Bearticguy7: Definitely sounds like Wonder of U, although I'd want a Stand of that magnitude to be in my hypothetical Jojolion sequel.
Jpx0999: Her pride gets fucking shattered in this chapter! Also, I had to draw Kyoka using Hamon, I just had to! She's getting focus in this arc after all, and you'll see her use some new abilities.
Euphoria: They beat her ass!
Kyeo307: The Stranger is ruthless, a stone cold killer, and I wanted to give him more of a tease before he becomes important. Just to hype things up a little.
Guest(s?): What can I say? Izuku has grown sassier. Also, if Kars was awake, wouldn't Santana notice that he is gone? Perhaps it's a different entity entirely...
Monster King: I shall my friend!
Syrian Ken: Ah, I see. Sorry, I'm an idiot. Also, see Guest's response on Kars.
Dumpstertrashfire123: That's not a bad idea! Unfortunately, I already had the fight planned out, but I'll be sure to use that in the future!
*Hoo boy, this is a long one. I ended up skipping over Team Ida, simply because the fight wasn't all that interesting...and because this one is a mouthful. Still, it's time for Setsuna Tokage to get an ass kicking, although what transpires from here is still up for debate.*
"Well...that was certainly a fight." Johnny commented, an eyebrow raised. "It really seems as though the two classes really are evenly matched. Didn't expect a draw, but Pony was smart to run away in that situation."
"Since when were you two on a first name basis?" Setsuna asked, caught off guard. As far as she knew, her classmate hadn't expressed interest in him in the slightest.
"We both speak fluent English, and in America we usually refer to each other by our first names." Johnny responded. "She and I have conversations from time to time."
"Oh, cool! I'm glad to see that she's making friends. She was having a hard time adjusting to the new environment." Setsuna replied with a grin. That's JoJo for you, helping her adjust...I was worried for a second there.
Still, I could never hate her. If there was something between them, I'd accept it.
Kyoka smirked upon listening into the conversation.
"You may act like a grump, but you're always helping people. I suppose that's your Joestar blood doing it's magic." Kyoka said, elbowing her boyfriend affectionately.
"Like you're any different." Johnny replied.
"Hey...you two are on a first name basis too..." Setsuna said, raising an eyebrow. "Do you speak English too, Jiro?"
"Well, yes. Posso anche parlare Italiano tu fiammeggiante sacco di merda." Kyoka responded, and Johnny stifled a snort as his girlfriend switched to Italian, subtly insulting her rival in a foreign language.
"Kyoka, ti amo più del caffè."
"Questo è discutibile."
Setsuna was looking between the couple with a confused expression. "Um...I don't really understand... I assume that was Italian since you both went there."
"It was." Kyoka confirmed.
Well aren't you just a cheeky little bitch? She's fucking flexing on me.
"Thanks to help from Gyro and our friend Rohan Kishibe, she can speak it perfectly." Johnny added. "It came in handy during the Italy trip."
"It has it's uses. JoJo, non poteva esserci nessuno tranne te. Ti amo con tutto il mio cuore." Kyoka said with a smile, turning to Johnny.
"Dio, voglio solo baciarti." Johnny responded.
The purplette twirled a jack, teasingly. "Puoi più tardi, potrei avere una sorpresa per te quando la lezione è finita."
"Really? I'm looking forward to it!"
"I know you are." Kyoka responded, coyly. Glancing at Setsuna, she was overjoyed to see a look of frustration on her face. The fact that Tokage couldn't tell that she and Johnny were blatantly declaring their love for each other, right in front of her, was one of the most satisfying feelings that Kyoka had experienced.
Setsuna noticed that glance, and correctly assumed that Kyoka was fucking with her. Flexing foreign languages that only she and Johnny could speak, just to show that Kyoka had something over her when it came to their mutual crush.
Johnny crossed his arms, humming. "You two are going next, right?"
"Yep, hoo boy, I just realized that you're gonna have to work with Bakugo." Setsuna said, grinning. "I wish you luck Jiro."
"Don't need it...I trust him." Kyoka replied, crossing her arms.
"Really, the guy who threw a tantrum at the Sports Festival? After he won? He seemed like the type that only cares about winning."
"Well, he does...but making assumptions about people often leads to a brutal reality check." Johnny responded. "I've known Katsuki for a long time, and he certainly strives for victory...but victory can mean many things."
Why did it feel as though there was a double meaning to that? Setsuna asked herself, but shrugged it off. Johnny often had an air of mystery about him, it was one of the things that peaked her interest in him. He could mean many things...I always wonder what he's thinking...
"Oi, Ears!"
Kyoka turned her head to see Katsuki motioning for her to come over and join him. "Well, it looks like I'm being summoned...I'll see you later JoJo, and Tokage? I'll see you on the field."
Well, you'll certainly see my fist when I punch your lights out. Still...I can finally have a chance to talk to JoJo without her around.
"Y'know JoJo...I'm thinking about signing up for the bonus round."
"Really?" Johnny replied, almost monotone.
"You sound like you don't care."
"I don't. I'll fight whoever I have to fight."
Setsuna bit her lip, trying to find a way to brighten up the conversation. "I see...well, I'm excited! I really want to try my luck against a Stand User, and it's one that'd I would be comfortable with no less. Just don't rough me up too bad."
Bold of you to assume Kyoka and Katsuki won't do that for me. Johnny thought to himself, but he shrugged. "If I didn't hold back, you'd be full of holes. I can assure you, I have no intentions of playing rough."
"Unless you want to, of course."
Johnny was admittedly caught off guard by the blatant flirt, something that Setsuna noticed with a grin. "Ha ha! I'm joking! Don't tell me you took that seriously!"
"What was I supposed to do?" Johnny asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I suppose it depends on how you feel about it." Setsuna replied with a smirk. "What? Were you excited?"
"Annoyed."
"Sure JoJo, sure. I better get my team together, I'll catch you after the fight...wish me luck!"
Well, you'll certainly need it. Johnny thought as Setsuna began rallying her team, taking note of how quickly they mobilized for her. It was clear that her classmates looked up to her, she was a leader in the class.
Still, he had faith in the other two.
Kyoka befriended Katsuki, they have a genuine friendship...chances are, with Katsuki's new grasp on teamwork, they work quite well together. They are two of the most stubborn people I know...
You'll need all the luck you can get Tokage, but with the way you've been treating Kyoka...I would never wish for you to have it.
"Alright idiots, pay attention!" Katsuki barked. "I want nothing but a complete victory, that means we don't lose anybody! You get captured, I'll fucking kill you!"
"Well, you have a plan?" Sero asked, annoyed.
