Chapter Text
“Jonathan?”
The giant hopped in his seat, unintentionally giving himself a bit of an imposing height against the passers-by.
“Space out again?” Speedwagon asked as he checked his watch. “I reckon you broke your record doing that. It’s been five minutes now.”
“Really?” Jonathan asked, folding something into his pocket.
“What’s been eating you, lately?” The blonde asked, more concerned. “Ever since the family grouped up, you’ve been on edge every now and then.”
“Well, we did leave Erina to handle them by herself."
“You can’t lie to me. You put a lot faith in your wife. Dare I say, more than a devout Christian to Jesus,” Speedwagon challenged. “Though now I’m curious to know how she’s holding up…”
“Mr. Joestar, I’m ready to speak with you now.”
“That’s us! Look alive!”
The principal had his aging neck continuously crane upwards as his guests stood up. While Speedwagon was already on the taller side, he seemed dwarfed by the brunette next to him that clocked at over six feet.
“Happy to see a Joestar in my school!” he nervously greeted, widening the crack in the door, “There’s some coffee inside if you’d like some.”
The guest, with a subtle smile, stood up to shake his hand. “Thank you, but I’d have to decline. I’ve had enough caffeine for the day.”
“Hell, I’ll have some!” Speedwagon requested bluntly.
“Well, let’s get started!” the principal opened it all the way. “I’m sure you have someone waiting for you at home.”
“You have no idea-”
*THUNK*
The flash in Jonathan’s eyes cleared, letting him see the doorframe just above his eye level. Ashamedly, Jonathan rubbed the smarting area as the other two men winced at the loud sound.
“Jonathan, are you alright?” Speedwagon asked, mentally resetting the “days without accident” counter he had for this specific scenario.
“I’ll be fine. Let’s just start the evening…”
Once they all took their seats, the principal began, “Well, I’m glad you decided to enroll the kids to this school. Which, remind me, are six in total?”
“That’s right.”
“And you’re living with all of them? Including your wife.”
“Of course! Don’t forget Joseph too.”
“How could I possibly forget?” The principal asked, whose subtle frown was not lost on Speedwagon.
“It’s a big house, and we’re perfectly fine financially,” Jonathan answered obliviously.
“So, let’s start with your living situation. Have they warmed up to the new place?”
“They only arrived yesterday, but moving in was pretty smooth.” Jonathan answered, to which Speedwagon rested his hand on his chin.
“Bunking them wasn’t easy though…”
“CAN YOU GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME?!”
“His name is Coco,” Giorno corrected. “He won’t bother you if you ignore him.”
Josuke’s hands threatened to crumple the music poster he was putting up on his wall; It was difficult enough to stay with this guy. Now he had a turtle. Nothing spelt a good life ever since they met in the airport.
Josuke bumped into the teenager some time after he landed, immediately shocked by the hardened shell that sat in Giorno’s arms. He begged the kid in pink to stay away, and he agreed as they parted ways.
Or at least tried to when they realized they were heading towards the same two six-foot blonde and brunette at the same terminal with signs that had their own names in bold bright colors…
To think they would eventually be in the same room for years spelt bad omens.
“I don’t get why we even have to be bunked in the first place. I thought Joestar-san could afford much more than this…”
“He said it was for family bonding. Even though the other guys roomed with someone they already know…”
“So unfair…” Josuke caught another careless glance at the reptile. And the two steps it made towards him were enough to set him off. “HEY! Could you at least put your turtle in a cage?
Giorno, unphased, moved over to the window. “Coco is a tortoise. And he’s supposed to stay outdoors.”
“Then why is he right here?” Josuke warned.
“Is it wrong to just hang out with my pet?” Giorno emphasized it by crouching down to run his hand over the shell.
“Just keep your pet away from me. I’m already getting the sweats just by looking at it!”
The man with the sizeable pompadour stared daggers into the man in pink, except this was the only distraction he had for himself. Truth was, he was terrified of the reptilian, and it was going to be a long time until he got used to the one in his very room. Once the blonde kid picked the tortoise in his arms, he looked directly at his roommate/cousin with an assertive glare.
“I’m done talking like a broken record,” Giorno repeated, this time more vexed, “I’m going to set up Coco’s enclosure.”
“Yeah, don’t forget to put up a fence…”
Giorno refused to reassure Josuke a third time, instead leaving the room without a word. This was not going to be comfortable, considering that they would have to go to the same school, at the same grade, and possibly some of the same classes.
Too bad the one thing they agree on is that this would suck…
“I mean, it helps better for them to get along, I guess,” the old man concluded,
“And as an alumini, Joseph could give them a few pointers~,” Speedwagon noted.
