The Ludicrous Escapade Pt.4

Somebody That I Used to Know

You took your time walking down the streets of Morioh. Kiaria was following along behind you, having switched to being carried by her own Stand after you sent Valentine away. He had taken the blanket with him to the void room.

There was no doubt in your mind that this was indeed the Morioh you had spent so much of your life in. Still, something was just a little... off. In a way you couldn't quite place. Sure, it had been a year, but looking at the familiar streets, your body practically moving on auto pilot back to your home, it almost felt like it had been longer.

The people around you, milling about their day with no regards to you, seemed a little different. You hadn't exactly known everyone in town, though, so you weren't particularly concerned about that. Morioh got a fair amount of tourists.

You stopped at an intersection and pressed the crosswalk button. While waiting for the sign to change, you spotted a blonde haired, yellow eyed kid on the other side of the street leaning against the wall, typing something on his phone. He was wearing the Budo-ga Oka high school uniform.

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. If it really had only been a year, then surely there was no way. "Emporio...?"

The boy looked up, his eyes widening the second they met yours. He seemed unsure at first, as if he didn't believe you were even really there. "(Y/N)? You... How... Y-You're back!"

He dropped his school bag and ran across the street, ignoring the cars hocking at him on the way. Emporio stopped about a foot away from you, still a bit in awe. "You really do look the same after all these years."

"Years? Plural?" You took a small step closer, clearly concerned about his response. "Just how long was I away, Emporio?"

"Oh, gosh..." He really had to think about it, counting out on his hand. "About seven years, I think? I was still eleven when you left and now I'm finishing up my senior year of high school, so..."

You found yourself unsure of whether you should laugh or cry. "Seven years?" Your head jerked in the direction of the spider.

Kiaria smiled. "Perhaps there was a little something I didn't mention to you. The way time flows is a little different between universes. You'd probably say it's slower in the SBR one. Why do you think it's so behind this universe?"

You shook your head. You had considered the possibility before, but you still couldn't believe it was actually the case. Just how much would've changed in that time? You supposed you could at least be glad it wasn't longer.

"You're still staying with Santana, right?" You assumed as much, but you just wanted to confirm.

"Yeah, I am." He scratched the back of his head. "He's been... trying, I guess you would say, to look after me. Kind of like an older brother. He doesn't talk about it much to me, but I believe that Giorno guy offered to watch over the SPW Foundation in his stead. I think he accepted so he could focus on me more."

"Emporio... people aren't still looking for a way to get me back, are they?" While you supposed you might be a little flattered, you really didn't want to hear that people had spent the last seven years of their lives trying to bring you back. You would much prefer if they had eventually gone back to living their lives, even if it was without you.

The high schooler shrugged. "I'm not too sure. Santana would probably know more about that than me. I think he's been keeping in contact with your friends. Jolyne and Hermés come by for a visit every now and then, too."

Emporio stood there for a minute before suddenly standing up straighter. "Wait. What are we doing just chatting?" He grabbed you by the hand. "Let's go home! We have to tell everyone you're back! Santana should've gotten off work earlier today, so he's probably already home."