"This is where I come in." Kyoka stepped forward, holding up small pellets. "I gave a few of these to Bakugo already, and I'll give a few to you guys too. These bullets are speakers that connect with a Bluetooth feature in my headphones, plant these in hard to reach places..."
"Wait...Bakugo, are you okay with Jiro giving orders?" Sato asked.
"You questioning her?!" Katsuki asked.
"No! It's just...you're usually the guy running things."
"I trust her judgement, since she hasn't let me down once. Ears and I came up with this plan together." Katsuki responded, adjusting one of his gauntlets. "She's running the show too, so you two idiots better fucking listen to her."
Kyoka gave her friend an appreciative smile, while the other two were giving the blond looks of shock. "Thanks Ferret. Now...these speakers have to be placed carefully...I have info that suggests that Tokage can split herself into a maximum of 50 pieces, so they need to be in places where her eyeballs can't fit."
"What are you going to do with them?"
"I'll get there in a second, you got anything to add Bakugo?"
"Yeah, you all better keep up with me, because I'm pressing the attack. Protect my back, and I'll protect yours, understand?! Now let's kick some ass!" Katsuki adjusted his face mask and put his spiked hood up.
Which, now that Kyoka looked at it properly...sort of resembled Izuku's cowl.
Awwww, he cares.
"Hey...why the face mask?" Kyoka asked, curious.
"People say my smile is scary, so I'm covering it up." Katsuki replied, his eyes narrowing as they approached the arena. "I'm...trying to be more likable."
"Well, I'd say you're doing great, considering we aren't at each other's throats anymore." Kyoka replied with a smile, jokingly punching her friend in the shoulder. "Let's do our best, Bakugo."
Katsuki put a hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eye, stopping the purplette in her tracks. "I'm carrying one of your speakers with me. The moment that lizard bitch makes things personal...you let me know."
Kyoka blinked, and then nodded. "Will do...although I may have something up my sleeve for her."
Katsuki nodded, and the two entered the arena with Sero and Sato in tow.
"Well, this should be a quick fight." Monoma said with a smile. "Bakugo may be the most destructive member of your class, but Tokage is invincible when her Quirk is active. That girl is practically unstoppable!"
"Jiro is being strangely assertive for a support hero." Kendo commented, turning to Momo with a confused expression. "Is...Bakugo actually listening to her?"
"She's one of the most cooperative people I know." Momo responded, gazing up at her best friend with a grin. "Bakugo understands that she's a valuable teammate...and that he can count on her, so he's listening to her advice. "
"Sounds like she's pretty reliable."
"Well, she does have Koichi Status." Izuku commented, observing Katsuki interacting with Kyoka. His childhood friend/former bully seemed at ease, a lot more calm and collected, although he still kept his explosive attitude.
Kyoka just had that effect on people. Having her around helped put others at ease...it was one of the reasons why Izuku had finally gotten rid of his stutter. Not to mention the very positive impact she had on Johnny.
She really is one of the most reliable people I know...and she has sound-based abilities...wow, she really is just a sassier female version of Koichi, isn't she?
Izuku hummed as he began scribbling things down in his notebook once more. One thing that piqued his interest was the possibility of Kyoka's earphone jacks evolving in response to Hamon.
"Quirks are biological factors that tie into the supernatural, as such, they evolve just like biology suggests. Evolution is frequently triggered when an organism is placed in a new environment or situation, perhaps even in response to predators. Kyoka's jacks have been placed in a new environment with the introduction of Ham-"
Ochako's hand clamped over his mouth before he could continue. He had accidentally been saying his thoughts out loud. "Deku, don't spoil it for 1-B!"
"Shit! Sorry!"
"Hey, the team name changed." Shinso commented, pointing up at the screen.
It had gone from Team Bakugo to Team Bakugo/Jiro.
"Ooooh, Bakugo is not going to be happy about that."
"On the contrary, that's exactly what he wants." Gyro assured Mina, who looked at the Italian in confusion. "Haven't you noticed? He's been more cooperative lately. Believe it or not...he's willingly giving Kyoka control."
"Why?!"
"Let's just say what happened on Nabu Island opened his eyes." Johnny replied with a smirk. "Plus, Kyoka has become a confidant of his...he trusts her."
"He's changed." Izuku agreed.
We all have. Just being in this group, being around each other, has made us all stronger and better people.
"I hope that is the case, but their abilities don't necessarily compliment each other." Ida joined in, scratching his chin. "Bakugo is more of a destructive fighter, and Jiro is more subtle. His fighting style is more relentless, and hers is very careful and thought out."
"Exactly, they're Yin and Yang. One is pressing the attack, keeping the enemy on their toes...and the other is catching them by surprise while they're distracted." Izuku explained. "In terms of combat they're opposites, and that's precisely why they work well together."
"So Bakugo is actually making room for Jiro to do her thing...I see!" Ida adjusted his glasses. "If that is the case, it's brilliant!"
"Yeah, it is." Johnny said, glancing up at the screen. "They're gonna kick some ass."
Team Bakugo/Jiro vs. Team Tokage:
Katsuki Bakugo blasted ahead of his team, snarling as he navigated through the maze of pipes and girders. He knew damn well that it looked like he was going off on his own, that was the point. The enemy needed to think that he was the same egotistical piece of shit that he was in the Sports Festival, that way they could fall for the trap.
Kyoka, meanwhile, was purposefully lagging behind. Thanks to her Hamon training, she could easily outrun the other two, but just like her friend she was keeping up appearances.
She's a support hero after all, she "wasn't meant for combat."
They'll assume that I'm the weakest link, and Bakugo is the strongest...then, we'll pull the rug out from under them!
That's when Katsuki spotted something, and halted himself in midair, dropping to the ground. "Ears?"
"On it."
Kyoka plugged her jacks into the ground, and her eyebrows knit together. There was a clatter of noise all around her, from the pipes. It didn't take much to know what was happening. "Tokage...she's split herself apart and is using the pieces to confuse my jacks. We've walked right into her trap."
"Of course we did." Sero muttered. "We were just running after Bakugo."
"On the contrary...it was only a matter of time before she made her move." Kyoka replied, narrowing her eyes as the pieces began to show themselves. "Little does she know, but we know all about her Quirk. Ain't that right, Ferret?"
"Yeah...don't bother plugging your ears into anything other than your weapons. She's made it so you can't listen in."
"I know. She knows about my Quirk too."
Not my Hamon though.
Kyoka pressed a diamond-shaped button on her headphones, and a small microphone popped out. "Alright...I need eye on her teammates so I can figure out which speakers to use. Sato, be ready, I'll need your strength in a second."
That's when pieces of Setsuna began bombarding them, going after Katsuki in particular. Kyoka was a tiny bit surprised that Tokage didn't immediately go after her.
I suppose that means that Tokage takes her duty more seriously than a grudge...good to know.
