Author's Note:
✘ In this chapter and the ones that follow, the team of six will slowly start to piece together the truth: Mae is actually a girl.✘ Ren's sister is Kazama Kaoruko, and she will make a few more appearances throughout the story.
✘ Yanai Ryoske is Mae's maternal grandfather. The last name "Mae" was passed down from her father. Her mother, the only daughter of Yanai-san, had no brothers to inherit the family name. Mae's father, a common man with no ties to the Yanai legacy, had no connection to the world of Yanai.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gokusen or any of its characters, names, or settings. This is purely a work of fan appreciation and creativity.
Chapter 5: Our family's bonds.
A few days had passed since the duel between Mae and Ogata, and life at Akado High had returned to its usual rhythm. The only noticeable change was Mae running around doing errands for the group of six. In a way, it added a certain charm to their daily routine. With a clueless Yankumi and Mae, the reluctant errand-boy, things in class 3D had become more entertaining. While Mae hated being constantly bossed around, there was always one of the six asking her to fetch something. It seemed she couldn't escape the role, even staying with them after school. But, surprisingly, she didn't mind. It was better than being alone at home; at least running into trouble with them kept her busy. Ren, however, had been leaving earlier than usual, citing other commitments.
Today, Mae also had to leave early. Her grandfather had contacted her, wanting to meet up. To her surprise, he suggested a host club for their meeting spot. Mae couldn't help but laugh at the thought of her grandfather taking her to such a place—no one would ever guess that the old man would bring his granddaughter there. But with the threat of her family's murder still lingering, it was safer this way.
"Guys… Jane!" Ren waved goodbye as he headed off to change for his part-time night job.
"Aww, Ren, you're leaving us again? So not cute!" Kuraki whined.
"I also have to go early today," Mae added, walking with the group as they left school.
"Where are you going, errand-boy? I didn't give you permission to leave yet!" Ogata teased, with the others chiming in and giggling.
"I don't have time today, Ogata!" Mae shot back, waving them off.
"There goes our errand-boy!" Ichi said, sighing dramatically.
"It's going to be so boring without them!" Honjo added.
"It's kind of dull without them, huh?" Kamiya said, nodding.
"Our fearless errand-boy!" Kuraki remarked, smiling as Mae walked away.
"Fearless? More like stupid..." Ogata muttered.
"But then again, he comes and goes as he pleases," a girly voice chimed in. The group turned to see none other than Yankumi, who had shown up out of nowhere.
"Didn't I tell you not to show up like that?" Ogata groaned.
"You missed them, didn't you? Ren and Mae!" Yankumi smiled brightly, noticing the students' reactions.
The five of them awkwardly tried to deal with Yankumi's cluelessness while Mae was already heading home. She had planned a change for tonight. She slipped into a feminine outfit—a black dress and heels she had bought earlier in the evening. Since moving into her loft, she hadn't bothered with anything remotely girly, keeping her identity under wraps. But tonight was different. It had been so long since she'd seen her grandfather, and she wanted to look more like his granddaughter than the tough Akado brat she usually presented herself as. After finishing her makeup, she checked herself one last time before heading downstairs.
Her grandfather's car soon arrived, and Mae quickly made her way outside to greet him. As she approached, she ran over and wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. The old man, clearly delighted to see her, asked with concern, "Is it safe for you to be dressed like that? You know how things are."
Mae smiled and reassured him, though her mind raced with thoughts of her dual life. She wasn't sure if she could fully escape the chaotic world of class 3D, but at least for tonight, she was just his granddaughter.
They sat together at a table inside the host club, and Mae found herself opening up. She couldn't stop talking about her new school—how her teacher, Yankumi, was so naive but genuinely cared for the students. She also spoke about class 3D and how unpredictable they were, particularly the leaders. It surprised her grandfather, who had always known Mae to be distant and quiet when it came to talking about her classmates. She'd never had much to say about them, let alone complain or gossip.
And yet, here she was, sharing everything—both the good and bad—with her grandfather. It was as if, for the first time, she was allowing herself to feel something for the people around her, even if it was frustration or concern. It felt like a small but significant shift in Mae's world.
