Half a year had passed and Shirokin Gakuen had closed down. Kuma, Uchi, Noda, Minami, and the other 3D students were fighting for their future. Yamaguchi Kumiko found herself a teacher of a few young kids on an island. Yankumi with the clueless and passionate personality of hers was facing her new students. But it didn't help them a lot since it was kindergarten students. As for Sawada Shin, he was about to fly back to Tokyo, from Africa. He had spent 6 months working as a volunteer there.

His day started at 6 am and would finish late at night. He kept himself busy, trying to find his path. Although a busy mind like him, he never forgot Yankumi. Each time he would advise someone younger, he would sound like her. If there were any kids fighting around, "Fighting and violence are different!" he would say at them. If any young students gang up, he said: "Violence is when you gang up and beat up someone, for no reason. Fighting is when you fight for something or someone precious to you." Shin used Yankumi's lines many times.

Six months ago, when he was on the airplane traveling to Africa, he had made up his mind. He loved Yankumi. She was someone very special to him. But Sawada was bitten by logic and consequence. 'Indeed it was love. But what kind of love was it? And was it serious, or was it just a young flame?' Shin knew, he was still young. He still wanted to see the world. Meet more people. And, if in any case, it was that serious, it would last. After all, there was no way he would say to Yankumi, that he loved her and he would get any response. He knew and knew it very well, Yankumi saw him as a student.

He arrived in Tokyo late at night. His appearance didn't change much. His skin color got a bit darker. Since the sun was hotter in Africa and they worked outside most of the time. His hair got longer. But the rest remained the same. He grabbed his pack-bag, got in a Taxi and the first place he visited was the Oedo family household. He waited outside for someone. He was leaning against the entrance door. His long hair waved against the soft breeze.

Minutes later a figure appeared, of an elderly man. He walked towards Sawada. Shin stood up and bowed slightly. It was 3rd Generation Oedo Yakuza Boss, Kumiko's Grandfather.

All those months that Sawada was in Africa he never stopped talking with Kuroda-san. Kumiko's Grand-pa was, somehow, a role model for him. Shin admired him, and he saw him as family. But Sawada was also someone very special to Kuroda-San. Those two spoke long hours. If Shin needed advice the first person he would call was Kuroda-San. And after a few months, Kuroda-san would also ask Shin's opinion. Even young at age, the way Sawada thought was very mature. It always offered another way of view for the 3rd Generation Oedo Boss.

"I see you are back, Shin-Kun. Will you stay?" Kuroda-san asked him.

Shin nodded at him, with a slight smile on his face. "As I told you, I will stay!" Shin admitted.

Before Shin left for Africa he had enrolled in The University of Tokyo. Honestly, he didn't know if he would ever attend. But as Kuroda-san had suggested to him, he had nothing to lose. Those months that those two were talking, Shin made up his mind to attend the Faculty of Law Course.

"Starts are always hard, ... it can lead you to failure or success. In each way, you will get your answer. Not trying at all, is a shame. Even if you fail, you can always, start over again!" Kuroda-san responded.

Sawada agreed with his words. After all, Yankumi had said that to them many times: "It was alright to fail. You can start over again!". Shin once more smiled thinking of Yankumi's serious face, while saying that.

"Yankumi...?" Shin asked Kuroda-San.

"Shirokin Gakuen has closed down. She is still working with those kids on the Island... Should I tell her ..?" Kuroda-San asked.

" No... " Sawada said with a serious face.

He and Kuroda-san talked for a bit more. Afterward, Shin gave a goodbye bow to Kuroda-san and left. Seeing Kumiko's Grandfather, and talking with him, was refreshing for Shin.

The endless talks with Yankumi's grandfather were a secret. Sawada asked... almost begged Kuroda-San not to involve Yankumi or anyone else. Maybe talking about Yankumi would be made it harder to forget. Also, Kuroda-San thought it was wiser if they didn't share with anyone that they were talking. So it remained a secret.

So, the next 2 and a half years passed with Yamaguchi teaching far away from Tokyo and Shin studying law. Both were facing their futures, and working hard. Sawada kept meeting Kuroda-san, more often. He had learned more about the Oedo family business. Help in a few cases, if he could. At weekends he spent his time with Uchi and Noda. They were helping out Kuma with the shop. They would get in trouble some times. Although they were adults now, they didn't change that much.

Through some twist of fate, life took another turn. Yankumi was offered a job as a teacher in Kurogin Gakuen High school. At the same time, Sawada got a scholarship and internship in his last semester at Oxford University. Once again their path would cross, but they didn't meet. 'Unmei' (Fate) had other plans for both of them.

The day Sawada was in the airport catching his flight to England. Yamaguchi was coming back to Tokyo. They were so close, but they didn't meet. Sawada sad, confused and unsure walked into the plane. And Yamaguchi with hope and excitement was walking out...

(( continuing in Chapter 2... ))