adventures in jojo sitting
Josuke has his hands full when he has to look out for his younger cousin from Miami, but she turns out to be more than just an average little girl.
The story opens with a superhero named Aqualina backflipping onto a cliff. she glares up at a large green snake.
Aqualina points at the snake, "in the name of justice, your reign of terror is over, Scallator!"
"You fool! I could swallow you whole!" Scallator hisses
"DO NOT underestimate me, Scallator, or if my name isn't Aqualina! the ultimate goddess of world's peace!"
[poses as wind blows her hair before dropping into a battle stance and holding a bazooka] "now, TAKE THIS, SUCKA!"
Aquafina fired the bazooka cannon striking Scallator. Scallator collapses and screams, "NO! my strength it's…it's…dying!"
Miami, Florida
(cuts to a doll of Aqualina and a green snake being held in a little girl's hands.)
This young girl is Zariana "Zari" Higashikata. She's the daughter of Umiko Higashikata, the niece of Tomoko and the younger cousin of Josuke. Zari is half Peruvian and half Japanese descent with copper skin. She has short black hair with bangs in front wearing a bright hot magenta floppy bunny eared hat and red goggles that sits on top of her hat. She also wears a traditional school uniform with a blazer jacket and plaid jumper dress and high top red converse sneakers.
"and that's the end." Zari smiles
"The end of what, sweetie?" Umiko asked, "My book report."
[the snake hisses and bites the doll] "creative, right?" Zari chuckles
Principal Bosh laced his fingers and placed them on his desk, "Your book report is why you're in here, Zari." He gestures to the door, through which we can see two students running by screaming, snakes biting their heads.
Zari glanced over her shoulder, "oh…yeah. I forgot about the backup snakes. Anyway, did you like my report I did based on my favorite hero?"
Umiko walks over to Zari and pats her on the shoulder, "Zari, sweetie. I love your creativity, but it's getting out of control. Do you remember why you were in the principal's office the last few times?"
(cuts to montages of Zari causing accidental havoc in the school then back to the present in Principal Bosh's office.)
A frown appears on Zari's face, "oh, right."
Umiko crossed her arms, "sweetie, you have to promise me that you won't get sent to the principal's office again, because if you do, then I may need to find a better constructive outlet for you."
Zari looks worried, "what kind of an outlet?"
"you may have to spend the rest of the season in Japan with your Aunt Tomoko and Cousin Josuke." Umiko answered
"Japan?!" Zari exclaimed
"yes. I think it's time for you to have a different environment. Japan will be better for you, but I'll make an exception, you have to promise me that you won't get sent to the principal's office anymore." Umiko said
"Okay mom, I'll avoid the principal's office. I won't let you down. [stands up triumphantly] no more weirdness!"
the snake in Zari's hand suddenly jumps out and bites the principal. He falls to the ground with a yell while the snake hisses. Umiko froze in complete shock while a sweat drop appeared on Zari's cheek.
"that doesn't count, right?" she asked nervously
cuts to Zari, who's disappointed and standing in front of her house with luggage and suitcases.
Umiko comes out of the house and hugs her, "oh, my baby! Now, don't worry. Japan will be fun. you're only staying for a few months. you'll be so busy starting a new school, making new friends along the way, the time will fly by, I promise."
"But I don't want to start a new school in Japan. I want to stay here in Miami and stay at the school that I normally go to and draw and edit cool anime pictures, while having a mini circus for hamsters and–"
Umiko crossed her arms, "Zari, that's enough. you're going and that's final."
Zari drops her head disappointed. Umiko is also upset. she thinks for a quick second then gets an idea. she takes Zari by the hand, "come inside for a minute. I have something for you."
Inside the house, Umiko takes out a large green box from the closet and blows the dust off of it. She sits next to Zari on the couch.
"what is it?" Zari asked
"when your dad was still living, he said to give this to you on your 10th birthday but you're almost turning ten, so it best to give it to you now." Umiko opens the box. inside was a Peruvian Tumi keychain.
"The keychain inside was your dad's while he was living in Peru and kept it with him all the time. pretty much calling it his lucky keychain. Now, it's yours."
Zari glances down at the keychain inside the box, "Wait, Mommy, I don't understand. Why did he call it his lucky keychain?"
"I really don't know, honestly. He just said it was a lucky keychain. He took it with him wherever he went and he said that he wants you to hold onto it and never lose it." Umiko said
Zari smiles and hugs her, "thanks mommy."
