Author's Note:
✘ This is the final chapter. I hope you guys liked it. Thank you so much!
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 11: When everything falls apart
They stood frozen, unable to move or even breathe. Each of them had to double-check, wondering if they'd misunderstood what Mae and Ogata had said on the school rooftop. "How could this be?" The flood of details came all at once, overwhelming them. It was too much to process, especially for Yankumi. Like Mae, she had never heard of the Kages or any supposed oath. Her heart pounded, echoing the rising storm of worry in her chest.
Once the initial shock wore off, Yankumi and Mae sat down to talk. They spent hours cross-referencing what they knew, trying to piece together the fragmented pieces of information. But unfortunately, they didn't come away with any new revelations. They were no closer to understanding what had really happened.
Returning to class, the first hour passed in complete silence. Class 3D was eerily still, with no one, not even the seven boys or Yankumi, moving or speaking. It wasn't until later in the day that Kuraki tried to break the silence and lighten the mood.
"You guys… I never told you! I got us a date with girls from Kashou High!" he announced, grinning widely.
The boys turned, their curiosity piqued. "Kashou High! How?" they all asked in unison.
"I can't reveal my source, but after school, they'll be waiting for us at the nearest café!" Kuraki cheered, bouncing around excitedly.
The rest of the day was consumed with planning. The boys debated how to approach the girls, and even Mae, much to their surprise, offered her input. This led to confusion among the group of six.
"Isn't she a girl?" Ichi asked, tilting his head.
"Stupid, don't say that out loud! Others will hear! Yes, she is!" Kamiya shot back.
"Let her be!" Ren interjected, smiling. "If she's having fun, let her join in."
"But there are only six girls, and if all seven of us go, one of us will have to pair off with Mae!" Kuraki complained, dramatically leaning against his desk, faking tears.
"Let's talk her out of it!" Honjo suggested.
"You guys are hopeless against Mae!" Ogata teased, grinning as he watched them bicker.
The rest of the day continued with this lighthearted chaos until school ended. The group was finally ready to go on their date, but Mae surprised everyone by telling them she was going to head home and rest instead. When they asked if she was sure and if they should stay with her, Mae firmly insisted that she needed time for herself.
Mae had other plans for the day, though. Despite seeming fine throughout the day, her mind was racing with questions about the Kages, the three families, and the oath that had been mentioned. She could ask her grandfather for answers, but she knew he wouldn't reveal everything. Her only option was to visit the Oedo family—the place where she might find the answers she sought.
Without an invitation, Mae showed up at the Oedo household, knowing that Yankumi wouldn't be home until late. Kuroda-san was taken aback to see one of Yankumi's students at his door, but he welcomed Mae inside and agreed to speak with her.
"Mae, what brings you here?" Kuroda-san asked, genuinely curious.
Mae knelt formally, a rare sight for her. "Kuroda-san, I've come as Yanai Ryoske's granddaughter. I've heard that you know my grandfather, and I have some questions I need to ask." Her voice was calm but serious, unlike her usual playful tone.
Kuroda-san was surprised. Mae knew about the connection between his family, the Yanai, and the Kages. He nodded, gesturing for her to continue. "Feel free to ask."
"Will you be able to handle all my questions at once, or will it be too much?" Mae asked, her tone still measured.
Kuroda-san smiled knowingly. He could see the spirit of her grandfather in her—someone who spoke his mind without hesitation. "Go ahead," he said.
"It seems you know who I am," Mae began, her voice steady. "There's a connection between the Oedo, Yanai, and Kage families. What is it? And what about this so-called 'Oath'? What's going on?" Her gaze was unwavering as she asked.
"You are in danger," Kuroda-san said, his tone serious. "We spoke with your grandfather, and we decided it was safest for you to be close to Kumiko. As a boy, with her around, you would be protected. Yes, I know who you are. Our families—the Oedo's, Yanai's, and Kage's—have been connected for ages. But as for the oath, well... officially, there was never an oath. Perhaps our ancestors took some sort of oath, but that was never formalized. What really happens is that when a clan leader is chosen, they take an oath. Your grandfather and Kage Atari's father both did this. But the Kages always misunderstood that oath. Especially Atari. They—he, in particular—lived by a code that doesn't exist," Kuroda-san explained, his tone grave.
"A code?" Mae asked, still confused by what she was hearing.
"Yes, a code. The Kages were always deeply involved in politics. With the Oedo's and Yanai's on their side, they were guaranteed success. Atari's code was all about power and money. We were the power, and you were the money. But with my daughter's decision and your mother's, our families were coming to an end, and Atari lost the power he once had," Kuroda-san said with a sigh.
