The sea is calm at this time of day as the setting sun casts its light onto the surface. With the sky tinted in hues of blue, orange, and yellow, accompanied by clouds with one side also tinted with its same hue, it's no wonder anyone would come take a walk along the shore, bathing under its dim orange light, letting their thoughts wander or simply enjoy the sound of crashing waves and blowing winds before the cloudy sky gives way to rain.
Junko isn't in the mood to do any of those.
After arguing with Ai about her issue on how an idol should act and being unable to agree with the Heisei Idol, Junko sneaks out of the mansion to get some fresh air and cool her head. Wearing a hat, the Showa Idol found herself on the beach after walking in the streets for a few minutes. Liking the change of scenery and the sound of sea waves, Junko spends the next minutes walking along the shore, ignoring a couple having fun behind. Despite trying to calm her head down, she's unable to stop thinking back on her argument with Ai stubbornly rebuking her. She repeats her words in her head in an attempt to see her point.
So far, she can't find one.
Feeling weighed down, Junko crouches down to write something on the sand with her finger. The writing, which reads "idol", is soon washed away by the sea after a second of looking forlornly at the word.
Before she can take one more walk and maybe go back home, a breeze snatches her hat from her head. "Ah!" She exclaims, extending her hand to grab it even though it's out of her reach.
"I'll catch it for you!"
Someone passed her by before they jumped towards the hat with one hand held up to reach it. But alas, her hand is only just a mere inch away from the brim when gravity pulls her to the sea. If that wasn't enough, the hat is brought back to Junko anyway when the little waves carry the hat back when it floats down.
Picking up the hat, Junko looks at the makeup-less Sakura in concern, who is spitting out seawater from her mouth. "Yo! Junko!"
Hearing her name, Junko turns around and sees Narancia and Kakyoin approaching her and Sakura. The former waves her hand as he runs to her. "Oh. Kakyoin, Narancia? You two came together with Sakura?"
"That's right," Kakyoin nodded, turning to the now makeup-less Sakura feeling bummed she washed off her makeup for nothing after seeing the hat in Junko's hand. "We were worried for you after your argument with Ai caused you to go out under our watch. Knowing how badly you reacted to her argument, we thought to try to see why you were so troubled by it. We hope you don't mind us talking to you since, as I said, we were worried."
Smiling at his words of comfort, Junko finds it refreshing after the bickering she caused, happy to have someone talk normally. "Well, if you three want that, alright."
Spotting a shade to sit under, the four situated themselves under a palm tree where they have a view of the twinkling sea and small island in the distance for their viewing pleasure.
"If I remember correctly, you and Kakyoin-kun are from a generation earlier than us, right?"
"I'd say about two generations earlier."
"Two generations early? I believe that makes you two… from the 80s…?"
"Correct. At this current year, we will be older."
As Sakura and Narancia are left wondering over their disparate ages, Kakyoin looks at Junko in worry. Hoping they can calm her down through this conversation, Sakura, Kakyoin, and Narancia are going to find out what kind of idol Junko was back in the 80s in hopes of seeing where her problem lies in regards to how idol singers conduct themselves in contemporary times. Sakura does not want to see Franchouchou in disarray due to two members having a clash of ideologies regarding what an idol singer strives to be. While Kakyoin is also in the same time period as Junko, he confessed earlier that he is not well-versed with the idol business and only knew Junko from a passing glance. Narancia has only started learning about the idol industry, so that leaves Sakura to begin talking to her to get insight from the Showa Idol.
"Well, I was just thinking about how I never really asked about what kind of idol you were," Holding a hat given to her to cover her zombie features, Sakura asked her about what it's like being an idol from the 80s.
Hugging her knees close to her chest, Junko replies, "In my time, there was no personal interaction with fans. Maybe meet and greets at most, but…" Shifting her eyes to the calm seas, she reminisces back when she was at the height of her popularity, continuing, "Whether it was the stage and the seats, or on the tube and in front of the tea table, there was a clear boundary."
"Wait, the tea table and the tube?" Narancia scratched his head, trying to make sense of what those terms meant.
"I think the tube means television. It's an informal word, or used to be." Kakyoin informed Narancia and Sakura, which they nodded in understanding.