They share a tender look. (phone vibrates) Umiko's phone vibrates in her purse. She takes it out and looks at time. "Oh my goodness, it's almost 1."
"Zari, sweetie. I gotta go to work. Jotaro is on his way to pick you up. please be on your best behavior while you're out there." She kisses Kari's forehead and walks out the door.
Zari still wears a disappointed look, "okay mommy, I will."
back in Morioh, Japan. In the living room, Josuke is shown playing 'Galactica' while talking on the phone.
"All right! only one more hit and this boss battle will finally be over!"
Suddenly, the short circuit shuts down the TV, surprising him in frustration. "WHAT?!"
"no no, ugh, damn. I was so close!" Tomoko stands over him while holding the console plug in her hand.
"Ugh, Mom. I was so close to beating the whole game for the very first time!"
she rolled her eyes, "Ugh, ever since I got that console for you, you've been on it ever since. don't you ever take a break from that thing?"
"But, it's Galactica. the most popular game right now and I was on the final stage of the boss battle! I was gonna be legendary if I was able to beat it!" Josuke said
Tomoko crossed her arms, "okay, well, you can be legendary later. put it away and hang up the phone. I wanna talk to you."
"I gotta go." Josuke hangs up the phone and puts it back on the hook. "what do you wanna talk to me about?"
"It's actually a surprise." Tomoko smiles
"a surprise?! let me guess, you got me those designer shoes I've always wanted, right?" Josuke asked
Tomoko smiles and shakes her head, "no."
"ooh! that new designer jacket?"
"no."
"ooh…or how about that designer—"
Tomoko puts her hands out, "NO! Josuke, stop guessing. It's actually your cousin that's coming to visit."
Josuke raised his eyebrow, "cousin?"
"yes. She's your cousin on my side of the family. Umiko, who's my sister and your aunt, is bringing her here. Well actually, Jotaro is bringing her here."
Josuke puzzled, "Wait a minute. I actually have a cousin?"
"yup, her name is Zariana but she likes to be called Zari. She's almost ten and she'll be staying with us for the next few months. I've already enrolled her into middle school and everything."
"wait mom, how come you never told me about this?" Josuke asked
Tomoko downcasts, "well…I just wanted to wait for the right time to tell you."
Josuke grabs his mother's hands and smiles, "it's okay, i'm glad you did." They both smiled while sharing a tender look.
(doorbell rings) "oh. that's probably them now." Tomoko walks to the front door.
As soon as she opens it, Zari cartwheels herself inside the house, surprising both Tomoko and Josuke. Later, Jotaro walks in.
"WOW! I can't believe that I'm actually in Japan! this is so cool!" Zari turns around and looks at Tomoko.
"Aunt Tomoko!" They hug each other.
"Zari! oh, it's so good to see you again. you've got so big now. can't believe that you're almost ten." Tomoko said
"Did you see my cartwheel, Aunt Tomoko?" Kari asked
"I sure did. It was amazing." Tomoko answered, Zari smiled, "I took up gymnastics last year."
"say you did?" Tomoko smiles as they continue talking. Minutes later, Jotaro walks inside standing besides Josuke as they watch both Zari and Tomoko talk to each other.
"wow. Zari sure does have a lot of energy for her age." Josuke said
"Zari, this is your older cousin, Josuke." Tomoko said
Zari looks up and gasps as she sees her tall cousin for the first time. Josuke is nervous and confused at his cousin's arrival.
"So you're, my cousin Josuke? Wow, you're so tall! Can I call you Jojo? …or cousin Jojo? ooh, ooh or how about Go-go Jojo for a cool nickname?"
Josuke downcasts, "you're like the second person to ever call me Jojo."
"who's the first?" Zari asked
"an old friend of mine from a long time ago." Josuke answered
Zari rubs her chin and looks at Josuke's hair, "I see. ooh, your hair looks so cool in that style! I'll have my hair just like yours one day. That way we can be TWINNIES! you know what, I bet I can climb myself onto your shoulder!"
Josuke puzzled, "huh?"
Tomoko gets suddenly nervous,"um, Zari sweetie. I don't think that's a good idea."
Zari climbs up and around onto Josuke's back, "okay, here we go...upsy daisy." she sits herself on top of Josuke's shoulder satisfied
"yay! I did it!" Zari rejoiced and cheered
Josuke who's still nervous and confused by his younger cousin. He looks at his mom and signals his eyes to the kitchen. [clears throat] "Mom, can we talk in the kitchen?"
