Archive of Our Own

After everything that Jotaro Kujo experienced in his young life, he thought he knew much. He thought there would be nothing left to surprise him. Traveling the globe tended to have that effect on most individuals but Jotaro, unfortunately, was not among the likeliness of most individuals.  

No, his knowledge from traveling was different and what most would consider unconventional or even downright unbelievable. This only strengthened his view that he knew more than the average person.

Afterall, he had ventured to locations that were so unlike his home. With foreign locations came foreign individuals, but not the ones that most people encountered when they traveled. These individuals were not as foreign as Jotaro would have liked. Capable of sinister powers that proved to be a giant pain in his ass more than anything.

Encountering these individuals taught him desperation and just how far the lengths of evil spread. His battle against evil had taught him some rather nifty tricks. Gambling in poker, playing video games, and not to mention learning how to stop goddamn time. Though he supposed that was the natural result from battling with a time stopping vampire.

Regardless, after all that had happened Jotaro was certain there was absolutely nothing that would stump him.

Yet, Jotaro didn’t know why he awoke to a dreadful sense of sorrow. He also did not know why his hands felt so empty and frigid despite them having remained tucked under the warmth of blankets as he slept. Fingers closing in on themselves at the lack of something to grasp, what they wanted to grasp he did not know. Why Jotaro had gotten out of bed and braved the cold weather despite his ever doting mother’s pleas was also not known to him.

His legs seemingly carried him without thought, without truly knowing where he was going or where he might end up. Well, that wasn’t necessarily true. He was hoping to end up somewhere but he could not fully describe where.

Then, when she had bumped into him he did not know why his annoyance was so quickly replaced with surprise. An almost faint pleasant surprise. He felt as if he had seen her in the past-no more like he knew her. He did not know how he knew her but the feeling was unshakable. The image of her standing before him rekindled some odd haze or dream in the far reaches of his psyche.

But there she was, standing physically in the falling snow. Her eyes watering and raining down upon her red cheeks. She did not seem to notice this when she gazed back to him. Jotaro did not know why he did not react to how he usually did when women cried around him. Within him he felt a sense of pity-no that was not correct-he felt genuine sympathy for this teary eyed girl. What was worse was that he felt, deep in his heart, he was responsible.

That he, Jotaro Kujo, was the reason for her silently crying. How that was possible he hadn’t a clue. He swelled with the urge to stop her from crying. Not from his usually annoyance of women crying around him but out of concern and something that Jotaro did not want to admit. He fought it off, this urge to ease her tears away. Yet, this only made him feel worse.

Then, out of mutual silence came a quiet question.

“Would you want to get..some..coffee?” She had spoken so softly Jotaro nearly missed her question to the wind that blew gently around them.

What drove this girl to ask him such a question was answerless. Despite what Jotaro felt in his soul, he was a stranger to her as she was to him.

So then why would she, someone who didn’t even know his name, ask him such an odd request. Jotaro did not know. With such an odd question came odd emotions. None of which Jotaro would normally expect in this situation.

Luckily for Jotaro Kujo, he could mask his emotions well and seemingly sent her on her way. But as she began to walk away from him with a smile that regrettably made him feel warm, he felt he had made an immense mistake. Both his mind and body were fueled with the peculiar notion that he could not let her go and even further hidden was the thought he could not let her go again .

He did not know what he was feeling and he certainly didn’t know why he had agreed to a request that would normally make his skin crawl. Yet, here he was sitting in this cafe that was oddly crowded staring openly at the girl who had asked him here.

His mind vaguely wondered if she herself knew why she asked him here. Guessing from the shy and embarrassed expression she held and how she sat uncomfortably with her hands awkwardly pressed between her legs she didn’t know either.

This only puzzled Jotaro further and made him question if there was any possibility she was feeling the same as he was. Based on how his night was going so far, there would probably be no answers given to appease him.

A waiter approached their table with the obvious intention of inquiring what they would like to have to drink. Jotaro hadn’t even considered what he wanted, too wrapped up in focusing on the recently transpired events to care.

Based on her scurry to quickly take a look at the menu, she did not seem to know either. As Jotaro watched her almost comically scan over the menu he found his lips treacherously twitch upwards for only a fraction of a second.

He mended his quick action by widening his scowl and pushing his brow closer together. Reaching over the short table, his back lifting off the uncomfortable chair, he pinched the leathery menu between his finger and thumb. Plucking it from her grasp, she blinked blankly at the sudden loss of the small menu.

With the menu in hand, Jotaro leaned back and propped his ankle up on his knee casually. Without letting the waiter utter a single word, Jotaro pointed to a hot drink from the menu.

“Two of these.” He spoke shortly before shoving the waiter the menu without turning his gaze. Fumbling the menu, the waiter the glared at the young man with disdain. Jotaro nearly sneered in utter annoyance before speaking again with more volume. “Come on, get to it!”

The waiter’s eyes widened at Jotaro’s rude demand before narrowing in contempt to which Jotaro matched with intensity. This was not an uncommon situation for Jotaro. He’d done this many times before and the outcome was always in his favor. Though, Jotaro was in no mood for a fight after his recent ordeals across the globe. He supposed this would be a battle of stares.

“Ah…” A meek voice chimed in, cutting the tension apart. Jotaro moved his gaze to the girl sitting across from him who was smiling politely at the glaring waiter. Again, Jotaro felt an odd feeling at seeing her friendly smile. “That will be all for us, thank you for your time!” She happily thanked with pleasantries that could calm a bull.