"It's an idol's job to give people 「dreams」," she continued. "I can't imagine giving the fans a chance to see any 「imperfections」. At least, that's how it was for the idols I knew…" Memories of the time she was alive and well as a Showa Idol start flooding into her head, imbuing her a bittersweet feeling in her chest. "And much like how I once looked up to them, I wanted to be 「someone」 that others look up to… That was my 「motivation」 for working so hard, day after day. I was finally starting to feel like I had accomplished that myself. I imagined a future where I would continue to do so."
"Then, when we were headed to Saga for my first tour in Kyushu… That's… when it happened…"
Junko goes silent after saying it.
"When it happened?" Sakura repeated.
"What do you mean by that?" Narancia's narrowed, curious eyes widened to a look of realization and dread when he connected the dots over what she said. Specifically, Junko's zombie form, her sad and distressed expression, and her longing look over the sea. "Wait, don't tell me…"
"You… 「died｣?"
Junko flinched after Sakura guessed out loud. The redhead instantly covers her mouth upon noticing the somber look she's giving her. "Ah! J-Junko-chan, I'm sorry…! I-I didn't mean to-"
"No, no, it's alright. I knew where this was going. You three were curious so as much as I don't like hearing it, it has to come out sooner or later." Junko assured her, even with a prickle of tears about to spill out from her eyes.
"Well, I-I…" Sakura stammered for a moment before she recomposed herself and asks, "How…did you die, Junko-chan?"
Despite her body trembling with fear and dread, Junko, with a heavy heart, is about to tell them when someone beats her to it.
"She died from a 「plane crash」."
The three turn to Kakyoin in surprise, Junko more so, the one who said what her cause of death is. "W-What…? Kakyoin-san, how did you-?"
"It was all over the news. I was 12 when I learned about your death," Kakyoin looked at her as he explained how he knew about her cause of death. "My parents were watching TV one day when the program they were watching was interrupted by breaking news about your unfortunate demise. I was with them that day. From what I can remember, the news reported that the plane Junko was in had one of its turbines damaged, causing it to plummet into the ocean. Suffice to say, my parents were shocked by what they watched, and while I only knew you barely, I was saddened to hear about your untimely death. In fact, I think… I only knew about you mostly because of your death via plane crash aside from your songs I sometimes overheard my parents play on the radios.."
After he finished explaining, Sakura and Narancia's jaws hung low out of shock. Of all the ways that killed her, it was through a plane crash that did her in. It is a horrifying way to go, and seeing Junko looking down while trembling in fear over having to hear Kakyoin give details about her death, something he apologized quickly for possibly digging up unfortunate memories of that day, they believed she may have spent her last moments in panic over her imminent death, with the knowledge that there was nothing she could do from that point.
"I know you do not want me to recount your death but Sakura and Narancia deserve to know," Kakyoin expressed his immediate regret to the shy girl. "Also, I'm sorry for only knowing about you mostly through your death. I believe you don't want it to be remembered like that by most people so-"
"No, it's okay." Junko shakes her head, a small smile directed to the concerned redhead. "At least I'm… I'm glad someone other than Tatsumi-san knew me, especially when we're in the same time period." Despite her reassurance, Kakyoin can tell she is hiding her fear beneath her benevolent exterior. That said, he chose not to bring up more bad memories for her sake. She has endured enough as it is.
"Junko-chan…" Sakura called her name in concern.
"Not anyone can be an idol. Much less a zombie…" Junko starts wrapping up her conversation with the three. "And if my approach is in the way… I don't think I can「stay」 with Franchouchou."
!
Narancia, Sakura and Kakyoin stared at her in shock from what they hears, looking at her like she've grown two heads or said something nonsensical. Except the reasoning behind it is not unjustified.
"Huh?" Sakura let out, wide-eyed.
Having said her piece, Junko goes silent to watch the horizon with despondent eyes. Trying not to remember the victims of the plane crash, who are likely now part of her stitched-up body that formed her, she wonders if she has to avoid Franchouchou from now on by staying in one room in the manor. She is not foolish enough to try to settle in another place away from the manor when enemy Stands are lurking about. The fight against Black Sabbath, the Stand clothed in a Venetian outfit, proved to her that her (undead) life is in danger if she ever goes out without any bodyguards accompanying her. In fact, it was risky taking a walk earlier if danger was in every corner, but she really needed to clear her head.
