Title: Stand By You

Disclaimer: Gokusen characters not mine. Kawakaze Jyuu mine.

Chapter One: The Belonging Place (a title of a book i read a long time ago... i liked it)

---

For the first time in their lives, all the 3-D students paid attention in Yankumi's math class. Not because they found the lesson interesting, but because they found the girl standing beside Yankumi interesting. Shirokin Gakuen was an all-boys school, and the only three females in the whole school were Yankumi – math teacher and homeroom teacher of 3-D, Fujiyama-sensei – english teacher, and Kawashima-sensei – school nurse. Who was the new girl? She looked too young to be a teacher or a school nurse.

"Ohayou!" Yankumi greeted her students with a big smile.

"Ne, Yankumi," Minami shouted from the back. "Who's that cute girl?" He raised his eyebrows at Noda and Ucchi and the three of them waited for Yankumi's answer eagerly. Meanwhile, Sawada Shin, being his usual quiet self, just looked calmly at their teacher.

"Minna, this is Kawakaze Jyuu," Yankumi told all the students. "She's your new classmate."

"Nani!?" Ucchi exclaimed. "Are you kidding?" His other classmates gave Yankumi suspicious glances. Since when was Shirokin Gakuen accepting female students? And if she really was a student there, why was she placed in 3-D? Better yet, why would a girl want to study in Shirokin?

Everyone became quiet when Jyuu dragged herself lazily over to the only vacant seat at the back, beside Shin. She looked bored. Kuma stared at her colorful hair, which had a mixture of brown, red, caramel and yellow. With her simple, yet ragged outfit, Jyuu fit right in. Minami and Noda smiled at her and introduced themselves.

"Welcome to 3-D, Jyuu-chan!" Ucchi yelled. The other guys cheered.

Jyuu rolled her eyes and caught sight of Shin, who had started falling asleep on his desk. "Yamaguchi."

"Hm?" Yankumi looked up from the papers she was checking.

"Do I have to wear the uniform?"

"Oh... I haven't thought about it! I'll have to ask the Head Teacher."

Shrugging, Jyuu rested her elbows on her desk and stared back at the boys. They were all very curious about her, and she couldn't blame them. After all, her being there was strange. She wondered what they would think about her when they would find out about the reason. After what she did... she was lucky a school would even accept her.

"Jyuu-chan?" Noda, Minami, Ucchi and Kuma sat in front of her while Yankumi discussed about whatever she was discussing.

"Nanda?" Geez, why do these bozos bother coming here? They don't listen, anyway.

"Do you want to hang out after school?" Minami asked her.

"Where?"

"We know a lot of good places," Noda said with a nod.

"Sure," Jyuu agreed. She didn't have anything to do and nobody would be looking for her, anyway.

"Ne, Shin," Ucchi shook the boy awake. "Did you hear that? Jyuu's hanging out with us later."

Shin grunted. "I'll pass."

"Shin-chan!" Kuma moved his chair in front of Shin. "It's just hanging out. I mean, Jyuu's our new classmate and all, it's our job to make her feel welcome."

"He doesn't have to come," Jyuu told them. But the others went on bothering Shin until he finally agreed. He must be some kind of leader around here, Jyuu thought.

"Omai wa!" Yankumi yelled. "Pay attention even just this once!"

---

English class was a lot different from Yankumi's class. All the boys, except for Shin, moved their desks forward, nearer to the teacher's table. Jyuu found out why. Fujiyama-sensei was incredibly sexy and good-looking! Forcing herself not to laugh at the sudden change in the room, Jyuu took out a marker from her pocket and began to draw on her desk, whistling while doing so. It was silly, actually, seeing boys practicing their english eagerly, just to impress the teacher.

"Jyuu?" Fujiyama-sensei called out her name.

"Nanda?" It was her usual response.

"It's nice to have you here." The teacher smiled prettily. "If these boys give you trouble, just tell me, ne?"

"Uh-huh." If these boys give me trouble, I'll scratch their eyes out. "Of course, Fuji-sensei." Jyuu smiled just as prettily.

"Let's begin our lesson!"

"YEAH!" the boys cheered.

Soon the class was in progress. The only people at the back were Jyuu and Shin. Shin appeared not to care about good-looking teachers. Well, actually, he appeared not to care about anything at all. Meanwhile, Jyuu was a girl, unaffected by Fujiyama-sensei's charms.

