Kumiko worked no more at Kurosin Gakuen. The 3D class has long graduated and took their own path. Yankumi lived now in the southern islands and taught foreigners. She missed her old days. After all, she was always fond to teach high school kids. Fate brought always the most problematic in her way. No one else, but she could deal with them and honestly help them. Shin had also graduated from law school and was back in Tokyo. He worked for a small law company, with his main goal to save money and finish his Master's Degree in Law. Sawada arrived back in Tokyo, one day after Yamaguchi had left for Southern Islands. They did not manage to meet each other.

He worked for two years in the law company to get experience. Oddly, but true he lived now with the Oedo family. Since he needed a place to stay, Kumiko's grandfather invited him to stay with them. He spent long hours with Kuroda-san and the others. He also became a great help to Shinohara and interfered many times with Oedo family business. He started to be known as Young Master or The Young Red Lion Master, around the Oedo parts. But since Shin still didn't want Yankumi to find out. So, everyone kept it a big secret. People started to know about a new person in the family that helped a lot. He was known as The Young Red Lion Master, but few knew it was actually Shin-kun. Even Yankumi's heard about him, from Minoru. There was no way Minoru would keep a secret. But thankfully, he never revealed that the young master was actually Shin.

Almost 6 years had passed since he had graduated from high school. 6 years since he found out he was in love with Yankumi. The only thing that had changed was, that now he was madly in love with her. The years that passes only made him see, how much he loved Kumiko. And, now being close to her family and understanding more of the way she was brought up, made her more valuable to Shin. Deep down, he wanted to meet Yankumi. He needed to tell her how he felt. But again, he was scared, as he knew and knew it well she will only see him as a student.

'Maybe if I wait some more. If I get my Master's Degree. If I become a respected adult.' he thought many nights. He kept the image of Kumiko admiring Shinohara, and Kuroda-san, that he wanted to become such a respectful man. So, Yankumi could rely on him. All those years, he noticed that Yankumi was a great help towards many. Maybe there should be someone there for her too. He knew Yankumi had all the Oedo clan in her care. That made it more difficult for Shin. As the serious Shin with the laid-back attitude needed to become stronger and wiser.

The day he had to leave again was there. Those two years passed really fast. Shin actually had fun those years. He felt being part of a family while living with Kumiko's grandfather and the rest. He felt again more like his old self, as he had people to care about. Caring about his friends, was always a must for Shin. Maybe he wasn't meeting them every day. But they met each other very often. That made loner Shin, brighter again. Maybe he couldn't speak about his feeling for Kumiko, but they talked about a variety of things.

The night before his leave, Kuroda-san asked Shin to have a private talk. It seemed that finally, Kuroda found out that Shin was in love. After all, he could meet him every day. And it was not long when he also found out with who he was in love. Kuroda-san felt he should speak to Shin since Shin had become more like a son to him. The Oedo Leader never had a son. He had people close to him, that was more than family. But nothing close to a son.

Shin had packed his belongings and had clean his room. This time leaving Japan was tougher than other times. There were many things that were connecting him. Before visiting Kuroda-san he said a warm goodbye to everyone and reminded them to keep his visit there a secret. Then he made himself in the main area, Kuroda-san was sitting and waiting for Shin. He knelt and sat on his knees in a formal way.

"Kuroda-san you asked to see me?" he lipped with a serious face.

"Shin-kun, before you leave once again. There are a few matters we have to talk about. " the Oedo Leader explained.

"Such us?" Shin asked curiously. He thought Kuroda-san would want to say him goodbye, but know he was claiming to talk serious matter with him.

"Shin-kun, I have known you since you were Kumiko's student. People at that age, usually want to run away from problems. But that was not your case. You had the sharpness and courage to deal with those." Kuroda-san uttered "Even if they grow older, few of them stand close to their believes, and fight to become a better human. You again do... But life passes faster than you think, Shin-kun."

Sawada nodded confused "Kuroda-san are you trying to flatter me or are you trying to tell me something?"

"Knowing you for so long, talking with you and having you around.. you are part of these family. Living under the same roof, breathing the same air, eating and laughing and spending time together. Isn't what family is?" Kuroda-san stated " As a family now I will tell you these: Don't keep everything to yourself. Share your feelings. Don't hold in you, thoughts and emotions that are held back will burn you slowly."

A soft breeze filled the room, and few second silence took over, before Kumiko's grandfather went on revealing " Kumiko would always express her mind. If she was sad, she would cry. If she was happy, she would laugh. If she needed advice she would ask. On the other hand, you Shin-kun. If you're angry indeed everyone will be able to see that. But all other emotions can be hidden behind your emotionless face. So, It was hard to understand how much really Kumiko meant to you. And mostly how much you were in love with her!"

Sawada froze once more, there were no reactions to hide his surprise on his face. Hiding that he was in love with Kumiko and fooling The Oedo Leader, would not work here. But also admitting it was harder. It took some time until he gathered his left energy to answer back.

"I... Me... Indeed I am in love with her. But there is nothing to worry about. .. Yamaguchi-Sensai sees me as her student, and there will not be any mix..." he tried to explain.

But he was cut off, as Kuroda-san spoke "I am not worried that you are in love with Kumiko. I am worried you have kept it so long as a secret. I know what a person you are Shin-kun. I don't find anything offensive in the way you treated Kumiko and this family. But I am really worried about you. And if Kumiko knew, she would be worried too."

He sighted "Shin-kun, seeing my people in pain, is also painful for me. I will not interfere in your private life but don't keep feelings closed in for a long time. And don't be gone for long. I will wait to see you soon back."

Sawada was speechless, there was someone that paid attention to him. There was someone that read his emotions. And lastly, there was someone he could share these feelings. Shin felt more blissful, knowing Kuroda-san. "I will deal with those, and I will not let those feelings rust in me. But not right now. I need to finish what I started. And I need to be able to stand in front of Yankumi stronger and braver." he declared.

"Maybe, things are more serious than I thought Shin-kun. I am still worried about you," he said gazing at the young man.

"Do not worry Kuroda-san. I will call you often, and we will talk. I will take my leave now. I have a plane to catch." Sawada ended the talk trying to ensure him he was alright.

"Have a safe trip. But we will talk again. I will keep these between us since I know you will want it that way. But if I find out things get hurtful and painful for you, I will not keep it that way." Kuroda-san disclosed.

"I thought love that isn't hurtful or painful, isn't love at all," Shin answered and with a formal bowed said goodbye to the Oedo Leader and left.

The same night, Shin took the plane to the USA. He was accepted at Harvard University. Worlds Number one university and Law department. After working two years so hard he had saved all the money he needed to finish his Master there. He would only return to Tokyo after he had graduated. And he made up his mind to work for Kuroda-san. He also has decided, next time he was in Tokyo he would face Yankumi.

The next day, in the Oedo family, was another surprise. Kumiko was back. Sawatari Goro that now worked at Akado High School as a vice principal, looked for her and offered her a job there. The problematic class 3-D, that no one could handle, was a job the only Yankumi could deal with.

"Kumiko ?" a confused voice would be heard as she opened the door and walked in.

Kuroda-san was really happy to see his granddaughter again. But he also noticed the kind of game fate was playing with them. Those years whenever Shin was back, Kumiko was away. And when Shin was studying abroad, Kumiko was in Tokyo.

(( continuing in Chapter 4...))