Title: Stand By You
Disclaimer: Gokusen characters not mine. Kawakaze Jyuu mine.
Author's Note: This one is REALLY long... which kind of more than makes up for the very short previous chapter. And also, don't sue me! I don't know anything about the seasons and festival schedules in Japan, so everything I wrote was based on what I just wanted to write. Don't think too much about it, I didn't research. Enjoy!
bethspore4: Here you go :D Thank you for reading, dear!
Rynn: Oh! I wasn't offended by your previous comment at all! I meant to let you know that I thoroughly appreciated it :D Thanks for reading and reviewing!
blueprincess16: I wasn't quite satisfied with Chapter 7, but I'm glad you still liked it. Here's a very long continuation :D Don't get tired of it! Hahah
To all the other readers (if there are any hahah), thanks! :D
Chapter Eight: Hustle and Bustle With Love
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Exams were slowly approaching, but before that, there was the Cultural Festival to look forward to. The 3-D class normally didn't join in on any festivities, because nobody ever bothered to go near them anyway, but Yankumi insisted that they come up with an idea for a booth. They spent their homeroom time to list and choose among different suggestions from the class.
"Girls from other schools will be coming to visit, right?" one guy asked.
"Yeah," someone else answered.
"Then how about a host club?"
"Nah, too common!" someone yelled.
"Besides, no girl would trust our class," Noda spoke up from his seat. "Our reputation precedes us."
The whole class groaned.
"Why do we have to get involved, Yankumi?" Minami complained. "We tried during our first year, and it didn't work out. Why should it work now? The people don't like us any more now than they did before. We'll just be making a fool of ourselves."
The others voiced their agreement.
Yankumi slammed a hand on her desk. She looked darkly at the boys. "Shut up, idiots. Don't you understand? This is your last year. You've got to show this school what you're made of! You'll get nowhere with those negative thoughts!"
Kuma held up his hands. "But Yankumi, what can we do? We only have about a week to prepare, and we don't even know what we're going to do."
"That's why you should use your brains to think up some mind-blowing ideas instead of blowing up your minds with discouraging stuff!"
"Yankumi's right," Noda said. "And think about it, this is a big chance to have fun, don't you all think so?"
"You're right," Ucchi agreed.
Minami shrugged. "I guess you're right."
Kuma shook Shin awake. "Ne, what do you think, Shin-chan? What should we do for the festival?"
"Say, where's Jyuu-chan?" someone suddenly asked.
Noda took out his phone and dialed Jyuu's number. "Maybe she's just late, but I'll make sure."
"Hey! I'm here, you guys!" Jyuu entered through the classroom's back door and hurried down the stairs. "Sorry I'm late, Yankumi. My stepfather called in to see how I'm doing. He says sorry for calling at the wrong time, too."
"That's all right. We're trying to think of what to do for the Cultural Festival. Got any ideas?"
"Hmm... " Blank. "Well, uh... I really can't think of anything right now."
The class soon returned to lively chatter as they discussed the Cultural Festival. Of course, most of their comments were jokes. Like this one student suggested that Yankumi should just make a show out of beating up some volunteers. I mean, who would believe that a geeky-looking female teacher could beat up anyone? Some kids would probably volunteer just for the heck of it, and boy, wouldn't they be surprised!
"Don't be silly." Yankumi was exasperated but she laughed anyway. "Hey, how about a modeling show??? That would be so cool, ne!"
Everyone stared at her.
"Are you serious?" Minami broke the silence.
Yankumi nodded emphatically. "Of course! Why didn't I think of it sooner? I know this would work out, kids! No girl can resist guys strutting about and posing!"
"Don't be stupid," Shin said, a bit crossly.
"You just want to make fun of us," Kuma protested. "I won't be able to join that!"
"I'm really and truly serious, Sawada, Kuma," Yankumi declared. "Everyone is supposed to join in. I want you to be the models even. Someone can do the hosting, and whatnot."
"That's a darned good idea, Yankumi," Jyuu agreed. "I mean, if everyone hates 3-D so much, I bet they all want to see them make a fool of themselves. But we'll do it well... we'll rock the socks off of everyone! I can do the hosting!"
