Standstill Bonds

Chapter 23 ~ A Heavy Revelation

Josephine's reaction to the revelation wasn't lost on Jotaro, not one bit. Her face was a crystal clear picture of confusion and worry. She had known of course that Pucci was after him, but just how serious his predicament was had been kept hidden. He knew that telling her the full truth, his entire story, would only add to her concern exponentially. And though he didn't want to pull her deeper into this mess, he knew then that he couldn't avoid it forever.

"He's... got a personal grudge against the Joestars," Jotaro began, his voice steady but weighed down by the burden of his family's history, their curse. "My last name might be Kujo, but I'm a Joestar descendant, as is my mom."

Josephine blinked, her expression shifting from worry to shock. "But... why? What did your family do to him?"

Jotaro sighed, looking away for a moment. He clenched his fists, the words heavy on his tongue. There was a lot to unpack, a lot she didn't know yet, and part of him wasn't sure she needed to hear it all. He hesitated, pausing before he could explain further.

Before he could speak again, Polnareff, who had been listening intently, wheeled closer. His sharp gaze settled on Jotaro. "She deserves to know the full picture, Jotaro," he said quietly but firmly. "Tell her everything."

Jotaro glanced at Polnareff, his jaw tightening. He exhaled deeply, nodding once.

He looked back at Josephine, his eyes steely but determined. "It's a long story," he admitted, "involving a Stand user named Dio Brando. He was an evil man. A vampire, actually. He killed my great-great-grandfather, Jonathan Joestar, and stole his body to place his own severed head on it. Disgusting, I know."

Josephine's eyes widened, and she shuddered at the thought. But she stayed silent, listening intently as Jotaro continued.

"Pucci," Jotaro said, his voice darkening with the mention of the priest's name, "was fanatically devoted to Dio. When Dio returned and threatened my family, I killed him. But Pucci... he's trying to finish what Dio started. His goal is to wipe us out."

Josephine's breath caught in her throat. "You mean... he's after revenge?"

Jotaro's voice lowered as he clarified, "It's more than just revenge. Pucci wants to carry on Dio's so-called 'heavenly' plan. And that plan includes eliminating anyone who can stand in his way. That's us. The Joestars."

The room seemed to close in around her as she took in the new information, Pucci wasn't just after Jotaro for a fight. He had told her he was dangerous but... not this, now she knew the man wanted Jotaro dead and she didn't want to believe what she was hearing.

Polnareff, his face grave, chimed in. "He's a dangerous enemy, Jotaro. We can't underestimate him."

"I know," Jotaro responded, his tone clipped. "That's why I have to be prepared. And why I can't let Josephine get dragged into this mess anymore than she already has been."

Josephine, despite the fear building in her chest, felt a surge of determination. "But I'm already involved, aren't I? He knows about me now."

Jotaro's jaw tightened, and his eyes bore into hers with a sudden, yet familiar intensity. "This is a fight you stay out of, Josephine," he ordered firmly. "No arguments."

Josephine blinked, her expression disbelieving, was Jotaro for real? "How can you expect me to stay out of it now? You just told me that Pucci wants you dead! How am I supposed to just sit here and do nothing?"

"That's enough!" His voice boomed, sharp and unyielding. "I've had enough of you trying to push this issue!"

Josephine froze, her heart dropping into her stomach as his sudden outburst took her by surprise. Jotaro's patience had snapped. His eyes, normally calm and controlled, were filled with a shaking frustration as he continued, his voice rising. "I've told you no over and over again, but you keep pushing! You don't understand how dangerous this is, you've proven time and time again how rash you are and I won't let you in on this!"