Chapter Text
“Let’s go,” Jotaro murmured to Rohan as the taxi rolled up to the pier.
Jotaro wasn’t much of a talker so Rohan had been lost in thought for the entirety of the taxi ride, trying to sort things out.
Josuke was his enemy. What was throwing him off so much?
“What’s on your mind,” Jotaro asked plainly, noticing Rohan hadn’t even heard Jotaro tell him to get out.
Rohan’s head jerked out of his mind bubble, “Ah, uh, nothing,” he stammered as he scrambled out of the taxi.
“Yare yare daze…” Jotaro shoved his hands into his pockets and began to walk down to the shoreline, Rohan quickly following behind.
The manga artist breathed in the scent of saltwater and sighed, his nerves calming down for the moment. The view made his heart flutter a bit, and he regretted not bringing his sketchbook, as he would’ve jumped at the chance to sketch something while he was here. He admired the gentle ripples of the waves and the shells that dotted the sand beneath his feet, and looked up to marvel at the clouds that rolled over the beautiful blue sky, hiding the sun ever so slightly.
For once he decided that maybe he should just enjoy his time here without feeling the urge to do work.
“Come here.”
Rohan looked up to see Jotaro crouched down with his body half-submerged in water.
“Um, Jotaro, why are you—“
“Shut up and listen,” Jotaro ordered, which shut Rohan up immediately.
The marine biologist pointed into the water, where Rohan could barely make out something colourful. “I’m sure you’re familiar with the Asterias Amurensis, also known as the modern starfish. They typically have a central disc and five arms, though some species have a larger number of arms. The aboral or upper surface may be smooth, granular or spiny, and is covered with overlapping plates. Many species are brightly coloured in various shades of red or orange, while others are blue, grey or brown. They also have tube feet operated by a hydraulic system and a mouth at the centre of the oral or lower surface.”
Jotaro paused, letting that sink in for Rohan, who was already lost but nodded for him to continue. “I've never seen a starfish like this one, never in my career in marine biology. It is a very rare species, known as the Pycnopodia helianthoides, or the sunflower sea star. It doesn’t have five appendages, but twenty-four appendages, a first for a sea star I've encountered.”
“That is… very cool,” Rohan replied, not knowing what else to say.
Jotaro grunted in annoyance and turned to face Rohan. “What I’m saying is, I don’t understand how such a diverse starfish managed to get here, on the beaches of Morioh. It’s natural concentration of population revolves mainly along the west coast of North America, and it would generally dwell in deeper waters, as it has difficulty supporting itself out of water.”
“So… you think it was artificially spawned here?” Rohan asked in conclusion.
“I think some dumbass took it from its natural habitat and reef back on the other side of the world and studied it and disposed of it carelessly,” Jotaro shot angrily, “stupid assholes.”
“Ah yes, assholes...” Rohan nodded, attempting to act just as frustrated.
Jotaro rose out of the water and trudged back towards Rohan on the shore. “Anyways, tell me about your issue.”
“I never said I had an issue—“
“Rohan, I’ve been around longer than you have. I’ve had the time to read emotions and study body language. I can tell when a person is bothered by something.” His lips curled a bit, almost into a smirk. “Your stand may be able to literally read people like a book but I promise my own abilities come at a close second place next to Heaven’s Door.”
Rohan was at a loss for words for a moment. Was that why Jotaro was always so quiet? He just observes everyone?
Rohan looked out at the ocean, watching the waves sparkle. He enjoyed the way the sun danced on the clouds and sent its scattering light down to bounce off the water so perfectly. It was a beautiful scene, and Rohan wanted so badly to sketch it and use it as a reference.
His thoughts were interrupted as the salty fresh air was tainted with the smell of a burning cigarette. “Jotaro!” Rohan whipped around to see Jotaro with a lit cigarette balanced between his lips. “You’re such a hypocrite, whining about the safety of starfish and then smoking on the same beach!”
Jotaro sighed and blew an ‘o’. “Yare yare daze, just explain your problem, sushi hair.”
Rohan went red at the insult, but proceeded to explain. “W-well, you know how Josuke and I hate each other?”
Jotaro nodded. “I hope you know Josuke doesn’t actually hate you.”
“Basically— wait, what?”
“Josuke doesn’t actually hate you at all,” Jotaro said as he blew out a puff of smoke, “in fact, I can see faint traces of enjoyment in his eyes when Koichi talks about your latest drawings and ideas to him.”
The manga artist blushed. “Really?”
Jotaro nodded again. “Yeah. Why do you care so much?”
“I, um…” Rohan sighed, “actually, that’s exactly my problem. I don’t understand why I’ve started to be nice to him and care about what he thinks about me. It shouldn’t matter, right? We’re supposed to hate each other anyway.”
“Well, not necessarily,” Jotaro interjected, “that’s just you being stubborn. No one really has to hate anyone. I mean, look at Kakyoin and I. We literally met because Kakyoin was sent to kill me, and now we’re in… we’re in love.” He pulled his hat down to shade his eyes, his usual signal to let people know he was done talking.
Rohan remembered how Joseph had mentioned to Josuke how Jotaro had difficulty saying the word ‘love’. No one really knew why. Josuke’s conclusion was that Jotaro was too badass for that word, but Rohan was pretty sure Jotaro avoided it just because he never used it enough to be comfortable with it. He was merely afraid of the overuse of it, and Rohan respected that.
“You’re right. I don’t have to hate him. But I think… I think hating him is the best option…”
Jotaro raised a brow. “And why’s that?”
“It’s just easier, I guess—“
“You're in love with Josuke, aren’t you.”
If it was possible at all, Rohan had managed to turn an even deeper shade of red. He could feel how hot his cheeks were and he cursed his pale complexion silently. “No! No, Jotaro, that’s absolutely absurd.”
Jotaro shrugged. “If you’re scared of judgement, you shouldn’t be. Kakyoin is male and I’m male. You and Josuke are both males. I don’t think anyone cares.”
“But you’re wrong!” Rohan shouted desperately. Jotaro took a step back, surprised by the manga artist’s sudden outburst. “Why in the name of stands would I ever fall in love with Josuke, let alone catch feelings for him?”
“Feelings don’t always operate in the way you think, Rohan,” Jotaro remarked, “but from what I am seeing, it’s very obvious.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Whatever you say, sushi-top,” Jotaro smirked, “heh, top...”
“Stop that!” Rohan demanded, stomping his foot in frustration, “you're supposed to be mature and full of wisdom!”
“Not really.”
“Well, at least more mature than the rest of the stand users in Morioh.”
Jotaro looked out at the ocean. “You know, I’m surprised you opened up to me about this, out of all people.”
Rohan sighed. “I’m surprised too… plus, you’ll be going home soon…”
“No.”
“No?” Rohan looked up at the looming figure of the marine biologist. “I thought you wanted to go back with Joseph to see Kakyoin since we dealt with Yoshikage Kira.”
“I’d like to stay and figure out this starfish mystery,” Jotaro pulled his hat down a bit, “and Joseph seems to like Josuke a lot so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind staying a bit longer. Kakyoin can wait, anyways.”
Rohan stepped to stand beside Jotaro as they both gazed across the water. “I see.”
“Plus, I’d like to help you with this Josuke issue,” Jotaro added with a more light-hearted tone.
Rohan scowled. “Yes, the Josuke issue, and I promise it’s not a love thing.”
“Whatever you say.”