Great Student Takatasuka

Chapter 17

Three weeks later: Kenji Takatasuka awoke from his bed. He knew it was the last day he was going to be in the hospital. Since then he and his sister Urumi Kanzaki were talking, laughing and eating and driving the hospital staff crazy with their pranks. Even the hospital food tasted better. They didn't care because they were together. He looked over the other side to see Kanzaki.

“Kanzaki...” Kenji looks and is stunned. A nurse is making the bed. Kanzaki was gone.

“Excuse me, but were is Urumi Kanzaki?” Kenji said to the nurse.

Kujirawa turned around and was happy that Kenji was finally well. “I'm sorry Kenji but Kanzaki left in the morning.” As she continued.

“Then it's the afternoon?” Kenji slumped back in his bed.

“Kenji, Your parents are coming soon to pick you up you should get ready.” Kujiwara said as she left.

“Yes guess I should.” But Kenji stood in his bed for another hour looking outside.

48 hours later.

A boy is walking slowly on the sidewalk, everything around him means nothing he can only stare at the ground. As he is walking, he knows each step moves closer to the building he would rather not see. But he has to go. He wonders if anything will be the same again. As he continues to decide his fate a voice interupts...

“KENJI!”

He quickly turns around to see who he hopes it is be but he is again dissapointed.

Yoshihkawa Noburu and Uhehara Anko run towards Kenji hands together and more deeply in love.

“Yoshikawa, Uhehara what are you doing here?” Kenji asked.

“This is where we usually walk to school, Yoshihkawa always picks me up from my house.” Uhehara smiled.

Kenji was confused. “Are you guys an item?”

“Yep. Have been for three weeks.” Yoshihkawa said proudly putting his arm around Uhehara's shoulder while she has her arm around his waist.

“That's good, I'm happy for both of you.” Kenji said. “Does anyone at the school talk about it?”

“Don't care.” Uhehara said quickly. “Let them talk as long as I'm with Yoshihkawa that's all that matters.”

Kenji smiled knowing that they are finally together but he now has his attention on something else.

“Hey, those chains around your necks there from my family's hotel.”

Kenji was repyling about the half-broken hearts that they sell at the Hotel that the Takatasuka's own in Okinowa. Yoshihkawa looks at it and is quickly reminded why.

“Oh these, I bought these two years ago, I surpised Uhehara with them a week ago.”

Uhehara looks at hers and becomes a little red-faced. “He saw me at the gift shop with them. I was stubborn back then When I dropped them and left, he bought them.

“It was fate.” Kenji replied.

“Yeah fate.” As she touches the chain with her hand.

“Yeah strange.” Yoshihkawa said as he touches his chain.

Kenji looks on as both of them put the chains together.

“Perfect fit.” Uhehara said.

“Yeah perfect.” Yoshihkawa said with his face now a little red.

Yoshihkawa moves closer and kisses Uhehara as she returns the same.

Kenji looks on but it makes him think about a girl who was at the hospital every day for him and Kanzaki and he begins to wonder if she wasn't going to see Kanzaki.

Then his trance is broken.

“OH NO! THERE AT IT AGAIN!” Murai complained as usual.

“Leave them alone, there in love.” Kusano replied because he is also.

“But do they have to show it front of everyone?”

“You only wish it was you and Kujirawa.” Kusano laughed as he said it only irritating Murai which wasn't hard.

“Shut up! Or I'll...”

“Leave him alone!” Hidemi said pulling Kusano away from Murai's fist.

Murai looked on. He didn't like Kusano's new girlfriend one bit. “Stay out of this you freak!” Knowing what she does.

“Freak? Why you...”

Before Hedimi would do any damage to Murai a voice interrupted the three.

“Hey are we interrupting something?” Yoshihkawa asked holding Uehara' s hand.

They all stop and pretended everything was back to normal. “Nothing. Just the same old.” Murai replied. Knowing this was like this for three weeks between them.

