Author's note: based off the drama-verse. Why, you might ask? Because it's the only one I've seen to its completeness and Jun Matsumoto is just too cute.
Spoilers for the whole first season of Gokusen as well as the special.
Family Matters — A Gokusen Fanfiction
…I'm settling here well enough. They have some training courses I need to take before I can actually begin the volunteer work, but it all seems to be a little disorganized. I think you might like it here. Not to live in, but certainly to visit. Knowing you, you'll probably have a group of delinquents trailing you while you encourage them to run towards the scorching sun. Also…I wanted to say…I'm glad to hear from you. I know that you would have most likely preferred that I attended one of the schools that accepted me. To say that I was surprised to get your letter given the circumstances would be an understatement. I guess deep down, I wasn't sure I really had your support regarding this decision. Now, however, I just wanted to say "Thank you." For everything…
From Shin Sawada to his former teacher, Kumiko Yamaguchi, one month after he left Japan.
Chapter One: The Long Road Home
"Tadaima," he said quietly, hearing his voice echo in the halls of his home.
After years of so-called exile, it still felt a little strange calling this place home.
But then, a lot can happen in seven years. If someone had told him years ago that he would be coming home to his father's house expecting a warm welcome, he would have rolled his eyes in disgust and told them to keep dreaming. Yet here he was standing at the precipice of the home he grew up in. He was more than little travel weary and ready to finally settle down in his home country. The wanderlust that had him itching to leave this place and never look back had all but disappeared after years of service. And even more surprising, in his opinion at least, was the fact that he was coming home to a welcoming family. From the sister who missed him—if her letters were any indication—to the father who looked at his efforts with pride, Shin couldn't deny the light feeling in his chest as he looked forward to seeing them both.
The only thing he regretted was the fact that it took the death of his mother to heal the breach between him and his father. Thinking back on the years that followed his mother's sudden illness and eventual death, he was still amazed at the initial efforts his father had taken to reach out to him. It had taken years, but eventually, he and his father had come to an amicable understanding and respect for each other. At times, it all still felt too good to be true, but the fact that he was here in this house was reality enough for him.
"Tadaima!" he said louder as he dropped his duffle bag by the front door and proceeded to the sound of voices. Entering the kitchen, he found the surprised looks of his father and his sister.
"Onichan!" Natsumi screamed, jumping from her chair and running towards him. "Onichan," she repeated as she enveloped him in her embrace.
He laughed as he staggered back from the force of her body thrown against him. Wrapping her in his arms, he teased, "Have you gained some weight?" He pointed at her protruding belly.
"Onichan!" she said again, pushing against him indignantly. "This is what pregnant women look like," she said with a slight huff and a smile in her voice. "If you ever got married," she added smartly, "you might know that."
"She got you there, Son," his father finally said from the background.
He glanced up and caught his father's teasing smirk. As always, he reveled on the differences between the father he left home from and the man standing before him. Moving forward, he held out his hand to him, only to be pulled forward into another bear hug. Startled at first at the overt gesture of affection, it took him a minute to return the hug he was so unused to receiving. Whether it was the death of his wife or his separation from his children, Shotaro Sawada had mellowed over the years.
"Welcome home, Shin," his father muttered gruffly under his breath.
"It's good to be back," he replied. And after some thought, he added, "For good."
Just as quickly, he felt his father let go of him, only to hold him by his shoulders. Meeting the questioning look in his father eyes, he nodded. "I'm staying in Japan for good this time," he repeated.
"What?" came his sister's response from behind him.
Immediately, he felt her grip his elbow as she turn his body to face her.
"Really?" she asked, as if afraid to believe what she was hearing.
He nodded. "Really," he replied. "I've been thinking about it for awhile and I thought that now was a good a time as any." He pulled up a chair and gestured for his father to sit down as well as his sister. Following suit, he began to attempt to explain. "I know that it may come as a surprise, but the truth is," he paused and looked at both of them in the eye, "the truth is…the truth is after awhile, there didn't seem to be any good reason for me to be away from home."
