Chapter Text
Noriaki was sitting in the back of the car, behind Avdol and next to Jotaro. He spent most of the ride staring out the window, thinking about how things have turned out so strange in is life. The previous twenty-four hours were absolutely the weirdest he had experienced. He was saved from Dio’s fleshbud by the very person he tried to kill, who was sitting right next to him in the car. But the very few interactions he had with Jotaro kept him guessing about the true nature of the hulking teen. Noriaki though he was tall, especially at his school where he towered over the other girls. But Jotaro Kujo? The guy dwarfed Noriaki, and his grandpa did as well. When he had woken up, they were informed that Holly had developed a stand, and that it was killing her. Joseph explained that it was because of Dio, apparently both Joseph and Jotaro developed their stands recently. Noriaki felt his insides twist when he heard about that. Once again, Dio is causing pain and he feels powerless to stop him. When he learned the Joestars and Avdol were going to Egypt to face Dio and kill him, he instantly leapt at the idea. Jotaro asked him why and Noriaki had given the same answer Jotaro gave him upon saving his life. Noriaki would never live it down if he let the people who saved him suffer impossibly so. Holly was such a gentle soul and she was so kind… Noriaki wished someone like her could have been his own mother. But you had to make it weird and say you want to marry someone like Holly. He inwardly chided himself as the urge to smash his face through the car window grew. Noriaki glanced around the car, trying to not make eye contact. I should…. Try to talk to them, shouldn’t I? Noriaki felt a weight on his gut, this was weird. They were all in a journey, and the three knew each other, but Noriaki was an outsider. He knew they acknowledged that he was a victim and hold none of his previous actions against him, but he felt guilty. He also wanted to get to know them, specifically Jotaro since he was his age. Maybe when this is all over, I can go to school with him. We’d be classmates… and friends… He smiled at the idea of the what ifs of making it back. He shifted in his seat, the rock on the radio fading out.
”So, Avdol. Did you develop a stand when you met Dio or did you always have yours?” Noriaki broke the silence. Avdol looked at Noriaki in the mirror and chuckled slightly.
”I am a natural stand user. I have always had Magician’s Red with me. Although, I imagine if Magician’s Red developed when I met Dio, I might have been too frightened to have escaped.”
”Were you the only stand user you knew for a while?” Noriaki sat forward, intrigued to hear from the other born stand user.
”Mmm… For a time, but I encountered many working as a fortune teller in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. What about you? Did you obtain your stand through Dio?” Noriaki felt a grimace threaten to appear but kept it down.
”No. I’ve had Hierophant my entire life.”
”Oh! Are we the first stand users you’ve met? Aside from who you met while… well, mind controlled.” Joseph piped in, seeming interested in the conversation. Noriaki stole a glance at Jotaro out of the corner of his eye. The boy was staring out the window, not paying attention to anyone.
”Yes. I… well, to be honest, I never thought there were other stand users. I thought for the longest time that I was the only one who could even see hierophant.” He felt a bitter sting at the memories, being yelled at for making up stories to his parents. ”No one will like you if you lie to them, Tenmei! You have enough problems not talking to people, don’t lie to them when you finally decide to be social!”
”Must have been hard.” Joseph pondered aloud. “Being the only stand user, I mean. That certainly must have been strange growing up, having friends, but no one knowing something so important to you.” Noriaki tried to not let his face twist up at Joseph’s comments. He knew he was being nice and probably just trying to get him to open up, but his words were cutting a little deeper than he likely intended to. Noriaki just flexed his jaw and stared out the window.
”Yes. It was.” He replied softly. Noriaki felt someone stare at him and looked out of the corner of his eye to see Jotaro’s gaze fixated on him before looking back out the window. What’s his deal anyways? He could see the airport on the horizon now, his anxiety was bubbling slightly. Maybe they still don’t trust me. What if they’re going to abandon me somewhere? What if they use me as bait…or even kill me? No… they wouldn’t have done so much for me if that was the case. Especially Jotaro. Although he still wasn’t sure what kind of person Jotaro was, he definitely didn’t seem like the kind to help out those who tried to kill him. He was still achy from when he apparently got the shit kicked out of him by Jotaro’s stand. Holly had gushed about Jotaro over dinner the previous night, going on and on about what a sweet boy he was and what a proud mama she is of her son even though he’s going through his rough rebellious years. Noriaki felt like laughing at the time when Holly showed him photos of a young Jotaro smiling brightly compared the scowling giant who was glaring at them from across the room.
”So… your family is from Europe? That must make for exciting holidays.” Noriaki turned to the teenager next to him who barely moved.
”Yeah, a real riot.” Jotaro grumbled. “I can’t wait for the next one.” His glare intensified, Noriaki was certain he saw his eyebrow twitch.
”Sorry, I just thought it must be different. Has it been much of a culture shock for you Mr. Joestar?” Noriaki figured he might as well try to talk to someone to gain some sort of footing with the others. Joseph let out a huge irritated sigh. Why did I chose the topic everyone’s sensitive about?
”Ah, well. You know, when your only child moves halfway across the globe to be with their husband, it’s hard to deal with. And knowing how rude and disrespectful some people turned out to be, it makes me wish I was around more for her family.” Joseph glared at Jotaro in the mirror, who didn’t respond, when he put emphasis on ‘some’. Noriaki felt a bit more empathetic for Jotaro, just a bit. It must be hard not being around your family, him much more so than Noriaki himself. At least Jotaro’s family absolutely cares for him, he even gets to have an edgy teenager phase where he’ll look back and cringe at himself… hopefully. Noriaki fought the urge to grin at the thought.
