Living Things

by Yujin Zone

Noriaki Kakyoin died during the battle against DIO in 1989 only to come back to life as a zombie along with thirteen others in Saga Prefecture. Franchouchou's stellar idol singing and Stand Users' versatile Stands collide as they save Saga through their bizarre adventures. *Spoilers for JoJo*

4. Hotel of the Dead SAGA

"...Hey good morning!"

Kotaro turns around and greets the fourteen zombies with a wide smile, looking fiery as usual. The zombies sitting on the chairs don't share his mood as usual. Kotaro take notice of their demeanor and exclaims, "What's all this? You all looking kinda down! GOOD MORNIIIIIIING!"

"Good morning..." "Good morning." Sakura and Kakyoin greeted back so he doesn't stall.

Accepting their mild greeting, Kotaro announces, "All right, girls. Looks like you're taking your lessons pretty seriously. Have you gotten used to your group's name yet? Frannyfannychoochoo!"

"That's not it! It's ｢Franchouchou｣!" Sakura corrected him.

"Frankenchoochoo!" Kotaro mispronounces the name, apparently for fun.

"Francho-"

"Furanchowchow!"

Gyro blurts out with a grin, apparently for fun. Naturally, everyone looks at him as if they have seen a murder. "...What? Why are y'all staring me for?" He asks, acting innocent.

"...For mispronouncing our group's name." Lily deadpanned.

"Hey c'mon, no need to give me a glare. I want to lighten up the mood here. Everyone is seemingly feeling down so... Nyoho!" His gold teeth are shown again when he smiles widely, making him look silly together with his act.

As everyone ignore him, Kotaro is amused of his intentional mispronunciation, saying, "Furanchowchow... Now that's a funny name."

"In case you and Gyro-san forgot, it's Francho-"

"FRANCHOUCHOU! Yes, I know the name! Ain't it cute~? Yes, it's oh-so cute~!" Sakura is cut off for the second time as Kotaro does a little dance, as if to mock Sakura for "incorrectly" saying the name wrong, much to her chagrin. After that little dance, Kotaro proclaims, "Okay, ladies and gentlemen. It was painfully clear what a bunch of brain-dead zombies you all are with Franchouchou's guerilla show last month and your bodyguards' constant protection, but you seem to have grown a bit since then." The little compliment offset the ridicule laced in the statement, something Sakura and Kakyoin acknowledge. "This is where the real game begins. Right Saki?"

"Yeah, I guess." The former biker replied.

"What about you Avdol?"

"If you have everything control, then yes." The fortune teller nodded.

"And Lily, what's your response?"

"Uh, I'll-"

"｢GREAT｣!" The producer didn't spare the child actress any reply when he yells in her place, much to her surprise. "Now given that, what is your next moove...Answer Sakura!"

"Eh!? I... I dunno." She stuttered at first due to Kotaro telling her to answer suddenly, before a thought came to her and she says, "Oh, maybe recording a CD of our song and selling it?"

"Oh, very nice! That's a pretty good idea. Well, let's just call a recording studio and- YEAH, THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN, DUMBASS!"

As Sakura is left reeling from him shouting out of the blue, Kotaro goes on to rant how he haven't earned a single penny even after the "raggedy-ass" performances so far, which is costly for him. "...EVEN THE GAS FOR THE VANS AREN'T FREE! DON'T YOU REALIZE THAT, YOU STUPID ZOMBIIIIIEEEE!?" He leans closer to her frightened visage.

Kakyoin, glaring at him and telling him without words to back off from the anxious Sakura, sums up the issue for him. "So basically, the budget has run dry, right?"

"Yup. It has run dry." Kotaro confirms.

"Huh?! What the hell are we supposed to do then?" Saki urgently asked.

"Well, when there's no money, you earn more. Duh."

Making this obvious statement, Kotaro flips the chalkboard to reveal a word written on it, which is ｢business｣. Curious of his plan, Ai inquires, "Are there even any businesses in Saga that would hire idols?"

"There are, in fact! Because I'm ｢awesome｣! It's a big Saga pharmaceutical company, ｢Hisanaka Pharma｣!" Kotaro divulged. "If it goes well, this could end in a partnership!"

"Partnership?" Kakyoin repeated.

"Look, I don't get it but when is this business stuff goin' down?" Saki asks, choosing to go along with the flow for now.

"If I were to guess going by you telling the girls to practice for a guerilla performance last month ago," That was Rai speaking, his eyes examining Kotaro as he guesses, "It's today, isn't it?"

"Yes." Shades confirms.

"Huh? Again?" The biker is surprised it's happening right now. Everyone except Rai shares her reaction as well. This is the third (or fourth) time he told them that the event they're about to partake in is happening sooner than they expected and yet, they're surprised all the same.

"The act they had booked for their company trip isn't going to make it," Kotaro explains, providing context to his decision. It doesn't satisfy Saki though, as she asks, "Why are your all acts happenin' at a last minu-"

"Because we don't get enough chances to let any slip by! Idols have a limited shelf life nowadays. And you zombies can be overworked without dying! Which means we're doing this. Just do like you've practiced and show your stuff," He reminds the girls, and presumably, the boys too. "Incidentally, the location is going to be the ｢Ureshino Hot Springs｣."

"Hot springs?!" Junko repeated, surprised and elated to hear it's gonna take place in a hot spring. Her delighted expression changed to an embarrassed and blushing one when she noticed Ai and Yugiri look at her when she spoke. For Yugiri's part, she smile over her brief enthusiasm.

"Hot springs, huh? Sounds like a nice place to relax." Narancia said, liking the suggested place and all that it entails.

"Right you are, Nara!" Saki calls him with a nickname she came up as she agrees with him. "We've just been washing off from the yard's hose, after all."

"Uh huh... Wait, did you call me Nara?"

"This could be a chance to wash off some of the decay from Franchouchou and our bodyguards." Yugiri brings up the matter of them smelling bad, prompting Sakura, Saki, Ai, Junko, Kakyoin, Avdol, Narancia and Johnny to sniff themselves.

"And they're nice enough to put us up overnight..." Kotaro adds.

"We're staying overnight!?" Sakura exclaimed in happy surprise.

"Sounds like we can let it all hang out!" Saki shares her friend's excitement.

"Perhaps a dip in the spring can ease my mind off..." Kakyoin likes the idea of sitting in a spring.

"It does sound captivating, especially since I haven't gotten in any springs when I was in Japan." Avdol joins in their excitement.

"...Except none of you are going into the hot springs!"

Kotaro declared while his arms are crossed. In an instant he said it, the six zombies' excitement deflated.

Leaning his face close to all the zombies, Kotaro switches to a mocking tone as he tells them, "Because you can't walk around outside of your room without your makeup! Sucks to be yooooouuuuuu! If you think you got enough time to splish splash in a hot spring, then use that time for practice and protecting respectively, YOU ROTTING IDOLS AND DECAYING STAND USERS!"

"Grrrr...!"

ドッグォォー

Having enough of his obnoxious behavior, Saki punches him in the gut, sending him reeling on the floor and his shades on the floor. While everyone is surprised Saki made a move out of irritation, they didn't protest against her action. In fact, Kakyoin, Narancia, Johnny and Gyro feel satisfied the producer is put on his place as a result of pushing his attitude and mocking too far.

"Oooooh... That's gotta hurt." Narancia snickered.

After Kotaro puts his shades back on, Sakura says, "Excuse me..."

"What's up?" He sputtered, wobbling from the pain in his abdomen.

"What does this pharmaceutical company sell anyway?" The redhead asked.

Her answer is on the box that's been there the whole meeting. The producer directs everyone to it, replying, "This is it."

Sakura, Ai, Junko, Kakyoin, Bucciarati and Gyro takes a peek in what's in the box and sees it's filled with smaller boxes of a product called ｢Saganship Z｣. "Saganship Z?" Sakura reads the name out loud.

As they wonder what this product do, Kotaro makes one last announcement. "In any case, as I said before Saki punch the lights out of me, you can't go into hot springs or walk outside your room without your makeup."

"Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first time." Saki rolled her eyes while still irritated over him.

"Let me finish!" He exclaimed. "While you may think it is because you're zombies, that's not the only reason. In fact, this is something Kakyoin and the boys need to concern themselves with."

The aforementioned figures look at him in response. "Huh? What exactly do you mean by that, Tatsumi-san?"

Prompted by his question, Kotaro drops this line that the seven zombie guys are familiar with.

"The hotel all of you are gonna stay in...happens to have an ｢enemy Stand｣ that appears only at night."

The surprised reactions everyone makes is certainly expected upon hearing an enemy Stand on the loose.

---

Outside the hotel where Franchouchou and their bodyguards are staying in, Kotaro gives the fourteen zombies in disguise a reminder of what they are going to do in order to earn money and potentially open any window of opportunity for Franchouchou, and by extension Saga, to be popular. The producer is in the van as he talks to Sakura, Junko, Saki, Kakyoin and Bucciarati.

"Your rooms are 606 and 607. Once the time is 18:00, you girls are on." Kotaro relayed.

"Understood!" Sakura replies with a nod.

"As for you boys, keep an eye out for the enemy Stand that only appears at night in this particular location. Understand?" He reminded the Stand Users, with them turning to him.

"Yes, Tatsumi-san." Kakyoin nodded in response. The man in shades then says, "Good. You fourteen better do your jobs right while I go sightseeing, especially you girls as I went to the trouble of setting up a room to rehearse in."

"Right!" Sakura exclaims, smiling over how much effort it took him for Franchouchou to have a room for practice. Her expression change to a curious one when she heard what Kotaro is going to do next. "Wait, Kotaro-san... What did you say you would be doing?"

He looks forward and puts his hand on the pedal as he says, "Sightseeing."

Everyone stares at him when they hear what his plan for today after dropping Franchouchou and the guys off. "...What was that?" Kakyoin inquired.

"GOTTA SEE THEM SIGHTS!"

And with that, the van left, kicking up dust as it speeds away from the group.

The group stare the road down ahead where the manager left, staying silent for three seconds before Saki asks, "Soooooo... What do we do now?"

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.

"You're seriously not goin' straight to practice, right?" She stated, acting as if it's an obvious option.

"But we need to rehearse!"

"We can do that later! Why does only Shades there get to goof off? That's what I'm gettin' at!"

"We can't!"

"...You wanna die?"

Sakura backs away a little when Saki gave her a glare and threatened her.

"We've been cooped-up practicin' non-stop! And now we're in ｢Ureshino｣!" Saki lays out the reason why they shouldn't practice yet. Having stayed in the mansion for few weeks, Saki is willing to stretch his arms and legs out as she takes a stroll in the open. The chance has presented itself so she has to take that chance before it slips between her fingers.

"I wanna go for a walk, too!" Lily raises her hand in agreement.

"Count me in as well!" Narancia joins in.

"See, shrimpy and Nara here gets it!"

"I'm not shrimpy! My name is Lily!"

"Did you just call me Nara again...?"

As Sakura ponders if going for a walk in lieu of practice is a good thing, Yugiri says, "A little bit of walking wouldn't hurt. I'd like to get a look at what a modern town is like."

"No complaints here! The only thing missing here though is riding a horse." Gyro concurred.

"I sure hope Kotaro knows what we want. For now though, I have to tough it out being in a wheelchair." Johnny hoped, feeling ashamed a little when he's reminded of his condition.