Tomoko finally understood the signal, "oh, sure." Josuke lifts Zari up from his shoulder and gently puts her down on the carpet floor.
In the kitchen
[kettle whistles] Tomoko takes the hot kettle off the stove and pours herself some tea while she pours Josuke a cup of coffee.
"What's going on, mom?" Josuke asked
"Look Josuke, I know this was such short notice but the reason why Zari is staying with us is because she was constantly sent to the principal's office at her old school and her mother was concerned about her getting kicked out. So, that's when she called and told me that Zari will be coming to Morioh."
Josuke sips his coffee, "oh. how come she was sent to the office so many times? Was she fighting?"
"more like…scaring the other kids." Tomoko replied
"what?" Josuke puzzled
"Look, Zari is very optimistic but sometimes, she's also very…um…" [leans in and whispers] "…Quirky."
"How quirky?" Josuke asked
In the living room, Zari is seen standing on her hands with her feet together.
"Look what I can do Aunt Tomoko and cousin Jojo!" she starts clapping her feet together.
Josuke raised an eyebrow, "Oh…that quirky."
"yeah. which is why I need you to be her chaperone while she stays here." Tomoko said
"what? me?"Josuke puzzled "yes."
"Mom, I don't know if I should do this." Josuke stammers
"I know it's all unexpected but I need you to take on this responsibility. see, Zari has a hard time making friends and she gets lonely most of the time. just be like a big brother to her while she's here, please Josuke?" Tomoko makes a puppy face
Josuke sighs, "okay, I'll do it."
"thanks Josuke! Okay, I already have her enrolled in school. She starts next week. make sure you drop her off and pick her up before and after school hours. make sure does her homework and gets to bed on time. I have to work a few shifts this week. I will be back until early Saturday morning." Tomoko said
A few days later, Josuke and Zari are walking down the sidewalk on their way to school. He holds her hand as she sings and skips happily while he wears an indifferent and embarrassing look on his face.
"Lollipop lollipop, Oh lolli lolli lolli, Lollipop!" while Zari continues to sing, Josuke on the other hand starts getting annoyed.
"Zari! look, I understand that you're excited about starting a new school out here in Japan but can you please stop with the singing? for my sake." Josuke said
"Sorry, cousin Jojo. But I have to sing a song while I'm walking to school. it keeps me in a happy mood!" Zari smiles and starts singing again.
Josuke sighs and rolls his eyes. minutes later, Koichi and Okuyasu are standing up ahead on the sidewalk.
Koichi spots them coming their way, "it's Josuke! and it looks like he has a little girl with him too."
"hey Josuke! Who's your friend?" Okuyasu asked
"This is my cousin, Zari. She's from Miami and will be staying with us for the next few months." Josuke replied
"Zari, these are my friends. Ko—-" he was interrupted by Zari gasping in excitement.
[talking fast, "Oh, my gosh! Are you guys Jojo's friends? [gasps] Did you guys form your own trio group? Ooh! I love trio groups! you guys are like the three musketeers! Gosh, this is just like the hero in my favorite game, Aquafina's Adventure. the greatest classic 8-bit game of all time! Have you played it? Do you wanna play it, borrow it? just say the word and I'll lend you my copy! it'll change your lives!"
Koichi's eyes slowly drift to the side looking at Josuke, "Uh, Josuke."
Josuke takes Zari by the hand, "come on Zari before you are late on your first day of school."
"see you later, Jojo's friends! Nice meeting you guys!" Zari waves with her hand.
"Josuke's cousin sure is a chipper kid." Okuyasu said
"Do you think he'll be able to handle it?" Koichi asked
"If Josuke could handle everything else, I'm pretty sure that he can handle a kid like Zari." Okuyasu replied
at Budogaoka Middle school
(scene cuts to a 5th grade classroom, Zari is standing in front of the class)
"As I'm sure many of you have noticed, we have a new student joining us. Welcome, Zari Higashikata! Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?" Miss Kayne said
"I sure would! Classmates! I'm in such a great honor to be here in Japan meeting new people. But one thing about me is that I--" while Zari was talking, one of the students was crafting a project together. He grabs the glue goo and holds the bottle unsteadily.