Mae leaned in, more questions forming in her mind. "And about your daughter's death? You know it was him? How could you just stay quiet about it?" she pressed, anger building inside her. If it had been her, she couldn't imagine staying passive.
"Revenge is easy," Kuroda-san said sternly. "I could have his head any time. But first, I wasn't sure. I looked into the accident with Kumiko's parents, and it seemed like nothing more than a tragic accident. Atari never came after me or the family. I thought it was just bad luck. But now, with your parents dead, things are starting to make sense. I want to take revenge, but I want it done by the law, not by our own hands. If I or your grandfather take matters into our own hands, it will only make things worse. Atari might end up dead, but the mess he'd leave behind would be even worse."
"So your answer is: you're just letting him go?" Mae asked, her voice rising.
"No, far from it," Kuroda-san replied firmly. "You think the Yanai leader will just sit idly by while his daughter's murder goes unpunished? But revenge can't come at the cost of everything we've built. And there isn't enough proof yet. Mae, for now, you too should stay quiet."
Mae stood up, her expression hardening. "I'll take care of this. Just don't tell Yankumi or my grandfather that I was here. Also, you may need to talk to Yankumi. She found out this morning, and I think she deserves to know."
With that, Mae left. Later that night, Kuroda-san waited for Kumiko to return, and they sat down to discuss everything. Ultimately, Kumiko, like Mae, learned the truth. Kuroda-san promised that her grandfather would handle the matter, assuring her that her parents' deaths were truly an accident, as painful as it was to accept.
The wind howled anxiously that night, the moon concealed behind thick clouds, leaving the sky bereft of stars. Mae, having finally arrived home, lifted her eyes to find two male figures standing by her door. As she took a few steps closer, she recognized them—Ren and Yamato.
"What are you both doing here?" she asked, confused. "How did the date go?"
"We never went," Ogata replied flatly.
"Yamato just wanted to make sure you got home safely," Ren explained, just as Mae unlocked the door. She opened it, allowing both of them inside.
"I see," Mae murmured. "I was just out for a walk. I'm fine."
Though neither of the boys fully believed her, they didn't press further. After all, they were there to support Mae, not to interrogate her. They spent the evening watching a movie and eating ramen. As Ogata boiled the water for the ramen, Mae pulled Ren aside, asking him to meet her somewhere the following day. She didn't elaborate, mindful that Ogata might overhear them. Ren agreed, albeit with a hint of confusion. By midnight, both boys decided it was time to leave.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Ogata asked, his concern evident.
Mae nodded and stood up. "I'm really fine. I just need some rest. I'll see you at school tomorrow," she said honestly.
Ren stood up as well. "I think she means it, Yamato," he told Ogata, then began ushering him out. "Good night, Hitori. Get some rest!"
"Wait, I haven't said good night yet!" Ogata muttered, as Kazama was already halfway through the door, facing the stairs. Ogata, stuck between the door and the frame, clung to the handle and gazed at Mae. She stood near the door, attempting to close it, her face barely visible.
"You can go now!" Mae called, trying to push him out of the way.
"I just need to say good night!" Ogata protested, his grip on the door firm.
Mae, who had nearly closed the door, nodded at him with a half-smile. "Good night. Go get some rest."
But Ogata wasn't ready to leave. The worry that had gripped him when they arrived and Mae wasn't home still lingered in his chest. He felt it deeply—perhaps there was more to it than just concern. Before the door could fully shut, Yamato placed his hand gently on Mae's shoulder. He leaned in, tilting his head slightly as he closed the distance between them and kissed her—a brief, soft kiss that caught Mae completely off guard. Before she could even process what had happened, the door clicked shut behind him, and Ren, dragging Yamato along, made their exit.
'That will definitely occupy her thoughts,' Ogata mused, a quiet smile playing on his lips.
Mae stood frozen for a long time, staring at the door, her finger tracing her lips in confusion. 'What was that?' she thought, her mind racing. 'Maybe it was a mistake.' Her thoughts slowly settled. Yes, it must have been a mistake. She had more pressing matters to deal with—there's no way it was anything more than that. Right?
The sun rose again over Tokyo, and Mae, having been awake since dawn, dressed carefully for the day. She wasn't dressing like a boy this time, but as a girl. Her hair, slightly longer now, was neatly pulled back. She wore a black shirt and a skirt that reached just below her knees—an outfit that looked almost formal. As she walked out of the building, Ren was already waiting for her.
