Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

They lived indeed in a crazy, noisy, bizarre town. Two teenagers were injured while fighting a serial killer that had been on the loose for at least 15 years and they had discovered him with the help of some friends, but no police officer or detective helped. And that wasn’t even half of the story, but the people in Morioh would never know the truly unbelievable details. The unexpected ending for the story was that the murderer died in the most conventional way possible: ran over by a vehicle. It was so normal that it was strange.

One of the boys, Higashikata Josuke, was badly injured, while his best friend, Nijimura Okuyasu, suffered only from a few concussions. The police concluded that Josuke had fought the killer mostly by himself, but couldn’t get information on how it had developed as the young man insisted that he could barely remember due to the fear and adrenaline he felt all the time. He couldn’t explain the probable explosions and neither could the probable witnesses. The truth was, of course, Josuke remembered everything, some things too vividly to describe fairly, but it wasn’t a story for the rest to know. When he was sure it was safe, he told the full truth to those who were involved closely.

Those people would visit him on the hospital daily, and even Hayato had skipped school a few times to go too. His mother kept him good company and knew most of the story, but he hadn’t told her about the stands yet. Maybe one day he would, he felt like he had to. However, when she would go to work and his closest friends would go to school, staying at a hospital without being able to move freely got even more boring. The nurses were nice and the place was comfortable enough but that didn’t stop the boredom or the sharp pain he got every time he moved.

Josuke was waiting for Okuyasu and Koichi to finish their school day and visit him. Okuyasu would show him quickly what they had seen in class, but his notes were mostly doodles and thoughts he had and wrote down because he wanted to share with Josuke when he got to visit him later. Josuke liked it that way, as he didn’t feel like discussing homework and the teachers had told his mother they would consider him done for the year anyway, since the end of the semester was so close. She thanked them but made her son promise that he would learn what he was missing because his education was important. He had agreed. What else could he do. He was lucky Okuyasu and Koichi were there just to distract him, mostly by talking nonsense as the three of them usually did. It was worth it even if laughing too much made his wounds ache a little. Even Mikitaka came to visit him twice with them, and insisted on wanting to be helpful all the time.

Now, however, everyone was busy and the time for them to visit seemed nowhere near. He was so bored, desperate to move, jump and run, that he would gladly accept anything that would distract him from that. He would appreciate if anyone visited.

“Morning, Josuke” said Rohan in a flat voice.

Anyone but that. Even Kira would have been a more interesting, politer visitor.

“What are you doing here? And without Koichi?” Josuke’s disdain wasn’t masqueraded enough, but neither was Rohan’s.

“It’s time for visits here, isn’t it? I’m visiting you, you ungrateful brat” he replied taking a sit on the chair next to the bed.

“Koichi told you to, didn’t he?” Josuke remembered he had mentioned his boredom to his friends a few days ago.

“Why do you think so?” Rohan raised his eyebrows but Josuke’s unamused stare said it all. “Yeah, he did. He said you needed company and he probably realises I am the best company anyone could have”

“You are the best company he could find because the rest has real jobs and obligations” pointed out Josuke.

Rohan seemed enraged but took a few moments and talked as he was more calmed.

“Do you think I’m here, doing this for you?” he asked with a mocking smile.

Josuke scoffed.

“Of course not. You are doing this for Koichi. Although I don’t know how he could picture you pestering me as healthier than a peaceful rest”

“He said you prefer fighting me than getting bored as it keeps you busy and you love arguing every once in a while anyway” shrugged Rohan. “And no” he paused for the dramatic effect and Josuke rolled his eyes.

“‘No’ what? I’m dying to know”

“No, I didn’t come for Koichi. He gave me the idea with his request and I’m always glad to please him, but I came here for someone else, someone really important: me!” he was smiling smugly and Josuke rolled his eyes harder. “I think it is a good opportunity to study hospital patients in case I need it for my manga or for any future manga”

“There are other rooms, you know”

“I did that some time ago and it is not appreciated by the staff nor the patients. Do they even know who is visiting them? Me, the great Kishibe Rohan, for crying out loud!”

“What… what? You posed as a visitor to use Heaven’s Door on the dying”

“No! Some punk broke into my house and assaulted me, and I had to spend a month here” explained Rohan with a murderous look in his eyes.

“Oh, yeah. I know that story. You had basically kidnapped his friends and insulted him, all for your manga, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t have time for this, you childish, arrogant delinquent” he ignored Josuke’s words and the younger man crossed his arms. “The point is I got bored. Fan letters, although appreciated, get repetitive and unoriginal. I read them all but I still needed something to do and it was time to put my legs to work, as they weren’t as damaged as my ribs or face”

“I’m sorry your face never fully healed, Rohan” Josuke interrupted with a sad tone.

“As a matter of fact, Higashikata Josuke, my face is indeed still damaged as you deviated my septum and it affects my breathing. Well, I went entering other patients’ rooms and reading their lives. I wanted to understand the experiences that led them here and how they felt while being here physically and emotionally. I also took the opportunity to read their lives and personalities, not only the situations that had them hospitalised. I obviously wrote that they would forget about that and only remember me visiting them as a nice fellow patient, but for some reason it didn’t work” explained Rohan.

“They remembered anyway?” asked Josuke actually interested.

“They felt something was off and a few even started yelling at me, telling me to leave them alone. The nurse said I was making other patients anxious and nervous. Even the ones that barely remembered were distressed after my visits, despite the fact I had made sure to present myself as a nice young man who wanted to make people feel better. So the head nurse told me to behave or go complete my treatment at home… and I had to stop”

Josuke was trying not to cackle as it made his abdomen ache, but it was difficult not to.

“Hahaha ouch, Rohan, you are, fuck ouch, you’re an idiot. You can’t go around hospital rooms invading people’s privacy”

“I have this power and I am meant to use it”

“Or you could have written something on them that would ease their pain, but no, you had to be a stalker haha ow shit haha”

“Where are you hurting?” asked Rohan looking at where Josuke’s body was under the sheets.

“My abdomen, when I fucking laugh at you” smiled Josuke with his hands on his stomach.

“Yeah, but how?”

“Well, it is a deep pain that pinches my inside, to put it some way”

Rohan nodded.

“Does it always hurt or…?”

“No. I am filled with analgesics, but if I laugh, for example, it hurts. My organs are not compromised, though, so the pain is bearable”

“But you lost lots of blood, right?”

“Uh-huh. Are you having a character get impaled too?” he joked.

“No, but you never know when this information could be useful” Rohan wasn’t hiding his excitement.

“Why don’t you read a book about injuries instead of annoying us fragile patients, tell me”

“There is nothing as real as witnessing something and doctors don’t describe pain with pretty much any adjective that isn’t ‘intense’ or ‘mild’, it doesn’t help. I need to know when it hurts and exactly how. How it looks and how it feels”

“What about experiencing it yourself instead of using Heaven’s Door on people, though?”

“I’ve often found that first-hand experiences get twisted by perception, while being a witness to something allows you to be less emotional about it. Well, also… Heaven’s Door is not as specific as I’d want it to be sometimes, as it shows what is relevant to the individual. But you, I can ask you questions and you won’t call the nurses, so you are useful”

“Also if you use Heaven’s Door on me I will send you back to this hospital for more than just one month” added Josuke.

Rohan shrugged.

“Yeah, that too. Now tell me what else you feel”

“Annoyance as some Grinch-looking bitch asks me questions” he sighed, exaggerating his annoyance.

“Grinch. Grinch? Is that the green furry monkey from the US?” he exclaimed in astonishment.

“The Grinch is green and hates fun, just like you. And isn’t a monkey”

“Fuck off”

Josuke giggled and then got an idea.

“You know, I could fix your septum with my Crazy Dia-“

“No way. Asking the guy who broke it to fix it?”

“That’s what normal people do. The attacker pays the hospital bills, but I can help you better and for free. We all win”

“I don’t want any help from you, particularly on that subject” he said menacingly.

“I’m trying to be nice since you are invading my room and won’t let me have a pleasant stay at the hospital. I’m gonna get a nurse to kick you out of here and put you in the wall of shame”

“The wall of illustrious visitors, you mean” Rohan prided himself.

“I know we met each other um… under bad circumstances. The wrong situation, if you will. But-“

“And it continued to be that way the next months, Higashikata Josuke. May I remind you of-?” he was menacing again, but Josuke knew it was mostly attitude and that he wouldn’t do anything… would he? Rohan seemed scary sometimes.

“Yes, I know” he interrupted too. “So I am trying to start over, since you are here anyway and I might as well make it somewhat pleasant since you’re not trying. I am offering to help you by repairing what I caused, you ungrateful fuck. So, what do you say?”

Rohan sighed and rested his head on his hand. He tried to appear extremely tired and annoyed with the situation, pretending he was thinking about it. The truth is he had made up his mind the second Josuke started explaining himself.

“That’s so noble of you, or so you want to think. So I must say no”

Josuke opened his eyes wide in confusion for less than a second and went back to a neutral expression that suited the conversation, but he had already expressed himself by blurting his thoughts.

“No?!”

“No”

“Fine” he shrugged, upset that he had wasted time and energy trying to be nice to someone like Rohan. “You are insufferable, intolerable and extremely proud”

“If you say so. Now” said Rohan standing up again and getting closer to the bed “tell me details about how it feels to lose all that blood and the sensation of having metal or whatever going through your abdomen and leg”

“No”

“Come on”

“No. I’m tired. Bring me juice and I might think about it”

“Ugh. You think I will do that? Do you, really?” he tried not to shout even though he was infuriated by that.

“Do you want me to call the nurse or do you want information? Because I’m really thirsty and have no patience right now”

“I can’t believe it. I was right about you, and I tried to be fair, but you are just terrible. What flavour?” he asked against his will.

“Anything but banana”

Rohan left the room but not without giving him one of the deadliest glares Josuke had ever seen from him, which was a lot to say. He was proud of himself for that, though, and he put his hands behind his head to rest it as he smiled, deciding to treasure that gaze of fury forever. Rohan came back shortly after.

“There was only banana but you can’t say I did not try” he said showing him a banana flavoured juice of those they sold at the hospital: small, expensive and so terribly artificial that they barely resembled the fruits they supposedly were made of.

“Well, that’s unfortunate, because I can’t drink that juice, and if I can’t drink that juice, I won’t be able to tell anything about blood or broken bones, and if I-“

“Fine, fine! I got it! I will bring you any other juice”

“Oh, Rohan. That’s so kind but I thought there weren’t any other left” said Josuke in his most cynical voice.

“Yeah, you know I lied. Congratulations, you won. I will be back with some other stupid juice for you”

Josuke’s smile was even wider now. He didn’t particularly enjoy annoying people, but when someone deserved it, it was such a pleasure to deliver. Koichi and Okuyasu stormed into his room in that moment. Koichi was being pushed by Okuyasu, so he was upset, but he couldn’t yell at him because the nurses had them under vigilance since the first day they visited along with Jotaro, Josuke’s mother and Rohan. Okuyasu had started singing to cheer up Josuke and Koichi started laughing non-stop while Jotaro and Rohan gave them disapproving looks that were borderline disgusted looks. Tomoko, Josuke’s mother, was smiling but pretended not to. This caused the head nurse to warn them that if they kept being loud they’d have to leave, and every time she saw the two of them after that she gave them a stern look and said nothing. When the nurse entered the room, Rohan looked down so she wouldn’t recognise him, but no one noticed at the moment.

Since they had been warned, Okuyasu and Koichi entered the room silently even when Okuyasu started running. Koichi was angry but his friend insisted that he wanted to see Josuke as much time as possible. On that particular day, Koichi had to complain in whispers as Okuyasu tried to hurry him. They caught Josuke smiling even before he saw them.

“Josuke!” said Okuyasu, going to hug his best friend as soon as possible.

“Why so happy?” added Koichi.

“The visitor you sent me, Koichi” said Josuke hugging Okuyasu too, without letting go. “That has to be the worst idea you’ve ever had but somehow it worked. Rohan is buying juice for me because if not I won’t help him with his manga” he laughed, and Okuyasu started laughing too. “Thanks, Koichi”

“Um. I didn’t know it would go that way, but I’m glad it worked” he said sitting on the chair Rohan had left not long ago.

“Sorry it took so long. The nurse that hates me was around and I didn’t want to look at her” Rohan entered the room. “Hello, Koichi-kun, Okuyasu. Would any of you want banana juice? I didn’t even know it existed and they wouldn’t let me return it” he gave a box of raspberry juice to Josuke.

“Yes!” replied Okuyasu stretching his arm with an open palm.

“I’m leaving” said Rohan, almost offended. He gave the juice to Okuyasu without looking at him. “Josuke’s gonna be distracted now because of you. Not you, Koichi-kun, you are a serious person” Okuyasu looked confused and Josuke rolled his eyes as Rohan waved goodbye and left quickly.

“Why do you need to concentrate?” asked Okuyasu, still staring at where Rohan was.

“Because he wants my experiences on being injured and fighting a murderer for his manga, apparently” laughed Josuke. “But they have to be told with details. Which is why he got me juice”

“What an idiot” commented Okuyasu. Koichi couldn’t disagree.

Chapter Text

“Morning, Josuke”

Rohan arrived way earlier than the previous day. He brought a box of orange juice he had bought at the hospital store.

“Hello, Rohan” replied Josuke.

He was on his feet and staring out the window, leaning more on his right leg, the one that wasn’t injured. He turned around to look at Rohan and smiled when he saw the juice. The fabric of the hospital clothes he was wearing were the practically only thing with a bit of colour in the room despite having white and light blue stripes. Josuke stared at Rohan, perfectly dressed, and wished to leave the hospital even sooner. He then imagined Rohan on the hospital wear and smiled to himself as he pictured his anger.

“Thanks” he smiled, accepting the juice box Rohan offered. He was smiling mostly because of the idea of Rohan in hospital pyjamas. “So, I owe you some stories, right?”

“You could call it that” said Rohan standing next to him to look through the window too. A small park, taken care of with logical precision but no passion. It was good, but it lacked vitality.

“Witnessing is better than experiencing if you need an objective vision, right?”

“Right” nodded Rohan.

“But I’m gonna tell you my first-hand experiences. Isn’t that the same?” Josuke turned to look at the mangaka.

“Yes. But no. I choose what is relevant from your story” he made a pause. “Also, when you are experiencing something and tell it how it is, is different from when you tell it after the experience, you get me?”

“I see” nodded Josuke, looking to the park again. “My leg’s getting tired, will you help me get to the…?” he pointed at his bed.

Rohan looked at him for a moment and helped him, then sat on the chair intended for visitors.

“Yeah, so what do you wanna know?” said Josuke sitting on his bed now. “I wrote down some things yesterday. A nurse brought me pencils from the children’s ward and I got distracted. Look, I made this turtle” he showed Rohan a small notebook with a few doodles.

“I’ll be honest. I was expecting your story but that is a pretty nice turtle. The anatomy is… strange, but purple really suits it”

“It’s a turple. And it’s just a doodle, doesn’t have to be accurate” giggled Josuke. “Anyway. Jotaro-san was the first person I met with a stand and that was just a few months ago. There was a turtle there. I guess you end up remembering dumb details when you are involved and being a witness is better in every sense, sometimes”

“Are you saying you regret this, is that it?”

“No. Who could have caught Kira better than us, right? Even you were helpful. I bet you aren’t used to that” Rohan frowned and Josuke smiled. “I guess I’m just eager to get out of this place and the fact that it is only two days left makes me want it more. Let me start over”

“Wait, but what was that about Jotaro-san? Why is that important?”

“It isn’t. Jotaro-san just happened to be there. It’s irrelevant” said Josuke in a cutting tone.

“Fine. Then what do your other notes read?” replied Rohan in the same tone.

“First: fucking shit, I’d love to be Fungami Yuya right now”

“Who is that?” frowned Rohan.

“Remember Highway Star?”

“The stand I told you to run from and you didn’t?”

“Yes. That’s his user”

“Ah, okay. So you want to be him because he could heal himself with others’ energy since your stand can’t heal you, is that correct?”

“No. I envy him right now because he has three girlfriends who do everything for him while I can barely do my hair properly in this hospital. My mum brought me some products I use but it still looks bad” lamented Josuke.

“Yeah, it does, but what difference does it make?” said Rohan, and as soon as he saw Josuke’s expression added something. “It’s good, though, it always looks good”

“Yeah, whatever… more notes on this hospital stay. Well. Everything is white and smells the same. Feels unfamiliar and artificial even if there is nothing to complain about in particular. I’m healing pretty fast, says here” he read the note and then looked up to explain it. “I should stay for longer but luckily I am healing faster than expected. They removed the bars and I lost a good amount of blood, but Jotaro-san’s and my mum’s were good enough, apparently. I got stitches that are getting removed tomorrow. My femur, it didn’t break, so it could be worse”

“Describe the pain, Josuke” asked Rohan, paying all of his attention.

“You sadistic fuck” he laughed.

“It’s just research. I get no pleasure from this in particular”

“Really? I thought you enjoyed seeing me laying here, defeated and tired… as a punishment from the universe for when I got you hospitalised” he smiled.

“No... I don’t like you, that’s true, but I respect you. I think you um… well, you did some things good. And you had motives that I do respect and even share some. Our methods and motivations are different, though” he explained.

“Woah, Rohan! Coming from you that’s as good as it gets. Thank you” Josuke was genuinely surprised and was left speechless for a moment. He cleared his throat. “Well, when I first got those bars go through me, I didn’t really feel them as it was sudden. Then they hurt when moving but not if I stayed quiet, but I had to keep walking, you know? It got harder to breathe every moment, and I really didn’t want to have to walk anymore. It hurt so much my voice wouldn’t come out at moments, not even to complain” Rohan nodded with interest, his eyes wide open. “But when I had them removed I was feeling good for a while and left the hospital so I could say goodbye to Reimi with you guys. And I was kind of high in anaesthetics and who knows what else, so it felt like a minor sting every time I walked. Then I regretted it and the doctors said they had told me it was a bad idea and all that, but I had to. As the effect passed, every step burnt from the centre of my thigh to its extremes, all over the fucking muscle. It hurt deeply, I imagined it was reaching the centre of my bone and hurting every muscle fibre too, my cells crying haha. The skin only hurts to the touch, though. Now it hurts way less, the muscle, but I can’t walk for too long yet”

“What was it that hurt the most?”

Josuke laughed.

“I’m sure is not the answer you want but… when I though Okuyasu had died and I couldn’t save him… that was the worst. It hurt physically too. The pain went from my chest to the rest of the body, it expanded quickly. But I couldn’t think of that at that moment, couldn’t let it break me, so I had to concentrate all the pain on my chest only and deal with it later. I didn’t have to, of course, but yeah”

“That’s exactly the answer I needed, Higashikata Josuke, but I didn’t know it” Rohan smiled, satisfied. “Thank you. I wrote down everything you told me. On my brain. This is great”

“Hey, Rohan” Josuke leaned back on his bed a little. “Do you miss Reimi?”

“No. How can you miss someone you don’t know? It’s like I never knew her” he grunted.

“You told her you would, I don’t know” shrugged Josuke.

“I mean, yeah. But it’s the idea of her being an old friend. She doesn’t actually feel like an old friend, so I can’t miss her properly”

“When I was little, I missed my father even though I didn’t know who he was. It would make me sad sometimes, but my mum and grandpa soon made me realise I had no need for a dad, because they were so loving. So… I accepted that almost ten years ago and now he comes back and I don’t know what he wants from me. I can’t see him as my father because I never had one, but everyone wanted me to. How can I, though? He didn’t even come to see me at the hospital, that old man. But um, sorry, I’m… what I’m trying to say is you can miss someone you don’t know and doesn’t really exist”

Rohan looked perplex. He wasn’t expecting Josuke to get personal and even hope for words of encouragement from him. Him of all people. He should have told that to Okuyasu, not to him. Anyway… he tried.

“Yeah… you are right. Um, that’s, eh, really bad, though” he said.

And he was saved by someone knocking the door to announce they were entering the room, as they didn’t expect any answer before opening it.

“Josuke-chan” said a cheerful voice. “I’m just checking in to see if everything’s fine? How are you?” a nurse was giving her sweetest smile to Josuke, but that changed as soon as she crossed glances with Rohan. “What are you doing here? Is he bothering you, JoJo?”

“I’m not doing anything! And never did anyway!” complained Rohan.

“Quit that screaming or you’re out” she said severely and he sighed in anger.

“No, it’s fine, Hashimoto-san” giggled Josuke. “He is a bother but it’s cool”

“Are you sure, JoJo? You can call me anytime if he starts causing you any distress, yes?” said nurse Hashimoto smiling again as she looked at Josuke and tried to ignore Rohan. 

“Lady, he said I can stay. It was pretty clear” added Rohan with scorn.

“I was talking to Josuke-chan” she replied.

“Well, Josuke-chan said I am not bothering him”

“Fine, you can stay” she told him. “Are you two friends?” she asked Josuke.

“No!” both of them exclaimed, offended by the idea. Nurse Hashimoto seemed confused but decided not to ask questions.

“Okay… I’m always close if you need me, Josuke-chan” she smiled gleefully at him once again and left after giving Rohan a warning look.

“That self-righteous demon” murmured Rohan. “She hates me and I did absolutely nothing to deserve her mistreatments!”

“I mean, you did startle her patients and invaded their privacy. That’s like reading their medical records illegally” suggested Josuke.

“But she doesn’t know it! She can’t prove it!”

“Rohan, don’t be so loud. And she is the kindest nurse around. She has been very helpful to me” explained Josuke.

“She never called me Rohan-chan” mumbled Rohan and Josuke let out a laugh. “Which is good, because I’m not a damn toddler, but she never tried to be nice to me”

“So you don’t want her to be nice but complain that she isn’t?”

“Yes!”

Josuke shook his head. He had given up but he was also kind of amused.

+++

Rohan had left long ago and it was a matter of minutes now before Okuyasu and Koichi arrived. They burst in as usual except along with Koichi was Mikitaka, not Okuyasu.

“Very good afternoon, Josuke-san. How are you today?” smiled Mikitaka.

“Hey there, Mikitaka, Koichi”

“Okuyasu-san is coming soon. He went to retrieve a visitor that wants to see you. Said it would cheer you up” explained Mikitaka. Josuke looked at Koichi, who was nodding to confirm what he had said.

“Who is it?” asked Josuke. “If you are the one saying ‘a visitor’ it sounds like it is someone from your planet” he pointed at Mikitaka, amused.

“No. It’s from this planet. Nothing too weird. But slightly weird” giggled Koichi.

As they waited for Okuyasu, they chatted and joked. Josuke got out of bed to strengthen his leg little by little too. In the meantime, Okuyasu was having troubles with keeping the visitor quiet enough to be let into a cab and then into the hospital, but he managed to.

He entered the room with something in his hands and took away the piece of cloth covering it.

