The Bizarre Adventures of Dio

Chapter 3: Dio and Erina

    A week after the boxing match, Dio had taken Jonathan's dog, Danny out for a walk. Since he had little to do that day, Dio decided to climb a tree and read a book on a sturdy yet low branch. As he read, he saw Jonathan and three of his friends walking down a nearby path. He figured this moment would be an ideal opportunity to try to patch things with Jonathan and even increase his reputation. "Jonathan!" He called out, smiling and waving as he jumped from the branch and approached his adopted brother. "I was wondering if you'd like to have me teach you and your friends some of that footwork I know." He offered.
Jonathan scoffed. "I would die before learning from someone who can't even land a hit without cheating." He pushed Dio out of the way with his shoulder as his friends laughed, thinking of all the things Jonathan told them about Dio.

    Dio found himself again looking at his left hand, the hand that had punched Jonathan's pale face. "I don't understand this." He heaved a sigh and walked down the small hill to pet Danny. However, he heard a sound or two. Some footsteps, some breathing and perhaps a faint ooh or aah. He turned around and saw a girl with beautiful blonde hair, only a little lighter than his own. She appeared to have been hiding behind a tree. She seemed slightly embarrassed and almost afraid to be seen by Dio. "Excuse me, I don't believe we've met, correct?" He asked before introducing himself. "My name is Dio Brando," He gave a polite bow.
Erina was slightly charmed by Dio's politeness and handsome features, even though this was a very simple introduction. "I'm Erina Pendleton." She gave an abbreviated curtsey. "Are you the same Dio Brando whose adopted brother is Jonathan Joestar?" Erina asked, looking at Dio's simple outfit up and down.
"Well, yes," Dio admitted, "but I wouldn't exactly say we have the best relationship as of yet." He sighed. "Are you good friends with him?" He inquired.
"No, not in the slightest." She shook her head angrily. "Though you seem quite different from him." She complimented Dio, somewhat to his surprise.
"May I ask what your main issue with Jojo is?" Dio inquired, thinking he might have a better grip on Jojo's personality and psychology. He wanted to address the issue in their relationship, but needed more info. After all, a burning relationship like that would inevitable end in disaster.
"Well, to start, he's an unhinged delinquent." Erina huffed. "He's been spreading vicious rumors about people who don't give him what he wants and parading around like a little tyrant." Her face was slightly red as she paced by the stream, finding herself spilling her grievances for Dio. "Even when we were little, he'd tell other kids my mum was a witch or I had the cooties."
Dio's eyes followed Erina while he took in every word. Once she'd finished, he sighed. "Well, Jonathan doesn't seem like the best person." He conceded, "But he's still my brother and I'd prefer to at least not to fight with him." Pensively, Dio looked down at Danny. "Ms.Pendleton-"
"Erina, just Erina please." The girl interrupted Dio.
Surprised, but happy that she seemed at ease, Dio continued. "Erina, I think I might have a strategy for this. I'm going to use the time honored tactic of avoiding and flattery." Over the years, Dio had avoided the more dangerous people in inner london by these exact methods.
Erina on the other hand thought this practice rather cowardly. "Really? Not some bout of manliness?" She teased in an exaggeratedly deep voice.
"Well, I can't see how punching Jojo in the mouth again will improve our relationship," Dio joked back.
    "Pardon?" Erina was shocked, "You punched him?"
    Dio nodded yes, prompting Erina to burst out laughing.
    "May I ask what's so funny?"
    "Oh, I just," Erina laughed more, "didn't think you would've done that!"
    "Erina," Dio asked, "how come you yourself don't seem to go against Jonathan? At least, none that I've caught wind of?"
    Suddenly, Erina got more serious, "He's untouchable. Any perceived slight to him ends with him and his gang mocking you relentlessly." She sat down in the grass, "It's terrible."
    Disappointment swelled in Dio. He had had sincere hope things could be mended, but hearing such vitriol towards him from a woman made Dio think that things couldn't be patched up. Sitting down next to Erina he sighed. "Look, I'm still not going to go in guns blazing and beat him to shit," despite coming off gentlemanly, Dio had picked up more than his fair share of cusses, "but I will do my best to minimize the harm he does to you and others?"
    Erina's skeptical glare was on him now, "And what if he starts to hurt you because of it?"
    "All the more reason to try to keep him from harming others."
    While Erina had been a little charmed by Dio before, this was the moment where her heart skipped a beat, her view of him changed, and she fell in love.

    Over the next few weeks, the two became quite close, frequently going on little dates in something resembling a courtship. They went out to eat together, swam in the local river, and they were happy together.
    Until Jojo found out about them...