"finished! Now, for some glue!" the boy squeezes the bottle pointing to the paper and accidentally releases a glop of the glue causing it to spill onto the floor.
"Oops. I guess I overdid it."
Zari steps forward onto the glue goo on the floor making her slip but she tries not to fall making it look like dancing. (class gasps) one of the students stares in confusion, "What's she doing?"
Zari gets her balance back, "I, uh, like to dance?" the entire class cheers as Zari smiles.
at the Higashikata's residence
"So how long will Zari be staying in Morioh for?" Koichi asked
"only for a few months. her mom said that she needed a new environment because she was getting into trouble at her old school in America." Josuke answered
Koichi was confused, "what was she doing?"
"It's a long story but basically, my mom put me in charge of her while she's staying out here with us. I can't lose any sight of her." Josuke said
The trio looked at Zari who's carrying a small VR console on her head with her goggles plugged into the device. She walks and sings nursery rhymes while swinging her arms back and forth.
"No offense Josuke, but your cousin is weird." Okuyasu whispers
"she's just a kid, Okuyasu. I mean, yeah. She has a quirky personality but other than that she's happy most of the time. Besides, she's the total opposite of most people now and days. she's harmless." Josuke said
"she sounds like a pretty cool kid." Koichi smiles
"she is. My mom told me that Zari's super smart. But super oblivious at times and insanely clumsy. Like, maybe the clumsiest person alive. But she's a really good kid. What could possibly go wrong." Josuke smiles
The next day at Budogaoka High School. Zari is waiting outside the hallway with a notepad in her hands and waiting for Josuke
"Hi, cousin Josuke." Zari smiles and rejoiced
Josuke raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Zari, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at your school?"
"My school was let out early, so I came here. Anyway, I drew this for you." (shows a picture of a sunflower with Josuke's name multiple times)
"Aw look, it's a flower named Josuke." Tobias points and laughs
(Tobias, his crew and other students all laugh)
Josuke holds the notepad and blushes, "That's uh…really…creative, Zari. Thanks."
"Hubba-hubba!" (the rest of the students laughs and walks away)
(Later, school bell rings; school is over)
Zari smiles, "Jojo, Can I hold your hand while we cross the street?"
Josuke looks at his classmates and back to her while still blushing, "Uh, Sure." (He takes her hand walks along with her)
Girl 1 giggles, "Bye, you two! (to Tobias and the others) "Well, I for one think Jojo makes an adorable babysitter."
Tobias crosses his arms and agrees, "Yeah...we should start calling him 'The Jojo Sitter' hubba-hubba." (they all laugh again)
at the Higashikata's Residence
(Josuke was coming out the front door until he notices Zari in a lemonade stand)
"Jojo lemonade! Get your Jojo lemonade right here!"
(surprised) "Jojo lemonade?" Josuke walks up to the stand.
"Zari, what are you doing?"
"hi Jojo. I made this lemonade stand about you and it comes with free Jojo cookies too."
Koichi and Okuyasu both walk up to the stand, "Jojo lemonade?"
Okuyasu pulled out his money, "I'll buy some!"
Josuke blushes and wears an embarrassed look, "Okuyasu!"
Okuyasu shrugs,"what? I'm just trying to be a good customer."
"it's free. (offers Okuyasu a cup) He's my favorite cousin. And I'm giving away Jojo cookies."
"A Jojo lemonade stand?!" Tobias and crew laughs points and laughs
Zari smiles, "that's right, and I'm giving away free cookies with it. Would you guys like some?"
Tobias waves his hand, "No, please. This was already enough of a treat, sweetie. Thank you." (laughing and walking away)
Josuke crosses his arms letting out a growl.
Later that same evening, Josuke and the others are in the living room playing video games.
(phone rings) Tomoko answers the phone, "Hello?"
"Hi Mr. Kobayashi. Tonight? What time do you need me there? Okay, okay I'll be there in 30 minutes."
Tomoko puts the phone back on the receiver stand and walks into the living room where the boys are.
"Josuke?"
The boys continue playing the game without noticing Tomoko. She calls his name again with no response. Tomoko then walks over to the outlet and unplugs the TV causing the boys to be surprised and flabbergasted.
"hey?! What happened to our game?!" exclaimed Okuyasu
"Will you guys stop playing for at least a minute, geez. Anyway, Josuke, I need to talk to you in private."