“Hey where's Fujiyoushi?” Uhehara asked.

“Don't know, Now that's he's with Miaybi we haven't seen them. I don't know what there're doing.” Murai said now turing his anger on his best friend.

Before anyone could hear Murai's next complaint Kusano looks over and also yells out the young genius's name.

“HEY KENJI!” As they approached.

“Hello.” Kenji said softly as his head was down.

“Where you been buddy?” We were worried about you.” As Murai puts his arm around Kenji.

“About me?” Kenji said a puzzled.

“Yeah! The whole school has been talking about how you took down that Yakuza gang.” Murai said.

“Oh that, I rather not talk aobut it. That's in the past.” As Kenji lowered his head more.

Everyone is looking at Kenji now. Something is wrong, Why is he so distant? This reminds them of one blond student that no matter what her friends do to make her fit in she was always depressed.

“Hey Kenji are you feeling alright?” Yoshihkawa asked. “Where's Kanzaki?”

Kenji looked up at his new friends. Yesterday was like the end of the world for him. He thought he found peace that someone was just like him to share his pain that only she would know. Kenji forgot about his sadness and spoke.

“I don't know, she left before me when I was finally able to leave the hospital.”

Everyone looked and was stunned but they knew this was no surprise.

“You mean she left you just like that?” Uhehara asked.

Kenji replies with cold silence.

Murai as usual speaks his mind. “That's a coop-out!” He yelled. “What's wrong with her? She's nothing but a coward!”

Kenji didn't like what he heard and made his point clear.

“Murai, Don't call my sister a coward you know what she did.”

Murai realized his mistake and if Kanzaki heard about it he would find a snake in his pants or worse a rat in his lunch.

“Sorry man, I apologize.” Murai said quietly.

“Don't worry about it, let's go to school okay.” Kenji moves ahead with the rest in tow.

They all walk together to Holy Forest. And don't talk for a while until they finally reach the campus. Everyone is standing outside the front gate.

“Well gotta go, “Hedimi said. “I'll see you later Kusano okay?”

“Okay give me a good-bye hug.” Kusano said smiling.

They move behind the wall so no-one could see them. They both move their hands to each other's buttocks and pinch real hard.

“Owww! Not too hard.” Hedemi said not wanting anyone to hear her yell.

“But you like it when I do that.” Kusano said with a perverted smile.

Hedimi blushed and whispered to Kusano's ear. “I know, but not in front of everyone.”

“Okay.” As they both released.

“I left something in your bag, thank's for a wonderful weekend.” Hedimi kisses Kusano on the cheek and leaves for her school.

Kusano looks on as she disappers and puts his hand in his bag. His face turns bright red.

“What's in the bag?” Murai asked wanting to know now that Kusano has a girlfriend.

Kusano regains his composure quickly trying not to make Murai sucpicious.

“Oh nothing. Me and Hedimi were “studying.” during the weekend.” Kusano replied a little nervous.

“Yeah right.” Murai scoffed knowing what “studying.” they are really into. Murai leaves and enters the school with Yoshihkawa, Uhehara, and Kenji.

Kusano quickly looks inside his bag and finds handcuffs. “That girl is going to get me in trouble if I'm not careful.” As he quickly puts them back in his bag.

“KUSANO! Get you butt in gear or we're going to be late!” Murai yelled already impaitent as the school bell rings.

“All right, All right!” Kusano yelled back as he enters.

The students of Class 3-4 walk down the hallway but not without being noticed. All the students looked at Kenji Takasutka now that is one of more popular students in school. And also the brother of Urumi Kanzaki who has not been seen since that day she saved him. They finally reach the homeroom.

“Your ready?” Murai asked.

Kenji slowly walks up to door and pauses a bit. “Don't know it's been a while.”

“We're here for you okay.” Uhehara immediately giving support with Yoshihkawa nodding.

Kenji looks and understands and takes a deep breath. He slides the door open.

