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Jotaro sat on his futon with his head against the wall in his bedroom. He and his grandfather had been home for about two weeks now. Joseph was still living with his daughter and grandson in Japan upon Speedwagon Foundation's request. They wanted to make sure his blood transfusion wasn't going to come back and haunt the Joestars like everything else in their lives had done. Jotaro loved his grandfather, but he'd just wish he'd go home. Using Suzie Q as an excuse to go home wouldn't work since she too was in Japan to watch over her daughter, Holly. He wanted them gone. He wanted to put all of this behind him. Jotaro couldn't help but bash the back of his head against the wall continuously.
No one had forced him to go back to school yet and he was thankful. There had been too many thoughts running through his mind to even be able to focus in school if he did go back. He wished he could get over them, but knowing there was blood on your hands at 17 years old and having to live with the knowledge of your best friend being brutally murdered wasn't something you could easily forget. Jotaro couldn't go a single day without thinking of Kakyoin. It drove him up the wall.
He missed them all. He surprisingly missed Iggy. The annoying mut was a nuisance, but he was grateful for the extra help and entertainment. It wasn't fair to him. Iggy wanted nothing to do with all of this and he paid for it with his life. Jotaro grimaced at the thought of what had happened to him.
Polnareff. God Polnareff. At least someone survived, even if it cost him some toes, a chunk of his leg, a few fingers, and emotional anguish. Jotaro still talked to him often. If it weren't for Polnareff being one of the few people that understood what he and his grandfather were going through, he would've cut ties with Polnareff in the Cario airport.
He missed Avdol's wisdom and the way he brought a sense of control to the utter chaos that became his life. He was surprisingly funny too. If it weren't for Avdol, Star Platinum wouldn't be Star Platinum. Jotaro probably wouldn't have even named him but just refer to him has "evil spirit". Avdol came back from the grave and Jotaro was waiting for him to do it again.
Kakyoin, his best friend. He was the person Jotaro could talk about anything with. If only he had more time with him. They never even got to bond as students and work on school projects together. They bonded over utter hatred for a vampire and and fought alongside each other. Jotaro would've been content with that if Kakyoin lived. Jotaro missed Kakyoin with his entire being. His soul hurt. He was missing more than just his best friend. Jotaro learned he couldn't stomach the sight or smell of evergreen and cherries.
The only thing that was keeping Jotaro's head on his shoulders was music. He took up playing the guitar a couple of years ago, but he stopped from lack of interest. Now that guitar was the only thing that peaked his interest. In his attempt to forget about everything that happened in Egypt, he relearned some chords and fingerings on the fretboard. It kept his mind busy.
With a sigh and another bang of his head against the wall, Jotaro stuck his arm out. Star Platinum didn't need Jotaro to tell him what he wanted. Star picked up Jotaro's acoustic guitar from across the room and put it in his user's hands. Jotaro was never happy anymore, Star wished he would just smile or at least start feeling better. Star didn't know how to help his user and Jotaro didn't know how to help himself. He didn't try to help himself, but he did try to distract himself. It didn't always work.
Jotaro put his guitar in position and started to strum the chords of a song he first started hearing on the radio in Hong Kong. It reminded him of the trip he wished so dearly he could forget, but something about the song gave him a sick sort of comfort. He felt better when hearing the song, just as long Polnareff wasn't singing along.
"One last kiss. I love you like an alcoholic."
During his road trip to Egypt, Jotaro learned quickly that he would've been miserable, or at least as miserable as any human could be, without Kakyoin. Without him, the trip wouldn't have been the same.
"One last kiss. I love you like a statuette."
---
"Do you have any other expressions other than marble?" Kakyoin asked as he took off his shoes and placed them next to his bed. They just had arrived at some lavish hotel in Hong Kong. Kakyoin looked to Jotaro with his eyebrow raised. Jotaro could only deadpan.
"What?"
"Could you at least smile or make a facial expression that says more than "I can and will punch you?" Kakyoin asked. Jotaro thought for a moment and shrugged.
"We're going to a place without a definite location. My mother is dying and everywhere I go someone is trying to kill me, Kakyoin. How am I supposed to smile?" It was Kakyoin's turn to stop and think for a moment. He crossed his arms over his chest with a finger to his chin as he thought.