“Say hello, Josuke!” he cheered.

“Stray Cat!” called Josuke and went close to pet the creature, who started purring immediately. “How did you manage to bring it in?”

“He goes to sleep when he is covered, he is so lazy” smiled Okuyasu as he petted it too. “When I got asked what he was I uncovered his back a little and people thought it was a plant for you” he laughed. “But he is no plant, is he? He is the cutest cat-plant!” he kept patting it with one hand and holding its pot with the other one. Stray Cat was delighted and Okuyasu placed it on the night stand for the rest to pet.

“He?” said Koichi getting close to Stray Cat carefully. “How do you know it’s a he?”

“I asked him and he told me” Okuyasu’s smile was as luminous as smiles can be. His happiness was contagious, even. “He won’t hurt you unless you are too rough or scare him, don’t worry. He was stressed when Kira had him but we know how to treat him, right?” he ended the sentence addressing his unconventional and loving pet.

“Okuyasu-san” called Mikitaka getting closer with his hands behind his back. He leaned forward with his back extremely straightened in order to inspect that strange being. “May I ask what your small friend is? What exactly is a ‘straycat’?”

“Oh, I don’t know!” replied Okuyasu and thought for a moment. “But you can pet him. It’s like a plant and a cat that Kira Yoshikage was using as a tool, since he has a stand ability! He is the best pet I could have! My dad adores him and he adores my dad, it’s great”

Mikitaka transformed one of his arms into a string and tested Stray Cat’s reaction.

“He likes it! He is a cat indeed!” laughed Mikitaka.

“Meow!”

“Oh… meow?” he got closer to reply as the rest observed amused. Mikitaka’s eyes were wide open, focusing only on Stray Cat.

“Mrrraw” replied Stray Cat and Mikitaka started petting him both happy and proud of himself.

“He said that he is male, Okuyasu was right” explained Mikitaka. “He asked me if I could understand him, and then told me that”

“What, so you talk to animals? You never told us!” said Josuke.

“No, no. But this is no ordinary being. He knew I am from another planet or at least different from humans, I assume”

“He has a concept of aliens? A cat? Can cats detect aliens?” Koichi didn’t know what to think.

“Well, this particular straycat apparently does” said Mikitaka scratching Stray Cat’s chin… or its equivalent.

“Ah. I changed his name because Stray Cat was given to him by Kira. He is now The Million Dollar Cat” Okuyasu showed his bright smile again.

“What kind of name is that for a cat, Okuyasu” giggled Josuke. Okuyasu shrugged.

“Okuyasu” called Koichi “how did Stray C- I mean, The Million Dollar Cat…” at this point Josuke let out a laugh or two “… tell you that he was male?”

“I asked him, held pieces of paper with the options and he chose that one with his paw. Its plant-paw”

“Incredible” exclaimed Josuke.

“Coincidence” mumbled Koichi.

“It’s communication!” celebrated Mikitaka.

Chapter Text

The next day was Josuke’s last day at the hospital. They were going to remove his stitches and wait until tomorrow morning to let him out. He was impatient and felt less pain every day. It was exciting to think he could finally be out. He missed his mum and his room the most. He couldn’t see her that much now that she had started working and studying. Her boss was considerate but she still couldn’t visit him every day as visitor hours were limited. The breakfast was tasteless and pale like everything there, as if it lacked something.

Rohan announced himself as a visitor and nurse Hashimoto said she would walk him to the room. He got mad but politely replied that he knew how to get there as he had gone several times and had even been a patient at that hospital very recently. She insisted without pretending to like him and knocked the door to Josuke’s room, asking the young man to stay behind the door for a moment. As soon Josuke heard the knocking, he thought that maybe the doctor in charge of him had arrived earlier and would remove his stitches right now. He saw nurse Hashimoto and smiled at her.

“Hello, JoJo!”

“Hashimoto-san, how are you?” he said. “Look, my leg is way better and I can walk almost without pain” he showed her how well he could walk.

“That’s so great, dear” she hugged him, genuinely happy. “It’s unbelievable how fast you heal”

“It feels like an eternity to me” he murmured, but still glad.

“Josuke-chan, Kishibe Rohan is here to see you. Do you want him to come in or do I tell him you are not available?” she whispered.

“No, it’s fine. He behaves and is a good distraction”

“Okay, I trust you. Remember you can call me if anything happens”

“Yes, thank you, Hashimoto-san”

“No need to thank me, JoJo”

She let Rohan in and left. The boy was frowning and had his arms crossed.

“Cheer up, Rohan. And hello” laughed Josuke. He was on a better mood as he was going out soon.

“Why does she call you JoJo? What a ridiculous name” he sat on the chair, or collapsed into it. He looked like a pouting child who had grown up too quickly and so his limbs were too long and thin.

“Why, do you want her to call you RoRo?” teased Josuke.

“Hell no! It sounds horribly stupid! ‘RoRo’, come on!”

“Did you come here just to bitch or what?”

“Nope. I came here because maybe you wrote down something else on your notes, JoJo” he said the last word mockingly.

“Don’t call me that. Joestar-san’s friend called him that and I don’t want to… have that same name, you know”

“Shit, sorry. I won’t”

“Thanks. I have no new notes, though. But I made this” Josuke took his notepad and searched for a specific page and showed it to Rohan. “See? It’s you, stealing Christmas”

“Very funny” he said observing with some interest.

“What, don’t you like it?” laughed Josuke.

“Not at all. ‘Cause it’s not finished. Sign it” he demanded.

Josuke signed the piece of paper and took it off his notepad to hand it to Rohan.

“Happy now?” he asked.

“Not if you’re around. But thanks, I shall treasure this portrait. I had never been drawn looking so mischievous and hateful at the same time” he said in a voice that didn’t express much but he kept the piece of paper on his pocket.

“That’s just your regular face”

“Yeah, when I’m seeing you. But seriously, why does this actually look like me?” he studied the drawing as he frowned and then put it back in his pocket.

“Hey, Rohan, I didn’t know you were coming today”

“Yeah, me neither” he said taking the drawing out of his pocket one more time.

“Rohan” repeated Josuke. Rohan stopped examining the drawing to look at him. “I’m sorry we met the way we met, I think. I mean, I would beat you up again in that situation, but…”

“Yeah... me too. It’s my fault too, a little, or more than a little, I don’t know. I got too greedy and didn’t think properly about what the responsibility of having Heaven’s Door means, which is an idiot thing, anyway”

“Well, it was a fucked up scenario, right?” Josuke smiled shyly.

“Right”

“And since we are kind of apologising… are you sorry you stole Joestar-san’s baby?”

“What? I didn’t!” exclaimed Rohan. “Okay, I did, but it is borrowing. But I had to, or I would have lost my stand. Can you imagine what would happen if a stupid brat got that power?”

“Yeah, I’ve seen it” he laughed.

“How did you find out?” he murmured.

“Joestar-san may get confused but he wouldn’t lose that baby so easily. And you were around… if anyone were to steal a baby it would be you”

“But only for the right reasons. I was gonna give it back and no one would have noticed”

“I hope so”

“Well, and since we’re issuing apologies… what about my house?” asked Rohan standing up from his chair, trying to look as serious as he could.

“What about it? Did you get it repaired yet?”

“You burnt part of my house, Higashikata Josuke”

“I did not. It was a magnifying glass you left there, that’s not my fault but yours”

“I wouldn’t have if you hadn’t cheated with the dice to get my money”

“I wanted money but I wasn’t cheating” said Josuke shaking his head.

“You were cheating! The Lock proved you were” Rohan was very easily angered. This particular subject never failed.

“Really? I don’t remember cheating” Josuke made a face as if he was trying really hard to remember what Rohan was talking about.

“Tell me how you did it, Josuke. I must know, I’m beg… asking you nicely. As nicely as I can”

“No. I don’t remember. I didn’t cheat but if I had, which I didn’t, I wouldn’t tell you how” he gave him an ironic smile. Rohan hated it.

“Aggghh! I will find out. I swear”

“You won’t. But I offer you something better”

“Ugh, what?” Rohan was now walking around the room with his arms crossed, frowning still.

“I can fix your house, if you want”

“Hmm… and what do I get in exchange?” he stopped his repetitive walking and got interested again.

“What?! Well, your house getting fixed for free in less than a minute, you bastard!” Josuke was honestly shocked.

“Yeah, right. But that would leave me in debt with you. That is not something I want. You would be winning because you get to have me owing you a favour”

“Your logic is… just awful. You make me regret being nice to you once again. Just let me fix your damn house and forget about debt”

“No, no, no. No way” he shook his head. “If you want to do it so bad, let’s make a bet”

“Okay? What do you have in mind?” Josuke still couldn’t believe that Rohan thought he was particularly eager to fix his house.

“Shogi-kuzushi”

“Shogi-kuzushi? Are you sure?”

“Yes. It is about dexterity and skill, and luck is a minimal factor there. That way you won’t be able to use your tricks. Plus, I will be watching your every move” he sounded threatening but Josuke didn’t mind at all. Rohan was so often like that he didn’t pay attention now.

“If it makes you feel better to lose against my expertise, so be it. But let me get this clear… if I win, I fix your house?” inquired Josuke.

“Yes”

“And if you win?”

“You stop offering me favours. Forever. Even if I’m dying” he stated.

“It will be my pleasure”

“No, because it is in your nature to pretend to be nice to me so you feel good with yourself because that way you feel like you are a good person and better than me”

“Rohan, um… I think you are overanalysing how kindness works”

“Will you play shogi-kuzushi or not?” said Rohan upset.

“Only to see you lose and suffer for it. When?”

“You are coming out of here tomorrow morning, right?” confirmed Rohan.

“Yeah”

“Whenever you feel ready, then, just go to my place. After all, I don’t have a real job”

“That was a joke, come on!” Josuke covered his face with his hands in exasperation.

+++

The morning of his liberation, as he called it, he woke up earlier than usual. His mum asked for a day off so she could be with him and accompany him on his way back home. They hugged cheerfully and Josuke showed her how nicely he could walk and even jump, which earned him a disapproving look from his favourite nurse. He thanked her for everything and even gave her a hug before leaving. Their house wasn’t very far but Tomoko said he had to take care of his leg and abdomen and that her decision was final, so they took a cab despite Josuke’s protests where he repeated over and over that he felt almost as if nothing had happened while he showed her how he could run, squat and kick. She threatened him with taking away his video games if he didn’t stay quiet and he stopped immediately.

They were both glad he was home. He was glad he could wear his jacket again and that his mum had taken it to the hospital for him. Lunch finally tasted real and things had more than one permitted hue. Okuyasu and Koichi didn’t come to visit him after school, but they had never agreed anything. At around seven his mother told him to take off his school uniform and put on nice clothes as he was going out.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“You, not me. Nothing fancy, but wear something nicer, Josuke, please! You have one hour”

He didn’t. His jacket was too important for him. It didn’t matter anyway, as Okuyasu and Koichi were wearing their uniforms too when they arrived to pick him up, smiling widely.

“Would you mind talking a walk with us, sir?” said Koichi.

“Where to, gentlemen, if I may know?” he asked amused.

“Wherever the road may take us” replied Koichi.

He never felt awkward around them. The walking was fun and he didn’t check how long it took, but they were around familiar streets at all times. They stopped in front of a place he knew well.

“Hope you are hungry” said Okuyasu, and they entered Tonio’s restaurant, Trattoria Trussardi.

The place still had only two tables, but this time the other one was occupied. Tonio himself came to greet them, as he was the only one who worked there.

“Welcome. A reservation at the name of il signor Nijimura, is that correct?” he joked. “I don’t believe we have been introduced properly” he talked addressing Koichi.

“Hirose Koichi. It’s an honour, Tonio-san” he bowed slightly.

“Yes, indeed. A pleasure to meet you at last, Koichi” he smiled sincerely and looked him deeply in the eyes. “Would you mind showing me the palm of your hand?” Koichi extended it to him. “Aah. Final exams, right? Okuyasu, you too?” he was now reading Okuyasu’s palm. “Hmm, but you have bigger worries… or other mechanisms to deal with them, it appears. Josuke… no, no, that won’t be necessary. I can simply see it in your eyes, they are like reading your biography. You have such expressive eyes. Okay, I can help with your scars and such issues, but I won’t be able to do anything about the sailing ship, that’s on you”

They were guided to their table and sat there. Tonio explained to them once again that he served the food he deemed appropriate, since Koichi wasn’t there the first time they had visited.

“Water for il signor Okuyasu, I assume?” asked Tonio smiling.

“Yes!!! Please” he replied. “It is literally the best water I have ever tasted”

“And for i signori Josuke e Koichi? What would they like to drink?”

“I’m curious about the water now, so I will have water, please” said Koichi.

“Me too, Tonio-san” added Josuke.

He brought it to them and went away to attend the other diners and to keep cooking, promising he would bring them their antipasti soon.

“This water is one of the biggest pleasures life can bring, I am not kidding” said Okuyasu before proceeding to drink an enormous amount.

Koichi and Josuke drank and thought it was extremely refreshing indeed, like they had never noticed they were so thirsty.

“Next week, Thursday” said Koichi “I will have my last exam and we can have fun at last!”

“I have mine on Wednesday” giggled Okuyasu. “So get you house ready, Josuke, because I will invade it soon”

“Yeah! My mum works until late on Wednesdays so we can stay up all night playing videogames” he smiled widely.

“I’ve been reading and studying so hard and will soon be able to rest” lamented Koichi. “My days have been reading, reading, reading and reading” he made the motion as if he was reading books non-stop, moving his eyes extremely fast. Too fast even. Josuke looked at him with concerned and hit Okuyasu’s arm so he’d look too.

“What is happening?!” said Koichi, who couldn’t see more than blurs due to the constant movement of his eyes. He covered his eyes and kept seeing the same way when he uncovered them. “Why is the room so blurry? Help!”

“That’s normal at Tonio’s, Koichi” explained Okuyasu, putting a hand on his shoulder to calm him. “I forgot to-“ his words were interrupted by a loud sneeze. When he tried starting over, he sneezed again, and again repeatedly.

Josuke giggled, as he knew how it worked. Koichi had his eyes blank and then closed them. He stood still, scared.

“It’s nothing, Koichi” said Josuke, resting his head on his hand and his elbow on the table. “Tonio’s stand does all sorts of crazy stuff to you and then fixes whatever problem or nuisance your body has. So don’t worry”

“Not to worry?! I can’t see, Josuke! And Okuyasu won’t stop sneezing!” screamed Koichi, but Josuke ignored him.

“THIS CAN’T BE GOOD!” he cried in disbelief, staring at his hand holding a lock of hair. “MY HAIR! IT IS JUST… IT IS COMING OUT! MY HAIR!” he took fistfuls of his hair, witnessing in horror as the easily came out and slowly fell to the floor.

Koichi finally opened his eyes and seemed more relaxed.

“My… my eyes aren’t sore and tired anymore!” he exclaimed. “It’s almost as if colours were brighter now, this is wonderful!”

“THERE IS NO WAY THIS CAN BE FIXED!” said Josuke, who kept losing hair.

“Woaah, I had never sneezed that much in my life” commented Okuyasu. “I can breathe wonderfully now, my allergies were killing me!”

“Please tell me my hair is growing back already!” Josuke seemed about to cry. He stared at the floor, covered in his dark hair and then back at his friends.

“It seems normal to me…” said Okuyasu.

“And to me” added Koichi.

Josuke took out a last strand of hair and then everything seemed as usual.

“Hmm. It is now softer” he pulled it a little “and stronger, apparently! But as perfectly combed as usual” he smiled, vain.

Tonio came back with a broom and a shovel to clean up the mess Josuke’s hair had left. He gave a handkerchief to Okuyasu too.

“Everything good?” he smiled.

“Perfect!” they replied.

“Great! Signor Koichi, your eyes don’t look tired and irritated. I’m glad! Wonderful hair, Josuke! I mean, signor Josuke. It was dry and worn out due to the excessive use of dryers and I felt like you would appreciate the change. And I see you are breathing silently and comfortably now, signor Okuyasu, what a delight!”

“Yes! Thank you, Tonio-san” Okuyasu was about to jump from his chair and hug the chef.

“Now, now. There is only one thing I must ask you, kids” he got serious. “You are the most distinguished diners that can ever be, you are my guests, but I’m gonna have to beg you to please be a little quieter” he looked at Josuke at this point. “I know the effects of Pearl Jam can be surprising but non-stand users don’t experience them as… violently as us, so I hope I’m not bothering you, but I really need you not to scream, just for this once, as the customers were slightly worried”

“Oh, of course! I apologise, Tonio-san” nodded Josuke. “I got terrified, but I will control it the next time”

“What do you mean we are ‘your guests’?” frowned Okuyasu.

“This whole meal is on me. How can I charge to three of the men who saved this town? It’s my way of thanking you” the chef took his right hand to his chest.

“No way! Morioh was never doomed anyway. And I made a reservation, Tonio-san, just like everyone else here. Koichi and I are inviting Josuke for dinner because he left the hospital today”

“That’s why exactly I want you to be my guests this time. Just this one time” he insisted.

“No. No” Okuyasu shook his head, refusing to hear anything about it.

“Desserts, then”

“Hmm… very tempting. We have a deal, Tonio-san. But just this once” determined Okuyasu.

Chef Tonio smiled and left, only to bring back a huge plate of crostini soon after. The boys tried not to devour them, as they were delicious. Koichi’s wrists bent to points that would usually make him cry in pain, but after those violent movements, his joints and ligaments felt renewed after so much writing due to exams and studies. Josuke was certain his whole spine came out of his body, rearranged itself after so many days barely moving, and went back in, but he couldn’t confirm it as he couldn’t turn around to look and was sure that if he asked his friends to see, he would’ve started screaming. Okuyasu wouldn’t have said much anyway as he was busy vomiting his stomach, as it had been hurting a little lately due to stress.

“Fucking wonderful” murmured Josuke. He was sure that if he tried talking at a normal volume he would scream, as the feeling of his spine leaving his body had been baffling to say the least. “I hadn’t had tasty food in days but this is simply fantastic!”

“Josuke, what did he mean with the sailing ship or whatever?” asked Koichi.

“I honestly don’t know” said Josuke, drinking more water.

For the primo piatto, they got different types of pasta for each, and for the secondo piatto and contorno, different meals as well, all including meat of some sorts. Although some of the reactions weren’t as dramatic as the previous ones, Josuke had to supress an exclamation as he felt his leg and abdomen were shrinking and then expanding around the scars, finalising with his body being entirely repaired and free of pain, completing what had been started at the hospital. Koichi began spitting blood that appeared to never cease flowing, finally discovering that it originated from his gums due to a slight to mild gingivitis that was starting to affect him. Okuyasu didn’t have many impressive experiences with the main dishes, but a few scratches that Stray Cat’s face thorns had caused got healed, as well as some other minor things.

“Everything is delightful, Tonio-san!” exclaimed Koichi. They could be loud again as the other diners had left and the next reservation wasn’t until one hour later.

“You truly are the best chef in Morioh… and the whole world, for sure!” said Okuyasu.

“I’m honoured you like my job” he said putting a hand on his heart again, this time bowing shortly too.

“Simply perfect” nodded Josuke.

“Do they eat like this in Italy every day?” wondered Okuyasu.

“Of course not!” said Josuke frowning.

“Tonio-san, did you ever work in Italy as a chef? They say food is incredible there” Koichi sounded dreamy as he imagined a holiday there consisting of only visiting restaurants, as he didn’t care about tourism there very much.

“I learned many things there. From my family, from books and from the place I worked at. There is a lot from my origins that has influenced my cuisine” he explained as he cleaned drops of blood and other stuff his food had caused.

“That’s so good. Where did you work at?” asked Koichi.

“It’s called Passione. After leaving it I came here. This town is smaller and quieter, the change feels good”

“So they are a famous restaurant? Where are they located?” continued the boy.

“They were all over Italy but I don’t know anything about them now. So, ready for an Italian classic for dessert?”

“Yes!” they all replied.

The dolce he brought them was none other than the classic tiramisu. He spoke to them before they could begin it.

“Remember: dessert’s on me. I don’t want to discuss it again later”

“Yes, we agreed, Tonio-san. And thank you so much!” said Okuyasu.

“Now, this dessert won’t take out your eyes or disassemble your limbs, but it will help you clear your mind of distractions and make the best choices for your exams, for example, or with the sailing ship”

“Tonio-san, I don’t think I understand that metaphor” intervened Josuke.

“You don’t? Huh, but it’s right there in your irises. Hmm, give me your hand, please” he observed Josuke’s palm. “It’s definitely the sailing ship. If you don’t know what it means then no one does” he shrugged in a way that seemed like an apology.

“Oh, well… thank you, Tonio-san”

“Enjoy your dessert” he smiled.

There were no blood or other fluids coming out and no impossibly twisted joints, but they felt calmer after tasting the best tiramisu in existence. The calm, however, was almost imperceptible and seemed very much like going to bed after a good day doing what you love. They thanked chef Tonio for his service and Josuke thanked his friends for the invitation. When he went to bed that night, however, he couldn’t help wondering what Tonio had meant. He checked his abdomen and thigh and there were no scars. Tonio was indeed always right.

Chapter Text

“The sinking ship, the sailing ship, the lost ship, the arriving ship” Josuke mentioned to himself all the types of ships he could think of during the whole road, reciting them with rhythm like an old song that never existed.

Knocking the door or ringing the bell? He thought of kicking the door just to upset Rohan, but that would be too much. He left his finger pressed on the doorbell until the door was opened.

“YOU! I knew it was you!” barked Rohan opening the door with a bang.

“I’m glad to see you too, Rohan” Josuke gave the other man his best smile to greet him and hopefully annoy him more.

“Ring the bell properly next time or I will feed you your own broken bones”

“Oh, so there will be a next time?” Josuke kept smiling him as he let himself in.

“Not if you ring like that. For today, though, you’re lucky I’m in an excellent mood. Assured victory feels good. Now, I have some rules” Rohan’s tone made it sound like a serious introduction to an important subject.

“About entering your house? Is this because of the doorbell, really?” he lamented.

“No. For our bet. Isn’t that why you came today, Josuke?”

“What else would I do here” he scoffed.

“Great. First of all, wash your hands” he ordered.

“I didn’t know you were a germaphobe or whatever you call it” said Josuke as he followed Rohan to the bathroom.

“I’m not. It’s so you don’t cheat at shogi-kuzushi by using… glue stick or any adhesive in your hands”

“That’s too intricate, Rohan. Stop watching me! Let me wash my hands in peace!” Josuke shouted at Rohan, who observed how he washed his hands with a frown and paying way too much attention. It looked like an incomprehensible scene.

“Wash them twice, it needs more soap” was Rohan’s reply, who continued to observe the hand-washing.

Josuke dried his hands and regretted even showing up to that house. In what kind of bet does the winner pay? How could he have agreed to something so stupid?