Upon receiving some positive words the waiter left in the direction for the kitchen although not before flashing the more unpleasant of the two a judgemental thin lipped frown.

Jotaro responded only with a low, “Tch…!”, before averting his narrowed gaze elsewhere.

“So, Kujo-san” his attention was brought back to her, “what brought you out tonight? Before I bumped into you that is. Sorry again about that.” She scrunched her shoulders sheepishly, as she tried to hide the nervousness in her voice. Though Jotaro easily picked up on it.

Jotaro only offered her his silence in return. He did not know exactly why he was out in the cold so how was he supposed answer her question? Her smile fell slightly and her eyes looked downwards in shame. Jotaro’s eyes twitched in guilt and a small pit in his stomach dropped.

He coughed shortly, capturing her attention-her eyes blinking in anticipation. “Cigarettes.” He lied, hiding his gaze behind his hat. Jotaro was not satisfied with the lie and thought that such a lie would give him a bad appearance. Walking in the freezing cold for the purpose of cigarettes made him appear to be an addict. What was more concerning was why Jotaro even cared what she thought of him. He never gave a damn about what anyone thought of him. Yet, he felt he might disappoint her and that thought made him uneasy and confused.

He did not give her time to offer her input on this as his voice found itself once again, “And you?”

“Oh I was-” she paused for but a moment, “I was on my way home after looking at the plaza full of the decorative lights. They’re very beautiful…” Her voice faded as she spoke, a smile forming at her lips.

Yet, Jotaro could not help but notice the trail of dejection that quietly hid. Although his outward appearance held a stoic disposition, his internalized conflict continued. In a hurried manner, images of spinning lights and footsteps gracefully moving on bricked pavement flashed over his eyes. It was almost blistering as the images rapidly passed by, impossible for him to grasp. He found himself shutting his eyes, hoping maybe the imagery would cease. Oddly, enough they vanished as soon as his light eyes encompassed darkness. Yet something different took their place.

Something seemed to push against his body. This sensation was not physical in nature however. What he was experiencing was from within himself. A feeling in his spirit that was damn near begging to be set free. Jotaro had experienced such a sensation in the rather recent past.

This was the sensation of his Stand, of Star Platinum, brimming with life from within him. Jotaro had only experienced this when he was in the presence of an enemy. Specifically, an enemy stand user.

Naturally, his gaze narrowed in alert before scanning his eyes over the other patrons in the cafe. There was nothing seemingly out of order. No shifty looks or freakish smirks were given to him, which was a common theme among his past enemies.

Not satisfied with the lack of findings, his attention was brought back to the girl in front of him. His eyes narrowed into glare at the feeling in his body growing stronger. He began to wonder if it was she who was a stand user. Could it be that what he was experiencing was the work of a stand? Perhaps these feelings were conjured up to make him confused and vulnerable for attack. Though, Dio may be dead, there was still the threat of his followers still remaining.

However, she only seemed to stare out the window of the cafe. Her face relaxed with eyes covered in a haze, looking to nowhere in particular. Her lips holding a light but smooth smile. He noticed at some points her smile would twitch upwards slightly giving him the impression she was perhaps daydreaming or recalling a fond memory.

Whichever was the case, Jotaro had lost his glare. No, she was not an enemy. There was something absolutely too real about what he was feeling for them to be some trick. Though what he felt was strange, it was familiar in a sense he could not understand. It was not hostile, in fact, it was the opposite. So then why, he wondered, was Star Platinum urging to be released?  

Suddenly, he felt something smooth against the palm of his hand. Breaking free of his thoughts, he noticed something baffling. Under his hand, was the gloved hand of the one who sat in front of him. The mass of his hand nearly covered hers entirely, encaging her small hand in a protective yet gentle way that surprised Jotaro. He acted like her hand would shatter like glass if he applied even the slightest of weight onto it. When had he done this? Had he been so absorbed in his thoughts that he did not notice his hand reach out to hers? Even so, why would he do this?

Jotaro did not know.

Her head perked up, the haze in her eyes dispersing as she looked to Jotaro. He quickly removed his hand from hers though her eyes caught her gesture for a moment.

Her lips parted with her eyes focusing on his before closing from her smile, “I’m sorry, Kujo-san. I completely spaced out. How rude of me.” She chuckled to herself, seemingly brushing off his behavior as trying to jar her from her thoughts.

Perhaps it was favorable for her to view his gesture in such a way. Jotaro did not understand the purpose of his action nor did know if she was feeling anything he was. However, maybe it was just his imagination, but for the split second that her eyes found his before they were masked by her smile-it almost seemed like she did.  

“Whatever.” Jotaro flippantly gruffed.

Not a second later the waiter, who shot Jotaro another dirty look, returned with their drinks. Jotaro’s nose twitched in annoyance and he opened his mouth to smart off but his companion was quicker, giving the waiter a polite ‘thank you’.

Jotaro only scoffed a grumble that one may consider to be a thankful one and took the warm drink into his hands. His palms immediately heated up around the near sweltering cup, bringing the white ceramic closer to his face.

Two hands clasped together causing Jotaro to pause, the steam from the drink patting against lips lips.

“Ora-” She caught herself, her expression dazed.