"You're… going to quit Franchouchou… just like that?" Of the shocked three, Narancia takes her word about possibly ceasing to be an idol the hardest. "I… I don't agree with your decision!" He immediately espoused this, rising up on his feet.
"Huh?" Junko looked at him in mild surprise.
"Your group's next concert will have you and Ai leading the main vocals," he reasoned. "If you were to quit right now, who's gonna fill in your lead role? Also, having Franchouchou without you in it doesn't sit right with me! Your group would be incomplete without you around!"
"But Narancia, as I said earlier, my approach will only be in the way if I cannot conform to the direction of current idols," Junko repeated morosely. "To me, it signifies that a Showa idol like me has no place in the current times. They have changed from what I have been taught."
"I know Junko," Narancia understands her point but continues to be in opposition to her decision. "But there must be a way!"
"What way, Narancia?"
"I'm… I'm still thinking about it, but if you want to know my answer now, well, it's something like… Like…" Scrunching his face, Narancia utters one of the many solutions to Junko's problem. "Maybe you don't have to… adapt to how… an idol interacts with their fans?"
"Huh? I… don't have to adapt?"
"What do you mean by that, Narancia-san?"
Before he can reply to Sakura, Kakyoin suddenly speaks up after thinking about his proposed solution. "Wait. Narancia, I think you're onto something."
"Huh? I am?" He replied with a surprised expression.
Turning away from Narancia in the moment, Kakyoin turns to Junko and asks a question, now sharing Narancia's feelings about Junko's desire to quit. "Junko-san, just to be sure, are you so confined to the old ways of an idol that you're unwilling to break out of the mentality?"
Junko looked at him next. "What?"
"Please say yes or no."
Seeing he wants her answer, Junko decides to oblige. "Yes Kakyoin."
"Any chance you want to give the current way of an idol a try? Like taking a photo op?"
Shaking her head, she answers, "No."
"Even if you wish to quit Franchouchou, do you desire to continue as an idol despite being a zombie?"
"Well, to be honest… I want to, but I believe I'll be in Franchouchou's way if I can't conform."
"Actually… Narancia might have an idea." Kakyoin finally said.
"Eh?"
"Wha? I did?"
Wondering what Kakyoin is getting at, Junko, Sakura, and Narancia listen to him as he says, "Junko-san, if you are so set in your old ways that having to interact with fans intimately seems too much like you said earlier, then here's my idea that may seem favorable not only to you but to everyone involved: ｢You don't have to｣."
"I… don't have to?" Junko repeated, confused but hopeful.
"As in, you 「don't need」 to conform yourself to the current trends of the idol industry," he explained. "Even though everything you know about idols has changed from its beginnings, entertaining your fans remains the same and most important objective. The way I see this, you can still be the Legendary Showa Idol as you were known back then without conforming to the modern way of an idol. From that, you do not need to be in the girls' way if the activities are adjusted based on your inclination."
Listening intently, Junko thinks about his proposal for a moment. Can she do that? Is his suggestion possible? While she's leaning on favorably agreeing with Kakyoin's proposal, there is one thing that worries her. Or more specifically, one person. "Do you think Tatsumi-san will accept that? What if he declines?"
"Quite frankly, this is the best I can come up with logically. And knowing Kotaro, I can only imagine it might be difficult to persuade him for sure," Kakyoin conceded her point. "But if he wants Franchouchou to succeed, there's a chance he may let you do what you used to do when you were alive. As much as he can be loud, rude, and irritating, I don't think he has it in him to interfere with the group's work in such a way that impedes the progress of getting Saga's attention."
"Hmm… Maybe we should go to him first before I can do what you said Kakyoin. But… thank you, for taking my concerns into account and for your possible suggestions of what I can do," Despite her concern, Junko nonetheless expressed her thanks to Kakyoin for suggesting that.
"Actually, your thanks should go to Narancia," the female-looking boy looked at him in surprise when he mentioned him. "If it were not for his remark, I wouldn't be stating what I said to you in the first place. That, and he is so worried for your well-being that he is opposed to you leaving Franchouchou and led him to blurt out one possible answer to your problem."