”If you remember me and attacking me, do you remember anything about Dio and who he has recruited?” Jotaro broke out of his silence and Noriaki saw the other boy glance at him. Noriaki tried to not make a face, but he felt his features twist into pain slightly.
”I don’t really remember much. When I was under the control of Dio, it was like I was asleep and kept waking up. It was terrifying to know I was out there, but it wasn’t me.” He wasn’t lying. But the things in the mansion… some of his memories were too patchy for him to be happy about it. He knew there were reasons he couldn’t remember everything. That’s what scared him the most. He could only hope Dio’s stand could manipulate memories, or else he had memory loss from trauma. He knew Dio grabbed his arm at one point and he knew they were intimate… but there are days… full days where he only remembers waking up or going to sleep. “I remember a few people in the mansion where we stayed… but I don’t know where in Cairo it was, and if any of the stand users saw me, they would know I’ve been compromised and attack us. Unless I see them first, we might be at a disadvantage just by me being here… I don’t even know any of their abilities… You probably shouldn’t have let me come.” He balled his fists in his gakuran.
”Nonsense! You’re a powerful stand user, and Jotaro and I don’t exactly blend in most places!” Joseph reprimanded, then he jabbed his thumb at Avdol. “Besides, don’t forget that Dio tried to recruit Avdol! That means both you and Avdol will be recognizable in that aspect. Don’t doubt your worth with us, Kakyoin!” He flashed him a grin in the rearview mirror. Noriaki felt his throat tighten and he sighed, a slight smile working across his face.
”Of course.”
The car slowed as they approached the airport, Noriaki exited the car facing the looming white building before the group.
No backing down. He resolved taking a step forward.
★
It was strange boarding a plane with these people Noriaki had just met and now was on this life changing and frankly, suicidal mission to kill his ex-lover. Noraki stood in line just thinking about that previous thought. Huh, I guess that is what I’m doing. Killing my ex. Huh. I… I mean, I never thought about how truly bizarre it would be like, knowing more stand users. What if this is normal? We have these incredible powers… what if the Joestars are the wrong ones? What if Dio really cares and that was to protect me from remembering killing them? What if they threatened my parents? Oh god, am I making the right decision? I wish I remembered more things from the mansion. The wait through the terminal slugged along, leaving the boy in his increasingly frightening thoughts. He sat in his seat and put his head in his hands, leaning over. Oh god, my parents. They’re going to have a heart attack. How long have I been gone from home? It was… oh god, I barely remember when I went to Egypt. Fuck. Did I miss exams? Oh! My ticket should have the date on it! He decided to look at his ticket and felt his heart stop.
December 17th
”Hey, you’re not having second thoughts are you?” The gruff voice next to him asked. More like demanded an answer. Noriaki blinked. He saw the ticket shaking in his hands. He looked up at Jotaro, who gave him a furrowed brow and an unreadable expression. Noriaki knit his brows together and gave a determined glare.
”Not a chance. It’s just…” He trailed off looking at the ticket, a flash of fear in his eyes. “I was there for almost five months… and I barely remember any of it. I wonder if they kicked me out of school with all the absences.” He didn’t miss exams. He missed half the school year. It’s a good thing he took a bunch of AP classes and read ahead. He might be able to skirt by in his final semester. Even though he’ll likely lose his honors status.
”Pfft. Missing a bunch of school isn’t the worst thing. Besides, didn’t you show up at my own school a few days ago? They don’t give a shit as long as you pass tests. Attendance is more of a university thing, high school is stupid. All it teaches is how to be a shit to other people.” Now Noriaki was staring at Jotaro. He finally talks, and its about how fucked up high school is? He grinned slightly, seeing the opportunity to talk to him appear.
”Oh really? Not for nothing, but you look like the guy who would be picking on people like me.” Jotaro quirked an eyebrow at that.
”Why? You some racist shitbag?” Well, that took Noriaki off guard.
”Wha- no. I’m an honor student. Or I guess, I was. What so you beat up racists? That’s not exactly delinquent worthy.”
”You only lose honor status for bad grades. I didn’t say what I do.” Noriaki gave a smirk.
”You asked if I was a racist shitbag, it’s only natural to assume that’s who you go after.” Jotaro huffed and reached for his jacket pocket, pulling out a packet of cigarettes.
”I asked. I never said what I’d do. Maybe I just don’t wanna hang around pieces of shit.” He stuck a cigarette between his lips and lit it. Noriaki twitched an eyebrow.
”I mean, you’re grandfather is… what English? He’s not Japanese, that’s obvious, your mom is English too I think. You’re mixed and Avdol is Egyptian. I sure picked a weird group to hang out and exact revenge with if I was racist then, huh?” He grinned at Jotaro, who blinked in slight surprise and then tugged his hat below his eyes before pulling the cigarette out and letting out a puff of smoke.
”Give me a break. Why are you analyzing me?” Oh no. He’s fun to mess with.
”It’s easy. Besides, I’ve never had fri- I mean… I never met another stand user, much less someone around my age. It’s kinda nice in a weird way.” Jotaro tilted his head up a little to look at Noriaki, that oceanic blue looking right through him.
”It’s different for me too. Star just developed and well… here we are.” He gestured to the airport terminal they sat in, Avdol and Joseph standing by the window, waiting for the plane to pull up to the gate. “Must’ve been weird being the only stand user for so long.” Jotaro mumbled. Noriaki turned slightly.
”Oh? Are you trying to be social now?” He grinned. Jotaro huffed and pulled his hat down again.
”Forget it.” Noriaki tried not to cackle.
FLIGHT 432. OSAKA TO CAIRO NOW BOARDING.
Jotaro stood up and motioned his head towards the gate.
”You coming?” Noriaki made a face.
”Yeah, of course.” Plane rides don’t bother Noriaki. How bad can they be?