In the kitchen
"now, I need you to listen carefully. I got called in for work to do an overnight shift tonight. I would've said no but we really need the money, so you're in charge of everything in the house. Make sure Zari does her homework and gets to bed on time."
Tomoko opens her coin purse and pulls out some money, "Here go some extra money to order pizza or takeout. I'll be home around 8 tomorrow morning. Can you do this for me, Josuke?"
Josuke blushes and nervously rubs the back of his head, "Uh, sure. Hey mom, I kinda need to talk to you about Zari. She's kind of getting a little too attached to me."
"what do you mean?" Tomoko questioned
"Like she's…umm…naming flowers after me, making a lemonade stand about me. It's getting to the point where people at school are laughing at me for watching Zari."
"Josuke, honey. That's just how she is. She's probably excited about you being her favorite big cousin, that's all. I wouldn't worry about what those kids are saying. The only thing that matters is Zari loves you and she'll always look up to you like a big brother she never had. That's all."
Josuke downcasts, "oh."
(phone vibrates)
Tomoko takes out her phone and looks at the time. "Oh my goodness, I'm going to be late. Josuke, I have to go make sure everything is secured around here. Blue will stop by to check on you guys later."
"Zari Sweetheart, I'm leaving!"
Zari quickly rushed down the stairs, "Where are you going, Aunt Tomoko?"
"I'm going to work. Josuke's in charge so be a good girl and listen to what he says okay."
Zari smiles, "okay, Aunt Tomoko. But I wanted to show you my upcoming science project."
"You can show me when I come back. Show your cousin Josuke and see what he thinks of it. I have to go. " Tomoko kisses Zari's cheek and leaves
Zari rejoiced and ran back upstairs. An hour later, Zari heads back downstairs carrying her project to show Josuke and the others.
"I can't wait to show cousin Jojo my project. I know it's gonna be out of this world!"
Minutes later, in the living room. Josuke tells Koichi and Okuyasu about how unruly Zari's being.
"so what did your mom say when you told her about Zari?" asked Okuyasu
"she pretty much said that Zari is doing all of this out of love, but I think it's just annoying to be honest."
"Josuke?" said Koichi
"It's the truth, Koichi. I understand that she's a kid and all but the whole babysitting thing isn't it. maybe she's just not cut out for this type of environment."
(Zari sobs and leaves.)
"okay, you don't mean that. You're just a little frustrated." Koichi said
"yeah, I'm sure she's got her reasons." added Okuyasu
Josuke rubs the back of his neck, "Yeah, I know. I just want her to listen to me when I tell her that enough is enough, you know pretty much for her to understand."
Upstairs in her room, Zari is putting things in her backpack as continues to sob.
"Finding me annoying, huh? I shouldn't have never come out here to Japan if I knew that making friends would be this difficult. Well, I won't be that annoying to anyone anymore."
Zari finishes packing her things and climbs out the second floor window. She hops a tree branch nearby and slides down the tree. She walks down the street wearing a disappointed look on her face.
Later that same evening, At the Higashikata's residence
(doorbell rings)
Okuyasu opens the door. The pizza guy is there carrying two large pizza boxes and a bag.
"Pizza's here!"
"That'll be 31.75"
Okuyasu gives the delivery man the money, takes the food and closes the door.
"Finally! I'm starving. I can't wait to eat! I also ordered some flan."
"you must really like flan a lot, Okuyasu." said Koichi
"I really do. Especially the cream filling in the center!" Okuyasu takes a bite out of the flan
"mmh mmh, So yummy!"
"I'm gonna go give Zari a slice and check on her. She's been quiet ever since my mom left." Josuke takes the plate with the pizza slice upstairs to Zari.
Upstairs, Josuke knocks on Zari's bedroom door.
"Zari, I got you a slice." He knocks again and still no response.
"Come on, Zari, you have to eat. you can't be inside the room forever."
He then opens the door and looks around the room with Zari nowhere in sight and notices the bedroom window open.
"Oh shit!"
(plate shatters) Josuke drops the plate and rushes down the steps.
"Josuke, what's wrong?!" asked Koichi
"Zari ran away. Dammit! My mom is gonna kill me if she finds out Zari's missing! could this get any worse!"
(doorbell rings) "Boys? are you guys alright in there?" said Blueto's voice
"Dammit! It's Blue."
(knocking continues) "Josuke? Koichi? are you guys alright in there?"
"Just a minute!"