“WELCOME BACK!” As all the students yelled from class 3-4 and surround Kenji.

“What's all this?” Kenji said looking surprised.

“It's a party silly.” Tomoko giggled as she approached.

“You planned this?”

“It was Tomoko's idea.” Uhehara said smiling.

“TOMOKO!” Kusano and Murai said knowing that Tomoko was always known for her breasts than her brain.

“Yeah took you guys long enough to figure it out.” Yoshihkawa said laughing.

Kusano and Murai don't say anything and walk to their seats.

Kenji continues to stand there surprised until Tomoko takes him to the front. They were about to give Kenji a present until..

“ALL RIGHT! WHO DID IT!” As Onizuka walks in pissed off as usual.

“Mr. Onizuka what's wrong?” Tomoko said looking on.

“Somebody's been stealing my food for the past three weeks!” Onizuka said continuing to yell. When it comes to Onizuka and food. Food wins even if a pretty girl was standing by him.

“Onizuka has food?” Murai said not wanting him to hear.

“Beats me.” Kusano shrugged.

Onizuka continued to pace the floor still angry at the treachery. “Nobody's leaving this room till I find the culprit!”

“Is Mr. Onizuka always like this?” Kenji asked.

Tomoko just looks on with a blank stair. Kenji understands and looks on.

“All right then somebody has access to the rooftop other than me.” Onizuka said playing detective.

“Onizuka.”

“Yes?”

“Everyone has access to to the rooftop.” Murai said.

Onizuka thinks for a while and answers. “I was getting to that!” He said proudly.

“Oh boy.” Murai just rolled his eyes and sat back down.

Onizuka continues to think. Which is a surprise to all the students. “Now then, all I have to do is trace the culprit's steps for the last three weeks.” As Onizuka tries his best to use his brain, Kenji approches.

“Mr. Onizuka.”

“IT WAS YOU! WASN'T IT?” Onizuka said pointing.

Kenji just looks and ignores his teacher's accusations. “Mr. Onizuka I was in the hospital for three weeks.”

“Oh yeah I was there too.” He replied.

“HUH?” All the students in class 3-4 said looking preplexed.

Kenji tries his best to get his teacher back to reality.

“Mr. Onizuka.”

“Don't bother me I'm thinking of making a trap for the thief.” Onizuka interrupted.

“But Teacher.”

“No. That's too dangerous too much loudness.”

“Sir..”

“No won't work either. We used the butt-sniffer's car the last time...”

“Teacher turn around...”

“WHAT?” Onizuka was now irritated someone would disrupt a crisis like this. He turns around.

To his surprise he sees Miaybi and Fujiyoushi holding two bags of food.

The two lovebirds bow together. “We're sorry teacher.”

“For what?” Onizuka said.

“That we ate all your food for the past three weeks.” Fujiyoushi said apologizing.

“Please accept this as a gift.” Miaybi agreeing with him.

“I don't get where your coming from.” Onizuka said scratching his butt.

Fujiyoushi and Miaybi and take Onizuka to the hallway and slide the door behind them and explain.

It was silent for a couple minutes but not for long.

“YOU DID WHAT!” Onizuka cried out.

All the students from 3-4 stand up looking on.

“DID YOU USE IT?” Onizuka said continuing his interrigation.

The students still looked on being confused.

“Okay then, but ask Kenji next time.”

Kenji wonders why his name came up but the slide door opens as Onizuka, Miaybi and Fujiyoushi return.

“Forget everything.” Onizuka smiled carrying his two bags of food. “All back to normal, take your seats for roll call.” All the students take their seats.

Fujiyoushi sits takes his usual place with his friends. Murai moves his chair quickly wanting to know.

“Hey Fujiyoushi what happened out there?”

“Do you really want to know?” Fujiyoushi said a little embarrassed.

“Yeah?”

Fujiyoushi looks at Miaybi, She knows what he is thinking and is a little red-faced She smiles and returns talking to her friends.