"We've got our makeup on and we'll be all together. And we'll be extra careful so no one finds out we're zombies!" Lily reminded.

"Won't we, shrimpy?" Saki agrees.

"My name is LILY!"

"Since the enemy Stand Kotaro told us about isn't gonna appear until nighttime, I suppose it's alright to go for a walk..." Bucciarati has no objections over the decision.

"I don't mind at all." Rai simply said.

"Just a reminder. We bodyguards need to look after our surroundings and the girls. Who knows if there are trouble brewing in the corner." Avdol reminded. "Besides that, I would like to join with you all as well."

Seeing almost everyone want to take a walk, Sakura turns to Kakyoin. "What about you Kakyoin? Are you joining them?"

After thinking for a second, Kakyoin shrugs, stating, "Sure. Why not? There's no harm taking in the air as we walk. I know you're concerned for the rehearsal but there will be time for that Sakura. Perhaps you need to loosen up a little in regards to doing your idol work."

"Well, if Kakyoin agrees..." With almost everyone wanting to go for sightseeing, Sakura has no room for argument here. She came to agree with Saki that they have stayed in the mansion for long enough, so having to explore will be a nice change of pace.

All that's left is Ai, Junko and Tae, who's off staring at nothing but the air in her usual zombie way. "Ai, Junko, are you two fine with all of us exploring and taking in the scenes?" Saki asks them.

"I'm...not sure if sightseeing is a good idea or not but..." That is Junko's reply.

Despite her initial skepticism, everyone is happily marching from one place to another as they take in the scenery without worry. While walking in the neighborhood isn't anything extraordinary, the girls and boys are having fun walking and chatting among themselves over what they are seeing. At one point, they pass by a public bathhouse and Sakura, Junko, Kakyoin and Narancia get to pet a stray cat under the truck.

To make sure the girls are covered from every angle, Kakyoin, Narancia and Johnny walk behind the group, being long-range Stand Users and covering the rear in case the group doesn't notice anything odd. Meanwhile, Avdol, Bucciarati, Gyro and Rai takes up the front, being senior members of the group and acting like the strongest in a pack. The importance of protecting the girls is taken much seriously by the guys but that doesn't mean they can't chat heartedly among themselves and the girls, like how they eschew rehearsing and investigating the presence of a Stand in the hotel to travel from place to place.

At one point, everyone visits a shrine. A particular attraction is a sculpture of a fish, which Junko and Narancia is really curious of. Sakura informs the two that splashing it with water will earn them good skin and health, prompting them to splash it rather enthusiastically. Kakyoin, Avdol, Bucciarati, Saki, Ai and Yugiri shares a chuckle or raises an eyebrow over their eagerness to wash the sculpture for good skin and health despite being zombies. All the while, Tae erratically rings the bell while Lily bows many times. Rai is trying to get Tae to stop ringing it while Johnny and Gyro are watching the act passively.

After leaving the shrine, the group happen upon a cake shop filled with delicious and sweet pastries that waters the mouth of those who look at it from the window. This is what Sakura, Saki, Lily, Tae and Narancia are doing, their face comically squishing against the window as they wish to buy something from the shop. Everyone lets out a chuckle and smile over their act except for Rai, who shakes his head and Ai, who appears to not like their act.

---

"It's a real honor to hear from the Hisanaka Pharmaceuticals."

"The people from the inn are actually talking about you."

The enthusiastic producer is currently speaking with the CEO of Hisanaka Pharmaceutical in a café. The conversation is fairly friendly, with Kotaro happy to get a sponsorship that can earn him money needed to maintain operation. Also, he doesn't engage in his typical behavior, preferring to act raitonal and calm. His next statement reflects his satisfaction in getting a sponsorship. "I'm glad I was able to meet up with you thanks to my regular interactions with different lodgings and the chamber of commerce."

"Is running an idol group out of Saga a lot of trouble nowadays? You even hired seven bodyguards for the group."

"Well, I'd say there are times it feels like we're fighting the current of history but if I think we may be able to leave a mark, we can have a larger impact. And as for the bodyguards, well... It's best for them to be protected than none at all, right?"

"I suppose you're right."

"And through that, we'll revitalize Saga. That's what's at the core of Franchouchou's operations."

"Revitalize Saga...?" The CEO repeated.

"Yes." Kotaro nodded. "That's why, even though we're in different fields, your company being the biggest in Saga means we look up to you."

"Well, we're actually trying to widen our potential customer base to appeal more to younger people." She remarks one of the plans her company has.

"In that case, we'd love to help! If we were to become partners, I'm sure we could meet your expectations."

Happy to see him offer his help, she confesses, "I'm looking forward to tonight's performance."

"That's good to hear. I'm sure they're practicing their hearts out as we speak..."

In that moment, Kotaro turn to the window and see the group walking by without a care for the world. He does a double take and see the girls are not practicing and choose to take a walk. "Their...hearts...out..." His voice gave out when his expectation is shattered at the sight of the group outside.

"Is something wrong?" She asks, noticing he's looking at the window. Acting quickly, Kotaro grabs her chin and looks at her longingly, distracting her with his charm.

On the inside however, he's panicking over the thought of Franchouchou not practicing their heads off. And why the hell is Kakyoin and the boys doing?! Why are they going along with the girls?!

For now, Kotaro has to make sure the CEO don't find out what he saw through the window.

---

Sakura breathes out a sigh of relief as the warm sensation of water soothes her feet. Currently, the group is taking a rest in a foot spa, dipping their feet in the water to heal their feet. While foot spa is different from a normal spa, Junko is still delighted of getting to try it for the first time. "I've never tried using a foot spa before. This is lovely." She said.

"Downright heavenly." Yugiri agrees with a smile.

"Man, Japan is like a different world compared to Italy. I'm being impressed at what I'm seeing, which makes it easier for me to get used to living in a different country!" Narancia moves his feet back and forth, clearly making the best out of the first time using a foot spa.

"I agree. While I do miss living in Egypt, that doesn't mean I'm not impressed of Japan's unique culture and sites." Avdol remarked.

"Right with you there, Avdol." Johnny nods, his lame feet submerged despite not feeling any sensation from being paraplegic. Having been familiar with Japan every time he teaches horsemanship and import foreign fruits when he was alive and in his home reality, it appears Japan looks and feels the same even if almost a century has passed. He feels somewhat relieved things work in both worlds, a sentiment shared by Gyro and Rai.

Speaking of Rai, he's the only one who haven't joined the group, preferring to look around with his analytic eyes to scan for any potential threats. Taking notice of his behavior, Bucciarati asks, "Hey Mamezuku, why don't you take it easy for a moment? It's not like someone is gonna come and attack us when we're together."

"I understand your concerns Bucciarati, but from my experience, you'll never know when an enemy will strike you before you notice them. I have to keep guard here and keep an eye out for anything unusual while you relax." Rai dismissed his worry coolly.

"Oh really? I'm betting you like to continue being on guard because you prefer to be by your lonesome. Heck, you've been doing this ever since you have awakened." Gyro assumed, finding it in him to speak while feeling the warm feeling in his feet and savoring it.

"...You're not wrong. I just...need some time before I think I can...trust you all. I'm pretty much the odd one here because you six recognize each other while I see you all as strangers." He didn't deny his assumption.

"Well, whether you trust us or not, remember that we're in this together," Kakyoin reminds him that he's part of the group. "Even if we and the girls are complete strangers from the start, I'm sure we can get along well given enough time."

"...I'll keep that in mind. For now, let me do the watching, okay?" Despite his calm voice, there's a hint of little appreciation in his tone. "By the way, Sakura."

"Yes?"

"Have you cut your hair lately?"

"Huh? No. I haven't done it since I was awakened. Why do you ask?"

"...Just curious. I am wondering if we get to grow our hairs as zombies. I'm missing one tip of my braid, you see..."

"Oh yeah. It certainly looks uneven on you. Care to tell us why is that?" Saki asks. Everyone is with her as they wait for his answer.

"How about I tell you next time? But if you want a hint, it is related to my cause of death." Rai subconsciously rubs his head as he said this. "Trust me on this. It's not pretty..."

"Oh. Uh, forget I ask." Sensing he's feeling uncomfortable, Saki drops the subject and everyone returns to relaxing themselves. "...You know, it feels kinda funny doing this." Speaks up Sakura, feeling unsure of something. Everyone, including Rai, turn to her and Lily asks, "What do you mean?"

"If we had never come back as zombies, we never would've met like this," She clarifies. "We're all from different times or different universe in case of Johnny-san, Gyro-san and Mamezuku-san."

"Sure as hell don't feel dead, though. It's kinda cool." Saki replies nonchalantly, taking the fact they're from different times (or reality) in a stride.

"I bet even if I had been in the same time, I'd never gone near anyone like Saki-chan or Gyro-san!"

"Shut it!" Saki growled.

"Hey, that's not nice!" Gyro exclaimed.

"I honestly feel like I'm a child again." Yugiri stated, being jubilant in spite of awakening centuries after her death. Her admiring the change in time compared to her time indicates she's fine living in the present. "I guess so. The whole world must seem different." Sakura concurs.

"How exactly did we become zombies, though? I thought the bodies were cremated in Japan." Ai asks this important question, speaking up for the first time after staying quiet. Her remark about cremation causes the girls to wonder about it. It is certainly weird they are revived as zombies when their bodies are cremated after they died. Whatever method Kotaro used to revive them, he must have done something to their cremated corpses before he did the deed.

"Speaking of bodies, whoever this Stand User that brought our bodies to Kotaro, he must be a powerful one if he can retrieve Johnny's, Gyro's and Mamezuku's bodies from another universe." Kakyoin stated, doing the same to what Ai did for the girls to his fellow Stand Users.

"I'm betting he can cross dimensions in order to achieve that." Gyro guesses the simple answer to the question.

"My thoughts exactly." Johnny agrees.

"Can he travel through time though?" Rai asks, seeing an issue regarding retrieving a body from late 19th century and in 2011, the year when he died. "This Stand User must be able to do that to retrieve my body to this reality."

"Huh. I never thought of that. Still, it sounds crazy if he can do that." Gyro shrugs, maintaining his stance regarding the user being able to travel dimensions.

"And just who exactly is Tatsumi-san?" Junko asks another important question.

As if guided by a hunch, everyone, except Tae who is crouched away from them, turn to Sakura and Kakyoin. Alarmed, she exclaims, "Why is everybody looking at us?"

"Because you two awoke first, remember?" Ai reminds the two.

"We are but we have no idea who he is." Kakyoin defended, bothered slightly that they turn to them in regards to who Kotaro is. "He was as much of a mystery as he is now and to you all."

"Look, don't sweat the small stuff. No need to be so overworked about it." Saki assures them with his hands behind her head.

"I have a feeling he's not gonna give us a straight answer if we ask him." Avdol accepts that fact for now.

"Well, the only thing we can say for sure is we're using this foot bath together." Narancia points out what matters in the present. "See, aren't you glad we did this?"

Sakura nods, surely enjoying what they're doing. Just then, she remembers that they haven't practiced yet and with quick words, says, "Oh, right! We still have to practice-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Saki assures her with a wave of a hand.