"Hitori, what did you need me for?" Ren blinked a few times, his surprise clear as he took in her feminine attire. Last night, he was surprised by Mae's request to meet with him alone.
Mae started walking, and Ren followed. "I just didn't want Ogata getting all worked up again. I need someone with me, and I don't want to go alone," she explained, and Ren nodded, understanding.
Soon, they arrived outside a grand mansion. Ren stared at the name on the sign: "Kage." His eyes widened in shock, but Mae, unfazed, motioned for him to stay quiet. A security guard approached, inquiring about their visit. Mae calmly introduced herself as Yanai's granddaughter and requested to see Kage Atari. The guard made a quick phone call, and a few moments later, he escorted them inside. The mansion staff watched them curiously as they followed the guard into Atari's office. The door closed behind them with a soft click.
"Mae Hitori, a surprise visitor," Atari's voice broke the silence as he gestured for them to sit.
"Governor Kage, it's a pleasure," Mae replied coolly, her voice clear and steady. "I see you already know who I am."
"Of course I do! But I never expected you to show up here," he teased, a sly grin on his face.
"Indeed. Perhaps I would never have made it to your doorstep. These days, even to see Kage-san is near impossible," Mae shot back, her tone rising slightly as Ren stood silently behind her, feeling out of place. Mae and Kage's exchange almost felt like a battle of wits, and it was a world apart from what Ren was used to.
"What brings you here?" Atari asked, his curiosity piqued. He knew Mae had been in hiding since the death of her family, and her sudden appearance at his doorstep couldn't be without reason.
"I came here to say two things," Mae replied, a wide smile creeping onto her face. Ren glanced at her, concerned by her demeanor. "Kage-san, I've discovered that you've been moving your pawns around us for years," she said, her expression turning deadly serious.
"Kage, what exactly are you implying?" Atari asked, suddenly on edge.
Mae leaned in closer to his desk, her gaze unwavering. "I know everything. I know what you've done to gain power and wealth. And I'll make sure you lose it all," she threatened.
Atari shot to his feet, his face twisted in fury. "You come into my house to blackmail me?" he shouted.
"We're leaving," Mae said, stepping back from the desk. "I didn't come to blackmail you. I came to warn you. I don't know how many oaths you've taken or what code you follow, but you will fall. And be prepared for that." She turned and walked out, signaling to Ren to follow.
Atari stood frozen, furious beyond measure. After they left, he nearly destroyed his office in a fit of rage. How could a teenager—Mae—have known so much? How was she so certain? His mind raced as he began making plans to neutralize her. That same day, he reached out to Goda. Atari needed revenge on class 3D, and Goda, ever vengeful, had his own reasons to go after Mae. The two made a deal, one that would change everything.
Meanwhile, back in school, Ren and Mae—now in their school uniforms—entered the classroom. It was almost time for finals, and class 3-D was determined not to fail, eager to enjoy their summer break. Everyone, even Ogata, was studying.
"What are you doing?" Ren and Mae asked in unison, eyes wide with disbelief.
"We're studying, obviously... It's time for finals. Goro-chan told us if we fail, we'll lose our summer and be stuck with summer classes," Ogata said, his voice muffled behind his textbook. He was blushing slightly, still embarrassed by the events of last night.
Aside from the finals, they had to keep a low profile to avoid expulsion, as Sawatari had warned them. But that seemed unlikely, especially now that Goda was on the loose, having been sent by Kage. Goda, his thugs, and class 3-D had already planned their next move after school.
This time, they weren't just after a fight—they came to kill.
The chaos that ensued during the raid on Akado Academy was brutal. Everyone fought to survive the mayhem, trying to escape the wrath of Goda and his gang. In the ensuing violence, Kazama was gravely injured, and it became clear that things were beginning to spiral out of control.
Hours later, at the hospital, Kazama underwent a major operation. The surgery was successful, but Ren had yet to wake up. His sister and Yankumi stood anxiously by his side, deeply worried. Outside the hospital, Ogata and the rest of Class 3-D waited, their nerves stretched thin. Mae approached to update them on Ren's condition. Everyone was angry, distressed, and desperate for answers. Mae had also discovered that Atari was behind Goda's attack, adding a new layer of urgency to the situation.
"I can't let this slide," Ogata shouted in fury, and his words resonated with the group.
"I'm with Yamato," Mae agreed firmly.
"I'm going after him. He nearly killed Ren!" Ogata yelled, his eyes burning with rage.
