"Hey Mondo? May I ask you something?"
"What is it, dude?"
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I've received a begin off the story with a small note before starting the story:
• In response to The Knights of The V Table's comment, I understand where you're coming from when you claim that Chihiro's current dilemma contradicts his previous resolve to be the strong man he wanted to be. In fact, I did that on purpose! Don't worry, this will definitely be addressed in this chapter, so don't worry, I got ya covered!
Also, I didn't think your feedback as complaining or anything. As I said, I completely understand where you're coming from, as I'm sure many others share the same doubt as yours.
Besides, you've helped me out a lot with stand names and story ideas in this story, so there's no way I can disregard your opinion like that! Again, thanks for the feedback!
In any case, enjoy this story, everyone!
It was well into Nighttime, both Mondo and Chihiro back at the training gym as usual. Since the programmer couldn't enter the men's gym on her own anymore, Mondo simply had Crazy Diamond bust out the door and let both of them in.
"I-I'm not sure if I can keep going like this, to be honest", admitted Chihiro. "I've promised to keep on living for Sayaka and everyone else, but I don't think I can be a strong person as I'd once wished."
"What do you...?", asked Mondo before remembering why Chihiro wanted to be strong in the first place. The programmer spent a good part of his life disguised as a girl to excuse his weakness, hiding behind a dress in almost-endless fear. Just when the programmer finally resolved to be a strong man for once, he was brought back to square one, now being a girl for real.
Mondo didn't once consider that this could be a problem, but here he was, standing corrected.
"H-hey, Chihiro, there's no way you're weak", Mondo spoke up. "Remember, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for everyone else's safety yesterday. If that isn't fucking strength, then I don't know what is."
"Well, yeah, but...", Chihiro trailed off.
"You've also inspired me to become strong, remember?", the bike rider continued. "Whether you're a chick or not won't change that. You're still strong as fuck."
"Mondo..."
"Look man, strength isn't just about muscles", Mondo added. "The real strength is in the mind. At least, that's what I had to learn that the hard way, back when my older brother died."
Both teens fell silent as the bike rider finished.
"...So you think I can still become strong despite being a woman?", asked Chihiro.
"Dude, you're already strong", responded Mondo, the programmer widening her eyes. "Plus, I know I'm probably the last person saying this, but you can be a chick and still be strong. I mean, have you seen Sakura? I don't think I could win a fight against her."
"Yeah, I don't think you could", laughed Chihiro, being bought back to a smile again. "...Thanks Mondo. I think I understand what you're saying now."
"Well, I tried my best", admitted the bike rider. "I was simply stating what I think is true. Still, I think you can be strong despite being a chick, so don't keep pulling yourself down, okay?"
"Okay...", responded the programmer, before turning to face the bike rider and hugging him. Despite at first being surprised, he was quick to hug back, accepting Chihiro's gratitude.
Once both separated, the programmer stated, "I'm still afraid that I'll see Sayaka's memories again once I sleep."
"Oh, that too", Mondo mused. "Geez, that Monokuma bastard left you with so many problems, huh?"
Both individuals laughed at his remark.
"To be honest, though, I'm not sure what I can do to help", said the pompadour-wearer.
Suddenly, the purple enemy stand appeared on the doorway, saying, "Maybe I can do something."
"You!", snarled Mondo, Chihiro behind him backing up a little.
"I'm not here to fight", the apparition raised a hand to stop the bike rider. "I'm trying to make up for my past actions as much as I can."
"Where's your user?", asked the gangster, noting that the stand was alone.
"My user is back in their room, still awake doing what they usually do", remarked the stand. "As to who they are, the time for that hasn't come yet."
"You...", trailed off Mondo in frustration. "God, I don't know whether to fucking trust you or not."
"Then how about this", asked the purple stand, creating a small could of purple smoke in his left hand. "If I somehow end up killing your friend, I'll promise to reveal who my user is."
"Chihiro isn't worth some stupid identity!", Mondo raised his voice, the programmer widening her eyes at his remark.
"She isn't, but I'm saying it as a means to trust me", replied the stand. "I already said that I'm trying to make amends with everyone, doing something like killing someone would only contradict that."
"...Fine", finished Mondo before turning to face the bewildered Chihiro. "This stand can make people sleep, but it has been known for trying to kill others. Do you still trust him?"
Being pulled back to reality, the dichromatic girl responded, "Well, I'm definitely concerned for my safety, but... you've seen how people don't want to kill each other anymore. I think we should trust him for now."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"If you say so...", Mondo responded before turning to face the stand. "Do what you're good at."
"As you wish", the enemy stand complied, creating a small cloud of gas for the programmer to inhale. "My smoke allows people to sleep while their brain calms down, meaning that dreams cannot be formed during the time frame."
After Chihiro inhaled the stand's soporific fog, the stand turned to leave. "I've done what I came here for. Hopefully our relationship eventually improves from here on."
"I still don't completely trust you", responded Mondo.
"Understandable..."
The stand then disappeared, leaving both teens to themselves. The bike rider then turned to face his friend, who was giving a light yawn.
"Is it working?", asked Mondo.
"Yeah, it is...", Chihiro answered, rubbing her dual-colored eyes. "Thanks again for helping me out with my problem, Mondo."
"You're welcome", smiled lightly the bike rider. "Remember, you can and always will be strong. Don't forget that."
"I won't."
As the programmer was slowly closing her eyes, she spoke up, "...By the way, there's something I want to show you."
"Sure."
Suddenly, a dragon manifested above the dichromatic girl, similar to the lightning dragon that she once had. Although, there were some noticeable differences. First off, there wasn't any lightning emanating from the stand, and it wasn't acting erratic at all. Secondly, instead of the bright yellow scales it once had, the stand now had light blue ones with magenta tips.
"I can control my stand now", lightly smiled the girl.
Mondo looked like he was about to cry. He was already glad to see Chihiro alive, but seeing her genuinely happy again threatened to bring a tear to his face.
"...I once called it The Mind Electric, but I changed its name in honor of Sayaka", added Chihiro, already starting to sleep.
"What is its new name?", asked Mondo, drying the small bud of tears in his eyes.
"...The Mind Melodic. Is it a good name?"
"...Of course it is."
The girl then yawned again, her stand fading from the room.
"Good night, Mondo...", the girl finished as she fully fell asleep.
"...Good night, dude", the bike rider responded, picking up the sleeping girl. Leaving the gym, he now left towards his friend's room to leave her there, Mondo planning to sleep in his own room afterwards. He was also feeling sleepy from all the training he had earlier, and possibly from the purple stand.
The bike rider glancing at the girl, he thought, You'll always be strong, dude, no matter what you are. That will never change.
The bike rider continued trekking in silence as he also began yawning.
That will always be a promise...between friends.