"Appreciate the small things, Jotaro. You'll drive yourself insane if you don't. Enjoy the time you have with us and smile. Try not to look so much like a statuette." Jotaro chuckled.
"You've been listening to that song on the radio too much haven't you?"
"How can I not? I can't pick what's on the radio. Besides, Polnareff blares it anytime he hears it." Kakyoin chuckled along with Jotaro.
"But seriously, stop being a statuette. Even if it's more about the destination than the journey, try to have some fun." Jotaro shrugged.
"Whatever makes you happy, Kakyoin." Jotaro leaned back against his bed and started dozing off.
"Goodnight, Kakyoin."
"Goodnight, JoJo."
As soon as the two teenagers were about to fall asleep, Polnareff managed to kick the door in.
"Jotaro! Kakyoin! The song is on! Come sing with m-" he was cut off by Avdol covering his mouth and dragging him down the hall. If the boys weren't so tired they would've thanked him.
---
"One last kiss. I need you like I need a broken leg."
Jotaro strummed the next few chords and stopped. He threw his head back and ran his hand over his face. He was singing a song with lyrics that made no sense at all. Hell, he'd been listening to a song for months with lyrics that didn't make any sense to him. Jotaro stopped and thought about what he and his friends had been singing and he realized it did make sense.
He was an alcoholic, if Kakyoin was the liquor.
He was a statuette, if Kakyoin was the sculpture that brought him to life.
And he needed back the feeling of broken bones and bruises because without the feeling, he didn't have Kakyoin. He missed being in more pain. When he felt it, at least Kakyoin was there to help him through it. He still hurt, but it wasn't the same kind of hurt. His ribs were still fractured and healing and it hurt to breathe, but his chest and soul ached. Jotaro felt off, like he was missing something. If he didn't like playing his guitar so much, he would've smashed it to pieces if it would've helped to get rid of his pain and feeling of awkwardness.
Jotaro needed some fresh air. He didn't want it, but he knew it was the best thing for him right now. He could only be so self destructive. Plus, he wanted a smoke.
Jotaro dragged himself off his futon and to the door of his bedroom. He listened for the laughter of his family, but realized he wasn't going to hear such a thing for a while. Jotaro went with his gut and silently dashed out of his room and home, hoping not to be seen or heard. If his grandparents or mother saw him they would definitely make him spend time with them to make sure he was okay. He wasn't and he probably never would be.
Jotaro let out a breath he didn't know he was holding at the end of the little bridge leading to their home. He adjusted his hat and started walking, letting his legs take him anywhere. Star lit Jotaro a cigarette.
Even though Star Platinum was a stand and followed the commands of Jotaro, he could summon himself if he so chose, or at least now he could. His job was to protect his user, but it was a lot harder to do when his user wouldn't even attempt to protect himself. Thus, Star Platinum started to become more mobile. Star Platinum summoned himself and floated next to Jotaro. He honestly looked like shit.
Jotaro was thinner with more muscle and sunken eyes. His once shining blue eyes were dull and blood shot. Star knew Jotaro hadn't been sleeping well the nights he did sleep. Those were good nights. Jotaro's bad nights would consist of him passing out from exhaustion and waking up in a cold sweat from a nightmare. All Star could do was lay a hand on his user's shoulder in an attempt to reassure him he was safe. It usually worked, but Jotaro was still shaken and wouldn't even attempt to go back to sleep. He would just read or play his guitar.
Star looked at Jotaro with a disapproving look, having been able to hear his user's request without him actually saying it.
"What? Can I not have one beer? I'm thirsty."
Jotaro's mother had gotten rid of all alcohol in their home in fear of what Joseph or Jotaro would do. Joseph could easily just buy some, but when he and his grandson witnessed Holly Kujo pour one out for their fallen friends along with everything else in the liquor cabinet, the message was clear. Star reluctantly retrieved a beer and gave it to Jotaro. Jotaro put his cigarette out against the can and opened it. He chugged the thing like he hadn't drank anything in days. He hadn't.
"Sometimes I wish you could actually speak, Star. An actual voice might do some good to help me redirect my thoughts."
"Ora."
"That's what I thought you would say…"
Jotaro was so engrossed in his tormented thoughts he didn't even notice Star's arm in front of his chest. If it weren't for Star Platinum, Jotaro would have smacked his face off a tree branch. He mumbled his thanks to his stand as he pulled his cap over his eyes.
