STARDERP TENDENCY

Unexpected Journey

JFK International Airport, New York, USA, 9 April 1986

"First time going to New York, eh, Jozuma? I still remember how it was back then when Speedwagon brought me and granny Erina to America," Jiji grinned as we walk out of the customs office. "But unlike today, we arrive by ship, not plane, and trans-Atlantic ship ride is rather... boring... if I must describe it."

"You promised that I would get off without a criminal record, that is why I agree to help you at the first place, Jiji," I whispered back while reluctantly towing my bag behind the other two.

"Geez... Just don't be so glum about it, Jozuma, we already promised you that your Pillar Woman friend would be fine. You should really trust your great-grandmother more," said Jiji as he rolled his eyes.

Oh well, for the record, my great-grandmother stayed in Japan as someone obviously needs to keep an eye on stone-Aqua, and as the chance is high that something Pillar-Men related may surface the renovated site, she did need someone else to help handle those 'dangerous artifacts' and hence that's why Darkness also stays in Japan with her.

I do suspect something else as Darkness practically begged to went back to America that night, but it seems that our story of past life, for better or worse, has been successful in creeping even my mother, let alone Jiji and great-grandmother. Sure, I'm not looking to explain that, well, that's reincarnation, but that's where the complication starts.

On the other hand, Megumin has no reason to go to America, and end up assuring me that she would keep Darkness company during her forced stay in Japan, as well as looking for Aqua's safety. There's not much she could do in that case, but hey, every small thing helps.

I could only hope Megumin's plan to introduce Darkness to her big brother would go smoothly. I do feel bad for Yoshikage-san once he knew who Darkness really is, and I would bet that her masochism would be a huge turn-off to anyone, but according to Megumin's logic, there's nothing wrong with trying anyway, so...

"Come on, don't think too much about it, there will be no problem at all in Japan Jozuma," Jiji seems to be concerned about my extended silence as we keep walking.

"Yeah, but... Getting reported to the Police over a mere schoolyard fight. Sure, I did end up hospitalizing him, but I actually apologize for kinds of stuff that happened last Saturday instead of Monday morning... Why they end up making the leap that I was the one hospitalizing their son at that time? Am I really an idiot for writing that letter of apology?"

"Well, we're not criticizing your attempt to apologize Jozuma," said Jiji with a wry smile. "I actually applaud you for that, but considering that you feel really guilty over it, I do suggest you do something else in the meantime. You could always apologize later when everything has been sufficiently cooled off."

"And if this didn't work out, should I change my citizenship to American and get out from Japan basically, forever?"

Avdol seems to be disturbed upon something, and he just shook his head on my statement.

"Well, while you did, in fact, put your classmate into a hospital... His parents only knew about your fight with him last Saturday. In fact, if you did not just break down and tell us what have you done last Monday... Nobody would know."

"What?"

"Calm down Jozuma, actually there's no police involvement, and even if they were, there's no way for any police force to get a proof over such blatantly supernatural phenomenon like stands. Not that Kakyoin's parents knew it was you at the first place who hospitalize their son..." said Avdol softly.

"DAMMIT AVDOL, YOU WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SILENT, THAT'S THE PLAN!!!" shout Jiji as he tried to put his hand upon Avdol's mouth, but what's have been said has been said, so...

"WHAT?"

"Well, your stand might help us a lot in our investigation, and you are the one who breaks down in fear of police at the first place. Truth to be told... Kakyoin's parents did contact an agent of the Speedwagon foundation to investigate their son's condition, but they didn't want to bring the attention to the police at all. From an outsider's point of view, their son just ends up suddenly being in pain and fallen unconscious without reason, and that was a sheer coincidence that I happened to be the one who found your apology letter at the first place. I wish to let the poor boy knew of your letter, but your grandfather said that it would be better to tell you everything once you have arrives in New York, so..." said Avdol with a smile. "I am not entirely convinced on how your grandfather tries to figuratively pulls your leg, but we kind of need you, so..."

"WHAT THE FUCK?" I said as I summoned Whitesnake at my side. I am really not amused by how Jiji and great-grandmother end up using my own mistake to shanghai me into helping their own supernatural related business, and...

"HEY JOZUMA! CALL YOUR STAND OFF MY FACE! CALL YOUR STAND OFF MY FACE!!! HELP ME HERE AVDOL!!!" shouted Jiji in Panic as Whitesnake bares his fangs in front of his face.

"You do deserve it, Mr. Joestar," said Avdol as he just shook his head. "But anyway, that does mean you still have the ability to see stands at the first place, maybe that would be a good thing after all."

"Why aren't you telling me that this old fart uses this kind of deception to have me helping him at the first place?" I shouted to Avdol, who just rolls his eyes.

"Anyway, as you already set your feet upon American soil, maybe it would be the best for you to help with our investigation anyway," said Avdol with a slight smile. "And you do need to learn some sort of responsibility at the first place, this would only good for you, so..."

"Maybe I should just knock both of you out, hijack a plane, and went back to Japan immediately." Whitesnake returns on my side after doing his intimidation round in front of Jiji's face. "I am really not amused by all the deception my shitty grandfather and great-grandmother pulled upon me. Shanghaiing someone to be on their adventure is not something you should do at the first place!"

"But well, you are our best option at the first place Jozuma... Well, please understand our position here, your stand could be our only hope to neutralize the beast-car hybrid," said Jiji as he grinned uncomfortably in front of my unamused face. "And you are indeed guilty of hospitalizing your own classmate in the first place, so..."

"But that was unrelated and..." I tried to retort further, but then I remembered how I end up dragging Aqua into my adventure, and it hits me.

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Did Karma just start caught up with me here? If I never drag her to go on Adventure, maybe she would still be a Goddess instead of being cursed into a Demon, so...

"What's wrong Jozuma? Why you suddenly look like that?" questioned Jiji as I realized I just stopped walking and dropped down to my knees.

"No... Nothing Jiji... Just keep going..."

"Joseph! Jozuma!" said an old lady that seems to recognize us from afar, and I realizes that she must be my grandmother Suzie Q. Oh well...

"Just be a good boy won't you, look, I'm sorry to make you doing this, but..."

"I understand Jiji, that was partially my fault too, so..."

ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