"Hey, all I did was blurt out what came into my mind." He scratched his head as he tried to lessen his role.
"But it's thanks to you that Junko-chan might have a chance to be in Franchouchou while not compromising her way of being an idol," Sakura disagreed, letting her smile show how hopeful and grateful she is feeling. "The four of us would be going home with clouds looming over our heads if you hadn't said your piece."
"They are right," Junko came to agree with them as she stood up and looked up at Narancia's eyes. "I have you to thank for saying what you thought to be the best solution to my predicament. Really, I am grateful to you, Narancia-san."
Seeing the three appreciate him for having suggested it, Narancia doesn't dare try to downplay what he did. Hopefully, Junko gets to stay with Franchouchou while not dreading having to abandon her old-fashioned way of being an idol and adjust to the current times. At least she is feeling better, something the three have set out to do for Junko.
Letting out a small laugh, he says, "Hehehe, you're making me blush, Junko."
"All we can do is hope Kotaro-san accepts it." Sakura wished. If Junko were to quit, the chance of getting her memories back through idol work would take a long time.
"He better be," Narancia stands up while stretching his arms. "Like Kakyoin said, if he wants Franchouchou to succeed, he has to acquiesce to Junko's demands and accept them without any fuss, especially at the time when she is in the front man together with Ai."
"Oh yeah. About Ai-chan…" Sakura turned to Junko, who guessed what she needed to do, even if she didn't see eye-to-eye with her at the moment. "I have to make it up to her somehow, right?"
"Yes. At least, if she is willing to talk with you." Kakyoin hoped.
A single drop of rain fell on his head, making him look up and see the gray clouds that had covered the sky. It was now evening, and after a few more drops of rain, it started pouring down.
"Oh no! Your makeup!" Sakura stands up in panic, seeing they have to go home as their makeup starts washing off their faces, revealing their zombie forms.
"Don't worry! It's getting dark, so I don't think anyone can see us!" Narancia tried to assure her, but it didn't do anything to quell her rising panic.
"Well, either way, we need to get back before our friends start worrying that we're taking too long outside," Kakyoin stays calm as Junko stands up too. "Come on, you three. Let's go."
"Right." Junko allows Kakyoin to lead them, feeling hopeful that perhaps, there is a way for her to stay in Franchouchou while not compromising her outdated ways as a Showa Idol. If she can do that, then she only needs to reconcile with Ai and get her to accept that she doesn't need to follow the current trends of the idol industry.
As the four zombies exit the beach while planning to talk to Kotaro (if he is around) about Junko's predicament, they don't notice a masked figure wearing a hooded poncho is watching them walk down the sidewalk from above. Strangely, he is not standing on a streetlight or roof but rather, his feet are standing in the air, without anything to stand on, or at least from first glance. This bizarre sight is punctuated more when the masked man starts jumping without falling all az he follows the four zombies covertly…
Wandering alone in the streets as the evening sky starts to darken, Ai is walking back to the mansion after calming down from her heated argument with Junko and for coldly dismissing Lily's pleas to make peace with her. This was something she instantly regretted when Saki scolded her for shouting at the kid when she sobbed on Yugiri's arms, but she didn't mean to yell at them. She's trying to rebut their claim, on how a true idol group needs to rely on each other as teammates, that friendship doesn't matter in the idol industry due to the amount of hard work involved, and that thriving in entertainment isn't easy, but she came across as a jerk to the three. She quickly took her leave against Saki's urging again, running past Bucciarati and Avdol, who likely came in to try to lecture her. She's sure they may be looking after her when she left, but right now she needed a clear head before she decided to go rehearse.
After all, she isn't ready to become a part of history.
Ai is near the playground when the rain starts pouring. Covering her head, she tries to make a run to the mansion before her makeup washes off.
But then, a crackling sound is heard, accompanied by a flash from the sky…
ゴロゴロ…
ドーン!
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Frozen stiff and startled from the rumbling thunder, Ai drops to her knees, letting her hand stay in her head in hopes of protecting herself. She couldn't move, her fear effectively rendered her still while her body trembled.
In the midst of the pouring rain, footsteps are heard approaching from behind. Two figures crouch to her level out of concern when they notice her.