Jotaro, with wide eyes, stared at her.  His wide stare was not due to the bizarre outburst, but what was said or almost said. He couldn’t be sure but what she nearly exclaimed sounded like was a word he was rather familiar with. A word was probably not the best description for it, a triumphant battle cry was more accurate. Yet, there was no battle taking place here only two young adults enjoying a hot drink on a cold night. There it was again. That feeling of Star Platinum rising in his spirit. Jotaro gripped the ceramic cup harder, careful to not let his hand ghost over to hers once more.

“I mean,” pink dusted her cheeks as she pulled her hands apart, “Oryyyahhh..” she stretched her arms and feigned a yawn. Upon her realization that Jotaro remained staring at her she sheepishly picked up her cup and took a sip.

“Oh..!” She muttered quietly, yet Jotaro heard it.

“Hm?” Jotaro recovered, “Is there something wrong with it? That damned waiter-” Jotaro angled his body, scanning the crowd for the waiter who may have messed with the drinks in retaliation.

“No no Kujo-san! It’s perfectly fine! See?” she took another sip of the hot drink, practically scorching her throat as she swallowed quickly, “It’s just that,” she calmed herself, “it’s interesting you ordered this drink for us. I was...in the mood for some hot chocolate.”

Jotaro turned back to her slowly upon hearing her soft explanation. He watched her gaze fall to her cup with that familiar fond yet sorrow filled smile. Jotaro felt the conflict within him return and he bit the inside of his cheek.

Covering his narrow gaze with his hat he felt his neck flush, “Yare yare..” he mumbled into his cup, “just drink it before it gets cold.” His voice was not as stern as he would have liked. His lips found the edge of the warm cup and he swallowed his words down with the chocolate flavoring.

Offering a simple nod in response she smiled, leading the pair to enjoy their hot chocolate in a soothing silence that seemed all too familiar.

“Pardon me Kujo-san-” she broke the comfortable silence the two shared after they finished their hot drink. Jotaro’s impassive gaze met her rather inquisitive one yet he remained in silence waiting for her to continue speaking. “I know it is rude to make assumptions so I thought I’d ask, are you by any chance a student at the school down the road a piece? I mean you are wearing a school uniform but you know I-”

“Yeah.” Jotaro interjected shortly not wanting her to ramble on and cause an embarrassing scene.

“Really?!” she leaned forward astonished, “Hmm..” She finished with a hum as she sat back in her chair.

Jotaro’s brow rose in inquiry to which she noticed as she began speaking again. “Well, um, call it coincidence but I’ll be attending that school after the holidays have passed.” She explained while she uncomfortably shifted in her seat, keeping her eyes averted from his.

Coincidence. Coincidence. The more that  ran through Jotaro Kujo’s mind the more he hated that word. These events having transpired this evening were rather coincidental borderline fate even. Jotaro hated coincidence and asinine ideologies of fate. It seemed the more he the avoided the topic the harder it was thrusted upon him. Life having everything predestined with those helpless to take hold of its course was vexing and, loathe to admit it, unnerving. Yet, Jotaro could not deny the fact that meeting this young woman had incited something within him. He had no explanation for this and the unknowing was driving him up the wall.

“Yare yare daze.” He groaned out frustratedly.

Having mistaken his frustration with himself for annoyance she gulped and quickly brought her hands up in defense. “Don’t worry Kujo-san, I won’t bother you. I’ll stay out of your hair!” She assured attempting to appease Jotaro’s mistaken annoyance.

Despite her words Jotaro had the feeling that even if she avoided him, something would ultimately result in their meeting once again. Fate was always two steps ahead.

Breaking the awkward atmosphere, the waiter returned with their bill to which Jotaro plucked out of the waiter’s grasp much to their chagrin.

“Wait, give that here!” She protested with a shout. She reached over the table to grab the bill but Jotaro simply brought his arm up out of her reach. “Hey Kujo-san! I invited you here so it’s my duty to pay for us both!” She explained feverishly.

“Whatever.” Jotaro breathed nonchalantly while he dug for his wallet in the pocket of his jacket.

With a furrowed brow and a frown pushed into a pout she turned her attention to the waiter, “Don’t accept anything from him! I’m paying.” She declared with a hand firmly pressed to her chest for emphasis.

“Stop being stubborn.” Jotaro deadpanned, “It’s childish.”

“I’m not being stubborn, I’m being polite!” she reached into her coat pocket, “What kind of a person would I be if I-eh?” Her hand fumbled in what she realized was an empty pocket. She blinked rapidly and frantically began to pat her coat hoping to find any trace of her wallet. “No no no wait I couldn’t have possibly-! I left in such a rush that I-!”

Jotaro sighed deeply before pulling the correct amount of yen to cover the rather cheap tab. He, rather carelessly, offered it to the dazed waiter.

“Now wait a minute,” she pushed herself from the chair, her hands planted firmly on the surface of the table, “I’ll run home and get it! It won’t be long I can run pretty fast!”

Not bothering to entertain her theatrics Jotaro glared menacingly at the waiter, “What’s your problem? Take it and get out of my face.”

With an offended scowl the waiter snatched the yen from Jotaro and stormed off without another word. “Hey come back!” Her plea fell on deaf ears as she slumbered her shoulders in defeat. “I’m horrible…” She grumbled, her hands covering her eyes in a comedic fashion.