“Not too many pointers…” the principal interrupted.
The giant jumped at the beep of the coffee machine, embarrassing himself again. But the oldest man only got up to fill her mug.
“I must look really silly,” Jonathan whispered to his comrade.
“Just stay on the alert. I’m afraid he’s having second thoughts…”
“I’d have to backtrack on our conversation a bit,” the Principal interrupted upon her return. “You mentioned the boys having roommates, but there was also a girl you were planning to enroll.”
“Oh, Jolyne!” the gentleman remembered back to his chipper attitude. “She has a room to herself.”
“I wonder how she’s dealing with their chaos.”
“You want those rings?”
“Yeah, but I keep forgetting what size I am.”
“Let me see,” the sailor boy snatched Jolyne’s hand, carefully eyeing the fingers. “Size 7.”
“Bullshit!” Jolyne shouted.
“It’s a talent of mine,” Josefumi shrugged.
“How?”
“I can measure anything really.”
“Nah, you’re lying.”
“If you can’t even remember your ring size, how would you know I’m lying?”
Jolyne stuttered, clocked in her tracks. “I’ll measure then find you out…”
“I have a measuring band if you want one,” Erina suggested.
“Thanks Erina,” Jolyne asked. “Hey, can we go downtown this weekend?”
“Only on Sunday! I have work tomorrow,” Erina asked excitedly stirring the stew in the pot. “But I would love that! What would you like to do?”
Jolyne placed her magazine face down on a specific page, “Just go check the place out.”
“That’s it?” Erina questioned, “It would help to get familiar to the city.”
“Exactly! This city’s a busy place, so I’ve heard. You gotta know what you’re doing too.”
“Joseph can come too! He’d be of great help!” Erina added.
“Are these piercings real?” Josefumi asked, having taken the magazine Jolyne left unguarded.
“When did you get that?!” Jolyne snatched the magazine from the sailor boy’s hands.
“You want a piercing?” Erina asked as she shut the pot.
“No!” Jolyne answered insistently.
Erina frowned.
“I just need your consent. That’s all,” Jolyne pleaded, as her magazine lay open for anyone to read.
Erina would be fine to go along with it. Except she caught something just past Jolyne’s bangs.
“But your ears are already pierced.”
“They’re magnets…”
“Mind if I check?”
“OK! I want a naval piercing…”
“Navel? Heard the needle for those are huge!” Josefumi asked.
“Josefumi, we’re in the middle of a negotiation…” Jolyne told the youngest kid.
“You just got here. I’d rather you not have to worry about how a naval piercing will heal. You’ll already have a lot on your plate with school,” Erina explained. “Does you mum even allow for this?”
“She knows I want one…”
“That doesn’t answer my question…”
“Any adult’s consent is fine!”
“Not that of an adult you’ve only met yesterday.”
“In a week then?”
“A month.”
“Two weeks?”
“Two weeks with vocal consent from your mother…”
“Oh, come on!”
“My final offer…”
“Sure…” Jolyne sighed. “Wait, where’s Josefumi?”
Sure enough, Josefumi – who was sitting next to Jolyne the whole time – was completely absent.
“Perhaps he got bored.”
“Or teleported. Kid is weird, he could probably do that.”
“Jolyne…”
“I mean that in a good way! He’s a cool kid! I kinda wish I got out of trouble as easily as he can sneak under our noses…” She explained. “So, do you have any piercings?”
“No.”
“Not even on the ears?”
“None. I just never cared for them.”
“Are you afraid of needles or something?”
“Oh, those needles are paltry compared to what I use in the hospital…”
“So, you don’t mind getting some?” Jolyne theorized. “I’m sure Jonathan would love it if he saw you with some chunky pearls on your face.”
“He loves me either way.”
“Yeah, but a man as proper as he is would probably buckle at the *drastic body modification*. Like he saw some bare ankles.”
“He’s not from the 1800’s, Jolyne.”
“His suit begs to disagree. Who wears a bowtie to a school meeting?”
“I bought him that bowtie!”
“…”
“…”
“Did you get it from Queen Victoria’s secret?”
“Differently from what I expected,” was Jonathan’s conclusion. “She knows how to adapt, that’s for sure.”
“Alight. Let’s just skip to academics~” he concluded. “From what I see here, I’d say overall, their work is above average. But I see great potential!”
“I’m telling you! They’ll be incredible!” Speedwagon started. “Like Jonathan himself. He’s as amazing as you would expect! Strong, smart, brave. It only makes sense for youth of his blood to follow in his footsteps~”
“Speedwagon, he gets it…” Jonathan interrupted.