Said stand and user continued on their way into town. Jotaro ignored every greeting thrown his way. Star couldn't tell if his user even heard them. Girls attempted to flock Jotaro, but he just kept walking and walking with his hat covering his eyes. The girls were confused as to why Jotaro hadn't snapped or waved them off. They didn't receive any attention from the boy of their dreams, so they wandered off.
"What's wrong with JoJo?"
"He's been gone for months."
"I heard he went to Egypt to save his mom or something."
"That's crazy. Jotaro doesn't care about his mother, only himself."
"Oh how wrong they are," Jotaro thought. Sometimes Star Platinum's ears truly did come in handy.
"I don't even care about myself anymore."
---
"I don't want to bug you about this so soon sweetheart, but have you thought about going back to school? You should finish the year." Holly Kujo knew this was a battle she would lose, but wanted the best for her son. He hadn't left the house since he and his grandfather had returned. Holly was surprised he even came out of his room. He looked horrible sitting at the dining room table with his arms over his chest. He looked like he was trying to protect himself, but gave off an aura so bad it would have made people turn and run.
"The last thing I want to do is go to school."
"Okay…" Holly's typical chipper response was somber. Jotaro's heart punched his aching ribs seeing his mother so sad, but it was true. School was not what needed right now. Joseph's timing couldn't have been any worse as he decided to walk into the room at that very moment.
"Your mother is right Jotaro," Joseph began to lecture. Jotaro couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Suzie and I are in agreement with her. Go back to school. Be it online or not, hell I'll even pay for you to test out if you study. Please just finish the semester. We only want what's best for you, Jotaro." Joseph was begging. Jotaro never thought he'd see that in his life. Joseph looked pathetic, but the bandages, cuts, and bruises didn't help his look either.
"I'm going to fail my classes if I go back."
"Jotaro, you're already failing!"
"Oh well," Jotaro slumped into his chair. Joseph slide into the chair across from Jotaro as Holly put a plate in front of her son.
"You can't ride this out forever, Jotaro. You need to go back to school at some point."
"You're right, at some point. Not now." Jotaro didn't pay any mind to the food in front of him. His mother knew how much he liked her cooking and thought it would cheer him up, but he'd have to notice it first.
"Please, Jotaro," Joseph went back to begging. He actually looked pain over this. Suzie Q came up behind Jotaro and put her arms around him, forcing him into a gentle hug he needed. It scared the shit out of Jotaro and it forcibly summoned Star Platinum. Holly chuckled at the sight.
"Be a good boy Jotaro and finish school. Please, for us. And eat something sweetheart, you're thinning out." Suzie Q landed a quick kiss on her grandson's cheek and made her way toward the living room. Jotaro finally noticed the food and began eating it slowly, even though his mind and stomach were telling him to eat faster.
"Good grief," Jotaro mumbled through a mouthful of food.
"I'll consider it."
---
He didn't consider it. Not until right now. Not until he noticed his legs had carried him to the town's cemetery. Jotaro froze. His reaction forced Star Platinum to be ready to punch any potential threat in the area.
This was the last place Jotaro wanted to be in. He hadn't stepped foot in this place since Kakyoin's funeral a week ago. The event was branded into his memory.
---
Wailing. Sobbing. Screams. It sounded a lot like that awful night in Egypt. Jotaro's stomach rolled and he wanted nothing more than to leave. The only reason he didn't was for his family and Kakyoin's. Star was glued to Jotaro. He appreciated the company. He noticed the tendrils of Hermit Purple around his grandfather's arms too. Joseph had Suzie in a death grip and from the looks of it neither of them were going to let go. Kakyoin's father slowly approached them as he would a wounded animal.
"You must be the Kujos and Joestars." He turned his head toward Jotaro and looked him up and down.
"And you must be Jotaro. I'm sorry this is how we had to meet, but our son wrote fondly of you and Mr. Joestar along with an Avdol and Polnareff." He shook Jotaro's hand as he turned his head to Joseph.
"Thank you for everything."
"It was the least I could do…"
Jotaro had no idea what was going on. His grandfather was talking to Kakyoin's father like they were old friends. His grandmother stood at his grandfather's side, squeezing his hand. Holly wiped her nose and tapped her son on the arm, sensing his confusion. He leaned down so his mother could whisper in his ear.
