Chapter Text
Jotaro's head is clear as water, and yet he must be sick. There is an odd sensation, as Holly kisses him on the cheek, that this is no longer his life and he should be waking up in the desert. His jacket with the chain is no longer a school uniform. He walks to school—when was the last time he heard birdsong?—to appease his mother. He doesn't know if he will stay. His grades are certainly fucked, but there isn't much else to do, and if he stays at home he really will feel sick.
He doesn't see what slams into his knees, but his legs give out. Flailing and cursing, he summons Star Platinum—had another stand user found him so soon? Was there more to it than just Dio?
"オラ！"
A hand caught his jacket before he could fall down the stairs.
"懐かしいだねー"
Jotaro knew exactly which stand user attacked. He turned around to face one Kakyoin Noriaki, who was glaring at him behind his sunglasses. Jotaro swallowed.
"I didn't follow you all the way to Egypt just to be ignored on the walk to school. I waited for you, you know."
"Oh," Jotaro said.
"So you didn't notice," Kakyoin sighed.
"You're already back," Jotaro said.
"Just in the nick of time," Kakyoin said. "The Speedwagon Foundation barely got my paperwork through. It's a good thing they were still able to put us in the same class."
"Guess the old man is good for something," Jotaro said.
"We're going to class and paying attention today. Not starting fights or smoking on the roof," Kakyoin demanded. Jotaro wasn't sure what a normal day with Kakyoin would even look like—would the enemy stands play dodgeball against them in gym? "You're getting honor roll this year, too."
Kakyoin grabbed Jotaro's wrist and dragged him down the stairs.
"I haven't gotten honor roll since middle school," Jotaro grumbled.
"Then it's a good thing you have someone to study with," Kakyoin said.
"All you've ever done during class is try to kill me," Jotaro said.
"Says the guy who cuts class and kisses the nurse," Kakyoin said.
Jotaro's eyebrows shot up and Kakyoin laughed.
"You didn't forget, did you? Hopefully the rumors have died down by now," Kakyoin grinned. His smile faltered as he stumbled on the steps.
Jotaro stopped short, staring from underneath his hat. Kakyoin caught his breath.
"What is it?" Kakyoin asked.
"You're not walking right," Jotaro said. "You're still injured."
"I'm not spending the whole year at the hospital. I'll live," Kakyoin said. Jotaro huffed.
"Give me your bag," Jotaro grabbed at the strap slung over his shoulder.
"The hell? Give it back, Jojo!" Kakyoin wrapped himself around the bag. Star Platinum pried Kakyoin away and slung it over Jotaro's back. Kakyoin elbowed him, to no effect. Then Kakyoin refused to walk, but Jotaro grabbed his arm and pulled him along the path. Hierophant Green appeared beside Jotaro.
"If you keep sulking, you'll make us late to class," Jotaro grinned. "I'm trying to get honor roll, you delinquent."
Kakyoin huffed and dusted off his green uniform. Jotaro watched his walking even out.
"We aren't even at school and you're already picking fights," Kakyoin said. "What would Holly think?"
"The hell do I care?" Jotaro said.
"She likes me," Kakyoin was smug. "She told me so. Maybe I should come over after school."
"Shut up already," Jotaro said. He spotted a stampede of teenage girls in the distance.
"What will your fangirls think, seeing you carry everything for me?" Kakyoin complained. "Don't tell me you're planning to hold the door, too."
Jotaro grinned. "I just had a good idea."
Kakyoin elbowed him again. When Kakyoin was by his side, Jotaro found his usual entourage of fangirls far behind. He knew better than to make eye contact, but had the creeping suspicion someone else caught their attention.
At last they found their classroom, and Jotaro grabbed the door. His hands were a bit full with his and Kakyoin's school bags, so he summoned Star Platinum to help. To the rest of the class, it appeared Jotaro had opened the heavy door with only his pinky finger—Kakyoin shook his head.
The two were doomed to sit in the middle of the classroom with the K's, but they were next to each other at least. And—Hierophant Green pointed out—they could still use their stands to communicate when class got boring. It wasn't the worst thing ever to stay the whole day.
The last bell rang, and Jotaro found the reconstructed section of the school on his way out. There was a large seam where new building met old—Kakyoin beside him must've came to the same conclusion. Jotaro was guarded during the walk home, and focusing instead on Kakyoin's injuries.
Jotaro trailed behind for a while before he realized that Kakyoin was walking to his house. When he finally caught on, they must've only been a block away.
"Are you homeless or something?" Jotaro scowled.
"I haven't seen Mrs. Holly since she was sick. Surely that's not intruding too much," Kakyoin said. "Besides, you missed me."
"Tch."
"I'm glad your mom is better, Jojo," Kakyoin said. "I was hoping to see her."
"I can tell," Jotaro said.
As soon as they closed the gate, Holly appeared in the doorway. She smiled wider seeing Kakyoin, and waved.
"Jotaro! You're home!" She said. "How was school?"
"Fine," Jotaro said.
"It's nice to be back," Kakyoin filled in.
She ushered the boys inside, and put the kettle on the stove. She disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a plate of fruit for the table.
"I'm so glad you dropped by! I bought all these cherries at the market this week, but I have no idea how I'll finish them all. It'd be a shame if they went bad," She explained.
"How did you know they were my favorite?" Kakyoin asked. "Does Jotaro talk about me?"
Holly smiled and pointed to her ear. Kakyoin blushed as he remembered his earrings.
"Are you staying here, or just visiting?" Holly asked. "I never got to ask where you were from before Dio."
Jotaro frowned. Kakyoin's parents were one of those things he didn't think about much.
"I'd like to stay here," Kakyoin said. "I really like this school."
"You're lying," Jotaro said. "You've only gone to class for a day. There's nothing special about that place."
"Aw, that's great! I'm glad Jojo will have a friend in class," Holly giggled. She tried to kiss Jotaro on the cheek, which was as unwelcome as it was out of nowhere. Jotaro caught Kakyoin blushing again out the corner of his eye.