“Me and Miaybi took our relationship to a personal level.” Fujiyoushi said.

“When?” Murai quickly answered.

“When you guys left for the hospital.”

“So for three weeks you been having...”

“Not so loud dud.” Fujiyoushi said looking around.

“Congratulations Fujiyoushi, you and Miaybi went through a lot.” Kusano said being happy for his friend.

“Thanks Kusano.”

Murai didn't like what he was hearing. “Why are you thanking him? It's not like you done it!”

Kusano dosen't reply.

Murai dosen't like the silence. “Oh No, you and Hedimi?”

“Yep.”

“YOU BASTARDS!” Murai said now jealous in a low voice. Next thing you know they each gave you their panties for souvenirs.”

Fujiyoushi and Kusano just look at each other and smiled.

Murai just looks and bangs his head against the desk.

“Is Murai all right?” Onizuka said looking at his bag of goodies.

“He's fine Teacher.” Fujiyoushi replied chuckling.

“Okay.” Onizuka said as he was preparing for roll call, someone quickly raises her hand.

“Teacher!” Tomoko said waving franctically.

“Yes Tomoko.”

“We haven't finised with the party yet!” Tomoko said continuing to wave her hands at a frentic pace.

“Oh yeah, I was wondering what that cake was for?” Onizuka said confused as ever.

Tomoko gets up and walks nears Kenji's desk. But Kenji slumps in his chair. He dosen't want to leave because he felt betrayed. But deep down he was worried and would do anything to find Kanzaki but that will have to wait.

“Come on.” Tomoko answered always with a smile.

“Do I have too?” Kenji said with a frown.

“Yes.” Tomoko cotinued not leaving until he get s up.

Kenji lets out a sigh and gets up. He walks with Tomoko to the front wondering what misfortune would fall on him. But this misfortune turns out to be a present.

“This is for you.” Tomoko said giving the box with a big red bow.

“What is it?”

“It's something I thought you need.” Anxiously waiting for Kenji to open it.

“Need?” Kenji said looking at it.

“Come on open it.”

Kenji pauses but deciedes to open it. He unwrappes the box and opens it. His face turns pale and he immediately closes it.

“What's wrong?” Tomoko said worried.

“I don't need it.” Kenji said with a irritation in his voice.

“I think you do.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because you need to face it.”

Tomoko and Kenji continued to argue as the other students looked on.

“Are they arguing?” Uhehara said looking on.

“Kinda looks like a soap opera couple.” Yoshihkawa said.

All the students began to agree that it looked like a television show.

Tomoko and Kenji continued to argue until one happy teacher is now pissed off again.

“HEY! I need to make roll call here!” Onizuka yelled.

“I'm sorry Mr. Onizuka.” Kenji replied. “We'll take our seats.”

“No we won't!” Tomoko interfered as she grabbed the present.

“Tomoko!” Kenji tried holding on to the present but the object slipped out of the box and onto the floor.

“Oh, no! I hope it's not broken.” Tomoko went to see if her present was damage.

Kenji looks at the object on the floor and stands still.

“Hey what's going on?” Onizuka looks over his desk and sees. He knows what the problem is now.

“So that's what it is? Aren't you going to pick it up?”

“No.” Kenji said flatly.

“Are you going to let it control your life?” Onizuka said sitting back.

“What do you mean?” Kenji said looking on.

Onizuka decided to teach his new student a lesson . One that was taught to another student who thought her problems where so big that she forget how to live.

“Didn't you tell me you wanted to be an actor, one of the greatest actors anyone has ever seen?”

“Yeah I did.” Kenji answered quickly.

“Well here's your screen test.”

“What?”Kenji didn't understand at first but he turned around and looked. All the students from class 3-4 were there for him. Kenji looked at all of them and they were smiling. Showing there support no matter what.

Kenji turns to Tomoko.

“Tomoko...”

“Just try.” She said. She gets up and moves away.

It is up to him now.