"Ai? What's wrong?" Saki asked, putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright? What got you scared?" Bucciarati wondered.
"Let's find some shelter," Avdol suggested, looking at the playground nearby. "I don't think we can go home when Ai is this scared."
"Good idea. C'mon Ai, stand up!"
With some effort, the zombies managed to seek shelter from the rain by hiding in circular tunnels, each containing two idols and two bodyguards. So now they stay there, waiting for the rain to let up, though it seems like it's not gonna stop anytime soon judging by its heavy downpour.
"Well, this is messed up…" Saki said with little amusement.
"I know… I can't believe I fit in this pipe." Avdol expressed disbelief that his broad bodybuild is able to barely fit inside the tunnel. Good thing he's not squishing Bucciarati in, who got first before him.
"Well that's because you're the biggest zombie of all of us," replied Saki cheekily. "And it is rainin' hard so…"
"Our makeup was washed off by the rain though. I don't think we need to take cover inside anymore." Bucciarati stated, looking at his washed-off hand.
"Well suck it up Bucci. We are staying here until Ai has calmed down."
"Bucci?"
"It must be your nickname, mister Bruno."
Amidst their light-hearted conversation, Ai looks down with a contemplative look, not bothering to join. Despite the limited view Bruno and Avdol are in, the two maintained their focus and attention for any danger. Dealing with an enemy Stand this night is the last thing they want to see right now.
After sharing a laugh at Bucciarati's astounded reaction and Avdol spelling it out for him, Saki turns to Ai deliberately ignoring the three, as if she's being aloof. "…You've got a hell of a look on your face. Kinda like mine. If I'm being real though, I don't get any of this idol or fan stuff, y'know? But when you do anything, it's all about guts. Then comes your crew. That's all you've really got."
ドゴーン!
Saki didn't need to look at Ai when she huddled up to her arm after the thunder roared, again shaking from fear. "I'm kinda surprised you're scared of lightning…"
"…I-It's how I… ｢died｣."
Even though they can't see from their position, Bucciarati and Avdol turn to the pipe the two girls are in when they hear her answer with concern etched on their faces.
"Huh?" Saki lets out, thinking she's seeing the reason behind her fear.
"Ai," Bucciarati started speaking. "You died from a… ｢lightning strike｣?"
"Y-Yes." Ai nodded.
"…I'm not sure if we should ask you, but… will you elaborate more on how you died?" Avdol asked carefully to prevent the clearly traumatized girl from feeling more scared than she already had.
After a moment of silence, Ai starts explaining. "It was… raining heavily that day when Iron Frill's concert was taking place. The venue's concert took place outside and my former group performed for the hundreds of fans cheering for us. Bad weather aside, it was supposed to be an enjoyable time for us and our fans. As the concert reached its crescendo, I moved to the center of the stage, dancing joyfully and skillfully. Then, just as I raised my hand up high in the air… a flash of light enveloped my sight fully… then darkness."
The three zombies hearing her story are equally surprised, horrified and saddened over her death. A lightning strike on humans, despite being rare, is guaranteed to be fatal when an unlucky person gets caught in it. The victim has only a brief second to comprehend it before death envelopes their consciousness or, in an unlikely scenario, survives with crooked wounds lining their bodies that look like a tree's roots. Either way, a lightning strike is anything but good.
"A-And you know the worst part?" Ai is not finished though. "I was still alive, as my charred body was carried to the hospital. Unfortunately, I was dead on arrival, which is a mercy for me because I m-m-might be in so much p-p-pain…"
She did everything she could to stop crying, but the thought of having lost everything and restarting from scratch, and the horrifying circumstances of her death, caused her to shed a few tears anyway. Bucciarati and Avdol winced just from hearing it from her words alone. At least Avdol received an instant death so he didn't feel it before he realized he died, but Ai didn't get that. She had to suffer in intense pain before passing away.
In Saki's case though, she looks more amazed for some reason, saying, "Holy crap, girl… That's actually ｢legendary｣."
"Saki!"
The two Stand Users berated her for being insensitive, a sentiment shared by Ai. "That's really not the kind of legend I wanted. This isn't over yet. I'm still here… I-I'm not history yet! I don't care if I'm a zombie, I will get up on stage again, and then-"
ドーン!