"Your grandfather paid for the entire funeral. Casket, flowers, and all. He told me he even bought a plane ticket for your friend, Polnareff."
Jotaro's eyes went wide as he looked at his mother in disbelief. It made sense, his grandfather was loaded and had more connections then he could count. There was no way Kakyoin's family could have done all of this so fast. It was all so overwhelming... Polnareff was coming...from France. Jotaro's head began to spin.
"You all right, Jotaro?" Joseph landed a hand on his shoulder. Jotaro righted his head and snapped back to reality.
"Yeah...yeah I'll be okay." He hoped. Star gave him a look that screamed liar and Joseph wasn't blind or stupid enough to ignore it.
"Let's sit down for a bit, yeah? Besides, I need confirmation from Speedwagon Foundation on some things before we start."
"Great", Jotaro thought as he found a spot to sit down at. They all picked chairs underneath a tall oak tree. He pulled his hat over his eyes and shook his head. He didn't know what was going to happen if he stayed here too long, but he knew it wouldn't be good. Jotaro was trapped in panicked thoughts until a familiar voice was caught in Star's ears.
"I'm sorry, mon cheri, but if I felt better and it were under different circumstances, I would gladly take you on a date."
Holy. Shit. Jotaro whipped his head around and caught sight of the horrible looking, silver Frenchman. Joseph caught Jotaro's stare. He almost shed a tear. Jotaro took off at a full sprint, knocking over his chair in the process, and Joseph wasn't too far behind him. Holly and Suzie Q called for them in the confusion, but the two women were promptly ignored. Polnareff saw the yellow and purple glint of Star Platinum followed by Hermit Purple and almost cried. He opened his arms wide, completely forgetting about the girl standing next to him.
Joseph landed in Polnareff's arms with Jotaro. Despite his age, he could still run as fast as his grandson. Polnareff pulled away and took one long look at the two Joestars after a very long, much needed hug.
"Mom dieu, you two look like shit." Polnareff couldn't help but smile. Bringing humor into bad situations was his gift, but right now it was a true gift to the Joestars.
"Have you looked in a mirror lately? You look pretty bad yourself." Jotaro looked Polnareff up and down. He still had bandages like he had at the airport. The cuts and bruises all over his body were much more prominent now. His eyes were dull and the bags under them were vibrant.
"It's not my fault I was home for two days and had to come running back. I guess I can't get away from the two of you." Polnareff smiled through his pain. However, the smile was a bit more genuine around Joseph and Jotaro. The girl Polnareff had been talking to disappeared.
"Have you two talked to his parents yet?"
"I arranged the whole thing, I had to. His mother is a wreck, but his father is staying strong. I'm assuming it's for her sake." Jotaro was silent.
"What about you, Jotaro?" Star placed his hand on Jotaro's shoulder. His head hung heavy.
"Everytime I look at her all I can see is him. I feel sick just being here." Jotaro couldn't look the two men in the eye. He didn't need to. They both understood. Polnareff let out a long sigh. He almost looked green.
"I know we don't want to do this, but we need to." Joseph sighed and Jotaro ran a hand down his face. Silver Chariot appeared behind Polnareff with both hands on both of his shoulders. All three of them knew Silver Chariot wasn't going to leave, just as much as Star Platinum and Hermit Purple weren't going to either. The three somehow managed to look how they did months ago at the beginning of their adventure. Confident. Prideful. Strong. They made their way to Kakyoin's mother and the casket for their fallen friend.
---
Jotaro's legs were shaking from the thought. He managed to wobble over to a tree and sit down before his legs failed him. Even though it was almost February, there was very little snow and the trees seemed full of life, even if the ground was frozen. Pretty ironic for a graveyard. Jotaro took a deep, shaky breath. Star sat down in front of Jotaro.
On nights where Jotaro would wake up in cold sweat, Star Platinum would hover close to Jotaro. One night, Star's hair brushed against Jotaro's hand. He never noticed, let alone knew, how soft Star Platinum's hair was. He would run his fingers through Star's hair and play with it, sometimes even braid it. Jotaro hated that his mother had him learn how to braid hair so he could braid hers, but he had to admit it was relaxing. His grandfather even mentioned it was good for girls and daughters, not that Jotaro cared. Unfortunately for Jotaro, Star's hair couldn't keep Jotaro's out of his own head for very long.
