Chapter Text
March, 2012
Okinawa, Nakagami District.
University of the Ryukyus
It was a trip to Okinawa from Tokyo. Luckily, the expenses of the journey were already covered by Kakyoin’s new employer. The job? Painting a piece for the school’s Marine Science department. However, from the vague description of want from the directors of the school, Kakyoin’s creative freedom was boundless. This meant that even if the piece was for the Marine Science department, it could also be looked upon by the Physics and Earth Science department for the Oceanography and Marine Geology sections of study, and whoever wished to take a look at the walls of the school. The idea of painting the rich coral life around the island sparked interested behind lavender eyes. Within his mind's eye blues and greens swirled around the pastels of the coral, leaving the man in a confident mood. Soon this small island off of the coast of Japan would know of Kakyoin's painting prowess.
In order to loosen up his flow for the oncoming project, Kakyoin took a stroll down to the campus’ lake. A warm up painting always eased the struggle of creative innovation. The air was heavy around him. One glance up to the darkening clouds showed an oncoming rainfall. Always prepared, the cherry red-haired man set up a canvas and a very small canopy tent. If it was going to rain on top of him, it would be a good motivator to see the before and after of the weather through his own art and the art of the sky. It could also be a fun challenge with nature to see who would be the fastest. The world verses Kakyoin.
“Maybe I should use the rainwater for the watercolor, to add spirit within the painting.” Kakyoin chuckled to himself. With a flick of his wrist, he began painting the base of the artwork. Light colors heavily diluted with water. Breaking his normal flow to match the chaotic energy charging within the skies above, he focused heavily on the left side of the painting first. Dark greys muddled together with the blue of the lake before him. Soon part of the canvas nearly matched the view above. Although it was nearly a perfect mimic, the man couldn’t help but feel disgruntled. The canvas lacked flavor. It lacked life. Beautiful but in the temporary way. Another snapshot of life that is just as similar to a background photo within a memory. It was fleeting, perfect for the storm, but not for Kakyoin. He craved to add something more. A detail that could never be forgotten.
While deep in thought, Kakyoin finally registered the man that was to the right of the lake. His glazed over eyes snapping into focus. A pure contrast to the greys around, the stranger wore white. White coat. White Hat. White pants. White. The absence of color. This man by the lake was the detail Kakyoin needed. Feverishly the painter added in the man, hopeful to gather all the details he needed in case the stranger would move. The air around the lake started to match his energy, wind picking up speed.
5 minutes passed slowly as Kakyoin stared down the man, adding in his hair that strangely melded with his white cap, skin tone, and coat. The man could feel Kakyoin’s eyes burning into him. Without moving he summoned his stand, Star Platinum, while his stalker, Kakyoin, was detailing the gold onto his hat. Star focused hard onto the painter, feeling a spark of familiarity from the cherry locks and green attire. This spark, however, did not match the feeling in Jotaro’s chest. Tilting his hat down, Star dissolved. If Kakyoin was fast enough he would have caught the full figure of Star instead of his shadow of color left behind.
Taking a moment to breathe and relax his hand, the red-head took his time to look over the landscape the man was on. The clouds were darker, threatening to spill every last drop. However, the water and land around the Lake Man seemed off. Nearly as though it was purple. Inspiration struck. The man will be the creation of color, instead of the absence of it within the painting. He will be the radiance of the artwork. The perfect detail.
Focused on adding the colors that could not to be seen by the common eye, Kakyoin Noriaki failed to realize the man by the lake, Jotaro Kujo, was quickly approaching.