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I intensely despise the self-absorbed, an inconsiderate jerk who can't keep a promise.
I mean, any fool would understand that my rough attitude, trampling over others like this, is a destructive act that sparks conflicts anytime. Not literally, but by making someone wait for more than 2 hours past the agreed-upon time—what kind of excuse do I need not to curse his late arrival without any notice?
If he indeed canceled the appointment, at the very least, he should have conveyed it through a call or left a message with Koichi, who happened to pass by on his way home.
I tried to think positively. Perhaps, it still revolves around the sudden attack of enemy Stands or something similar. However, considering this small town has already controlled its Stand users, bound by peace without any disputes after the death of Kira Yoshikage—oh, wait. Please eliminating that from the logical possibilities in my head.
It's been around a month since the death of the main culprit who put an end to the chain of murders in our beloved town. At least from that, life in Morioh has been calm, and there haven't been any incidents forcing the police into overtime.
Josuke, who had the power to confront Kira Yoshikage, didn't directly kill the suspect—there happened to be an ambulance wheel that crushed his head, and voila, the years-long case was resolved in the blink of an eye. Based on that, the brat surely can't use (a Stand’s attack) as an excuse for being late. I'll guarantee his honesty with my power.
Ah, damn. I smirked in frustration. Whatever form God above may take, I will make sure Josuke Higashikata pays for all of this. Moreover, this (related to the wasting my time) is genuinely bothering me. I'm not an unemployed person who enjoys spending most of my time doing nothing.
Even though I've met the deadline for my work, the search for references is still necessary—I brought my drawing tools and my camera for that purpose: unfortunately, there's nothing interesting to capture in this location.
Note this. I ignore some of my dignity just to invite him for a conversation. Two pairs of eyes, just the two of us. Because arranging our meeting in this irritating high schooler's presence—no audience should know about it.
The demand I'll present later when I first meet him is a good ear-pulling. Ask him to give back all my valuable time, that is if he can. A newly pubescent kid who doesn't understand the adult world fully—how could he comprehend that growing up means discarding all the madness of adolescence?
We won't discuss that further now. I stared at the small box in my hand; this is still somewhat related. Why did I bring this with a ridiculous feeling (about myself) and an endless sigh, I don't understand? A ring worth the cost of renovation—please don't remind me—what also makes me not understand why I should present this as a gift to him.
On August 19th, Josuke Higashikata turns a year older. There is an agenda Okuyasu revealed to drag me into giving Josuke a surprise, but I have different plans. Though it's challenging to admit that courage made me promise not to repeat the same regret. Apologizing to Josuke, despite all the conflicts we've had. We used to have various issues that made me distant from him, and don't question what makes me now capable of involving him much more in my life.
However, why does this mistake seem like I'm the one who wants that man to accept this diamond—I sat on the long bench, beginning to get bored waiting for Josuke on that deserted street while standing. Do I look so concerned; who would have guessed that I wanted to bind my fate with a man who, at first impression, once beat me up?
The moments that made me regret my dishonesty to Reimi echoed for a long time, and that was the trigger. Without saying anything, the truth that rested in my heart—after his complete departure to the afterlife, he didn't understand that I considered him a part of my first love.
And I pulled back that time into something that was lost in my head, including how to hold someone's hand after the departure of one I considered valuable. In this case, fixing old wounds.
Although, I also feel like I haven't become that mature—just a little luck to succeed at a young age, that's all that was enough to desire in the past. What a pitiful.
When I reached the limit of my patience to feel annoyed, the tantrum that made me step forward from the place that brought me cursing this: but suddenly, a hand grabbed me from behind, blocking the view of both my eyes completely blurry.
“Sensei! Guess who it is.”
I grunted and pulled his hand roughly to get him out of the way. No significant surprise, it just made me more disgusted. Josuke, with his usual innocent face, indeed wanted me to hit him once. This idiot—how dare he make a lame trick like this to me.
“Stop fooling around, Josuke.”
“Hahah! You knew right away, huh?”
A stupid smile on his face that didn't change made me roll my eyes. Still feeling guilty from the expression he expressed, at least, he was aware that he made people irritated and dead dry just to face him. The boy then sat next to me on the bench after calming me down with a bit of awkward feeling. He knew. Our first intimate conversation couldn't be expected to go smoothly.
I made sure first that none of his friends followed him. It would be troublesome if news of our closeness spread, and the leakage of unnecessary information regarding privacy—(even though the connection between us; for me, is still the most essential thing) everyone should find their own jobs and affairs.
“You didn't bring anyone here, did you?”
“No! I swear, oh my God. Why can't you trust me at all!?”
I sighed with a furrowed brow. How could I easily trust someone whose actions and words were always different? He who was skeptical of me all this time, how could I not?