---
Kakyoin's mother was a total wreck. The woman looked like she could hardly stand and was hunched over. There was a chair behind her for when her legs failed from all her crying. She managed to compose herself enough to speak, but her voice was pained and the tears still flowed. If she wasn't Kakyoin's mother, Jotaro would've told her to shut up long ago. She was annoying and it hurt everyone who heard it. The three men approached her slowly. They were hurting just as much as she was, if not a bit more with their physical injuries. She took one look at Jotaro and lost every once of composure she had.
Kakyoin's mother fell into Jotaro's arms and wailed. She hadn't been on his chest for a minute and his shirt was soaked. She was in so much despair she didn't even notice she was hurting Jotaro. His ribs were still healing along with his arms from being sliced by razor sharp knives, but he took all of it. He was in physical, mental, and emotional anguish, but he couldn't comprehend the pain of losing a child.
Jotaro's body was screaming. He put his hands on Kakyoin's mother's shoulders and gently pushed her out towards arm's length. He wasn't going to let her know he was in agony, she had enough to worry about.
"We're sorry for your loss. Kakyoin was a good kid, it's a shame what happened." Polnareff and Joseph nodded in agreement. They each took turns hugging the mourning women.
"You're the men my Noriaki wrote about so much…". Polnareff's eyes widened.
"So much? When did he have time to write?"
"I don't know but he sent a dozen letters. They all talked about how he didn't want us to worry and that he was fine…". Her words died off in a choked sob. Then men stood in awkward silence in front of the sobbing women.
"His last letter was dated January 16th," She started sobbing harder. Jotaro paled, Joseph and Polnareff tensed. The stands were on their guard for an unknown threat that upset their users. Kakyoin's mother didn't notice the men's reactions. Polnareff managed to console her and calm her down to the point where she stopped sobbing. Jotaro and Joseph could tell Polnareff was a wreck in his head, but Kakyoin's mother didn't catch on. Her eyes were bright pink and puffy.
"I'm sorry. You don't need to listen to some old women cry. You're all hurting too," she pointed at the bandages each of them bore. Polnareff gave her a reassuring smile and squeeze of her hand.
"We're alright, mon cheri." It was a lie and they all knew it.
"Please, don't worry about us," Polnareff gave her another smile. Kakyoin's mother thought it was genuine, but Jotaro and Joseph could only see all the pain it was laced with. They were all mourning more than just Kakyoin, but Avdol and Iggy's deaths hit Polnareff harder. He was the poor bastard that had to witness them.
Jotaro couldn't handle all the crying and sadness anymore. He turned around to leave the pathetically painful scene only to run into a Speedwagon Foundation agent chest first. The shock of the confrontation made his ribs hurt even more. Jotaro wrapped his arms around his chest and tried to breathe. Joseph looked like he was ready to send the agent flying. Polnareff looked a little scared. He was wondering if Jotaro was going to punch the agent out of the graveyard.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr. Joestar, but everything is ready for the service." The agent gave his condolences, quick apology to Jotaro, and Joseph waved him off. Joseph grabbed Kakyoin's mother by the hand and led her to a seat next to her husband in the front row. Joseph found a seat of his own next to his wife and daughter. Jotaro sat next to his mother, Polnareff next to Jotaro.
The pastor started going on and on about the boy he never even met. Each of the remaining Crusaders became more and more angry as the pastor went on. None of them should be here right now. Polnareff should be home in France. Joseph should be with his wife, home in New York. Avdol should be working with Joseph. Jotaro and Kakyoin should be studying for a test for school. Instead, they were sitting in a graveyard mourning a 17 year old boy who never got to live his life. Yet, the Crusaders were mourning a wise Egyptian and a dog from New York too.
"Would anyone like to say a few words for the deceased?"
"Yeah I would," Jotaro thought. "Kakyoin, I never got the chance to say that I love you."
---
The thunk of Jotaro's head hitting the frozen bark of a tree snapped him out of his thoughts. Star just deadpanned to his user.
