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Homecoming
Back in the metropolis, as Sawatari struggles to carry Yamaguchi’s luggage up a hill, she introduces herself to the audience.
“My name is Yamaguchi Kumiko and I'm a high school teacher. My parents died when I was seven-years-old. Shortly after that, I was taken in and raised by my only relative, my maternal grandfather.”
Upon arriving at the front door of her home, which bears the Oedo family (Yakuza – Japanese mafia) crest, she realizes it’s been three years since she left. As she enters, she’s greeted by the sight of two of her beloved family members, Asakura Tetsu and Tatsukawa Minoru．Chucky and bald, Minoru, is sitting on Tetsu’s back giving him a shoulder rub. She softly calls out to them.
They scream, “Ojou” (young mistress), race across the room and kneel in front of her. Their joy is overwhelming. All the holidays have just rolled into one!!! Minoru immediately asks, “Did you get fired again?” Tetsu slaps him on the head and Minoru apologizes.
In Japanese manzai, or stand-up comedy, comedians often slap and hit their partners. This type of comedy is called dotsuki manzai. The roles are divided into the boke or “not with it” and the tsukkomi “clever” role. The boke always plays dumb and the tsukkomi is the know-it-all. To emphasize the difference between the two, the boke is hit on the head with the palm of a hand or slapped in the face with a rolled-up piece of paper.
Like two happy kids, Tetsu and Minoru then lurch to their feet and call for their Oyassan (Godfather of the Oedo family). Kuroda Ryuichiro, the third Oedo Godfather, comes around the corner flanked by two of his other men; Sugawara Makoto and Wakamatsu Kouzou/Hirozou/Hiromi (choose the kanji reading of your choice). Sawatari is freaked by the enthusiastic greeting Yamaguchi receives.
Kuroda is delighted to see Kumiko. When he welcomes her home, his voice is heavy with emotion. She is equally thrilled.
Later that night, Wakamatsu lovingly chastises her for not telling them she was coming home. She says if she had they would have just made a fuss. He argues that it’s natural for them to celebrate her homecoming. Tetsu says, “After all, you’ll become the fourth Oedo Godfather.” Sawatari jerks around.
Kumiko calmly reiterates what she’s already told them countless times before. She won’t be the successor. Sawatari is relieved. The others grimace in pain because she’s the only possible successor to her grandfather. When Kuroda dies, the Oedo Yakuza family line will end. Each man would have to fend for himself with another family.
Grandpa Kuroda cuts into the gloom by getting the Vice Principal’s attention and thanks him for making it possible for his grand daugther to return to teach there. Sawatari waves it off. Gratitude wasn’t necessary. Kumiko also thanks him and bows deeply. Sawatari pats her on the back.
Tetsu goes up in cgi flames and rushes forward. “Don’t you dare touch her!”
Kumiko delivers one word. “Tetsu” He backs down.
By way of apology, Wakamatsu offers Sawatari a cup of sake. He refuses. This time, Minoru goes up in cgi flames and rushes forward. “What?! Our sake isn’t good enough for you?!”
Again, Kumiko restrains him with a single word. “Minoru.” He backs down.
Her grandfather asks even more politely for Sawatari to drink one cup. Fear and graciousness propels him to accept.
This is when Wakamastsu announces that he and the others (excluding grandpa) have a gift for Ojou. He explains that they had it made believing that one day she’d return there to teach. It represents their feelings.
Fearing the worse, she apologizes in advance and tells them that she won’t wear a kimono like Iwashita Shima (one of the gangster wives). Tetsu says it isn’t a kimono. Minoru and Makoto wave their hands in front of their faces to indicate, “That’s not it.” Kumiko is still skeptical and tells them she won’t wear purple or a hot pink suit either.
They laugh it off. Wakamatsu tells her it’s a warm-up suit. Now she’s truly pleased and then takes the monstrosity from the gift box. Oedo Family, Fourth Godfather is written on the back of the jersey. Kumiko sees herself in a vision. She’s wearing the suit and a pink headband. Head!Yankumi says, “Mathematics. I can do it all.”
She and Sawatari both say, “Impossible!/No way!” The Vice Principals wonders why they think she’d flaunt her position as the fourth Oedo Godfather. Her grandfather laughs as Tetsu goes off on the vice principal again.
One word again. “Tetsu.” He backs off. Sawatari explains that if word got out that she’s a Yakuza (a member of the mob), she’d be forced to resign.
Page 1 - Hell is an
Page 2 - The Return of Yamaguchi Kumiko
Page 4 - Don’t Turn Your Back on Them
Page 6 - Cheers, Crime and Boyz on the Loose
Page 8 - Misconduct, Punishment and a Lie
Page 12 - The Fight to Save an Innocent
Page 13 - Redemption: A Leader is Born
Page 14 - To Protect What is Important