As if by a hunch again, everyone turns to Ai, remembering she was a member and leader of Iron Frill. She must have known from experience what it's like to be an idol and to work and lead in a group. She could have insight on the idol industry. While Saki may be the leader of Franchouchou, it was Ai who could shed light if Franchouchou has a chance to be the best idol group in Saga. "Hey, Ai-chan. Do you think we can make it as proper idols?" Sakura asks.

"...What do you think being a proper idol means, Sakura?" Ai responds, looking to see if she understands the prospect of idols.

"Well... singing and dancing..." She mumbles. "And making people happy. Making them excited."

"Well in that case, we need to practice and learn a lot more." Ai responds. She knows they're not gonna be the best they're ever be in an instant. Practice and lessons are all that is required to be a proper idol. Oh, and hard work too, something Sakura brings up in her next question. "Do you think we can if we practice a whole bunch more?"

After listening to her question, Ai stands up, gets off the bath and moves to sit on a table beside the bath. Putting her feet on two rectangular holes to dry her feet, Ai seems to be thinking on Sakura's question and wonder if they can ever be a proper idol given enough practice and persistence. Sakura sits beside her and affirms, "I... I'm going to do everything I can. I mean everything I said after the guerilla show!"

Ai turns to Saki carrying a confident smile sitting next to her. "And if I'm in, I'm all the way in."

They turn to Yugiri, who says, "I decided a very long time ago to dedicate myself to entertaining others."

"Lily knows how hard a showbiz can be!" The child actress acknowledges the negative factor of entertaining people but still showing her steadfast smile to Ai.

"I..." Lastly, Junko speaks her opinion about the matter. "I worked by myself when I was alive. To be honest, I'm not sure about being a part of a group... But... If the rest of you are serious about trying this, then I need to do my best as well, don't I?"

"Junko-chan!" Sakura is elated to see she's affirming her desire to work as a group despite feeling like wanting to work by herself.

"But I'm out the second I think this isn't happening, okay?" Ai added.

"I'll make sure you don't ever think that!" She declared to her, which impresses her of willing to go the mile of not giving up being an idol.

"Hell yeah! Let's give them something to talk about at today's show!" Saki exclaims with his arms spread wide.

"Like, how though? What do you mean?" Lily inquired.

"I dunno."

"What can we do to ｢please｣ our guests tonight?" Yugiri wonders, unaware of her words pointing to a certain meaning.

"Yugiri-san! Phrasing!" Sakura warned.

"M-Maybe we should know more about their product first?" Junko suggested.

"Oh right, we've never used Saganship Z before."

"Alright! Let's head back and try it out!" Saki exclaims, eager to go back to the hotel.

"Yeah! Oh! Before we do that, there is something I want to ask Kakyoin about. Something that Kotaro mentioned when Kakyoin and I were introduced to you all when you were unawakened." Sakura stated, remembering what Kotaro said about Kakyoin and Avdol's adventure. Having heard her after standing up and waiting for the girls to finish drying their feet and let the guys dry next, Kakyoin asks, "Hm? What is it you want to ask, Sakura?"

Everyone's eyes are on her as she reveals what she wants to ask him about. "Did you really go to Egypt together with Avdol and your allies in order to kill an evil vampire?"

Just the mention of a vampire piques everyone's interest instantly. Truth be told, they would have never thought much about it if weren't for the fact they are zombies and the guys can summon Stands.

As for Kakyoin, his eyes widen when she brings it up. Contemplating his next move carefully, he turns to Avdol, silently asking if they should reveal the details of their journey towards Egypt. A nod from the Egyptian is all that it needs before the red-haired man decides to confirm it. "Yes Sakura. Me, Avdol and our friends did go to Egypt to kill a vampire, who is the reason why the life of my friend's mom is in danger."

"Whoa, really!? Can you tell us more about it? Please?" Narancia eagerly asks, reflecting the group's desire to learn about their journey to Egypt and their explanation.

"I guess we should, but we have to return to the hotel in order for us to do that. Is that okay with you all?" He told everyone.

"Yes." Sakura nodded, finally finding the right time to ask and getting to hear from Kakyoin and Avdol's mouth after putting it aside for so long.

"Okay. Everyone, let's head back after we're done drying our feet."

After the group is finished, they walk down the road in the direction of the hotel, some of them talking about what they expect from Kakyoin and Avdol's explanation about their journey to Egypt. Whatever it is, the involvement of an evil vampire is sure to inspire imagination (and fear) of who exactly is it.

Eyecatch features everyone harvesting leaves used for tea. Junko, Yugiri, Narancia and Johnny are chatting among themselves, Tae seemingly throws the leaves in the air and the others simply mind their business.

---

Eyecatch features Sakura, Junko and Avdol riding a hot air balloon as part of a Balloon Fiesta. Sakura is pointing to a balloon resembling Romero's head, Junko hides behind basket due to her fear of heights and Avdol has Magician's Red be the substitute for the flame required to float a balloon.

Silence hangs in the air as everyone's eyes are on Kakyoin and Avdol, the two Crusaders who went on a journey towards Egypt to kill a vampire. With the guys occupying room 606 for the time being to listen the whole story together with the girls, who are wearing casual clothes used as stage outfits, they are waiting for them to begin.

After thinking on what he will say, Kakyoin opens his eyes and asks, "...Alright. Is everyone prepared to hear what we have to say?"

"Yes Kakyoin." Sakura nodded. Everyone shares a nod as well, yearning to learn about their adventure before they died.

Taking a deep breath, Kakyoin begins telling the adventure he and Avdol have. "Okay. So repeating what I said before we got here, me and Avdol went to Egypt with our friends in order to kill a vampire whose existence is causing one of my friend's mother to fall ill and in danger of dying."

"Uh huh. Who are these friends you two have?" Saki inquired, resting her jaw on her hand.

Smiling in fondness and remembrance, he answers, "The mother's son is ｢Jotaro Kujo｣, who is the grandson of Avdol's friend, ｢Joseph Joestar｣, a Frenchman named ｢Jean Pierre Polnareff｣ and lastly, a Bosten Terrier named ｢Iggy｣ who was recruited when we finally arrived at Egypt."

"Wait, you get a dog to join you?" Ai questioned incredulously.

"Yes, because he has a Stand called ｢The Fool｣, which allows him to manipulate sand." Avdol explains.

The idea of an animal gaining a Stand doesn't fail to surprise the group, with Junko stating, "Huh? Can animals gain a Stand as well?"

"It's possible. I believe any living beings have the capacity to gain a Stand if they have strong wills, be it a human or an animal. And I have to tell you, Iggy is quite a feisty one when I tried to tame him and when he joined us as the sixth member, even if he spends his time lazing around." Avdol lets out a chuckle at the memory. He has to be careful taming it unless he wants to have the dog latching on his face and biting his hair or getting sand to his eyes, mouth, hair and clothes back then. He is happy he got a sixth ally to recruit when they arrived in Egypt.

"I see. If Iggy has a Stand, is it safe to assume the other three has Stands too?" Bucciarati guesses. Kakyoin nods in confirmation. "That's right. Jotaro's Stand is called ｢Star Platinum｣, Joseph's Stand is ｢Hermit Purple｣ and ｢Silver Chariot｣ is Polnareff's Stand."

Just the mention of Polnareff and Silver Chariot causes Bucciarati and Narancia to raise their head in recognition. They were at least familiar with him before their deaths so they already guessed what Polnareff's Stand is. It is possible they could learn who Polnareff is from the two, seeing they have known him longer than they have.

"Now that we know your friends are Stand Users," Yugiri began. "What kind of ability their Stands have, you two?"

"Star Platinum has enhanced strength, precision and speed capable of punching rapidly without mercy, Hermit Purple manifests as thorny, purple vines that allows Mr. Joestar to divine information on cameras or television and Silver Chariot has a rapier to rapidly skewer its enemies. It even gets to shed its armor to amplify its speed, to the point of creating afterimages." Avdol reveals.

Whistling in interest, Gyro says, "Wow. Your friends got impressive Stands. Their powers seem simple on paper but I believe they're quite formidable."

"Well, Jotaro has the most powerful Stand I've seen so far. Combined with his quick thinking, he's a valuable and dangerous ally." Kakyoin chuckled. "In fact, when I fought him, I get to face his sheer might and fortitude when Star Platinum punched Hierophant Green."

"Huh? Star Platinum punched your Stand?" Lily repeated. "Why is that?"

"Oh. Well... It's because I was controlled by that vampire using his flesh bud. If it weren't for him, I would have killed him before the journey started." He hangs his head in shame.

"The same happened to Polnareff too when we were in Hong Kong." Avdol added.

Right now, everyone is itching to learn the name of the vampire already. They don't want to leave it hanging. Prompted by this, Rai asks, "Who, exactly, is this vampire?"

Seeing everyone is dying to know, Kakyoin finally reveals the name of the vampire. "His name is ｢DIO｣."

Even though this is the first time they heard the name, they start shaking in fear and fright just from hearing it alone. For some reason, this ｢DIO｣ guy sounds like an intimidating man, to the point that his existence motivated Kakyoin, Avdol and their friends to go to Egypt and stop him.

Of the twelve zombies that are listening however, Johnny and Gyro are the most surprised upon learning the vampire's name. Having known Diego Brando, or his nickname Dio, they wonder how come this world has a man with the same name (or nickname) as their jockey rival. Is it a coincidence? Or are they thinking too deep about it because it's an alternate universe?

As they try to make sense of this, Narancia, noticing their dumbfounded faces, asks. "Hey, why are you two so surprised and acting like what Kakyoin said struck you to the core?"

"Huh? Oh. Well, you see..." Everyone turns to him as Johnny wonders on how he should explain that he and Gyro knew someone named (or nicknamed) Dio. Gyro gets to him first before he can respond. "It's because we know someone named ｢Dio｣ too back in our universe."

"What!?"

Kakyoin and Avdol go wide-eyed when they hear from him the reason why they're surprised. The same goes for everyone else except Tae.

"You heard me. When me and Johnny are in the race back home, we earned ourselves a rival named Diego Brando or Dio as he is known. He's one obstacle in our pursuit of the first place and combined with his tenacity, skills and mutual rivalry, he's a formidable opponent." He elaborated. His mouth must have tasted something terrible just from mentioning the jockey eager to win and left them in the dust.

"Really? I never would have thought someone named Dio is present on your world too." Kakyoin admitted. "Tell me then. Did this Diego guy did something heinous?"

"Well, there's a rumor that he married an 83 years old woman only to kill her six months later just to inherit her fortune." Johnny clicked his tongue in disgust.

Multiple gasps erupted from everyone after hearing it. "How horrible...!" Yugiri sums up their thoughts over his misdeed.

"Aside from that, he's quite ruthless. Every time we crossed paths with him, we won't hesitate to fight him as we race with our horses. We don't like him taking the first place that belongs to one of us." Gyro added. "Now that you all know who Diego is, can you tell us what kind of person this DIO is, Avdol and Kakyoin? He can't be as bad as Diego, right?"

The two look at each other for a moment before they begin explaining who Dio Brando is, how he tried to make Joseph's grandfather Jonathan Joestar's life miserable, how he became a vampire after killing Jonathan's father, successfully killing him when he was reduced to a head on a ship after being supposedly defeated, emerged a century later after grafting his head to his body, allowing him to survive, how he must have caused trouble before he gained a Stand, causing a chain reaction that led Jotaro and Joseph to gain their Stands, brainwashed Kakyoin and Polnareff, the latter who joined them in order to find the man with two right hands that killed his sister, encountered Avdol who ran for his life after being warned by Joseph of who he is, send assassins to hinder and kill the group during the journey and attempted to kill the remaining Crusaders when the sun has set and after Avdol and Iggy died fighting against one of his minions.