“Here now” Rohan made a gesture for Josuke to follow him and they got to the mangaka’s studio. Josuke followed him reluctantly. On their way, he could appreciate some of the damage that had been done to the house ages ago due to the fire.

“Show me your palms” asked Rohan, and Josuke did so, trying not to roll his eyes when the other man started observing his hands with a magnifying glass and passing his fingers in-between Josuke’s to determine if there was any trick he was hiding.

“Rohan, I’m telling you, cheating is not that intricate as it loses probability of being successful. Relax, I won’t play any tricks”

“Turn to the back of your hand, please, just in case”

“Just be careful not to leave that thing where the sun reaches” said Josuke upset at the fact that Rohan had ignored his sincere statement. It worked, as Rohan seemed to frown a little more.

“Step three, don’t leave my side and leave your hands for me to see them. I’m gonna get the game. Hey, hey, I’m sorry it has to be like that but you made it so I couldn’t trust you” he added that last sentence when he saw Josuke’s pouting.

“I haven’t said anything now” Josuke put his hands at both sides of his head to express his innocence and to exaggerate how ridiculous the situation was.

“It can be seen in your face, you are not fooling anyone”

They went to another room and Josuke witnessed how big the house was. Too big for a young boy living alone. Rohan must have really been as successful as he claimed to be.

“You have it locked? You are joking, right?” said Josuke incredulous as Rohan started opening a lock with a key he kept in his pocket.

“You tricked with my own dice, so why not this?” explained Rohan.

“It really… isn’t that complicated, Rohan”

“Oh, yeah? Tell me how you cheated, then!” he screamed a little, his eyes narrowed.

“Oh, but I didn’t” smiled Josuke, and even laughed as he saw Rohan trying not to lose his composure.

Shogi-kuzushi is a Japanese game that uses Shogi pieces. These pieces are set on a flat surface (usually a board for Shogi), forming a mound and the players have to remove as many of them as they can in each turn without causing them to hit the board and make a sound. There are different variations of the game, so the way to win has to be determined by the players. The most usual ones are being the one getting the king, getting the greater number of pieces, and getting the higher score (for when different pieces have different scores assigned).

Rohan and Josuke decided to play the three main variations of the game and determine the winner that way. The game can get tiring, as it requires concentration from the mind and effort from the body. Josuke tried to enjoy the game as much as possible, since none of the outcomes of the bet were something that affected him in a meaningful way. Rohan, however, focused all the time Josuke was playing not because he was significantly interested in winning but because he wanted to find Josuke cheating in some way, which never happened. In the end, their abilities were quite similar, but Josuke ended up winning two out of three matches.

“I wish I could get mad, but you certainly didn’t cheat and still won” admitted Rohan.

“I told you I wasn’t going to cheat” insisted Josuke.

“How am I supposed to know? Cheats never announce it!” he complained. “Anyway” he sighed “congratulations, you won this bet. Well played”

He offered his hand and Josuke shook it.

“Now I have to pay” sighed Rohan.

“You do realise your house is getting fixed and the only bad thing that happens to you is that your pride hurts a little?” Josuke still couldn’t fully comprehend the bet nor why he accepted it.

“Hurts a lot, to be honest, but you may not quote me on that”

“Fine. May I?” he asked. Rohan nodded.

Crazy Diamond made the work so easy it almost didn’t mean an effort to Josuke. It was an interesting spectacle to watch, things forming themselves again and moving places to get to their origin. As the house had been quite damaged, it did take more than a few seconds to fix everything, but the task was quickly finished. Rohan tried to appear serious, but he was glad his house was the same as it used to be, and Josuke noticed that happiness.

“How does it look?” he asked, knowing the answer.

“Great. Thank you, Josuke. I am in debt for this, I’m serious”

“You don’t need to be. I told you before I wanted to do it. Your attitude makes it hard to want to do it, though”

“I don’t care because I know I owe you, you idiot, whether you like it or not” Rohan looked like he was gonna keep complaining but his tone changed abruptly. “Fuck, you are a guest! Sorry, would you like tea or something?”

“No, I’m fine”

Josuke followed Rohan to the kitchen and looked into his refrigerator when the older boy opened it.

“Can I have that?” he asked pointing at a small portion of cake.

“Huh, you are a cheeky bastard, you know that? Yes, take it, the only piece left” agreed Rohan.

“For real? I was kind of joking, but…”

“Yes” Rohan grabbed an energy drink and they sat at the sofa.

“Did you have a party or something?” asked Josuke.

“Ha! Who would I invite anyway” cackled Rohan. “The cake, I bought it ‘cause I was hungry yesterday but I didn’t want to eat it outside, so when I got home I wasn’t hungry anymore. Happens all the time” he drank from his can.

“Hmm. This cake sucks” commented Josuke, but kept eating it. “Tastes like cardboard and cream”

To Josuke’s surprise, Rohan chuckled softly.

“Hey, Rohan. What do you think ‘sailing ship’ means?” Josuke changed the subject.

“Hmm… I’m no expert but I guess it has to do with a ship that is sailing”

“Come on, help me!” cried Josuke, afflicted.

“Context may help, Josuke!” Rohan raised his voice, but he wasn’t annoyed.

“Well… I was told I’d have to make a choice regarding the sailing ship” explained Josuke.

Rohan took a sip of his drink.

“Told by your horoscope?” he didn’t entirely hide his mocking tone.

“By, umm, by a cook” murmured Josuke.

“A cook?” repeated Rohan loudly. He laughed.

“That’s not important!” exclaimed Josuke, blushing slightly. “What do you think it is supposed to mean?”

“Well, I assume it has something to do with an opportunity you could take or leave… but you don’t have that much time to decide because the ship is sailing away” he shrugged.

“Opportunity for what?” asked Josuke in an abrupt manner.

“How can I know! But also ships can travel back so no big deal” shrugged Rohan again.

“Yeah, you’re right” he nodded, thoughtful.

“Or they may sink and no one ever finds out how or when they got lost” he said dramatically, with no hint of an apathetic shrug this time.

“Yeah, that too”

“So, um, just like with opportunities, you can’t assure they are coming back” concluded Rohan, not very sure of his answer.

“What should I decide about? I am in no dilemma!”

“Then your horoscope is bullshit! Mistakes happen, it’s fine. You’ll live”

“No, no. I assure you it cannot be wrong” Josuke was still thoughtful, staring at nowhere in particular.

“Yeah?” grinned Rohan. “The cook is a prophet?”

“No, he just reads your present. Which means I should know what he means”

“What? He has a Heaven’s Door too?” Rohan felt attacked with the idea.

“No, no. Just reads your health, the physical part, and heals you with his food. Which is why he couldn’t help with the sailing ship, even though he said it was in my eyes, written clearly”

Rohan grabbed Josuke’s face with both his hands and stared into his eyes. Josuke made a sound of protest.

“There are no ships there that I can see, just eyes” stated Rohan. “But I can help you read your own mind with my Heaven’s Door, since the knowledge is supposed to be there, somewhere”

“You just want to pry all over my memories, you intrusive humanoid rat” accused Josuke, moving back to repeal the hands on his face.

“Well” giggled Rohan “it’s my commission for helping”

“You are the worst”

“And yet here you are, sitting on my couch. Now, who is this cook?” he shifted positions and sat like classical Bond villain.

“You know that new Italian restaurant? A few months old, I mean. He runs the place and does everything. He has a stand, you know. He is called Tonio. The cook, not the stand”

“But is the food good?”

“Incredible. One of the best things I’ve eaten. The best if we only consider food”

Rohan raised an eyebrow and decided to simply ignore that.

“A stand for healthy food…” he said to himself.

Josuke stayed a little longer, still amazed on how things had turned. He walked back home, perhaps a little confused as he didn’t expect kindness from Rohan, but comfortable as he had enjoyed the day. When he got home and his mum approached him immediately.

“I just hung the phone” she said. “It was for you”

“Yeah, who was it?” asked Josuke without much interest.

“Kujo Jotaro. He asked if you could call him back because they were leaving soon. Is he here with his wife?”

“No, no” he replied distracted.

“Oh. Is he single?”

Josuke felt at least slightly repulsed by the idea that came to his head, of his mother flirting with Jotaro-san. His discomfort was manifested on his expression.

“Oh, come on it was just a question” Tomoko excused herself.

“I don’t know if he is but please don’t date him”

“I’m not going to, silly. He is handsome, though” she added just to make Josuke suffer.

“Mum!” he cried.

“Call him, Josuke” she reminded him and left to her room to study and write for her degree.

Josuke went to his own room and put an INXS album. Sometimes music was for dancing and sometimes it worked as a wall, like on that occasion. The sounds isolated him as much as they protected him when he wanted to be alone, even if he wasn’t listening to the music particularly. He thought of the shogi-kuzushi games and of Rohan’s smile, and then wondered why he thought of that, shaking his head to make the thought go away. He had to phone Jotaro-san to say goodbye, but he didn’t feel like it at all. He would have gladly played more shogi-kuzushi games all by himself instead.

Jotaro-san had arrived to Morioh to make of his father more than an entity from legends. He arrived and stand users started to appear all over, and so did his problems. Joestar-san arrived later on a ship for himself just to bring more trouble, except this time the trouble also involved his own feelings. Now that they were taking their ship back, life could go back to how comfortable it was. Their ship? It was leaving soon, then? It was the sailing ship! He always knew that they had arrived that way and they would probably leave the same way, of course! He found the energy to call his nephew.

“Jotaro-san” he blurted as soon as someone picked up the phone.

“Yes. Josuke?” answered the voice on the phone. Josuke made an assenting noise. “The old man and I are leaving tomorrow so we wanted to say goodbye”

“Yeah… it was good to meet you, Jotaro-san”

“Hm. You are a brave and respectable man, Josuke. It was good working with you on this” he said, and then sighed. “The old man won’t listen very well to you on the phone so I won’t wake him up… but I know he is proud of you”

Josuke felt awkward. A part of him wanted to reject the last compliment while other would have just thanked Jotaro and smile. His silence didn’t bother Jotaro, apparently, since he continued talking as usual.

“Tomorrow at 11:30 at the harbour, in case you want to be there. That’s when the ship sails”

Josuke took notice of his breathing, as he was absolutely certain about Tonio’s words meant.

“Will that ship come back, Jotaro-san?” he asked, unsure of what answer he wanted, or if he wanted any at all.

“I don’t know. Maybe… but who knows when? It may not bring the same people in five years, Josuke, you know that?”

“I do. Thank you for calling, Jotaro-san. Send my best to the old man”

“I will” assured Jotaro.

There it was, the sailing ship. It was about the parting ways and about accepting Jotaro-san and Joestar-san as something important. He didn’t want to go and acknowledge that maybe they did mean something, but perhaps he would regret it. He was mad Tonio-san had been talking about a literal ship, also. He took the phone again.

“Hello?” said Okuyasu’s voice.

“Are you busy? Can I go to your place? Or you can come to mine, whatever you prefer” was Josuke’s greeting.

“Josuke! Hello!” Okuyasu’s smile could almost be heard on the phone. “You come, I’m changing The Million Dollar Cat’s pot and he is getting naughty. Have you ever seen a plant running?”

“No, but I will. I’ll be there in five”

Chapter Text

Josuke was welcomed by Okuyasu, who was agitated and energized. He told him to go to the second floor with him. The house was looking much better than the first time he entered it a few months ago, when the Nijimura family had just moved it. Proper lighting and colours made the place cosy, even if some windows were still broken or a few doors seemed to be crumbling to pieces. What helped tremendously was that dust and cobwebs had been removed. The stairs creaked with every step Josuke took, but Okuyasu knew how to avoid the noises. Soon they arrived to the big room where Okuyasu had been working, the one that used to belong to his father, covered in dirt, probably potting soil. Josuke opened his eyes wide when he saw Okuyasu’s father playfully chasing Stray Cat, who softly attacked him back with his paws made of big leaves. He began laughing, infected with their happiness.

“It’s a mess!” cried Okuyasu. “The Million Dollar Cat needed a bigger pot, so I was doing the whole thing and he started exploring around and playing with my dad. The thing is they spread dirt all over the room and won’t stop playing”

“Why didn’t you do that on the garden? There is no problem if it gets dirt, you know” said Josuke amused.

“Hmm. I hadn’t thought about it” said Okuyasu nodding convinced.

“Just let them play and when they get tired we will clean it up and put the cat on the pot”

“Yeah, they will get tired soon. They were running all over the house before. They are not very fast but I’m worried Dollar Cat won’t go back to his pot” he explained.

“He needs it for living, right? But he walks around the house sometimes and comes back?”

“Yes” nodded Okuyasu with sadness.

“Then why wouldn’t he come back to it?”

“What if he doesn’t like the new one or after running so much he gets too tired to reach it?” he said.

“No, no. He’s part cat, right? Cats are clever and reach all places. And you dad can help him too. Let’s keep an eye on them anyway, okay?” Josuke smiled and patted his friend’s back.

They stayed there watching as the two friends kept playing and eventually got tired and rested together, Okuyasu’s dad sitting on the floor and Stray Cat on his lap being petted. They didn’t dare to disturb them yet; they didn’t want to ruin their moment. They took the chance to talk and tell each other stories while sitting uncomfortably on the floor.

“I called you because I need some advice” said Josuke at some point. “Jotaro-san and Joestar-san are leaving tomorrow. That’s the sailing ship. I talked to Jotaro-san on the phone but not with Joestar-san… should I? He is my father, but he isn’t really. A son would go but I don’t think I am his son in the… emotional sense of the word”

“Hmm… but you like him, right?” Okuyasu analysed the situation.

“He is a nice old man but I gave him a chance because everyone expected me to. And it wasn’t bad, he is a kind guy but… am I supposed to love him like I love my mum? He never came to visit or even sent me a letter. He only visited now because of this whole mess with stands” sighed Josuke.

“I see” said Okuyasu, thoughtful. “I don’t know if I can help. My family situation is not very… conventional” he chuckled. “But you are not required to love him like a father if he never was a father, I think. And he doesn’t intend to either, does he?”

“Yes, but for that invisible baby, not for me” laughed Josuke bitterly, although he didn’t intend it to sound like that.

“Ooh, that sucks, Josuke” said Okyasu putting his arm around Josuke’s shoulders. “That baby had no one, though, and is a baby. She needs it more. Maybe he saw you didn’t need any more protection”

“I never wanted for him to start being a father, I hated the idea. So now why do I care that he doesn’t want to?” Josuke covered his face and Okuyasu hugged him tighter.

“I guess it is because we are told everyone has a mother and a father so even if we are perfectly fine we feel like something is missing. I don’t know, really” replied Okuyasu.

“I thought I was over this. I thought it was never a problem, actually” he uncovered his face and looked hurt, but there were no tears on his face.

“Do you wanna go see him tomorrow?”

“I don’t know… I feel like I should because he is my father”

“But he is not really”

“Yeah” nodded Josuke, who had finally figured it out thanks to Okuyasu, despite it being obvious, so he voiced it. “If I go I’m admitting he is my father even if I don’t feel it. He cares about me and is nice, but… Anyway, him and Jotaro-san are cool guys, so I should go and say goodbye”

“Hmm. If he was friendly to you then there is nothing wrong in being friendly back. Go say goodbye to them as friends, not as family” suggested Okuyasu.

“He didn’t go see me at the hospital, so I don’t want to do this for him” Josuke seemed now more angry than sad.

“Then don’t go. Why are you asking me? I’m not very clever” lamented Okuyasu.

“Because you are clever and you are my best friend” said Josuke, managing to sound sweet despite his internal conflict. “What if their ship sinks or if he dies and I never see him again? You’re right, I should go say goodbye as friends. How can you be always right, Okuyasu?”

“I never am, Josuke” he replied surprised.

“But I will seem like a son eager for paternal approval to him. Fuck this, I don’t know” he sighed.

“You like him but you want to teach him a lesson. I don’t know how you can manage both” Okuyasu sighed too.

“Me neither. But thanks for listening. Let’s clean this mess and show Dollar Cat his new pot” Josuke stood up, smiling defeated but thankful.

Okuyasu stood up and gave him another hug that Josuke accepted gladly.

Back in his home, he played videogames and went to bed late, but still before his mother arrived so she wouldn’t scold him. He lay awake for a while thinking about everything that day had meant. He had done a fair share of things, which made the day seem longer than most days. Although he was glad about finding out what the sailing ship was, he wasn’t happy with the new query that it implied. What he was glad about was having Okuyasu as a friend.

He woke up late because his mum wasn’t there to tell him to stop being so lazy and wake up as she had left early that day. One of his first thoughts was Joestar-san leaving that day. That worried him because he hadn’t made up his mind about it yet. ‘You like him but you want to teach him a lesson’ had said Okuyasu. Fuck, Okuyasu was a genius without noticing it once again. Josuke got out of bed in a hurry, only taking all the time he needed to comb his quiff but doing everything else quickly. He got to the port when the ship had started sailing but was still close enough. He smiled to himself triumphantly and called Joseph Joestar’s attention. He got that and his wallet after the farewell. He told no one except Okuyasu, since they wouldn’t approve or understand it, but he felt immensely accomplished and satisfied, as well as amused and free of regrets.

Chapter Text

“I had a blue– no, a light blue one that looked like a clock. Then I got one that was blue and with a space ship” said Koichi.

“I had none, but I checked out my classmates’ and friends’. I was never very interested in owning one for more than five minutes” added Josuke.

Okuyasu smiled.

“Everyone in my school had Tamagotchis and they looked so cool! I had never had a pet and I really wanted one, but you know it wasn’t easy to buy anything that wasn’t a necessity” he said. Yukako nodded in understandment. “My brother thought it was for little kids and he was probably right because I was 14 then, but one day he got one for me. I don’t know if he saved money or how he did it but I even cried, I was so happy” Okuyasu giggled and smiled fondly at the memory.

“I wanted one too but never did” sighed Yukako. “My parents said it was stupid and a waste of money and wouldn’t let me buy one”

“Oh, that sucks” lamented Josuke.

“They wouldn’t let me save money, they’d do it for me” said Yukako upset. “I got really mad after a while and now everything’s better” she giggled. Josuke wondered what had happened, afraid he didn’t want to know.

“I still have mine, Yukako. We can put batteries on them so you play” offered Koichi.

“For real, Koichi?” she exclaimed excited.

“Of course” he smiled. She kissed his cheek and hugged him.

The four friends were chatting at the café they frequented, taking the chance to drink and eat something nice a few hours after lunch. Josuke and Okuyasu were wearing their uniforms but Koichi and Yukako were dressed like civilians, although their daily clothes weren’t very much different from the ones worn for school.

“That nurse Josuke had… what was her name?” was saying Okuyasu later. 

“Hashimoto-san?” said Josuke looking at him, his head resting on his left hand.

“Yes! She makes me think breaking all my bones is worth it, she is so beautiful” continued Okuyasu.

“She’s too old for you” said Yukako.

“She’s married” added Josuke.

“Her kindness is all I need” said Okuyasu, dreamy.

“What you need is to order cake or a sandwich. Why didn’t you?” Koichi asked.

“I’m saving. This place is expensive”

“Just once won’t make you lose your savings” Koichi continued, a little too dramatically exasperated.

“No-o. I’m saving” said Okuyasu with his arms crossed, shaking his head.

“What for?” asked Yukako.

“Anything”

Josuke raised his eyebrows and Yukako narrowed her eyes. Koichi sighed like he had given up.

“Hey, look!” pointed Koichi. “That’s Rohan-sensei”

“He looks like he was caught in a fishing net” said Okuyasu when he turned to look. The rest laughed because it was true.

His quarter length sleeved net t-shirt was tight and black, but on top of it he was wearing what looked like a hoodie transformed into a sleeveless crop top. His trousers were baggy and completed the unconventional look. He seemed to be approaching the café, or perhaps he was just passing through.

“The clothes may be terrible but he manages to make them look good” commented Josuke.

Okuyasu scoffed.

“Does he, though?”

“Yeah” said Yukako. “It’s so bad it’s good, just like him”

“Fair enough” nodded Okuyasu.

“Hello, Rohan-sensei” greeted Koichi when the young man was closer to them. Rohan spotted him and waved.

“Koichi-kun, it’s so good to see you” he smiled when he got closer. “Hello, everyone”

The rest made a bland gesture to greet him.

“What are you doing here?” asked Koichi.

“It got late for breakfast so I’m here to have it together with lunch” said Rohan.

“It’s way past lunch too” said Josuke.

Rohan looked at him to talk now.

“Does any of you have any recommendations? I’ve heard the cake here tastes like cardboard” he smiled a little and Josuke weakly smiled back.

“Pie” said Yukako. “Lemon”

“Yeah, that one tastes good. It’s their best” agreed Koichi.

“Saving money is a better advice” said Okuyasu, and his three friends repeated their previous reactions to his stinginess.

“You can sit with us if you’d like, Rohan-sensei” offered Koichi.

“Thanks, Koichi-kun, but I can’t. I’ll eat quickly and leave. Chatting, however enjoyable, will delay me. Josuke, can I talk to you for a second?”

No one was more surprised than Josuke by that request, except, perhaps, Koichi. He stood up and joined Rohan a few steps away.

“Sorry, I didn’t want this to be some… public ceremony or whatever. Yeah, so… remember about my house?” started Rohan.

“Yeah” said Josuke showing his confusion.

“I owe you for fixing it” he said opening his bag that looked more like an oversized folder. “It’s not worth as much as the house repair, but... Where the fuck is it?”

“What is he doing?” whispered Okuyasu.

“No clue. Koichi! Use Echoes to get closer and listen” said Yukako.

“No way!” he cried in a whisper. “They will notice. Plus, Josuke will tell us later”

Josuke was still confused.

“How did you know I was gonna be here?” he asked Rohan.

“I didn’t. I’ve been carrying this just in case. Here” he gave a fairly big folder to Josuke, who opened it expecting to find a drawing.

It was a drawing indeed, but it was a portrait of him in colour. The colouring was simply beautiful, and the portrait was drawn in Rohan’s style while at the same time looking just like Josuke.

“What is it? Can anyone see it?” asked Koichi.

“A poster, I think?” said Yukako.

“Rohan… I love this but you really, really didn’t have to” said Josuke.

“Nonsense. No one works for free. My signature is there” he pointed at the bottom of the drawing “so people can know it’s a Kishibe original in case you wanna sell it. I know it is not worth as much as the house repairing, but– Ah, if you want to, I can make you one of Pink Dark Boy, it will be worth more” offered Rohan.

“No. I mean, thank you. This is great and I can’t sell it, no way” he smiled as he looked at the work.

“Okay then. You can have that folder for now but I need it back around this week, if you don’t mind. It’s very useful”

“When? At what time?” asked Josuke.