"Shin," his father said gravely, "I'm glad to have you back, you know I am. But are you sure about this? What happened to traveling the world? Seeing new things?"
"I have traveled the world and seen new things," he responded. "To be honest, I'm a little tired," he admitted to them. He stared at his hand in front of him as he thought of the past year. When was it? When was it that he stopped feeling the usual adrenalin rush that accompanied the thought of going to a new place he's never been before? "And who knows?" he continued at the resulting silence around the table, "Maybe I'll do it again someday. Right now, though, I want to do something here."
"Onichan," Natsumi's voice broke from beside him as she stood up.
He gave a panicked look at her tear-filled eyes. "Hey!" he exclaimed, looking around for tissues or napkins…or anything at all to give to her. Like most males, genuine tears from any female filled him with the urge to run for cover. And if that wasn't an option, then halting the flow required the most immediate attention. "This news was supposed to make you happy," he said defensively, looking at his father.
"I am happy," she wailed, still looking at him with watery eyes.
"Is this one of those female pregnant things where you cry when you're happy?" he asked teasingly, desperately.
"Shut up, Shin-ni!" she cried. "This is not the time to be funny." Without ceremony, she bent over him and hugged him. Again. "I'm so glad," she whispered between hiccups. "Does Haru know?"
"He does now," he replied. "Uchi was the one who picked me up from the airport. He dropped me off here before he went to work." For what probably won't be the last time, he began to wonder how in the world Haruhiko Uchiyama ended up being his brother-in-law. He glanced at his glowing sister. Not that he minded, of course. Especially when Natsumi seemed so happy and content with herself.
"Eh?" Natsumi cried, put out. "Now that you mention it, why didn't you tell us you were coming home?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise," he explained, glad for the cessation of tears.
"Oh, it's a surprise alright," she said in mock-hurt. "You should have told us! Dad and I could have met you at the airport!"
"Then it wouldn't have been a surprise, ne?" he asked drolly.
She nodded, but he could see her mind racing. "There's so many people to tell," she said almost to herself. "Shin, we should have a party for your return!" she declared. "I'll invite all your old friends. I know you've kept in touch with them. Most of them are here anyway. Haru and I have them for dinner about once a month." Her eyes twinkled in mischief before throwing a sly glance to their father. "Oh, and Kumiko-chan, too!"
"Kumiko-chan?" he repeated.
"Oh you know her," Natsumi said airily. "Your homeroom teacher back in high school?"
Knew her? Of course he knew her! In the deep recesses of his mind, wasn't she part of the reason he finally came back?
Wait a minute.
Kumiko-chan?
"Didn't you keep in touch with her too?" Natsumi questioned.
He nodded slowly.
Sure he kept in touch with her. When he thought of all those times he would wait impatiently to get a letter from her in whatever godawful place he was in, he nearly blushed.
"I thought she said something like that," Natsumi nodded knowingly. "Plus," she began to whisper conspiratorially, "I think Dad would appreciate the company."
Huh?
"Natsumi," their father's threatening tone came through.
"Just between you and me," Natsumi continued in mock-whisper, "I think that—"
"Natsumi!" their father said again.
This time Shin caught the meaningful look his father gave his sister. If he didn't know any better, he would swear that his father looked sort of…flustered.
What the hell was going on?
Natsumi beamed.
"Anyway," she continued, "we'll definitely invite her, too! She's been such a great friend these past few years and—"
"Hey, hold on!" Shin protested, "Who said anything about my agreeing to a party?" Better nip this party gig in the bud first. He'll deal with the other issue later.
His sister arched a brow. "I wasn't asking your permission," she informed him pertly. "I'm telling you that we're going to have a party." She crossed her arms. "It's my prerogative as your sister to make decisions like this."
He shook his head. "I don't think so," he insisted. "I'm still your older brother. You can't just boss me around."
"You're going to refuse a pregnant woman one of the few joys she can participate in now that she is hampered from doing plenty of other activities because of the baby?" her sister asked him, askance. She looked at their father for support.
"I'm staying out of this," Shotaro Sawada replied. "Getting in the middle between the two of you is a big mistake." He smiled at them serenely. "I'll go with whoever wins."