Suffice to say, just the explanation alone is enough for everyone to paint a picture of how monstrous DIO is. The simple fact that he became a vampire after he failed to steal the Joestar's fortune and goes on to try and take over the world out of desire to reign supreme above humans who he believes to be weaklings that started over a century ago, leaves an impression. Among the reactions, Saki and Narancia are gritting their teeth in anger, Sakura, Ai and Junko are absolutely terrified, Bucciarati, Rai and Yugiri have stern expressions, Lily quivers in fear and hugs Yugiri for comfort, Johnny and Gyro are aghast to hear DIO reach such lengths to gain power compared to Diego and even Tae seems angry after apparently listening to how evil DIO is.

"T-To think... Someone like D-D-DIO... existed..." Sakura stammers, being glad she didn't get to encounter him after hearing what lenghts DIO sunk into. "I-If what he d-did is horrible enough after he became a vampire, I dread to guess that his Stand is quite powerful..."

"You're not wrong Sakura. In fact, DIO have used his Stand, ｢The World｣, to kill me after I trapped him with Hierophant Green's tentacles in my attempt to know the secret of his power is. It is something I can't seem to get over with." Kakyoin lets out.

"I see...Wait, did you say DIO killed you using his Stand?"

Everyone's eyes are on him as he confirms the one who killed him is none other than ｢DIO｣. "That's right. DIO killed me when The World rammed its fist into me and hurled me to a water tank." He reveals, seeing that it's about time for Sakura and the others to learn the man who killed him almost thirty years ago. He even shows the bandaged abdomen when he lifts his shirt up.

"Oh man... That sounds brutal." Narancia winces over the sight. Everyone shares his feelings to his death while Avdol, Bucciarati, Sakura, Junko and Yugiri gave him sympathetic looks.

As for Rai, he sees Kakyoin suffered the same wound as him except he got smaller wounds on his head and his left shoulder. He again shakes his head trying not to wince and think on his death.

"You have no idea Narancia." He sighs, feeling uncomfortable recounting his death again. He knows it is necessary however so he has to push through and describe more about his death. "As I agonize over the wound I got, I set my mind on how did DIO managed to break through the 20-meter radius web without triggering the sensitive tendrils and shattering all the emeralds at once. After giving it much thought, I figured out The World's ability is. As I'm fatally injured, I used the last of my strength to fire an Emerald Splash to a clock tower, destroying it as a clue for Joestar-san. My last thoughts as I close my eyes is for Joestar-san to figure out my last message and impart it to Jotaro and Polnareff."

"Well, considering the world is fine, I believe you succeeded on delivering the message Kakyoin." Avdol pointed out, proud he managed to exposed DIO's power and causing his defeat. "If weren't for your quick thinking, DIO would have won."

"Okay. It's pretty sad you died fighting against DIO but there is one thing I don't understand..." Saki speaks up, feeling sympathy for Kakyoin while wishing to beat DIO up for his misdeeds and killing him. "What is his Stand's ability? You still haven't told us, Kakyoin."

"I was about to reveal it Saki. If you want to know his power, it's-"

"To stop time, right?"

Johnny guesses, absolute conviction on his words as everyone turn to him again, especially Kakyoin and Avdol. "What was that, Johnny?" The latter asks.

"The World's ability is to ｢stop time for at least five seconds｣. Am I wrong?" He repeated with assured confidence.

"Uh... Y-Yes... That's right..." Kakyoin confirms with a surprised and confused look. "How did you know?"

"...It's because I fought against ｢another Diego｣, who has the same Stand and power as DIO." The jockey answered.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up there Johnny." Gyro stops him from saying more so he gets to make sense of where Johnny is getting at. "You fought against another Diego?"

"Yes Gyro."

"H-How? When did this happen?"

"After I killed Valentine and I was in the last leg of the race."

"...Did he travel to another dimension and recruit that Diego?"

"He did. I didn't expect he used the last of his power to stop me."

"Wow. That is surprising."

"It is Gyro. In fact, I was surprised to hear someone named Jonathan Joestar existed in this world."

"Why do you think that?" Bucciarati asks.

"Because my full name is Jonathan Joestar."

Another round of surprise go off when they hear his full name.

"What is this about two people from different worlds having the same name but different person entirely?" Ai questioned the nature of supposed counterparts. "Is it all a coincidence?"

"Maybe it is. Maybe it's not." Gyro shrugs, finding it interesting but trying not to think it too hard. "Say, do I get to have a counterpart in this universe as well? If Diego and Johnny have one, it's possible I have a counterpart here."

"Perhaps you have." Avdol confirms. "I believe I heard from Mr. Joestar about a friend named Caesar Zeppeli, who is the grandson of Will Antonio Zeppeli who assisted Jonathan when Dio first started his act of villainy. Sadly, they both died assisting them."

"Oh, cool. I get two... Hold on, did you say they both died?"

"I did."

"And I died as well after imparting the final lesson to Johnny..." Gyro ponders about the fact someone having Zeppeli as their last bame dying. He blinks twice before asking, "Do all Zeppelis die helping someone from the Joestar family?"

"D-Don't say that!" Johnny exclaimed. He becomes alarmed over the possibility his close friend will die once more.

"What? I'm just making an observation. You act like I will die once again."

"T-That's because... I don't want to lose you again Gyro..."

"C'mon Johnny. No way in hell I'm biting the dust after I became a zombie."

"You better be..." sighs Johnny.

"Well anyway, to wrap up this discussion, DIO killed me when he stopped time, Avdol died before I faced up against DIO and many years later, we were revived as zombies by Kotaro to protect the girls from enemy Stands." Kakyoin think they have dragged this long enough so he wraps the conversation. Also, he sees Sakura, Ai, Junko and Lily are getting frightened the more they hear about DIO he has to finish this quick if he doesn't want them having nightmares.

"Okay. I finally know how you died Kakyoin. I'm sorry you have to remember that again." Sakura somewhat regret asking him about what he was doing before his untimely death. While she got the answers, maybe it's probably for the best she didn't learn a vampire named DIO if his evil deeds are what caused him to survive well over a century.

"It's alright. No need to think too hard about it." He assures her, feeling sorry her mood dampens. "You can take comfort that DIO is no longer threatening the world and that he's not coming back for a long time."

"You're right. No monster will take his place, I'm sure of it thanks to your and Avdol's efforts."

Sakura's innocent statement seems to prompt Avdol to mumble something under his breaeth. "Monster huh? I wonder if what does that mean to a zombie like me?"

Whether he does not want it heard by everyone or not, Junko heard what he said. She didn't get the full statement so she asks, "Hm? Did you say something Avdol-san?"

"Huh?" Avdol is surprised when she asks him. Everyone's eyes are on him when he replies, "Did you...hear that?"

"Yes. I believe you said, 'I wonder if what does that mean to a zombie like me?'." She repeated his words to everyone. "Can you elaborate on that, Avdol-san?"

"Avdol, are you okay? You seem to be...tense and morose." Kakyoin asks his friend. The Egyptian didn't want his personal issue to be revealed out in the open so soon, having planned to deal with it all by himself. But thanks to his loose lips, they heard one part of it.

"...I suppose I must tell you something. Something that's been on my mind ever since I learned I was revived as a zombie." Avdol sighs.

"And what would that be?" Sakura inquires, wondering what is causing the fortune teller grief.

"...Kakyoin, Sakura, Saki, everyone..." Avdol begun, carefully considering his words in his head and see if he can say it out. "...Do you think... I am a ｢monster｣?"

Puzzled and confused expressions appeared on their faces after hearing his question. Wanting more clarification, Saki asks, "What do ya mean you're a ｢monster｣ Avdol?"

"Think about it, miss Saki," He begins clarifying, wishing everyone to have context and see where he is getting at. "Zombies are creatures who craves the flesh of humans without any moral compunctions while vampires desire to drink blood from their victims. Aside from sunlight, vampires are scrounges of the night whose superhuman strength, speed, durability, and sense are makes them dangerous, especially to someone wicked like DIO. Both zombies and vampires are considered undead and typically, they serve nothing more than monsters who wish to threaten humans due to their lack of moral restraint."

"Uh huh. And based on what ya said about zombies and vampires bein' monsters..." She rubs her chin in thought, feeling like she's close to getting where the fortune teller is going for.

"Yes. Because I was revived as a zombie, I am wondering if that makes me a ｢monster｣ too."

The group now sees what Avdol is talking about as his forlorn eyes are directed downward. He's not done yet though, adding, "Since DIO once threatened the world and he is in the same category as zombies, it makes me think on whether I have rejected my humanity when I was revived not as a human, but as a zombie. Just learning what I have become makes me feel uneasy from time to time, reminding myself of the day I almost got controlled by DIO in my shop. Just thinking about him and his inherent nature makes me shudder over the thought of me becoming evil as a result of being a zombie. I know this is detrimental to the ｢image｣ I like to present myself as, but I want to get it out of my head if I'm sure I can tell you all my issue. I apologize if I made you all uneasy from what I said regarding zombies being monsters, seeing how we are all obviously one. I just...want your answer and see if someone as heroic as me deserve to be called a ｢monster｣."

After revealing his personal predicament to everyone, the Egyptian waits for their response. Ever since he awakened as a zombie, Avdol has an...uneasy acquaintance with Kotaro, the producer who raised him from the dead. Sure he didn't raised the dead for malicious reasons, only interested in reviving seven girls and boys to save Saga, whatever that means, but just looking at his discolored arms and himself on a mirror, showing him what he have become when he was resurrected does nothing but bring him a little distress. As someone who is proud of himself, he dares not to think he is inadequate to what he wishes to present as, and if he do think so, he would try to brush it off. It's certainly a surprise for him that he held it within himself for a month and it only becomes a hindrance when he blurted out the question suddenly. Well, to be fair, it's bad to held it within you for a long time and you have to let it be known to someone you trust, including Kotaro, which he needs some time before he can trust him.

"Avdol, lemme ask ya somethin'." Saki suddenly asks as her eyes bore on the robed man who turn to stare her curiously. "Are you willin' to hear me out? It's important."

"Uhh, sure. What is it you want to ask, Saki?"

"...Is there somethin' different about you after you became a zombie? And how it compares to when you're still alive and kickin'?"

"Something different?"

"Like, how you act, your state of mind, anything."

"Hmm... I haven't done anything different before and after I died. While my body has seen better days, I believe I'm still the same as I was alive."

After hearing his answer, Saki claps her hands together, seemingly satisfied stating, "Well, there you have it! Sounds like you don't have anythin' to worry about being a zombie, Fire Lord!"

"Huh? What do you mean Saki?"

Listening to Saki's words, Sakura realizes why she's asking Avdol if he acted different before he died and after he's revived. Seeing he hasn't get it yet, she spells out Saki's intention to him and everyone. "Ah! I think I'm getting where Saki is going at, Avdol-san!"

"What?"

