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“Jotaro, don’t you just love lights?” We were on the side of the balcony, we couldn’t sleep so we just talked.
“Stars?” he was always so short worded, I don’t really mind though.
“Yeah, the stars. They’re so pretty, especially when there is barely any trees in the way like back at home.” I smiled, I really did think the stars are pretty.
“The view is good.” I turned to him, he was looking up at the stars with a small smile. It’s nice to see him smile once in a while, I don’t get to see it a lot. “Star Platinum. The stars remind me of Star Platinum, they shine even in the darkest of times.” He looked over at me and snickered. I did lie though. I meant to say the stars remind me of him, Jotaro. Jotaro is so strong, and beautiful, and even in the dark where there are tough things to deal with, he pushes through and shines. No wonder his Tarot Card was The Star.
“Hey, Nori?” I was a bit surprised that he called me by my first name, I don’t mind it but he didn’t say my full name either, he said “Nori”
“Yes?”
“Let’s visit each other. After this is done.” Shocked to hear this from Jotaro, I looked up at him, still surprised. I laughed. “Yeah, let’s do that.” all of a sudden he grabbed my arm, looking me in the eye, his face the tiniest bit more red.
“I mean it. I mean more than once. Not 1 day, not 5.”
“T-Then what do you mean?”
“Stay by me. After this is over. After graduating. Forever.” This big man with muscles, abs, the strongest stand, asking-no, demanding me, a slimmer build, only goes to the gym on some days, with a stand that can’t do much melee damage, to stay with him forever. Just like wedding vows. He was waiting for an answer. My shocked face, turning into a smile and then a laugh. “Of course. I promise that I, Noriaki Kakyoin, will stay with you, Jotaro Kujo.” His face turned annoyed. He let go of my arm. “Okay now that’s too much.” I laughed. He did too. “Yare yare. Let’s go back in the room.”
The lights. They were dimmer. All I could see is buildings, Mister Joestar, and DIO. I could see the tower clock, I needed to send a message. But the stars were dim. I didn’t like that, I felt unsafe. From the time we split up to corner DIO, I felt unsafe. The stars- no, the star, it was dim, I could tell Jotaro was nervous, even if he didn’t show that. The clock tower ticked. There, the lights were a bit lighter. The lights showed me. I can send the message over to Mister Joestar. Hierophant, I need Hierophant. I saw them in front of me, they too were dim.
“Alright, I’m going to dim the lights.” Jotaro, sliding down the little switch, not fully down. I felt uncomfortable. I like it when the lights are on, or at least one light on. But I didn’t want him to be uncomfortable. I thought of one way for us to both be possibly comfortable, I’m not sure he’ll like it too much. “Hey, Jotaro?”
“Hm?”
“I...I’m a bit touch starved.”
“And?”
“Can you, you know, just hug me while I sleep?” he thought for a bit, I knew it was a bad idea, but the answer was surprising.
“Come here.” I got up surprised. I always saw him as a “no touch” guy, maybe he is but this trip has really brought us together. I swang my legs off the bed, looking down at my striped pajamas. I went to the side of his bed. He sighed, patting the bed, signaling me to lay down. I lied down, not knowing how I should position myself. I’ve been touch starved. I don’t have friends, and my parents always held me when I was smaller, I was too big now. I lied down on my side, facing Jotaro. He pulled me in closer and started to hug me. It was so warm. I was always cold. Stars warm my heart, I’ve realized just now.
I fell asleep, but woke up soon again. It was really hot, I’ve had enough hugging. “Mhm… Out…” I pushed Jotaro away. He didn’t wake up so I had to force him up. We let go of our hug. Our only hug.
I should have let it happen. I should have let that hug keep going, as it was the last time I will get to see the real light of the star I loved the most. I should have held on, but I couldn’t. I started to let go of something else as well. Hierophant got the emerald splash ready. Starting to make it, but I couldn’t. I coughed up blood, My chest was obliterated, A few more seconds is what I have left. Everything hurt so much. I’m doing this journey for my only friends. I have to. Thinking about the last thoughts on everyone, Hierophant appears again. I have to send the message, for the star to have the chance to light up once again. “My last…” With all my strength, “Emerald splash…” I sent my last emerald splash to the clock.
I could feel it. The other things that I was letting go of. My life. My promise. As the lights got dimmer and dimmer, I thought about the promise I had broken. Jotaro, I’m sorry for not keeping the promise. I’ll look over you, and your children. Have a long life, like a star. The only star that lights my life. I will see you elsewhere, and when I do, I’ll stay with you. Forever. As I closed my eyes, it was dark. Everything was dark. But then, all of a sudden, I saw a light. Up where the stars are supposed to be. The clouds, so light and fluffy. I saw Avdol and Iggy. I guess I’ll wait here with them. I’ll see all of them soon, my parents, Polnareff, Mister Joestar, and Jotaro. My light.