"No you can't, Jyuu!" Yankumi shouted over the growing din. "You're like the flower of this class. The other kids are pretty curious about you, so I'm sure they will pay to see you model!"
"B-But that's crazy! I don't want to do that, Yankumi!"
"Well, you'll have to!"
"That might work," a guy named Ren commented. Then he whispered to Yankumi, "But how do you get everyone to participate?"
Grinning evilly, Yankumi said, "That's easy." She turned to the whole class with a smile so sinister it made even Jyuu shiver a bit. "Those who won't participate will have to take an extra, extra... extra-long exam on advanced Math. Of course, with graduation just around the corner, why risk it?"
She basked in the melody of their collective groan.
---
"Who are those guys?"
"I don't know, oi, Yankumi! Who are those men in suits?"
"Shh, shut up Yuusuke. They look official or something."
Yankumi didn't even give her students a glance but continued discussing something seriously with the strange men. Pretty soon, she faced her class. "Has anyone seen a girl wearing white anywhere near?"
"No..." some of the boys murmured.
"Where's Noda and the others?" Yankumi asked. Of all times to be late. "Has anyone seen Jyuu?"
"Shin's the only one here," someone answered. He woke Shin up and briefed him on what was going on.
"I did see a girl in white a while ago when I was on my way here. She asked me where Jyuu was, too!" someone yelled. "Who is that girl, Yankumi?"
"How long ago was that? Where was she headed? Where did you say Jyuu was?"
"Well, it was about half an hour ago, or less... I'm not sure anymore." The boy was a bit shaken at the urgency in Yankumi's voice. "I told her Jyuu was on the rooftop. I guess she went there."
"That girl is a danger to Jyuu," Yankumi began. "Eh, Shin!? Wait, where are you going?"
But Shin was already taking two steps at a time towards the rooftop.
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Jyuu winced in pain and just about fainted when she saw all the blood she was losing. I'm dead scared. Somebody help me. "Why do you hate me so much?" She looked up from where she fell on the ground and at the girl standing over her. "I never did anything to you."
The girl laughed dryly. "I don't need to explain anything to you, you lowlife. You deserve to die."
The deep wound on her waist was beginning to make Jyuu feel lightheaded. She could smell her blood. It was sickening. "Please... stop," she croaked. She was in no condition to comprehend anything anymore. From the corner of her eye, she saw her attacker raise her knife, ready to stab her again. "Hina... stop," she pleaded weakly. Her throat was so dry from fear, she could hardly voice anything out.
As the girl named Hina began to swing the knife down, Jyuu shut her eyes and sobbed as she waited for the contact. The next thing she knew, there was the sound of metal scraping the cement floor, and she heard Hina yell in surprise, then a thud. She opened her eyes and found Shin peering at her face.
"Are you all right?"
"Where is she?" Jyuu's eyes looked around wildly for Hina. The girl was on the floor, conscious but unarmed. "She's still here! She's still he-" Shin clapped a hand over her mouth.
"JYUU! SHIN!"
"OH MY GOD!"
"Jyuu, are you alright???"
"Look at all that blood! JYUU!"
"Shin, is she alive?"
"What the hell is going on?"
Yankumi, along with Noda and the others, stood some distance away from them, while the men in suits charged through to grab ahold of Hina. "We already called an ambulance," one of the men said. "Don't move her too much."
Hina went into a rage and finally tired out, she glared at Jyuu, her white clothes stained with bright red. "Why... Why do they like you so much?" Hina struggled to breathe properly as the men injected her with a sedative. "I hate you! I hate you! Why do they like you so much when you're nothing! Why don't they like me..." Her words died out when the sedative finally took full effect.
Jyuu was still sobbing, so Shin made her rest on his lap. "Shh. They're taking her away now. Help's coming."
The others didn't crowd around them, to give Jyuu some air, but they all looked worriedly at the bloody mess. They'd never had this kind of trouble in Shirokin before, and it was frightening to see someone they knew in that condition.