Natsumi grinned. "No wonder he's such a good politician."
"Coward," Shin muttered under his breath.
His father looked at him in defense. "You expect me to refuse a pregnant woman for you?" he asked. "You're on your own, pal. Think of it this way, Uchiyama and I have had months of this. You've only been here a few minutes. Count yourself lucky."
Natsumi glared at both of them. "It's going to happen," she declared. "We'll have a party. Either at my place or here. And it's happening this weekend."
"This weekend?" her father repeated.
"There won't be a lot of people," she explained. "I was just going to invite Shin's old high school buddies and Kumiko-chan, anyway."
"Kumiko-chan?" Shin finally asked. "Since when have you been that friendly with her?"
"We've had dinner with her several times," she told him matter-of-factly, giving their father a sideways glance.
"Oh really?" He gave her a skeptical look. He didn't miss the looks she's been giving their father and resolved to ask her more about it later on.
"Well, I need to be heading out," their father interrupted, with a quick gulp of coffee. "I'll be back tonight so you kids don't get in trouble."
Natsumi rolled her eyes. "Yes, dad," she replied. "We'll be good."
Their father laughed before standing up and kissing Natsumi on top of her head. He gave Shin another nod of approval as he picked up his briefcase and headed outside. "Don't let your sister overexert herself," were his parting words before completely leaving them alone in the kitchen.
Shin watched his father's retreating back, counting the old man lucky for his escape. And it certainly did seem like an escape. He looked back at Natsumi's innocent eyes.
The silence lasted no longer than three seconds when Natsumi burst out, "I can't believe you're finally here to stay!"
"What was that about?" he asked without preamble.
She batted her lashes. "What was what about?" she returned mischievously.
"That cryptic little looks you and Dad were throwing each other," he replied, his eyes narrowing. His sister was savoring something, he could tell. She never was one great for keeping secrets and he knew from the look in her eyes that there was something she was dying to tell.
"Well," she began, her eyes dancing, "I think that maybe…Dad's in love!"
He looked at her skeptically, unsure if he heard her correctly. His dad? In love? He raised an eyebrow.
"You know," she said, a little put out, "I was expecting more of a reaction from that statement."
"Are we talking about the same guy here?" he asked, just to make certain. "You know...our dad? The senator?"
Natsumi nodded enthusiastically. "I know!" she exclaimed. "I can't believe it either, but there's just so many hints. I mean, I've seen them have dinner together and all. Oh, and he listens to her. I mean really listens. And, he's changed. You must have noticed it, too, right?" She paused. "I mean, who do you think you have to thank for your reconciliation with dad? I think that it was her who pushed and pushed until dad finally saw the light!"
"Her?" he finally asked, his mind still racing at the thought of his father with another woman. He didn't know why he found it difficult to get around that fact, especially since his mother has been dead for over five years. But the thought of his dad being in love was just too…too…
Bizarre.
That's the word.
Natsumi rolled her eyes. "Are you even listening to me?" she asked impatiently.
"Hey!" he defended himself. "You never said who it was in all your ramblings." He peered at her. "So, who is it?"
Later he would berate himself for asking such a stupid and oblivious question. He would give himself the excuse of being too pre-occupied with the strange idea of his father seeing some woman that his train of thought was lost somewhere in his musings. Still, when all was said and done, he was pretty sure that even if he had been at his full faculties, he would have still been floored when Natsumi replied, "Why, Kumiko-chan of course! Who did you think I was talking about?"
More author's note: after a couple of one-shots, I thought I'd write something with a little more meat into it. This idea has been bouncing in my head for awhile now because…well…I wanted another take on the whole age difference thing. I don't know how old Sawada's father truly is in canon, but I made him as young as I possibly could so that the age difference between him and Yankumi won't seem too yuck (at least in my mind). And in case anyone is wondering, yes, this is a Shinkumi multi-chapter story. Anyway, like it? Hate it? Trash? Let me know. 'Til next time!
Japanese terms:
Onichan – elder brother