“Hey-” Tap. Tap. Jotaro lightly tapped her shoulder causing her to gasp and stare wide-eyed at him. “Stop acting so childish. It’s fine alright? Jeez.” he scolded but it seemed his words went through her ears as she continued to stare widely into his eyes. It was like she was in some sort of trance with her wide eyes and inability to comprehend the world surrounding her. Her attention solely focused on the tall and intimidating man who stood next to her.

The manner in which her eyes held onto his would indicate she was searching for something or rather someone. A silent plea to reveal oneself to her, begging to offer her comfort. This plea always seemed to settle whenever she looked into Jotaro’s eyes. He hadn’t noticed it until now, the way she would solely focus on his gaze. It was almost as if she knew him or knew his eyes. Like she was trying to look past them to see if they were concealing someone she knew. Feeling a sickly sense of warmth, Jotaro turned away, breaking whatever enchantment had fallen upon her.

“Kujo-san-” she called after him but Jotaro stopped her with a non threatening glare.

“Just go home and get some rest will you? I already said it was fine.” Jotaro stated before beginning to exit the cafe.

“Hmph!” She pouted with crossed arms, “I will pay you back Kujo-san! That is a promise!”

Jotaro simply brought up his arm and waved her off without bothering to look behind him as he left the cafe with even more questions and no answers to accompany them.

After the holiday festivities had passed Jotaro’s extended break had come to an end. Though he did not believe a large chunk of it should be considered a break as for fifty days he did nothing but nonstop work but Jotaro was not the complaining type. He was, however, allowing himself to be annoyed with returning to school. He even entertained the idea of skipping all together but he supposed he ought to attend classes. Though it wasn’t the classes that were the problem.

It was the people. All day he’d been getting question where he’s been the past few months and other questions that probed his personal life, or what he considered to be his personal life. All Jotaro Kujo wanted was some peace and quiet but he assumed that was too large of a request seeing as he was never getting any.

At least the dull day was over and he could return home away from all these bothersome people. Punching in the combination to unlock his locker he groaned in annoyance at what sight caught his eye.

Piles of letters or rather love letters tumbled out onto the tiled floor. He stared down at them, his hat shading his eyes giving him an ominous appearance. With a click of his tongue he bent forward and retrieved them secretly wishing no one noticed them. Slamming his locker shut, scaring the daylights out of his classmates, he stiffly walked over to a bin.

Affirming there were no wandering eyes, he began to flick them into the trash without caring to open them. A majority of the letters were so delicately decorated with stickers and playful drawings which Jotaro found much to gaudy. Some were even sprayed with different perfumes which frankly only gave Jotaro a headache.

No matter how many times he ignored them or told them ‘get lost’ or even use profanity they still followed him like goddamned dogs. They were absolutely relentless.

Thankfully, Jotaro had nearly gotten through all the letters yet as the was about to finish tossing the rest, one caught his eye. Unlike the previously decorated and colorful letters, this was was a clean white envelope. Yet, it was not the color that caught his eye but the name written neatly across the surface.

Kujo-san.

It read simply in clean pen strokes. In contrast to the other names written, varying from Jotaro-kun, Jojo, and even Cutie, this one held a more formal name that only one person had called him in the not so distant past.

Careful not to rip the tenuous and flimsy paper, he unfolded the letter with embarrassing tenderness. Immediately he noticed a familiar amount of yen safely pocketed a sleeve of the paper. His brow furrowed as his eyes scanned over the neatly written words on the paper.

Dear Kujo-san , it began.

I apologize that I did not give you this in person but I was unsure if I’d bump into you anytime soon. The memory of her running into him on that cold night came to his mind at the use of the play on words.

I promised you I would repay you for the coffee so here you go! A promise is a promise afterall. Also, I realized I completely forgot to thank you for the drinks while I was busy freaking out. Please forgive me for that Kujo-san. So, thank you for the drinks and thank you for agreeing to get coffee with me.

P.S. I had a great time.

Signed-

As Jotaro’s eyes read over her name his regular stern and stoic glare softened ever so lightly, almost instinctually so. Palming the yen in his hand, his eyes lingered on the words written on the paper.

“Tch!” he muttered stuffing the yen roughing into his pocket, “Stubborn idiot…” The words themselves may have been harsh but the way he carefully tucked the letter into his inner coat pocket stated another story.

Stepping past the door, the bitter air hit Jotaro harshly. The holidays may be gone but the cold weather certainly wasn’t. Jotaro exhaled, a light fog dissipating into the frigid air. With massive hands shoved into pockets and a scarf tied around his neck he began his quiet trek home.

However, based on the stampede of footsteps hastily approaching, it would seem his trek would be anything but relaxing.

“Hey Jojo~!” A female classmate called to him.

“Oh Jojo~! Are you walking home too?” came another.

“It’s pretty cold today Jojo. How about I walk with you to stay warm!” One girl stated rather than asked.

Soon the voices of his obnoxious female classmates blended together into one ear bleeding tumult. If there was any good that came from his nightmare of a trip to Egypt it was getting away from the crowd of girls that followed him to no end.

Fed up with clamor of the repugnant women Jotaro stopped in his tracks, his head turning over his shoulder to view them.

“Back off already!” He damn near shouted with teeth bared in sheer annoyance. As to be expected the girls only squealed in delight, each claiming that Jotaro was definitely speaking to only one of them.

Jotaro didn’t know what he should have expected. These girls always acted like this no matter what he did. Jotaro bet that if he were to push one down they’d probably like him even more. It was absolutely irritating.