“I don’t care, whenever” shrugged Rohan. “By the way, it was luck that made you win last week, but I don’t mind”

“Haha, what?” laughed Josuke. “I crushed you, get over it”

“It was a very close game, I could have won too” murmured Rohan upset.

“But you didn’t”

“Next time I will and you will fall off your high horse” said Rohan pointing at him threateningly.

“Wanna put money on that?”

“Can you afford losing any?” laughed Rohan.

“I assure you: even if I lose, I will find a way to make it go against you”

“Scary shit”

Josuke had to come up with an idea that would allow him to get revenge even if he lost the bet.

“Remember the Italian restaurant? Loser pays”

“Okay” shrugged Rohan. “I care only about honour anyway”

“Because you lack it”

“Fine. My place, same game, arrive whenever because I’m ready to deal with you at all times. You have seven days” said Rohan.

“You are unbearable and impossible to deal with” laughed Josuke. “But I accept”

“Have you considered that maybe you are impossible to deal with and I am the decent one?” suggested Rohan.

The other three witnessed as the exchange transformed into some sort of friendly discussion that was borderline serious. Both boys were smirking and refusing to lose but none seemed to be genuinely enraged, but upset they probably were. They weren’t expecting the duo to approach them and ask them what they asked.

“Which one of us two is the most impossible to deal with?” said Josuke pointing at him and Rohan.

“Both” said Yukako instantly, which earned her an annoyed glare from both Josuke and Rohan for what they thought was a joke until they realised she was absolutely serious.

“Okuyasu” called Josuke.

“Hmm. None” said the young man after meditating it for a short moment.

“What!?” said Josuke and Koichi. Rohan was smiling even if it technically wasn’t a victory for him.

“Josuke is my best friend but Rohan is not a bad guy. I met both by fighting them and even though Rohan was wrong, so was I when I fought Josuke, so I can’t condemn him for that just like Josuke forgave me” explained Okuyasu, not entirely sure of his answer being correct even if it was expressing his own thoughts.

“Damn, Okuyasu. I can’t even be mad at that” sighed Josuke.

“Koichi-kun” smiled Rohan. “I know you won’t disappoint me, as always. What do you say?”

“Um…” Koichi stared at both of his friends back and forth a few times but he couldn’t come up with an answer. “I think it is an idiot question, honestly” he said somewhat nervously.

“It is” nodded Rohan. “But it still can be answered”

“Right” agreed Josuke.

“Well… considering you thought it was an important thing, I’d say both get my vote. Sorry” he apologised.

“Amazing” sighed Rohan ironically. “Anyway, see you later. I’m off to work”

“Remember your lemon pie, sensei” said Koichi before Rohan left.

“Shit” he mumbled. “Thanks for reminding me, Koichi-kun!”

Rohan ran inside the café and went to place his order he proceeded to eat and drink while standing there, arguing that if he sat or took it home he would waste precious time. As he was now gone, the three friends could interrogate Josuke.

“What is that? Why did he give it to you?” asked Koichi almost as soon as Rohan was out of sight.

“I repaired his house with Crazy Diamond and he gave me this” he showed the drawing and the rest gasped or made exclamations.

“It looks great!” said Yukako amazed.

“The eyes… they look just like yours. And the whole face” added Okuyasu.

“He is so good with colours too, it’s unbelievable” commented Koichi.

“Yeah, it’s amazing and I wasn’t expecting it at all” agreed Josuke.

“How unfair. I’m a huge fan of his work and he never did that for me” Koichi complained a little sad.

“Yeah, it seems unfair but it makes sense with Rohan’s logic” sighed Josuke. “You two are friends, so you can owe each other things, but I am not his friend so he didn’t want to be in debt with me”

“But, like… you don’t hate him anymore, do you?” asked Okuyasu, which for some reason made Josuke feel awkward.

“No, he is okay. Not great but okay. But look, I repaired his house because I won a bet. Won! My prize was to repair it! You don’t have to be sad, Koichi, since Rohan’s logic functions… differently, I guess” Josuke felt like he needed to justify himself.

“I guess” said Koichi, shrugging. “Anyway, it is an awesome drawing, congratulations” he was now smiling.

“Well, I didn’t make it” replied Josuke.

Josuke felt like he owed an explanation to Koichi, but it wasn’t his fault that Rohan gave him a portrait despite being closer to Koichi. There was nothing to say about it, but he still felt like he had to fix something. He had said everything he could and it was all true. Koichi seemed fine with it, he understood but he still appeared slightly jealous, and Josuke didn’t want him to be for something so insignificant. He needed to make clear somehow that it was insignificant. He kept going back to those thoughts even as he got back home, way after the subject had been dropped.

He looked at the portrait and adored it again. There was both talent and dedication put to it. He needed to frame it and put it on his wall as soon as possible. Well, tomorrow, not as soon as possible. He thought of how much his interactions with Rohan had changed with time, all while he stared at the drawing. Rohan was still insufferable but for some reason he could even see him as a friend. Strange, growing to appreciate someone so unbearable.

At the same time, Rohan was walking around the places he already knew in town and taking mental notes of some trees. He even sketched some. He got to his own place not long after, even though he had lots of work to do, and proceeded to play shogi-kuzushi. ‘Practice’ he called it to himself, although he also assured to himself that he didn’t need it. ‘Just a way to kill time’ he corrected himself. He alternated between playing and working while listening to Deep Purple of the Mark III era.

The fifth day seemed fine for Josuke. If he went the first day it would be too eager and the seventh day Rohan would be expecting him. He kissed his mum goodbye and walked to Rohan’s. When he reached the door he remembered Rohan’s threats about the doorbell, so he rang it once and properly. He never said anything about knocking the door, though, so after that he knocked as loud as he could without stopping until the door was opened.

“Shut up, you hairless chimp!” yelled Rohan from a window upstairs.

Josuke got startled but laughed about it and proceeded to knock harder while smiling nonchalantly. Rohan grunted and ran downstairs, opened the door and grabbed Josuke’s wrist to quickly pull him inside the place; so quickly that Josuke barely reacted.

“You think you’re funny, you replicant looking fuck?” barked Rohan.

“What?” laughed Josuke. “I mean, this entertains me and that’s what matters”

“I’m gonna burn everything you love” he murmured.

“Burn down your house again”

“Only if you remain inside” Rohan said loudly.

Josuke laughed at that and Rohan raised his eyebrows surprised at not getting a snarky reply.

“Your folder” he said.

“Good, you remembered” he replied taking it in his hands. “I’m gonna put it in the studio, make yourself comfortable. Raid the fridge, if you’d like”

Josuke led himself to the kitchen as Rohan ran back upstairs for a moment. He went on to witness how the fridge once again consisted of mostly energy drinks. He opened the cabinet doors to search for food, taking the chance since he had left home without having a meal other than breakfast. He found mostly snacks, so he grabbed a package of Koala’s March biscuits. Rohan had gone back downstairs and grabbed a soft drink with one hand as he held the board on the other.

“Do you want me to wash my hands and all that?” asked Josuke.

“Depends. Are you gonna cheat?”

“No. Check” he put his hands close to Rohan’s eyes so he could see them, but way too close so it wasn’t comfortable for him to look at them.

“Stay away” he said intertwining their fingers and bringing his hands down. Josuke felt something in his chest and realised his heart was beating faster than usual; he hated it. “I believe you and I will win, so no need for that” smiled Rohan, but his smile wasn’t entirely kind. He was so sure of himself Josuke didn’t trust him.

“Wait a second, why are you so sure? Are you the cheat?” stopped him Josuke.

“What? No!” he said offended. Josuke looked him in the eyes.

“Well, you seem honest. Annoying and direct, but honest”

“Let’s play outside” indicated Rohan. “The wind is nicer there and it’s so quiet” he explained.

“Until the fire engines arrive”

Josuke was so close to winning the first and second game it was frustrating. He didn’t mind about losing as much as he minded Rohan winning and being smug about it. The mangaka didn’t say anything but Josuke could appreciate his pleased look and smile.

“You want me to say it? You win, Rohan. Congratulations” he said in a monotone.

“Yeah” he smiled wider. “This proves it was a matter of luck for you the past time”

Josuke ate a koala cookie and offered the box to Rohan, who ate some too.

“And this time is only you being lucky, so don’t get cocky” he said.

“We have one game left. Wanna test your luck, then?” suggested Rohan.

“Hell yeah”

“Rohan-sensei!” called a voice from the street. A man in a bike. “Love your manga! Still waiting for you to draw that naked chick, heh?”

Rohan smiled politely at him and waved back for a second, only to later roll his eyes and look like he was about to murder someone.

“Fucking hell” he sighed rubbing his temples. “I don’t do commissions or requests, I do whatever the fuck I want, damn”

Josuke grabbed a fistful of koala biscuits and Rohan finished his drink in one go to start the last game. Much to Josuke’s disappointment, he was very close to winning again but didn’t. The smugness in Rohan’s eyes was so huge it annoyed him, but the game had been fair.

“Fuck this, I guess you are better” sighed Josuke resting his forehead on the table in defeat.

“Oh, really?” giggled Rohan. “That’s so nice to hear from you, Higashikata Josuke. Tell me more”

“Don’t push it” he almost begged.

“Well, your admission of defeat is all I needed. It feels great hahaha” Rohan was cackling, simply delighted. “You don’t need to pay for my Italian food, but it’d be nice to go anyway. I’m getting tired of energy drinks and bread”

“You fuck! Of course I will pay, I have decency!” exclaimed Josuke raising his head. “If I lose, I comply”

“Fine” he shrugged. “Two koalas left. Catch!” he tossed one to Josuke, who barely caught it.

“You idiot” he laughed and ate the cookie. Rohan smiled back at him for a moment and Josuke felt his heart racing again.

He left some time later, promising to make the reservation and let Rohan know about it. On the road back home he softly sang Everybody by The Backstreet Boys. He barely knew the lyrics but damn if it wasn’t a catchy tune. He remembered the feeling inside his chest that day and thought to himself.

“Damn. I think I have a crush on Rohan”

Chapter Text

“Trattoria Trussardi, this is Tonio Trussardi speaking. How can I help you?”

“Tonio-san, hello. I-“

“Josuke! Hello there”

“Hey” Josuke greeted again out of awkwardness mostly. “I’d like to make a reservation, please”

“For how many people and when?”

“Two people. And… I don’t know. When are there available places?”

“For you, signor Josuke, I can make them available” offered Tonio, helpful and obliging. “In three days, on Tuesday… at 20:30. Is that okay or would you like it to be earlier?”

“Great. Thank you, Tonio-san”

“Thanks to you. See you on Tuesday, Josuke”

Josuke ran his hand through his face. He had been to Tonio’s with a friend before and it was great. He had to remain friendly and not act stupid so it wouldn’t be awkward. For fuck’s sake, when he came up with the idea he hadn’t considered it could seem like a poorly planned date; he was only thinking of how good the food was there and how he could prank Rohan a little. Annoying him was easy and always worth it.

On Tuesday he kissed his mum goodbye and left with enough time to visit Okuyasu for a while and get distracted, but he decided that better not to and just wandered streets for a while, looking at shopfronts and passing cars. He got to the restaurant not so much earlier, considering how much before the reservation time he had left. Tonio welcomed him and showed him his table, although it wasn’t difficult to know which one it was since the other one was taken.

“Would you like anything while you wait for your companion, signore?” asked Tonio after Josuke sat down.

“Hmm. Not really. A glass of tap water would be fine for now” he replied.

Tonio opened his eyes wide and his heart probably stopped.

“No, no, no. At this trattoria you won’t be drinking tap water, signor Josuke. I will bring you the finest spring water you can have”

“It was just while I waited, then I was gonna ha-“ explained Josuke.

“I won’t take any complaints, I’m very sorry, signore” were Tonio’s final words before leaving for the kitchen.

Josuke rested his head on his hand, putting his elbow on the table. He saw Tonio leave the kitchen in a hurry and go to the door, where Rohan was, having just arrived. Josuke frowned a little because Rohan looked so good it just confirmed his crush on him. He looked as usual but to Josuke that seemed very good on that day. Both the cook and the young man approached the table. Rohan sat down.

“I must say, it is an honour to have you two here” said chef Tonio. “And to personally meet you for the first time, signore Rohan”

“Oh, thank you” said Rohan with false modesty and a polite smile. “I’m glad you enjoy my manga”

“Oh, you are a mangaka? How interesting!” smiled Tonio, and Josuke was delighted by Rohan’s surprised and mildly hurt expression. “No, no. I meant for your help with the Kira case” he leaned forward and spoke on a quiet voice. “Most stand users I know here in Morioh know every detail, including me”

“Oh. Yeah, that’s… thanks. It was nothing” replied Rohan, his voice way less proud but still somewhat proud.

“Would you mind if I check the palm of your hand, signor Rohan? Signor Josuke, too, please” asked Tonio.

Rohan gave a quick glance to ask Josuke if he should and both showed his hands to chef Tonio, who first looked at Josuke’s.

“Hmm. You appear to be very healthy, signor Josuke. Last time really helped, huh?” Tonio never stopped smiling as he spoke. “Ah, and looking at you closely, I can see that the ship sailed so did your quandaries. I’m glad!” he smiled even more. “Signor Rohan now. Hmm” he looked deeply into his eyes and Rohan couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. “You need vitamins almost urgently. And your nose is a little deviated, your septum” Rohan took a hand to his nose a little surprised. “You haven’t slept enough and I think your ribs bother you sometimes, right? Broken ribs, at least twice” Rohan nodded without saying anything. Tonio gave them a smile once more “Alright, kids. I will bring you something to drink and then we shall start. Water for il signor Josuke and for il signor Rohan…?”

“Yeah” he cleared his throat. “Water too, please”

Tonio left back for the kitchen and Rohan turned to look at Josuke.

“Josuke” he whispered. “Well, hi, first of all”

“Hi. Why are you whispering?” whispered Josuke back.

“Can you notice my nose is deviated? Is it visible?” he asked touching his nose again.

“No, it looks normal” he replied in a normal volume.

“Good. I can’t believe he saw all that on my eyes and palm” he said in a low voice but not a whisper anymore.

“To be fair, Rohan, it is easy to tell you lack vitamins and that you haven’t slept properly in years” smiled Josuke. Rohan frowned at him. “You’re gonna get scurvy”

“You wi-“

“No, no” interrupted Josuke laughing. “Vitamin D deficiency, that makes more sense”

“Listen… Fuck, it makes sense” nodded Rohan, making Josuke laugh some more.

“I apologise for how long this took” said the chef serving them their beverages. “I had to serve the other table and their food was almost done. I’m really sorry”

“It’s no problem, Tonio-san” said Josuke.

“None at all” agreed Rohan.

“Thank you for understanding” he bowed a little. “I will bring the antipasto soon, signori”

Josuke started drinking his water trusting nothing would happen to him, as Tonio-san had said he was healthy. He was aware of Rohan’s movements, waiting for a reaction. It wasn’t long after Rohan started to rub his eyes, every time some more.

“What is it?” asked Josuke, already knowing.

“Nothing” said Rohan wiping the tears from his eyes.

“Are you crying, Rohan?” he asked with fake concern.

“No!” he exclaimed. “I mean, yes!” he said as the tears started flowing almost explosively. “But I have no idea why, fuck!”

“Woah, that’s-“ Josuke stopped as he felt some things moving under the skin of his temples and inside his head. It didn’t hurt but it was unexpected. Then he felt it stop and remembered his head had hurt all day, even if barely noticeably. Rohan was too busy crying to notice.

“Well, fuck” said Rohan after a moment. “I don’t know what that was but I feel better, actually” he smiled.

“Yeah?” said Josuke, this time smiling for real.

“Yeah” said Rohan triumphantly. “I read and write and draw all day with very dim lights so my eyes get tired, and not sleeping much also ruins them. But now I feel awesome, I could stay up all night!” he started laughing.

“Fix your sleeping schedule, your body is begging you to”

“But my mind is telling me not to” he said tapping his temple.

Josuke sighed and Tonio brought a dish of bruschette for each of them.

“Mmm, looks good” said Josuke, pouncing at the plate.

“Yeah” agreed Rohan, chewing on a piece. “And it’s delicious. And feels good, with the tomato, cheese, oil. Nice. Garlic too. So good, mmm” Rohan kept eating as much as he could.

“It is good but…”

“But what?” he interrupted. “It’s amazing, I can feel this food nourishing me, every one of my cells. Ow!” Rohan bent over grabbing his stomach.

“Too many nutrients” said Josuke looking at him without stopping eating his food.

“Hilarious, Higashikata Josuke, but, ow” he sat straighter but took a hand to his shoulder. “Josuke, tell me” he rubbed his shoulder “what the hell is going on?”

“It seems like you are getting a vitamin overload or that you are collapsing, I’m not sure”

“Fuck, ow!” he rubbed his knee. “I’m not sure either. But” he took a deep breath “this food is good. And now I’m feeling better again! Stronger even. With energies I didn’t know I lacked” he smiled and even flexed his arms.

“I told you this restaurant was awesome, didn’t I?”

“Yes! And you’re paying, so everything is good. But I still feel like I’m going crazy” he whispered that last part. “Why aren’t you getting cramps and crying like me?”

“Because that is probably you” he whispered back. “I don’t think it is related to the food”

“What the fuck” said Rohan to himself.

The primo piatto was risotto for Rohan and pasta for Josuke. The younger boy had been looking forward to this, for when the fun would begin. It wasn’t long until Rohan took a hand to the zone above his upper lip and removed it in confusion.

“Blood?” he said.

“Oh, shit. Take this napkin” offered Josuke.

“No, wait” stopped him Rohan. “It’s increasing, agh” he covered his nose and mouth with both hands.

“Use the napkin, dammit!” shouted Josuke, taking the opportunity that the other clients had left already.

“I can’t!” shouted Rohan back, more angry than scared. The blood was dripping to the floor from his hands. He made a noise when he felt the bones from his nose moving and setting themselves. He uncovered his face and stood up.

“Did it stop?” asked Josuke quietly.

“Yeah” said Rohan breathing heavily, his nose and mouth covered in blood.

“What happened?”

“I think my bones came out for a moment and then back in” he said, knowing how weird that sounded.

“Sounds scary” said Josuke.

“Yeah, it kind of was” Rohan was catching his breath back.

“Remember how I told you that whether I won or lost I would find a way to make it go against you?” smiled Josuke.

Rohan blinked once and looked at him with despise. It was a fairly threatening sight, considering his bloodied face.

“You motherfucker! I can’t believe you got me. I really thought you were suggesting a restaurant because you were being nice” he said, but didn’t sound as upset as the previous times Josuke had seen him angry, such as the infamous dice incident.

“The food is great, though, isn’t it?” said Josuke.

“Incredible” said Rohan smiling against his will. “And the healing process is really something if you’re not prepared. I can’t even be mad at you because it was so well played… but you are a punk bitch, you know that? A hypocritical, self-righteous bastard and so smug about it. It’s unreal”

“Breathe in, Rohan” replied Josuke.

“I am calm!”

“No, feel your new septum” he chuckled.

Rohan took a deep breath.

“Good” he nodded.

“Best chef and doctor in Morioh” said Josuke smiling. “I told you you’d like it. And um, I’m sorry I fucked up your bones, so now they are fixed”

“It’s all good” smiled Rohan sincerely and Josuke felt he was the prettiest he’d ever seen despite being covered in blood and looking tired. He felt he wouldn’t be able to utter any words that would sound coherent now.

“Great. You’re gonna get anaemia now, though”

“You’re not fooling me. Tonio-san wouldn’t let me go anaemic”

Tonio came back to their table bringing what was necessary to clean the floor and for Rohan to clean his face and hands. The secondo piatto and the dolce didn’t catch Rohan off guard, so when his ribs were healing he was intrigued and curious about how it felt, happily excited even when he saw them pierce his skin and then go back, and paying absolute attention to how it felt having them compressing his lungs for a moment.

“Tonio-san” said Rohan sincerely. “I had heard great things about your cooking but now I can say for myself that this is the best restaurant in Morioh and Japan”

Tonio was so happy he wanted to shake Rohan’s hand until it practically came off its joint. The two boys then got out of the place and began walking home.

“Josuke” said Rohan without looking at him. “It’s late and you are gonna be alone, I have to walk to home”

“What?” laughed Josuke. “You are gonna protect me from thugs?” 

“I don’t like your doubting tone” said Rohan frowning. “And yes, even without Heaven’s Door I could. You look timid, easy to rob. It’s safer if I go with you”

“Fine” said Josuke. “But know that I am stronger than you”

“Okay, fine! I just want to take a walk ‘cause I always visit the same places in Morioh. I want to know the town better but I get lost easily. But you also could use the company”

“If you insist” said Josuke, actually delighted and nervous.

It was strange for both of them, to walk with someone they used to be rivals with. Friendly words would seem awkward and small talk could even feel worse. The town was quiet and calm and every second of silence seemed deep and long. Josuke was the first to break the initial silence.

“Aren’t you proud that you practically discovered who Kira is all by yourself?”

Rohan didn’t reply, and Josuke was about to repeat the question when he spoke.

“You’re asking because of what Tonio said, right?

“Yeah”

Rohan sighed.

“I am, I know it is important. But it was something obvious to do, wasn’t it? You would have done it too, it’s almost a duty to. It’s nothing special. It’s like… feeling proud of throwing your rubbish in the can. It’s doing the bare minimum” he explained.

“You’re joking. Most people haven’t caught a serial killer, you know”

“I just looked at pictures obsessively. I know it was fundamental but I don’t feel it is an achievement because it was my duty at the moment, so I would prefer not to be congratulated for that. That’s it”

“Your manga, on the other hand…” said Josuke, knowing Rohan’s favourite subject: himself.

“That’s a great achievement” nodded Rohan. “I work hard on that and out of pure willpower. And not only is the best I can do but also it’s better than almost anyone else’s” Rohan didn’t show even one bit of humbleness.

“Do you judge everything based on if it’s useful for your story?” he asked with genuine curiosity.

“Well, most people only see things that catch their eye or that they need to see specifically while I actively seek for information, but sometimes I still forget things if they are useless for me or my manga. So no, not every one of my actions is research but every experience could potentially be useful. So… the normal way, I guess, but more intense because I care a lot about my job”

“I see” Josuke shook his head.

“Well, this dinner wasn’t useful in the typical meaning of the word, but I still don’t think I could forget it” said Rohan.

“Your bones left your body and you lost litres of blood, so of course you won’t”

“That and other things” he replied.

Josuke looked at him but found no answer in his expression, even as Rohan looked at him too.

“It’s supposed to be summer” Rohan dismissed his previous words “but this night is so chilly” he rubbed his naked arms.

“Global warming” said Josuke. ”Fucks it all up. That and you wearing shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt when the day was chilly too”

“Climate change ruins my fashion” he replied and Josuke threw something at him and it covered his face for a moment. “What do you think you’re doing?” exclaimed Rohan upset.