“Er, right…” the blonde sat back down.
The principal clutched his coffee mug to find comfort in its fading warmth. “Now as with any school of our standing, discipline is something we’d like to preserve. So, how are your cousins in that department?”
Jonathan and Speedwagon paused…
“Keep the music down!” Jotaro bust through the door of Joseph’s room, distracting him from his siesta.
Joseph set his drink on the nightstand, “You couldn’t knock first?”
Jotaro brandished his magazine with his roughened hand, a finger wedged in between pages as a bookmark, “Fuck you. I’m trying to read. Stop playing that noise.”
“Are you sure it’s me making noise?” Joseph tented his fingers in a sly manner.
“All I hear is Weird Al music and it’s clearly coming from your god-awful piece of junk!”
Joseph defiantly waved that off and grabbed his drink once more, preparing for a nonchalant sip.
“Then go read somewhere else!” Joseph told him. “There are several other quieter rooms in this house so pick one.”
“I have a more permanent solution,” Jotaro, done with the bullshit, started closing the gap between him and Joseph, “Why don’t I just crush the damn speakers?”
The brunette set his drink and swiftly stood up from his seat, ready for defense. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“What’s going on here?” Erina called. “Are you two alright?”
Joseph turned to Erina at the door, with a look that showed hints of something sly.
“I’m fine, but it seems Jotaro came into my room unannounced.”
“And why is that?”
Jotaro continued to stare back at the college freshman through his lopsided cap, face as rigid as the bark of an old tree, concealing the fact that he was 17 years old at all.
“I came here to tell Joseph to turn his volume down,” Jotaro explained, voice sounding gruff.
“Alright,” Erina noted turning to Joseph. “And you were about to do that, right?”
It was obvious at this point that Erina was at least aware of what was happening and came in at just the right moment. And Joseph had to do all he could to turn it in his favor.
“Yes, I did suggest he go someplace else though,” Joseph continued. “It’s a big house after all. The attic seems quiet and cozy enough, wouldn’t you agree?”
Joseph fought back a grin as he spotted the knuckles curl in the magazine, leaving creases on the book Jotaro was holding.
“I considered that. But…” Jotaro stepped aside to look directly at Erina, leaving Joseph irked at the sudden movement, “Josefumi is still asleep.”
“Asleep? Okay…” Erina, perplexedly crossed her arms. Suddenly, her eyes locked past Jotaro, “Wait… Joseph! I said no snack in the bedrooms!”
The british man turned back to his nightstand. He should have realized sooner that when Jotaro stepped away, he essentially gave Erina a clear view of Joseph’s side of the room, revealing the bottle of cola he put aside, clear evidence of breaking a house rule.
Joseph picked the beverage up, humbled as he spoke. “Sorry, Erina. I forgot. I won’t do it again. Promise!”
“As for the music?” Erina asked, dissatisfied.
Joseph once again turned back to Jotaro, who conveniently hid his face between the brim of his hat and his high collar.
“I’ll turn my volume down too.”
“Good. Jotaro, you can go back to your room,” Erina instructed, not changing her stern tone. “Joseph, that better be on the kitchen table or in a fridge!”
Without hesitation, the man in black briskly left the room, but Erina remained, stone-faced and glaring at the 18-year-old.
Joseph mashed the button on his speaker, pissed that he lost the battle. And under Erina’s command, made it to the kitchen. However, he knew better than to give up. If that delinquent wanted to play by rules, then so be it…
“Sorry about the commotion Jotaro,” Erina called, catching the boy before he could close his door. “I’m sure everything would lighten up in a couple of weeks.”
Jotaro tipped his hat, covering his eyes with ominous brooding.
“If you’re counting in dog years,” he said.
“What about your brother? I know you said he’s asleep but…”
Erina gently pushed their door wider, pointing to the boy clad in a sailor suit, sandwiched between the heavy mattress and the wooden bed frame. Jotaro watched the scene as if unable to find out why this was an issue.
“Josefumi prefers it that way.”
Still, Erina needed some genuine confirmation. “Alright. Just make sure he’s awake for supper.”
“Fine, now get out. I don’t want any more distractions,” Jotaro said as he shut the door behind him.
Erina was, predictably, taken aback by this. Jotaro had definitely the fiercest with words, unafraid to simply cuss someone out for getting into his personal space. But to her best interest, she left him alone. And once her footsteps were faded out…
“I told you he’d buy it!” Josefumi giddily cheered, climbing through the crevices of his bed. “Wasn’t so bad, right?”