"what are we gonna do, Josuke?!" Koichi said
"I have an idea. Koichi, go upstairs to Zari's room. Okuyasu and I have to stall Blue and can not let him know anything."
"Roger!" Okuyasu agreed
Josuke opens the door as Blueto walks inside the house. "Your mom told me to check on you boys and Zari to make sure that everything is okay."
Josuke and Okuyasu both smile widely. "Oh yeah. everything 's fine Blue."
"where's Zari?" asked Blueto
"oh she's out–" Josuke elbows Okuyasu
"Ow. ow. out like a light, you know sleeping."
"Oh okay. that's good. where's Koichi?"
"He…uh…went to the store to get some sodas for our pizza since we're having a movie night." (nervous chuckling)
"oh, well. Alright, you boys have my number. let me know if you guys need anything."
"You got it, Blue."
"no problem, Mr. B."
Blueto leaves as Josuke and Okuyasu let out a sigh of relief.
Koichi peeks his head out from the upstairs hallway, "did Mr. Bluteo leave?"
"Yeah."
"well , at least we got off the hook with that and Blue wasn't being too suspicious about it, huh?" Okuyasu chuckled
Josuke and Koichi both palm slapped their faces in disbelief at Okuyasu's idiotic statement.
"What the hell are you talking about? We still have to find Zari before my mom comes back home tomorrow morning!"
"But it's after midnight and we don't know where she is. how are we gonna find her?" said Koichi
Josuke gets an idea, "I got it! I know somebody who can help us find her and we're gonna need Reverb for this, Koichi, okay?"
Koichi nods his head in agreement, "yeah."
"You and I are gonna go search for Zari. Okuyasu, you stay here and keep watch in case anyone comes back."
Okuyasu salutes, "On it!"
Josuke and Koichi leave as they head to the car. Meanwhile, in the sunflower fields near the pylon tower, Zari sits nearby the field sobbing.
(grass rustling)
Something starts rustling in the tall grass and Zari stops crying and wipes her tears away with her sweater. She takes a look inside as a small reddish orange fox leaps out from the grass and makes eye contact with Zari.
"Aw, it's a fox. what are you doing out here by yourself? Are you lost too?" Zari pets the fox as the fox brushes up against her.
She picks up the fox and looks into his eyes, "your soft fur reminds me of the colors in the fall…like September. Wait! that's it! I'll call you September. Do you like that name, little guy?"
September licks Zari's cheek in response. Zari giggles, "I'll take that as a yes! come on, let's go find a place to sleep for the night."
September climbs into Zari's backpack as Zari walks deeper inside the fields. She looks up and spots a large water reservoir tower in the middle of the fields and heads towards it.
Meanwhile, back in Morioh, Josuke and Koichi arrive at Yuya's house as Josuke knocks on the door. Yuya answers it.
"Josuke. Koichi. my two favorite guys! what's up? How come you guys are out around this time? Isn't it a school night?"
"Yeah, pretty much it is but we just need a huge favor from you, Yuya. see, my little cousin named Zari is from Miami, Florida in America and my mom put me in charge of her but she ended up running away now we don't know where she is. We need your scent tracking ability to figure out where she is. Think you could help us find her?"
"well, of course. You helped me last year with my problems and we managed to find Koichi and stop Enigma from killing us and you helped me out with that serial killer case. So it's best to return the favor."
Yuya smirks and rubs his hands together, "Alright, here we go."
(sniffing) Yuya starts sniffing to pick up the scent.
"smells like...she was eating oranges, but it mainly smells like…the flavor is…creamsicle."
Yuya points down the road, "she went this way, come on!"
Back in the fields on top of the water tower, Zari lays down in front of it as she uses her backpack as a pillow and is covered up in a blanket. The breeze of the cold wind blows nearby as she begins to shiver.
Back in Morioh, Josuke, Koichi and Yuya are still tracking down Zari. Yuya continues to sniff the air as Josuke drives slowly through town.
"Picking up anything, Yuya?" said Koichi
"The scent is getting stronger. I know that for sure."
(sniffing continues) "I think I know where the scent is coming from."
"What?! where?!" Josuke added
"It's coming from the sunflower fields. Come on!"
Josuke shifts into higher gear as the car peels out and speeds down the road. Moments later, the trio arrived at the sunflower fields as they exited the car.
Josuke looks around the field and sees nothing, "Are you sure that she's here?"
