Day 3

Doppio woke up in his bed, got up, and made a bowl of cereal. As he poured the milk into the bowl, he thought about who to befriend. He didn't like the prank Formaggio, Illuso, and Melone tried to pull in the vision. However, he wasn't sure if Pesci liked him, and Ghiaccio was too hot-headed to approach. Prosciutto was out of the question. Risotto seemed to be the only reasonable one in the group, but he shouldn't get close to him.

"Oh, damn it!" Doppio realized his mistake, looking at the milk-filled bowl. He made sure to pour his cereal carefully.

Risotto was the first to arrive at the hideout. Later, Prosciutto and Pesci arrived. The three were in the kitchen, eating and drinking. Risotto, who sat across from Prosciutto and Pesci, had a cup of black coffee while Pesci had milk and cookies. Prosciutto had a cup of coffee mixed with cream and some bread with strawberry jam.

"I don't trust the newcomer," Prosciutto said to him.

"I understand," Risotto replied. "But what would happen if we killed him? The boss might have us eliminated."

Prosciutto sighed. "Then what do we do?"

He didn't know how to reply and stared at his cup of coffee. Focused, he could hear somebody enter the hideout and walk to the kitchen. Then Ghiaccio and Melone appeared. They didn't seem happy.

"Have you found a target we can kill?" Risotto asked.

"Yes, but the person isn't going to pay that much," Ghiaccio said. "If we split it amongst us, the amount would be little, and I don't know if the target is a stand user."

"Who's the target?"

"Some guy named Amedeo Parri. He lives close by," Melone answered. "And if you're worried he might run away, don't be. He works at a McDonald's and isn't going anywhere."

"I want McDonald's," Pesci commented.

"You got all that information yesterday?" Risotto asked.

"Melone wanted something from McDonald's," Ghiaccio answered.

"Here, Pesci, you can have my leftover fries from yesterday." He handed it over to him.

"You're the best, Melone!" he responded.

More members of La Squadra arrived in the kitchen.

"Good morning, everyone!" Doppio greeted cheerfully and made the room quiet.

"Morning," Risotto replied. Other than him, nobody else replied. They chatted amongst themselves afterward.

"You should spy on him," the blond whispered to Risotto.

"Will do," he whispered back, getting up from his seat.

Doppio watched him. "Where are you going?"

"I have to use the bathroom," he lied.

He left the kitchen, and once he was sure nobody was looking, he turned invisible.

Doppio sighed. It felt like nobody wanted to befriend him.

"Newcomer." Melone grabbed his attention and had an arm around his shoulder. "What was your name again? Doppio, right? Why are you looking so glum? Don't worry. It's always like this. I think I prefer it this way. Nobody has to put themselves in danger."

"Agreed," Formaggio commented. "I can just sit back and relax."

"You are aware we earn nothing by doing nothing, right?" Prosciutto said.

"Maybe that's what you do," Melone replied. "Me? I've been taking photos."

"Oh, what do you take photos of?" Members of Passione committing crimes or perhaps anything that could reveal the boss' identity? Doppio wondered.

"I take photos of people undressing," he answered with a smile.

"Weirdo," Ghiaccio commented.

"That's a little dangerous," Formaggio said. "Why not let me help you?"

"Then I'd have to split the money," Melone answered. "Oh! I just remembered something. Doppio, how big is your cock?"

Prosciutto got out of his seat. "I'm leaving before things get weird."

Pesci followed him.

"Does Pesci always follow him?" Doppio asked.

"Pretty much," Melone answered and sat down where Prosciutto sat.

"Is there a reason for that? Why doesn't he follow Risotto around?"

"Well, when the boss needs Risotto to kill someone, shit will go down. You do not want to be around him when that happens."

"Oh my god, how vicious is Risotto?"

"If you knew his stand's ability, you'd know," Illuso answered.

"So…is anyone going to tell me his stand's ability?" Doppio asked despite knowing.

"You'll just have to fuck around and find out," Formaggio said, sitting down in Pesci's spot.

The kitchen got quiet.

"Risotto's still in the bathroom, right?" Doppio asked.

"Hmm, let me check." Melone at the kitchen table, using Babyface as a laptop.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking through the security cameras. Wait. Oh, shit! You weren't supposed to know that. Oh well, I placed cameras everywhere in the hideout. Now you know."

"That's disturbing."

"I can't shit in peace in this place," Formaggio commented.

"He's not in the bathroom," Melone said.

"He probably turned invisible," the redhead added.

"Formaggio!" Illuso yelled. "There's probably a reason why."

"Oh, he's here then?" Doppio spoke. No wonder why he felt watched. "Um, well, I don't know what to do. I guess I'll read something."

After Doppio left, Risotto revealed himself and sat down at the table.

"Sorry, I didn't know," Formaggio explained. "But I don't think there's anything suspicious about this guy. He seems harmless."