“Wear it. It might not go with the outfit, though” replied Josuke, who had taken off his jacket.

“Oh. Well, it’s kinda big for me” he said looking at the jacket.

“Yeah, it won’t be the best fit but it’s just so you don’t die of hypothermia on your way back. And thanks for the company”

“Yeah, it’s just so you were safe. See you”

“Bye, Rohan”

Chapter Text

Josuke entered his home and as soon as he closed the door he heard the sound of steps approaching him.

“Josuke! Why so late? You can’t come back at this hour, specially not if there is school the next day!” his mother complained while approaching him. “Where were you? And what did you do to your jacket? Do you know how expensive those are? If you lost it you are buying a new one yourself!” 

Josuke could swear she wouldn’t even make a pause to breathe, so as soon as he saw the chance he interrupted her.

“It’s the summer break, mum! I haven’t had classes in weeks!” he complained and tried not to make pauses as well so she wouldn’t nag him anymore, but he paused and she spoke again.

“You never take off that uniform so of course I think you still have school” she said.

He continued.

“Sorry I’m late. I was with a friend and it was chilly outside so he borrowed my jacket” he explained. 

Tomoko was still not convinced.

“Which friend?” she asked with her arms folded.

“You don’t know him, he is not from school” he shrugged. That meant the friend wasn’t Koichi nor Okuyasu, the only two friends he hung out with outside of school.

“Well, you obviously like that friend a lot” she teased and waited for his reaction.

“What, why?” Josuke played it cool but hoped he wasn’t blushing.

“You lent him your jacket and you adore that jacket. You have a crush on him, don’t you?” she said still teasingly.

“But how do you know just with that?” he looked at her, really not understanding how.

“I’m your mother, silly” she pointed at him playfully. “Of course I would notice” she took a deep breath before continuing. “You know you are allowed to stay out till late or to go out but you must let me know, okay? I could get worried” she said.

“Were you worried?” he asked, ready to apologise.

“No. I know you are always fine. But next time let me know” she said, more relaxed now.

“Yes, mum” he promised. “I’m sorry”

“Now, who is he?” she asked and Josuke rolled his eyes.

“You don’t know him” he wanted the subject to end and at the same time didn’t.

“That’s why I’m asking” she smiled.

“Well, he is a mangaka. Kind of annoying and smug, but he is actually nice when you get to know him” he smiled too.

“Handsome?”

“Really handsome” he nodded. “But he wouldn’t be your type. I know you prefer bulky guys”

“Well, he is your crush, not mine” she laughed.

“But I don’t think he likes me back that way” he said a bit sadly.

“Well, if he doesn’t he is an absolute idiot. And I bet he isn’t even that pretty” she said. He smiled thankful. “Go to sleep, Josuke. We have to do some chores tomorrow”

“Don’t ruin my holidays with house chores” he cried.

“It’s my duty as a mother to ruin your life” she smiled and kissed his cheek as he kept complaining dramatically. “Love you a lot, Josuke”

“Ugh” he sighed due to the idea of cleaning the house. “I love you too, mum”

Next day, the house chores weren’t as terrible as he had imagined. He had plenty of time after that to meet with his friends, so he, Okuyasu and Koichi gathered at a park and sat under a tree to talk and eat. It was some sort of improvised picnic that consisted mostly of junk food, a few olives and two apples. Okuyasu was having fun throwing olive stones at Koichi, who tried to catch them and throw them back at him. Josuke was leaning against the tree trunk and felt slightly uneasy, mostly because he wasn’t wearing his jacket.

“Guys” he said without looking at any of them in particular “I have to tell you something”

His two friends stopped their game immediately and looked at him, Okuyasu with his mouth slightly open. He took a deep breath since he had their attention and said it.

“I like women and men” he said and forced himself to look at his friends.

“Woah, man, you scared me there” said Okuyasu taking a hand to his chest “I thought it would be something bad. Does that make you bicephalous?”

“It’s bisexual, Okuyasu, but yes” he replied.

“That’s great” said Koichi smiling. “Thanks for telling us”

“I was kind of worried” laughed Josuke nervously.

“But Josuke! This is Morioh!” exclaimed Okuyasu. “The best thing about this town being different from the rest of the world is that they won’t judge for things such as who you hold hands with”

“Huh, you’re right” nodded Josuke taking a hand to his face. 

“I love you so much, Josuke, you are a great friend” said Okuyasu hugging him. Josuke wasn’t expecting that.

“Woah, woah! I should be thanking you two!” he managed to say as he hugged him back. 

Koichi laughed at them and collected olive stones for when the battle was resumed.

“Well, guys” continued Josuke “I’m telling you because, uh, I have a crush on a guy right now”

“Do we know him?” asked Koichi, interested.

“Yes”

“Oooh” said Okuyasu opening his eyes.

“It’s Rohan” he said making a face, knowing that wasn’t the best answer he could give. But it was the truth.

“Maybe I will judge who you hold hands with” Okuyasu was shaking his head and Josuke laughed.

“He is not that bad anymore” explained Josuke. “Yesterday we went to Tonio’s. I paid because I had lost a bet. Then he walked me home and it was cold. Well, it wasn’t cold, it was a typical summer night, but he barely had clothes on, so he was cold and I offered my jacket”

“Oooh!” nodded Okuyasu. “So that is why you’re not wearing your jacket”

“It’s kind of nice to have my arms uncovered for the summer, but I feel strange” said Josuke stretching and flexing his arms.

“That’s very nice” said Koichi “Rohan-sensei is not usually that close to people, I think, so that’s good” 

“It’s the least you deserve” said Okuyasu crying and hugging his friend. “Damn, how I wish a girl would go to Tonio’s with me”

Josuke patted his arm as he cried.

“Come on, Okuyasu. No need to cry”

“It’s so good that he walked you home” he cried.

“I guess, but still, I don’t think he likes me back. Or that he likes anyone but himself that way” explained Josuke.

“Rohan-sensei is my friend” said Koichi. “I could go to his house tomorrow and ask him”

“What? No! You can’t ask him if he likes me!” Josuke cried out.

“I won’t” giggled Koichi. “Just to know if he likes someone or has even liked someone. Or what he thinks of you”

Josuke shrugged, unconvinced.

“Just be discreet, I guess”

“As always. Promise I won’t tell him you fancy him” said Koichi throwing one olive stone to each of his friends so the battle could start again. Josuke and Okuyasu responded quickly and the fight continued once again between laughter. Okuyasu found out that spitting the stones was very effective too.

After the quick picnic, Koichi met his girlfriend at the café for a date. They were both having coffee and were discussing childhood toys, motivated by the Tamagotchis Yukako had borrowed, when someone took a chair and sat between them. Rohan was wearing Josuke’s jacket on top of his tight outfit for the day and eating a red, spherical lollipop. He took off his sunglasses and revealed very tired looking eyes.

“Koichi-kun” interrupted Rohan, ignoring Yukako. “I need your help. Hi, there” he waved at Yukako, who made a gesture with her head to acknowledge his presence. Obviously, she wasn’t pleased.

“Uh, sure, sensei. But I’m kind of busy right now” he said, surprised by the sudden invasion.

“It’s nothing, really” continued Rohan. “I just need Higashikata’s phone number, I gotta give him back his jacket”

“That’s the jacket you are wearing?” asked Koichi.

“Yeah. Actually I wanted to ask him if I can borrow it for longer” he said sucking on his lollipop. “It really fits my style, what do you think?”

“I think it’s too big on you and that it’s too hot to wear a jacket” intervened Yukako, who wanted him to leave. She didn’t dislike him but he had just invaded their date in a very rude way.

“You’ve got to be kidding, I look incredible. I should be hired for Gucci or something” he didn’t appear to be joking at all. “Sadly, I’m too busy with Pink Dark Boy. Plus, clothes are for displaying them, Yukako. Summer or winter, that’s irrelevant. Anyway, do you know his phone number, Koichi-kun?”

“But why don’t you just go to his home, sensei? You know where he lives, you were there the other day. Yesterday” suggested Koichi, who also wanted Rohan to leave as soon as possible.

“Aw, yeah. Well, I got lost on my way back, so I got home very late. I’m not very good with the irregular streets here in Morioh. It’s easier when cities are constructed like chessboards” he explained pointing with the lollipop.

“Could you please move your lollipop away from our drinks?” requested Yukako with a tone that didn’t make it sound like a request but as an order.

“Oh, yes, sorry” he said taking the candy back to his mouth. “This is my breakfast and lunch, I lost track of time today and last night. I’m late with my manga”

“Here is Josuke’s number, Rohan-sensei” said Koichi, getting Rohan’s attention back as he was busy with starting a new monologue.

“Great, thanks. You are an angel, Koichi-kun. Bye, Yukako!” Rohan waved goodbye and didn’t put the chair back where it belonged to.

“Sensei!” called Koichi. “I’m visiting you later, is that alright?”

“Of course, Koichi-kun. You are always welcome” he smiled and left, finishing his breakfast and lunch on the way. 

Yukako and Koichi resumed their casual conversation and laughed a lot, happy at being with each other. They walked away holding hands and parted ways with a kiss. Koichi arrived at Rohan’s, who was apparently waiting for him.

“Did you have a more decent meal, sensei? I brought you a sandwich” said Koichi entering the house.

“Yes, but thank you so much, Koichi-kun. You truly are the best friend anyone could have” said Rohan taking the sandwich and looking extremely emotional for a second. He was still wearing Josuke’s jacket around the house.

“I don’t want you to be undernourished” he shrugged.

“I’m fine. You should have nutritive meals so you can grow up” laughed Rohan and Koichi gave him a deadly glare.

“So, uh, Rohan-sensei. I need advice” said Koichi.

Rohan smiled at that. He felt like he could give great advice because he knew everything about life. Which he obviously did not.

“About dating, you know” continued Koichi. “Have you dated, sensei?”

“If I have dated, ha!” said Rohan loudly. “I know everything there is to know about that”

Koichi raised an eyebrow due to that answer, but he went on.

“Anyway… I really love Yukako and I want to give her something meaningful. For no reason at all, just because I love her. What could I do?” Koichi couldn’t come up with anything else, but he would guide the conversation his way somehow.

“Well, you see what she likes and that’s it” shrugged Rohan, who didn’t seem interested.

“How”

“Just… read her!” he said taking a seat.

“You know I don’t have Heaven’s Door, sensei” said Koichi.

“Ah, I get it. Are you asking me to use Heaven’s Door on her?” he smiled, enjoying the idea of getting more realistic material for his manga.

“No!”

“Well, I didn’t mean read her literally” he murmured disappointed. “Just… I don’t know, see what she likes and make it special. For example, knowing you I would give you a good book. Because you are intelligent and curious. But it would be a good book, not a random one bought on sale. It would be a book that screams Koichi to me. Or I’d give you at least four books, so you can choose a favourite”

Koichi squinted. Rohan had expressed himself so dramatically, gesturing with his hands and moving around. He had remained on his seat for about three seconds only.

“So like, what’s the best present a partner has given you?” tried asking Koichi.

“It doesn’t matter what I like if you want to please someone else, Koichi-kun. But what I always do is drawing something for people when I have to give them something. That way they remember I gave it to them and praise me for it, because they are always wonderful portraits. Yes, portraits appeal to people’s vanity and some people are very vain, you sure know some people like that” said Rohan.

“I sure do” murmured Koichi. “But, sensei, I’m not an artist, so that won’t work”

“I’m sorry, Koichi-kun, but I don’t do commissions”

“That’s not what I asked for!” cried Koichi, who wasn’t going to give up so easily.

He left not much later, though. Apparently, it was impossible to get Rohan to talk about something he didn’t want to monologue about. After that interaction, Koichi could only conclude that the mangaka thought highly of himself, but that wasn’t a new discovery. At least he could tell Josuke he tried.

After Koichi left, Rohan decided to call Josuke. A woman answered the phone.

“Who is this?” blurted Rohan.

“You called, sir. Who do you want to talk to?” asked Tomoko politely despite being upset.

“Higashikata residence?” he asked.

“Yes”

“Pass me with Josuke” he demanded.

“Josuke!” she called. “It’s some boy, not a very polite one” she whispered annoyed when he had arrived.

“Hello?” said Josuke.

“Josuke!” said Rohan’s voice.

“Oh. I knew it would be you” he said.

“Huh? Anyway, Koichi gave me your number. I would have gone to your place but I forgot the address. Could you come to mine the day after tomorrow so I can give you your jacket back?” 

“Yeah, yeah, sure. At what time?” smiled Josuke, wishing he wasn’t excited about it.

“Afternoon, I don’t know. Before dinner” he replied vaguely. He really didn’t mind about that.

“Okay. See you then”

Chapter Text

When Josuke was in front of Rohan’s door he pictured himself kicking down the door and then repairing it with his stand and laughed on the inside, as it was exaggerated and ridiculous. He could alternate between knocking the door and ringing the doorbell but he wanted to be nice that day.

Rohan seemed more cheerful than usual. He was wearing the jacket and he looked extremely well, thought Josuke. He could really make something out of unconventional clothes, perhaps just because he was so good-looking or because he really did have a talent for that.

“Come in, Josuke. Are you hungry?” smiled Rohan.

“Uhm, not particularly” said Josuke with his hands in his pockets, entering the house. He hadn’t expected Rohan to open the door so quickly, so he hadn’t had time to prepare mentally.

“Look, I want to thank you for the jacket, that other night was chilly. So I made you dinner. As a payment” explained Rohan.

“But Rohan! You didn’t have to!” exclaimed Josuke, surprised and even a bit upset.

“Yes, I do. Because I also wanted to ask you if I could have it for a bit longer. I think it really fits me” he explained proudly looking at his arms and chest with the jacket on.

“Sure, no problem” said Josuke, not minding that much.

“You have to know” explained Rohan lowering his voice and getting closer, as if it was an extremely serious subject “that I don’t normally have proper dinner unless I go to restaurants. I eat whatever I find on my refrigerator, usually. So you better like this”

Josuke laughed and thanked him. And he could see that Rohan never cooked indeed, because his idea of an elaborate dinner was different from most people’s. Overcooked pasta, canned fish, some vegetables. Sure, it wasn’t terrible, but it was pretty much what he cooked when no adult was around and he had to cook for himself but didn’t want to because he wanted to use that time on playing video games and he wasn’t that hungry anyway.

“Thanks for the food, Rohan. It was… very nutritive” said Josuke when he was done.

“And healthy dessert for a complete nutrition” said Rohan ironically as he tossed him an apple. “Or would you prefer a pear?”

“No, this is great”

“Oh, cool. Because I just checked and these pears have been rotting for days now” Rohan took a few pears and threw them in the garbage can. 

They sat on the sofa, in front of the TV, but they didn’t watch anything.

“You know, Higashikata Josuke” started Rohan “you are not that much of an annoying brat anymore”

“I never was” chuckled Josuke. “But you are less of an arrogant diva lately”

“I have the right to be” shrugged Rohan.

“Whatever, I’m glad we’re friends now. We are friends, right?” asked Josuke trying for his shyness and nervousness not to be evident. He could absolutely deal with his crush not liking him back, but considering someone a friend when they don’t care about you, that hurts more.

“What kind of idiot question is that?” frowned Rohan. “Yes”

“In that case…” said Josuke as Rohan accommodated on the couch, almost laying on it “… you don’t have to pay me with dinner for lending you my jacket. You don’t owe me for that”

“It is just so we are even” he rolled his eyes.

“But friends don’t… do that! I mean, it’s fine, but you don’t have to owe me for every little thing. Friends don’t keep track of every action they do for each other” said Josuke.

“Well, I do. I don’t want to owe anything to anyone” he kept frowning a little.

“That’s not how it works” said the young man shaking his head.

“It absolutely is, Josuke” said Rohan “People pay each other all the time so they are even. Not explicitly, usually, but no one wants to be around someone that gives them nothing in exchange. It can even be something that makes people feel good about themselves by feeling superior to the other person. Or it can be like parents and kids. Kids give parents satisfaction and the parents take care of them. That’s how it is”

“Rohan, you are kind of fucked up” said Josuke shaking his head. “What do you get from your friends, then?”

“The feeling that I’m interesting and that I have people supporting me in case I need them. Security, a guarantee of it. Admiration too. Who cares” he sounded almost irritated and he gave up on trying to sit straight and laid on the sofa, resting his head on Josuke’s lap.

“What do you give in exchange?” he asked looking him in the eyes and feeling his heart racing.

Rohan didn’t reply at first. He just blinked slowly a few times.

“I don’t know. People enjoy hanging out with successful fuckers like me, I guess. It’s enough for them to never discover that maybe I have nothing to give” he explained. He didn’t sound sad he was just stating what he saw as facts.

Josuke took a hand to Rohan’s hair and began to caress it softly, hoping Rohan wouldn’t push him away. The other boy showed no sign of disliking it. Josuke noticed his hair was kind of dry, probably due to the constant bleaching and dyeing.

“That’s not true, man! You know it isn’t!” said Josuke.

“Yes, it is”

“No, it isn’t”

“Yes”

“Nooo”

“Hey, I can read people like books even before Heaven’s Door. I know what they want” said Rohan angry because Josuke dared to contradict him.

“Oh, yeah? Then why does Koichi hang out with you?” smirked Josuke.

“Because he is a gentle person who can see the best in people, I guess” said Rohan.

“And why do I, then?” said Josuke, hoping he would win because Rohan would have no answer.

“Because” said Rohan looking at him, still resting his head on his lap “you’re an idiot. You cheat at dice, you fall into obvious traps, you recklessly face murderers and you still expect me to like you”

“But you do like me, so I’m not an idiot” 

Rohan pretended not to listen.

“Do you want to stay for longer? We could watch a movie” he said. “I’m thinking Alien”

“Oh” said Josuke looking around and realising it was pretty late already “I’d love to, but I can’t. I promised my mum I would be home early and it’s already kind of late. Fuck, she will be mad” 

Rohan moved and he stood up. Josuke gave him a piece of paper.

“That’s my address. You can come any time you want” smiled Josuke. Rohan nodded, reading the paper. “Thank you for dinner. I had a great time”

“Good. I’m glad” replied Rohan.

+++

The doorbell rang at the Higashikata residence early in the morning. Tomoko went to open the door and found a very thin and extravagant boy.

“Good morning” she said, trying to remember where she had seen him before.

“Good morning, Higashikata-san.” greeted the man. “My name is Kishibe Rohan. Is Josuke home?”

She hadn’t heard of any Rohan being mentioned by Josuke, so she assumed it was his newest friend, that crush he had gone out with. If it was him, he certainly was pretty. Too young for her, though, she laughed in her mind.

“Yes. You were at the hospital with his friends, right?” asked Tomoko, who had finally remembered him.

“Yes, Higashikata-san” he nodded.

“Come in. He is showering right now. You can wait at the living room or his room” she pointed on the respective directions. “Would you like a glass of water, juice? I’m gonna let him know that you’re here”

“No, thank you very much, Higashikata-san. I’m fine” he said politely and then walked away, abandoning his extremely polite persona.

He headed to Josuke’s room quickly because he wanted to check what it was like. To judge it, even. Posters from bands and musicians, and videogames too. Books and clothes scattered around the floor. Josuke had framed the portrait Rohan had made of him. He smiled satisfied.

“I already let him know, but it’s gonna take a while” said Tomoko showing up and bringing him a glass of water anyway. “He had finished showering but he was combing his hair, and that can take long” she laughed.

“I see. Thank you, Higashikata-san” he nodded and then realised something. “Higashikata-san!” he called her back and approached her. “Excuse me but was it you on the phone yesterday?”

“No one else lives here” she smiled sarcastically. So that was the boy who had called the previous day.

“I’m… I’m so sorry, I think I was very rude to you yesterday. I apologise”

“It’s fine. At least you noticed your lack of manners” she raised an eyebrow.

“I’m very sorry, I was… sleep deprived and hungry. What a terrible first impression” he said. It wasn't that he cared in particular but he didn't want to be seen as a rude person by Josuke's mother.

“Awful one. You’re lucky I’m nice and forgiving” she joked with a smile.

“Yes, Higashikata-san. Thank you”

Rohan had brought some things in his bag in case he wanted to sketch or write down something but he didn’t feel like it. He was beginning to get bored as there wasn’t much to check in the room without being ill-mannered, which he didn’t mind usually but knew that wouldn’t be appreciated there. Josuke appeared some minutes later.

“Hey. I wasn’t expecting you” he greeted.

“You said I could visit any time, so I figured why not” shrugged Rohan.

“Yes, I said that. I just meant I was surprised. But you are welcome here” he smiled a bit nervously.

“You really like Prince, don’t you?” Rohan pointed at one of his biggest posters.

“Yes. He is my favourite” he smiled.

“I barely know his music. Do you have some?” Rohan studied the poster from closer, inspecting Prince’s clothes and style.

“If I do? Oh, Rohan, you don’t know a thing” chuckled Josuke and showed him his CDs. He picked one and put it on his player. “These are his greatest hits. They are three discs so I will put the best songs on each for you or until you get bored, is that alright?”

“Agreed” said Rohan taking a sit.

As the songs played, the boys talked about their favourite artists and every once in a while, usually during the choruses of the songs, Rohan would stop talking and shout ‘woah, I know this one, Josuke! It’s good as fuck!’. When discussing classic rock, Rohan’s favourite band was Led Zeppelin, while Josuke preferred Pink Floyd.

“Is that why your stand is called Crazy Diamond?” figured Rohan.

“Not really. I’ve had Crazy Diamond since I was a kid but I had never named it. My mum likes Pink Floyd too, she is just not as much as a fan as I am… Anyway, she was listening to them one day, I was still a little kid, and when that song played I just knew it was for my friend no one else could see. It just… it made sense! So then when the lyrics started, after a long while because you know what Pink Floyd is like, ha ha... well, when the lyrics started I knew my spirit friend had a name and that its name was Crazy Diamond”

Rohan just stared at Josuke, blinked once and tilted his head.

“What” said Josuke.

“That’s really beautiful” nodded Rohan. “It must have been difficult, growing up with a stand no one else could see, not understanding why, since it was so real” he said meditative.

“Not really. I mean, sort of, yeah, but I learned very quickly that it was my secret and that it didn’t make it any less real. I was then pretty happy to have that unique secret” he said with a big smile as he remembered.

“That’s very good. And that connection you felt with the song. It’s amazing, Josuke”

“Huh, so how did you discover Heaven’s Door name? Through a song too, I assume, because-”

“I didn’t discover a thing, I just named this power because what it does is opening doors. Doors that allow me to read people and more. Which can be heavenly because it’s great for my profession. It’s a blessing, this thing! It can’t get more realistic than real life!” he laughed for himself and then got his composure back. “Anyway, I named it myself because it sounded cool. I’m not even a huge fan of the song. I like it, yeah, but that’s it” he shrugged.