Kyoka grunted as she was hit in the back, hard, and fell flat on her face.
Although she certainly still has a grudge. Well, so do I motherfucker!
"Somebody took a spill!" A disembodied mouth quipped with a grin, floating beside her. "You trust Bakugo huh? He just ran right into a trap, all because his ego wouldn't let him work with you. Then again, you were just piggybacking off of him, right?"
Next thing Setsuna knew, a jack pierced her tongue.
"GAK!" The mouth flew away as Kyoka turned to glare at it.
She didn't pierce it all the way through, only enough to shake it a bit with sound...obviously she can't just maim my tongue during a training exercise...no...
She was showing me how fast her jacks are. It attacked me in the gap of time it took me to close my mouth...she was threatening me. No matter...Bakugo is the ringleader here, she's just following Mother Duck like the others.
Which was why she was currently bombarding the guy.
Katsuki dodged around the pieces, angrily muttering curses under his breath as he was swarmed. "Stupid motherfucking Tokage, you'd be dead already if you weren't so hard to hit!"
Still, he had to keep his faith in Kyoka.
Kyoka's part of the plan hasn't failed yet, even if Komodo Dragon is preventing me from pushing the attack. After all...
She's the one giving orders right now, Tokage. You dumb bitch.
Setsuna reattached her mouth and carried her torso higher into the air, grinning as her plan came together. "Any minute now, Sero is going to use his tape to try and snatch my pieces out of the air, and then it's up to my teammates to wrap this up. Efficient and fast...we're gonna take this team out nice and quick."
May as well rub it in Jiro's smug face later.
"When you declare victory before the battle is over, you've already lost."
Setsuna blinked, and turned around, confused. "What? J-Jiro?! Where?!"
"Still below you...Joseph Joestar gave me that little piece of advice, and believe me...even though that man is a corndog, he knows what he's doing. Just the other day, I had lunch with him...he can be really sweet sometimes..."
"How can you hear me from down there?! My pieces should be muffling sounds for your jacks!" Setsuna yelled, and the little purple dot down below began chuckling.
It sounded like Kyoka was talking directly into her ear.
"I don't know Tokage, you tell me. Listen, the point I'm trying to make is: you're celebrating far too early, the fight has only gotten started. I mean...who knows what fate has in store? Maybe your entire plan will just...fall apart, you know?"
"Your voice sounds electronic..." Setsuna reassembled a hand and plucked a small object from her back, examining it. "Wow...a speaker, talk about a cheap trick. You must have placed it on one of my pieces when I was reassembling my torso...that's why you attacked my tongue, to distract me!"
"If it was a cheap trick, why did it work on you?" The speaker replied.
"It's a speaker, Jiro. What is it going to do, start playing a-"
*BOOM!*
The speaker blew up in Setsuna's face.
"It was covered in Katsuki's sweat." Johnny said, smiling. "She brought a few broken speaker bullets today, and she never told me why. Now I know, they have loose wires...she and Katsuki turned them into bombs."
"They would spark if she used them...that was an excellent idea! To recycle used weaponry like that...that trap definitely had Kyoka's touch." Momo said, clasping her hands together. "Very creative!"
"It didn't hurt her though, Tokage detached her arm before the explosion could knock her out. She's regenerating what's left of her arm as we speak." Monoma was quick to defend his classmate. "She just didn't expect that kind of attack to come from Jiro."
"Exactly. That isn't the only surprise Kyoka has hidden away either...Tokage doesn't realize it, but Kyoka is a bigger threat to her than Bakugo." Gyro said, grinning.
"She's a support hero!"
"She was." Johnny corrected. "She's had an interesting journey, that's for sure."
"Look at her Monoma, she's definitely the leader. She's instructing her classmates, even Bakugo of all people seems to be listening to her. She isn't just a support hero, otherwise she wouldn't be in charge." Kendo said, putting her hands on her hips. "Bakugo is a Trojan Horse of sorts, and he's actually willing to do it."
"I never expected him to be willing to work with her like this." Ochako said, glancing up at the screen. "They're actually a pretty good team!"
"You're damn right." Johnny agreed.
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!
Setsuna rubbed the left side of her face, which was blackened, and rubbed ash between her fingers. A...low powered bomb designed for a quick knockout. If I hadn't caught on in time, Jiro would've taken me out! Wait...
Did Bakugo tell her to do that? He must have...it must've been covered in his sweat.
Her classmate, Bondo, was currently using his glue Quirk as intended, dripping it down onto Sero's tape, all according to plan. My plan is solid, she may have caught me off guard, but...no, I can't focus on her. If I make this about how she's using JoJo, then my plan will go of the rails. We need to stick to our strategy.
Setsuna grinned as her other teammate, Kamakiri, used his razor arms to drop a pipe on the enemy group, and Sato caught it in an attempt to sacrifice himself for his teammates. Knew the big guy would do that.
Suddenly, everything was blown away by a massive explosion, the glue, the pipe, and Bondo. Katsuki had cut loose, and had...
Helped his teammates?
Kamakiri bounced from one pipe to the other, watching the fight. Katsuki wasn't shouting orders at all, which was strange for a team leader to do, especially since it was Katsuki Bakugo of all people.
Why was he silent?
Why was Kyoka Jiro the one yelling?
Kamakiri put two and two together. Kyoka was actually the person leading the team, Katsuki was only acting like he was the one leading. It was a clever trick, one that nobody would ever expect Bakugo to pull, but nonetheless it was happening right in front of him.
Tokage doesn't know! She made this plan with Bakugo in mind, not Jiro! I mean...a support hero leading a team?! Who would expect that?! I have to take her out before she puts Tokage in jeapordy!
He launched himself towards Kyoka, gritting his teeth as he hurtled towards the dual leader of the team. Kyoka's jacks perked up, and she turned just in time to see him, but not to counter him. He had caught her off guard, and now she was going to pay the pri-
*BOOM!*
Katsuki had kicked Kyoka out of the way, and blasted Kamakiri in the face. He then proceeded to grab the stunned rival classmate by one of his tusks, and used an explosion to catapult him into a wall.
Meanwhile, Kyoka was just stunned.
He just saved me.
Mild shock turned into pride.
That beautiful rodent looking bastard actually just saved me!
"Oi, Ferret!"
Katsuki glanced at her from the air, and saw that his friend had a massive smile on her face. Upon seeing it, for some reason Katsuki felt an odd sense of satisfaction. In fact, just from saving his friend, he felt pretty damn happy.
Saving people was more gratifying than beating villains.
"Thanks." The purplette said, keeping her smile.
She was proud of him.
"Any time, Kyoka."
Setsuna couldn't believe her eyes.