"Jyuu."

"...?" She glanced at Shin.

"You can draw anywhere but on the desks."

"Eh?" Jyuu looked at the drawings on the walls, lockers and on the blackboard. Then she looked at the desks nearest to her. He's right. All desks are art-free! I wondered why mine was so blank... "Why's that?"

"The Head Teacher checks them."

Jyuu sweatdropped. "I used a permanent marker." What do I do? What do I do? She panicked. "What do I do?" she finally said aloud.

Shin just shrugged. He decided the girl did things without thinking. Just like... Shin thought about their one-of-a-kind homeroom teacher. The only figure in the entire school that managed to catch his interest.

"Damn," Jyuu muttered. "First day in a new school and I'm in trouble already."

"They'll probably let you off," Shin told her calmly. "Just tell them you didn't know."

That's right, Jyuu thought, nodding. I really didn't know. Not that I asked, anyway. Or bothered to think.

Noda nudged Ucchi. "Look, Ucchi," he whispered. He nodded towards the two people at the back of the room. "Shin and Jyuu are talking."

Ucchi's eyes widened. He nudged Minami and Kuma, motioning for them to look at the back. "What do you think of that?"

"Hm..."

"Oi, Minami," Noda said. "You have that look on your face!"

Minami smiled. "Shin doesn't have a girl friend, right?"

"Right," Kuma said.

When Noda and Ucchi caught on to what Minami meant, they laughed out loud, causing the whole class to look at them.

"What?" Kuma asked. He had no idea what was going on!

"What's up?" the other guys asked. They stared at Noda and Ucchi curiously. Fujiyama-sensei tilted her head and told the class to pay attention.

"Yes, guys," Ucchi spoke up. "Listen to Fujiyama-sensei."

"Sorry we disturbed everyone," Noda apologized to the teacher sweetly. Even though he knew he didn't have a chance with Fujiyama-sensei, he still had a crush on her. As soon as the lesson continued, he and the others gathered, talking about things only they knew about.

---

Student weren't allowed inside the faculty office unless they had permission to enter. Jyuu, accompanied by Shin, Ucchi, Minami, Noda and Kuma, knocked on the office's sliding door. Unfortunately, the Head Teacher was the nearest to the door at that moment, and he was the one who greeted them. "Kawakaze Jyuu?"

"De, Kyoto." She bowed slightly. "I came to talk to you about something."

The Head Teacher glared at the boys behind Jyuu. "Are these guys bullying you?" he asked curtly.

"Nope," she answered. "I wanted to talk to you about—"

"Well, come in," the older man told her. "Only you."

The other teachers looked at Jyuu as she and the Head Teacher walked to his desk. They probably thought she was in trouble. Well, I am in trouble, Jyuu thought. She took a seat.

---

"Well? What did he say?"

"He's not going to punish me," Jyuu told the guys. "But the desk I drew on will be used by me the whole year."

"Great!" Noda yelled. "Now it's time to par-tay!

They all grinned and walked out of the school, bumping into Yankumi, Fujiyama-sensei and Kawashima-sensei. "Omai wa," Yankumi said. "Where are you all going?"

"To have fun, of course," Minami replied. "Ne, Yankumi, where are you off to?"

Just then, two guys showed up beside the women. Shin recognized them as the detectives that the three women befriended. Jyuu poked Yankumi. "Who's he?" she whispered, nodding discreetly towards the taller man.

Yankumi's eyes widened and she blushed like a high school girl. "That's Shinohara-san," she whispered back.

"He looks good."

"Ne, Shinohara-san!" Kawashima-sensei and Fujiyama-sensei talked to the handsome detective excitedly, completely ignoring the other one. Yankumi tried to get Shinohara-san's attention, too, but it was difficult to compete with the tall Fujiyama-sensei and the active Kawashima-sensei. Shin rolled his eyes and told the others that they should get going. The teachers also left to have a drink with the detectives.

"Detectives are popular, aren't they?" Shin commented dryly.

"You sound jealous," Jyuu drawled.

"Shin? Jealous?" Kuma laughed. "He doesn't care about that stuff. He doesn't even have a girlfriend." Ucchi, Minami and Noda slapped Kuma's head.

"Eh?" Jyuu turned to Shin. "No girlfriend? I guess that's what happens when you have a crush on your teacher."