"I can see that, Hitori. Seems like our Hitori is warming up to her new school," her grandfather teased.
"Grandpa, you're not even listening to me!" Mae pouted, her voice sweet but playful. "They're really bad news, you know!"
Her grandfather just smiled, nodding knowingly. "I can see that!" he replied, still amused.
Hitori, as her family called her, was a different person when she was with them. She seemed more like a normal, even cute, girl—something only her family ever saw. Back at her old school, no one had ever glimpsed that side of her.
As they were getting ready to leave, Mae excused herself to go to the bathroom. She asked the bartender where it was, and he pointed her in the direction of the kitchen. On her way back, she accidentally bumped into someone. Rubbing her shoulder, she looked up to apologize.
"I... I'm sorry..." she began, blinking in confusion as she gazed at the person she had run into. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she jumped back, pointing at him. "Kazama?"
The boy, who had also collided with her, looked just as surprised. He stared at her, trying to piece together the situation. At first, he didn't recognize her, but the moment she shouted his name, everything clicked. "Mae?" he called out, his voice full of disbelief.
The two stood frozen for a moment, both staring at each other in shock. "You're working here?" Mae asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
Kazama, still processing the situation, gave a confused look. "You're... a girl?" he asked, the realization dawning on him.
Mae hadn't known Kazama worked at the host club—it wasn't that surprising, but Kazama discovering that she was a girl caught her off guard. She had never, in all their time together, thought of herself as anything other than the tough Mae he knew. "We need to talk," Kazama suggested, still trying to make sense of everything. "I'm off work soon, wait for me."
Mae nodded, albeit a little unsure. "Alright, but don't be late!" she agreed, turning to head back to her grandfather.
Sitting back at the table, Mae quickly explained that she'd be leaving with a classmate she had run into. She mentioned that she needed to make sure he wouldn't reveal her secret. Her grandfather, understanding and protective, smiled warmly. "Just make sure you get home safely. It's getting late," he said, pulling her into a hug before leaving.
Mae stepped outside, feeling a bit strange waiting for Kazama inside the club. A few minutes later, Kazama emerged, dressed in jeans, a dark shirt, and a beige jacket. He stopped in his tracks, staring at Mae in confusion. She really did look different—taller, more elegant with the heels. He walked over to her, removed his jacket, and handed it to her. "Here, wear this. It's too strange to walk around in that dress like this," he said, concern in his voice.
Mae accepted the jacket and slipped it on. "So, you work here?" she asked, her voice light, as Kazama simultaneously asked, "So, you're a girl?" They both laughed awkwardly, realizing they were asking the same things at the same time.
After a few more moments of confusion and redundant questions, Mae shook her head. "We can't keep doing this. It's not making sense," she concluded. Kazama nodded in agreement, both of them chuckling at the absurdity of the situation.
They walked on for a while, until Kazama stopped at a vending machine to grab two cans of coffee. As they continued walking, Mae opened hers and asked, "So why are you working here? You need money or...?"
Kazama kept his gaze down, still baffled by the discovery of Mae's true identity. "I live with my sister," he began, his tone a little distant. "Our parents died, and she's been taking care of me. She works two jobs to support us, and I can't just sit back and let her sacrifice everything for me. I'm trying to save up and become independent."
Mae nodded, understanding more than she let on. Even though she was the type to judge and criticize others, she could see where Kazama was coming from. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It's not my place to get involved. I was just curious about why you work here," Mae admitted, her voice calm and sincere.
Kazama looked at her, surprised by her honesty.
Mae added with a teasing grin, "I mean, you wouldn't want anyone else to find out. Can you imagine the whole class 3D showing up? They'd be all over you, yelling about how lucky you are to work here, meeting all those girls every night." She giggled, trying to hide her smile.
Kazama couldn't help but laugh too. The thought of his classmates from 3D acting like that was too funny. Only Ogata ever acted cool, while the rest were all drooling over girls. And now, he thought, if they saw Mae like this, they'd be all over her.
Ren paused, glancing at her with a sincere expression. "Thanks, though. For not telling anyone," he said quietly.