"Don't give me that look." Star still gave him the same look. Jotaro rolled his eyes and hauled himself to his feet. He wiped the little bit of snow off of his pants, shoved his hands in his pockets and started to wander through the graveyard. Despite being surrounded by corpses, it was quite peaceful. Everything was quiet. The snow on the trees and tombstones was actually quite pretty. As he walked along the path, Jotaro scooped up some snow from on top of a tombstone and made a snowball. He threw the ball into the air and caught it as if it were a baseball. He immediately threw it at Star, who caught it and crushed it.
Now that Jotaro couldn't hear screaming and crying all around him and could think straight, he noticed how large the cemetery truly was. He wasn't in this part of the cemetery he was in now for Kakyoin's funeral. It was beautiful. He forgot where he was for a moment until he turned and saw the cemetery's main mausoleum. The mausoleum was at the top of the hill in the cemetery, overlooking all the souls who resided in the place. Jotaro didn't even notice he walked all the way to the top. Then again, Jotaro had begun to lose his sense of time ever since he returned to Japan. He climbed the weathered, marble stairs of the mausoleum and sat at the top. It was freezing cold, but Jotaro didn't think enough to care. He let his legs dangle over the edge. Jotaro reached into the inside of his jacket and pulled out a carton of cigarettes and stuck one in his mouth. Star immediately lit it in the blink of an eye.
It was a beautiful view and a beautiful place. Ironic and almost morbid, but that is what Jotaro's life had become. He took a long drag from his cigarette and held the smoke in his lungs until he choked. Star gave him a puzzled look. Jotaro's coughing turned into chuckling.
"I'm fine, Star. I'm just an idiot who forgot how to breathe." Jotaro took another drag from his smoke, remembering to breathe this time. He smiled. He was alone, yet surrounded by hundreds of people. Jotaro finished his cigarette and threw the butt into his pocket. If he wasn't in a cemetery he would've just dropped it on the ground. He threw himself down from the top of the mausoleum onto the ground and started walking somewhere again. He took in his surroundings and tried to focus on them and not the thoughts in his head. He failed.
---
No Crusader wanted to be the first to speak, but they all knew they had to say something. Some of Kakyoin's relatives took their turn in saying how much of a sweet, wonderful boy Kakyoin was and how'd they miss him. It felt fake to the Crusaders. Kakyoin probably hadn't seen half of these people in years. Kakyoin's father looked to Polnareff for some words. He slowly rose to his feet. Jotaro and Joseph seemed to be the only ones who noticed his grimace as he stood. None of these people knew Polnareff had lost a chunk of his leg.
"I haven't known Kakyoin very long, but the amount of time I did I learned just how good of a person he was. He'd listen to my horrible jokes and throw them back at me when he could. He was a great kid...I'm gonna miss him," Polnareff almost burst into tears if it weren't for the Joestar family. They each gave him a little reassurance in their own way as he sat back down. Suzie and Holly held his hands as Joseph got to his feet.
"Kakyoin was a definite kind soul. He lightened up the mood easily, and believe me we needed it. He was a sharp, young man. I'll be looking forward to seeing him again…" Joseph's words slowly died on his lips. He looked like he'd been through this before. Jotaro didn't know anything of his grandfather's past other than he apparently had flown planes before, but had always crashed. He could tell Joseph was trying hard not to cry and it appeared rather difficult for him as he sat back down. His wife tried consoling him. Joseph accepted her offer, but wouldn't look her in the eye. Jotaro knew it was his turn to say something, but he couldn't muster the words, let alone courage. The place was silent. Polnareff and Joseph realized the pastor was going to start speaking soon, so they dragged Jotaro to his feet. Any words Jotaro thought he could say were now gone.
"I…" he started. He looked to Polnareff and Joseph for help. They wouldn't give anything but encouragement in the form of a thumbs up. Jotaro shook his head and pulled his cap over his eyes. He wished he was with Kakyoin.
"I haven't known Kakyoin very long, but we're classmates. In the time that I got to know him, I started considering him my best friend. Hell, he is my best friend…" Jotaro's mind went blank and his heart started racing.
"I miss you Kakyoin. We never got to work on stupid school projects or play video games on the weekend together..." Jotaro looked directly at the casket through his ramblings and word vomit.
"...I want my best friend back."
---
Jotaro would've fallen on his face if it weren't for Star Platinum. While lost in his thoughts, Jotaro managed to stumble to the part of the cemetery he didn't want to go to. The area where Kakyoin was buried. Jotaro's heart plummeted and he planted his foot and pivoted in the other direction. Star Platinum spun him around and pushed him forward towards the plots. Jotaro was shocked.