"...?" Shin raised an eyebrow.

"What are you talking about?" Ucchi hollered.

"Shin... likes Yamaguchi!" Jyuu squealed. She giggled madly and jumped on Kuma's back.

"Yankumi?" Minami tilted his head. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Yeah?" Kuma staggered as he walked with Jyuu on his back.

"Don't deny it, Sawada," Jyuu said. "I've seen you staring at Yamaguchi."

"Don't be stupid," Shin told her. His face maintained the blank expression, making it hard for the other guys to know how he really felt.

"Is it true, Shin?" Noda asked Shin quietly.

"Don't be stupid," he said again, rougher this time. Jyuu pouted and tightened her arms around Kuma's neck. She wondered why Shin was such a spoilsport. It made Jyuu want to tease him even more, just to get on his nerves. Someone had to crack that indifferent mask on his face!

---

"I'm home," Jyuu told herself as she closed the door behind her. As usual, silence greeted her. She sighed. At least she had fun that day. It was amazing how she immediately felt comfortable with the guys, like she'd known them all her life when in fact she only met them that day. They were all very interesting, and very accepting, too. Maybe someday she'll tell them why she ended up in Shirokin Gakuen. Maybe she'll even invite them to her apartment. After all, nobody would care if she did. Nobody cared about whatever she did!

She took out Instant Ramen from the cupboard and placed it on the coffee table while she waited for the water to boil. She turned on her component and turned up the volume. I can dance away the past, she decided, chuckling to herself. If the guys could see her, they would think she was crazy, dancing and shouting all by herself. But that didn't matter, did it? They were all pretty crazy themselves. Even Shin, with his ultra-cool attitude.

While they were at the karaoke place, the other guys had teased Shin about Yankumi, but he just either told them to bugger off or slept even while the music was playing loudly. How do I get him to admit that he likes Yamaguchi? I swear, he stares at her! She stopped dancing and poured hot water on the noodles, then put a lid over the container.

Her cellphone rang. "Moshi moshi?"

"Jyuu?"

"Noda?"

"We're going to Shin's place," Noda said. "Come along."

"OK, sure," she replied cheerfully. "I don't know where his house is. Where should we meet?"

"Where do you live? If it's on the way, we'll just pick you up."

"Oh, never mind," Jyuu quickly told him. "Let's just meet outside the school or something."

"OK. Outside the school in ten minutes," Noda told her before hanging up.

Jyuu grabbed her jacket and was about to go out the door when she remembered her ramen. "Crap!" She took the container and a pair of chopsticks with her, then went out into the night.

---

"Cold," Jyuu complained even with her jacket. She shivered as she sat on the sidewalk. While waiting for the others, she ate up her ramen, which helped keep her warm.

"Oi, Jyuu-chan!" Minami rushed to her. "Let's go."

"What's that?" Kuma asked, looking at the container and the chopsticks in her hands.

"My dinner."

"Instant Ramen?" Noda's eyebrows went up.

"Yuh."

"Instant Ramen for dinner?" Ucchi shook his head. "That's not healthy, you know."

"Whatever." Jyuu rolled her eyes. They started walking towards Shin's house, keeping close to each other to keep warm. When they got there, Jyuu looked at the others in surprise. "An apartment?"

"Yup," Minami answered. "Shin lives all by himself."

"Really???"

"Weird, huh?" Noda spoke up. "He moved out of his parents' house when we were in first year, but we only found out about it this year."

"His father doesn't understand him at all," Kuma told her.

"Wow..." was all Jyuu could say.

"It's cool, isn't it? You get to do whatever you want." Ucchi led the others up the stairs and knocked on Shin's door. Shin opened it and asked them to come in.

Sometimes it's cool, Jyuu thought. But mostly it's lonely. "We're here, Shin!"

"I can see that."

"Where can I throw this?" she asked, holding up her ramen container. Shin told her where the trash can was.

Pretty soon they were all making themselves at home. Ucchi relaxing on the couch, Noda, Shin and Minami leaning against it while sitting on the floor, and Jyuu lying on the carpet, using Kuma's stomach as a pillow. The apartment was similar to Jyuu's, but there weren't any decorations. The walls were empty except for a target board that greeted you as soon as you walked into the room.

"Shin."

"Hn?"

"I should have known you live all by yourself."

Shin grunted and closed his eyes, Jyuu's cue to stop asking questions.

