Standstill Bonds

Chapter 8 ~ Shadow of Unease

As Josephine made her way to school the next morning, an unsettling feeling began to take root. She just couldn't seem to shake the creeping sensation that she was being watched. She scanned the passers-by, her eyes flickering between faces, but none offered any clue as to the source of her anxiety.

Jotaro's words from their training echoed in her mind; Stand users are often drawn to each other, sensing one another's presence. Could it really be another Stand user nearby? Or was she just overthinking?

Whatever the case, she quickened her pace, veering off her normal route in an attempt to shake the growing sense of unease. Her Stand stirred within her, reacting to her rising fear, its presence just beneath the surface of her awareness, as if urging her to remain vigilant.

Then, without warning, a hand shot out from a nearby alleyway and yanked her off the sidewalk. She gasped, her scream caught in her throat, only to be stifled by a firm grip covering her mouth. Her pulse spiked as panic set in, until she looked up and locked eyes with Jotaro.

His expression was tense, and a finger crossed his lips, commanding her to stay quiet. Jotaro kept them pressed against the wall, his body shielding hers as they both stayed hidden in the shadows. Josephine could barely breathe when suddenly, an figure passed by wearing a long black cloak, a hood covering his face. Whoever it was, their mere aura sent a cold wave over her very being.

Jotaro's grip tightened slightly as his gaze remained locked on the figure as they finally moved on past the alleyway. The man was incredibly tense, a rare break in his usually unshakable composure Josephine was so used to. When the figure was finally gone, Jotaro slowly released her, his form still rigid with unease. Josephine gasped for air, her chest heaving as the fear of the moment subsided, but her mind spun with confusion and questions.

"Who the hell was that?" she demanded, her voice shaky but insistent.

Jotaro's response was quick and sharp, "Not here. We need to leave," he ordered, grabbing her hand and leading her swiftly out of the alley. His eyes remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings hastily as he guided her through the streets on their way to the school.

They moved in silence, the usual energy of the bustling city now feeling distant, muted. Josephine had a million questions, but the intensity in Jotaro's movements kept her quiet. Only once they reached the safety of his classroom, with the door shut behind them and the curtains drawn, did he finally exhale, but Jotaro was still tense as he leaned against his desk, his hands clenched in a vice grip along its edges.

"Mr. Jotaro, who was that?" Josephine asked again, more forcefully this time.

Jotaro's gaze darkened, and for a moment, he seemed to wrestle with his response. Finally, he muttered a name, each syllable weighed down by a history Josephine couldn't yet comprehend.

"Enrico Pucci."

Josephine's brow furrowed. "Enrico...Pucci? Is this guy dangerous or something?" she asked hesitantly.

Jotaro met her gaze, his own eyes darkening. "You have no idea," he said, his tone low and grave.

He let go of the desk and crossed his arms, his jaw clenched, "Pucci's dangerous in ways that are hard to explain. He's not just a Stand user; he's someone with an agenda. And that agenda is... complicated."

Josephine had a gut feeling this went far deeper than just some regular bad guy. Jotaro's words brought a new understanding of the world she had stepped into. It wasn't just about learning to control her Stand, it was about surviving in a dangerous world, a world Jotaro had lived in for much longer than she had.

"Why didn't you tell me about him before?" Josephine asked, her voice quieter now.

Jotaro's expression shifted slightly and his eyes closed as he breathed out slowly. "I was trying to protect you," he admitted. "The more you're involved with me, the more you're at risk. Pucci is someone I hoped you'd never have to deal with."

The confession shook her, the truth of what it meant to be close to Jotaro, his mentorship, his guidance; it came with danger, danger that he had never anticipated, being near him it seemed, put an unsolicited target on her back. Josephine's mind raced at the thought of such threats, but she also sensed Jotaro's internal conflict. He had clearly been walking this path alone for a long time, shouldering the burden of his battles and the enemies he faced.

"So... what now?" she asked, her voice tinged with determination. "This... enemy of yours? Pucci... how do we deal with him?"

Jotaro's face instantly hardened. "There is no we when it comes to Pucci," he replied firmly. "I don't want you anywhere near him. Do you understand?"

Josephine clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her like water heating in a kettle. "Why are you only worried about me?" she asked, her voice rising a notch. "Why should you have to face whatever this is about alone?"

Her words were sharp, cutting through Jotaro's usual stoic resolve. He blinked, taken aback by her intensity. For a moment, there was silence, the two of them locked in a stand off with the eyes.

"You want to help?" he asked, though it was more of an observation than a question.

"Yes," she affirmed, her voice steady, however, sensing a rise in his tension again, she backed off and attempted to negotiate with him. "At least teach me how to defend myself if I run into the wrong people, you can do that, right?"

Jotaro studied her for a long moment, weighing the risks. Finally, he exhaled and gave a small nod. "Alright," he agreed, his voice resigned but also resolved. "We'll start physical training."

While Jotaro was still determined to keep her from his personal battles, deep down, he appreciated the sentiment she offered.