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Leaning on the banister of the Grand Hotel’s balcony, Jotaro looked down upon Morioh with his ever-constant frown. To be frank, the town may have appeared to be placid, but he knew better. It was always the tranquil little towns no one knew of that caused the most trouble. In truth, the town had a sinister little secret, and that only made his skin crawl. But, he was there for different reasons than just that secret.
He just had to meet his grandfather’s illegitimate son, who was almost half his age. Indeed, it was rotten news to deliver to a 16 year old that his father had discovered his existence while trying to figure out how to split his will but it was what he was sent for. To be fair, it went better than Jotaro had expected. He expected to get a beating meant for the old man, but instead the boy apologized. It was a strange experience that he hoped he would never have to experience again.
But overall, that day hadn’t been the worst. He’d definitely had worse days. Even so, he did have to admit the stress he was feeling was overwhelming. Not unbearable though, as long as he had his cigarettes. Years ago, he’d only smoked to seem tougher to other people, but now they served to calm his nerves. The people that wanted him to quit were now either dead or out of contact. Those were both safer options than being close to him though, that’s what he thought at least.
With a sigh, he reached for the carton of cigarettes in his pocket and grabbed one out. Fumbling for a lighter, he soon lit the cigarette and inhaled deeply. He looked up at the sky as he exhaled slowly. It was already dark, and stars riddled the sky. They sparkled brightly against the gaze of the moon.
“Jojo, I thought I told you to stop smoking those,” A voice said from slightly behind him before moving to his side. “Ugh, the smell of those things are simply putrid! How can you stand them?”
“Who the hell are you?” Jotaro said as coolly as he could as he turned violently to his side to see who had spoken to him. He did remember to lock the door, right? When his eyes met those of calm lavender, he froze. This must have been a dream, he thought, but there was no doubt. Standing there was curly red hair, purple eyes, a white shawl, and a green uniform; just like the one he had died in. It was none other than Noriaki Kakyoin, someone who was supposed to have died 10 years ago.
“Don’t act like you don’t recognize me, Jojo. That’s quite painful.” Kakyoin said.
“Of course I recognize you, I just,” Jotaro paused. “How are you here?”
“Well, I’m glad your memory hasn’t failed you yet.” Kakyoin said, completely ignoring his question. “So you smoke to deliberately go against my wishes? I thought you said you’d stop after Egypt.”
“A lot of stuff happened in Egypt, you don’t understand, Kakyoin.” Jotaro said.
“I don’t understand, Jotaro?” Kakyoin asked, taking a step forward. “You know damn well I was there too, Jotaro. I know what happened in Egypt!”
“You died in Egypt, Kakyoin. I had to watch you die!” Jotaro said, his composure breaking. “Do you know how fucking hard that was for me? I had to watch the old man die too! I could barely save him, but I couldn’t save you.”
“What does that have to do with smoking, Jojo?” Kakyoin asked. “There are other ways of calming your nerves, you know.”
“Well, I obviously haven’t found any other way that works, now have I?” Jotaro responded coldly.
“Oh, so you’d rather just smoke yourself into a slow death than find something safer? Something healthier for you?” Kakyoin demanded.
“Maybe death is what I need Kakyoin.” Jotaro said. “The only person I’ve ever loved is dead anyways.”
“Jotaro, don’t say that. You’ve got plenty of reasons to be alive. You’ve got a young daughter, right? And a wife? And Ms. Holly too?” Kakyoin said. “Aren’t they reason enough to be alive?”
“Don’t you know how much I loved you? How much, even now, I wish it was me who died instead of you?” Jotaro asked.
“I don't know that, Jojo. I’m afraid that even if I did know that, it wouldn’t do much good.” Kakyoin said, placing a hand on the other’s shoulder. “What happened happened, Jojo. You can’t change the past. You just have to keep moving forward.”
“But I can’t keep going, not like this.” Jotaro said, almost like he was pleading. He turned his gaze to what was in front of him. “I need you so much. I can’t even sleep at night without thinking about you, about us, what we could’ve been. What we should’ve been. What he took from us.”
“Jojo, it’s been 10 years. You have to move on. You have a family, and a good job to live for.” Kakyoin said. “Isn’t that enough?”
“It’ll never be enough without you, Kakyoin. Can’t you see that?” Jotaro said. “Even Jolyne reminds me of you. She’s so damn smart for her age.”
“How old is she now?” Kakyoin asked.
“She’s 7, and already in school.” Jotaro answered.
“And Mrs. Kujo, how is she?” Kakyoin asked.
“She’s frustrated. The Speedwagon Foundation has me going all around the world and with endless tasks, she’s afraid I don’t see Jolyne enough.” Jotaro said.
“Well, have you seen her enough?” Kakyoin asked. Jotaro didn’t respond. Of course he hadn't seen Jolyne as much as he’d liked. Being on countless job calls doesn’t allow much time to be at home.
“I try to, but I’m so busy with work,” Jotaro started before stopping himself. “I’m not there as much as I’d like.”
“Jotaro, maybe you should focus on your life now, instead of the one you had in Egypt.” Kakyoin said, taking a step back and turning away from him. “That’d be much better for the both of us, and for Jolyne.”
“So what, are you gonna leave now?” Jotaro asked. “You’re suddenly just going to appear and then just as suddenly as you got here, you’re going to leave too? Well then, go ahead. Just go.”
“Maybe we’ll see each other in a different life, Jojo.” Kakyoin said.
“Yeah, maybe.” Jotaro said, his gaze not leaving Morioh’s view as he knew Kakyoin was gone.
“Umm, Mr. Jotaro? Who were you talking to?” A voice frightened Jotaro so much it almost made him jump. He slowly turned around to see Josuke Higashikata, his newfound uncle.
“No one, Josuke.” Jotaro said. “But how’d you get in my room?”
“Oh, your door was unlocked, and I heard you talking to yourself so I figured I’d just walk in.” Josuke said. Jotaro muttered under his breath. Typical.