"I'm on my own, too, you know."

Shin's eyes opened. He and the others looked at Jyuu. "Are you serious?"

Nodding, Jyuu told them that when she was twelve, her single mother left her for some rich man. She took care of herself ever since. She did odd jobs, ate spoiled food and finally worked as a maid in a politician's home. Her boss's wife sent her to a private school, thinking that education would do her good. But suddenly, she was thrown out of the house, without being told the reason. Jyuu spoke slowly, like she was reliving every moment of her life.

"What happened after that?" Noda asked.

She went on, saying that she found herself homeless once again, until she saw her mother. "She gave me money," she said, laughing quietly. "She gave me a lot of money. I found an apartment, the one I live in now, and mum still gives me financial support. I understand she doesn't want me in her life anymore, but she also understands that it's her duty to provide for me, somehow. Even if it's just to send me money.

"I was able to continue in that private school that I attended before, though." She smiled at the others as if she was telling them someone else's story, and not her own.

"How did you end up in Shirokin Gakuen?"

"That's another story," Jyuu said. She stuck out her tongue and sat up. "Care to tell me yours, Sawada?" She laughed when Shin snorted and closed his eyes again.

"Man, I thought my life was hard," Ucchi exclaimed. "But it can't compare to yours, Jyuu-chan!"

"Things aren't so bad now, though. I mean, I get money. I'm in school. Even though it's a boys' school. Hahah!"

"By the way, Shin-chan," Kuma suddenly spoke up.

"...?"

"About Yankumi?"

Jyuu laughed. "Yeah, yeah! Come on, Shin!"

"Shut up, will you."

"Is it true? Is it true?" Minami looked at him eagerly.

"No."

Noda's face fell. "Ho hum."

"If you don't like Yankumi," Ucchi started. "Who do you like then? Jyuu-chan?"

"Hey!" Jyuu boxed his chest.

"Sou da, sou da," Kuma joined in. He sat up beside Jyuu and hugged her tightly. "If you don't confess your love for Jyuu-chan, I'm going to squeeze her to death!"

"You just want to touch Jyuu-chan, Kuma," Minami cracked.

"Baka ittenna-yo!" Shin yelled while the others laughed.

"Sh-Shi..n," Jyuu said dramatically, as if dying. "H-hurry... and admit your undying love for me!" All of them laughed, even Shin.

"Baka," he muttered.

"Eh?" Kuma looked at Jyuu's suddenly limp form. Her eyes were closed.

"Kuma!?" Ucchi sat up on the couch.

"How tightly did you hold her?" Minami exclaimed.

"Stop joking, Kawakaze!" Shin looked on with furrowed brows, but Jyuu still wasn't moving.

"Is she dead?" Noda asked worriedly.

Shin shook Jyuu. "Oi. Kawakaze! Oi!" He continued shaking her while the others watched, frightened out of their wits. "Noda, get a glass of water!"

"Maybe she can't breathe," Ucchi said. "Is she breathing?"

"No," Shin replied. Damn, I don't want anyone dying in my apartment! "Noda, hurry up!"

"Here's the water," Noda screamed. "What are you going to do?"

"Splash the water on her face," Shin said. "Go."

Just as Noda was about to pour the water, Jyuu sat up, waving her hands. "Yameru!"

"Jyuu!?"

"Were you just acting?" Shin asked, sweatdropping. He looked like he wanted to kill her.

"Uhm... Eheheh..."

"Jyuu-chan!" The others shouted. "You scared us!"

"Idiot," Shin muttered angrily.

"Ne... Shin-chan, you really do care about me, ne?" Jyuu giggled and pinched his cheek.

Kuma couldn't help but laugh. "It was the first time I saw him panic!"

"Shut up."

"You're really crazy, Jyuu-chan," Minami said, relieved.

"Eh, Shin? Where are you going?"

The door closed.

"Why did he go out?" Noda wondered out loud.

---

The next day, Yankumi raised her eyebrows when she saw Shin's empty seat. "Kumai-kun, Sawada doko na no?" She got curious when Kuma, Ucchi, Minami and Noda all looked at Jyuu. "What is it?"

"He was here a while ago," Minami answered for Kuma, coughing into his hand. Shin, they knew, was still pissed about Jyuu's joke. No matter how many times Jyuu had apologized, he still ignored her. He wasn't the type to hold grudges or to care too much, but he was just really pissed. Jyuu had made a fool of him.