"He actually saved her...damn it all...that was the perfect opportunity to get her out...but Kamakiri wasn't supposed to go for her, we were supposed to trap her in the glue. Why did he deviate from the plan?"
Setsuna detached an ear and sent it down to her recovering classmate. Upon seeing it, Kamakiri coughed and explained.
"Bakugo...isn't the only leader! He's sharing it with Jiro, she is the one giving orders right now! We're being played!"
The bomb...oh my God, they're actually working together. That's why he saved her...
Setsuna's mouth floated down to her classmate. "Leave Jiro to me, keep Bakugo away from my main body, okay? We can still overcome this Kamakiri, so don't lose hope!"
"Don't worry Tokage...I won't. You've never let us down." Her classmate said with a smile as he clasped his classmate's disembodied hand. "Just make sure you don't leave us alone with Bakugo for too long, alright?"
"Don't worry..." Setsuna said as her torso reassembled in front of him, and began floating towards Kyoka.
"It'll be quick."
"Tokage switched targets." Ida stated, narrowing his eyes.
"A fated battle between rivals." Ochako muttered, making a fist.
"Look, Yaoyorozu. I don't want to doubt your friend, because knowing you, the faith you have in her is probably well deserved. It's just...Tokage's Quirk completely negates hers, you saw what was happening in the beginning." Kendo said, and dropped her voice. "Not to mention Tokage's grudge...you know she has a crush on JoJo, right?"
"I do. She's never made any attempt to hide it."
"I warned her that she might be going after someone who's already taken...so just between you and me...is she?" Kendo asked, an eyebrow raised.
Momo glanced at Johnny, who had positioned himself somewhat near the conversation, and he gave her a nod. Kendo was someone who could be truste.
"Yes, she is fighting a war that is long over. Kyoka and JoJo have been together for a pretty long time, and their relationship might honestly be healthier than mine. I'm pretty sure they both intend to marry when they get out of school."
"Oh...wow, so it's like, a serious relationship."
"Yes, but they have been keeping it under wraps because Kyoka didn't want to be bombarded. JoJo is well known for his looks after all...she has a past with being bullied, so..."
"I get it." Kendo said, frowning. "Now Tokage is making her even more reluctant to share. Although it's nice that JoJo is keeping it a secret for her sake. Do you want me to crack down on it? I'm 1-B's president after all, I could do it."
"It's not my business to say...you'll have to ask her after she wins this fight." Momo said with a confident smile.
"You really believe she'll win, even with Tokage's advantage?" Kendo asked.
"I believe in her."
Kendo seemed to deliberate for a moment, before nodding. "I'll take your word for it, then."
"So...you're the real boss around here, huh?"
Kyoka turned towards Setsuna's voice, finding her rival floating above her. "About time you caught on...Bakugo and I thought it best to hide our partnership so you'd only target him. Bet you didn't expect him to follow my lead, did you?"
"I didn't...how on Earth did you manage to get him to cooperate with you?"
"Patience, determination, and keeping an open mind."
"Huh?"
"I befriended him, I got to know him and understand him. I earned Bakugo's trust, and he's earned mine. We became friends." Kyoka replied, narrowing her eyes. "He had faith in my plan...and I have faith in his."
"You seem like you're pretty good at that...winning people over."
"So do you, your teammates really look up to you."
The two stared each other down for a while, daring each other to make the first move.
"I can't read you."
Kyoka raised an eyebrow as she held her fighting position. "Read me? Well, I heard you're a hell of an analyst, so I guess that doesn't really surprise me."
"I just can't tell if I should hate you or not. Here you are, paying me compliments, but earlier you were flexing Italian on me. Then there's the issue with JoJo..."
"Don't make this about a guy, Tokage." Kyoka said, sternly. "This is about getting our teams to victory. You make this about JoJo, you're going to lose."
Setsuna narrowed her eyes. "I'm trying to say that I'm confused Jiro. You've been giving me mixed messages this whole time...but that's probably the goal, isn't it? You want to throw me off, because there's something you don't want me to know."
Before Setsuna could interrogate further, a jack hurtled right towards her face.
SHIT! THEY'RE FAST!
Setsuna brought up a piece to prevent the jack from reaching her head, grimacing when she felt a jolt of pain in said piece. The earphone jack retracted, and next thing Setsuna knew, Kyoka was in her face.
WHAT?! SHE ONLY HAS ENHANCED HEARING, WHAT'S WITH THIS SPEED?!
Setsuna separated her face in half just before Kyoka's fist could make contact. Meanwhile, the purplette's jacks were attacking full force, and Setsuna found herself constantly having to disassemble and reassemble just to dodge the lighting quick barrage.
"DORARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARARAAA!" Kyokabellowed as her jacks continued to strike at her rival, not even giving Tokage a moment to think.
Setsuna gritted her teeth and put up several pieces as a shield, and sent her torso to higher ground. Getting close to her was a terrible idea. Those jacks of hers are already pretty damn fast...but her body...
She was moving at a speed too quick to be normal. Her body...is it enhanced?!
Now that Setsuna thought about it, Kyoka seemed a bit more athletic than she took her for. The other day, when she encountered them doing swim training...
Kyoka was ripped.
Setsuna was an observant person, and Kyoka being in a swimsuit had given her an opportunity to assess her rival's figure. Kyoka was petite, but not unfeminine...but she was also pretty damn muscular.
Lean, but fit. Not to mention the scars on her right arm made her look experienced...Kyoka's muscle indicated that she was quite the fighter. She should've seen this coming.
"Alright Jiro, now I know that something's up! You're moving way too fast for this to be normal! What the actual hell is going on with you?!"
"Maybe you're too slow." The purplette said with a smug grin, and Setsuna felt a brief instance of anger boiling in her chest.
NO! Keep your cool, she's doing that on purpose. She's a snappy one.
Setsuna sent more pieces of herself to bombard her opponent, taking satisfaction as a fist drove itself into Kyoka's gut, causing the other girl to spit. "If that was the case, then you would've avoided that."
Kyoka fired off a sound attack, scattering pieces that were loose, and fired a grappling hook into the wall behind her, pulling herself out of the barrage.
Setsuna narrowed her eyes as the purplette landed across from her. Kyoka swiveled and hit the oncoming projectiles with her Soundwhip Barrage, and Setsuna floated high above her. A piece slammed into Kyoka's back in response, and soon the purplette was covered in them, her arm clawing at the air as she was restrained.
There we go! A quick capture, just as intended. Setsuna thought to herself as Kyoka's hand went limp. What were you trying to prove Jiro? It's a shame...I honestly wanted answers out of her...but the mission comes-
...
...
...what?
Kyoka's hand was gone.
WHAT?!