“I think the name fits, though, so good choice”

“Hey, I know this one!” shouted Rohan for the fifth time and started lip-syncing the chorus. “Woah, Prince is great”

The two young men then went to the living room and sat in front of the TV to play videogames, which was Josuke’s idea. He had lots of fun seeing Rohan trying not to show his anger due to losing every time, pretending he didn’t mind not being the best.

“Remember to press this button, Rohan. This one!” Josuke reminded him how to play all the time and didn’t beat him as greatly as he could, but it was still so funny to watch him lose despite his efforts.

“Yes, yes, shut up, you are distracting me”

And he would lose again.

“Well, this game is not that fun anyway” said Rohan “we could play some other”

“Sure thing, your pick” laughed Josuke, who could sense Rohan’s irritation.

And the situation would go all over again a few more times. After some hours Rohan decided he should head back and get to work. He was taking too many breaks these days.

“Could you walk me home?” he asked Josuke, appearing uninterested. “Just so I don’t get lost, I mean. I still don’t understand these streets fully”

Josuke laughed.

“So how did you get here?”

“Insecure, thinking I’d get lost. Come on, walk me there, I hate asking for directions, it’s embarrassing. Humiliating even!”

“That’s so dramatic, Rohan” giggled Josuke and joined him. 

This was a good excuse to spend more time with Rohan, so Josuke hoped the mangaka wouldn’t learn the Morioh map yet. Next time he would offer to accompany him. They hadn’t walked for long when Rohan stopped.

“I’ve got an idea. Let’s get some ice-cream. The heat is killing me” 

“It’s not the heat, it’s that you have at least three layers of clothing. I don’t have money anyway” said Josuke.

“Ugh, Higashikata Josuke. I’m paying, that’s why I said let’s get ice-cream” said Rohan with an exasperated expression. 

Josuke laughed at him for being so theatrical and accepted the invitation. The day was actually perfect for an ice-cram. Every day was perfect for an ice-cream according to Josuke anyway. He crushed a little harder on Rohan, who got so easily annoyed when something or someone made his good intentions obvious. Rohan decided to take a longer road home after the ice-cream and Josuke was okay with it as he had no plans for the day. They passed in front of the record store and Rohan made a gesture saying ‘let’s get in?’, so Josuke entered the store behind him. 

He visited that store every once in a while when he could. When he had money from the lottery he was so excited he just spent it on useless stuff, and once he thought about the possibility of buying CDs his mum had already frozen his account. Even if he had no spare money it was always nice to see the records, to dream about owning them, to make a list on his head of which ones he should get next. Rohan didn’t care about money, apparently, because he was holding a bunch of CDs when he approached him.

“Prince was cool. Which one would you say is his best?” he asked.

“Hmm. You should start by Purple Rain, it has many hits” said Josuke.

“What about this one? It’s newer” asked Rohan.

“Crystal Ball” observed Josuke “Yeah, I haven’t listened to it yet. It got to Morioh like a year ago but I haven’t had the chance to get it. I’m saving for new shoes and then I will get this”

“Huh, well” shrugged Rohan “Purple Rain it is, then. I’m also taking Led Zeppelin’s BBC Sessions and some Soundgarden albums. I discovered them recently, which sucks because they broke up just one or two years ago, I don’t remember”

“Hopefully they will reunite in less than five years”

“Yeah, who knows” said Rohan and went to pay for his CDs.

They went out finally, Rohan carrying his bag with CDs and his bag with his art stuff. He started digging on the CDs bag as they walked.

“Here” he said, handing Josuke one. “Listen to it when you get home”

“What, what? Crystal Ball?!” he said surprised.

“Hope you like your present” he said, still walking.

“Yes, I do! Thank you, Rohan!” he wasn’t sure if he should hug him or not. So he ran a few steps to approach him and did.

“Yeah, it’s nothing. No need to thank me” he rolled his eyes but hugged him back a little, patting his back once or twice.

“It has three CDs, you know? And it’s Prince! Of course I’m thanking you” he said cheerfully. “Wait. What do you want in exchange? You keep track of debts” he squinted suspicious of Rohan now.

“Nothing” he replied.

“Yeah, right”

“Consider it charity, Higashikata Josuke. I’m helping you so I can feel good with myself for being a kind-hearted person. We all win” he explained.

“That’s bullshit and we both know it, Kishibe Rohan” giggled Josuke, too happy to care about Rohan’s performance.

“Think whatever you want, I don’t care” he frowned slightly and looked away.

“Good. And thanks”

“You are welcome” he replied still looking away.

“So, Rohan” asked Josuke and waited for the other man to look at him to continue. They were getting close to his place. “Now that you know the road better, maybe you could visit my house again tomorrow. If you want to”

“I’m not buying you any CDs tomorrow so don’t even try it” he replied.

“I don’t expect you to. It is enough for me to beat you at Oh! That’s a baseball again and again” he smirked.

“Oh, yeah? We’ll see about that” threatened Rohan.

He lost many times, in many games the next day. But he even got to win some. Every time he won he would celebrate and go ‘did you see that, Higashikata Josuke? You can’t beat the great Kishibe Rohan' but all the other times, if Josuke just suggested that he had beaten him, Rohan pretended that it was just a game and therefore wasn’t important. At some point he decided to sketch Josuke’s expressions as he was playing.

Josuke was sitting on the sofa, facing the TV, and Rohan was sitting facing Josuke resting his legs on his friend’s lap, both looking equally focused. Tomoko excused herself as she had to pass in front of the TV quickly so he could search for something on the other side of the room. Rohan looked at Josuke’s annoyed expression as he leaned to a side in order not to lose sight of the screen. He then looked up at Tomoko.

“Higashikata-san” he called. “You have very beautiful features. Josuke definitely got them from you. Would you mind if I sketched you?” 

She smiled, flattered and amused by his words. Amused by his indirect compliment to Josuke. 

“Sure, I’d love that” she said. “I’ve seen the portrait you made of Josuke. It’s wonderful”

“Yes, thank you” he said, already starting to sketch.

He also sketched some more of Josuke’s expressions as he continued to play. He later showed the result to Tomoko and Josuke, who blushed a little but since they were all looking at the drawings no one noticed. She was cheerfully enjoying the sketches. Rohan was waiting for praising and for his act of false modesty to begin.

“These are great!” she said and giggled. “Josuke really makes that face when he is losing at his video games”

“Yes. The most interesting expressions are the absolutely unconscious ones” agreed Rohan.

“Josuke is a good model for you, then” she said.

“He is expressive, so yes” he nodded.

“They are very nice, Rohan” mumbled Josuke, extremely embarrassed by the presence of his mum and by the situation.

“They are just sketches, anyway” he replied. “Studies. You can even keep them, if you’d like”

“Won’t you need them later?” asked Josuke.

“No. It’s like when you write down something to remember it later and you are reminded just by having written it” he explained.

“Yes, we are keeping them” Tomoko accepted them quickly with a smile, knowing Josuke was being too shy to ask for them. “Thank you”

As soon as Rohan had left, claiming he had a lot of work to do, Tomoko smiled at her son.

“I think he does like you back” she commented.

“Oh, mum!” he complained. “He is an artist, it’s his job. And he drew you as well, remember? Does that mean he fancies you too?”

“Josuke. You’re my son and I love you but you are so dumb sometimes" she shook her head pretending to be really sad.

He shrugged.

“I don’t really mind. It’s fine if he doesn’t anyway. I don’t wanna ruin the friendship"

“Mhm. He is pretty indeed” she pointed out. “But yeah, you were right: he is too pretty for me. He is so skinny he looks fragile"

“Mum, you know nothing about beauty” he was thinking of his father, Joseph Joestar. Well, to be fair he probably looked better when he wasn’t almost in his eighties.

Chapter Text

Koichi’s sister could get loud when she was with her friends. It was almost hypocritical of Koichi to be upset by people being loud and expressive, but he felt like relaxing that day and he couldn’t. He decided to visit Rohan, since the last time he had seen his friend it was when he appeared out of nowhere to interrupt his date. He was always available, so he just showed up at his place and rang the doorbell. Rohan’s screams and some noise could be heard.

“I’m coming, wait a minute!”

Koichi waited until Rohan appeared, messy hair and dark circles under his eyes.

“Oh, it’s you. Come in, Koichi-kun, please. I’m sorry" he sighed. “I was working and had to get dressed quickly"

“Don’t you get dressed before working?“ Koichi asked, trying not to picture that.

"It’s summer and I’m late with my work. Ideas and inspiration come and they don’t care if you are dressed or not” explained Rohan.

“Well, I’m not gonna bother you, sensei…”

“You never do, Koichi-kun”

“… I just wanted a quiet place to read at, maybe talk every once in a while. My sister has some friends over”

“Oh, tragic” he nodded and meant it. “Come to my studio, I will be working. You can get food or do anything as long as you don’t destroy my place” invited Rohan.

“Thank you, sensei” smiled the boy.

Koichi realised his mistake when Rohan started working. It was normal at first, quiet and silent like any other time he had seen him working, but then it got different. He kept sighing and snorting and making noises of complaint. Koichi couldn’t concentrate not only because of the noise but because he could see him wriggling out of the corner of his eye. At some point Rohan made an exasperated exclamation and hit the desk with his hands. Koichi turned to look him and he was standing, his back curved and his hands still on the desk.

“Rohan-sensei, are you alright?” he murmured.

“No! Of course not! Look at this!” replied Rohan putting a sheet of paper in front of Koichi’s eyes. He had to lean back to see it. Manga panels. Normal manga panels.

“It looks good” he said.

“It is not!” screamed the artist and ripped the paper in two and then two more.

Koichi said nothing but looked at him with his eyes wide open, fearing for his friend but mostly for him. Rohan was not easy to calm and to get into reason.

“Sure, the technique is appropriate” continued Rohan “but it lacks soul, realism, relatability, feeling. It’s mechanic and dull, to say the least”

“Uuh, but…”

“And I’m running out of time” he complained.

“How much time do you have left?” he asked worried.

“I usually am four or five weeks ahead. This time I’m only two. Two and a half”

“So… you’re not late”

“Ugh, yes I am. Do you think I, the great Kishibe Rohan, will conform to mediocre deadlines set by someone else? Huh? Do you think I’m joking when I say I want to be the best? Sure, I am the best now, but I don’t want to be the best for one week or one month only. I wanna be the best ever forever. And above everything, I want to be the best I can be. Being better than the rest doesn’t concern me as much as being better than my previous self, and this…” he shook the ripped papers he was holding “… is far from my best”

“I understand, Rohan-sensei, but… why do you wanna be the best?”

“Ha! Do you even need to ask?” he scoffed.

“I am serious, sensei! I am fine with giving my best sometimes and sometimes not. I wanna be nice and kind, happy doing what I love. You are turning your work into your nightmare”

“First of all, if I weren’t the best, you wouldn’t be talking to me now. Why did you come to my house that day? Because I am who I am thanks to my hard work with my manga. And I’m glad, it was worth it. Second, being the best is what makes me happy. You can be happy by helping others, I am happy knowing I am doing great stuff. Third… what was third? Oh, yes! My work was never supposed to be a dream like people think it is, but I love it being a nightmare”

“Sensei, you look like you need to get some rest” replied Koichi shaking his head sadly.

“I already took three days. I never take breaks, I am always creating and when I’m not, I’m trying to or learning for it”

“What were you up to those days?” he said surprised.

“Nothing! Slacking, like a mediocre wannabe artist who wants to be praised but won’t do what it takes” shouted Rohan.

“You are praised already! Don’t be so hard on yourself. Taking those days off was not slacking! It is not wasting your time”

“Praise… praise only matters to me when it confirms what I already know about myself. Sincere praise that doesn’t reflect the reality I perceive about myself, that’s meaningless. I don’t do this for praise”

“Okay. I’m sorry”

Koichi got nervous when people raised their voice or got angry, even if it wasn’t his fault. He had been taught long ago that it was somehow his fault, or that even if it wasn’t he would be the one facing consequences. He took a deep breath and thought about it. He confronted his fear and told it to go away, that it wasn’t his fault and he wasn’t gonna pay. That Rohan wasn’t mad at him and wasn’t going to hurt him in any way.

“Take a break now, Rohan-sensei, then keep drawing and all that. Have you eaten today?” he asked after he calmed down in milliseconds that seemed eternal for him.

“No” said Rohan, sounding like a moody brat.

“Fine. And do you want me to stay or to leave for you to concentrate?”

“I don’t know” he shrugged. “Whatever you want to do”

"I’m asking you, sensei”

“Stay. Let’s have a meal and then I will work some more”

“Rohan-sensei” said Koichi later while they were taking bites out of fruits and cereal bars. “Is it worth it?”

Rohan looked at him.

“What, exactly? This whole stress?”

“Yeah… are you actually happy when you manage to fulfil a goal?”

“Mmyes” he said, chewing on an apple, eating the seeds even.

“Despite having done it a thousand times and feeling overwhelmed?” insisted Koichi.

“It’s… good enough, yes”

“I know it seems easier from the outside, but you’re truly living the dream, sensei” said Koichi picturing himself in that life.

“I guess” he shrugged. “Yeah. You’re right. Haha! I truly am doing what most can only dream of! It’s amazing! I remember that feeling every time I finish another page” he concluded.

Koichi smiled a little because he got what he wanted. Cheering up Rohan with compliments so he remembered how great he was in his own mind worked wonders in the short term.

“Maybe we could go to the beach on Monday, so you can rest from work. Yukako and I were planning to” suggested Koichi.

“Hmm. I don’t think Yukako will feel that comfortable because you and I are so close”

“You mean you don’t wanna be the third wheel, right, sensei?”

“Whatever” frowned Rohan.

“Josuke and Okuyasu will go to. I just gotta let them know, what do you say?” smiled the boy.

“Ugh, I don’t know. The sand, the sun, the ocean… those things are better in theory. Plus you four… no, not you, Koichi-kun… those other two, they are not serious people like us and will scream like little kids on a holiday” he shook his head to make the idea disappear.

“Oh, come on, sensei!”

“I will think about it”

Koichi gave him an annoyed look.

“What? I said I will th-” started Rohan.

“That’s a lie. You already made up your mind but you want us to beg for your presence” said Koichi.

“Ugh, fine. No need to attack me. I’m going since it’s so important for you. But tell your two little buddies to behave”

“You tell them” he giggled.

+++

The bus was full of people and the air was getting thin. That was the worst time of the day to take a bus. The sun was burning hot, blazing like fire. The smell of sweat and lack of ventilation, mixed with sunscreen and cheap perfume could be felt in the atmosphere. They should have taken a taxi. Or so thought Rohan. The rest didn’t find the trip as unbearable, as the bus went quick and there were even empty seats for all of them. Rohan had sunglasses on, so his disgust wasn’t appreciated in its entirety by anyone. He refused to sit alone because it would mean no one would listen to him.

“Are you enjoying your day off, Rohan?” asked Okuyasu just to make some friendly small talk.

“As a creator, I never have days off” he stated.

No one replied for a second.

“No. You do. You went to Josuke’s the other day” said Okuyasu.

“But my mind is always busy” said Rohan.

“So you’re gonna think of plots as you drown and fight to breathe?” smiled Josuke.

“I can swim, that won’t happen”

“I can make it happen” he smiled mischievously.

“I will fight you and you will drown. And your hair will be ruined” Rohan threatened threatened back.

“Oh, yeah?” scoffed Josuke.

“Koichi-kun! Tell him to behave! He is threatening me!” called Rohan.

Koichi, on the seat behind Josuke and Okuyasu and holding hands with Yukako, just rolled his eyes.

“I’m the youngest one here, why do I have to take care of you three?” he murmured, but loud enough for them to hear.

They were all excited when they got to the beach and set their stuff as quickly as they could. The place wasn’t filled with people and the sun wasn’t unbearable for any of them, except for a certain someone who was wearing three layers of clothing.

“You know, you didn’t have to model the latest Balenciaga collection today. It’s just a day at the beach” commented Yukako.

“I didn’t have to but I’m doing it anyway and I look great while you look plain” said Rohan with a smile that was half sarcastic and half sincere somehow.

“That’s because I’m gonna look better than you on my swimsuit” she said taking of her clothing as she was wearing her swimsuit underneath it.

Rohan didn’t reply. She did look good on it and the rest were taking off their shirts and shoes too. He sighed as he had no interest in going near the water.

“Last one to the water is a hand fetishist” screamed Okuyasu as he began to run.

“Ooh hoho, good one!” laughed Yukako and ran behind him.

Rohan took of his clothes at a slow pace, folding them properly, until he was only wearing his headband, green trunks and his big sunglasses. He set a towel on the sand, under a shadow cast by someone’s sunshade umbrella. 

“Hey, Rohan!” called Okuyasu from the water. “You lost! You are the hand fetishist!”

“I haven’t got there and it was the last one to the water. The fetishist is Koichi-kun!” said Rohan, sitting in his towel and the laying on it to read a book.

“Fuck, he looks so hot” said Josuke to his friends.

“He looks like an uncooked chicken” observed Yukako.

“Koichi, get on Yukako’s shoulders. I will get on Josuke’s” said Okuyasu, already starting to do that. “This battle will determine who is the ultimate champion of horse fights”

Even though they changed teams in all combinations possible, Josuke always won. He assured them it was because if he lost, he would fall into water and ruin his hair and he couldn’t allow that. It was probably the main reason for him to win indeed. After a while of laughter he stepped on some seashell and took it to observe it. It was empty and very pretty. He went out of the water.

“Hey” he kicked Rohan’s leg to get his attention.

“You…! You are stepping on my towel! It’s wet now!” he screamed taking off his sunglasses.

“I don’t wanna alarm you, Rohan, but that’s what towels are for. Look” he squatted to show him the seashell and put it on his hand. “It’s very green like you so you should like it”

“I’m not green, I’m pale as fuck” he said looking at it.

“Whatever. It reminded me of you” shrugged Josuke standing up.

“It’s pretty. Thank you”

“Will you go bathe with us or not?” he asked as Yukako, Koichi and Okuyasu were throwing something to each other.

“Yeah, I was just sunbathing for a while” he stood up too.

Josuke raised an eyebrow but said nothing about the fact that being in the shadows is not the most effective way of sunbathing.

“It’s unfair, you can’t use your stand!” was yelling Koichi when the two boys got closer to their friends.

“Why not? We all have them, it’s not cheating” said Okuyasu.

“Because!” cried Koichi. “They have me here in the middle, trying to catch the ball and not only am I shorter but also they are using their stands! This game is not funny like that!” he said to Josuke and Rohan.

“Duh, use yours and win. It has more reach” said Josuke entering the water again.

“Ugh, the sand is bad but adding saltwater to it will be a nightmare” Rohan made a face, wrinkling his nose.

“I swear I’m gonna make you drown you if you keep whining” said Josuke enjoying the water.

“Oh, you think so?” replied Rohan overcoming his displeasure and finally getting his hips underwater, as he had only sunk his feet for minutes. “Come here and try it. I swear I will ruin your hairstyle and face the consequences, I don't care”

“You won’t be able to, but I will give you a free pass for ruining it if you win. Which you won’t”

“Your threats are redundant and they lose effect. You would be a terrible protagonist in any manga genre”

They wrestled for a while but it was over very soon because Josuke stepped on something that felt weird. It was probably algae, but it disgusted him. Rohan made sure to mess Josuke’s hair enough.

“Ha, ha! Maybe that will teach you not to threaten the great Kishibe Rohan” said the young man and Josuke was shaking his head and taking his hair off his eyes.

Rohan stopped breathing for a second as he stared at him. He had never seen him like that. Josuke was good-looking, but he had never imagined he would also look beautiful with his hair down. He tried to remember that image so he could make art about it later. Hell, that was a lie. He had to admit to himself that he had a crush on Josuke. He couldn’t think about it for long, though, as suddenly something pushed him and he was underwater. He got out coughing and saw Josuke laughing.

“You can’t get distracted, it’s the main rule” he chuckled.

“You fucker” he said breathing hard. “You ruined my hair” he started putting on his headband properly again, as it had fallen to his neck.

“You ruined mine first”

“I did not. You look great” he said trying not to give it importance. 

“I knew this would happen!” cried out Koichi, and they turned to look at him. 

“Using The Hand to catch the ball was a bad idea, I know. I’m sorry!” Okuyasu apologised.

“It’s okay, Okuyasu” said Yukako. “It was just an old tennis ball, I have several more”

“I didn’t mean to” said Okuyasu afflicted.

“I know, don’t feel bad. I’m not mad and Koichi… he is a little loud, that’s it” she giggled.

“Josuke” said Rohan getting closer to the boy. “Isn’t that your cousin over there?” he pointed in the distance to a figure in the rocks.

“Cousin?” he said looking at the figure dressed in white. “Oh, Jotaro-san! Yeah, he is my nephew”

“Oh, sorry”

“I wonder what he’s doing here” murmured Josuke. “Guys! Let’s see what Jotaro-san is doing?”

“Jotaro-san is here?” said Koichi and looked to where Josuke pointed.

Yukako and Okuyasu looked at each other and shrugged, deciding to go with their friends. When they were walking, Yukako came close to Josuke and whispered to him.

“Now he looks like a wet uncooked chicken. Dripping salmonella-juice”

“That’s so mean” he laughed, whispering too.

Chapter Text

Jotaro didn’t see them approaching, or didn’t pay attention to it as he was focused on something else. His feet were bare and his trousers rolled up, but he was wearing his usual clothes, however impractical they could be for the beach.

“Hello, Jotaro-san!” cheered Josuke, and the man lifted his head to look at him. “I didn’t know you were back in Morioh”

“Yes. I went to drop the old man home and decided to get back and finish some studies here. Did you know that this starfish you have here” he pointed at some mass on the rocks “isn’t known nor found in the rest of the world?”

“Yeah? That’s awesome!” said Koichi trying to take a closer look at what seemed like a common starfish to him. However, he didn’t know a thing about starfish.

“I didn’t know you were interested in these things” said Josuke.

“I better be, it’s my job. I’m a marine biologist” stated Jotaro.

“Ooh. I always thought you were some sort of secret agent but from the Speedwagon Foundation” said Okuyasu.

“Yes, me too” agreed Josuke. “Instead of killing people for the FBI you collect arrows and information for them”

“Not quite like that but you could say that’s a hobby or a small side job. This is what I like. Look at it” he showed them the starfish and they all got closer to try to appreciate its peculiarities. “It seems average but the patterns it presents are different from the rest of starfish species. Plus, it seems they are slightly bigger and darker on average than the starfish they are probably closely related to. What is the most interesting, however, is that those starfish that are related to it aren’t anywhere near but in South America”

“Woah. That is incredibly cool” commented Yukako.

“You’re gonna be famous, Jotaro-san. A celebrity!” said Josuke.

“Yeah? Name the last famous marine biologist in this decade” said Okuyasu.

Jotaro chuckled slightly.

