Oh. Would you look at that! Another crack pairing that could have a lot of potential. :D

Disclaimer: I do not own JJBA; it rightfully belongs to Hirohiko Araki!

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Josuke winces.

He's normally used to getting his face sliced by enemy Stand users, but bumping into prickly tree limbs on accident is another story. He deserves it for not paying attention… though luckily for him, he was just passing Koichi's house while this happened.

"Oh, my. Does it really hurt that bad?" asks Ayana, brows furrowing in concern. She planned on leaving the house for an hour to jog around town, dressed in a pink tank and gray sweatpants with a water bottle in hand, when Josuke showed up bleeding on her doorstep unexpectedly. Now she's in a crouching position on the rug in her family's bathroom, in the middle of pouring some hydrogen peroxide onto a few cotton balls.

The pompadoured teen shifts uncomfortably on the toilet, flashing her a sheepish grin in the process.

"No, it's not that," he says, scratching the back of his head, "actually, I'm sure you'd find it kind of odd…"

"What?"

He points to the family's tooth brush holder near the sink. Just his luck, it has to be his greatest fear. Koichi's sister stares at him incredulously.

"The turtle?"

Josuke nods. "Embarrassing, right? I—I know that most people probably like'em, but I find them so… creepy…"

"The turtle creeps you out?"

The words struggle to leave his mouth. "Well, uh… all reptiles creep me out."

He awaits her to make a comment on how silly it is to be afraid of such things, how it isn't very manly, when Ayana climbs to her feet and grabs the smiling turtle before disappearing out of the room. Josuke leans forward, perhaps a little too nosily, wondering what she's up to. He's about to call her by name when she pops back into the bathroom and returns to her seat on the rug, but without the turtle. He gazes at her, oblivious of becoming such a blushing mess.

Did she… really just do that?

Carefully, she removes the tissue that she had instructed for Josuke to hold against his cheek and places the handful of cotton on the fresh wound. She accidentally swipes at his pomp and is quick to apologize.

"Sorry—Koichi once told me that your hair is precious to you." Ayana smiles fondly that Josuke's ears dust apple red. "Come to think of it… have you read The Outsiders?"

"Huh? Never heard of it…"

"Your hair reminds me of a handful of characters in this book," she says, "it's about a group of ragtag greasers who may not think it, but carry hearts of gold. I think you'd like it."

Josuke studies her thoughtfully as she works.

"Do you have a copy?" he asks curiously.

Ayana shakes her head.

"No, I'm afraid not… but I'm sure the library does! The novel is from America, but it's translated in Japanese—it's a quick read."

The house remains dead silent. Josuke is sitting still once Ayana finishes cleaning his wound. She then grabs a box of band-aids from the first aid kit and holds it out to him.

"Would you like frogs or foxes?" she asks with a slight blush, probably from embarrassment. "We ran out of the original bandages a week ago. I keep nagging Koifish about making a trip to the store, but he's been pretty busy with his girlfriend lately, so…"

"The latter, please," says Josuke politely.

"A fine choice!"

Not only a moment later, a small portion of Josuke's face is covered in adorable fox faces. Ayana stifles a giggle as he admires her handiwork in the bathroom mirror.

"I'm sure all of the girls will be flocking to you now," she jokes.

Amused with her comment, he chuckles.

"You think so, huh? Ha! You know, with everything that has happened, maybe…" He trails off and stares at her reflection behind his in the mirror.

Ayana is waiting patiently for him to continue, watching him with kind eyes.

Josuke bashfully avoids her gaze. As though as if his heart is floating… He can't believe he's having all of this trouble over a girl. And Koichi's sister, no doubt! He's usually fine with girls. He's warmed up to Yukako, recently welcomed Okuyasu's new crush into their circle of friends, and doesn't have any nervous jitters when it comes to politely declining a classmate's overbearing affectionate love letter. So what makes Ayana Hirose any different from the rest? Why does his heart beat a mile a minute whenever he sees her passing through the hall when he's playing videogames with Koichi? Why is he suddenly getting so tongue tied? Why does it feel like he's walking on air?

Is this feeling exactly what Okuyasu experiences when he's flustered by a sweet girl? Or when Koichi has a date with Yukako? Here is someone who's treating him like a regular human being than falling like a love-struck fool at his feet… it's refreshing to say at least.

They head out into the hallway when he changes the subject.

"Thanks for the book recommendation. And for removing that turtle from my sight… and, thank you so much for patching me up," he replies gratefully. To Ayana's surprise, Josuke bows swiftly before her. "I appreciate all what you've done," he adds. "Have you ever thought of becoming a nurse?"

Now it's Ayana's turn to become bashful and blush.

"You're too kind," she says. "I'm so glad that Koichi has such a good friend like you, Josuke. Although, if we're being completely honest, I… I have my heart set on becoming a preschool teacher."

Josuke's eyes widen in amazement.

"A teacher?" he echoes quietly, beaming ear to ear. "Well, the kids are just going to love you!"

The girl's face is redder than a ripe tomato. She makes an attempt to hide her flushing cheeks behind her hands, but Josuke's too quick and grasps them, squeezing them supportively.

"Don't be embarrassed," he says, "it's true! Your family's incredibly sweet and smart. You're going to make an excellent teacher!" He gives her a thumbs-up. "I'll be rooting for ya!"

The unexpected happens. Overwhelmed with happiness and newfound motivation, Ayana throws herself at Josuke.

"Josuke," she exclaims, "thank you! Your words mean so much to me. I'll do my best!"

Grinning broadly, he encircles his strong arms around her. He flicks her curled bangs from her vision with the gentle brush of his fingertips. His heart swells as her deep ocean eyes begin to sparkle, like sapphires… they're like sapphires! Her lips gleam with a tinge of pink that match the blush on her cheeks. Oh, no. She's too cute. He wonders to himself what particular flavor those pretty lips of her hold…

"I know you will," he tells her, his voice soft.

Heart hammering out of his chest, it's now or never. He's taken down not one but two serial killers—he can do this. Mustering up every ounce of courage, he swoops in and steals a kiss—his first kiss—when the front door of the Hirose residence flies open, revealing Koichi, Yukako and Okuyasu.

"Hey, Josuke!" the scarred boy barks. His raspy tone bounces off the walls. "There you are, man! We were wonderin' when you'd sho…" His beady eyes practically spring out of their sockets. "Holy shit, Koichi! He's smoochin' with your sister!"

"Uh… yeah, Okuyasu. We can see that," Koichi states dryly. Fat drops of sweat trickle down his temples. He doesn't know how much more he can take from his thick-headed friend.

Yukako nudges her boyfriend's shoulder and impatiently thrusts out a hand, gesturing with her long, thin fingers. An irritated Koichi groans in frustration before raking a thousand yen from his wallet.