CrowsXGokusen FF – 1,930 words (about)

Everything happens for a reason

Part 3: Who Do You Fight For?

Day two, take one. Kumiko left the house earlier than she needed to, planning on getting to school ahead of time so she could interact and get to know some people. Standing just inside the doorway, she slipped into her outdoor shoes. Flexing her shoulders, she adjusted the fit of the black jacket and pants that were her uniform. Finally comfortable, Kumiko bowed goodbye to her family.

"Watch your back!" her grandfather called as she walked out through the front gate. Wakamatsu was walking with her this morning, just for part of the way, on some early business. Glad of the company, Kumiko yawned and smiled as she combed her fingers through her short hair.

"Ne, Wakamatsu," she began to ask.

"Yes, Ojou?" he responded immediately.

"Do you think I could ever take over the organization when I get older?" She glanced over at her companion and observed his usually impassive face shift. He sighed.

"That's something you should discuss with the Kumicho," he answered seriously. "I may be the second in command, but you know how these things usually pass from generation to generation." He paused for a moment, clearly debating what to say to her. "However," he continued, "it may be that the boss wants you to choose your own path, even if it's different from ours." Kumiko thought about what he had said, a slight frown crossing her face.

"I think you would make a great leader some day, Ojou," he reassured her. "You are strong in fights, more so than most of our men. And you care about people very much; you have the strength to make others follow you." He paused again, clearly contemplating the possibility. "Yes, I think you would be a great leader," he repeated softly, more to himself than to the girl next to him. Smiling at her, he bowed and then parted ways. With a whole new set of thoughts flowing through her head, Kumiko walked the last several blocks to school in silent deliberation.

Kirishima Hiromi watched silently as the transfer student talked quietly to a tall, mean looking man who was obviously a yakuza. Wondering what business Yamaguchi could have with him, he was surprised when he saw the man bow low to his new classmate before walking away. Hmm, he thought. It seems I was right in thinking this new student isn't one to be trifled with. He is obviously well respected by people we would do well to avoid. He continued to watch as Yamaguchi walked closer and closer to the school, obviously lost in thought and not even noticing Hiromi leaning in the shadows nearby. Smirking at the boy's inattentive state, he used this opportunity to come up behind him slowly.

Without warning, Yamaguchi turned around and Hiromi almost walked right into him. The new student crossed his arms in front of him and widened his stance so that he was firmly situated in one place.

"Why are you following me?" he asked seriously. Hiromi, though taken aback, quickly recovered his composure. I thought he was distracted! he thought to himself. Definitely not as weak as he looks…

"I wanted to introduce myself, since I wasn't able to yesterday," he explained carelessly as he stepped around Yamaguchi so that they were side by side, heads turned to face each other. "I'm Kirishima Hiromi." Kumiko relaxed her stance and turned around so they could continue the walk to school together.

"I'm Yamaguchi, but you already knew that," she replied. "Yamaguchi Kumiko. Yoroshkun." Kirishima bit back a retort, having almost suggested that the boy's name sounded more like a girl's than a guy's. Focus Hiromi! he ordered himself silently. Don't make enemies, make allies.

"Yoroshkun," he responded instead, smiling over at him. Kumiko smiled back. Yes! she thought excitedly. Maybe I'm on my way to making my first friend! Her elation soon turned sour though, as the other boy began to ask her questions. "Where did you go to school before?" he asked, interested. She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to figure out how much was safe to say.

"I just left Mishiro Gakuen¹, and before that I was in another school near there…" she trailed off vaguely. It's not like I can say I went to an all girl's school anyway, she argued, so it's a necessary lie! She frowned, in spite of herself. She hated lying. But Hiromi gave no indication that he thought her response was odd, so she relaxed again. Still walking together, they passed through the school gates and were almost immediately surrounded by the chaos and violence that was typical of most mornings at Suzuran.

"Come with me for a minute," Hiromi said as Kumiko began to walk off. "I want to introduce you to some people." Walking towards a large group of guys lounging by an outdoor stairwell, she followed Hiromi eagerly. "Guys," he began as they reached the group, turning so they could see her, "this is Yamaguchi Kumiko, the new transfer student." Pon let out a muffled snicker and Hiromi frowned at him pointedly. Kumiko ignored him.

"Yamaguchi, these are some of my guys. Most of them are in our class. That's Honjou Toshiaki," he pointed at Pon who waved, "and Sugihara Makoto." He pointed to the tall silent boy who had yanked open the stall door. "You met both of them yesterday," he continued, grimacing as though uncomfortable at the memory.