Mae smiled, a rare soft expression on her face. "No problem at all," she replied warmly.
Ren looked at her again, his confusion evident. "But why is a girl like you at Akado?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
She halted in her tracks, looking at him before leaning against the wall near her house. Her gaze turned distant as she began to explain, her words cautious and measured.
"I guess it's time you knew," she began, her voice soft. "My name's not really Mae. I'm the granddaughter of one of the richest men in Japan, Yanai Ryoske. But my mother, she married an ordinary man, which is why my last name probably doesn't sound familiar. I didn't inherit the Yanai name, and that's why no one really knows me. But everything changed when my family—well, not just my parents, but my whole family—was killed." She stopped, not wanting to elaborate, the memory too painful. "It was brutal... but I can't go into details. To hide from whoever did it, I came here, to Akado, disguised as a boy."
She paused, collecting her thoughts, unsure of how much more she should say. "The detective handling my family's case was the one who recommended Akado. He suggested I go there for my safety. In fact, it was him who notified Sawatari about the need for Yankumi. And it was the detective who had me placed in Class 3D. He did all of that to keep me safe." Mae couldn't believe she was telling Kazama this much, but for some reason, it felt like a relief.
Kazama stood there, trying to process the overwhelming information. His mind spun, struggling to understand. "Wait, what? This is a lot to take in. My head's all over the place. But..." He scratched the back of his head, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. You have my word."
Mae gave a small, formal bow, her expression softening with genuine gratitude. "Kazama, arigato na."
Kazama blinked, taken aback. It wasn't like Mae to be so formal, especially with him. "It's Ren," he mumbled, feeling slightly uncomfortable with her use of his last name.
Mae smiled, a rare smile that felt more genuine than any of her usual expressions. "Alright, Ren. Then it is."
Ren, still processing everything she had said, offered a final piece of advice. "It's late. You should head home now."
Mae nodded. "I'll return your jacket tomorrow," she said, before heading toward her house, eager to put some distance between herself and the heavy conversation.
Ren walked home, his thoughts swirling. So many families, so many lives, each with its own struggles. Rich or poor, it seemed like everyone had their battles. He couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Mae than he had ever known.
The next day, Class 3D gathered, all eyes on Mae as she walked to Kazama's desk. Without saying much, she placed the jacket on it. "Thanks for letting me borrow it last night, Ren," she said, before quickly turning and heading back to her seat.
Ichi raised an eyebrow, "Did he just call him Ren?"
"That's not the weird part," Honjo added. "He returned his jacket. That's... odd."
Kuraki chimed in, grinning, "Didn't he say 'last night'? I'm just saying."
The entire class looked back and forth, their confusion growing as they exchanged puzzled glances.
Yankumi entered the room, sensing the odd atmosphere. "What's going on, guys?"
The class bombarded her with questions. "Why are you here?" "Are you alright?" "Which door did you come in from?"
Before Yankumi could answer, the door opened, and Kazama's sister walked in, instantly drawing attention. She was struck by a piece of chalk, and Kazama's surprised shout rang out. "Aniki!" he exclaimed, earning confused stares from everyone.
His sister had come to Akado to confront Kazama after discovering his part-time job, which was strictly prohibited. The class, ever curious, snuck into the office to find out why she was there. It turned out that Sawatari, a regular at the host club where Ren worked, was familiar with Kazama's sister.
Ren, already upset, was thrown into a whirlwind of emotions as he faced the possibility of being expelled for assaulting a police officer. He had a falling out with his sister, who had worked hard to raise him. But after a few wise words from Yankumi, Ren realized how much his sister had sacrificed for him, leading him to apologize to the school director. In the end, he was spared from expulsion.
The rest of the day passed with Class 3D buzzing with questions. Honjo, Kamiya, Ichi, and Kuraki were all curious about Mae and Ren's interaction, particularly about the jacket and the mysterious "last night." Ogata, too, found it odd that Mae and Ren seemed so close, but neither of them were talking, only adding to the growing curiosity and confusion among their classmates.
((Coming up chapter 6))