Setsuna separated her pieces, and found a circular hole in the pipe Kyoka was standing on when she was restrained. Kyoka had simply cut through with Vibrato.
She was only pretending to suffocate! She played possum so I wouldn't check under the pieces! Dammit!
"You know, that actually could've worked if you went for my head first."
Setsuna's eyes widened, and Kyoka's fist slammed into her jaw. Setsuna felt a sensation of pins and needles flow up her cheek as a surprising amount of force caused her torso to crash into the surrounding pipes with a CRASH!
The greenette pried herself from the debris to find Kyoka Jiro snapping her arm back into place, standing two meters away.
Did...she just extend her arm?!
"Hey...I never taught her Zoom Punch, I don't even know it!" Gyro exclaimed, his jaw dropping. "What the hell?!"
"Gramps is looking awfully cheeky up on the catwalk, don't you think?" Johnny said with a smirk, pointing at Joseph.
The de-aged Joestar was grinning.
"I see...well, I still taught her most of it!" Gyro said, crossing his arms with a disappointed expression. "Teaching my student behind my back...he didn't even teach it to me!"
"Waitwaitwaitwaitwaitwait...why is Tokage struggling against her?!" Monoma said, shocked. "What was that extendo-fist thing she just did?! That isn't her Quirk!"
"Nope, it certainly isn't." Johnny replied. "Everyone made the mistake of assuming that she is a one-trick pony, which is now coming to bite Tokage in the ass."
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" Setsuna barked. "FIRST YOUR ATTITUDE, AND NOW YOUR BODY?! HOW UNPREDICTABLE CAN YOU GET?!"
"Everything I just did is explainable...but I don't really feel like explaining it." Kyoka said with a grin. "You're smart, you're a recommended student after all...figure it out."
Setsuna was losing her cool, Kyoka could see it clear as day. The introduction of Hamon into the fight had thrown her rival for a loop. She must've had a set plan, and now I've thrown a massive wrench into it.
Come on Tokage, can't you improvise?
"You...that...that DOES IT!" Setsuna screamed, sending a hailstorm of pieces Kyoka's way. The purplette was knocked off of her feet as the bombardment hit her head on, pelting her. Setsuna's arms grabbed at Kyoka's jacks and began to pull, allowing the other pieces to plow into Kyoka's guard.
Kyoka was knocked off of the pipe, and crashed to the ground. The bruised purplette spat out a bit of blood, but was attacked by a torrent of pieces once more. This time, she defended herself with her jacks.
"Come on Jiro! Do you really think those jacks will actually do damage to me?! The only way you'll actually hurt me is by going for the knockout!"
Kyoka laughed, further enraging her rival as she continued to bat away whatever pieces she could. "You're still making this about a guy, aren't you?"
"YOU'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIM! CAN'T YOU SEE HE'S BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH?!"
Kyoka's face turned serious. "I do...I know what he's been through, I've seen his pain firsthand. I've seen his faults, and his weaknesses...but frankly, all of that is none of your business. I said it once, and I'll say it again: this isn't about JoJo."
Kyoka held out her palm, and next thing Setsuna knew, the purplette was being lifted by tape. Hanta Sero and Katsuki Bakugo flew above the fight, and were now airlifting Kyoka out.
As well as a fuck ton of Setsuna's pieces.
"WHAT?!"
Kyoka lifted her jacks, revealing that she had tied string around the tips. "I've been sewing string into your costume this whole time, that's why I was using my jacks! I hope you don't mind if I borrow some of you."
Golden crackles of light traveled down the string, and Setsuna cried out as the three rocketed off with 26 out of 50 pieces.
"Bet she didn't expect you to pull something like that, huh?!" Katsuki yelled, his grin showing from behind his mask. "We've beaten half of her, now it's time for the other half!"
"We just need to drag them until they die." Sero confirmed. "Thanks to Jiro's Hamon trap, they aren't going anywhere!"
"She's the one that prioritized her grudge over her team, so she didn't catch on that it even was a trap." Kyoka replied. "Speaking of her team, how's that coming?"
"The mantis bastard is locked up, thanks to you getting us some privacy, but Glue and Headband are still at large." Katsuki confirmed. "Glue is on his last legs though, Sugar High hit him pretty good."
"I have to admit, I underestimated you two!" Sero yelled as they touched down. "I really thought you were going to go off on your own Bakugo...but you and Jiro are a really good team!"
"We're not done yet Sero, so don't go boasting about victory." Kyoka chided her classmate. "Not until Tokage's face is under our boots."
Kyoka took another deep breath, sending Hamon into Setsuna's captured pieces to tighten the strings.
"Like the Ferret said, we're going for absolute victory."
Setsuna could only stare at the sky in shock.
"She played me like a damn fiddle..."
"TOKAGE!"
"She...she made a fool out of me...I..."
"TOKAAAGEE!"
Setsuna looked down to see Bondo staggering towards her, waving his arms at her from the ground. Without a word, she floated down to her classmate. "Bondo?"
"The plan has gone wrong! Kamakiri's down...and I'm not...feeling all that great." Bondo replied. "Bakugo's team is wiping the floor with us."
"Bakugo and Jiro's team, you mean." Setsuna said, bitterly. "This is...I..."
"Tokage, what do we do?"
"..."
"Tokage?"
"I...don't know."
"What?"
"I DON'T KNOW!" Setsuna yelled, holding her head in her hands. "So many things have gone wrong, people are acting out of character...others are pulling some weird body contortion shit that they shouldn't be capable of doing...it's all so confusing!"
Bondo could only watch, as for the first time, Setsuna Tokage's confidence wavered. From the realization that Katsuki and Kyoka were sharing leadership, to Kyoka suddenly having new abilities...Setsuna was thrust into a whole new level of uncertainty.
She was actually breaking down, something that most in 1-B thought impossible.
"Tokage...we can still win this. I know you're not the type to back down...please don't start now. You've been an inspiration to everyone in our class, including me. Please...don't let Jiro bring you down."
Setsuna lifted her eyes to meet her classmate's many eye holes. She nodded, and put a hand on his shoulder, wiping her face as she regained her composure.
"You're right...we haven't lost yet. Jiro said that we shouldn't celebrate victory too early, but the same can be said of accepting defeat. We aren't done yet!"
Setsuna reassembled what she could, and glared at the horizon that Kyoka disappeared into.
"Get ready for round two...Jiro."
Monoma was silent. It was clear that the events transpiring were shocking to him, as they were to the rest of his class. For many in the class, Setsuna was the embodiment of confidence...
Yet Kyoka Jiro had made her crack.
Meanwhile, Class 1-A was in hysterics. Many were delighted by the teamwork being shown, Johnny had graced them all with one of his genuine ear-to-ear smiles once Kyoka revealed what she was planning with the string.