“I don’t mean to be famous anyway. I am pleased with having found this species”

“What are you gonna name it?” said Rohan, desperate to add something.

“I was hoping its scientific name would obviously state that it is from Morioh. And that it was the name Jolyne” he replied.

“Jolynia moriohchous, or something like that?” suggested Yukako.

“Yes, but hopefully it will sound nicer” said Jotaro and Okuyasu laughed, although the man didn't mean it to be funny.

“Who is Jolyne?” inquired Josuke.

“My daughter”

“You have a daughter!?” exclaimed Josuke.

“Why is it so shocking?” frowned Yukako.

“I… I don’t know. I just never thought about it” he replied.

“How old is she, Jotaro-san?” asked Koichi.

“Umm… seven” Jotaro was beginning to get tired of what felt like an interrogatory.

“Why don’t you bring her to Morioh next time?” suggested Josuke.

“Because” he raised his eyebrows “I divorced her mother and abandoned them both”

There was a moment when no one said a thing. Okuyasu dared to speak.

"But Jotaro-san. She would prefer to have her dad home than a starfish named after her. I have never stopped missing my mum, so…”

“An absent parent is better than a terrible one” blurted Koichi. “I mean, I’m not saying Jotaro-san would beat up his kids or anything like that, I just…”

“I have an absent father and I turned out pretty well, didn’t I?” shrugged Josuke.

“Shut up! I didn’t ask you for advice. If you keep asking questions you may not like the answers, but I’m living my life how I see fitting” shouted Jotaro and the three friends stopped talking.

“Um, Jotaro-san” said Yukako in a calm voice. She waited for him to look at her to keep going. “Would you like to take a break from work and join us? With you we could make two teams of three. We are playing made up games with a tennis ball”

“Thank you, but-”

“We are using our stands too” she interrupted, smiling.

“That’s not fair!” said Koichi. “Star Platinum is too precise and strong”

“Fine. I will play and won’t use The World. Is that fair?” Jotaro gave in quickly.

“Yes!” smiled Yukako and then gave the guys a disapproving stare.

Jotaro changed clothes and when he got back, a group of five girls were staring at him, giggling and whispering in a good way. Okuyasu almost cried over the fact that girls never looked at him like that, or so he said.

Whatever set of rules they invented for their games they would change soon after, to the point that the game played at the beginning of the day was a completely different one from the one they ended up playing.

At some point, Jotaro was testing his strength with Star Platinum by tossing objects in the air and Koichi would try to catch them with his Echoes. Josuke and Okuyasu were racing each other, swimming, running, jumping, or anything they could think of. Yukako asked Rohan for help and they walked together to where their stuff was. She asked him to take one or two pictures of her and Koichi in the sea. He made the effort of taking the best pictures, minding the light, distance and focus. She then asked him if he could take a picture of them hugging, this time out of the water.

“Thanks, Rohan!” she smiled and took back her camera. “I can’t wait for the film to be complete, I really want to see them, Koichi”

“Take more pictures, let’s finish it” suggested her boyfriend.

Jotaro, Josuke and Okuyasu were basically splashing in the water and throwing the ball with no particular objectives for a game. Josuke and Okuyasu were laughing out loud at anything and even Jotaro smiled a little.

“I look like your baby-sitter” he commented, perhaps slightly embarrassed.

“Nah. You look like my older brother” said Josuke, still with a huge smile.

“A cool big brother with muscles” added Okuyasu flexing his arms, and Jotaro splashed him with water so he would stop.  

“Guys!” called Koichi and they stopped splashing. “Come here for pictures”

“We already took one of you three splashing!” laughed Yukako. Jotaro widened his eyes but said nothing. “Would you mind if I took a picture of you and Josuke, Jotaro-san? I would give you a copy, of course!”

“Huh. Sure”

He stood next to Josuke, who put an arm around him and smiled widely. He then decided to take a few pictures of Josuke and his friends when a young woman approached him.

“Would you like me to take a picture? So you can be on it too” she offered.

“No, thanks” he said turning around to finish the conversation, but Koichi and Josuke started screaming.

“Yes, Jotaro-san! Thank you, miss! Come for the picture Jotaro-san!” they said.

“How many more pictures are we gonna pose for?” said Rohan annoyed as Jotaro gave the camera to the lady.

“You’ve been on like three pictures, shut up” said Josuke.

“Pretend to be nice and smile for the camera, sensei” added Koichi.

“Koichi-kun, how could you?” cried Rohan, but smiled for the picture anyway.

At the end of the day, Jotaro took a taxi back to the hotel he was staying out while the five friends took the bus back to the town centre. Okuyasu sat alone behind Koichi and Yukako, but leaned forward to their backrests so they could chat. He sighed as he saw Josuke and Rohan chatting lively.

“I know it’s stupid but I can’t avoid thinking that Josuke will forget me for him” he confessed.

“No! I assure you he won’t” replied Koichi instantly.

“You’re his best friend, he would never. He has a crush on him somehow but he still has time for friends, particularly for you” added Yukako.

“You two are so wise” nodded Okuyasu, absolutely convinced already.

“We said nothing” said Koichi.

“But you’re still right” he nodded again.

“Look!” whispered Yukako. “Rohan’s touching Josuke’s hair”

“He’s just combing it” shrugged Koichi.

“No, you idiot! He’s flirting” said Okuyasu.

“Well, he’s bad at it” Koichi replied turning back to face Okuyasu.

“Ooh, they’re kissing!” said Okuyasu in a surprised whisper and Koichi turned back to look at them, but they were just talking and smiling dumbly. “Hehe, gotcha” he laughed and Koichi frowned and crossed his arms.

“Oh, don’t be angry. It was funny” said Yukako hugging him and kissing his lips shortly.

“You truly have the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen” was saying Rohan as the other three observed them intermittently.

“Is that good or bad?” asked Josuke, looking down a little, feeling self-conscious.

“I don’t know, but they are completely honest. I think that’s nice and also they’re pretty”

“Yeah? Thank you” he smiled.

After that day, Josuke was beginning to think that maybe he did have a chance with Rohan. He gathered some confidence and decided that he should flirt with him, be bold, to try and-

“Let’s go somewhere tomorrow, you and me?” said Rohan, interrupting his train of thought.

“Mh? Oh, sure, sure” he replied. “Where?”

 “You see, that’s the problem” he shrugged. “Where”

“Have you been to that park near your house, like five blocks away?”

“Can’t say I have”

“But it’s so close to you!” laughed Josuke. “Okay, I will pick you up at your place and show you”

“Yes. Sounds good”

“I’m gonna ring the doorbell so much tomorrow”

“Don’t you dare” Rohan’s smile disappeared. “I will shave your head and give the hair to birds”

“Aw, that sucks. I thought you liked my hair. You said I looked great today” grinned Josuke.

“With your hair down, just that. But yes, handsome, I guess” he shrugged sounding annoyed. “Although your usual hairdo, you’re the only one who could pull that off”

“I guess that’s a compliment” chuckled Josuke and Rohan made a face that meant nothing. “Well, this is my stop, but first I must say you really are the prettiest person I’ve ever seen. See you tomorrow, Rohan” he smiled confident as he left the bus with Okuyasu, but as soon as the bus was out of sight he seemed embarrassed and felt his heart beating fast. He blew air audibly.

“What happened?” asked Okuyasu as they walked together to their neighbourhood.

“Nothing, it’s just going well, I guess” he smiled a little. He still felt excited and nervous.

“You got a date?” he asked.

“I wish. I think I could get him a present, though, since he gave me that Prince album. I don’t know what he could like…”

“Clothes that show his abdomen. In green or purple. Pencils? Hair dye?” mused Okuyasu. “Xanax, he’s always stressed. Something fashionable. An altar to himself? Rurouni Kenshin merchandise. I don’t know” he gave up.

“Yeah, all those are good but he has them all already, except the altar, I think. And the Xanax, perhaps? Anyway” sighed Josuke.

“You’ll come up with something” said Okuyasu.

“Yeah. Did you have fun today?”

“Lots!” smiled Okuyasu, and began reciting everything he had liked or seen.

Meanwhile, in the bus, Koichi and Yukako leaned forward to talk to Rohan, showing amused grins on their faces.

“Rohan-sensei” called Koichi. “I didn’t know you liked Josuke so much”

“I do not” he replied with a confused look.

“Don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, you do?” said Yukako.

“What even is the definition of liking someone ‘so much’?” Rohan raised his eyebrows upset.

“You having a crush on Josuke, for example” replied Yukako.

“Incredible” laughed Rohan. “You are so immature you see two people being friendly after having been enemies and you think it’s that. Childish, to be honest” he shook his head amused. “I expected better of you, especially of Koichi-kun”

“What did he tell you when he left the bus?” insisted Koichi.

“Goodbye, I assume” he replied raising an eyebrow.

“Then why were you blushing after that, sensei?

“My cheeks get red with the heat. The air is enclosed here. Why are you asking all this? It’s ridiculous”

Chapter Text

“AAGHHH!!”

Rohan screamed in enragement as he heard the door being knocked incessantly at the same time as the doorbell was being rang without any pause. He ran downstairs so the noise would stop in no time.

“You make not hating you really hard, Higashikata Josuke” he said in a furious voice as he opened the door.

“I brought chocolate for today” smiled Josuke.

“Good. You are making it a little easier now” he nodded.

“Get some pencils and let’s go”

“Already have them. And food too. Let’s get going”

They walked at a slightly slow pace as they were focused on talking and trying to, somehow, make every moment last for a little longer. Josuke was wearing the sleeveless shirt he always wore and so he was showing Rohan his sunburnt shoulders.

“I wore sunscreen, this isn’t fair” he complained. “Now they are red and hurt a little”

“You put it on way after we had arrived” said Rohan exasperated.

“It wasn’t so sunny then”

“But still!”

The park was a quiet place with a great number of tall trees that casted a good shadow. Rohan remembered having seen it but never actually visiting it despite being so close to his house. It seemed like a great place for relaxing. They sat at a bench and talked about anything and nothing in particular. Rohan would sketch stuff sometimes but he would mostly listen to Josuke.

“What does your mother do, Josuke?” asked Rohan at some point.

“She’s a teacher but she’s getting a master’s degree so she can get a better salary, so for now she’s working a part time job at a restaurant. We need some more money after my grandpa died and she won’t let me help with my savings”

“Oh. I’m sorry. How long ago was that?”

“You’re not gonna use this for your manga, are you?” Josuke was suspicious.

“I think not, so don’t flatter yourself”

“Come on!”

“Fine, I promise I won’t, even if it were useful”

“Great. Well, remember that killer and rapist, Angelo? My grandpa was his last murder in March”

“You killed him after that, didn’t you?” stated Rohan not looking surprised or disapproving, which helped Josuke a little.

“No. He’s a rock now and I don’t know if he’s dead or alive, suffering forever. Ain’t my Crazy Diamond sensational?” Josuke tried to smile a little.

“Fucking scary and wonderful. If I had known you could do that I wouldn’t have messed with your hair at all” tried to joke Rohan.

“Yeah” laughed Josuke sadly. “You know, that was months ago but I still feel it’s hurting me somewhere inside my chest or stomach”

Rohan didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to be invasive for this one time in his life.

“I don’t think I cried for real about it” continued Josuke. “You’re supposed to cry when someone you love dies but I didn’t… so now it is like I’m carrying something heavy inside me and I notice only sometimes. Does that sound too stupid?”

“No” said Rohan softly and put his arm around Josuke’s shoulders.

“No, stop!” exclaimed Josuke.

“I-I’m sorry, I was just-“ Rohan was pretty sure he blushed.

“No, no. That’s fine” he laughed “but my sunburnt shoulders hurt. Do it carefully” he sat closer to Rohan and rested his head on Rohan’s shoulder. Rohan felt the smell of nice and discreet hair products. Shampoo? Hair gel? He surrounded him with his arm carefully this time and started talking.

“When I was 13 my parents went out and I was left home alone. They were taking longer than they said they would, so I was happy ‘cause that meant I could watch TV for longer or stay in bed reading manga, but then hours passed and I was worried. Then my grandma is at the door and says they died in an accident and I felt nothing. I asked all the questions and she stayed with me and I just wanted everyone to go away and leave me alone, but people that never cared kept staring at me and talking to me, waiting for me to cry. It made me mad because they weren’t helpful, they were just trying to feel good with themselves. And when I was finally left alone and went to sleep I felt as if a rock had fallen on my chest and I was being crushed. I couldn’t breathe properly, it felt awful, and then I started crying silently for hours. I woke up and cried more and went back to sleep out of tiredness of crying. The next morning I had nothing left to cry and I felt inexistent and absent. So… I don’t think crying is necessarily what you need, that’s what I meant”

“Woah. I’m… I’m so sorry, Rohan” was all Josuke could say.

“It’s not like you were that drunk driver, who by the way survived, so don’t be sorry” he said smiling with a bit of irony and a lot of fondness.

“How did you overcome that?”

“I didn’t, I guess. You get used to it but don’t expect it to stop hurting. But you are smart, you know that” he stopped talking when Josuke put his arms around his waist and hugged him, now resting his head on his chest. He hugged Josuke with both arms too and continued. “Anyway, a few years later I was publishing my manga since I used all my energies on creating”

“Let’s sit on the grass” said Josuke, so they stood up and walked there. “Had you always planned to become a mangaka?”

“No, it just happened. I’m fucking great at it so it had to happen” he shrugged. He rested his back on one of the big trees there, sitting close to Josuke.

“What did you want to be?” he asked taking Rohan’s hand, who pretended not to mind very much as he intertwined their fingers while looking away.

“Eh, I don’t know”

“Nah, I see through you. Tell me” chuckled Josuke.

“Don’t laugh, okay? I wanted to be a rock star. I can’t sing or play, though, and I’m not good enough when creating poetry for lyrics. I wish I could’ve been a poet then but I’m not good with metaphors and beauty”

“Hey, my dream job is Prince’s, so I get it. You still love what you do, though, right?”

“Obviously”

“Rohan”

“Mh?”

“Do you think it was wrong that I… that I turned Angelo into a deformed stone version of himself?” Josuke looked away as he asked.

“No. I think he deserved worse” he seemed sincere.

“Me too, but I also think I should have followed the law sometimes”

“Look, Josuke. You’re good, not evil, okay? You were fairly benevolent to that piece of shit and the law would have probably done nothing”

“That’s a possibi-“

“You and I have fairly similar concepts of good and evil, I think, but you believe them with your heart and I follow them due to habit, which is why I have no trouble punching kids. I’m sorry, it sucks but it’s true” Rohan’s voice was firm but not angry as he said all of that.

“That kid… he had it coming I guess” said Josuke mildly convinced.

“It’s wrong but it felt awesome hahaha” Rohan laughed with satisfaction. “Anyway, you are good in your soul, if there is such a thing, and not because you follow the law. Even if you tried to rip me off”

“You had it coming too” laughed Josuke.

He looked into Rohan’s eyes and got a bit closer. He could feel his heart racing when he took a hand to Rohan’s cheek and saw him breathe slightly irregularly and close his eyes for a brief moment. When Rohan opened them, though, his soft smile turned into a face that could be considered of confusion or even disgust. He was looking behind Josuke.

“What the fuck is that?” he whispered as he followed it with his eyes.

Josuke turned around to look and saw a red balloon floating, going forward in small, slow leaps.

“It’s like the movie with the murderous clown” replied Josuke, observing the balloon as well.

Rohan let go of Josuke’s hand and took a hand to his pocket when the balloon made a turn and was in front of them at a very short distance. He gasped as it started moving and morphing and as soon as he saw a human figure he proceeded to stab it with the pen he had in his pocket, a particularly sharp one. Josuke put his arm in front of him and stopped his impulse.

“Wait! I know him!” he screamed.

“Well, he’s fucking demented!” shouted Rohan.

“Hello, Josuke-san” smiled a now fully human-looking Mikitaka. “Hello, you too, sir”

“Why do you have to scare me like that every time?!” Josuke shouted at him.

“I’m sorry, Josuke-san. I just saw you and wanted to hear what you were talking about, so it was easier as a balloon. You would have stopped conversing if I had interrupted”

“Who are you and why are you spying on people’s conversations? Was that your stand?” Rohan was gonna use Heaven’s Door before Mikitaka would answer but Josuke stopped him again.

“Stop! Don’t attack him! He is my friend, he just tends to make… impressive entries” he said.

“My name is Nu Mikitakazo Nshi, but on Earth I go by the name of Hazekura Mikitaka” he introduced himself with a hand on his chest.

“On Earth?” said Rohan narrowing his eyes.

“He’s an extraterrestrial” said Josuke.

“I am indeed” nodded Mikitaka.

“Yeah, right. What about your stand, then?” continued Rohan.

“I apologise but I’m not sure what the word ‘stand’ means in this context, sir”

“This is Rohan” Josuke told Mikitaka. “And he is referring to your ability to transform into a balloon”

“I see. I didn’t know it went by that name, that’s very interesting. Everyone of my species can transform into simple objects, Rohan-san”

“You seem a little odd in your manners and looks. I would like to read you with my Heaven’s Door if it’s no trouble” said Rohan.

“No trouble at all, Rohan-san” smiled Mikitaka, even though he didn’t know what that meant. Rohan was smiling too, but it was a different type of smile.

“No way! He has no respect for privacy and he is pretending to because I’m next to him right now, don’t listen to him, Mikitaka!” said Josuke.

“Admit that you want to know if he really is an alien too!” said Rohan upset.

“No, because I do believe him!”

“Thank you, Josuke-san” smiled Mikitaka.

“For the record then, I just wanted to prove it, I am not nosy for the sake of it” grumbled Rohan.

“Would you like some chocolate?” offered Josuke.

“Yes” said Rohan.

“I was asking Mikitaka” said Josuke as he gave Rohan some chocolate too.

Mikitaka sat with them and tasted the food they had brought with great interest.

“Where do you come from, then?” Rohan asked.

“My planet is located in the Magellanic Clouds. As it is dying, I’m here on a mission to determine if it is nice and its inhabitants are friendly. What about yourself, Rohan-san?”

“Me? What about me?”

“It is polite to ask the interlocutor about themselves after introducing yourself, I believe” said Mikitaka proudly.

“Uh. I’m Rohan from Earth and I have no mission assigned for and by humanity” he replied unsure while Josuke contained his laughter. “How old are you anyway? Why are you doing this?”

“I am 216 years old and I already stated why I have to do this. My planet is slowly dyi-“

“216? Years from Earth or from your planet? Do your years last as much as ours? Do their days last the same? Maybe you’re actually my age. This is suspicious to say the least” ranted Rohan.

“Our calendars are slightly different but I have 216 years in human years. My species live longer than yours, therefore at 216 I’m around yours and Jouske-san’s age. I have a pet frog I found two days ago, look” Mikitaka wasn’t upset by the questions but he wasn’t interested in them at all, so he changed the subject abruptly and showed the two boys his new pet. “I also have a mouse and three moths that visit my room every night. There is also a spider in my bathroom that keeps me company while I brush my teeth”

“That’s great, Mikitaka. It’s very cute” said Josuke offering him more chocolate and inspecting his pet with interest.

Josuke and Mikitaka walked Rohan home as it was the closest place to the park. Mikitaka, somehow, hadn’t tried chocolate before during his stay on Earth and absolutely adored it. They walked together for a while before their roads parted.

“Thank you for not telling Rohan about the dice incident, Mikitaka” said Josuke.

“I figured it would be better if I didn’t because you seemed angry and nervous after that particular time, Josuke-san. I’m glad I did well” he replied, proud of himself again for knowing human customs.

“Great” sighed Josuke in relief.             

It hadn’t crossed Rohan’s mind that Josuke could have used Mikitaka’s ability to cheat at dice. He was just a bit frustrated that he had showed up at that moment because he was feeling very comfortable talking to Josuke and being close to him. He realised he was smiling and shook his head to stop it, since maybe Josuke was just being friendly. He had seen him hug his other friends too so it probably meant nothing, even if he wanted it to be. He stayed up late working and when he went to bed he felt satisfied with the day as he remembered what happened at the park. The green seashell was by his nightstand.

He must have been sleeping for only two hours when he opened his eyes violently and his heart was racing. He couldn’t remember what he was dreaming about or if he was even having a nightmare at all, but he was very clear about something.

“That motherfucking bastard” he whispered to himself. “He used the alien as dice”

He got out of bed and walked back and forth inside his room. He wanted to go face Josuke but it was too early even for a phone call. In about four more hours he would be at Josuke’s house to do that, he decided, but he didn’t know what to do in the meantime. He tried sleeping but he managed to do it for about 20 minutes before waking up again, eager to talk about it. He couldn’t work as he was too anxious and he didn’t feel like watching a movie or working out. Those hours became very long but they were over at some point.

Chapter Text

Tomoko had finished preparing her coffee early in the morning that day. She took the cup and the sandwich she had made to her desk and sat down to begin studying. The hot coffee touched her lips and the door was knocked. She had no idea who it could be on that day, at that time, so she went to check reluctantly. That skinny boy Josuke crushes on.

“Good morning, Higashikata-san, I’m here to see Josuke” he greeted with forced politeness; its fakeness went almost unnoticed.

“Yeah, I figured, but at this time?” she asked in a sleepy voice, raising an eyebrow.

He seemed eager to be let in. Impatient. He laughed, again with forced politeness.

“Ha ha, yeah. It’s good to start the day early, right, Higashikata-san?” he smiled.

“Come in. I’ll go wake him up”

Rohan thought of three options in that brief instant. First, he could lie to her and tell her Josuke had invited him and probably forgot, but she may find out later that it was a lie. Second, he could somehow convince her he wanted to give Josuke a friendly surprise, but that sounded extremely unlike him. And third, he could use Heaven’s Door on her and leave it all be, but Josuke may somehow find out and would hate it. Whatever the way, he wanted to catch Josuke by surprise, with his defences lowered for the subject.

“It’s really no problem at all. I have no trouble doing it. I would like to surprise him, you know, an unexpected visit from a friend cheers up anyone” he smiled so much he could feel his cheeks going numb.

Tomoko didn’t want her coffee to get too cold and she assumed Josuke wouldn’t mind, so she let it go.

“Alright” she shrugged and left him.

Rohan’s polite and nervous smile changed to a victorious one and he went to Josuke’s room. He was sleeping, indeed, and it almost made him sad to disturb him. He shook him by the shoulder.

“Josuke. Josuke” he whispered. The only answer he got was a mild grunt. “Higashikata Josuke, wake up” he said louder.

“Rohan?” mumbled Josuke, barely awake. “Why are you in my nightmares again?”

“Hilarious. Wake up” he demanded.

Josuke sat on the bed and rubbed his eyes. He wore a purple shirt with short sleeves as pyjamas and grey shorts that combined with it, but Rohan couldn’t see the latter.

“What are you doing here? What time is it?” asked Josuke.