"If what you said is true, then it means you weren't different back when you are alive and when you become a zombie. Saki is asking you that to see if you becoming a zombie completely changed you. From what I can guess, she's worried if your issue is eating you inside."

"What Egghead said!" The biker exclaims with a nod and smile, directed to him.

"Saki..." Sakura gives her a look for calling her that again.

"I'm with the two. Even though we are zombies, we are definitely not monsters because we haven't abandoned our humanity thanks to Tatsumi-san's awakening our mindless heads to consciousness." Kakyoin told his friend. "And if you're comparing yourself to DIO, remember that he became a vampire on his own accord and become evil enough to try conquer the world, whereas we were revived as zombies but retained most, if not all of our humanity without problems. Even Tae, who is still unawakened, more or less hasn't done anything worrying caused by her mindless state." Said zombie is chewing Avdol's sleeves, seemingly acting harmless as she looks at his eyes. "Mmphhfff." She mumbles between her chewing.

"Kakyoin's right. Us being zombies doesn't mean we are monsters because we are aware of our actions like when we were still alive." Bucciarati agrees with a nod and smile.

"It's like Zipper Man says." Saki started, ignoring Bucciarati's glare for calling him that. "Don't go worryin' your heads off. Remember, we are all in this together as fellow zombies!"

"I may not like my appearance but I'm willing to overlook it for the sake of continuing my profession after my death and the makeup making me look human." Ai affirms.

"Same here." Junko concurs.

"The worst that will happen to us as zombies is if we got exposed. Other than that, who cares if I'm one? I'm glad to have a second chance in life!" Narancia isn't worried if they will be found out as zombies, as long as he doesn't blow this new lease in life.

"Remember that we must exercise caution, Narancia-han. Life may not go your way even after death." Yugiri cautioned.

"But that doesn't mean we must stay still all time. We will take a gamble or risk if it comes down to it." Gyro remarks.

"If I haven't met Gyro, my paraplegic self would have gone on a worse path. I'm glad the changes stuck on as a zombie." Johnny smiles wistfully.

"Being a zombie isn't bad for me because I get to be young forever!" exclaims Lily.

"I'm with them." Rai nodded.

Seeing everyone is pretty much assuring him he hasn't rejected his humanity even as a zombie, Avdol lets out an appreciative smile, happy he gets to meet new and supportive friends. "I see. Thanks for being by my side everyone. Guess I was a fool in thinking about it."

"You're not, Avdol. It's only natural for you to worry." Kakyoin shakes his head, disgreeing with his statement.

"We are glad you told us, else we wouldn't suspect it otherwise." Sakura said. "Human or zombie, I believe we mustn't let it get over our heads if we want to live."

With Avdol having some closure to his issue of him being a monster, the casual atmosphere slowly returns as they proceed to test the Saganship Z they have. Among them, Saki is really eager to test it out, stating, "Now that we know some aspects of Kakyoin and Avdol's life when they were alive and solved Fire Lord's issue, can we try this product now? It's long overdue we get to try it." As if to emphasize Saki's words, Tae stretches a pharmaceutical strip Lily gave to her.

"Slapping these things on is supposed to fix stiff shoulders and back pain, right?" Narancia questioned, waving the strip in his hand.

"That's the idea." Bucciarati replied.

"There's a warning about putting them on other people." Sakura brings it up, reading the warning written on the back of the box. "Says it counts as practicing medicine."

"Who gives a crap? We're zombies, not people." She realizes Avdol must have heard and assures to him, "O-Oh. I meant that in the literal sense Avdol. Don't take it personally."

"None taken." He assures her.

"I'm...not sure that's-"

Saki doesn't spare Sakura's thought before she slaps the strip on her back.

パァン

"Aaaaaaahhhnnnnn~!" Sakura screams in delight and pleasure as the medicinal patch did its job.*

"Sakura? What's-"

"You too Kakyoin!"

"Hey, what are you-"

パァン

"Uooooooooooooooooo~!" Like Sakura, Kakyoin shouted in pleasure when the strip is slapped on his back.

"Amazing! Any stiff muscles I have is gone in an instant!" Sakura described happily, moving her body without issue.

"You're right! It feels like I can do anything now that I'm healed!" Kakyoin exclaims, testing the results by posing.*

"It's because you're zombies! Your body absorbs the strip faster!" Saki proposes, happy to see a positive result and almost laughing at Kakyoin posing intensely.

"Look, look!" Lily poses like a ballerina, extending her arms and legs hard but it doesn't pop off from her. "I can move a whole bunch and it won't come off!"

"Ahn~!"

"Ahhh~!"

"Whoa~!"

"Whoahoahoa~!"

Junko, Yugiri, Narancia and Gyro tried it and lets out moans of bliss when the strip is put on their shoulders.

"Give it a try, Ai!" Saki holds a strip for her, who claims that she's fine without it. The biker again didn't spare her any thought and quickly slaps it on her back. Despite the euphoric shock, Ai tries to resist it despite liking it.

Avdol, Bucciarati, Johnny and Rai put the strip on their shoulders or back and just like the others, they experience the euphoria flowing through their body as any stiff pains and muscles are healed. The same goes for Saki when she lastly put it on her back.

Everyone is enjoying the feeling for a moment, making them imagine they're in heaven just from Saganship Z alone. "Can we use this in performance somehow? Maybe putting them on and then dancing energetically?"

Saki likes what Sakura is getting at. Perhaps this could increase the popularity of these products...

---

Around 18:00, in the hotel's banquet, everyone currently dining is enjoying Franchouchou perform their song ｢Mezame RETURNER｣. The idols sing their hearts out as they dance graciously for the captivated audience. Just as they predicted, the pharmaceutical strip did its job healing any stiff muscles, meaning Franchouchou is in better spirits for the performance.

In the middle of the performance, the idols stop as they go fetch the basket full of strips to be given (read: slapped) to anyone so that their body can recover a little after a long day's work. The audience enjoy the sensation, with one man even flexing his muscles as four strips are planted on his back.

After slapping them to the audience, Franchouchou continues the performance, going to the last leg of the song without issue.

"Song for the soul... Saganship Z for the body..." Kotaro started his usual rhetoric, smiling at the great performance of Franchouchou. "Now that's ｢relaxation｣."

When the performance is finished, everyone gives a round of applause to the girls, bringing a big smile on Sakura's face over the job well done. This includes their guardians who are with Kotaro as they applaud the girls with Narancia and Gyro being the loudest.

---

Kotaro lets out a cozy sigh as his body refreshes on a small hot spring. For some reason, he's still wearing his black shades while fully undressed, something anyone would give him an odd look for, not that it bothers him. Besides, does he have to care about it when the performance went well and he liked seeing them promote the sponsored product in the middle of concert?

If the performance had gone well, Kotaro hopes the Stand Users will do the same in disposing the enemy Stand.

"Haaaaaaah... This is life." He sighs in pleasure.

At the same time the producer is relaxing and the zombies are preparing to sleep after a long day of work, in the hotel's fourth floor sees Kakyoin, Avdol and Bucciarati, still wearing their makeups, walking in the hallway. It is one hour before midnight and the designated Stand Users are searching of any signs of an enemy Stand's presence this late at night. While they are doing this, the other four remained in their rooms, awake and alert, looking after room 606 and making sure the girls are safe. Also, the four have wiped their makeup off.

Predicting the search will gonna take a while longer thanks to Kotaro's info about the Stand they need to kill, Avdol has Magician's Red create a Life Detector and take the lead in the front. Kakyoin and Bucciarati would then follow him, keeping themselves vigilant for any signs of the enemy. So far, the sixth and fifth floor are safe and currently, the trio is doing this the third time in the fourth floor of the hotel.

Wherever the enemy Stand is hiding, they are not gonna let it roam around for another month here for the sake of Saga's populace.

The trio haven't gone far in the fourth floor when the heat radar, after minutes of crackling in the air with no reaction, starts growing in size and heat. Avdol looks up and sees the flame pointing forward growing in size. "Ah! The radar! It appears we have found ourselves the enemy!"

While he is pleased the Life Detector didn't fail its intended purpose, Bucciarati has reservations under the fact someone other than them is still up this late. "Are you sure Avdol? Is the heat radar truly detecting the Stand's presence, not any guests currently roaming about?"

"I made sure the Life Detector only detects the Stand's presence while excluding anyone else." He told him. "The radar didn't react to few people we came across due to the restraint I imposed on it, so I'm positive we will detect the Stand easily."

"It's a good thing too, because we don't want the hotel's guest to get caught up in our fight." Kakyoin reminded. "The last thing we need to see is anyone getting injured. Or seeing what we are under our human disguise."

"Good point. If the Life Detector has detected the enemy Stand while we're the only ones in this floor, that makes our job less stressful." Bucciarati walk forward to the direction of where the enemy is supposed to be. He looks around for a few seconds before he asks, "Say, I've been wondering... Did Tatsumi specified on what type of Stand we are facing? Whether it's a close-range or long-distance type, how it looks like and the ability?"

"I think all he ever said to us this morning is how the supposed "ghost" of Ureshino is believed to be in the hotel roaming aimlessly." Kakyoin begins recalling. "According to Kotaro's unknown acquaintance, the "ghost" is actually an enemy Stand who is permanently invisible to everyone. Alongside rumors of it springing up last month that is brought up by Kotaro, guests believed they have encountered the "ghost" randomly prowling the floors without purpose. While that doesn't sound too unusual at first, few observers have claimed that they touched the "ghost" while it's standing or walking on ceilings or walls. Not only that, they heard it mumble something inaudible under its breath. From what they have described it, it's creepy and ominous, especially when they alleged it whispered close to their ears when they're out in the hallway."

"Curiously enough," Avdol continues Kakyoin's recalling as he stands beside Bucciarati. "The rumor didn't hamper the number of visitors at all despite it. In fact, some of them came for the hotel just to see or feel if the "ghost" is indeed wandering down the halls. If Kotaro and his unknown contact believes it's an enemy Stand, it could spell trouble for anyone daringly, or foolishly, trying to make contact with the 'ghost'."

"Well good thing it didn't do anything else worrying other than wandering around. Our business with Stands is ours to take." Bruno expresses relief on that fact. "And even if the very few do acknowledge the existence of Stands, they do their best to be aware not to take on something they have little or no knowledge on."

"Right. Kotaro did advise us to prevent civilian casualties. Compare to his loud and pompous attitude concerning Franchouchou's goal of saving Saga, he is serious when it comes to enemy Stands lurking in the shadows." Kakyoin remarked. He may be irritated of his constant shouting and demeaning the girls and boys but he does have restraint in some areas and knows when he needs to get serious. He would have tolerated the mad producer if he continues that way instead of being obnoxious.

"His goal is to ｢save Saga｣ after all. He obviously doesn't want the populace to be threatened by enemy Stands if he wants the prefecture to be known. You and Bucciarati should know that from experience." Avdol replied.

"Heh, yeah. I can't believe I'm still roped into Kotaro's crazy plan and has been living in the mansion many weeks ago." Kakyoin chuckled while rubbing his head.

"I couldn't hardly believe it myself too..." Avdol was about to say something more when a confused Bucciarati mutters out loud. "Huh? What was that?"

"Bucciarati?" Kakyoin and Avdol turn to him whipping his head around. He appears to be looking at something because he raises his arms in front of him and tries to get a hold on something. Confused of his act, the two ask what he is doing swaying his arms around.