Kenji Takatasuka has faced every danger thrown at him. He knew he could handle it and knew what was coming but this challenge was different. He didn't know what coming and for the first time he was scared.

Scared of what the future migh hold.

He looks down and takes a long look and goes down to pick up the object. His hand was shaking when he got closer but he mananges to the grab the handle. He picks it up and looks at it for a while. All he has to do is turn it around and it will be one major step to reclaiming his life...but.

“I CAN'T DO IT!” Kenji puts it down and he is on all fours and stars to cry. Tears hit the mirror and floor.

All the students look on and are sad. Especially Tomoko.

“I'm sorry, I thought I was strong, but there's something that's holding me back.” Kenji said continuing to weep.

The students don't say anything but are surprised what happens next. Even Onizuka who almost falls off his chair.

Tomoko Nomura approches Kenji and puts her hand on his head.

“It's okay, we can try again.” Tomoko said softly still touching his head.

“I don't think so that's why...”

“Your leaving? Your just running away like me.” A young lady said from the outside the slide door.

“What?” Kenji picks his head up he knows who the voice is.

All the students get off their chairs and looked. They knew she would come back.

“Urumi?” Miaybi said as she approched and hugged her reunited friend.

Urumi Kanzaki was standing looking around the class she has called home. Behind her was Azuza and Kikuchi who knew where she was and also one teacher who was picking his nose again.

“You found her where I told you?” Onizuka asked.

“Just where you told us at the bridge.” Kikuchi said.

“She was just standing there with a bicycle.” Azuza said happily.

“It's a motorbike.” Kanzaki said correctly.

“Your riding now?” Onziuka said noticing the bike gear and helmet Kanzaki was carrying.

“You taught me didn't you?” Kanzaki replied as she walks slowy to her brother who she has to save but she is also saving herself as she walks past Onizuka's desk.

“How was it?” Onizuaka said wanting to know.

“The bridge, It was built when we there the last time.”

“Did it remind you of something?”

Urumi could only smile and reply.

“It did, that's why I cocked my bike full speed and crossed.”

“And?”

“I wasn't falling, I felt free and passed over.” Kanzaki smiled.

“I taught you well.” Onizuka said being pleased with his student.

“Thank you. Teacher.” Urumi replied. She walks toward Kenji now who brings his head back down he is ashamed of what he has become. But Urumi dosen't believe so.

“Look at me.” She said

“I can't, I disappointed you.” Kenji said still looking at the floor.

“Does this mean anything to you?” She rolled up her sleeve to show the large bangade on her arm still black and blue. Surprising the other students.

“Don't you know that?” Kenji replied. “I'll be forever grateful.” As he began to cry again.

“You can't live like this. If you do you will only wither away and die.” Urumi said.

“How do you know?”

“Do I need to tell you?”

“I'm sorry.”

Kanzaki moves closer. She has to do it now.

“Don't leave, you can begin to live.”

“It's not that simple.” Kenji said.

“Yes it is, take my hand.”

“What?”

“Take my hand.” Kanzaki strecthes her hand out hoping Kenji would respond.

But he is still on his kness holding the mirror that has control over his life.

“I don't see if that will help.” Kenji said giving up and ready to leave.

“Hey you?” Urumi responds.

Kenji quickly picks up his head wiping away his tears. Those two words have done something.

“What did you say?”

Kanzaki finishes the sentence. “Do you need help? Come on take my hand, don't be afraid. Do you remember?”

The words that Kanzaki said have done something to Kenji but he continues not to believe what he has just heard.

“You can't be? But are you?”

Kanzaki continues to move closer with her hand stretched out.

“Please take my hand. Don't be afraid.”

Kenji continues to look as his mind begin to show a memory that was forgotten long ago.

FLASHBACK:

“Look at him! He won't fight back!” As the older boy throws mud.

“He's just standing there!” The other boy laughed.

“What's wrong can't you talk?” As another boy throws mud at his victim.

