will he think? Her being in a dress in front of Shin made her feel despicable, and she resented it. "How do you know each other?"

"Long story," was Shin's quick reply. Giving Tetsu a meaningful look, he said, "Jyuu and I are classmates in Shirokin."

Tetsu understood Shin's signal. He shook his head a little to show that Jyuu didn't know anything about Yankumi and her role in the yakuza world. If Jyuu went to Shirokin with Shin, that meant that her teacher was also Yankumi. Their Ojou. He sweatdropped. That was close. Last time they had told Jyuu a bit about Ojou. Good thing they didn't mention her name.

Kyo and the others also understood. Jyuu wondered what they were all thinking, looking at each other as if talking with their eyes. "H-Hey, Shiro," Jyuu spoke. "Sorry, I forgot to return your jacket. I'll bring it next time Kyo informs me that you'll be here."

"Don't bother. You can have it."

"Really? Are you sure? It looked really nice and expensive... I wouldn't want to—"

"Just accept it, Jyuu-chan," Minoru whispered to her. She was still standing behind him.

"All right. Thanks, Shiro."

"Why don't you sit down, Jyuu?" Kyo told her. "Why are you hiding behind Minoru?"

"Yeah. You don't have to be shy though Aniki of the Red Lion is here," Minoru said.

"Aniki of the Red Lion?" Jyuu repeated. "Shin?"

"Yep," Tetsu answered. "Besides, you look great."

"I must agree," Shin added, to Jyuu's surprise.

"You don't look too shabby, yourself."

Shin reddened when Jyuu said that. Kyo had bought him a black shirt (the long-sleeved with buttons kind) and red khakis (I mean the type of cloth, not the color, duh heheh) to go with it. It didn't look loud or wild... It looked sophisticated. Cool. Jyuu thought he looked really really good. But she wouldn't admit that.

"Sit here, Jyuu." Shiro nodded towards the space beside him. As Jyuu sat beside him, Shin studied Shiro's face carefully. The man seemed to be the serious type. The kind who could take care of himself, should trouble come along. Shin wondered what kind of relationship he and Jyuu had. He looked away when he realized that Jyuu was looking at him.

"Shin. I didn't take you to be the kind who hung out with the yakuza."

"Didn't take you to be the kind to work as a hostess."

"What do you mean?" Kyo retorted. "What's wrong with being a hostess?"

"He's right, Kyo-san," Jyuu said with a laugh. "I'm sure Shin didn't mean it in a derogatory way. It's just that I'm not exactly the most feminine person there is."

"I can see that," Wakamatsu suddenly spoke. His quick response caused the others to laugh.

"How about we talk after having a drink?" Kyo suggested. They passed around glasses and did so.

---

Several bottles later, the group's talk was becoming livelier. Shiro and Wakamatsu remained silent, though. So did Shin, but his head ached. He never used to drink much, since he was a minor, but ever since he met Kyo and the others... you know how it is.

While he tried to get a hold of himself, Shin observed Jyuu. She was talking to Tetsu about something she particularly liked, her eyes bright and her smile wide. Shin couldn't help thinking that she looked really beautiful in a dress. This woman looks damned good in anything. He was going to stare at her some more when he felt someone's eyes on him. At a glance he could see Shiro looking at him, the same way Shin looked at Shiro earlier.

"Ne, Shin, tell Tetsu I'm telling the truth!" Jyuu blubbered cheerfully. "I told him you were in love with our teacher. Look, he's still shocked." Then she laughed loudly.

Shin sweatdropped. "Don't be stupid. Whatever she told you, it's not true," he said to Tetsu. That idiot, he thought, meaning Jyuu. Of all the things to say in front of these guys. Jyuu didn't know about Yankumi's relation to the yakuza. And she most certainly didn't know about Tetsu's crush on Yankumi, which was why she thought nothing about the things she said.

"You've had enough to drink, Jyuu." Shiro took the bottle from her hand. She had ditched the glass and drank straight from the bottle, getting her drunk quicker.

"No fair! I still want more."

"Let's take a walk." Shiro took her firmly by the wrist and pulled her up. Then he dragged her outside the club for some fresh air.