As the girls fawned over him, Jotaro turned away hoping to take advantage of their distracted state. However, his eyes caught of glimpse of someone and he hesitated. Across the path was the author of the letter Jotaro kept hidden in his jacket. Briskly walking without a care her bag lightly padded against her legs as she moved.

Wind blowing a few strands of hair tangled from under her winter hat. She turned to claim them behind her ear and that’s when she saw him. Their eyes met and it was like nothing else around them was there. Just him and her standing in the cold once again.

Slowly yet smoothly, her gloved hand rose. Fingers curling downward in wave she gave him a light and easy smile. Then, before Jotaro could even think of what to do next, she turned away from him continuing on her way.

Jotaro snapped back into focus and counted himself lucky to be able to constantly maintain a stoic exterior.  The squealing girls ceased their crying when taking notice Jotaro had walked away from them without another thought. With narrow and judgmental eyes, they whispered amongst themselves as Jotaro made his way over to her.

Hands still kept in warm pockets, he approached her from behind. The sound of his heels clicking against the pavement catching her attention. With curiosity in her gaze her looked over her shoulder, her lips parting in surprise when noticing him.

“Oh Kujo-san!” she greeted, cheeks red from the cold, “What bring you here?”

“What does it look like? This is the way to my house.” Jotaro stated lowly and apathetically as he walked next to her.

“O-Of course!” She stammered with embarrassment, spinning her head forward in an attempt to cover her reddened face.

Jotaro peered down to her, watching her walking gracefully and silently. That odd feeling of familiarity returned, though Jotaro noted it was a tad more subdued at this time.

“I told you to stop being so stubborn.” Jotaro cut through the silence fueled by a personal urge to speak.

“Excuse me-oh I see-!” she came to realization, “So you got my letter then? I’m glad...And I told you that I was being polite.” She smirked up at him with innocent playfulness.

A twitch came to his lip and he quickly hid behind the shade of his hat, successfully playing off any sign of amusement. “Turn your head around. You’ll bump into someone if you walk like that.” He scolded flatly.

She gave him a sweet smile before fronting her gaze and the pair said nothing more as they continued their walk home. Jotaro conveniently missing pathways that lead to a swift route to his home.

Lately, Jotaro Kujo had trouble sleeping. It seemed that whenever he closed his eyes, there was something waiting for him. Many times, more than he’d like, images of his travels plagued his mind. Though other times, there was something else keeping him from getting some much needed rest. Sometimes Jotaro would wake from his rest to notice Star Platinum roaming about his room. This was odd to say the very least as Jotaro had never seen his stand display such a behavior. In fact, Jotaro had never seen Star Platinum unless he called for him. Yet, for whatever reason, Star Platinum had made himself present.

His sudden materialization was an oddity by itself but his behavior added an entirely new level. Jotaro had chalked up Star Platinum’s sudden appearance as him being on edge from the lack of fights. Afterall, Star Platinum up until now had only experienced battle. Perhaps the sudden change in action put him on alert. Jotaro could not however find an easy explanation for his behavior.

Star Platinum was almost always drawn towards the small window in Jotaro’s room. Jotaro had thought Star Platinum was simply keeping a lookout for any potential danger but there were instances where Jotaro could swear the normally blank faced stand held a look in his eye that resembled forelorning.

For the first time since Star Platinum’s conception Jotaro had no idea what his stand was thinking. Since the beginning Jotaro and Star Platinum’s thoughts and feelings were mutual. There were no mysteries amongst them. Yet, now there was. It seemed Star Platinum knew something Jotaro did not. Jotaro could not help but wonder what exactly happened the few days he slept.

Jotaro was not sure. But he was sure of something and that was his desire to not concern himself with the issues of stands. After Cairo Jotaro simply wanted to put the topic of stands to rest for awhile. Just some time to relax was all he asked for.

This brought Jotaro Kujo to the tranquility of the school’s library. This was one of the places where people never bothered him because they never expected him to be there. Jotaro could easily grab a book from the shelf then hide away by one of the back tables.

Regrettably, nothing was ever that simple for Jotaro Kujo. A book hanging lightly in his grasp, he noticed her. There she was leaning up on her toes reaching for a book on the upper shelf of one of the many bookshelves. Jotaro watched her struggle, internally debating on whether he should just continue on his way. Though there really was no point no point on debating, Jotaro already knew his choice.

Towering over her, he reached up and with ease brought the book down. Dazed, she blinked before whipping her head to him. Her confused expression softened into a thankful beam.

“Ah thank you Kujo-san!” She thanked with a grin.

“Hm.” Jotaro hummed lowly, “You looked like you were going to fall and knock all the books over. Do you know how much noise that would have made? Jeez.” Jotaro justified his actions.

She rose a brow in slight amusement, leaning her head to the side. “Well then it’s a good thing you were here to stop me from making a fool of myself. Must be hard work for you.” She jested.

Jotaro turned his head away slightly, his hat covering his faint pink dusted cheeks. “Just take the book.” As he handed her the book, he couldn’t help but notice the book was titled Paranormal Entities and Spirits . What a book dealing with the paranormal was doing in a student library, Jotaro hadn’t a clue.

“Thanks! Hm?” Her eyes trailed to the book in Jotaro’s grasp, “Biology of the Sea?” she read the title with curiosity, “You enjoy marine life?” she inquired with a kind smile. Jotaro scrunched his brow and scowled defensively. Catching onto his annoyance she quickly spoke again in clarification. “I’m sorry Kujo-san I didn’t mean to offend. It’s just...it suits you.”