“Yare yare,” Jotaro groaned at the celebration. “I only had to bring it up because Erina decided to get involved. Plus, he screwed himself over.”
“Should’ve brought it up from the start…”
“I doubt that pompous asshole would’ve cared anyway,”
“And breaking his stuff was the better idea?”
“Well, if you went under the sheets instead of the whole damn mattress, maybe the excuse would’ve landed faster.”
“You got me there…” the fourteen-year-old adjusted his hat and reached for the chocolate filled treats he had in his stash that only he and Jotaro knew about.
“Hey, kid. Don’t spill this time!” Jotaro warned.
“They mean no ill will.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” the principal concluded as he put his mug aside. “If you don’t mind, I want to talk to Jonathan personally. For family matters if you will.”
“Uh, Speedwagon?”
“No need to tell me twice. I’ll be outside, gentlemen,” Speedwagon answered as he smoothly withdrew from the office with a tip of the hat.
Jonathan knew this would come to discussion, and he appropriately braced himself for it.
“First, how is Johnny?” The old man started, “I understand he’s been through something rocky back in his hometown?”
Jonathan didn’t hide his frown. “Yes.”
“Do you mind elaborating how he’s been doing?”
Every photo Johnny focused on, from the ancient to the recent, his eyes always fell upon the man of the house.
Jonathan was the first person anybody would think of when you hear the famous last name. It’s so obvious why. And Johnny for a while saw himself in the same place, albeit in a different path. But he was too careless, and it came back to bite him. In form of protection from the one person he felt overshadowed by.
And now there were more of them. People who would bring attention to Johnny, attention he would never want. And the fact that they would all be in one spot, eight hours a day, five days a week, his senior year in a new high school spelt agony and humiliation.
There was no way he could handle this. There had to be a loophole.
Was there a chance they didn’t want to be in such a situation as well? It was only a couple of them in the school, perhaps if he talked to all of them, he could make it a little easier.
And that was when Joseph walked in. Mumbling words that he could only say when he was particularly mischievous. Wonder who decided to bump heads with him.
“Hey, Joseph.”
“What is it?” Joseph said spitefully, “I’m brainstorming here.”
“I need you to call the new guys down to the rec room.”
“Can it wait?”
“Yeah, once Jonathan and Erina are asleep.”
Joseph stopped just outside the kitchen, slowly turning to the blonde in blue with a sly grin. “Now what could possibly be so important for just to meet up behind their backs? Planning a family prank?”
“I’m not pranking anybody.”
“I believe you. You’re not the most creative anyway…” Joseph muttered under a well-timed sip.
“Are you gonna do it or not?!”
“I just don’t see why we can’t do it now?” Joseph wondered. “Jonathan’s not home yet.”
“But Erina is roaming around the house apparently dealing with everyone’s bullshit.”
“Fine. I’ll wait. I’ll meet you in the kitchen…”
Joseph, with a swig of his bottle, gently placed it in the fridge and left once again. Shortly after, Erina, at the brink of exhaustion from running up and down, made it back to the living room.
“This is just too much chaos for an evening.”
Johnny was seemingly unfazed despite that, “I’d disagree.”
“Johnny, it wouldn’t hurt to get to know the others,” Erina explained, “I don’t recall you talking to a single one of them.”
Johnny remained silent.
Erina stiffened at the frigid atmosphere; Johnny couldn’t even bare to look at her. Maybe it was time to focus on dinner like she preferred to. As for Johnny, he would have to meet everyone at the table. Hopefully something could come out of that gathering…
“…For now, he’s been reclusive. But we’re keeping tabs on him,” Jonathan finished explaining.
A beep from the principal’s watch went off. This time, Jonathan didn’t jump. “Well, it looks like we’re almost done. But I still have a few questions. For you specifically.”
Jonathan was a bit perplexed that he was getting interviewed. But it would make sense as their guardian. “Of course! Go ahead!”
“From what I understand, you lost your father shortly before graduating from the university last year in June. Later July, you lost your childhood home in a fire, and your brother would estrange himself after. Not even before the month ends, you would then find out about your relatives and choose to support them with the scholarships your friend outside offered you.”
“Yes, that’s all correct.”
“Did you even get time to process everything that happened to you?” the old man asked. “Surely a lot of plans must have been interrupted.”
Jonathan furrowed his eyebrows, but other than that, it was hard to get a read on him. “I’m working through them. It’s what my father would have wanted.”
“Your friend is right about you, brave man,” the principal agreed respectfully. “So, with the semester starting next week, I am really excited to see the kids. I appreciate your choice in letting us of all schools educate them. Maybe help us sponsor some upcoming events on the side?”
