[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure] Standstill Bonds

Chapter 44 ~ Laying low

In a hidden location, an abandoned warehouse a short couple of km beyond the main city, Pucci erupted in furious frustration. His plan to rattle Jotaro had crumbled, thanks to the unforeseen interference of an ally with golden hair, a figure whose name remained elusive to him. His subordinates, Aoi and the hooded man exchanged hesitant glances, all too aware of their failure.

"Father Pucci," Aoi began, his whole body trembling. "We underestimated them. The young boy and that ally of his, they caught us off guard. We didn't have a chance to-"

"I don't want excuses!" Pucci's voice snapped like a whip, silencing Aoi instantly. "Do you realize what this failure means? Jotaro having those discs again means that rat of a girl he cares so much about is safe, he has his confidence back. You imbeciles, this could jeoperdize everything! Ankoku, your Morbid Angel should have taken care of them no problem, what in God's name happened?!"

Ankoku let out a controlled breath, replying calmly, attempting to deescalate his master's rage.

"Father Pucci, let me say that our priority now should be regaining your full power without attracting attention. Exposing ourselves prematurely could be disastrous. It should also be noted that when me and Aoi were going to face off against young Hiroshi and his friend, it was barely a blink of an eye and we were both beaten to fucking pulps on the floor, I'm sure it was Jotaro who stepped in, had he had longer with his time stop we'd probably both be dead."

Pucci nodded, pressing his hands together at his forehead, taking a moment to compose himself. Sensing his master calming, Ankoku continued delicately. "His new ally, whatever his name is has some type of ability, when he hit me not only did he hit me hard, it also stopped Morbid Angel's ability as though it never happened. Hiroshi was on the floor in agony one second, then standing as if untouched the next. I fear, Father Pucci, that if this is a stand that can truly reverse things, it could be a drastic enemy to Made in Heaven."

Pucci, despite his anxieties and anger, recognized the urgency of adapting to this unforeseen challenge and he was determined to regain control. If he could at least lie in wait until his stand reached Made in Heaven and activated its effects without being found, he would still achieve his Heavenly Plan. He knew Ankoku was right, as much as he desired to strike back, the timing had to be perfect.

-

Back at the Kujo household, Jotaro's room was adorned with photos, notes and leads that seemed to multiply with each passing day. The mounting frustration etched across Jotaro's face was palpable as he paced back and forth, contemplating the elusive priest's whereabouts.

A soft knock on the door interrupted Jotaro's restless thoughts and the door creaked open, revealing Josephine, "Guess who?" she chimed with a small smile.

Jotaro rubbed the back of his neck, giving her a quick nod. Josephine took a long look around, the messy map of clues, it seemed to be a visual show of the chaos in his mind.

"Mr. Jotaro, you've been at this for days. At least take a short break, clear your mind."

Jotaro sighed, shaking his head. "I can't afford to take breaks kid. Every day he eludes us is a step closer to his full power, we can't let that happen."

"I get it, but you won't be any good to anyone if you burn yourself out. We'll find him, but you need to take care of yourself too."

Jotaro shook his head again, harder this time. Responsibility rested heavily on his shoulders, the safety of not only Josephine but the entire world at stake. "I can't let him slip away... not again, I won't stop until we find him. The consequences are too great you know that."

"I'm worried about what this constant stress is doing to you. We need you at your best, Pucci won't lose if we crumble from within, you'd tell me the same and you know it."

Jotaro looked at her for a moment, he knew she was right, there was no use denying it. But his anxiety was ruling his head, the thought of rest rarely brought him respite in his life because it had for most of it, been governed by the limitless onslaught of enemies.

Without waiting for him to protest, she grabbed his wrist. "Come with me." she said firmly.

He hesitated, about to refuse "Kid, please can it wait- "Just come with me!" Josephine cut him off with rather blunt sternness.

Jotaro, quite taken aback but too exhausted to resist, followed her, walking through the house and into the garden. Josephine gestured toward the stone bench, where Jotaro noticed a book. Curious, he walked over and picked it up, recognizing the familiar name of the author.

"Darwin?" he asked, wondering why she would bring him a book he presumed she had acquired for herself.

Josephine chuckled softly, "Read the title silly."

As Jotaro looked back at book in his hands, his eyes scanned up, widening slightly as he read the title, "The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs..."

Josephine grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I found it in a vintage bookstore when me and Polnareff were out patrolling the city yesterday, I couldn't resist getting it for you. He helped me buy it and I said I'd pay him back one day. That loveable bastard didn't make it easy for me to insist on it though."

Jotaro was silent for a moment, his hand delicately tracing the cover of the book. He had almost forgotten that side of himself; the dedicated scientist, conservationist, the biologist who once studied the ocean with a passion and knowledge unmatched by most. A life he left behind after losing his beloved Jolyne, replaced by a far quieter role as a high school teacher his mother had to convince him to take so he wasn't languishing at home. "You didn't have to do that..."

Josephine stepped closer, "Yeah I did. Think of it as a small token of appreciation for everything you've done for me. Once this fight is over, maybe it'll be a kick-starter for you to consider going back to your old job. Pursue your passion again Mr. Jotaro, do what you really enjoy. I know you're not one for sentimental things but I really wanted to do this for you, it's not much but, I hope you'll at least think about it?"

Jotaro set the book down and walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You've already done so much for me kid."

Josephine felt herself burn from feeling so suddenly flustered, she couldn't help but wonder what exactly she had done to merit such appreciation. Jolyne's words from the spirit void replayed in her mind, how Jotaro had found happiness with Josephine being there. She needed to understand, to hear it directly from him the impact she had made.

"What do you mean?" she asked tentatively.

Jotaro sighed, eyes drifting to the book. "When we first met, you were indefatigable about seeking my help, and damn annoying, and you still are" he began, a quiet chuckle rumbling from his chest. "I admit I never wanted or anticipated someone like you in my life...not after everything I've been through. But somehow, it happened anyway, fate is a funny thing I guess. That tenacity of yours and how it got you into trouble scared me and when Pucci left you in that coma... I thought I was going to lose you..."

Jotaro's eyes then drifted back to hers. "But for the first time in a long time, I feel hope. Hope that we can actually beat Pucci and put an end to all this madness."

Josephine swiftly wiped the tears forming in her eyes as she attempted to regain composure without much luck.

Jotaro took one of his hands off her shoulder, fingers tilting her chin up to look at him, "Besides all the lessons I've taught you, you've taught me something even more important. Life may knock us down, but we can choose whether or not to get back up and keep going."

A wave of reflection washed over her, her mind replaying once again the journey she had embarked on with Jotaro; the challenging lessons, hidden pain on both sides and even love that had gradually woven itself between them. He had become her mentor, her friend. To her, in the few months they'd known each other, he was more like a dad than her own father was her entire life.

Josephine's voice choked as she spoke, "You're the best friend I ever had Mr. Jotaro."

Hearing that, he reached out to her, "Come here, kid." he murmured, wrapping her in his arms and holding her tightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Jotaro, for everything."

"You're still a pain in the ass, but I can live with that."