His defensive nature dissipated, leaving his natural stern demeanor to stare down at her.  “Stupid…” he muttered. Whether he was referring to her or the notion was not known, but she smiled nonetheless.

Reaching into her bag she ripped a stray piece of paper from one of her notebooks and began scribbling something on it that Jotaro could not see. With a serious glare he watched her hastily write on the torn paper, before she held it out to him. His eyes sluggishly shifted between her and the paper she held in palm of her hand.

“Here,” she urged gently, “If you’re interested in marine biology then you might like this book. A plane ride doesn’t typically have the best selection of reads but I was surprised by this one. It’s about types of starfish in Japan.” She elucidated with bright eyes.

Jotaro only continued to stare at the paper, her kind-hearted nature making him feel uneasy. Not in a sickly manner, but in such a way no one had made him feel before. It was puzzling to say the least. A girl who, despite what his gut told him, had only met him recently and was radiating such pleasantries around him. Then there was Jotaro. A guy who greatly lacked in the pleasantry department in some odd way held some sort of pleasant attitudes towards her.

The sensation of something gnawing at him was also something to ponder. The restless vibe his stand gave off when Jotaro was in the presence of her. It all made him feel that in some bizarre way, that his stand had something to do with this. The list of things Jotaro did not know was growing ever larger.

His concentration shattered when she took his empty hand and placed the tattered paper in his palm causing a warm sensation to engulf his body. “Now who’s being stubborn?” She breathed a laugh. Jotaro said nothing, only offering his stoic stare as a reply. He was beginning to discover that she actions were seeming more endearing to him. Hand raised, she gave him a quick wave as she said, “I’ll see you later, Kujo-san!” And then she was gone, off to a class no doubt. Jotaro watched her go, eyes following her until she was out of sight.

However, that was not the last Jotaro Kujo saw her, far from it actually. Once the day had come to end Jotaro again saw her walking on the path he took home. Once again the pair took the path together until gradually over the weeks it became routine.

At the end of each school day the two would walk together either in a comfortable silence or expressing topics such as how their day had been going or other interests they had. Mostly Jotaro spent the time listening offering a few words or so into the conversation but she did not seem to mind as each time their walk came to end she gave him a kind smile and a wave goodbye.

This routine, Jotaro found, was not bothersome. Since Jotaro and she began walking together each day the girls who usually fawned over him mysteriously kept their distance. Albeit those girls tended to rather obviously peer questioningly in their direction. Yet, Jotaro would take that over the train that squealed over him. His new company was much more quiet and highly tolerable to be around. Dare Jotaro say he enjoyed her company.

When this had all started, when he first met her, Jotaro felt as if the feelings he felt were not his own and that they were merely being channeled through him. Yet, as time went on, that no longer seemed the case. Try as he might to brush off these feelings as someone else’s, the emotions he felt now were entirely his own.

The way he felt his chest tighten at the mere sight of her was enough to make Jotaro sick. There was even time when Jotaro was running late due to scolding from a professor that he expected her to have already walked home but there she was standing there waiting for him with a smile. Jotaro swore his heart beat against his chest like a drum that day. After that, he could no longer simply skip around the idea of his feelings.

However, Jotaro had doubts. Though she always smiled towards Jotaro there was an instant, a mere flash of a second, where her eyes showed a deep disconsolation. She was always quick to recover but Jotaro’s keen senses always noticed it. It was the same look Star Platinum had made when Jotaro caught him gazing out the window all those nights ago. Recently, it seemed his stand remained at bay so then why did Jotaro get the feeling there was a connection.

Needing to clear his head Jotaro made the decision to skip a class and take refuge on the school rooftop. But it seemed fate had an interesting sense of humor. Standing near the rooftop edge was she, seemingly unaware of Jotaro’s recent presence. Fate was indeed always two steps ahead.

With her back to him she stood in a trance, her fixation the open sky above. She gleamed up at the milky sky intently as if waiting for the clouds to shift into some odd shape or perhaps something to appear from the stormy clouds. Even as the class bell rang she remained captivated by the lackluster and unmoving sky. Jotaro’s own gaze moved to examine the sky to determine if there was anything held there worthwhile. Yet he found only the bleak winter clouds.

As the harsh wind blew she began to sway a bit and Jotaro felt panic strike him like lightning. His feet carrying him at impressive speed his large hand latched around her arm. He pulled her back roughly and she stumbled back crashing against Jotaro’s broad chest.

“Ouch!” She winced having been jarred to reality by his rough movements. Jotaro paid no mind to her weak protest of pain and spun her around, his hand gripping onto her wrist.

“Idiot! What the hell were you doing?!” Jotaro exclaimed his voice cutting through the air, “Don’t you ever think you damned idiot!” He chided feverishly, his teeth grit so tightly he could have bit through iron. “If you’re going to space out then do it somewhere where you won’t cause any problems you infuriating woman!” He finished, his chest heaving out of worried anger. Had Jotaro not been here would she have fallen? He didn’t want to think about that. As his exasperation receded she stared at him wide eyed, her expression surprised rather than fearful.

Lip twitching downward Jotaro released her wrist, her hand lingering in the air after he did so. “Yare yare daze I’m always stuck getting you out of these situations. It’s a fucking pain.” He groaned in vexation as he turned away from her.