"He's probably on the roof, resting," Noda whispered to Ucchi, who nodded.

"Oh, by the way, Jyuu, this is from the Head Teacher." Yankumi handed a brown package to the girl and grinned. "I think it's your uniform."

"So, I do have to wear one." Jyuu tore the paper and help up the white blouse and black jacket, similar to the boys' but cut for a girl. The boys cheered when they saw that instead of black pants, the Head Teacher had given Jyuu a pleated black skirt. "This is like, way above the knee!" Jyuu sweatdropped. "It's just like the skirt I used to wear in my old school."

"Really?" One of the twins asked. "Did you go to an all-girls school?"

"Yeah."

"Jyuu-chan!" Minami crowed. "You never told us that!"

"You didn't ask!" she snapped. She hated skirts. Short skirts most of all. "Can't I wear pants? Yamaguchi, do I really have to wear this?"

"I guess so." Yankumi shrugged. "It was the Head Teacher who gave it to you."

"Kyoto-sensei is a pervert!" Noda yelled. They all laughed, except for Jyuu, who was still complaining about her unlucky fate.

"Ne, Yamaguchi," Jyuu said. "How was your date with Shinohara-san yesterday?" All eyes turned to Yankumi.

"Eh? It wasn't a date, actually," she mumbled. "It was like a party. Anyway, it went well." In a hurry to change the subject, she said, "My, Jyuu, you sure are close with the guys now."

"Yeah!" someone agreed.

"Especially close to Noda!" somebody else exclaimed. The boys hooted.

Yankumi smiled hugely. "Maa, Noda..."

"It's not true, minna!" Noda insisted. "She's especially close to us," pointing to himself, Kuma, Ucchi and Minami. "Oh, and super especially close to Shin." The boys hooted once more, including Yankumi. Jyuu glared darkly at Noda.

"Baka."

They all turned to see Shin standing by the stairs. "Eh, Shin," Ucchi began, sweating.

"Jyuu," Shin drawled. "Outside."

"Huh? Wait, I didn't have anything to do with this. I didn't say anything," she quickly said. She yelped when Shin grabbed her wrist and led her towards the stairs. "Sawada! Kyaa! It's bad to hit girls! Kuma! Help me!"

"I'm not going to hit you, idiot."

"Sawada, where are you taking her?" Yankumi called out.

"Shin-chan! We were just joking around," Kuma shouted.

"I'm not going to harm her," Shin calmly told them, dragging Jyuu outside the room.

The whole room became quiet. Then Minami laughed. His laugh was so contagious the others had to join in. "Have you ever seen Shin like that!?"

"He's grown up," Yankumi declared. She raised a fist to the sky and looked up. "Young love is always so encouraging. Breaking all boundaries... letting go of coldness! Oh, this is all so moving!"

Silence.

"Yankumi. What the hell are you talking about...?"

"Let's start class!"

---

"Sawada, wha—?"

"Someone's looking for you."

"Why didn't you just say so? Scaring me like that..." Jyuu's voice trailed off when she saw the woman standing by the school entrance. She halted, unsure whether she should go on or turn back.

"Go."

Jyuu closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath and continued walking, leaving Shin behind. "Ohayou gozaimasu, haha." She bowed, biting her lip. What is she going to say to me now?

"Jyuu," her mother said. "I've fixed the problem with your old school. You can go back there."

"Fixed? This fast?"

"I want you to go back there."

"Kaa-san!" Jyuu's eyes widened with horror. "I can't go back there! After what I did...!"

"Would you rather remain in this all-boys school?"

Jyuu nodded emphatically. "Yes, mum. I'd rather."

"Very well, then." The older woman sounded like she was disgusted, but her expression never changed.

"Was that all you wished to tell me?" Surely you didn't come here in person just for that, Jyuu thought.

"My husband and I will be leaving for America next week."

"..."

"We're bringing you with us."

What? America? "Kirai desu." Jyuu looked at her mother seriously.

"You do understand, that if you stay here, I will no longer support you."

Biting her lip, Jyuu tried her best to stop shaking. She would stay. She would stay no matter what! Even if it meant living in the streets. She clenched her fists. What she was afraid of was coming true... she would be completely helpless again. But wait...! Lifting her head, Jyuu stared into her mother's eyes. "I can work."

