This is stunning and wonderful and I just finished rewatching Gokusen and this made it even better and more ..... intense. This is intense. I am so glad that you ignored the movie....(not least because I haven't seen it yet), as it allowed you to create your own past for them in that pivotal period of growing up after they graduated. I love many things about this fic. Many many things and I am sad that I can't articulate all of them...but things like the friendship between the group..the way they make sure Ryu comes out occasionally, the way Taku has Ryu's name on the list, the way Ryu is surviving and coping and appears normal to his workmates while inside he is basically a shell.....*weeps*. The way Ryu copes, how he feels, the things he does and says, all worked beatifully...and the final chapter...was stunning. Thank you for giving us a happy ending, because I think my heart would have broken if poor Ryu had to keep going forever with Hayato, when really his heart was there with him. Major props to Ryu for continuing to survive with him, but I am so glad that both of them get a chance to live. Lovely lovely lovely fic. Thank you for writing and sharing it with us :)