Slowly the shock from her face fell into a tranquil stare. “I’m sorry Kujo-san,” she apologized genuinely her hand raising to rest tenderly on his arm, “I am..very grateful to you for looking out for me. I mean that.” His gaze softened under her touch but with his back to her she could not see it. See the glint of compassion he had tried so hard to brush off. They stayed quiet for what felt like hours as time was lost to them.

When Jotaro felt her hand leave his arm he turned to face her when his stoic exterior but she was looking away. Looking sorrowfully towards the concrete pavement of the roof and Jotaro felt a crack in his stern resolve.

“Kujo-san,” her voice was a whisper nearly lost to wind that swirled around them, “Do you ever daydream about the one’s you’ve lost?”

Her question hit Jotaro like a ton of bricks and his resolve shattered away revealing a shocked and confused young man. His eyes were wide not obscenely so but wider than they’d been in a long while. His mouth was open but no words formed.

There was no need for his words though, as she continued speaking. “Sorry, I’m only asking you because well, call it intuition but you seem like someone who’s experienced loss.” She gave him a somber smile as she explained her reasoning.

As her spoken words ran through Jotaro’s mind his gaze shifted away, angling towards cold ground. Three distinct names crossed his mind. Noticing his doleful appearance and closed her eyes and her smile dropped slightly.

“I’m sorry. It was a silly question.” She apologized before walking past him. Pushing the large metal door open she paused. Looking over her shoulder she smiled but her voice sounded distant “I’ll see you after school Kujo-san.” And with that she departed leaving Jotaro standing cold and alone on the roof top.

Jotaro thought for a moment. It looked like he had found the reason as to why her eyes flashed with sadness ever so often. She had lost someone or that was Jotaro assumed. It was the only logical explanation for her rather sudden and strange question. Had she lost someone she cherished deeply and fondly. Could it be that whoever it was, Jotaro reminded her of them? Perhaps he was right that she received a familiar feeling when around him as he did but not in the way he had thought.

If she had truly lost someone she cared for so deeply Jotaro would have no choice to brush off his feelings once more. Afterall, how could he express his feelings to someone who cherished another? He would have to skip over his feelings it was the right thing to do. But Jotaro Kujo silently knew it would not be as simple as that.

Turning to leave, he noticed something so strange he nearly fell back. Standing there with him was none other than his stand Star Platinum. His eyes were glued to the door she had just opened. Jotaro stood wide eyed before beaconing his stand back. Star Platinum turned his head and stared back at his user with a nearly unreadable look. It was sympathetic in nature but there was something else there as well. Then he vanished, seemingly returning to Jotaro’s spirit. Jotaro frowned.

As the day continued Jotaro Kujo thoughts were always running. Even when he tried to concentrate on the schooling material, his mind would wander away. All his thinking had left him in a rather grim mode.

All his concentration centered around trying to find any solution to the problem he was facing. Yet, no outcome seemed favorable to him but it wasn’t himself he was concerned about. He thought to her and what was to come next. When she had left him on that roof she seemed empty and remote.

One would think that after all Jotaro had been through, all the battles he fought, something like feelings would be a breeze to him. But this was not the case. People never seemed to know what he was thinking nor what he was feeling despite him thinking it to be obvious. It irritated him to no end.

Fed up wallowing in self misery, Jotaro made his way to leave the building. He had come to the conclusion to exit through one of the side entrances in hopes to avoid her. It would be best for her sake if he left her alone.

Rounding the corner he halted upon hearing one of his female classmates, his class president in fact, call out her name. Side stepping, he leaned against the vanilla colored wall. Careful not to be seen, he peered out from the corner.

“Hey~” the classmate called out again, “I gotta ask you something.” Her hands lazily rested on her hips.

“Huh?” she questioned as she turned to face the female classmate, “Yes?” Her voice gentle and kind.

“You know there’s a little rumor going around the school about you.” The female classmate eluded vaguely.

“Oh no! Really?!” Concern filled her voice. “What is it? I’m sure it’s not true!”

Jotaro’s brow knit together tightly. This school was notorious for spreading rumors, mostly on his behalf. How he solved the rumors was beating up the source of them which ultimately caused more rumors but that was besides the point.

“It’s nothing bad, honest.” the female classmate waved her hands, “It’s just going around the school that you’re going out with Jojo.” The female classmate finally revealed.

Jotaro felt his face and neck heat up and became very glad that no one could see him in such an embarrassing state.

“W-What?!” She exclaimed almost dropping her bag on the ground. “K-K-Kujo-san and me d-d-d-ating?” She stammered with red cheeks.

“Well yeah! You two are always hanging out alone together. You walk together everyday and you always smile when you’re around him.” The female classmate pointed out, jabbing her finger in the air. “So is it true?”

“We-Well...Kujo-san and I are…” her voice trailed off and Jotaro rose a brow at this. He watched the annoying female classmate urge her to answer and his nose twitched in irritation. These damn bitches really were relentless. Just because the two of them were alone together did not mean they were dating. Even if on more than one occasion they bought each other food and eat together..alone. So what if Jataro had some feelings involved with it, it wasn’t like she did. Suddenly Jotaro didn’t want to hear her answer.

“If you are dating Jojo you shouldn’t be.” the female president crossed her arms, “He’s bad news.”

Scowling Jotaro clenched his fists at hearing this

Brow raising and head cocking to the side, she asked with concern in her voice, “What do you mean by that?”