"Who would accept an undergraduate?" her mother scoffed.

"I'm sure I can find work."

"You'll have to move out of your apartment when the month is over. Where will you stay?"

"I'll find a place."

"Frankly, I'm happy you're not coming with us. You would spoil the atmosphere."

Jyuu gasped. "How can you be like this? Am I not your daughter?"

"I wish you weren't."

Unable to fight anymore, Jyuu shook from head to foot. This woman... was she really her mother? She realized that she would always be alone. Her mother was still alive, but she was an orphan nontheless. Nobody cared for her. All those financial provisions were just out of obligation. That was the only connection she had with her mother! But it didn't mean anything. "I-I will go back to class."

"Pretty soon you won't be able to pay for school. The month is almost over, is it not? You will have to leave this place."

"Mou yo," Jyuu told her. She gave her mother a glare and turned her back on her, walking back to where Shin stood, waiting. I will die. When the month is over, I'll have to go back to my old life...

---

"Doushta?" Shin asked. He had heard the conversation, but he didn't want Jyuu to know that.

"Nothing." Turning away from Shin, Jyuu felt her tears fall down her cheeks. She hadn't cried since she was a child, and she thought she never would. But her mother proved her wrong. Why, of all people, was her mother the one set to make her life miserable? She roughly wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. I can take care of myself. I'll survive! Even if I'll have to eat food not fit for even the dogs!

"I'm sorry, Kawakaze."

"So you heard after all?"

"Sometimes parents are the ones hurting their children," Shin said as they both stood beside the garden. He saw Jyuu's red nose and red eyes and handed her his handkerchief. He couldn't believe it. Jyuu's life was good enough for a book. Probably even a movie! He didn't know there were mothers as heartless as the woman he just saw. And now that he did, he understood Jyuu completely.

"Shin..."

"Hn?"

"Why does life have to be so hard for me?" Jyuu sobbed. "I'm a girl, dammit!" She slapped her own face as if to make herself stop crying. Blowing her nose on Shin's handkerchief, she ran back inside their classroom.

---

"Heh!? Jyuu-chan! Doushta no?" Noda rushed to the girl's side, Yankumi and the others behind him.

"Nandemo nai, nandemo nai," Jyuu told them, waving her hands and smiling.

"Shin-chan! Did you hurt her?" Kuma stared in disbelief at his friend.

"He didn't!"

"Jyuu, what happened?" Yankumi asked.

"Yeah, tell us!" Ucchi insisted.

Feeling fresh tears pooling in her eyes, Jyuu hastily excused herself and ran into the bathroom. There she sobbed as she had outside, only more freely because she was alone. At least she thought she was alone. After a few minutes or so, Jyuu realized that somebody else was in the bathroom with her. "Kawashima-sensei?"

"Maa... what's wrong, Jyuu?"

Just as Jyuu was about to speak, the door banged open. Noda, Minami and Ucchi rushed in. "Omai wa! This is the girls' bathroom!"

"Are you feeling OK, now, Jyuu-chan?"

"Ne, Noda, I really appreciate your concern," Jyuu told him honestly. "I'll tell you guys everything when I'm ready."

"Hai, hai," Ucchi said. "Come on, let's get out of here. The others are really worried."

"You're not sick, then?" Kawashima-sensei asked. She smiled at the boys. "You guys, take good care of Jyuu, ne!"

"Hai, Kawashima-san!"

---

Yankumi sighed as she drank wine with her grandfather. She was really concerned about her new student, but she wouldn't tell her anything. Shin knew something, but he wouldn't tell anyone either. She knew all about Jyuu's background, she knew her mother took off with a rich man and came back to give a little money and a little attention. "Eh!?"

"Nani?" her grandfather asked with raised eyebrows.

Perhaps Jyuu's problem has something to do with her mother! "That's it!" she muttered. Realizing that her grandfather was looking at her, Yankumi smiled sheepishly. "I think I have an idea what's wrong."

"Well, Kumiko," the old man said. "I'm sure you'll be able to help. If you will just be patient, and offer a listening ear, your student will confide in you, sooner or later."

"You're right..." These kids really do need me. I can't focus on anything but my teaching career right now! I'll take care of those kids!

