Aimless (JJBA)

3 Wasting Time

The next morning, Jotaro woke up early as usual. He was back to his normal sleep schedule of barely any sleep and up early.

He dragged himself from his bed. He went to the shower. He stood under the showerhead and let the warm water splash in his face. The droplets fell through his hair and body. He let himself relax as he felt the dull ache of his lower back subside.

Then there was a knock.

Jotaro exhaled. He turned off the water and called, "Hold on!" He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. When he got to the door, he looked through the peephole.

There stood Kakyoin.

"What is it, Nori?" Jotaro said through the door.

Kakyoin perked up at the closeness of the voice. "Oh, I was just seeing how you are doing. We left on a sour note yesterday. I'm sorry about that. I had such a short fuse yesterday. I'm really sorry about that."

"It's no big deal," he said. "We can talk later. I just got out the shower."

Muttering, Kakyoin said, "Fine. I'll be in the lounge area waiting."

Jotaro watched Kakyoin leave his door. He was considering not meeting his friend there, but he didn't want to leave him hanging when Kakyoin came so early. He sighed as he backed away from the door. He didn't want to talk about his private matters. He had no reason to do it. Nothing needed to change.

He didn't have much of a presence, and he wanted it to keep it that way.

What else was there for him to do?

He supported the Speedwagon Foundation, hoping to keep himself nonexistent. He preferred it that way. The less people knew about him, the better.

He didn't have much to really live for anyway.

Reluctantly, he put on his clothes and went to meet Kakyoin. He didn't want to upset his old friend again and wasting his time on himself. He already wasted Kakyoin's time enough already.

"Hey," Jotaro said coming up to Kakyoin. He sat down beside him at a table. "Let's get this out the way before I am late." What he was going to be late for? He didn't know. He just didn't want to talk for long.

"I didn't know you were busy today," the red head said. "I'm sorry if I messed up your schedule."

"It's no big deal," he replied. He crossed a leg over the other and leaned back in his chair. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Are you okay?" Kakyoin asked. Before Jotaro could answer, he said, "I mean, are you really okay?"

Jotaro sighed as he leaned on his elbow on the armrest.

Was he really okay?

He worked a job that made a difference in the world. He got the pleasure of being plowed by whatever man he wanted. His daughter didn't need him, and she was a successful college student and properly taken cared of. He was a healthy 40 year old.

But there was something... Something was missing.

But he had all he could have wanted. A calm life. No running for his life. No life or death situation.

"Yeah," he finally said. "I'm okay."

Kakyoin saw that sureness, but he still held some semblance of doubt. "So..." He tried starting up a conversation to pep up the mood. "It seems nice staying at the living quarters here. It's quite homey. But you have a home you haven't gone back to in a while..."

"What are trying to say?"

"Why not get some rest at home for some time? Your daughter misses you."

Jotaro said, "She could come to the headquarters whenever she wanted, so why is that a problem?"

Kakyoin replied, "You spent most of her childhood keeping her away from stand business. Remember?"

"Oh, right." He looked away and averted his eyes. "She has her mother."

"But you are her father," Kakyoin reasoned. "Why not we go and see her after your work day is over?" He gave him a supporting smile.

Jotaro surely couldn't say no at the mention of seeing his own daughter. He then thought to himself: why would she ever want to see him in the first place. He frowned. He couldn't offer much for her but money, and he wasn't the best with feelings. He was a lost cause as a father.

He didn't deserve his daughter's love.

"Jojo?" Kakyoin called concerned. He recognized Jotaro's change in disposition.

"What?" Jotaro said with slight annoyance. He pulled his hat down to cast a shadow over his eyes. He could feel his friend's violet eyes read him. "It's fine. We can go." He wanted to shake Kakyoin's eyes off of him.

"Okay," Kakyoin said carefully. "Are you free at 7?"

Jotaro sighed, "Um..." He regretted agreeing. "Yeah." He stood up from the table. "I have to go."

Before walking away, Kakyoin called, "I'll meet you here at 7. See you later, Jojo."

"Yeah," he muttered as he walked away. The fact that he agreed was irritating him. He could've done something he was more useful for instead of wasting their time. Why did he agree?

Sooner than desired, it was 7 in the evening. Jotaro was sitting at a table contemplating rather to leave or not. At a table a few meters away were a group of 3 of his past flings. Past meaning about a week ago. It was a nice week.

A worried, "Dad" broke his thoughts.

He turned seeing his daughter Jolyne by Kakyoin's side. She ran ahead to reach Jotaro, but she stop just short of a meter. Her expression went from surprise to sad to angry. "Where have you been this whole time?" Her lip quivered as she tried to get control of herself. "It's been too long."

Jotaro wondered why did she seem to care so much. He didn't know how to respond to her. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat.

She continued, "I've could've sworn that you are married to your job. Why don't you come home?" She folded her arms. She was clearly upset, but she kept a hardened exterior.

"I have things to take care of," Jotaro replied.

Jolyne muttered, "At least visit your own daughter once or twice." She avoided looking at her father.

There was a strong tension before the two.

Kakyoin caught up to Jolyne's side and said, "How about we sit and talk about what has been going on? Jolyne, have things been going on with you? Academic accomplishments? Boyfriend... Girlfriend? Um, significant other?" He was trying his best to ease the tension.

"Why would I if Dad isn't even interested in his own daughter?" Jolyne scoffed.

Guilt. Jotaro exhaled, "I am but..." I don't deserve you.

They stayed there waiting for Jotaro to continue his sentence.

"Tell me," Jotaro said. I want to hear everything going on with you. "Sit down." Please stay. "I've been very busy, so I haven't been able to visit." I'm sorry I have been avoiding you.

Jolyne huffed and said, "Fine." She sat down beside him.

Kakyoin sat on the other side of him.

The next 30 minutes was spent Jolyne talking about college, her friends, possible partner and other things while Kakyoin cosigned to fill the gaps of silence.

"Dad," Jolyne called, quietly. "Thanks for fitting me into your tight schedule. I know you are busy and all, but... thanks."

"Um...hm," Jotaro nodded. I don't understand why you would waste your time for me. "I have to go." He stood up from the chair.

Jolyne quickly stood up as well. She gave him a quick hug and said, "Don't work too hard."

Jotaro nodded and walked off, leaving his daughter and old friend. He had no where else to go. He didn't feel like he could fall asleep. He left to go to the lab to get some extra research done.

A/N: this is the last of what I wrote back in April 2022. Last night, I wrote more, but I still couldn't keep the vibe that I was going for as I wrote. I'm trying my best! Idk what possessed me to release this story after 6 months, but here we are. 🤷🏾‍♀️