Uncrossing her arms, the female classmate began to explain, “You really don’t know? Jojo is a complete delinquent. He regularly skips class and gets into fights all the time and just with students-with teachers too! He even went to jail for sending these guys to the hospital! If you know what’s good for you you’d stay away.” The class president finished her warning with a stern look.

Tight fists loosened as he noticed her silence. All the things that classmate said was true. Jotaro had never claimed to be anything different but he had never shown his ill nature around her. Someone as peaceful and calm as her would find such behavior revolting, Jotaro was sure of that. He pushed himself from the wall and began to retreat. It was truly for the best that he left her alone but he came to a fast stop when he heard her small voice chime up.

“I..” she took a deep breath, “Kujo-san may have gotten into some trouble but that’s in the past. He’s not in jail right now and what he did is his business. You’re his class president right? You shouldn’t be talking about his past like it’s yours to talk about. I don’t think he’s appreciate it I know I don’t. All Kujo-san has done is prove to me he’s a good person!” Her voice was firm with steadfast resolve, her gaze never wavering from the accusing president.

Her words resonated with Jotaro. The phrase of him being a good person making him feel a sort of pride but also humbled affection. In that moment Jotaro realized just how much she meant to him, regardless of his predisposed feelings. These were his own. No one else’s.

With a spin of his heel he made his way over to the chatting women. With a loud and rather dramatic step he revealed himself. His eyes stern and fierce as he stood tall before them. Slowly his eyes looked towards his class president who jumped in fright. As his eyes scanned over the hallway, they met her.

“What are you waiting for? You planning on staying here all night?” Jotaro’s voice was low but held no malice.

“Oh!” she held her bag tightly as she walked over to him, not paying the classmate any further attention.

As she stood next to Jotaro she beamed up to him brightly and for the first time there was no trace of despair in her eyes. Without another word Jotaro turned to leave with her close at his side.

The two walked in silence, not bringing up the incident that occurred so recently. Suddenly, Jotaro stopped hearing the sound of her school clicking next to him. He stopped turning around and seeing her stand with a lowered gaze. He said nothing only watched her as her head lifted up and she looked to him.

“Jotaro.” His name fell off her lips delicately and his tightened chest. In all their time spent together she had never called him by his name. Never would he have imagined it sounding so good, so right. It was almost addicting, his need to hear her say his name again with such tenderness and care.

“When I first met you I felt like I...knew you already.” She revealed smoothly and Jotaro took a sharp yet silent inhale of breath. “It’s like you were familiar to me in some way that I couldn’t understand and looking back I still can’t understand it.”

Jotaro struggled to maintain his stoic appearance. Everything she was saying, everything she was confessing was what he had felt. That odd sense of foreign familiarity, he was right, she had felt it too.  

“But it’s different now.” she paused looking away briefly, “Not too long ago I lost someone very special to me. I used to find myself daydreaming about the one I lost. When you saw me today I was daydreaming again.”

Jotaro’s stomach fell and a sick sense of dread probed his spirit like nails splintering wood. He had been right about that too it seemed. She had indeed lost some she cherished, someone who she still thought about.

“But-” her voice pulled him to her once again, “It was someone else I was thinking about this time.”

Jotaro’s tight brow loosened ever so slightly. What she had said-the implication she gave made Jotaro feel surprisingly light. For a moment he doubt such an implication but the way she spoke the way she stood told him the truth.

“I was so scared and guilty about it and in many ways I..still am. But I’m trying to..!” She revealed, her lip quivering as she spoke.

Jotaro could see the tears pushing against her eyes and felt a soft empathy for her. He had never been one for tears but seeing her like his made him desire to brush them from her eyes and comfort her, keeping her close against him as he protected her from the world. Though he felt his touch would break her. She was so incredibly fragile and his touch would be like a hammer to glass.

With a choked sniffle she stilled herself and took a silent breath in, “When they pasted on, all I wanted was for them to be happy. I like to think...or hope to think that they…” her eyes closed for but a moment before staring directly into oceanic eyes. “That they would want me to try and be happy to.” She concluded with a light almost untraceable smile.

Yet Jotaro noticed it plain as day. Her simple yet kind smile giving him the smallest of confessions. But it was enough. Enough to know that she reciprocated the feelings Jotaro had come to develop. Jotaro knew she still, in many ways, cared for the one she lost. He understood, he truly did. And yet, she had began to cherish him.

When she spoke, Jotaro felt the rise of energy from Star Platinum once more. But it was different than before, much more calm and made Jotaro feel an odd sense of acceptance. Instead of Star Platinum urging to be freed, he was urging to stay hidden. Feeling this, Jotaro truly believed that there was more to his stand than he knew.

Jotaro Kujo thought he knew much but in reality he knew very little. He had accumulated an impressive amount of questions that desperately needed answers.

But there was a time and a place for everything.

Right now Jotaro Kujo simply wanted to enjoy a peaceful walk with the woman he had come to care for so deeply in his own way. Everything else could wait as they seemed trivial in comparison to the company she offered.

Finally Jotaro spoke, “Let’s go home.” was all he said but it was all that was needed. Jotaro had never been good with confessions and even now he could not form the words. Even his tone remained the same, calm and low but the lips that let the words escape were curved into a small yet very endearing smile.

That was enough for her.

With a beaming smile she trotted up to Jotaro, “Okay.”

The pair continued on the path, the smallest of fingers intertwining as they did so. And it began to snow.