"Alright, go! I need to find Kage," Mae said, but Ogata, consumed by his anger, barely noticed her.
"Why do you need to go there?" Ogata asked, still caught up in his own thoughts. Mae explained that both she and Ren had visited Kage, and it seemed he was behind everything.
Without a second thought, Mae and Ogata agreed to confront those responsible for what had happened to Ren. Their emotions clouded their judgment as they stormed out, focused on revenge.
Luckily, Ren regained consciousness, bringing some relief. Yankumi quickly went to find the others, but Kuma informed her that Ogata and the rest of Class 3-D were heading toward Goda. Yankumi rushed to stop things from escalating. She arrived just in time to prevent Ogata from attacking, stepping in between him and Goda. After calming everyone down, Yankumi had a long conversation with Goda, where he revealed the truth about Kage's involvement. Goda confirmed everything, and the police soon arrived, hearing his statement as well.
Back at the hospital, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief, knowing Ren was okay. But Ogata's concern didn't waver—he leaped up, more frantic than before. "Xor! Mae went to find Kage!" he shouted, alarming everyone.
"What do you mean by that, Ogata?" Yankumi asked, her voice sharp.
"Mae figured out that Kage Atari is behind all of this, and she went after him!" Ogata explained, ready to go after her.
"You let Mae go alone?" Yankumi snapped, standing up. "You guys stay here. Ogata and I are going." But the rest of Class 3-D refused to stay behind. How could they leave their friend alone at a time like this? They insisted on joining, and together they set off to find Mae.
Meanwhile, at Kage's house, Mae had already entered. He was waiting for her in the garden with a few of his thugs. Mae stormed up to him, furious, and punched him hard enough to send him stumbling back. He grinned and stood up. "For a girl, you're pretty strong," he commented, wiping the blood from his mouth.
Mae, shaking with rage, glared at him. "You've gone too far, Atari. I'm not letting you get away with this!" she yelled, launching herself at him again.
But Kage's thugs moved in, and Mae fought back fiercely, taking down a few of them. However, she was eventually overpowered and slammed to the ground. Just as Kage was about to escape, Yankumi, Ogata, and the rest of 3-D arrived, storming into the garden. Yankumi swiftly dealt with the thugs, while Ogata rushed to Mae's side and lifted her up.
Kage, realizing he had no escape, drew a gun, but his luck had run out. The police arrived in full force, surrounding him. Detectives Yanai-san and Kuroda-san stepped forward to face him, placing him under arrest. As the handcuffs clicked shut, they informed Kage that Goda had spoken, and they now had proof of his involvement in the attacks. The two detectives made it clear that if Kage ever set foot outside prison again, he wouldn't last long.
Chaos still reigned as the police cleaned up Kage's thugs. Mae, injured and resting against Ogata, was safe for now. Her grandfather suggested she stay hidden at Akado High, just in case more of Kage's allies were still out there. Fortunately, no other members of the Kage family were involved. Mae remained at Akado High, and she would graduate with the rest of Class 3-D.
That night, after a long, exhausting day, Mae rested at home, with Ogata staying by her side. The rest of their friends had gone home, needing rest after all the chaos. Ogata, still deeply concerned for Mae, remained next to her as she slept. He gently kissed her forehead, a quiet promise that he was there for her. In that moment, he realized—he was in love with Mae.
Hours later, Mae woke up to find Ogata beside her, still asleep. She smiled softly at him, her fingers running through his curly hair. Having him by her side felt like a blessing. But then, a wave of confusion hit her. Why was she feeling this way about him? These strange feelings were new to her. Mae had never been in love before, but Ogata had completely overtaken her heart.
Ogata stirred as Mae continued to run her fingers through his hair. Without a word, he moved closer to her and kissed her. There were no need for elaborate speeches or sweet words—they both knew, in that moment, exactly how they felt about each other.
And though their future was filled with challenges and adventures, one thing remained certain: they were in love. They would face whatever came their way, together. Maybe they fought. Maybe they faced more trials. But one thing never changed—they would remain together, forever. But that, as they say, is another story.
Days passed, and life at Akado Academy returned to its usual rhythm. Ren was back on his feet, Mae and Ogata were officially a couple, though it took some time for the group to fully recognize them as such. Eventually, after a month or so, their bond became clear to everyone. The memories they made—some fun, some only for Mae and Yankumi—would stay with them forever. And though the story ends here, their friendship and love continued to grow, facing new adventures, obstacles, and happiness. After all, life was never dull with them, but that's a story for another time.
~ The End~