It was also quite satisfying to watch Team Tokage's iron-clad plan crumble to pieces. At first, it really seemed as though Setsuna was going to annihilate them...but now thanks to Kyoka and Katsuki pulling the unexpected switcheroo, her strategy was falling apart like a jenga tower.
"Did you see Bakugo save her?!" Mina asked Johnny, who was beaming.
"You better believe I did."
Izuku was bawling in the corner like the crybaby he was.
"You should smile like this more often JoJo, it's a good look for you." Mina commented.
Johnny snorted, and gave his gossipy classmate a pat on the shoulder. "I smile all the time, just not when you're in the room."
"Rude!" Mina exclaimed, turning away with a smirk. "No wonder Jiro always calls you a grump!"
"Being cranky is his specialty." Gyro agreed.
"I thought it was beating the shit out of people." Izuku said, tilting his head to the side.
"Well, that's more of a thing with the entire Joestar family."
Johnny opened his mouth to argue, but upon reflecting on his predecessors, realized that Gyro was spot on, his father and uncle's respective beatdowns on Steely Dan/Ciocolatta coming to mind.
Not to mention his own beatdown on Funny Valentine.
"To be fair...they're never unjustified."
"Never said they were, just commenting on one of the many patterns that can be found within your family." Gyro said with a smile. "The Joestars take after each other, that's what makes you guys so trustworthy. One Joestar is just as admirable of a person as the other."
"That's debatable." Mina retorted, elbowing Johnny.
"Oi!"
Katsuki grunted as his progress through the battlefield was abruptly halted. Looking back, he found that he was welded to the pipes by Setsuna's teammate Awase.
"Fuck!"
"Gotcha! That's one of the leaders down...where's the other one?"
"Here."
Awase turned around, only to find nothing but air. "Huh?"
"No dipshit, over here!"
Nothing.
"Here!"
Nothing in the slightest.
"Oooh, almost got me that time!"
"What's happening?!"
Little did Awase know, but Sato had laid Kyoka's speakers all around the area, and now she was utilizing them to distract the rival student long enough to get in close.
"Here."
Awase turned to find two wrist amplifiers, suspended by jacks, pointing at his face...
Point blank.
"WAI-"
"HEARTBEAT SURROUND!"
A burst of sound was unleashed into the rival student's face before he could do anything, and he was blasted backwards, landing on the ground with a thud, and laid still.
"I was about to take care of him." Katsuki muttered as Sato broke the metal bars off of him.
"Sure Ferret, sure."
Suddenly, a volley of pieces came flying at the blond from behind, and he flexed his shoulders, unleashing an explosion from his back.
*BOOM!*
Kyoka blinked. "Ferret...what the fuck was that?"
"My suit! Ponytail and I were working on it together, remember?! The whole thing stores my sweat like my gauntlets did!"
Upon examining the suit closer, Kyoka realized that the plastic parts, the one's made with the same plastic as Exodus's cockpit, were covered in tiny holes. There was also a massive hole on Katsuki's back, like a rocket thruster...
"Ohhh, I remember you saying something like that when I was ignoring you! You can fire explosions from the suit by flexing certain muscles, right?" Kyoka asked, and Katsuki gave her a glare.
"Yes."
"You're not going to blow this suit to smithereens like the last one, are you?"
"No, I'm not! We're on fucking camera! I'm in complete control of this thing!"
"Good, because the last thing I want is to see you naked."
"Then I'll just have JoJo wear the suit." Katsuki said with a grin, and Kyoka punched him in the shoulder.
"Asshole."
"Bitch."
A third voice entered the conversation. "What did you mean by that, Bakugo?"
Setsuna Tokage rose in front of them, her torso casting a menacing shadow over the pair as she cracked her knuckles. It was clear that she was tired from regenerating the pieces stolen by Kyoka, but she was fighting through the exhaustion. A determined glint shined in the greenette's eyes as she glared down at them.
"Are you implying that she would want to see JoJo naked?"
Katsuki gritted her teeth. "Me and my big mouth, sorry Ears, didn't know she was nearby..."
"Not your fault that she's a snooping bitch."
"I asked you a question!"
"Maybe you don't deserve an answer." Kyoka responded. "Still making this about JoJo I see."
"I'm done trying to get answers out of you. You're just going to lie to me...that's all you have ever done since I met you."
"Jiro isn't a liar!" Sato was quick to defend his classmate. "She's pretty cool! You should've seen her work on the Cultural Festival, she put her all into it! She's beaten villains that have invaded the school, all on her own!"
"I've seen things that have suggested otherwise. I'm done with your games Jiro, I'm going to crush you here and now...no more lies, no more secret powers and fancy tricks...I'm done trying to be nice! The truth will come out today!" Setsuna snarled, and summoned her remaining pieces and targeted...
Katsuki.
The blond cried out as he was suddenly pelted from below. Setsuna's pieces were underneath the pipe the three were standing on, and Katsuki was struck by the full bombardment, not expecting it in the slightest.
"No more secret plans between the two of you! Now that I know that Bakugo is willing to work with you, I'm taking no chances! I'll-"
A sound attack hit her head on, cutting her off. Setsuna used the attack to propel herself further into the air.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM!*
Katsuki unleashed a flurry of explosions from multiple angles, blowing the pieces away, and was about to press the attack when he was weighted down by glue.
The wounded Bondo had made his move, just as the two of them had planned.
"SHIT!" Kyoka yelled as Katsuki thrashed around in the glue, desperately trying to get out. Without pausing once, she motioned Sato with her finger, and he gave her cover with his Sugar Rush move, batting aside the barrage of pieces as she ran towards her downed friend.
"HOLD ON BAKUGO!"
"DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! TAKE TOKAGE OUT!" Katsuki screamed back.
"NOT WITHOUT YOU! ABSOLUTE VICTORY, REMEMBER?!"
Katsuki's eyes widened, and began to water slightly as Kyoka placed her fingertips on the glue. God dammit...why are you a good friend?! It's making me feel all tingly...
Setsuna, however, saw this blatant gesture of friendship, and was once again sent into uncertainty. However, having made up her mind, she began trying to maneuver her pieces around Sato. She couldn't let Kyoka free Katsuki, otherwise Plan B would fail.
Too bad Sero kicked her in the face. Kyoka had given him their location with a speaker, and directed him to launch a sneak attack.
Yellow crackles of light began washing over the glue, and Kyoka gritted her teeth as she began trying to shape the liquid. I'm...still not good enough to completely pull this off...but if I get enough of the glue off of him, he can break out on his own.
Kyoka began to sweat as she fought to keep the liquid in shape, until Katsuki fired an explosion from his shoulder, unclogging his suit and freeing his arm. Kyoka jumped out of the way as Katsuki blew the rest of the glue off of himself, and he immediately shot towards a terrified Bondo.
