Diya returned to the store after school, just as agreed. As he approached the parking lot, he saw Okuyasu take off his red apron and throw it into the back of his junky, dark blue sedan. He donned a blue jacket with a yen patch and an American dollar patch.
"Diya!" Okuyasu seemed enthused to see him. "I wasn't sure you would come back."
"I need to know more about what's happening to me," Diya clenched his fist. "My whole life is filled with insecurity. If I don't go with you now, this morning will forever live in my head as fear. If I can know it, I won't be afraid of it any more!"
"That's the spirit kid!" Okuyasu gave a thumbs up. "I've never been one for thinking about things. Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to go straight for it !"
"That's what you taught me this morning. You didn't care about your responsibility or your own self-preservation. You did the right thing with no fear," Diya backed away shyly. "I want to know how to do that. I want you to teach me."
Okuyasu instantly felt overjoyed. His eyes began to tear up and he held his fists up to the sky. He looked down at Diya who seemed confused at his reaction. Okuyasu coughed and composed himself.
"Yeah, hang around me and I can help you get tougher," Okuyasu said, trying to play it cool.
"Do you have a plan?" Diya asked his new mentor.
"I have a friend on the other side of town who was a lot of help a few years back. We're going to go ask him for help."
Okuyasu opened the passenger side door and motioned Diya to get in. Diya felt anxious looking at the passenger seat of the car. How will I ever become brave if I can't even sit in this car? Diya gulped and got into the car. Okuyasu slid into the driver's side and pulled out of the parking lot.
"A friend?" Diya asked nervously. "Does he have a Stand as well?"
"Well, he actually doesn't like me all that much, but he'll be interested in you."
Diya put his hands on his stomach and groaned.
"My stomach hurts! I don't think I can go with you."
Okuyasu began laughing.
"Diya, I don't get paid til friday. If I turn back around now, it's just going to be a waste of gas. Do you have gas money for me?"
"N-no… I don't have any gas money." Diya admitted.
"Then I guess we're going to go see Rohan," Okuyasu shrugged. Diya continued to groan as Okuyasu turned up his music to drown him out.
"Toshikazu Hazamada," Hazamada's heart stopped. He knew coming again was a mistake. "I believe I told you I didn't want to see you for at least two weeks."
"O-of course! I just wanted to tell you I read your newest chapter and that I thought it was great!" Hazamada backed away from the manga artist's front door, a bead of sweat dripping down his temple.
"Do you think I didn't know that, Hazamada? I wouldn't have published anything that wasn't crafted using one hundred percent of my ability," Rohan Kishibe rested his head on his hands and sighed. "I suppose I will admit that I am grateful for the compliment after my encounter with another unannounced guest. He wasn't as happy about my newest chapter."
"He came to your house to tell you he hated the chapter?" Hazamada was shocked at the dedication the fan showed to come to Rohan's house. The chapter had been one of the most exciting as well.
"He cursed me out for it actually. So I appreciate your kindness. For that, I will offer you an apology."
"An apology? For what Rohan?" Hazamada was confused. He found the 25 year old difficult to read.
"Yes, an apology for any feelings of fear or anxiety that I invoke when I say this: I will not use Heaven's Door on you to keep you away. I would never interfere with the authenticity of your life. But you are an adult now, and I do not need Heaven's Door to beat you up." Shadows seemed to cloak Rohan's face as he leaned in to intimidate Hazamada. Rohan took a sip of his tea as he watched Hazamada begin to shake.
"Okay Rohan. I will not come back to your house for two weeks!" Hazamada stood up straight as he yelled as a soldier would to a general.
"Now go."
Hazamada scrambled off of Rohan's porch and made a break for home. As Rohan watched the young man run away, he saw an old blue sedan pull into his driveway. The junky car ironically spotted a vanity plate that said "BILL10N". Rohan put his fingers to the bridge of his nose and sighed.
Okuyasu saw Rohan's frustration from the driveway, before he even had the chance to get out of the car.
"Hey, maybe you should let me do the talking," Okuyasu said to Diya.
"I thought this guy doesn't like you," Diya replies.
"We don't seem to have many options then, do we?" Okuyasu seemed annoyed as he unbuckled his seatbelt and exited the car. "Oi Rohan!"
"Okuyasu," Rohan stood coldly and unmoving from his spot on the porch. "By chance, is there a sign down the road inviting everyone to my house today?" His eyes narrowed. "Or do you have a good reason to bother me today?"
"Well- heh…" Okuyasu chuckled nervously under Rohan's menacing glare. Diya opened the car door and began to take a step out. "This kid here can see my Stand, but-"
"What? A Stand user? You brought him here?" Rohan barked as he rushed forward. He jumped onto the wooden bannister, then pushed off towards Diya in the passenger seat. "Heaven's Door!"
Rohan flicked his wrist, and Diya couldn't believe what he saw. In front of his very eyes, Diya watched as his favorite manga character, Pink Dark Boy was drawn line by line in 3-D. The being seemed to be so realistic, yet looked just like a drawing suspended in midair.
Wait, Okuyasu called him Rohan, Diya thought in perfect clarity. Is this Rohan Kishibe?
Diya had no time to finish his realization as Pink Dark Boy lunged at Diya, and Diya blacked out.