The situation is safe, at least through the power of Heaven's Door. Sly, yes—but Josuke easily evaded my power, so I didn't apply it to him to read his memory. Regarding our surroundings, it seemed that Josuke didn't lie. Very well.
I then took out the box. Handing it over to him. No statement accompanied it. It's just enough for him to open it.
“What's this?”
Josuke, of course, as a 17-year-old who rarely sees something like that—expensive jewelry—never wears it, never thinks of owning it. The diamond I bought for him is just symbolic, whether from my seriousness to raise higher the expectations of our future closeness, which (my question too) since when did it turn into something strange like this. That statement, of course, I didn't convey immediately some time ago, just inviting him to meet, and today making sure again what's in his heart.
In reality, my feelings haven't changed. I consider it a bit more special than the others. Even though platonic hasn't touched it as a declaration of liking, I still have plenty of time to let those feelings grow and convince.
He lifted the ring. He hasn't worn it yet. Perhaps hesitant. Is it a sign of friendship, but it's impossible because I've hated him before. Josuke won't understand the abstract concept created in my head—we don't match. But my dignity refuses.
“Rohan-sensei! Why did you have to buy something like this!?” Josuke panicked, and his face turned red to the top of his head. Still with that unchanged stupid smile. Along with furrowed eyebrows, I sighed. Giving confirmation.
“Don't try to sell that. I spent most of my savings to buy it for you as—”
Oh. Almost slipped. Does Josuke know well that today is his birthday? And I gave it as a gift but there-is-something-else-that-becomes-a-bond after Josuke put it on his ring finger? Ah. At least, I didn't buy a similar item for myself. Only one: specifically for Josuke Higashikata, who needs to know what the inscription means.
Josuke, you jerk. He's too clueless. Unfortunately, there are some people passing by, watching us, and it's making me half-crazy. I don't want to be mistaken for a pervert who is presumed to be proposing to an underage child!
“Rohan-sensei, what does this mean ...” there was a pause, accompanied by a stammering tone. Before Josuke continued his talk, I slapped his cheek. Not strong enough to break his teeth, but he surely complained about the pain afterward. “Aahh! You really lack any sense of romance! At least, if you want to propose to me, don't have such a flat expression!”
“Haahh!? What do you mean, Josuke, you idiot! Who would want—”
Josuke Higashikata seemed not to care about what was happening around him. Then, he grabbed my hand. Placing the ring I presented on my finger—something that was surely too big because I made it specifically for his size. I stayed silent. Not responding at all. Until he delved into my eyes, I only felt my cheeks getting a bit warm.
“So, Sensei has never created a romance comic? Expressing feelings should be like this, right?”
No. Something like that could never happen. I talked about all the contributions in the essence of the works I've ever produced. Actions in life ... searching for probabilities toward the nearest reality. I've never been involved in the creation of a romance story because it has never been related to my performance in productivity so far. It doesn't mean I'm using Josuke to delve into this—I swear, honest about these feelings.
Josuke still stared at me with a bewildered expression, and it was really annoying. I couldn't stand his whining like a stray dog. How long would he make me grumble?
With a strong pull on his shirt collar, I made my feet tiptoe. Reaching his lips, a short and sudden kiss. The wind that no one else needed to see. Especially because of his weird pompadour hair, there was no reason for me to keep that touch for so long—yet strangely, I sharpened it. Pulling the hair at the back of the guy's head. Against my will, I refused to care about my surroundings.
Josuke widened his eyes, unwilling to believe what happened. I tried to attack again in a few seconds, maintaining the position of my hand on his cheekbone. Josuke was pressed because it was the first time he received this. The first experience, with me as the thief of his first kiss.
But this is how we are—if not stated explicitly, nothing can be understood. However, Josuke suddenly patted my shoulder, asking me to stop for that kiss. I didn't understand what happened, why he looked so panicked like this. When he pointed backward with a terrifying atmosphere and a horrified gaze, he signaled that someone accidentally spied on our intimacy there.
“Sa-sorry for bothering you, Josuke-kun. I was just delivering your forgotten item. I-I'll go now, okay!”
“Kouichi! Haha, thanks—”
“KOUICHI HIROSE! I WON'T FORGIVE YOU IF YOU SPREAD RUMOR ABOUT THIS—HEAVEN'S DOOR!!”
.
.
.
Some time later, I received a call from a foreign number. It came from a distant place in America, and my intuition was really bad.
“Rohan-sensei, Josuke has just turned 17. If you choose to date him, please don't act recklessly and excessively towards my uncle.”
I've locked Kouichi's memories with my power, something initially mentioned by Josuke, but he must understand that I don't want to quickly make others label me as pursuing Josuke or something. Then who—this explicit warning attached, clearly made me slam the phone immediately upon hearing it.
Josuke, that bastard. It's this weirdo who told Jotaro, huh!?