“I’ll think about it,” Jonathan joked. “Thank you, sir.”
Soon, pleasantries were made and Jonathan (who made sure to duck) smoothly left the office.
“How did it go?” Speedwagon asked.
“Great.”
“You don’t sound like it.”
“Let’s go.”
“We’ll be back home just in time for supper.”
“Not home. We need to stop somewhere first.”
“A law firm? What could we possibly be doing here?”
“Wait here.” Jonathan said as he stepped out. His coat was left behind.
“Jonathan? Jonathan!” Speedwagon called. “What is wrong with him?”
It was respectful to follow his friend’s orders. But Speedwagon was exhausted with questioning Jonathan’s rationality lately.
Speedwagon glanced at the coat left behind by the giant and couldn’t help but notice the paper poking out of the pocket. Speedwagon recalled the number of times Jonathan had his hand in that very pocket, and the times he would stare at its contents even just before the meeting.
It was definitely wrong to find out what was in that paper, but if it was the reason behind Jonathan’s behavior, maybe it was about time for someone to step in.
There were two papers. One folded into the other. Speedwagon started with the smaller one the brunette was staring at.
“I know where you’re going. It’s useless running away. Less so with those pitiful brats.”
Speedwagon couldn’t recognize the handwriting. But some context clues could help. Ominous writing, the letter being enough to bother Jonathan all day. Daring to call him a coward and insult his family as well. No doubt somebody with a grudge. But why were they at a law firm of all places?
The other page actually had a list of law firms in the city. Some crossed out, others circled, then crossed. But one remained uncrossed. The one they were at.
And Speedwagon remembered a certain someone who would work in law. And he immediately bolted out, straight for the building…
“Dio…”
“Of course you’d spend hours trying to find me,” the man taunted, keeping his sharp eyes on his files. “You’re lucky we’re closed, Jojo.”
Jonathan marched into the office, “You really followed us from Liverpool?”
“You’re the one who chose to flee to a different country. Seems a bit excessive don’t you think?” Dio criticized., glaring directly at him
Jonathan remained stoical, “What’s your business here?”
“I’d ask you the same question. Barging into my place of work like this,” Dio laid back in his chair, utterly unawed.
“I mean in regard to your letter.”
“What of it?”
“There’s no reason to involve anyone else in this mess.”
“You were perfectly fine involving the police,” Dio rebutted. “And that unkempt bastard.”
“That was murder!”
Dio said smugly, “I’m surprised that fire didn’t kill you.”
“Are you implying you started the fire too?”
“Just figured it could only be an act of God that could finish you off.”
“Jonathan!” Was heard from the hallway.
“Hah! So, you did bring someone here…”
“Speedwagon! You don’t need to be here!” Jonathan yelled.
“Listen to him. You don’t want to cause more harm than good,” Dio chimed in.
“I couldn't give two cents about you, Brando,” Speedwagon said in derision, “I’m here to take Jonathan back.”
“No, you’re not!” Jonathan protested.
“Jonathan, you’re at the disadvantage,” Speedwagon whispered. “You get carried away here and Dio will surely turn this in his favor legally.”
“I’m just sending a message,” Jonathan insisted, “Our problem doesn’t have to involve anyone but us. Leave my family out of this. That’s not a suggestion.”
“This has always been about the Joestar family. And you made the foolish mistake of bringing them all in one place!”
“I did that to protect them!”
“And you expect them to trust you? A friend of all is a friend to none, Jojo. As surprising as it sounds, all of your blind hospitality is only means to survive for them.”
“Jonathan, let’s leave this snake.”
Speedwagon pulled him away. While Jonathan resisted, he was moving with hm. Like there was one part of him that knew this was a mistake. And Dio’s final words didn’t help…
“They’re all cowards, Jojo! Push them into a corner and you’ll find out just how little they care for you!”
Jonathan was back home giving a wave goodbye to Speedwagon as he left home as well. The giant hesitated at the door. How late was he now? Fifteen, twenty minutes?
He shook that thought out of his head, ducking through the door and going straight for the dining room, where the rest of the family sat, staring at him for his belated arrival.
“Hey… I see you’ve started on supper.” Jonathan chucked, “I apologize for being late,”
“We accept your most humble apology sir…” Jolyne joked. To which Erina gave a cross stare, though she was feeling her mouth curl up.
Erina waved it off. “Food is still warm if you want to get started. How was the meet up?”
“It went great. You’re all good to start this Monday!”
“Great…” Josuke said miserably.
“Why do you say that?”