"Eeek!"
Seeing Ai so intent on being an idol, no matter the circumstances surrounding it, Saki rubs her head to soothe her, saying, "Guess you were actually pretty fired up, huh?"
Idly listening to her, Bucciarati could only pity her as she took her death hard that almost ended her idol career. Admittedly, he doesn't know much about idols like Saki but in his opinion, having to thrive within a cutthroat industry could apply to being a part of the mafia because all members have to work hard enough to achieve fame or infamy. But when it comes to life-or-death situations, the gangster lifestyle is every bit dangerous due to the ruthless members of other famiglias out to kill off any competitors in their turf.
Avdol also pities her, sympathizing with the way their respective deaths are handled, namely that it's so sudden and instant that they didn't have time to comprehend it. Well, they can comprehend their emotions going on before they died like how Avdol is anxious yet intent on pushing Polnareff and Iggy out of danger and Ai singing happily with a wide smile at the climax of the concert. Something that they can't take away on their own is their close friends bearing witness to their deaths, possibly traumatized. That is something they don't like to think about.
After Ai took her time to calm down, she told Avdol, Saki and Bucciarati they must go home. "We will Ai. But before we leave, there's a matter we need to discuss."
Ai glanced at him warily. "A matter?"
"About your argument with Junko…" Saki revealed, showing a serious look. "While Bucci, Avdol and I searched for you, we had a lot of thought over what you and Junko argued about. The apparent differences between the current way of how an idol works that you embodied, and the old-fashioned manner Junko represents… My best bet for you to make up with Junko is to find a compromise so what happened earlier didn't happen again."
Her forlorn expression quickly changed to an annoyed one as she glanced sideways. "If we wish something like that doesn't happen again, Junko shouldn't make a fuss on how we idols do things here. She has no choice but to follow the contemporary times."
"You say that, but didn't it ever occur to you how unfair it is for someone so unprepared like Junko to do that? As in, interacting with fans directly?" Avdol replied.
"Unfair? In what way?" Ai questioned, seemingly not getting it or beholden by her stubbornness.
"She hailed from the 80s, or Meiji era like Kotaro billed her as," answered Bucciarati. "This notion that modern idols must be relatable to their fans… It might be an unfamiliar or alien concept for an idol hailing from the 80s. From her perspective, it's like times suddenly changed and she didn't have the time to acclimate or saw the cons behind it and she didn't sit well with it."
Getting a little impatient, Ai wanted them to get to the point already, declaring, "Can you get straight to the point? I don't want to stay in this rain forever."
Saki gave her a look before she obliged. "Fine. The point we're trying to make is… you should've considered Junko's feelings before you say something you will regret later. You may like how things work for you, but not everyone will agree on that thing you came to approve of."
"…You're saying there's something wrong with how idols interact with fans?" Ai insinuated.
"No! We ain't sayin' to that effect," she firmly denied. "If that's how we should maintain and gain more fans, fine by me. But Junko… there must be something we can do for her after seeing she ain't liking having to interact with fans. Maybe that's how she did back when she was alive, and is strongly rooted in her own ways."
Listening attentively, Ai's adamant face starts to lessen as she considers Saki's words. Having cleared her head, she thinks back to her argument with Junko and tries to see where her counterpoints lie. Coupling this with her knowledge on the old-fashioned manner idols from the 80s operate, of which she learned when she first joined Iron Frill as part of her effort to grasp the intricacies of the idol industry, she then understood where Junko is coming from and why she heavily disagreed.
I see. I think Junko did bring up valid points. My stubbornness and irritation got in my head so I didn't get it at first. Not saying I'm in favor of it, but I came to understand why Junko reacted that way in the meetup and back home. *sighs* How could I be so ill-tempered? I really regret blowing up at Junko and Lily.
A look of regret washed over Ai, which Saki immediately took notice of. She guesses this means she, Bucciarati and Avdol got to her head at last. "That look on you… Maybe I shouldn't say what you are thinking, right?"
"No. There's no need," replied Ai, shaking her head. Heaving out a sigh, she glanced at her and said, "Let us go home. I gotta start thinking about how I apologize to Junko, and Lily also."
"There we go. That's what we wanted to hear." Saki grinned. "Ya hear that, you two? Let's get our butts off this playground and go home!"