---

The 3-D guys whistled when they saw Jyuu in her uniform. Even in the midst of her problem, Jyuu had to admit she still enjoyed her friends. It was a beautiful morning, after all, so why not have fun? She knew she would have to leave Shirokin Gakuen soon, and she was determined to make her last days there memorably pleasant. "Ohayou, Yamaguchi!"

"Ohayou, Jyuu!" Hmm... she seems cheerful today.

"How do you like my skirt? My short, short skirt," she said, moving her hand up her thigh daringly. They all burst out laughing at her acting, cheering and hooting as though they didn't have any worries at all. Last night, Jyuu had told Ucchi, Noda, Minami and Kuma everything. They were all shocked to know that her mother found it OK to leave her to fend for herself.

"You should go with her," Minami had said. But Jyuu told her that if she did, she'd be ignored and abused, since her mother made it clear that she detested her company.

"Yoshi! Minna," Yankumi shouted over the noise. "Let's forget about lessons and have a game of basketball!"

Silence.

"Yankumi..." Minami began. "What has gotten into you?"

"If you move and sweat as much as you can, you'll forget all the problems of your youth!"

"Problems of our youth? What the hell is that?" Somebody asked.

"You just want to play!" Kuma yelled.

Yankumi's face darkened. "Play or take a math test."

We all know their answer.

---

"Nye, nye, nye, nye, nye!" Yankumi stuck her tongue out at Shin, who she managed to steal the ball from. She passed the ball to Jyuu, who easily got the ball into the basket. "Nice shot, Jyuu!"

Jyuu winked. Suddenly, she threw the ball at Shin's face. "Stop staring at my legs, idiot!" she snarled.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Shin touched his painful cheek. "I wasn't staring."

"Oh. I was just checking."

"Good one, Jyuu-chan!" Noda whooped, raising his arms.

Whose side are you on, anyway? Shin glared at Noda. He grabbed the ball and scored points for their team. He'll win this game. To get back at Yankumi and Jyuu's teasing. When those two girls were together, they were the most annoying pair anyone could ever imagine. They were both childish and dumb! Well, at least they appeared to be childish and dumb, but the things Shin knew about them made him understand that they weren't as stupid as they looked. The things they went through and the things around them were unlike those of the people he knew. Even himself.

"I quit!" Jyuu bellowed. "Yamaguchi, let's rest, ne!"

"Yeah," the teacher agreed, breathless from all the running. She grinned at Jyuu. "You're a good player!"

"Sono touri!" the younger girl agreed, giggling.

"You sure are full of yourself," Shin muttered, sitting on the ground beside her.

"You're just mad because I'm better than you."

Shin snorted and brushed back his hair with his hand. "Baka."

"Do you want to borrow?" Jyuu held up her extra barrette. "Ne, I'll tie your hair for you."

"Never mind." But his words went ignored as Jyuu knelt behind him, grabbing his hair. "What are you doing?"

"I'm braiding your hair." Jyuu said it as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

"I don't want you to braid my hair."

"All right," Jyuu agreed reluctantly. She kept his hair in a simple ponytail instead. Yankumi smiled as she watched them, her eyes all shiny and dreamy.

"Jyuu-chan! Don't make me jealous!" Ucchi teased from across the court. The guys laughed and made kissing noises, causing Jyuu to sneer.

"Maa, you guys are simple-minded."

Shin looked away uncomfortably. He was seldom the center of attention, and when he was, he didn't like it. A faint breeze cooled his neck and he decided he was thankful for the barrette. Why were they all so fired up about Kawakaze, anyway? She wasn't even a woman! Shin snorted, thinking about Jyuu's skinniness and boyish actions. He stood up and stretched, wondering what Jyuu would do about her problem. Maybe if she told Yankumi, she'd be able to help. When she suggested that to Jyuu later, she just shrugged.

After the class had rested, they went back to the classroom for the next subject: English. Noda quickly wiped away his sweat and changed back into his uniform. No sense in letting Fujiyama-sensei see him all sweaty. The others changed, too, then moved their desks forward, taking out their books even though the teacher wasn't around yet.

"Ohayou, Shizuka-chan!" the class greeted Fujiyama-sensei as soon as she walked in.

"Ohayou, minna," she responded with a cute smile.