Setsuna could only watch in horror as her teammate was engulfed in a series of explosions, and quickly realized that she was the only member of her team still conscious. She slowly turned her head towards the other four, her jaw hanging open as she finally came to terms with what just happened.
They were crushed, annihilated. They didn't even get a single point.
Kyoka stepped forward. "Like I said before, you make this about your stupid grudge...you lose. I prioritized my team over you, and it's completely intact."
"This...this is...you're a fucking SCUMBAG!" Setsuna screamed, and began to float upwards. "YOU...I...I FUCKING HATE YOU!"
This isn't fair! She hid her abilities from me! How could I fight back if I don't know what she's capable of?! Bakugo...he...he...
*BOOM!*
A spiral of fire was hurtling towards her, and the fire shot a yellow beam of light right at her. Katsuki and Kyoka had combined X-Catapult and Heartbeat Bounce, sending Kyoka flying at her rival like a Hamon torpedo.
At that moment, time seemed to slow down for Setsuna as she watched her glowing rival wind up her fist, with an armed wrist amplifier. All she could see of Kyoka's features were two purple irises narrowed in fury.
"THEY CHANGED TOO MUCH!"
"SONIC BOOM OVERDRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!" Kyokascreamed as her fist made contact...
And the sky was blanketed by a massive ripple of golden light.
Sonic Boom Overdrive: A combo move divised by Kyoka and Katsuki, it combines Heartbeat Bounce, X-Catapult, and Kyoka's Hamon into one devastating blast of sound. The resulting shockwave can carry Hamon energy as far as 100 meters in all directions.
Drawback: Injures Kyoka's jacks (for now), and leaves her vulnerable upon completion.
Katsuki caught Kyoka mid-fall, and fired an explosion from his feet to stop his descent. "Ears!"
The purplette opened her eyes, and lifted her head. "Did that do it?"
"She isn't getting up any time soon, she might be out for a while." Sero said, poking at Setsuna's twitching arm. Her rival's eyes were rolled back into her head, and she was missing several pointy teeth. Setsuna's body was smoking from the giant explosion of Hamon...
Yeah, she wasn't getting up.
Kyoka winced in pain as she sat up, looking at her hand. The wrist amplifier had once again shattered to pieces, and her jack's tip was bent at a weird angle, dripping blood.
She didn't care.
"Great job you guys! That was some excellent teamwork! Ouch...Sato, Sero, thanks for catching on as quick as you guys did, we wouldn't have won without you."
"Of course Jiro! Man, I'm just happy you and Bakugo turned out to be such a good team!" Sato said with a grin.
Katsuki nodded as he took off his hood and mask, and judging by his face he appeared to be struggling with something. Finally, he held out a thumbs up. "Good job idiots."
"I thought you were gonna say extras." Sero replied.
"...I'm done with that. This is real life, not some fucking anime."
As the team made their way out of the battlefield, Kyoka and Katsuki turned to look at each other. With a grin, Kyoka held out her fist, extending it towards the blond.
"Nice work, partner."
Katsuki met the fist in the middle with his own.
"Right back at you."
Setsuna was heartbroken.
She failed her team, and her crush. Kyoka Jiro wiped the fucking floor with her, and did it with style. Now more than ever, she realized that her competition was incredibly intelligent. The stunt with the string had proven that...and her impromptu healing by Josuke, after Kyoka gave her a beating that she would never forget.
Although he didn't look very happy when he was doing it, maybe he didn't like the way the fight turned out?
"It was a good fight."
Setsuna turned to glare at Kyoka, who was leaning against the wall. "Here to gloat?"
"Here to tell you that whatever this is...it's over."
"Is it?" Setsuna responded. "Is it really? What are you going to do? You already humiliated me."
"I'm just saying that I won't really be paying attention to it. You can hate me all you want, it's not my place to stop you...but you'd only be digging your own grave. What I said on the battlefield applies to our regular lives as well...you'll lose when you make it about JoJo."
"Why?"
"I know him, much better than you do, I know how he thinks." Kyoka said, facing her rival. "It's over. I'm putting my foot down...if you talk to me, be nice, or I won't respond. If it's about Johnny, I'll ignore you. Basically, I'm telling you to 'fuck off' in the nicest way I can."
"If anyone needs to fuck off, it's you."
"Finally dropping the passive-agressive act?"
"You're a manipulative bitch Jiro, taking advantage of his kindness. I know about Kaminari!" Setsuna snapped.
"What about him?"
"You're seeing him, right?"
Kyoka paused, her eyebrows coming together in confusion. "No...where the hell did you get that idea?"
"You're a whore, aren't you?"
"...what did you just call me?"
"It makes sense, JoJo's pretty popular, so you want to use him to make yourself look better. You seemed like a total introvert, just a background character, but now you've got JoJo in your corner, so you and Kaminari can take advantage of him."
"...what...did you just fucking call me?"
"I'm just straight up done with you! You're really dating Kaminari, JoJo's just being dragged along so you can be more popular. You're the kind of hero Stain was talking about!"
"You're just accusing me of this out of the blue, do you realize how serious these accusations are?" Kyoka growled out, visibly shaking.
"I don't believe it 100%, but frankly, I felt the need to throw my theory out there. I wanted to see your reaction. I now have evidence proving and disproving it...but since you aren't going to give me answers, I have no choice but to go off of what I have."
Kyoka looked downright threatening, her bangs casting shadows over her eyes as she stood there in a quiet fury. "A theory...huh?"
"That's the only reason I haven't brought this straight to JoJo. You may have wiped the floor with me Kyoka Jiro, but if I'm right...then I hold all the cards. I do hope that I'm wrong though, because if I'm right, JoJo is going to be hurt by all of this."
"Why do you suspect Kaminari?"
"I heard him plotting yesterday, he was talking about it in broad daylight! You and he have something going on, something about JoJo. I know what you're doing, you're leading JoJo on. After everything he's been through, you're taking advantage of him like the fucking slut you ar-"
*CRACK!*
Kyoka punched Setsuna across the face, and grabbed the greenette by the collar of her shirt.
Cheating. On Johnny Kujo...
"I used to keep to myself, you're right. JoJo did too. We helped each other come out of our shells. I would never...NEVER HURT HIM LIKE THAT!" Kyoka shoved Setsuna back. "GET OUT OF MY FUCKING SIGHT, OR I'LL BLOW YOU TO HELL AGAIN!"
"I'll show him the proof if you don't back off! He deserves someone better than you!"
"YOU?! I'M NOT THE ONE ASSUMING THINGS ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE A GODDAMN MIDDLE SCHOOLER!" Kyoka was enraged now.