"Hm? Ah! Well, I was trying to touch something in front of me when I bumped into someone." Bruno explains, reminding himself that the two are with him. "The confusing part about that is, no one's in front of me."

"What?" The two said in unison.

"I'm sure of it. That's why I'm trying to find who I just bumped into. We're the only ones here in the fourth floor so it shouldn't be hard finding whoever I almost walk into."

Something about his words prompts Avdol to recall moments earlier that the heat radar reacted to someone's presence in the hallway. They haven't gone too far but he is sure the three are the only ones out there this late at night. If what Bucciarati said is true and if he considers the rumors about the "ghost" of Ureshino Hotel believed to be wandering in this time of night...

Avdol's eyes widen in realization, just as something chomps on Bucciarati's shoulders when he turned around to face the two. His reaction is immediate.

"AAAAGGGHHHH! W-WHAT THE HELL!?"

"Bucciarati-san!?" Kakyoin looked at him in surprise, watching his left shoulder bleeding profusely. His left arm is stained in blood as Bruno, grinding his teeth, tries to pry off whatever is biting him from behind.

"I knew it! We already found the invisible enemy Stand!" Avdol revealed, summoning Magician's Red and prepares for an attack. "I can't believe it was right in front of us!"

"Really!? Then what are we waiting for?" Kakyoin follows, bringing out Hierophant Green. The two are about to help Bucciarati when the former ca[p cries out one name needed to free him from the enemy's mouthful grasp.

"｢STICKY FINGERS｣!"

ジィィィー

Coming out from a zipper that appeared in the air, a humanoid Stand jumps out of the portal and punches the enemy's head off of him.

"ARI!"

The force and strength of the punch is enough to behead the enemy, killing it instantly. Bucciarati clutches his wounded shoulder as he moves away from the disintegrating enemy in panic.

Agh! Dammit! I let my guard down for the enemy to bite down on me! Someone is indeed there after all! I thought it was nothing at first when I bumped into it until my shoulder got bitten. And from the way I see it, it's invisible. Wait. Now that I think about it, didn't Kotaro mention the "ghost" of Ureshino is the invisible enemy Stand? If that is true...

Positive the fight has only started, Bucciarati leans against the wall for support as he applies pressure to the wound while panting from the wound and the nasty surprise he got. "Haa... Haa... Haa..."

"Bucciarati! Are you alright?" Avdol asks, standing to his side and checking his shoulder out of concern for the gangster.

"I-I'm fine..." He assures him despite the stinging pain emanating from his wound. "Just...give me a minute to recover. I'm not gonna let this wound stop me from getting in a fight."

"Are you sure? You were bitten hard without warning."

"I have dealt much worse injuries than this. It's practically nothing at this point." He insists.

"Well, if you are determined to fight, then I will not stop you. I have a feeling we're gonna need your help in defeating the Stand User. Just don't push yourself hard, alright?"

"I'll keep that in mind." Bruno smiles in response to his words.

With Sticky Fingers still floating beside its user, Kakyoin took this moment to inspect the Stand, who is wearing a helmet covering the upper half of its face adorned with column of short spikes resembling a mohawk, dark suit over its torso except its chest and stomach, shoulder pads, elbow pads, forearm guards, knee pads, shin guards, and numerous zippers on each of its cheeks, the base of its neck extending down to its abdomen, on forearm guards near its wrists, a large zipper on its waist and two long zippers on its legs below its knees and extending down to its feet. Based on its rapid punches inflicted on the invisible enemy, he guesses it's a close-range Stand similar to Star Platinum, even having a cry when it dishes out its fists. "Bucciarati-san, this Stand... I saw it came out from a ｢zipper｣. If I have to guess, is it related to your ability or...?"

"It's my Stand's ability." Bucciarati reveals, seeing the two wants to learn what his Stand is now that he summoned it. "Sticky Fingers can create zippers on any surface the Stand touches. Along with its exceptional strength and speed, I wouldn't come home without it due to its practical use in offense and defense that carried me in any given situation."

"Zippers? What use does a zipper has in battle if I may ask, Bucciarati?" Avdol inquired, keeping an eye on the radar still floating above them.

"To be honest, I lost count on how zippers have helped me when I was still in Passione. But considering I was made a leader and eventual capo, Sticky Fingers is there for me to help my group and carry me to many fights." A prideful smile crops up on his face, signifying his satisfaction of the Stand he got.

"It sounds quite a powerful Stand then." Kakyoin sums up his answer. "And say, I believe this makes it fair for the two of us to know our own Stand, right Bucciarati?"

Zipper Man remembered asking him about Hierophant Green and sees where he's getting at, which makes him chuckle. "Guess I have to pay you back someday, huh?"

"Heads up you two! The radar has detected a Stand's presence!" Avdol warned looking up at the kindling fire pointing to both sides, including the path they have walked through earlier. While he and Kakyoin have their Stand at the ready, Bucciarati is confused when he mentioned another enemy has appeared. "Another one? Didn't Tatsumi said there are only user of the Stand?" Kakyoin stated confusingly.

"I think he didn't mean that. If I recall correctly, Kotaro said something like this..."

---

Be warned! I heard from my mysterious acquaintance that the enemy Stand has the ability to conjure invisible enemies! As such, take heed of your surroundings and keep an eye out for the user, as defeating it will deactivate the Stand for good!

---

"...Based on his advice and the way I was ambushed, the enemy's ability is to manifest ｢invisible zombies｣. While killing them is trivial, having to deal with a lot of them will spell disaster to us if we don't thin down the herd and find the user."

"Invisible zombies, huh?" Kakyoin repeats. Hierophant Green shoots out emeralds on the invisible enemies on his side, earning groans and screams of pain for every zombie killed. "I find it ironic we are fighting against our fellow brethren."

"Except the ones we're dealing with are of the bloodthirsty and monster types, craving the flesh of human beings." Avdol remarked, assuming a stance as Magician's Red incinerates the zombies using Red Bind. If he attacks through Cross Fire Hurricane, he could burn the hotel down so he chooses not to use it for this fight. "And unlike us, they have no moral restraints."

"If they have no restraints, we have to find the user quick before all of us are eaten alive and the zombies are free to start the apocalypse." Bucciarati commanded, standing in full attention once he sees he's okay to move and the wound is hampering him a little. Sticky Fingers floats beside him, ready to defend him from any zombies dumb enough to chomp on him.

"...Say, Bucciarati, Avdol." Kakyoin speaks up after the zombies are tied up by his Stand's tentacles.

"Yes?"

"What is it?"

"This must be our first time turning into humans, after Gyro, Sakura, Ai and Junko did when they are up against Black Sabbath." He said as Hierophant Green squeezed the zombies with impunity. "After seeing them almost injured when Avdol and I got to them, I now see what it feels like to be vulnerable."

"If you're worried we might not gonna make it, don't worry." Avdol turns to him, aware of offensive heat radars sent out separate from the heat radar above them as projectiles for unlucky zombies. "They managed to hold on long enough for us to kill Black Sabbath. I'd say we can do this if we cooperate together."

"Here's hoping. I don't any of us to die again under my watch, especially with our new friends awaiting our return."

"Well, let's not stand around you two!" Bucciarati commanded with Sticky Fingers laying out rapid punches against their invisible enemies to clear the path for them to move. "Time to find the user and put an end to the invisible zombies before this gets worse!"

"I believe the user is already found because one of the radar's flames are bigger and brighter than the rest." Avdol notified. "Based on where it's pointed, the leader is on the right, where Sticky Fingers cleared out the path for us!"

As if reacting to his words, quick footsteps are heard amidst the groans and moans of the unseen zombies.

"There! Let's chase it!" Kakyoin pointed after hearing it scamper away. The two didn't to say anything as the trio chases the user. In turn, the zombies give chase as well, unwilling to harm their leader.

---

In room 607, the four Stand Users who chose to remain and look after the sleeping girls are being by themselves, awake and awaiting Kakyoin, Avdol and Bucciarati's return. Narancia and Gyro are standing beside the door, Johnny is sitting on wheelchair and Rai stands away from them. So far, nothing is amiss and the girls seem to be safe. While they would have tried to enter their room, it is possible they are already asleep and they would be rude if they wake them up when they open their room. The only thing they can do is check outside every three minutes.

Yawning in boredom or drowsiness, Narancia looks restless, wondering why he hasn't joined the three in search for the enemy Stand if he's gonna be standing around, bored out of his mind as he waits for them to return. If the Stand isn't in this hotel, they would be asleep after Franchouchou's performance.

Wanting to pass time, Narancia strikes up a conversation. "Hey, you three."

They turn to him when he spoke up. "What?" Johnny said.

"So, uh... How are you all faring as zombies? Is it any good? Different? Or both?" The question comes up in his mind without much thought and Narancia asks it with a smile, seeing no harm in asking it.

"...I'd say it's good." Gyro answers truthfully. "The wounds I sustained leading to my death may stay on my body for my entire undead life but I don't mind it, considering I am revived despite it. Guess dying doesn't stop someone with the last name Zeppeli from truly dying out!"

"To be honest, disregarding my paraplegic status, I think I'm getting used to being a zombie." Johnny responds. "Aside from my head feeling funny from time to time, there's nothing wrong for me so far."

"Still getting used to my body." That is Rai's response. "The bandages covering the wounds I got before my death is a little cramped and ticklish. Perhaps give me another month and maybe, just maybe, the bandages don't bother me as much anymore."

"Hmm... Judging from your responses, you are all bothered by your wounds." Narancia sums up their wounds in his own words. "I would like to ask you how did you three died but I might be invading your privacy, right?"

"Yeah." Johnny simply said.

"Well, sorry if I did pry on you without meaning to."

"You didn't Narancia. Don't think too hard on it." Gyro assures him.

"I won't."

"Say Narancia. Now that I take a good look on you, you don't have any injuries on you." Rai's curiosity led him making a statement about his body lacking any signs of injuries supposedly sustained when he died. "And if I remember correctly, Bucciarati doesn't have any injuries on him too. Can you explain it?"

"Yeah, about that... I can't remember the manner of how I died." Narancia rubs his head, feeling sure he has no memories of his death.

"You can't remember?" Johnny asks, now curious of him.

"Yup. While I'm positive I died, I can't recall my death at all. It's like my death is so abrupt that I didn't have a chance to remember it, not that it sounds any better. However, there are pounding pains on my head, wrist, arms, chest, waist, and my left thigh occasionally. I don't know why but considering I can feel the pain akin to me getting pierced by something, I have a feeling it's related to my death."

"Hm. I suppose that in exchange of having no wounds on your body, you get occasional pains as a reminder of how you died. That is, if it's related to your death." Rai guesses.

"Well, I'm sure as hell it is related. For now, let's drop it, okay? You are prying on my privacy if you continue asking me that." Narancia is getting nervous learning something about his death and opts to drop the subject before it gets more uncomfortable.

"Alright." Rai stays silent after nodding.

"...Hey, should we check on the girls? It's pass three minutes and we may not know if they are attacked under our noses." Gyro reminded.

"Ah! Right! C'mon! Let's check on them!"

The four are about to go outside when a scream is heard outside the hot spring their room is next to. "Was that a scream?" Johnny asks.

"It doesn't sound like it's Sakura or Junko. Should we look into it?" Gyro told him.