"My senses are never wrong, Josuke. The creamsicle scent is somewhere in this field."
Yuya continues to sniff the air as he steps on a crumbled up wrapper. He picks it up and sniffs the wrapper.
"Yup, this is it. Mini marshmallows coated with sweet icing orange creamsicle. Your cousin was definitely here."
Inside the pylon tower, Toyohiro, the man from last year's July 15th event that lives inside the tower is watching TV as he overhears voices talking. He looks down and sees Josuke, Koichi and Yuya nearby the sunflower fields.
"Hey! Josuke! Koichi!" shouted Toyohiro
They looked up at Toyohiro, "Hey, Toyohiro."
"I didn't know that you were still up around this time." said Koichi
"Yeah. I'm usually awake around this time watching Tv. what are you guys doing in the fields during this time?"
"We're looking for my cousin. Her name is Zari and I'm supposed to be watching her but she ran away and somewhere off into the fields." Josuke replied
Toyohiro gasps, "Wait, is your cousin a little girl, wears a magenta colored bunny eared hat, jolly and quirky at the same time?"
"Yeah. how do you know? Have you seen her?" said Josuke
"I have. She was in the sunflower fields for quite some time, then she left."
"Which way did she go?!"
"She went over by the water reservoir tower that isn't too far from my pylon. You'll see her there."
"Thanks."
"Oh wait, one more thing before you go, when you get to the tower, Be careful. it's a really old structure, especially the ladders there."
"Okay, thanks."
As the guys walked deeper into the fields, they spotted the large water tower nearby the windmill. They begin to call out for Zari.
"Zari?!"
Zari wakes up and looks down and sees the boys in the fields. "Jojo?!
"Zari, what are you doing up there?!" said Josuke
"Sleeping. I'm staying up here for now."
"Why?"
" 'Cause, you said I was annoying and that you're not fit for this babysitting that's why I ran off!"
Josuke downcasts, "Oh, you heard all of that?"
"Every word, Jojo."
"Look, I'm sorry Zari. I didn't mean to say all of those things about you. I was just upset at that moment. So, if you just come down and we'll go home and I'll make it up to you, alright?"
"Okay." Zari agrees as she climbs down the rickety old metal ladder.
"Zari, wait! not down this ladder!"
one of the screws from the ladder pops off as she continues to climb down. Suddenly, another screw comes off causing the ladder to swing back and forth as she holds on from the sides of the ladder to avoid falling down.
(screaming)
(gasping) "Zari!" yelled Koichi
"Jojo, help!" Zari screams
"Koichi! Scan the structure of the tower and get Zari down, quick!"
"I can't. She's too high up!" said Koichi
"Jojo!"
"Dammit! I have to go up there myself! I'm coming, Zari. Just hold on!"
Josuke climbs up the ladder behind the water tower. He arrives at the top as rushes over to Zari who's still hanging from the ladder.
(screaming)
The ladder finally snaps in half causing Zari to fall but Josuke catches her at the last minute before the ladder hits the ground. He then carries her on his back as the two climb down the ladder that leads them back on land. Josuke cradles Zari in his arms as she cries.
"I'm sorry cousin Jojo. you were right. I should've listened to you."
Josuke comforts her, "It's okay. It's mainly my fault. I should've never said all those things about you. I guess I didn't give you a chance. From now on, we're gonna work on our relationship together. how does that sound?"
Zari smiles, "Good Jojo."
September peaks his head out of the backpack panting with his tongue out.
"Oh, Jojo. this is September. he's my new friend. I found him inside the fields and it looks like he doesn't have an owner either. Can I keep him?"
"well, I don't know Zari…"
Zari makes a puppy face. Josuke gives in and sighs.
"Okay. you can keep him."
"Yay!" Zari rejoiced and hugs Josuke
"Jojo?"
"Yeah Zari?"
"Do you think you can carry me all the way home? I'm kinda cold and sleepy." She rubs her eyes and yawns
Josuke smiles, "of course I can."
They leave the fields. The next morning, at the Higashikata's house, Tomoko comes in the front door, setting her purse down and taking her jacket off.
"Josuke! Zari! I'm home!"
"hey mom. How was work?"
"Ugh, it was exhausting. I had to do a double shift last night because the other worker was a no-show but other than that, what did you guys do while I was gone?"
"Let's just say that Zari and I had a lot of fun." Josuke smiles and winked at Zari