“I figured it all out. You thought you could outsmart me, and you did… but it didn’t last long. Last night I found out, I understood it all. I was desperate, you could say, and that moment was the greatest relief and pleasure for me. It was like recovering my faith in me, or rediscovering it, as I would have never doubted myself” started Rohan.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” said Josuke. “Cut the monologue”

“If so you like. I know what you did, you and the alien guy. You used him as the dice. It’s so obvious now, it all makes sense” smiled Rohan satisfied.

“Yeah… no. I think you’re getting obsessed with this, Rohan, that’s just impossible” said Josuke and saw Rohan’s smile disappear quickly and turn into something close to suffering. “Just kidding” he laughed. “Yes, he owed me a favour and it was my idea. Congratulations, Rohan, you are quite smart despite not looking like it”

“Fuck off” mumbled Rohan.

“Oh, wait. Are you mad for real?” asked Josuke still smiling.

“No. How can I be mad if I was right and I finally solved it. And what’s more important, I won! I am the smartest!” his delusions of grandeur started again. He sat on Josuke’s bed. “I barely slept because of this, take that smug smile off your face. This is important”

“I just find it funny that you came so early because of this” he replied, still smiling. “Now get away from here, I wanna get dressed at least”

“Fine” he said standing up and heading to the door. “Your hair looks really good like that, by the way” he said shyly.

“You were unlucky last night was a bit colder, because I usually sleep in my underwear only” smirked Josuke.

Rohan felt useless. He didn’t know how to reply to that. He wished there were pre-made phrases for those sentences.

“I should come back tomorrow just in case, then” he said awkwardly and closed the door.

It took Josuke a few minutes to get dressed and then he opened the door, smiling at his friend.

“You have dark circles under your eyes, how much did you sleep?” he inquired.

“Less than three hours. Don’t worry, I do it all the time” said Rohan.

“Did you have something to eat?”

“No”

“Let’s get some food, then” he said taking his hand and guiding him to the kitchen.

After they had a proper breakfast they went back to Josuke’s room and started talking. Rohan sat on the bed and was still in ecstasy due to finally solving the dice mystery that had haunted him for so long. Even if it could be annoying to hear him repeating his findings about the alien and the dice, Josuke still smiled tenderly as he heard him talk.

Rohan lay on the bed and kept talking, but at this moment they were discussing the best Pink Floyd album.

“At least take off your shoes” said Josuke and Rohan apologised and did it so he could continue to lie there. “And I’m not saying Wish You Were Here is the best album just because I’m fond of Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Have you even listened to Welcome To The Machine?”

“I don’t think you have studied the lyrics in Animals carefully enough if that’s your opinion” argued Rohan.

+++

Someone knocked the door again and Tomoko sighed. They didn’t usually get that many unexpected visitors, especially not in just one day. This time it must have been some door-to-door seller, but she went to check anyway. She gasped and opened her eyes wide once she saw who had been knocking.

“Jose-!“ she stopped her exclamation as soon as she realised her initial reaction was mistaken again. “Sorry. Jotaro, hello”

“Is Josuke home?” he asked.

“Yes. Come in” she moved away from the door to let him in. “Let me call him. He’s with a friend right now. Josuke!" she screamed as she left the room and went to Josuke’s.

She peeped and interrupted her son’s and Rohan’s excited argument about Pink Floyd.

“Waters is clearly superior as a music creator” said Rohan.

“Gilmour is clearly a better musician and you know it” countered Josuke.

“Can he expose his concepts through music as clearly as Waters, though? I think not” said Rohan with an annoying smile.

“I think he can and he also sings better”

“Your hearing is flawed. I bet you also criticise Barrett all day”

“Josuke” interrupted Tomoko and both boys looked at her. “Jotaro is here, he wants to see you. I didn’t know he was back in Morioh”

“Jotaro-san? What does he want?” he asked.

“He didn’t tell me” she shrugged and left.

“Ugh, but I haven’t styled my hair yet. I’ll be right back” said Josuke to Rohan.

“Sure”

Josuke went to the living room and saw Jotaro on the couch, looking as usual. Serious, almost annoyed, wearing white clothes and his hat. He didn’t seem to notice Josuke had approached him.

“Hello, Jotaro-san” he said to call his attention.

Jotaro looked at him for a moment before answering.

“Hello, Josuke. Sit with me” he said and Josuke did so timidly. “I need to talk to you about something”

“Is it about the old man again?” whispered Josuke.

“No” sighed Jotaro. “It’s not easy, though... Good grief, let’s go with it. I’m an only child but I… feel a responsibility with you, as an older brother. Like you mentioned at the beach. I guess it’s because we are, as a matter of fact, family”

Josuke stared at Jotaro with his mouth slightly open in surprise.

“Thank you, Jotaro-san” he murmured.

“I have to protect you and guide you, then” said Jotaro. “Especially since the old man didn’t. But I would be arriving 16 years late. I didn’t know about your existence before, of course, but I can still help you”

“Hey, it’s not necessary, Jotaro-san. I’m… I’m a good kid. I don’t do drugs and always finish my homework” he smiled nervously.

“Give me a break. I don’t mean to talk about your homework, Josuke, that’s irrelevant for life. Let me explain what I mean” said Jotaro, mildly annoyed. Josuke nodded. “When I was about your age I went to Egypt with the old man and three friends so we could save my mother from her stand as it was killing her. In almost two months I got to meet these three friends and the old man some more. There were critical situations we went through together but I wasn’t scared at the time, I didn’t care. I met my best friend through all of that; in less than two months I knew we understood and knew each other, but he died in the end on our journey. He was my age, 17” Jotaro made a pause and took a deep breath. “Remember what I mentioned some days ago? About an ex-wife and a daughter?” Josuke nodded and Jotaro continued. “

"I met my ex-wife about three years after that. I didn’t notice back then, but I wasn’t being me. Good grief” he stopped his tale and started patting his pockets. “Do you have cigarettes? Can we go outside? I wanna have one”

“Sorry, I don’t smoke” said Josuke.

“Yeah, me neither. I quit years ago” he sighed and moved on back to his story. “Anyway, for some reason I was avoiding being me and wanted to become what I thought that was expected of me. So I married her soon after. I thought I loved her but the truth is… she wasn’t annoying. She was pretty cool back then, even. But I never loved her, she just reminded me of how I felt when my best friend was alive. I went on with the charade, deep down knowing the truth, and we had a daughter, Jolyne. I love her, I know I do, but I can’t be a father to her, or at least not at all times. I never wanted this for my life and I decided to erase that past, even if it is not possible. I hope Jolyne will understand” he sighed again. “You are probably thinking this is me telling you my life like an old senile man would, but that’s not it”

“I wasn’t thinking that” said Josuke, but it was kind of a lie.

“I want to illustrate why you have to be who you want to be, however repetitive that sounds to you. Deep down we all know what we want. If you are constantly doubting about it, it’s probably not right. But I’m sure you know that. The old man says you have a golden heart and I believe it too”

“Uh, thank you” he said trying to smile.

“Egypt. I didn’t think I cared about it. You may feel strange or… confused after this whole Kira incident. If it happens, you can call me or write to me. Actually, you can call me for any reason”

“Thanks, Jotaro-san. Jotaro” Josuke felt strange when calling his name.

“Also, my wisdom can tell you not to use people as replacements and not to abandon your children, that is quite shitty” he smiled bitterly and stood up. He was writing in a notepad. “Would you mind sending me the picture Yukako took? Here are my address and number, for if I’m not in Morioh when the pictures are processed. Also my e-mail address if you prefer that instead of calling”

“Sure” said Josuke and stood up too. He looked at Jotaro and decided to hug him. The man wasn’t expecting it but he hugged him back. “Thank you, Jotaro”

“It’s so embarrassing to act like a father, giving life lessons. So I made it quick for both of us. At least I am less absent than the old man, I guess” he replied and broke the hug. “See you around, Josuke”

“Bye, Jotaro” he waved as the man went through the door. “You’re the best big brother ever”

Jotaro stopped to give him a discreet smile and continued walking after that. Josuke smiled to himself and went back to his room. He felt a bit stupid as all he had said was mostly 'thank you, Jotaro' but he felt good. He entered his room to find Rohan was still lying down on his bed. He had fallen asleep and Josuke felt sorry to wake him up, so he went on to take a shower and then read a book while his friend rested. Eventually he got bored and played with his Game Boy Light for a while until Rohan gasped and opened his eyes.

“Did I fall asleep?” he asked looking disoriented.

“For over two hours” said Josuke without taking his eyes from the screen. He was so close to setting a new high score.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” said Rohan sitting up.

“You looked so emaciated when you got here, it felt wrong” said Josuke. “Besides, you looked so cute sleeping”

Rohan frowned and realised he had been covered with a blanket that felt strange to the touch as it lacked softness.

“Did you cover me with a towel?!” he asked.

“Fucking hell” murmured Josuke as he lost and put the console away. “Yeah, you could get cold”

“But… with a towel?”

“They were closer than blankets. And it’s clean, don’t worry”

“I hadn’t even thought about that part” said Rohan pulling a disgusted face. “I dreamt I was on a strange factory that manufactured weird looking pets, like a small pink dog with five eyes and no ears. It licked my hand”

“Oh, no, that was me” said Josuke and then broke in laughter. “I’m not being serious, you idiot!”

 “How gross. Also the dog was a reptile and it was meant to die in a week. The factory owners wanted to kill me with their venomous pets. Then I woke up”

“Why did they want to kill you?”

“They were evil, I don’t know” shrugged Rohan.

“I talked to Jotaro. He told me that he could be my long-distance big brother” said Josuke “and left five minutes later”

“Is that good?”

“I think so, but it was veeeery unexpected” he said making a face.

Rohan still looked like he hadn’t fully awoken from his nap as he stared at the floor with a blank expression.

“Hey, Rohan. It’s not that I want you to leave but I’m meeting Okuyasu in a while, you know” said Josuke.

Rohan shut his eyes and opened them in an exaggerated manner to wake himself up fully before answering.

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry” he said and started to stand up, so Josuke approached him to help him, taking his hands. He looked at him, face to face. “Are you nice to me because you’re sorry I’m a poor, poor orphan? Because I don’t want your pity, that was years ago”

“No” laughed Josuke. “I’m nice because I like you”

He looked at Josuke’s smile as they held hands and became a little overwhelmed to the point where he feared playing dumb.

“Well, I better leave” he said quickly and took his bag.

Josuke walked with him to the door to say goodbye.

“Hope you enjoyed your nap” he said with a smile.

“What I enjoyed was uncovering your cheating methods” said Rohan with a proud, smug smile.

“See you” laughed Josuke and kissed his cheek.

Rohan tried to play it cool and waved goodbye as he left, but two seconds later he stopped himself. As the distance between them was greater now he had to scream a bit, or at least speak loudly.

“See you when?” he said. “Can I see you tomorrow?”

“Any time” said Josuke back.

“My place?”

“Yes, because you don’t have a real job” laughed Josuke and closed the door.

Rohan tried to get upset at that overused joke but he was too busy smiling awkwardly and being conscious of his beating heart, which could be considered annoying in some way.

Chapter Text

“Koichi-kun?” said Rohan.

“Hello? Rohan-sensei?” answered Koichi on the phone.

“Yes. I have a question”

“Uh-huh”

“For my manga”

“I figured” said Koichi.

“Is it common for friends to hold hands?” he asked.

“What does that have to do with manga, sensei?” exclaimed Koichi.

“It’s part of the incoming plot, Koichi-kun”

“Well… sometimes, but not very usually. Depends on the person, really”

“I see. So how can you tell the difference, then? Between friendship and…”

“Is this about Josuke, sensei?” interrupted Koichi.

“What are you talking about, he doesn’t even read my manga!” replied Rohan angrily.

“Do you need some advice?” offered Koichi.

“Yes, for manga. So don’t waste your time”

“Come on, sensei” sighed the boy.

“Well, I better get to work, it’s getting late. Thank you, Koichi-kun. Bye, bye” Rohan used a happy and thankful tone but hung up the phone before Koichi could reply.

+++

Josuke and Okuyasu were walking together to the centre of the town, laughing and talking a lot. They always had a great time in each other’s company.

“Thank you for coming with me to this” Josuke told Okuyasu.

“No trouble at all. Snacks are on you, though” he replied.

“Seems fair” shrugged Josuke with a half-smile as they entered the store.

They didn’t understand very much of what they saw but they had a slight notion of how everything there worked.

“There they are” said Okuyasu getting close to the product. “But they are all red”

“Ugh, I knew this would happen” complained Josuke, looking too. “There is a purple one over there but it looks almost red too”

“Not even in blue, huh” said Okuyasu. “Let’s get to another one"

The second store was bigger, huge even. It had multiple things in multiple varieties and the two friends felt borderline scared.

“Here” said Josuke when he found them. “They are even worse. They have hundreds of shades of red but I need green!”

“Well, he also wears purple. He may like purple” suggested Okuyasu.

“But I want green” murmured Josuke.

“Most companies don’t work with that colour” said a seller that had silently approached them, startling Josuke when she started talking despite her tone being kind and helpful. “It’s very unlikely that our store will get them in green. Try Dark Alchemy”

“Dark Alchemy?” repeated both friends.

“It’s about ten minutes away from here. First you walk to the north for two blocks…” she explained to them how to get there very precisely. Josuke was so thankful he shook her hand vehemently and told her how grateful he was for her help at least three times.

Dark Alchemy was a small store that wouldn’t have caught their eye if they hadn’t been looking for it with precise instructions. They entered and a woman dressed in goth fashion greeted them without much interest. They looked around and most of the things were accessories depicting skulls. They finally found them.

“They even have black, white, blue, everything!” smiled Okuyasu.

“Two shades of green, even! Great! Which one do you like the most?” said Josuke presenting both in front of Okuyasu’s eyes.

“Hmm. Light green looks better. More like his style”

“Great” smiled Josuke and went on to make the transaction.

“Yes, great! Now we get snacks!” smiled Okuyasu.

+++

Someone had rung the doorbell. The day wasn’t gonna be quiet, apparently, and he was still sleepy and tired. He slowly went downstairs, hoping that for the time he made it to the door the person would have left. He opened and the person was still there, how annoying. But it was Koichi, at least.

“Hello, Koichi-kun” said Rohan.

“Hello. I came because of our conversation on the phone” he said with a nervous smile.

“Yeah, I figured it all out and I’m drawing that scene now, so don’t worry” Rohan smiled and began closing the door.

“Come on, sensei!” cried Koichi, stopping him from closing. “You said I was always welcome at your place”

“Fine! Come in!” grumbled Rohan letting him in and then collapsing on the nearest sit to show he wasn’t pleased. “What do you want?”

“Why don’t you want to talk to me?” said Koichi.

“I always talk to you, we’re talking right now, I don’t know what you’re talking about, honestly” Rohan rolled his eyes.

“Not about yourself” he murmured. “You literally read me but you don’t let me know about you, and we’re supposed to be friends”

“Yes, we are friends” agreed Rohan. “But I assure you, Koichi-kun, you know everything there is to know. I’m not hiding interesting backstories like my characters”

“It doesn’t matter. Friends care about their friends not because of their interesting plot, right?” he laughed a little.

“Right...”

“I do not know a thing about you and it’s not that I’m nosy, it’s just that I care and think I could help. But you never really ask for help” Koichi explained himself.

“Well, what do you want to know? My name is Kishibe Rohan, I’m 20. My hair is naturally black but I dye it green every two or three weeks. Green is probably my favourite colour, so yeah, I dye it green. You maybe knew this one but I’m a mangaka, a very successful one. I tend to get focused on my work, like when making the panels or anything I’m interested in, like staring at pictures of possible serial killers” Kochi chuckled at that point. “I was born in this town and when I was four I could have been killed by Kira here, although I have no memory of that. What else? I pick my outfit for the next day before going to bed and it takes me at least 15 minutes, probably more. That’s everything there is to know and even some extras” he had spoken quickly, making no pauses.

“Do you have a favourite animal?” asked Koichi.

“Green vine snakes. They always look sceptical and suspicious. Do you have one?”

“Dogs” replied the boy.

“Yes, I read that on your… file” said Rohan.

“Did you really call me because of the manga?”

Rohan took a second to reply.

“Yes… no. But it’s no big deal like you think” he said. Koichi raised his eyebrows waiting for him to continue.  “Why are you pressuring me? Do you want me to say it so bad? Yes, I have a crush. Her name is your mum”

Koichi rolled his eyes.

“Those jokes got old ten years ago” he replied.

“They never will get old” chuckled Rohan. “Anyway, I thought it would never be me the one saying it and not the other way around but you need to respect other people’s privacy”

“Okay. But can I ask you general stuff to get to know you?”

“Hmm" Rohan stood up and looked closely at Koichi. “Did a gossip magazine ask you to do this? Are they gonna pay you?”

“No! You’re not a celebrity like… that guy from Titanic, I don’t know. No one would pay to know your height or weight”

“Cool. Then you can”

“Promise I’ll keep it casual, then. Nothing invasive”

“Nothing invasive” agreed Rohan.

+++

Josuke got out of his house pretty early the next day, considering it was the summer break. He was somewhat excited and eager to see Rohan. He walked at a fast pace and reached the mangaka’s house soon. He rang the doorbell for one second too long and knocked the door three times more than needed, louder than it is usually done. Considering his previous arrival announcements, that had been more or less respectful. He waited.

“You knocked so little I almost didn’t recognise you” said Rohan in a sassy voice when he opened the door.

“I actually ran out of ideas” said Josuke letting himself in.

“Do you want something to drink?” asked Rohan.

“Yes” said Josuke, already heading to the kitchen and getting himself a glass of water.

“Did you have a good time yesterday with Okuyasu?” he asked to make small talk.

“Yes, I did. Let’s sit on the couch so I can show you”

“Show me what?” said Rohan.

Josuke didn’t answer until they had sit there and he had drunk some water. He had his backpack on his lap.

“I got you something” he smiled and searched on his backpack. He found it and gave the small object to Rohan.

“What is it?” he asked examining the tube. “Oh. Lipstick. Thanks”

“I know you don’t wear it but I found this colour and thought you may like it” he said.

“Ooh, it’s green” he said excited when he opened it and checked it. “Hey, that’s a pretty good gift, thank you” smiled Rohan and patted his shoulder. “I need a mirror now”

“Let me put it on you” offered Josuke and Rohan gave him back the lipstick.

Josuke cupped Rohan’s face with one hand and started applying the make-up on his slightly parted lips. He bit his lips as he was making a great effort and when he finished he leaned back to look. He pursed his lips.

“I’m sorry, I had never put make-up on anyone before” he finally let out his laughter.

“Ugh, what did you do?” Rohan rolled his eyes and went to look on a mirror. “It looks awful” he shouted from where he was.

“Sorry” laughed Josuke.

Rohan came back some minutes later with the lipstick properly applied and smiling smugly.

“It looks really good. Probably everything looks good on me, though” he commented.

“Let me see” asked Josuke cupping his face once again, this time with both hands. “Great” he smiled dumbly and got close to kiss him.

Rohan wanted it to happen but didn’t expect it to, so it took him by surprise. Once he got back his composure he put his hands on Josuke’s waist and reacted to kiss him back. It didn’t last very long as Josuke broke the kiss to look at him, waiting for some sign of approval, as if his hands on his waist weren’t good enough.

“You ruined my lipstick” said Rohan in a low voice. Josuke chuckled and shook his head. “And you have green all around your mouth”

Josuke laughed a bit again and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Rohan went on to kiss him again, this time for longer. It felt better to him than the first time, which had felt odd and absolutely unfamiliar despite feeling amazing. After a good while kissing almost without stopping, they sat back on the couch and kept kissing until Josuke talked.

“I really like you, Rohan” he said holding him closer.

“Me too” he replied feeling awkward, giving him a peck on the lips. “A lot”

Josuke held him tight and smiled. He felt so lucky at that moment.

“I mean, I like you for real, you know” Josuke continued. “I would like to… um, I mean, if you want, of course. Do you want to be my boyfriend?”

“Uh… yes” said Rohan blushing, covering his face with one hand for a split second so it wouldn’t look too embarrassing and evident. “I never thought I’d be asked that by someone with his mouth all green” he joked “or that you would ever like me that way”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re great in every sense”

“I know, but still” said Rohan. “May I take you on a date tomorrow, then?”

“You may” laughed Josuke kissing his cheek. “Where?”

“No, no, wait. Tonio’s tonight and ice-cream tomorrow, alright?”

“Alright”

Chapter Text

Some months had past already. It was late October and the two boys sat lazily on the couch hugging each other as they watched a movie on a Tuesday morning. Josuke had missed school and Rohan took a day off.

“Woah!” exclaimed Josuke when not so many minutes had passed yet. “That woman’s hair… it’s awesome!”

“I knew you would like Blade Runner just for her” said Rohan.

“Why?”

“You have the same hair” explained Rohan.

“What?! We do not!” said Josuke irritated. “Hers is great, but mine is nicer”

“Shh”

It was Okuyasu’s birthday, so Josuke wanted to have everything set for him at his place when he came back from school. He had plenty of time, so he watched a movie with his boyfriend before getting there. Rohan joined him, of course, and they entered the house that looked every day nicer than it used to. They greeted Okuyasu’s dad and Stray Cat (they would never get used to that new name Okuyasu gave him) and set decorations and snacks. They sat at the couch to wait for him to arrive, knowing he was going to bring Koichi, Yukako and Mikitaka with him, and who knows if some other friend. They talked and kissed, mostly. Josuke felt uncomfortable by Stray Cat's constant stare when he kissed his boyfriend, but decided to ignore it.

“Hey, Josuke” said Rohan after they had been making out. “I want to tell you something”

Josuke sat straight and gave him all his attention.

“I love you, you know that, but when I say it I not only mean that you’re the greatest, most beautiful person I’ve met, ‘cause I’ve also told you that. I mean, I love reading you and you’re so great I don’t even want to use Heaven’s Door for it. I wanna get to know everything you want to show me because I know I will love it. Anything can make me happy if you’re around. And my favourite thing is that I have the privilege of ruining your hairstyle… I meant by petting it but yeah, that too” both laughed. “I also like how you can read me because you know me so well. So yeah, that was awkward to say but I like it all about you. It’s so good it’s unrealistic, wouldn’t fit on a realistic manga like mine”

Josuke hid his face behind Rohan.

“I love you too. That was so sweet, I won’t be able to reply with something as good” he showed his face and was blushing slightly.

“You owe me for later, then” smiled Rohan.

Okuyasu arrived with Koichi, Yukako and Mikitaka, who had never witnessed a birthday celebration. Josuke went to hug him and Rohan congratulated him too. It was a nice afternoon.

The last months of 1999 were good and quiet. There were no stand attacks and no serial killers to catch. Josuke had always lived there, but Rohan felt at home that year, being back to that crazy, noisy, bizarre town.