"Either way, we have to look after the girls, remember?"

Under Mamezuku's words, the four go outside to check up on the girls before going over where the scream is. But when they open the door, Ai, Yugiri, Lily and Tae are outside as well. The girls look at them in surprise just as the boys stare them in surprise also. "Huh? What are you four outside this late at night?" Narancia asks before noticing three of them are missing. "And where is Sakura, Saki and Junko?"

"That's what we are wondering. They are not in our rooms when we woke up by a scream." Ai replies. "Speaking of that, who have screamed just now?"

"Who knows? It's either a staff or someone else." Johnny guesses.

Before any of them say anything, Tae sprints off ahead of them, seemingly in response to another scream they happen to heard through the walls. "T-Tae-chan! Wait!" Lily rushes after her.

"Ah! We mustn't let anyone see them!" Narancia follows after them in panic. The others soon follow, splitting up to investigate who screamed just now. Hopefully this doesn't go bad for them, especially when they don't have their makeups on.

---

Multiple tendrils are wrapped around the invisible user courtesy of Hierophant Green.

Groans of protest are heard spilling out from its mouth as it tries to escape from the trap Kakyoin sprung onto him in order to capture him. It barely worked as the user is faster than the zombies it summoned and its superior strength means it can tear the tendrils apart which would make an easy getaway if Hierophant Green isn't quick on the uptake to produce more tendrils. More than the number that is binding on the user.

Kakyoin, bearing scratch marks on his limbs and bleeding from his neck after a zombie nearly tore a vein with its bare hands, smiles on a successful trap, saying, "Finally. We caught the user."

"I can't believe how fast the enemy is." Avdol expressed, clutching his right arm that was bitten when he wasn't aware. "I suppose it's logical for the user to be superior than the zombies it summoned."

"Now that we have the enemy, it's time to kill it before this night becomes longer if we chase him again." Despite suffering additional wounds on his torso, hands, and his legs and looking worse than the two in terms of blood loss, Bucciarati doesn't let it get to him as he focuses his eyes on the captured invisible zombie confirmed by Avdol to be the Stand User. It wasn't easy capturing it because it kept summoning hordes of zombies to hinder them in their tracks. While they easily take care of them, there is strength in numbers as some zombies manage to injure them when they are focused on either chasing the user or decreasing the horde. Not helping them is that they found out zombies can walk on walls and ceilings, which makes their job a little harder.

However, the three tore through the horde without stop in the name of killing the Stand User, suffering injuries in the process but certainly not worse than what these three got. Eventually, Kakyoin sends Hierophant Green ahead of them and the user to spring a trap on the likely confused zobie by unraveling the tendrils from its legs across the floor, ahead of the enemy. When its sensors detect the user's footsteps, the tendrils quickly wrapped around it. The user tried to escape from its grasp but the Stand responded by wrapping him in more tendrils until it managed to constrict its movements, only barely hampered by its strength tearing one or two tendrils which isn't much considering Kakyoin producing more tendrils than it needs to be.

Standing before the zombie user, Bucciarati brings out Sticky Fingers with the intent of targeting its head, seeing it's the quickest way of killing the invisible zombies. For this to work out, the user's head is exposed, free from any membranes. The capo's steel gaze stares the exposed body part intently, unaware of the panicking zombie seeing it's about to die. It can't end like this! Not when the targets are present in this hotel! Their flesh can be tasty for him and his zombies but the main meat of the attack is their brains. Being hungry ever since it appeared in this sickening hotel a month ago, the guy who brought him to this hotel and its zombie-creating Stand, Limp Bizkit, told him to not feast its teeth on the guests looking to relax and only target the fourteen "wannabe zombies" if there is ever a chance those fourteen will be staying in the hotel under the manager's directions. As much as it wants to set its teeth on humans, the user decides to be patient, following his instructions without stop even if his hunger and thirst are reaching its peak until, by chance, the fourteen did appear.

Knowing about the rumors of the ghost lurking in the Ureshino Hot Springs hotel, Limp Bizkit decides to wait tonight, when the zombies are sleeping after their work is done. Then, by chance, the three arrived in the fourth floor. While it is ecstatic, Limp Bizkit knows it needs to be cautious. If it wants to eat their brains, its ability is needed to be used discreetly. That way, his zombies will prey on them before they know it. But it didn't go that way thanks to their quick thinking and their abilities, prompting him to escape while the horde tries to kill them. That brings him to his predicament.

Seeing he's about to die, Limp Bizkit has to act quickly, lest he will bite the dust if his head is forcibly torn off from his body. He could detach it by himself without dying but since his hands is constrained, that option isn't viable. Determined to stay alive, Limp Bizkit performs his counterattack: summoning three zombies on the walls or ceiling to catch them off-guard. He shouldn't have to worry about the radar because the Egyptian extinguished once he sees the threat is almost done. Oh how he likes to prove him wrong...

"GWAAAAAARRRGGHHHH!"

Horrid screams are heard above them, alerting the three to the presence of zombies. Kakyoin and Avdol didn't act quickly enough before they are forced on the floor when the invisible zombie dropped on them but Bucciarati swiftly punched the zombie standing on the wall next to him. He then took care of the two zombies about to do more biting wounds on them. "Kakyoin! Avdol! Are you alright?" He asks with a concerned look.

"Don't worry about us! Worry about the user! It managed to escape when I was distracted!" Kakyoin reminded him.

"Tch! So he used its ability as a distraction, huh?" He cursed, looking at the torn-off tendrils.

Making haste away from them, Limp Bizkit shares a laugh at their expense. They got distracted long enough for him to break free of the tendrils. Seeing them as competent and dangerous, he decides to go after the other eleven in the other floor, intending to summon invisible zombies on the floor they are in. That way, when he gets there, the vulnerable targets would surely be killed or injured for him and his mob of bloodthirsty zombies to feast on their flesh. At this point, no one will stop him from getting what he wants! Even the three isn't gonna capture him again, not with their abilities!

ボゴォォ

"Eurgh-!?"

He yowled when Sticky Fingers fist landed squarely on his face when he turned around and see if they are far from him. To Kakyoin and Avdol's surprise, Bucciarati didn't dare move closer to the user, but instead, Sticky Fingers launched its fist like a rocket through applying zipper around its forearm. It then instantly opened, directing the fist towards his face when he tried to get away.

"Trying to escape? Sorry but I'm afraid that will not happen." Bucciarati confidently stated. "If we let you get away, Saga will be in danger as long as the enemy Stands exist. And that includes ｢you｣..."

BGM: il vento d'oro (Last part)

ジィィィー

Quickly pulling the user to its range, Sticky Fingers proceed to lay down a barrage of fast and powerful punches against the invisible zombie user and the zombies surrounding Bucciarati in a last attempt to kill him before he does.

"ARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARIARI! ARIIIII!"

ドゴ ドゴ ドゴ ドゴ ドゴ ドゴ ドゴ

バカァァァ

Sticky Fingers punches Limp Bizkit's head last after cutting the user into pieces with it zipper ability. It can't be seen due to his invisibility but his face has a look of utter shock from either the pain or reaction to his defeat.

"Arrivederci."

With Limp Bizkit dead, the remaining zombies not pounded to oblivion all turn to dust, disappearing with their user accompanied by screams of pain. Bruno lets out a sigh of relief, glad the enemy is dealt with. Remembering Kakyoin and Avdol are injured, he asks the two if they are alright.

"...I think we're going to be fine, Bucciarati-san." Kakyoin assures him, not letting his wounds get the better of him. "Avdol and I have suffered worse injuries than the ones we got. All that's left is for us to turn back to normal."

"Turn back to normal? Oh. You mean like what happened to Gyro, Sakura, Ai and Junko when Black Sabbath is defeated?" Bucciarati guessed.

"That's right." Kakyoin nodded.

"But what about our wounds? Would that affect our undead bodies if we don't do something about them?" Avdol brings up this caveat. "It's not gonna be pretty if we turn back to our zombie selves while we have this wounds on."

"Hmm..." Before they come up with an answer, a cracking sound is heard. Bucciarati looks around and see where the sound is coming from, believing it is nearby due to how loud it is. "What was that sound?" He inquired, wondering if the fight isn't over yet or he's being too wary this late at night.

"Our skin...! It's cracking!" Kakyoin exclaimed.

"What?"

Turning to him, Bucciarati sees that their skins are cracking steadily. The jagged lines crawling on their skin, the sight of which looks like veins running on his skin, adds to his shock due to it looking uncomfortable and the cracking sound can be heard coming from them.

"Oh no! Don't tell me we're still under attack!?" Bucciarati cried out, not looking forward to another fight.

"No, we're not." Kakyoin denied the possibility, appearing calm together with Avdol despite feeling uncomfortable at the sight. "This is like what happened to Sakura, Ai, Junko and Gyro after Black Sabbath is defeated. We're about to turn back to zombies through our skin cracking."

"R-Really? I see..."

After few more seconds, their skin shattered like glass, revealing their zombie forms. While they still have makeup on (albeit their faces or hands slightly smeared presumably from the fight), they can feel their heartbeat and breath no longer and, surprisingly, their wounds or injuries are gone, completely healed without any signs it's been there.

Now, this would call for sighs of relief because this means they have won and able to live for another day but the sight of their injuries being healed without any complications on their bodies raises questions. "What the? Our wounds... They are gone." Kakyoin obviously stated.

The three process this oddity, staying silent for a couple of seconds in puzzlement and doubt. Then Avdol speaks up to address this. "What just happened?"

"I... I'm not sure..." Bucciarati admitted, having nothing concrete to say. "The hallway is drenched by our blood a few minutes ago and after we turned back, everything is fine, including us."

"...Could this be the work of an unknown phenomenon?" Avdol speculated, rubbing his chin as he tries to make sense of the situation.

"If it is, then whoever the one causing this strange anomaly is either helping or hindering us." An unsure Kakyoin throws his speculation on the matter.

"What about the unknown user sending enemy Stands against us?"

He shrugs, saying, "Maybe they are separate?"

"But who's to say they're working together in an attempt to kill us? That is grounds for concern." Bucciarati theorized.

"Then we're in for a long haul..." sighed Kakyoin. While pretty much confused over what is happening, what mattered for them is the enemy Stand lurking in this hotel is disposed, thereby completing the objective given to them by Kotaro. The mystery regarding the identity of the strange phenomenon of turning them into mortal humans and back after winning is unknown for now but he and his allies got to live for another day after narrowly being made into food by invisible zombies. "...Say, I wonder how everyone is doing? I hope they're asleep and haven't caused trouble."

"Well, with the enemy Stand gone, I doubt no invisible zombies are gonna roam the hallway anymore and harm any of them." Avdol stated.

"You know, we didn't learn what the enemy Stand's name is." Kakyoin noticed. "All we know about it is their ability."

"Oh, you're right. We didn't get to know its name." Avdol replied in surprise.

"Don't count on it, because the enemy is dead." Bucciarati reminded.

At this moment, someone enter the scene with rapid footsteps echoing in the hallway. The footsteps stop as a familiar figure expresses relief on founding the three. "Ah! You guys! Thank goodness I found you!"

They turn their heads to Narancia, who appears troubled and jittery for some reason. He also carries a nervous smile. "Narancia? What's wrong? Why do you look so...panicked?" Bucciarati asked.