"I didn't tell you to do that." Star gave Jotaro the look he hated most, the one that said I'm doing what's best for you. Star Platinum used Star Finger to lightly push Jotaro forward and shooed him along. Jotaro did nothing but complain and curse his stand.
Jotaro looked visibly ill being in this part of the cemetery. His skin was already pale from everything be went through and now it was becoming paler. Jotaro started to fidget and play with the chain on his jacket as he pulled his hat down over his eyes. Star Platinum put his hands on his user's shoulders and steered him to the last place he wanted to be. Before Jotaro could protest he was already there.
In front of his best friend's grave.
---
Kakyoin Noriaki, beloved son. 1989
"Why isn't his birthday and death date on his tombstone?" Polnareff asked. It was an honest question and it was rather odd they weren't there.
"Both his parents and Speedwagon Foundation requested it not be there, but the year he died…". Joseph shrugged his shoulders. "I guess they didn't want people to know his age." Joseph pulled an excuse out of his ass. It was a bullshit reason and they all knew it, but it was his parents choice.
"I guess it's time to really say goodbye," Polnareff sighed. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I'll see you and Avdol again someday. Don't cause too much trouble up there…" Polnareff's crying became more audible. He had brought some flowers with him. Cherry blossoms. Polnareff wiped his eyes and stepped aside.
"Goodbye Kakyoin…til we meet again…" Joseph's accent slipped through before he couldn't utter another word. All the tears he'd been holding back broke free and he sobbed into Jotaro and Polnareff's shoulders. His entire frame was wracked with sobs. It hurt Jotaro to witness. Joseph pulled himself off his friend and grandson, mumbled his apology, and wiped his eyes as he put his bouquet of flowers next to Polnareff's. His choice of flower for Kakyoin were white daisies.
Jotaro couldn't utter a single word, but his mind said everything he wanted to say. He bent down in front of Kakyoin's grave and set his flowers on top of his grandfather's and Polnareff's. Jotaro rested his head on Kakyoin's tombstone and let out a shaky breath. He rested his hand on the tombstone as he stood. His hand brushed against the red roses he laid down.
"Hope you do alright up there... I'll see you later, Kakyoin." It was a shitty goodbye and not one Jotaro wanted, but he knew Kakyoin would understand.
---
Jotaro didn't know what to do. He was still just a kid. He had never had to deal with any of this before and he didn't know how to mourn or grieve or anything. He knew how to scream and punch things, but he wasn't going to punch Kakyoin's tombstone. Star Platinum patted Jotaro on the shoulder.
Jotaro walked closer to Kakyoin's grave. The snow on the ground didn't seem to affect the flowers that were laid there. The flowers looked bright and vibrant. Upon further inspection he noticed they were new, bright flowers. Daffodils, tulips, lilies, and surprisingly sunflowers. Yet next to the new flowers were the old ones from the funeral. All the flowers he, his grandfather, and Polnareff laid down along with the flowers from Kakyoin's parents. They seemed preserved in the snow. Jotaro couldn't help but admire how beautiful they looked. He figured Kakyoin would've loved to paint this.
Jotaro brushed his hand over the top of Kakyoin's tombstone, knocking off the snow. He looked at Star Platinum, the tombstone, and then to the sky. Jotaro wasn't alone. He had Star and hundreds of corpses to keep him company, but he felt truly alone. He lost his best friend. He lost the boy he loved.
Reality finally set in for Jotaro and it brought him to his knees. All the tears he held back had finally overflowed. The death of Avdol. The death of Iggy. The technical death and revival of his grandfather. His mother's condition. Polnareff and Kakyoin's hospitalization. Kakyoin's death. It was too much for one 17 year old to handle. Jotaro sobbed. His sobs soon turned to wails. He hadn't cried in years. The last time he remembered crying was when he was still a child. All his past pain was overflowing.
Star Platinum hovered next to Jotaro and sat next to him in the snow. His user was one that liked to be alone and not to be touched, but right now that's exactly what he needed. Star wouldn't let him be alone and was there for support. He was a stand after all. It was his job to protect Jotaro.
