〖JJBA - EN〗- Last Judgement

Chapter 49: Ten years later.

Naples, Italy. June 7th, 1999.

[default: Italian / italics: English]

Don't hesitate to call me. I will come running, wherever you are in the world.

That was what she had said ten years ago. That's what she had said, because she had been young and carefree, and she couldn't expect the responsibilities that would fall on her shoulders. And now, ten years later?

The phone rang. Her landline, which was particularly unusual. Her family would call her on her personal cell phone, her coworkers on her work cell phone. But her landline phone, no one used it anymore. She looked up from her notebook and raised an eyebrow, before getting up to answer.

"Joestar residence, what can I do for you?"

Silence. She frowned slightly.

"Hello?

- ... (Y/N)? It's Joseph."

A shiver ran down her spine as she recognized the old man's voice. She hadn't received a call for nearly seven years. She could have blamed him for not having called back, but knowing that he was still alive warmed her heart.

"... Mister Joestar. It's been a while, she joked bitterly. To what do I owe the honor of your call?"

To tell the truth, she was very apprehensive about his answer. If he hadn't called for such a long time, then this sudden call had to hide something big. Very, very big. On the other end of the line, the old man seemed to hesitate.

"Actually, it's a bit embarrassing... But I'm back in Japan. A small town called Morioh... For a serial murder case. We suspect a case of Stands behind all this.

- Mm-mmh. Good luck.

- But to be honest... oh, it bothers me to call you about this, but... I need your help-

- Sure, what can I do for you?

- ... I need your help on this case. Here in Morioh."

(Y/N) couldn't believe her ears. After a moment of silence, she asked in a low voice, in case anyone was listening.

"You mean... in Japan??

- Exactly...

- Impossible. I can no longer leave the country.

- I need a powerful and observant Stand User, (Y/N). You are the one who fulfills these functions.

- No need to flatter my ego, Mr. Joestar. I have a family to feed here, and it's really complicated at the moment, I can't leave."

There was silence. And (Y/N) took a moment to understand why. There was a misunderstanding. By "family", she certainly did not mean a spouse and children. How awful.

"I meant my team. They need me here. If my absence is noticed, they will certainly not receive any more funds from our superiors. I can't afford it.

- I promise to send you all the money you need, as compensation.

- Joseph, you have already done too much for me here. It's thanks to you that we have a roof over our heads. No, really, I cannot accept this request.

- ... it's not just me who asks you. Jotaro too."

Time stopped. And those last two words echoed in her head. (Y/N) stood there, mouth half-open, staring blankly. At the other end of the line, Joseph was smiling. He knew very well what little game he had to play against her. After a long time, he ended up breaking this more than heavy silence.