Setsuna had pulled the 'He deserves better' card, the whole reason as to why she chose to keep their relationship a secret. This was exactly what she was afraid of.
"I...I." Setsuna was taken aback. "I wouldn't have thought so if there wasn't evidence of it."
"Show me the fucking evidence then." Kyoka's voice dropped to a growl. "Show it to me, show me what had you convinced that I would screw over the most important person in my life. Give it here, let me see it."
"You'd break it. As if I would trust you with my property."
Kyoka stepped forward, and yanked her sleeve up, showing Setsuna her Blood on the Dance Floor scars. "You see these? Do you fucking see these, or are you so deep in denial that your eyes don't even work?!"
"I see the scars Jiro."
"They're my evidence. I GOT THEM FOR HIM!" Kyoka screamed into Setsuna's face. "I'd get many more, hell, I'd fucking die for him! If you knew how I got these scars, you wouldn't be accusing me of shit!"
"But..." Setsuna fell silent. "I...I can't jus...you can't expect me to believe you when you're keeping me in the dark, Jiro. You have secrets, that much is clear."
"Maybe you would've gotten the answer if you had just talked to me in the first place." Kyoka said, rolling down her sleeve with a bitter look. "I might've been honest with you...but now? I don't trust you in the slightest, and it's none of your business!"
"Why didn't you talk to me? You knew I had my suspicions, why didn't you try and clear them up before this escalated?!"
"I didn't have a problem with you until you started trying to one-up me! You started trying to shit on me, when I didn't do shit to you! ALL OVER A GUY!" Kyoka spat out. "You were the only one with a problem, I was minding my own fucking business!"
"I didn't have a problem with you until I saw that you were lying about something! I can tell with those kind of things!"
"We all fucking lie, it's a part of being human!" Kyoka said, and turned to walk away. "I don't have to be honest with you, you want your answers? Grow the fuck up."
Setsuna clenched her fists, and then sighed.
"I honestly don't know what to feel anymore...everyone looks up to me, and you made an ass out of me out there. Then, just when I think I have you pegged...you make me doubt it again. I'm just so tired of all of this..."
"Then leave us alone."
"Us?"
Kyoka faltered for a second, but she gritted her teeth and looked Setsuna in the eye. "Yes, us."
"...I'm done. You win today, Jiro. I hope you're happy...you broke me. " The greenette was crying now. "You're a real hero!"
"Fuck you."
Setsuna stomped off as tears brimmed in her eyes.
I let everyone down...we were supposed to show 1-A what we were made of...everyone was counting on my leadership...
And she made a fucking fool out of me, turned me into a laughingstock...pulled new abilities out of her ass that she refuses to explain. Teamed up with Bakugo.
JoJo saw all of that too.
Then, she has the gall to make me question if I'm right about her all over again...after she just made a mockery of all of my hard work. I'm done...I'm so fucking done...I just want to sit somewhere and cry...
That's when she bumped into Johnny.
She stared at her crush for a while, the tears from her confusion and humiliation resurfacing as she spoke.
"JoJo..."
"Tokage."
The silence was deafening as Setsuna lowered her head, refusing to look Johnny in the eye. "You must think I'm a pushover."
"No, you just went up against a smarter opponent."
The greenette winced. "I really tried my best...JoJo, what was that stuff she was doing?"
"Hamon."
"That breathing technique you and Zeppeli use?"
"Yep."
"I see." Setsuna sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I...need some time to process this. My loss...it was just so...sudden, and Jiro just...threw me for a few loops. I might not be signing up for the bonus round after all..."
"That's fine." Johnny said, about to walk past her, when he stopped. "You know, being a member of the Joestar bloodline, I inherited traits from my predecessors. One of them is that I'm a pretty good judge of character."
"..."
"In other words, my friends are legit friends. They are people I am willing to give my life for, and vice versa. I'm pretty careful about those kinds of things, if someone is close to me...they've earned it."
"...okay."
"In other words, my friends will be treated with respect, Tokage. Or you won't be one of them."
Setsuna glanced at him, and it was clear that her humiliating loss against Kyoka had shattered her. The greenette wiped away a tear, and briskly left Johnny's line of sight.
"What did she say to you?" Johnny asked quietly, brushing Kyoka's bangs aside. The purplette's eyes pointed down towards the floor.
"She called me a whore."
Johnny's eyes widened, then narrowed in fury. "Why?"
"She thinks I'm screwing around with you. That I'm leading you on and fooling around with Kaminari...I was so insulted, I fucking punched her on the spot."
Johnny fell silent, and pulled Kyoka into a hug. The purplette proceeded to relay her conversation to her boyfriend as he comforted her. Setsuna's words, and her accusations had made her pretty upset, and Johnny knew that she needed him.
"I would never do that to you...I...I would never even think about it. JoJo...you mean the world to me..."
"I know, that goes both ways."
"We have so much trust in one another...I wouldn't want to break that, not after how far we've come together."
"Kyoka, you don't have to prove that to me."
"I'm just venting." Kyoka assured him, her lips brushing against his jawline. "I know I have your trust, and I value that more than anything. I'm just...so done with all of this."
"She was right about one thing..."
Kyoka stiffened in the hug. "What?"
"You're a schemer. I felt like I was watching Gramps up there on that screen today." Johnny said with a smile. "You pulled the rug right out from under her, rolled her up in it, and then tossed the whole thing off a cliff."
"Considering how often I spend time with your family, does that really surprise you?" Kyoka said with a soft smirk.
"Not in the slightest, you've always been clever." Johnny responded. "Gyro's pretty pissed that Gramps taught you Zoom Punch. He's jealous because he never learned it."
"Not going to lie, it's actually kind of painful." Kyoka said, adjusting her shoulder. "I suppose it'll hurt less the more I use it."
"Kyoka...I'm really proud of you. You were amazing out there." Johnny said, giving her a peck on the lips.
"That was a lame kiss for someone who is proud of me."
"Don't be greedy."
"Laaame!"
"You're not going to stop bugging me until we make out, aren't you?"
"You read me like a book, Johnny Kujo."
"Someone could spot us here."
"Well...I guess we'll have to wait until we can get back to Exodus, won't we?" Kyoka responded coyly, smirking.
"You're getting better at flirting."
"Well...it helps that you're gorgeous." Kyoka sighed, and placed a long kiss on Johnny's cheek. "Thank you JoJo...I heard you defending me back there. You really are the best..."
"I was serious. The moment she talks bad about you again, and I catch her...I'm going to smack the fucking shit out her."
"I don't doubt it."
Cheating on JoJo...ha! Why would I cheat when I have everything I could ever need right here? I have the best boyfriend in the world!
Still, fuck you Tokage.