Ucchi helped Jyuu carry her desk forward, leaving Shin alone at the back. Not that he noticed. He was asleep! Jyuu sat between Ucchi and Minami, thrilled to start the english lessons. She knew she was fluent in the language, but she wanted to hear the others, too. She participated in the simple exercises, helping her friends with their pronunciation and intonation. At least she learned something from her old school. It was a good school, actually, but she didn't fit in. She was rough and far more exposed to the harshness of life than the rich, stuck-up girls around her.

---

Flashback

"Jyuu-chan!"

"Hm?"

"Have you seen the latest issue of Sweet Teen?"

"No."

"You're no fun to talk to about this stuff."

"It's useless."

"It's not!"

"Listen, you don't need those things in real life."

"Jyuu-chan! This useless magazine tells me how to have a boyfriend, and what to do when I have one!"

"Boyfriends are useless, too."

---

Those were some silly conversations, Jyuu thought with a dry smile. Her classmates were silly girls, too. There was one girl who was different, though, and the thought of her made Jyuu shiver because she was reminded about what she did. I wasn't completely the one to blame, right? If I hadn't fought back, I would have died. She shook her head as if she could shake away her thoughts. Now I wish I'd died then—

She jumped when somebody placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Eh, Jyuu-chan? Doushta no?"

"Oh, Ucchi." Jyuu sighed with relief. "Nanda?"

"Class is over."

"Is it? How come so soon?"

"The teachers are having a faculty meeting today," Minami said. "They're going to talk about our field trip."

"Field trip?"

"Yes," Ucchi answered. "3-D is going to Okinawa as a graduation trip." He and Minami grinned, teeth sparkling as they imagined the beaches and the girls they would see there.

"When will it be?"

"Probably two weeks from now," Minami told her. "Kyoto-sensei is still assigning chaperones."

Oh, darn. I can't go, Jyuu thought in dismay. A trip would be fun, but I have to save my money... Before this month is over, I have to find a job!

"I can pay for your trip expenses."

"Eh? Shin!?"

Shin stood behind their chairs. He yawned. His hair was still in a ponytail, and Jyuu thought it looked great. "I can pay for you," he said again.

"Yeah," Noda spoke up as the other students left the room. "We can all pay for you."

"YEAH!" Kuma and Minami shouted. "We'll pay for you!"

Shin smiled. "You'll be able to go. It happens before the end of this month."

Jyuu sniffed and wiped her eyes. "Sugoi... you're willing to do that for me?"

"Of course, Jyuu-chan!" Ucchi said. "You're new, but we know you're a good friend."

"Uh-huh. Our allowances will be enough," Noda commented.

"You're all great," Jyuu exclaimed. "You may seem tough, but you do care for your friends. Thanks for everything."

The five guys smiled. They had met a lot of girls, but none of them were very friendly to them, especially since they studied at Shirokin Gakuen, which had a not-so-good reputation when it came to the school's students. To them, Jyuu was like an encouragement, that there really were girls out there who still accepted them.

---

"Ne, Yamaguchi-sensei," Kawashima-sensei said. She and Yankumi were drinking with Shinohara-san and his friend again.

"Yes?"

"Is there something wrong with Kawakaze Jyuu? She's in your class, right?"

"Well," Yankumi said thoughtfully. "She's facing something I don't really know about. Why?"

"Yesterday, I saw her crying in the bathroom. Do you think it has something to do with the 3-D boys?"

"No," Yankumi quickly said.

"You're just saying that because they're your students."

"That's not it! You see, my boys like Jyuu. They fuss over her like she's their pet or something."

"Hmm... That could be true," Kawashima-sensei finally said, thinking about how Noda and Ucchi had comforted Jyuu in the bathroom.

"I'm really happy she came to Shirokin..."

"Who are you talking about, Yamaguchi-sensei?" Shinohara asked.

"Uh, my new student."

"A female?" The detective looked surprised.

"Hai. The school made this one exception. Kawakaze Jyuu got in trouble in her old school, but her grades are excellent, and her mother's new husband is very rich, so Shirokin Gakuen accepted her. I say, I saw her old report card and everything's top score. The only comment there is that she was always late and she always slept in class."

Kawashima-sensei laughed. "Sounds like Sawada Shin."

Shinohara's friend raised his wine glass. "To the beautiful future of your students!"

"To the beautiful future of my students!" Yankumi echoed.

---

Author's Note: this is a very old story i wrote... i decided to upload it, for something new. Heheh. Hope you all like it. Review, if you please. hahah