"I don't want to die yet, after all," Jyuu managed to say. Shin had taken off his white shirt to clot up her biggest wound. She had a lot of deep cuts on her arms and legs, but they weren't as critical as the stab on her waist.
Shin just grinned and looked away. "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner," he finally said.
"Idiot." Jyuu couldn't keep from crying. "You came just in time."
---
The incident was isolated and kept only within the knowledge of the faculty and the 3-D class. It would do no good for the school if such a thing leaked out, especially with the Cultural Festival so close. When Jyuu was taken away to the hospital, Yankumi's class was left under the care of Fujiyama-sensei, because she went with Jyuu as a guardian.
"I'm so worried," Noda finally let it out.
The whole class had remained silent since they got back. It was only a little more than an hour since lunch break, but the scary incident made it seem to them like the day ought to be over already.
Ucchi didn't say a word. He had nothing to say. He looked over at his red-haired friend and knew that Shin had even less to say. He had buttoned up his school jacket because he no longer had anything under it. He was about to ask Shin how he was doing when Fujiyama-sensei suddenly stood up.
"Well, it's no use for us to keep moping around!" The pretty teacher smiled at everyone. "I'm worried about her, I must admit. But that won't help. So now, weren't you guys planning to do something for the festival?"
"Yankumi said we should do a modeling show."
"Really?" Fujiyama's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! I suggest you do it well, so by the time Jyuu-chan comes back, you'll be ready. It would amuse her greatly, I'm sure!"
---
"It's finally here! The day we've all been preparing for!" Yankumi spoke into a megaphone. It was the day of the Cultural Festival, and parents and students from other schools were starting to arrive.
"I hope we haven't been preparing for nothing," Ucchi grumbled. He was wearing a brown leather jacket with grey-and-white fur collar over a black cotton shirt which fit him just right. His black jeans fit him just right, too. Not too tight, Not loose. He looked like a real model!
"You look fantastic, Ucchi! Now go and promote our show with Minami. There are many people in the hallways!" Yankumi turned to Noda and whispered, "Where's Shin? Still not going to join in, eh?"
Noda laughed. "He'd rather take a math test than strut around in some eye-catching outfit, Yankumi!"
"Look! Jyuu-chan's here!"
Everyone turned to look as Jyuu entered the room, leaning against Kuma. She still limped a little, and had to wear a loose one-piece dress for convenience, but despite that, she had a huge smile on her face. "This I gotta see," she said. The classroom was trasformed into a real fashion center, with a runway and backstage. The chairs were arranged for the audience and three judges. "The place looks really great, everyone."
"I know, right?" Ucchi kissed Jyuu on the forehead. "Settle in, Jyuu, while Minami and I go promote the fashion show."
"We'll see you soon," Minami winked at her.
"Right, right. See if you can hold some people hostage! Hahahah."
"If you weren't in bad condition right now, I'd wallop you!"
Jyuu stuck her tongue out at Minami. "Whatever! Don't hurry back." She sat on the chair Kuma led her to.
"It's a special front-row seat for you, Jyuu-chan," Kuma explained.
"Arigatou ne, Kumai-kun!" She always made fun of the guys, but she really did want to see them modeling. She hoped many people would come see them as well. From the visits she got from Yankumi and the guys, she knew they did a lot of preparations for this.
"Jyuu! So how does it look?" Yankumi beamed at her. "We have such pretty boys, don't you think?"
Some of the guys had already changed into their outfits, and they looked so cool, in Jyuu's opinion. Even their hairstyles were cool. "What time does the show start?"
"It starts at two o'clock, so there's time to get the news out that 3-D's doing a fashion show."
---
After lunch, the boys were looking a bit dejected. They hadn't gotten very good responses, and it looked like all their effort would have to go to waste. "People just don't have any reason to watch us, Yankumi," one of the boys said. "They're not motivated, because it's us."