Hiromi then proceeded to introduce her to most of the other guys, pointing to each of them in turn as he said their name. A few of them smiled at her; most kept their stony expressions in place and tried to stare her down. Smirking, she returned their glares with her own, enjoying it when she saw a few of them flinch. After she had been formally introduced to what felt like their entire class, Hiromi turned to her again.

"So that's about everyone you should know for now. These guys are the ones who'll be fighting with you when we go up against the other classes." Kumiko cocked her head to the side as though confused, making Hiromi sigh. "You know," he tried to explain, "When we start fighting to conquer the rest of the second years?" He frowned when she still looked puzzled.

"Look Yamaguchi, this is the most important thing you need to know about Suzuran: there is always fighting. You'll fight over small things and big things, but it all comes down to who rules the Crows. The man who makes it to the top is the most powerful guy in this city, and that's something a lot of guys here are aiming for." He took her aside, ignoring the cheeky smiles of their classmates who seemed to be amused by the new student's complete ignorance.

"I'm aiming for the top as well," he continued seriously, "and when I do, I'll need all my men to support me." Kumiko smirked, once again forgetting to think before she spoke.

"And what makes you so sure I'm willing to be one of 'your men'?" she asked outright. There was a moment of silence as Hiromi stared at her, trying to decide how to approach the situation he had so desperately wanted to avoid. Good job, Kumiko, she thought sarcastically. Now you've put their back up instead of just making nice. It's not like you have something to prove to these guys, so just agree to go along with it!

"Sorry," she said quickly before Hiromi could respond. "That's not what I meant." She tried to collect her thoughts this time and think about what she wanted to say. The class looked on expectantly, few of them shifting anxiously. Pon's eyes were locked on her, his expression deadly. Mako feigned indifference.

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm not really the type to fight for someone I hardly know. If I'm going to have your back, I want to know whether you'll have mine too, before I'll commit to anything. Besides," she laughed nervously, "I promised my family I wouldn't fight this week, so I can't really be of help." She swallowed, trying to soothe her dry throat. I hope that's good enough for them, she wished silently, waiting for Hiromi's reaction. It's the truth anyway. I'm not about to put my life on the line for someone who's not a true comrade.

That being decided, she looked the boy squarely in the eyes as if to reinforce her point. Hiromi sighed again, feeling as though he now understood the guy at least a bit. This is someone, he realized, who isn't going to be won over by a show of strength alone.

"I guess we're just going to have to become friends first then," he answered softly. Pon may think I'm being an idiot, and Mako might disagree, but I still think Yamaguchi is going to be someone we'll want on our side when the time comes. He hasn't shown us his true colors yet, but I still feel like he shouldn't be underestimated. Unfortunately, any further thoughts he might have had were interrupted by an angry yell from across the yard.

"HEY! Kirishima!" It was Fukagi, the leader of class 2A. Kumiko immediately registered the long lead pipe that he carried, somewhat hidden behind his back. As he walked towards their group, she saw that he led his own group of just as many men: some carrying lead pipes like their leader, others with nothing more than their fists to aid them. She grimaced; she hated people who didn't fight fair and thought they needed to use weapons to win. Apparently Hiromi felt the same.

"What is it, Fukagi?" he shouted back, though it really wasn't necessary since they were now so close to each other. "You're afraid to fight us without your metal toys? That's cool, right guys?" He glanced back at his men, as though inquiring. A few flexed or cracked their knuckles. Hiromi grinned and turned back to face his adversary. "We'll take you on, and beat some manners into you as well!"

Well said! Kumiko thought to herself. She could already feel her blood boiling with the urge to begin fighting these guys who dared challenge them. But something was tugging at the back of her brain, as though trying to remind her of a forgotten promise. Oh… she remembered. No fighting… Meanwhile, Fukagi had already advanced on Hiromi with his pipe.

Swinging it above his head, he yelled, "DON'T TAKE US SO LIGHTLY, YOU BASTARD!" Kumiko froze and watched as the pipe whipped through the air towards Hiromi's head, making a sound like wind through a tunnel. She needn't have worried however, because the boy easily sidestepped the attack and seized his chance to counterattack.

With a series of quick punches to the chest, he caught Fukagi off guard and set him up for the inevitable: as a booted foot came soaring towards his head at an extreme velocity, Kumiko saw the look of terror in Fukagi's face. But it was gone in an instant as he went tumbling to the ground.

It took only seconds for the sea of silent onlookers to erupt into a battlefield of chaos as both classes began to fight in earnest.

¹ Mishiro Gakuen is the school attended by Fujimaru Takagi in Bloody Monday. I just picked it because I couldn't think of any other co-ed high schools while I was writing this…