Noriaki Kakyoin's birthday after the Egypt trip brings back memories of the last 50 days spent together with the Crusaders. After six long months in a Speedwagon medical facility and recovering from what it was believed to be a fatal injury inflict...
"The birthday boy is here!" Polnareff stood up from the couch and walked in a hurry to Kakyoin with his arms out. Kakyoin was not able to understand what was going on. Joseph and Avdol both made their way to Kakyoin to hug him once Polnareff was done with his session of hugs and appreciative words shower that he was delivering to Kakyoin who was still in awe.
"Polnareff, it seems that you broke him." Joseph analyzed the situation, scratching his beard. Polnareff finally decided that it was time to let go of Kakyoin and let the others greet him as well. Joseph and Avdol decided that shaking Kakyoin's hand would not put him under too much physical stress. The surgery was indeed a success, he still needed time for everything to be as it was before, and sudden moves and stretches were not allowed. He walked with a crutch for three weeks after being released from the hospital. He couldn't believe how much patience Jotaro had to walk slowly with him and sit on a bench whenever he needed to rest.
Kakyoin was finally able to speak and interact after what had happened. He was not able to see Joseph, Avdol, and Polnareff because the Speedwagon Foundation had a branch in Japan. He was still in a coma after being treated in Cairo. When he arrived in Japan, his condition improved, but everyone was back in their countries when he woke up. Jotaro told him that they were good, with their fair share of wounds. His mother told him that Jotaro visited him daily in the hospital when he was not awake. The other three visited him when he was in the hospital in Cairo before their departure home.
"It's so good to see you all!" Kakyoin's voice trembled. He did his best to swallow his hiccups and restrain his tears.
"We are extremely happy that you are alright and fully recovered, Kakyoin!" Avdol gently smiled at Kakyoin, shaking his thin hand between his palms. "Let's sit. You must feel overwhelmed at the moment." They nodded to each other. Avdol guided him to the couch where Kakyoin sat in the middle seat. The seats on his sides were for Jotaro and Joseph.
"Oh my God, I cannot believe that you are all here. I've brought so little food, it won't be enough for us all." Kakyoin covered his face with his palms in embarrassment. He felt so unprepared for such an important day.
"Teenagers are concerned about everything around them these days. We were certainly more relaxed back in my day." Joseph laughed and put his arm around Kakyoin's back, shaking him a bit. "Take a chill pill! Have a little faith in your boyfriend, tsk tsk." Joseph and Avdol laughed as Kakyoin was almost red as a lobster. Jotaro was not in the room. He muttered 'what', making instant eye contact with Joseph. "We know, Kakyoin. Don't worry!" Polnareff sat beside Kakyoin in Jotaro's seat with his legs crossed, Avdol was across from them on the other couch.
"Oh... at least everybody knows it but for Jotaro." Kakyoin rolled his eyes then looked away from Joseph, dropping his eyes on the coffee table in front of him. Polnareff examined Kakyoin's shirt, pressing the fabric between his thumb and forefinger.
"Give him some time; you know the way he is. He visited you in the hospital every day, but he refuses to admit it. He had his struggles after returning from Egypt... you will understand." Joseph's smile faded for a few moments. Kakyoin nodded in silence. He didn't question anything that Joseph said, but he wanted everything to be clear. He wished Jotaro would explain what that meant when they had time to talk. They never engaged in that type of conversation when they went out, because the main focus was to have fun, relax and enjoy a beautiful day.
Jotaro called for Polnareff from the kitchen. The French got up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. Avdol and Joseph praised Kakyoin for his attire, saying that it was both relaxed and elegant. Avdol wore loose white linen clothes, with his necklace and bangle bracelets. It was interesting for Kakyoin to see him not wearing his regular clothes. Joseph was a little too elegant, which was probably Suzi Q's idea because it was a party in the end. Black dress pants and belt, a white Ralph Lauren polo shirt and his usual white gloves, black bracers continue from the gloves to the middle of his forearm to hide his robotic arm. Apart from that, the shock was Polnareff's outfit. Kakyoin was not expecting the gray jeans, loose black tank top and double grommet belt. He even got a tattoo of an Ankh on his left anterior deltoid, most probably to honor Avdol's sacrifices for him.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jotaro and Polnareff returned from the kitchen with their hands full of sushi platters and beverages. Polnareff mentioned that he didn't know what alcohol everyone preferred, so he got beer and wine. Kakyoin protested that he didn't want to drink as he was not yet of age to drink alcohol. They all promised no one would know if he had been drinking, plus that he'd be safe with Jotaro. He had to call his mom to let her know that he would stay overnight. They began to drink and eat, sharing their life stories over the past months, as Dio was no longer a threat. Polnareff and Avdol were dating, Joseph and Suzi Q traveled the Asian continent for some time. When it was his time to speak about his time after the trip, Jotaro insisted that he had no news to share with the group. Smashing my walls just to drown my suffering is hardly an accomplishment, much less one that should be shared.
Not long after eating, Polnareff and Joseph were already dancing, the music was so loud that they needed to yell to understand one another. Avdol and Kakyoin were laughing. The song playing was "Lady" by Wayne Wade and clearly, Polnareff was the lady and Joseph the knight in shining armor. Silver Chariot was probably crying in a corner at the sight of his user.
Next song: A.I.E - La Compagnie Creole
Polnareff knew that this was Avdol's favorite song, but he doesn't want to show off his dancing skills in front of others, so he was dancing in his seat with hands and shoulders motions. Kakyoin was sitting next to Jotaro who was enjoying the seventh beer in the past two hours, the redhead was discreetly clapping his hands to the rhythm from his seat, at least he was trying because he didn't recognize the song. Joseph decided to take a break because Polnareff already drained him in three minutes of dancing.
"Oh man, I love this song!" Polnareff yelled, searching for someone to join him in dancing. "JOTARO! It's time for you to stand up from that couch. A.I.E amoun'la, aille coute tamboula, get up!!!" While Polnareff was attempting to get Jotaro to stand up and dance with him, Kakyoin was giggling in his seat.
"Thank you, but no..." Polnareff continued to tug on Jotaro's arm while he was dancing to the song. Jotaro freed his arm away from Polnareff's grip and placed it on his knee.
"A BORING BITCH! Come, Kakyoin!" The French seized Kakyoin's hand sticking his tongue out to Jotaro. The shoulder dance was there to save Kakyoin from shame because he didn't know how to dance. "Keep your head up! Enjoy yourself, birthday boy!" When Polnareff saw that Kakyoin didn't know what to do, he decided to lead him. "More hips! Clap and spin, spin!" For a few seconds, Polnareff rested his hands on Kakyoin's hips while Kakyoin placed his forearms over Polnareff shoulders, the two exchanged a gaze. Polnareff grinned broadly and continued to chant the words as they danced, clearly having a good time.
Jotaro watched for another minute then stood up and went outside with his beer in hand, only Avdol and Joseph noticing, as Kakyoin and Polnareff were still dancing and not paying attention to their surroundings. The night was almost silent. The muffled words of the song playing loudly from inside the house were making the only difference between any other night and this one. A moment of dead silence marked that the another song would start soon.
