"You do realize I said 'time out', right?"

Kakyoin's words came out a bit muffled as he ran a hand over his face to brush the dust away. He lay flat on the desert sand, his eyes squinting at the scorching Egyptian sun above him. A few meters away, Abdul saw Jotaro suppress a mocking smile.

"Really? I couldn't hear you from all the way over there."

Polnareff broke into a short laugh. He was sitting on the trunk of the car, and for the last couple of minutes had been watching their sparring match with enthusiasm and mild concern. Kakyoin sat up and shot a venomous glare in his direction before muttering something about long distance stands.

Jotaro just shrugged and walked up to him, a long trail of yellow dust trailing behind. There was a glint in his eye as he stretched out his hand towards his fallen opponent. "Maybe all the other stand users we've encountered so far said it as well. You should listen more carefully next time."

Kakyoin laughed and gripped Jotaro's hand tightly, pulling himself up from the sand. "Point taken. Still, this was a good workout. I look forward to the next one."

Jotato sneered, the gleam in his eyes glowing brighter. "You really shouldn't. I've been figuring out some new moves."

"That should be interesting." Kakyoin's tone shifted from polite to a sarcastic drawl. "So far, I counted a grand total of one, repeated really fast. That will get old eventually."

Jotaro's mouth stretched into a scowl as he shoulder-checked his classmate into a dry bush. "It took you down easy enough."

Kakyoin's reply was drowned in a loud engine roar. Joseph Joestar lifted his head from the popped hood of the car, his face covered in oil and shot them a bright grin.

"See? I told you it was nothing! Get over here, we're ready to go!"

Abdul nodded briefly but did not turn around, watching his two Japanese friends walk slowly towards the car. He could not hear their words anymore but he could see their warm smiles and an occasional burst of laughter.

Next to him, Polnareff rolled his eyes. "Jotaro fights dirty," he remarked before biting into a glossy red apple.

Abdul just shrugged and brushed sand away from his eyes. "We all do from time to time." He paused, watching Hierophant Green move surreptitiously along the sand trying to trip Jotaro. "I guess all is fair in love and war."

Polnareff snorted, sending flecks of apple juice flying everywhere. "This is not exactly war, Abdul."

Abdul smiled and shook his head. "No, no it isn't."