When they left, Kyo grinned at Shin. "She's really something, isn't she?"

"How long has she been working here?" the younger man asked.

"Not very long. She's not really a hostess, but the first night she worked, the club was short on girls, so they made her dress up. Luckily she was assigned to us."

Luckily? Shin rolled his eyes. "So, what does she really do here?"

"Cook's helper, Kaguro said. Kaguro's the part owner. Jyuu's also a waitress here."

"Then how come she's a hostess today?"

"Young Chief's orders!" Minoru blurted out.

"What a perv," Shin said in Kyo's face.

"I ain't no perv! Just who has been staring at Jyuu-chan the whole time? Don't think I didn't see you, Red Lion."

"Oh shut up."

"What's up with Shiro?" Tetsu suddenly asked. "You think he's taken a fancy to Jyuu-chan?"

"Looks like it," Kyo agreed. "What do you think, Minoru?"

"I think he likes her, too."

"You see, Red Lion," Kyo began to explain. "We have never seen Shiro take interest in any girl before. That's why we're all a bit amazed at how he is with Jyuu now. Lately, he has gotten a little less cold."

"Which is a good thing."

Shin shrugged. "I don't really care to know about that."

"Listen, Shin," Kyo said seriously. "Have you guys been good to Ojou?"

"I suppose."

"Good. Now let's drink to our Ojou!"

---

It was cold, and her dress wasn't designed for cold nights. Jyuu wished she were back inside with everyone. When Shiro suddenly stopped walking, her face got smushed up on his back. "Don't do that," she grumbled. Her head was starting to throb and her walk was unsteady. She didn't even notice the stares she and Shiro were getting.

"Sorry." His tone was surprisingly gentle. He took off his jacket and handed it to the shivering girl. "Here."

"Again?"

Shiro ignored that and put the jacket on her himself. As he did so, Jyuu looked at his face. Once again she though of how good-looking he was. It was enough to make her feel warm on that cold night. "I feel warm..."

"Thank the jacket."

Jyuu looked down and saw that she was indeed wearing his jacket. No wonder. "Thanks."

"How about going to my apartment?" Shiro offered. When she saw Jyuu's suspicious look, he grinned. "I'm not going to do anything, stupid."

"Why would we need to go there?"

"Just wanted to show you something."

"I'd like that, but Kaguro-san—" but Shiro held up a hand.

He took out his cellphone and called Kyo. They talked for a few minutes while Kyuu waited, then Shiro put his phone back in his pocket. "It's all set. Leave it all to Kyo."

"All right." Jyuu decided to trust this man. After all, Sawada Shin hung out with them. They were obviously good guys. And besides, she just saw Shiro smile at her. That would set her up for about a week or so.

"Let's go then."

---

Meanwhile, Shin was on edge when he heard the news. "What do you mean she's going to Shiro's place?"

"Relax, Red Lion."

"Don't be a fool, Kyo," Shin snapped. "Jyuu is my classmate. She's a woman, but she's a crazy woman. What are you doing letting her go off to someone's apartment alone?"

"No, you're being a fool, Sawada Shin. Do you think I'd have let her go if I didn't trust Shiro? He wouldn't do anything to harm her. On top of that, it's none of your business what they do, now is it?"

"That's true," Tetsu agreed quietly.

"Don't be so harsh, Young Chief..." Minoru spoke up gently. Shin had looked so affected that he felt sorry for him.

The young student couldn't say anything. He was furious, but he knew Kyo was right. But still. Something didn't feel right. Everything was horribly wrong. Shin couldn't quite place why he felt as though his insides had caved in. It's none of my business, he thought to himself, but he wasn't convinced. Then he sighed. "Who the hell cares about that woman?" he said aloud, to the amusement of the others.

And they drank the night away.

---

---

---

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this. Took me long enough to write, LoL. Noda and the other guys aren't here at all, but there'll be more about them in the next chapter, i hope. Tell me whachiu think, so I can do better. :) .

Shiro has his own apartment, but he stays with Kyo and the others at the Ooedo House sometimes.