Standstill Bonds

Chapter 6 ~ Lessons and Observations

Later that day, Josephine found herself in biology class—under Jotaro's instruction. As he entered the room, a shift rippled through the students. Jotaro's commanding presence had an almost magnetic effect; conversations halted, eyes turned toward him. His reputation as an exceptional teacher, firm, no nonsense, yet supportive, made him both respected and admired by nearly all the students at the school. His eyes swept across the room, settling briefly on Josephine before focusing on the assembled class.

"Good afternoon," Jotaro greeted, his deep voice cutting through the final whispers "Today, we'll be examining photosynthesis in aquatic plants."

The topic stirred interest, even among students who were less inclined toward science, "Photosynthesis is a key process in biology," Jotaro continued, his tone steady, "but it occurs differently in aquatic plants. The adaptations they've developed allow them to thrive underwater, which makes their form of photosynthesis unique to their terrestrial counterparts."

He elaborated on the nuances of light absorption, the role of chlorophyll, and the subsequent production of oxygen, his voice carrying a faint undercurrent of passion as he brought the topic to life. His words painted a vivid picture of aquatic plants thriving beneath the surface, light filtering through water, triggering the intricate process of oxygen production.

As Jotaro delved deeper into the subject, his explanation was captivating, his deep understanding of biology shining through. Josephine found herself hanging on every word. This wasn't just a dry lecture—it was as if Jotaro was unveiling the hidden magic of life beneath the water's surface.

"Your task today," he finally said, "is to witness photosynthesis firsthand."

He directed the students to place a piece of pondweed in a tumbler of water, illuminating it with a lamp. They were to watch carefully, documenting the time it took for bubbles of oxygen to appear—small but visible evidence of the photosynthetic process.

"Observe closely and record your findings," Jotaro instructed. His words carried a quiet encouragement, making the task feel less like homework and more like a genuine, even fun exploration of nature.

Josephine got to work right away, diligently setting up her experiment. She watched intently, scribbling notes and making detailed sketches of the plant and bubbles that began to form from it. She felt a quiet pride in her work, her mind alive with the information Jotaro had shared. Biology was always one subject at least, even back in the UK, she felt she excelled in.

Soon, Jotaro made his way around the room, observing the students' progress. When he reached Josephine's desk, he glanced at her meticulous notes and the precise sketches she had drawn.

"How long did it take?" he asked, his tone even.

"Three minutes and forty-two seconds," Josephine responded confidently, meeting his gaze without hesitation.

Jotaro gave a slight nod of approval before moving on, leaving Josephine with a warm sense of accomplishment. It wasn't much, but that small acknowledgment from him meant a great deal.

-

The rest of Josephine's day passed uneventfully. By the time her final class ended, she found herself back in Jotaro's classroom for her first stand lesson. Walking in, she spotted him at his desk, his attention buried in the mundane task of marking papers. He offered only a brief nod of acknowledgment before returning to his work.

Josephine sat down, trying to suppress her bubbling anticipation. She was still adjusting to the idea of Jotaro being her mentor in more than just academics. She glanced at him from across the desk, his usual stoic demeanor never wavering.

After a moment, Jotaro glanced up. "Your work in class today was detailed," he remarked, his tone neutral but carrying an underlying hint of approval.

Josephine scratched the back of her head, slightly flustered by the compliment. "Thanks," she mumbled, not entirely sure how to respond.

Jotaro's perceptive eyes caught her hesitation. "Biology interests you," he stated rather than asked.

"Yeah, it does," Josephine admitted, feeling a bit more confident now. "I've always been fascinated by birds particularly... I've actually dreamed of becoming an ornithologist."

Jotaro's expression didn't change, but there was a subtle shift in his posture, a faint acknowledgment of her passion. "After what you did with the pigeon this morning, I guess I'm not surprised."

Josephine's eyes widened slightly—she hadn't realized how much that moment had revealed about her. She shouldn't have been surprised at Jotaro's sharpness, though. He had a way of seeing through things.

"But," Jotaro continued, shifting gears smoothly, "we're here to talk about something beyond the realm of science textbooks."

His voice took on a more serious tone, drawing Josephine's full attention. She straightened in her seat, realizing they were moving onto the talk of Stands, what she had been eagerly waiting for.

"As I mentioned before," Jotaro began, his tone measured, "Stands are manifestations of the soul. They represent inner strength, and no two are the same."

Josephine leaned in, absorbing his every word. "How do they differ?" she asked, her curiosity pushing her to dig deeper.

"Some can manipulate objects or elements," Jotaro explained, "while others excel in physical power or possess unconventional abilities. Their appearances vary widely from one to the other."

"Can everyone see them?" Josephine asked.

Jotaro nodded. "If you have a Stand, you can see others. If not, Stands remain invisible. But their effects are very real—even for those who can't see them."

Josephine's mind whirred as she processed the idea. "And can everyone control them?"

"There are some stands that are entirely automatic or independant, but these are uncommon. So, for the most part, yes. But as I told you before, control comes with time, understanding, and training," Jotaro answered, his voice carrying a weight of experience. "For you, it means learning discipline. The more you understand your Stand, the more powerful and precise it becomes and the better you can control it."

Their conversation flowed and he answered her many questions he eagerly threw at him with careful knowledge and patience. As their session eventually came to a close, Josephine stood, ready to leave. However she paused at the door, her hand resting on the knob, hesitation creeping into her posture. She had one last question, one that had been gnawing at her all day.

Jotaro noticed the pause immediately. "What is it?" he asked, his voice measured yet subtly curious.

Josephine turned slightly, her voice soft. "I... I've been meaning to ask you Mr. Jotaro, how did I end up back on the sidewalk this morning? When the car almost hit me?"

Jotaro's gaze sharpened slightly, but his answer was succinct. "My Stand."

Her eyes widened in realization. She had assumed as much, but hearing it confirmed filled her with a new sense of awe. "Your Stand?" she echoed.

"Star Platinum," Jotaro said simply. "It's fast and precise. It acted to protect you."

Josephine blinked at the seemingly fancy name. "Star Platinum," she repeated softly, committing it memory.

Jotaro gave a small nod. "Everyone typically names their Stand. It's a way of acknowledging its power—and yours will need a name eventually."

Josephine stood there, feeling the pieces of a larger world falling into place. She offered a small, grateful bow. "Thank you, Mr. Jotaro." she said earnestly. "for your time, I hope I didn't ask too much."

With that, she turned and left the room, her mind racing with newfound understanding. Jotaro watched her go but quite quickly he returned to the neverending task of marking his many class's papers.