“New school, new people to *comment* on your choice of style,” Johnny suspected, glancing quickly at the pompadour of the boy he sat next to.
“So, were you talking to the principal this whole time?” Joseph asked. “Bet he remembers me.”
“Like you were there yesterday,” Jonathan said regrettably. “But school is in two days, so we can discuss transport.”
Johnny was the first to protest. “I think it’s better to take the bus.”
“Really?” Jolyne asked. “I don’t mind carpooling…”
“There’s still a lot of us. We’ll talk about it over the weekend,”
“Glad you’re choosing to take some initiative Johnny!” Erina cheered, to which Johnny shrugged out of indifference.
“And, have you talked to each other yet?” Jonathan asked, “To get to know each other, perhaps?”
Johnny looked away. Wasn’t looking good to Jonathan.
“Jolyne, and I were talking about jewelry!” Josefumi blurted.
“What kinds?”
“Been wanting a belly piercing!” Jolyne explained.
Jonathan balked at the statement, “Why would you want that?”
“Needed it for the summer style…”
“But it’s barely September.”
“Piercings heal best in cold season. Timing is key,” Josefumi randomly brought up.
“He gets it!” Jolyne snapped in the sailor boy’s direction, “Glad to have you on board, Josefumi!”
“Glad to see you two are getting along. Anyone else?”
Giorno and Josuke looked at each other for a moment but opted to distract themselves with their plates. The silence was thickening, and it forced Jonathan to turn to his wife, whose expression read futility, exhaustion and perhaps, a bit of dejection.
“I’d say, Jotaro and I have been warming up to each other,” Joseph started.
“What have you two been doing?” Jonathan asked excitedly.
“Nothing. He’s lying,” Jotaro immediately rebutted.
“Are you implying the opposite?” Joseph pouted. “I was really having high hopes!”
“False hopes…”
“During that small quarrel we had earlier today, I noticed you were reading about marine life. I figured you were the researcher type. So, I wanted to offer you a trip to the library,” Joseph explained. “Just the two of us…”
“I’ll pass.”
“Why? That’s sound like something you would enjoy,” Jonathan asked dejected.
“I’d rather go by myself,” said Jotaro. “I can walk.”
“But Joseph is making the offer to take you.”
“And I hope that’s all that is…” Erina eyed the boy sitting across from her.
“I cross my heart!”
Jonathan tried to ask Jotaro again but made a double take, “Wait, what happened to your hands?”
Jotaro immediately withdrew his color-tainted hands, ignoring the question.
The boy in black saw past the humble grin on Joseph’s face. Since he saw Joseph, Jotaro figured that all Joseph enjoyed doing was getting on his nerves. From to constantly shifting his hat, to playing his music ten decibels too high, to sneaking a paint ball into his pockets…
The last thing he wanted to do was give him a chance. Because he would immediately use that chance for something malicious.
“I’m done eating,” he said as he got up.
“What about my offer?” Joseph asked.
“No! Fuck off!”
With that, Jotaro practically threw his dishes in the sink, leaving the room without a care for their reaction.
“Is he always that dramatic?” Jolyne asked the younger brother.
“You’d have to try really hard to tick him off that badly,” Josefumi gave Joseph an unreadable look.
“This is what I get for making amends…” Joseph said defensively. “I’m going to my room. Have a good night, everyone.”
Jonathan tiredly massaged his temples, “I’m getting so many mixed signals…”
“I’m done too. I need to get Coco and give him a bath,” Giorno was second to leave. “Grazie.”
“I don’t wanna be near his pet, soooo~ I’m heading out,” said Josuke.
“Why? Is something wrong with him?” Erina asked.
“I’m uneasy when it comes to reptiles,” Josuke admitted, “They make my skin crawl.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t consider that…” Jonathan apologized, “Had I known…”
“I never told you, so it’s not your fault.”
“But Giorno knows right?”
“He’s made it a point to tell me that all the time…” Giorno returned from the backyard with the reptile.
Josuke reeled. “Come on, man!”
“It’s nowhere near you. Just look away.”
The vitriol made Jonathan recoil more.
“Josuke, how about you stay in your room?” Erina advised.
“Yep, have a good night!” Josuke said as he bolted. Giorno left for the nearest bathroom.
“I’ve lost appetite,” Johnny said as he made his way out.
Jonathan continued to take a breather, which grew to be more disparaged. It pulled Erina to shift her focus and check on him.
“It looks like you two need a minute,” Jolyne got up and left, “Josefumi, wanna check out the attic?”
“Yeah, no problem!”
And Jonathan was left with his wife.
“I didn’t think this through…” Jonathan groaned.