"Don't give up yet, my boys," Yankumi encouraged them. She gritted her teeth. If only she could get Sawada Shin to get involved! He was a popular guy, even in other schools. Though he was known to be part of 3-D, so many girls were always falling in love with him. But still Shin was nowhere to be found. Yankumi went over to Jyuu. "The show will push through, no matter what."
"Yes, it must," the younger girl agreed. She felt so bad for the guys, but she didn't want to show it, so she spent the whole time smiling at everyone.
Kawashima-san, Fuyjiyama-sensei, and Yankumi took their judge's seats.
By then it seemed as though no one would come watch the show, then suddenly, girls began entering the room and as they settled excitedly in their seats, the atmosphere began to change. Gloom was replaced by hope and excitement, highlighted by murmurs and girlish chattering. Pretty soon even boys came into the room. Some were a bit hesitant at first, but seeing the crowd that was slowly filling the room, they marched in confidently, curious about what the 3-D class was about to do.
Where the heck did all these people come from? Jyuu looked around in surprise. Then she smiled a genuine smile this time and gave Noda, who was peeking from the backstage, a thumbs-up sign. All the boys were busy getting ready behind the set-up curtains. I don't know why these people are suddenly here, but I'll take it!
Someone turned on the music, and the crowd cheered. The once lonely classroom was already a full house.
Noda strutted out on the runway dramatically, then he posed at the edge amidst cheers. He whipped out a wireless microphone from behind him and said, "Just kidding, my sweet ladies and gentlemen. I am just the host."
The audience laughed. Jyuu had to admit he knew how to work the crowd. Then it was time for the models to show their stuff. They were supposedly showing off their "Winter Collection".
Jyuu's jaw dropped when she saw the first one appear from backstage. All around her the girls were screaming and squealing, practically hysterical. She still couldn't believe it. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"
"All right! First up, Sawada Shin! I'm guessing from your reaction that you don't love him very much."
More cheers and laughter.
Jyuu watched as Shin walked lazily on the runway. He even went as far as to pose in his white outfit. He wasn't wearing any shirt, just a sharp-looking white leather jacket, a pair of nicely-fitting white slacks (almost skinny slacks, I can imagine), and a pair of shiny red leather jazz shoes. Every time he posed, the crowd went wild. Jyuu had to put her hand over her open mouth. She still couldn't seem to close it from the shock.
When his turn was done, instead of returning backstage, Shin jumped off the runway and went behind the judges, where Jyuu was sitting. The show went on, and the other guys, inspired by Shin, did such a great job that there was never a quiet moment in the room.
Shin stooped down so his head was level with Jyuu's. "If that didn't cheer you up, I don't know what can."
"Baka," Jyuu muttered.
Shin rolled his eyes.
Jyuu pulled at his hair and frowned. "Baka! No other girl is supposed to see your skin but me." She broke into a huge, huge smile. "Just kidding! You did such a good job, Shin, I didn't know you had it in you." She laughed. After what she had been through, it felt good to really laugh. The 3-D guys were always cheering her up and making her feel safe, and she was thankful.
The redhead sat in the seat beside her and said, "Baka."
"No wonder there are so many people here now. Especially girls. What did you do?"
Shin grunted as if to say never mind. The truth was he helped promote the show when Ucchi told him that Jyuu and Yankumi were looking so discouraged, their smiles couldn't fool the boys. With Shin on board, crowds of girls were easily swayed.
"Ne, Shin," Jyuu whispered into his ear. "You must feel good, ne? All these girls cheering for you and looking at you..."
"I feel good," was all Shin said in reply.
The mixed-color-haired girl huffed subtly and stared at the ongoing runway show. She was a bit agitated, so she decided to ignore Shin while she enjoyed the show. "Woohoo! Kuma! Gambatte ne!" It was Kuma's turn now, and despite his earlier fears, the crowd loved him. So many girls squealed and declared that the chubby boy was cute. Jyuu had to grin at that.
Shin studied Jyuu from the corner of his eye as he relaxed in his chair. He smiled to himself. Yep, he felt good, all right. He just didn't have to say why.
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Author's Note: Well, that was long. :D . Are you still awake? Let me know what you think, hm? Till next time!