"If he's harmless, the boss wouldn't have put him in with us. I need to get close to him and see what he can do in a fight."

Day 4

Before Doppio arrived in the hideout, he spotted an olive green frog and knelt to speak to it.

"Hey, what are you doing here, little buddy?"

The frog croaked.

"Are you hungry?"

"What are you doing?" Prosciutto asked.

Doppio got up and turned around to face him. Pesci and Risotto were with him. "Oh, uh, making friends with a frog. I think it's hungry."

"Not my concern," Prosciutto said, walking to the door.

Pesci followed him but then stopped, curious about the frog. "Oh, that's a tree frog! There are some worms near my house. We can collect some for the little guy. I used to collect them before—ow!"

Prosciutto elbowed him. "By the time we get back, the frog will be gone. Let's head inside. I want some coffee."

"What if we caught it?" Doppio said.

Prosciutto looked at the frog, and it began hopping away. "Better catch it then." His arm reached for the doorknob.

"Beach Boy!" Pesci brought his stand and reeled the frog towards him.

"What the hell!" the blond reacted.

"Sorry, bro," he replied. "It just looked cute."

"Would it hurt to have a pet?" Doppio asked.

"Yes, our pay is shit," the blond argued. "Risotto, tell them!"

"It wouldn't hurt to have a pet," he answered.

"What?"

"We would need a tank to keep it in. We can go to the pet store and buy a tank and some food for it. We'll take my car. But first, keep the frog safe while Doppio and I are gone."

"You're going alone with the newcomer?" Prosciutto glared at the pink-haired man, intimidating him. "I don't trust him alone with anyone."

"Hey, bro, I think he's a decent guy," Pesci said. "Besides, I should go too. I know a bit about frogs."

The blond sighed. "Okay, but I'm sitting next to Risotto. Pesci, you know what to do if the newbie does anything."

"Hold on," Pesci said. "I need the others to watch over the frog while we're gone."

After Pesci spoke to the others, they all got in Risotto's black Fiat Punto and drove to the pet shop, buying all they needed for their new pet frog. It was around lunchtime when they returned to the hideout.

"I was wondering when you guys were going to get back," Ghiaccio greeted them. "I was thinking about having frog legs."

"Ghiaccio, enough!" Risotto said.

"They're in the gathering room."

They made their way there, where the rest of the gang was. The frog was inside a bottle, but Formaggio got it out and put it into its new tank once Risotto set it up.

"What're you going to name him?" Pesci asked.

"I think I'll name him Pickles," Doppio answered. "Oh, and thanks for buying things for Pickles."

"Doppio, I think Pickles should be in your house," Risotto said. "This isn't a place for a pet."

"I don't have a house. I live with others," he sort of lied.

"I'll take him with me!" Pesci said. "And if you need a place to stay, you can always knock at my door."

"Pesci!" Prosciutto yelled. "You barely know this guy."

"Sorry, never mind. I can watch over the frog, though."

"Prosciutto, knock it off!" Formaggio spoke. He looked annoyed. "He's not a bad guy. You're just being a dick."

The blond sighed exasperatedly, got up, and left the room. This time Pesci did not follow but watched and examined Pickles.

As the rest of La Squadra was doing something to entertain themselves, Doppio sat back in his seat, thinking how wrong he and his boss thought about them. They just need a little pay raise, he thought.

Doppio spent a few hours with them, but it was getting dark, and he nearly dozed off in his seat.

Risotto tapped him on the shoulder, waking him up before he fell into a deep sleep. "Need me to drive you home?"

He stretched in his seat and smiled at him. "I'd like that."

Risotto helped him out of his seat, and they walked out of the hideout, heading to his car.

"You said you lived with others," Risotto reminded him. "Where is their address?"

Shit. "Ah—did I say that?" He giggled. "Well, um, I may have gotten in a fight with them. So, I got kicked out. I reside in a hotel not far from here." Then he remembered how close the hotel was to their hideout. "Um, hehe, it's within walking distance. I just wanted to spend time with you." Blood rushed to his cheeks, blushing, and he covered his face.

"Doppio…" Risotto moved the man's arms and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Risotto…" His heart raced. "Turururu!" His head started pounding.

Risotto moved his hand away from him. "You're acting strange."

"Uh, my phone. I need to go. Now."

Doppio dashed away and didn't stop until he reached the hotel. He reached for the nail clippers in his pocket, thinking it was a cell phone.

"Boss, what the hell!" Doppio yelled.

"Quiet! What do you think you're doing?" the boss said.

"I-I'm getting close to them, just like you ordered."

"I need you to get close, not too close!"

"They need money, boss."

"They seem well off. Risotto managed to buy Pickles a home."

"Wait, how do you know about that?"

"Do not hide anything from me, Doppio!"

"I understand. Yes, boss. I'll try not to get close to Risotto."

The boss hung up, and Doppio felt ready to burst into tears.