Jotaro hugged Kakyoin's tombstone and screamed. It felt good. All the pain and built up tension washed off of his shoulders. His sobs caused him to choke and Star was right there at his side. Jotaro pounded his fist into the dirt.
"It's not fair!" He screamed. "He's just a kid! A kid! He's 17! He was looking into applying to college when we came back! He wanted to major in graphic design! And now he can't…" Jotaro's words died on his lips. His entire chest was on fire. It hurt from both physical and emotional pain, but he couldn't tell the difference.
"It's not fair…". Jotaro punched the ground. "It's not fair!" He screamed again. This time he got up and punched a nearby tree with full force, spitting the bark and sent wood flying in all directions. The tree fell in the opposite direction of Jotaro. He looked at his already bruised hand and noticed the blood running down his split knuckles. Jotaro didn't care. What's another scar to the many he already had. He walked back to Kakyoin's grave and let his legs give out from under him.
Jotaro laid with his arms and legs outstretched in the snow. He laid there long enough for the snow to start building on his torso. He actually started to feel cold and he shivered slightly. He folded in on himself in a poor attempt to warm himself and to sit up at the same time. Jotaro shuffled himself next to Kakyoin's tombstone and leaned his back against it. He let his head hit back against the marble of the tombstone. It was freezing cold, but Jotaro couldn't bare to move his head. He sat like that for awhile until he thought of an old tune they all used to sing on their way to Egypt.
Jotaro started to hum the song they constantly heard on the radio during their adventure. It was a catchy song and Kakyoin always seemed to enjoy it.
---
"Come on, JoJo! Sing with us!"
"No thanks. I'd rather die, Kakyoin. Besides, you're probably gonna get Polnareff going. Do you really want to hear him sing?" Kakyoin didn't listen. Instead he started screaming the words.
Heavy humid night, corner of Park and Main
Cast that first glance: your smile, my veins
At maximum capacity, blood pumping so fast
My girl, if looks gave heart attacks
Polneraeff looked like he was about ready to join the scream singing. Jotaro's hand slid down his face. He could tell Kakyoin was just going to let Polnareff scream.
The dangerous men in the shadows were like an audience, and even the meanest among them had a special little shine in their eyes when they saw us walk by
Kakyoin joined Polnareff.
Walked about twenty blocks talking about good bars and better towns than this one
Kissed that first night, and then the rain opened up the sky to get…
---
Jotaro stuck out his arm and lifted his head off of Kakyoin's tombstone. Star Platinum looked at Jotaro with utter puzzlement.
"You heard right, Star. Bring me my guitar." Within seconds, Jotaro's guitar was in his hands. He wiped the blood from his knuckles into the snow and looked toward the sky.
"This is for you, Kakyoin." Jotaro started strumming the chords to the song his friends made sure he wouldn't forget.
"One last kiss
I love you like an alcoholic"
"One last kiss
I love you like a statuette"
"One last kiss"
"I need you like I need a broken leg"
Jotaro kept playing. He ignored everything around him but the song. Star Platinum thought he heard a second voice along with Jotaro.
I was getting off the late shift
Attempting to recover
Crumpled up the bus pass
Tossed it into the gutter
Some handsome dark stranger
You were standing there on the corner
You had those compelling magnetized eyes you must have lost when you got older
Jotaro thought he heard another voice, but he kept playing and singing anyway.
Seven blocks in, my fingers brushed your hand
I blushed and you laughed, but you seemed a little sad
I ain't one to jump a ship, but I absolutely knew
I was six steps in when I fell into you
"One last kiss"
"I love you like a broken pot"
"One last kiss"
"I love you like a pack of dogs"
"One last kiss"
"I need you like I need a gaping head wound"
Jotaro started to sway back and forth. Star followed along.
"One last kiss"
"I love you like an alcoholic"
"One last kiss"
"I love you like a negligee"
"One last kiss"
"I need you like I need a broken leg"
Jotaro finished the song, yet when the song was finished he kept playing the melody over and over again. It was an annoyingly catchy tune. Jotaro smiled a true, genuine smile, something he hadn't done in awhile.
"Hey Kakyoin," Jotaro turned so he was facing the tombstone of his best friend. He continued to play the annoying, catchy chords. This was the true goodbye Jotaro wanted to give to Kakyoin.
"I love you like an alcoholic."