Standstill Bonds

Chapter 37 ~ Holy Espionage

The peaceful ambiance of the church couldn't be more different to the tension brewing within Hiroshi. The congregation slowly filed out after the sermon of that morning, leaving behind a soft murmur of casual conversations from those that lingered and stood around. Hiroshi remained seated, his Bible open on his lap, feigning interest in its pages as his parents chatted with another couple nearby. His real focus was in fact elsewhere.

With a silent exhale, Hiroshi activated his Stand, Steel Light. The Stand merged with the ceiling lights, its form dissolving into the electrical current, allowing him to tap into the church's wiring. The lighting fixtures became his ears, and through the humming of electricity, Hiroshi followed a path. The faint footfalls of the priest Father Pucci echoed through the wires, as long as there was a path he could follow or lights he could jump between, his stand would follow the sound it sought. The young boy's heart raced like thunder, he was fully aware how risky this was, but the urgency of gathering intel for Jotaro and the others far outweighed his fear. The electrical pulses guided him deeper into the hidden corridors of the church, till eventually, Pucci came to a stop and a new voice appeared.

"Is it time, Father Pucci?" the voice asked, male, quiet and eerie.

"Yes, proceed," Pucci answered calmly.

A strange, whirring and whooshing followed, and then the unmistakable sound of muffled cries, it sounded so distant, yet also so close... and so painful; i made Hiroshi's stomach twist. What was happening? Was someone being tortured? His heart pounded as he strained to hear every detail. Though the unsettling noises lasted only moments, they felt like an eternity.

"Cruciare," the unknown voice spoke again, "it has the power to torment on every level; physically, mentally, spiritually. Jotaro will suffer as he watches his friend writh in agony."

The words hit Hiroshi like a sledgehammer. Pucci was planning to break Jotaro by targeting his companions, using a Stand capable of unimaginable cruelty. He was audibly witnessing it first hand in fact, he could only imagine what Jotaro was seeing while being probably unaware of the cause. He needed to get this information to him immediately.

"I am grateful for your assistance," Pucci continued, "This will indeed cripple Jotaro mentally, long before he even attempts to confront me."

Hiroshi could hear the satisfaction in Pucci's voice. The priest's plan was sadistic, cruel, and disturbingly methodical. Hiroshi brought his eavesdropping to an abrupt end, he'd heard more than enough.

With a flick of his fingers, Steel Light retracted through the wires, racing back toward Hiroshi at light speed. The Stand's form reappeared near his seat, invisible to the others in the church. He snapped his Bible shut and rushed out of the church, leaving his bewildered parents behind. Unbeknownst to him, Pucci appeared near the pulpit, his heightened awareness signaling that someone had been spying on him.

Pucci scanned the faces in the small clusters of people, his gaze sharp and discerning. Despite his efforts, he couldn't pinpoint any suspicious behavior among those who lingered. The man who had accompanied him stepped forward, standing at Pucci's side.

"Remain vigilant, we were being watched, and it likely won't be the last time." Pucci uttered in a hushed tone, his eyes narrowing. Pucci's keen awareness had picked up on the intrusion, and he wasn't one to take such matters lightly. Though he wouldn't admit it, the sense of being observed had unsettled Pucci, he was determined to uncover the source of his unease.

-

Back at the Kujo household, the group were still recovering from the shock of Josephine's recent seizure. Jotaro remained steadfast by her bedside, in this sombre moment, a sudden, urgent knock echoed through the house.

Giorno, quick to act, opened the door to reveal Hiroshi, breathless and wide-eyed. "Is Mr. Jotaro here?" he blurted, not bothering with pleasantries. "Something's happened. You all need to know!"

Giorno ushered him inside, noting the anxiety radiating off the boy in waves. He quickly excused himself to knock on Josephine's room. "Signore Jotaro, it's Hiroshi. He says he has news."

Jotaro didn't hesitate, striding out to the living room where Holly, Polnareff, and now Hiroshi waited. The doctors began their routine checks as he left, but Jotaro's mind was now fully focused on whatever Hiroshi had to say.

The boy stood before them, fidgeting nervously under Jotaro's penetrating gaze, "Look Mr. Jotaro, Giorno, please dont be mad..."

Jotaro and Giorno eyed each other for a brief moment.

"Hiroshi," Jotaro's voice was followed by a brief pause, with a controlled exhale from his nose, "What did you do?"

Hiroshi gulped, his voice faltering. "I used my Stand, Steel Light. I-I know you said not to take risks, but I needed to know what Pucci was up to. I followed him after the sermon, using the light sources and wires to trace his movements and listen in."

Jotaro's stern expression deepened, "Orders are orders. We told you not to take unnecessary risks, what part of Pucci being dangerous did you not understand?"

Giorno exchanged a look with Jotaro before turning his attention back to Hiroshi. "We appreciate the information, but your safety is also a priority. If Pucci caught wind of you or your stand's ability, it could jeopardize our entire plan."

"But I found out something crucial!"

"Go on," Jotaro urged gruffly.

Hiroshi continued, stumbling a little over his words. "I heard him talking with someone about their Stand... it's called Cruciare. It's capable of tormenting people physically, mentally, and spiritually. They-uh-They said the Stand will make you suffer as you watch someone close to you in pain. It's part of their plan to weaken you, Pucci said you wouldn't be mentally capable of facing him..."

Jotaro, who had been listening intently, was quick to put the pieces together. "Josephine's stand was being manipulated by Pucci after all, and this friend of his. That's why she had that seizure. We can't afford to waste anymore time."

Giorno, ever calm and analytical, nodded in agreement. "Yes. We need to figure something out quickly to find those discs or Pucci has the upper hand."

Polnareff also chimed in, "We also need to prepare for this Cruciare and its user, it's gonna be a pain if it stays around, both figuratively and literally speaking."

Jotaro locked eyes with Hiroshi. "Hiroshi, from now on, no more solo missions. Understood? Stick close because Pucci will be on high alert."

Hiroshi nodded fervently. "Yes, sir."

With the information Hiroshi had gathered, the group knew time was running out, they had to come up with a plan to save Josephine before it was too late.