“Just give them some time…” Erina comforted. “So, what did you really do after the meeting?”
Jonathan knew Erina didn’t buy the principal story.
“Speedwagon and I had to run some errands.”
“Did Speedwagon know that? Because he sent me a text when the meeting ended that you were on your way back.”
Jonathan froze, giving a dark impression.
“I went to find Dio.”
“He’s here?” Erina asked. “Jonathan if you brought us to this specific city just to~”
“I honestly didn’t know he would be here until it was too late.”
“Why did you go looking for him?”
“It was just for a talk.”
“It’s never just a talk.”
“It really was this time,” Jonathan insisted. “It hurts me to have hid that from you.”
“As long as no one got hurt,” Erina leaned against brunette’s shoulder, “But now it’s time to focus on your family.”
“My family is what I’m worried about.”
Erina pondered on that statement, her worries growing with each question it brought up. “Did he say he would~”
“I warned him against it.”
But they both doubted Dio would listen…
“Let’s try to keep him off your mind. For now, at least,” Erina cooed. “You’re settled. You’re with us.
“You’re right. I’ll work on that.”
“Good. Because I have a shift tomorrow. So, that means you’re stuck with handling them.”
“What? That’s clever…” Jonathan joked as he received a peck on his cheek.
“Remember we’re all getting to know each other. We all have very unique pasts. Some would rather forget theirs. Don’t rush things, okay love?”
“I promise, my beloved.”
“Let’s go to bed…”
“It’s almost eleven, couldn’t this wait?” Josefumi said groggily as he slumped in the nearest chair, ready to sleep through whatever he was there for regardless.
“Stay on your toes sailor boy, this is an important meeting,” Johnny stressed, despite the fact that everybody was in their sleepwear, ranging from pajamas to a lighter version of whatever they wore that day.
“Then why are we leaving out the couple of the house?” Giorno asked.
“And why did we have to sneak past them this late?” Jolyne continued.
“Jonathan is asleep, right?” Johnny asked.
“He has a distinct night routine. He’s out cold half past nine,” Joseph answered. “Erina on the other hand…”
“She is like a hawk sometimes, isn’t she?” Jolyne chuckled.
“You haven’t met mine yet…” Joseph warned. “Erina is lax compared to her.”
Josefumi turned to Josuke, noticing that his pompadour was intact. “Won’t your hair mess up in your sleep?”
Josuke took a moment to process what was said, but realized there was no harm. “I wasn’t planning to sleep early anyway.”
“Good luck waking up on time.” Giorno teased with clear show that he wasn’t going to help if that happened.
“I’m a light sleeper, Bargain-shop Barbie!”
“Can we hurry this up?” Jotaro interrupted, silencing everyone.
“Happy to…” Johnny began, “So, school’s starting this Monday. Even though we’re all at the same school, I think it’s best to keep this whole family thing under wraps.”
“Why?” Josefumi was the first to ask. “You don’t like that we’re all related?”
Johnny looked directly at Josefumi, baffled by the quick thinking, “If we’re all grouped together, we are likely gonna be targeted. When you come from a big family like ours, trouble just follows you.”
“Are you saying we just hide our identities?” Josuke asked.
“Yeah. Think about it. There will be six of us in one spot. That’s bound to be dangerous when the wrong person finds that out,” Johnny explained.
“Yeah, I don’t want them to think we’re teaming up,” Giorno started. “I have my own plans, and I don’t want people to think I’m some nepo-baby.”
“What plans?” Joseph asked out of curiosity.
“Leave a legacy of my own, to sum up,” the italian listed.
“So, keep a secret by standing out?” Josuke commented snidely.
“You would know a thing or two about standing out,” Giorno let slip.
“Ok buddy, you are on thin ice!”
“Giorno, there are over thousands of students, you can’t make that much of an influence,” said Johnny.
“Try me.”
“Wait, if this is about our school, then why the hell is he here?” Jotaro asked, making a firm point to Joseph, who responded to which by making a mocking finger gun.
“In case Jonathan notices anything odd. I’ll be around to lure him away. I’m in on the secret, only I don’t have to worry about my school mates knowing!” Joseph aimed the finger gun between Jotaro’s eyes, looking directly at the piercing stare with an unbothered “POW!”
“Yeah, I don’t think I want people to think I need a big bro to help me,” Jolyned tagged in. “Especially the guy with the hat.”
“Which one?” Joseph asked.
“Take a wild guess.”
“I don’t know…” Josefumi noted, “I can throw a mean punch...”
“Throwing punches is the last thing I want anyone to do. At least not unprovoked,” The former jockey warned.