"Ehehehe... W-Well It's because... It's because..." Narancia stammers, wondering how is he gonna break the news to them.

"It's because what?" Kakyoin urges him to continue.

After taking a deep breath, he reveals, "...I think Sakura, Saki, Junko and the rest of us have scared the Hisanaka lady so badly she gone catatonic."

"...What? How?" The redhead incredulously inquired.

"Weeeell... when the girls are asleep and the four of us are keeping to ourselves in our room, Sakura, Saki and Junko decided to sneak out and take a bath on a hot spring after thinking no one is out this late at night. However, as they were relaxing, the lady came in, prompting them to hide. Unfortunately for them aaaannd the lady, they get spotted and the lady screamed loud enough for us to wake up. We go out to investigate the scream and in the process, scared the poor lady further, eventually knocking herself unconscious out of fright after Saki and Sakura slide into her."

After he's done explaining, the three process his words with hanging mouths, appearing like they have witnessed something so out of this world they go speechless for a minute or so. "A-And before you ask, no! I didn't mean to scare the poor lady! That includes all of us! And-!"

"Narancia, that's enough." Buciarrati sternly told him, feeling a headache is coming as he facepalmed with a sigh. "You're not at fault here so don't try to blame yourself. The ones who scared her first are those three..."

"What happened next Narancia? What are the three doing now?" Avdol asks, hoping they aren't up for anymore mischief.

"After spilling the beans, they agree to just forget this ever happened and go to sleep while I go find you four and make sure the pharmaceutical lady hasn't encountered you all. Hope she gets a good night sleep, hehehehehe..."

Feeling tired all of a sudden, which can be attributed from almost getting eaten by invisible zombies and hearing what Sakura, Saki and Junko did, Kakyoin has only this to say.

"Tatsumi-san is not gonna like this..."

---

The next morning, Kotaro, feeling refreshed after soaking himself in a spring and sauna last night, bows before the CEO as thanks for letting the sponsorship to happen. "Thank you so much for this opportunity. And, if you decide it's a good idea, I look forward to hearing from you about the partnership." When he gets no response, he then sees the CEO sitting on the ground with her knees close, her body trembling and her eyes widened in shock. "Hm?" He gets confused over her frightened figure.

"Oh, sorry about that..." He hears someone talk to him. "She seems to have had quite a scare. The shock made her forget everything that happened yesterday."

It didn't take him long before he guesses the reason as to why she's beyond frightened. Though boiling with irritation in the inside, he masks it with a strained smile. "What?"

---

Back home, Sakura reads the news about the incident last night in a magazine. The incident that she, Saki and Junko caused. Naturally, she couldn't be any more unhappy and guilty for it.

"Sakura... If only you, Saki and Junko heed our warning..." Kakyoin shakes his head in disappointment. He is sitting next to her, reading the article with her. Suffice to say, he's quite displeased.

"I-It's Saki who came up with it!" She defended, turning a pleading look to his unamused eyes. "I-I only relented when Junko heard her and wanted to go to the spring as well!"

"..." He stays silent.

Before the conversation can proceed, Kotaro appears standing before Sakura, no doubt pissed at her actions last night. Kakyoin didn't interfere, feeling she deserved a scolding. "Next time, I'm shaving your heads." He warned before leaving her and Kakyoin be.

"That's when we went into the hot springs! They wrote an article about us, huh?" Lily stated, looking dismayed after seeing the article.

"Who the hell published that!? Let's find them and lean on them, hard!" Saki demanded, willing to do anything to keep their zombie status a secret.

"Don't make rash decisions Miss Saki!" Avdol placated her, thinking on looking after her carefully from now on. "You want to get all of us in trouble?"

"...I'm sorry guys. Next time, I'll be more careful." Sakura apologized to everyone for her accountability of the incident.

"Come, now. We all used a foot bath together. I've never shared that kind of bath with a group before. It was a good bit of fun." Yugiri assures.

"Rai didn't join however." Johnny reminds her.

"Yeah! And I think the better we get along, the better our performances will be!" Number Six concurs, happy to have made such good friends after death. Their words seem to cheer Sakura up, remembering the fun they did together as a group.

"And it's not like we have to worry about getting tired." Yugiri and Lily shows the medicinal strips on their shoulder and arm respectively. Everyone reveals the strips on them as well, having got enough Saganship Z for them to use even if the sponsorship failed.

"Sis is right! We'll make up for this next time." Saki assuages her. "We'll just have to bust our asses and earn us a budget! Right girls?"

"YEAH! Sakura, Yugiri and Lily shouted.

"You know, a money's just a means to the end, right?" Ai commented dryly.

"Well, there's no denying that. But if Tatsumi wants to save Saga, we're gonna need money if he wants his goal to come true." Bucciarati replies, feeling like smiling over the group talking as close friends. "I know from experience how important money is when I was in Passione, as long as you know how to use it well."

"Are you accumulating good will from netizens back then, Bucciarati?" Kakyoin asks.

"That's for pragmatic reasons, really." He states.

"But with the way you're acting, I can see you're really a noble person deep down, Bucciarati." Avdol observed.

"Noble, huh..." Repeating the word in his head, Bucciarati does not deny he's quite a noble character despite being a ruthless mafioso. He may have killed enemies in cold blood but it's strictly professional in the line of work concerning the mafia. If anything, he will protect those he treated under his wing and look after the community he was assigned to, even at the cost of his life.

A good leader never backs down from even the most harrowing trials he had ever faced, after all.

"Say, Bucciarati, what kind of Stand you, Kakyoin and Avdol fought?"

Bruno snaps out of his thoughts when Narancia asks him about the enemy Stand they defeated last night. "I heard from the two that you faced up against invisible zombies. Will you tell us how it went down?"

"Invisible zombies?" Sakura repeated in curiosity and fear.

"Yes. Invisible zombies." Kakyoin nodded and affirmed. "The fight itself would be quite ironic if the three of us haven't turned into human."

"Considering you three are in the scene, I assume you know Bruno's Stand, right?" Yugiri guesses.

Bucciarati nodded to her, saying, "That's correct. Sticky Fingers is my Stand..."

As everyone are eager to know what went down during their fight and what Sticky Fingers is, Tae is playing with the strip by stretching with her hands. After stretching it many times, she gets slapped back when she lengthened it so much it snaps back to her. Everyone saw it done to her and lets out wholehearted laughs.

On the roof of the mansion, Romero howls in the sky despite it being day as the everyday lives of Saga's populace continue as normal.

To be continued

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Stand Analysis:

Limp Bizkit

Destructive Power: Null
Speed: B
Range: B
Durability: A
Precision: C
Developmental Potential: E

Limp Bizkit is unique in that the Stand itself doesn't take on a physical form. Instead, the user can be considered a Stand itself. Its ability involves summoning invisible zombies who can walk on walls and display enhanced strengths. The user itself is an invisible zombie but it's stronger and faster compared to them. Because the zombies have cravings for blood and brains, they are aggressive by default, which the user has to reign them in and prevent unneeded chaos stemming from their unrestrained instincts.

Sticky Fingers (User: Bruno Bucciarati)

Destructive Power: A
Speed: A
Range: C (2 meters)
Durability: D
Precision: C
Developmental Potential: D

Sticky Fingers is a close-ranged Stand with exceptional strength and speed capable of punishing any enemies in direct combat. The ability of applying zippers on any objects its fist touches and its many functions proves this Stand to be one of the most versatile due to its user's quick thinking and experience. So far, zippers are used in opening a hole in a wall, immobolizing someone, attach several things together, storing or hiding in a dark space when a zipper opens, and even helping the user dodge any attacks when zippers are applied to its body.

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*Administering dermal patches to people who aren't zombies is considered practicing medicine. Please don't try this at home.

*Think Kakyoin's intense posing except the finger pointing one in the Heritage for the Future game.

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Helllooooooooooo everyyyyyybodyyyyyyy! Yujin Zone here publishing the fourth chapter of Living Things! So sorry for going dark almost two months after taking a rest as the year 2022 rolled around our lives. I originally intended chapter four to be published back in January but because of school work, life getting in my way of writing and almost getting a writer's block as I nearly struggled to write down the chapter, I'm happy to present the fourth chapter of our favorite zombie idols and zombie Stand Users living in Saga.

Ever since I decided to have past enemy Stands to act as obstacles for the fourteen zombies, I knew back when the story is just getting started to have at least one Stand related to the undead appear in the fanfic. In this case, I chose Limp Bizkit as the enemy in this chapter. It is one of my favorite Stands from JoJo due to the fight itself being intense, gory, and the absolute smacking Ermes dealt upon Sports Maxx as the focus is set on her. Despite this, I have some difficulty writing the Limp Bizkit fight, to the point the fight is truncated from what I originally wrote it the first time. However, it is not anything massive and the spotlight being shined on Bucciarati (One of my absolute favorite JoBros ever) being kept between rewrites. While it became different from what I wanted the fight to be, I think it came out okay, at least for me.

Anyway, there is something I want to let all of you know. Something I've been meaning to depict in the story itself: it's about the state of Kakyoin and the boy's body after reviving as zombies.

You already know what Sakura and the girls looked like as zombies. You already know how Kakyoin and the others died or at least have some knowledge regarding their deaths. Taking all of this, I believe you are all wondering what the boys look like as zombies. Well, think no further as I break down the state of their bodies with the following details below:

Kakyoin - The two scars he got when Geb slashed his eyes and almost blinded remain on his face, similar to a large scar Sakura has on her head. The hole on his stomach is wrapped up in many bandages, filled with vital organs and flesh in that part and a spare spine to help his posture. I think having an open hole on his stomach is impractical for him, something that is reflected in the previous chapters which I updated.

Avdol- The scar on his forehead and on his back remain on his body, covered by headband and clothing. Other than that, his body looks the same as he was alive, the only difference is his arms being easy to remove from the stump near his shoulder and stitched marks present on both ends.

Bucciarati- His body is in good condition except for the bullet wounds.

Narancia - The same as Bucciarati. In fact, he's the only zombie who doesn't have any physical injuries on his body thanks to Giorno's soul retreating back to his healed body after Narancia died.

Johnny- His head is covered in bandages from top to neck. His eyes, mouth, nose, ears and hair aren't covered.

Gyro- As shown in the second chapter, Gyro's torso has three stitched lines of wound converging to his heart, of which a hole is present on where the heart is. Bullet wounds are seen on his head too.

Rai- Any open holes on his waist, shoulder and head are covered in flesh and organs similar to Kakyoin. These filled wounds are then wrapped in many bandages. Also, he is missing a tip of his braid.

There you have. These are the state of their bodies after dying from their injuries. I hope you can imagine what their bodies look like now after this. Oh, and I'm sorry if remembering their deaths cause you cry for them again. It's really unfair on what happened to them, making it sweeter for you and me to give them a second chance, even as zombies.

In case you need forgot, feel free to leave out a review if you want. As for me, I would gladly read any constructive criticisms because it makes me motivated and take a look on what I need to improve so my writing skills become the best they'll ever be. I may not be in the same level as some prolific fanfic writers out there but I will strive to better myself because I love making fan works for my favorite franchises and make me proud of seeing it in the open. Stay safe everyone. You're gonna need it, especially when the world doesn't seem to get a rest at least once with the events occurring.

And with that, I bid you adieu...