Now all of them are laughing at the little boy. Who stands there in the mud just looking. He does not know right from wrong and continues to take the abuse until...

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Someone cries out as the older boy gets punched in the face.

“Hey! What are you...” The second boy gets hits in the face with a fistful of mud.

“Do you want more?” As she punches the last boy in the stomach.

“Let's get out of here!” The older boy says touching his busted lip as he runs and the others follow.

The litlle boy watches as they all run away crying. He looks up and sees a little blonde girl, then she turns around.

“Hey you? Do you need help? As she giggles, “Come on take my hand, don't be afraid.”

As she hand reached out the little boy speaks.

“Your eyes they look like mine.” Little Kenji said.

Little Kanzaki is surprised as she looks at him but giggles. “Your right we could be related, come on take my hand.”

Kenji's little hand goes out and reaches for the other hand and they are joined.

END FLASHBACK:

Kenji opens his eyes

“What?” he looks down he is standing and his hand is joined with Kanzaki. She could only smile and be happy.

“Sister, you didn't leave me you were here.” Kenji said.

“I'm proud of you little brother.” Kanzaki replied back.

Hearing this, Kenji immediately becomes red-faced.

“Don't call me that!” he scoffed.

“I have to, I'm older than you.” Urumi said with a giggle.

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“AM NOT!”

“Oh wow! Your first fight. Sibling rivalry.” Tomoko intteruppted.

“IT'S NOT LIKE THAT TOMOKO!” Kenji yelled. Then he stops himself. “Uh what just happened?”

All of class 3-4 started laughing. Kenji knew his continued outbursts got the best of him again. As he stood

embarrassed Kanzaki approached and nedded to do one more thing.

“There's something else we have to do.”

“You know I can't.” Kenji looked with his hand holding the mirror.

“You don't have to do it alone.” She puts her hand on the handle. “We can do it together now will you try?”

Kenji looks at the mirror then Kanzaki, He nods his head and they both raise it together.

Kenji touches his face. He dosen't remember when he last did that.

“That's me.”

“Yes it is.” Kanzaki said also looking a herself.

“The last time I saw myself was when...”

“What?”

“Nothing, just the past.” Kenji continues to look while Kanzaki tries to figure out what he said. Tomoko intterupts again.

“Okay, time for strawberry shortcake.”

“Strawberry shortcake? YEAH!” Kenji and Urumi's arms are both raised. They both look at each other. That was their favorite dessert. They looked at each other surprised but they both laughed.

Onizuka comes between them and is pleased with both of them.

“Well now, can I make roll call?” He said.

Kenji turns to his teacher, Onizuka expects him to thank him.

“Before you do there's one more thing.”

“And that is?” Onizuka feels something and it's crawling in his shirt.

“What's is this?”

“Oh that's Willie he says hi.” Kenji said with a smirk.

“WHAT!” Onizuka yelled. Onizuka feels something else and it's in his pants.

Kanzaki raises her finger to show her teacher that he's not too bright. “You didn't think we forget that YU-GI-OH game did you?”

Onizuka was squirming around trying to get them off. “Come on guys, it was just a game.”

“A game you made a lot of money off of us.” Kenji said.

“Like you said now you got double trouble.” Urumi smiled.

“AHHHHHH! GET EM' OFF! GET THEM OFF! GET THEM OFF!” As Onizuaka runs around with all the students laughing.

With that settled Kenji and Kanzaki are know concentrated on the future.

“So you'll stay?”

“Yes, until graduation.”

Tomoko approches and kisses Kenji on the cheeck and gives him a piece of cake. “I'm glad.”

Kenji looks at Tomoko and is completely bright-red.

“Oh look, Kenji's all blushing.” Kanzaki said teasing.

“I am not.” Kenji said irritated.

“Are too.”

“AM NOT!”

“Are too.”

As they continued everyone ignores Onizuka who is on the floor.

“GET THESE THINGS OFF OF ME!” As he yelled. No one hearing his plea.