“I still think this isn’t a good idea though,” Josefumi, no longer sleepy, sat in his chair properly. “There are common names. People don’t have to be related if they share the same name.”
Joseph and Johnny looked at each other, already seeing the issue.
Johnny voiced it. “What if they share the same birthmark?”
Every single family member looked around. Jotaro and Josefumi knew what they meant. They noticed it between each other too. Josuke and Giorno glanced at Jolyne’s neck, seeing the mark she was also self-conscious about, and they both reached for their left shoulders as well.
This could not be a coincidence, but surely a dead giveaway.
“Okay, that can be fixed with a cover-up,” Jolyne immediately proposed. “And we all look different enough for them not to point any fingers.
“And what about getting to school?” Josuke asked. “Some of us need public transport!”
“Jolyne can drive, I’ll personally take Johnny to school and there should be two bikes in the garage,” Joseph recounted. “There’s a separate path for them.”
“We’re taking the bus,” Jotaro immediately announced, also referring to his brother.
“I am not going to school sweating on a bike!” Josuke declared.
“I have to agree,” Giorno followed up.
“Come off it, you’ll be fine,” Joseph scoffed. “Unless neither of you know how to ride a bike~”
“Don’t care who takes the bus, as long as it doesn’t look like you’re all coming from the same direction,” Johnny groaned.
“You put a lot of thought with the routes,” Jolyne asked. “This better sell…”
“Does that mean you’re on board?” said Johnny.
“If it means not getting into any dumb shit…”
“I’ll go through with it as well,” Giorno raised a hand.
“Four to three,” Joseph counted. “What about you Jotaro?”
Jotaro rolled his eyes, “Is disagreeing even an option?”
“Nope,” Johnny answered bluntly.
“Then do I have a fucking choice?”
“I’m in too, I guess?” Josuke followed.
“Do we really have to?” Josefumi asked. “I was on board with the family reunion thing!”
“There are some nasty people out there,” Jolyne warned. “You have no idea.”
“It’s for the best kid…” Joseph agreed, alarmingly sincere.
“We still have the weekend,” Josefumi pointed out. “There’s bound to be students in the same neighborhood.”
“Then let’s stay indoors,” Johnny emphasized. "Any other concerns?”
Some remained silent. Others shook their heads.
“So, we’re all in? Good, let’s break.”
“Good night, everybody…” Josefumi sighed.
“Good luck sneaking back upstairs!” Joseph teased, earning satisfying grumbles from the three upstairs residents.
The room emptied out, but Johnny wasn’t alone.
“You had your chance to ask questions,” Johnny grumbled.
“Figure you’d answer them more sincerely without others around to judge,” Jotaro said, glued to his seat.
“So, you think they would?”
“I personally don’t care.”
“Then why are you so curious?”
“Let’s just say, it’ll keep me up at night.”
“And that is my concern?”
“You made it your concern the moment you cooked this little plan,” Jotaro retorted, “It’s pretty obvious you’re only fending for yourself here. I just want to know why.”
“I’m not inclined to tell you.”
“Then I’ll take a shot in the dark and say this has something to do with Jonathan. I see the way you act around him.”
Johnny scoffed. Jotaro stood up as he approached the blonde kid.
“Is it his status? You both have big names in your countries, so it makes sense. And there’s also that incident you’re so tightly lipped about,” Jotaro picked up on Johnny’s glare, “But there’s no need to open that can of worms.”
Johnny’s grimace grew, “Shut the hell up.”
“Are you running from an outcome you can’t avoid?” Jotaro debated. “In that case, why are we all in the frying pan with you? Are you simply using us to cushion your fall?”
“Shut your mouth!” Johnny said sharply.
Jotaro raised a finger to quiet the former jockey.
“Careful, Erina’s sleeping,” he reminded, “But it looks like my suspicions were right. I’m done bothering you.”
The delinquent left for his room, but Johnny was quick to stop him.
“Would you tell anyone?”
Jotaro stopped in his tracks. And Johnny wasn’t satisfied with the silence.
“I’ll ask again, if given the chance, would you rat us out? Because everyone goes down if you do.”
Jotaro tipped his hat, “I don’t see an opportunity where I would. Now, I can get some sleep…”
And Johnny was finally left alone to drown in his own thoughts. Yes, this whole plan seemed to be convoluted, but what other option was there. Maybe it will all fit like clockwork. He only had a year left in high school. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about his reputation there. Just as long as nobody acts out. Unfortunately, there was no doubt in Johnny’s mind about it.
This was going to be a pretty bizarre household moving forward…