"Yeah, we heard her." Bucciarati confirmed, crawling out of the tunnel and rising up straight after Avdol came out first, stretching his body to prevent complications from being in a slightly cramped space for too long. "Come on, you two. It's time to go."
Ai and Saki leave the tunnel next, the former keeping her head down to think on what she should say to Junko when she sees her again. Stretching her arms, Saki then beckons the three, eager to seek shelter from the heavy rain. Ai and Avdol proceed to follow her out of the playground, but they stop after noticing Bucciarati isn't following them. They turn back to see he's looking somewhere.
One eyebrow raised, Saki taps Bucciarati's shoulder, asking, "Yo, Zipper Man! What's up? Why ain't ya following us? And… why do you look so… alarmed?" She has now noticed the tensed face he's showing.
"Bucciarati? Is something wrong" Avdol walked to his side, curious of what he's looking at.
ビュゥゥゥゥ…
The three felt the wind pick up speed, passing through their swaying hair and clothes. None of them wouldn't think of it as odd if not for what Bucciarati told them. "Saki! Ai! Get behind us, quick!" He extended his hand to block their way to him while the wind continued to blow rapidly.
"Huh? Why?" Ai looked at him in confusion and concern. She then noticed a swirling funnel taking its form near Bucciarati, who instinctively steps backward as the funnel becomes bigger and assumes its form as a small tornado.
ドドドドドドドド
"Oioioi! What the hell is that!? A tornado!?" Saki exclaimed, closing one eye to stop dust picked up by the wind from entering her eyes.
Bucciarati looks at the tornado, specifically inside its vortex. Even though it's dark, he is sure he saw something peeking from inside the vortex. His assumption would be proven right when the wind spinning around the vortex dies down a little, revealing to the four a vague, cone-shaped humanoid with no lower body, disproportionately long arms with bladed index fingers, a hole on its chest, single eye at the center of its head with spikes jutting from where its ears should be and a crown sticking out from the top, pads on its shoulders and thin strips of cloth wrapped in its head and arms.
Eyes widening in caution, Bucciarati states, "Not quite! It's a Stand! An ｢enemy Stand｣!"
!?
ドゴーン!
Once again, Ai clutches her head in terror with her eyes closed when a thunder roared.
"An enemy Stand, at this time of night!? This is bad timing!" Avdol shouted, rushing forward to confront the enemy Stand, shielding Saki and Ai behind him.
"What are ya scared for, Avdol? You and Bucci just have to beat that tornado Stand and call it a day," Saki told him. "I mean, look at it. It's small and looks fragile. Just one strike from yours attacks and the enemy's done for!"
"Fighting against an enemy Stand is not easy, Saki," Bucciarati replied back. "All of them have unique abilities that gave me and my former team trouble. This tornado Stand will no doubt going to be not so different from the Stands I fought against."
As the enemy Stand floats before its four targets, Fire Lord and Zipper Man prepare themselves as rain continues pouring from the darkened sky.
"Come on Johnny… You can do it! Work those leg muscles! Stand up!"
"I-I'm trying Gyro, but my legs still have some stiffness in them!"
"Maintain your focus and posture. It wouldn't help you if you rushed it."
"Yayayaaaaahhhh!"
Despite the encouragement from Gyro, Yugiri and Tae through her gibberish, Johnny failed to maintain his balance as his legs gave out, sending him falling into Gyro's arms. This is the fifth time he tried standing up to see if applying Spin energy to his legs could accelerate the healing process but so far, each attempt of getting up has been met with his legs giving out when the dull pain overwhelmed him.
Not giving up yet, Johnny tried for the sixth time with Gyro's assistance. When it appears he might be able to keep the balance without anything to hold on for many seconds, the outcome remains the same as he lands back on his friend's arms for the umpteenth time. "Oof!"
"No good, huh?" Gyro sighed. The ones who watched Johnny's attempt to pass the time waiting for their groupmates to return, Mamezuku, Yugiri, Lily and even Tae gave Johnny a sympathetic or blank look, sharing Gyro's reaction.
Sighing in frustration, Johnny gives up and approaches the couch to sit next to Yugiri. "*sighs* Yeah. I guess this is not the perfect time yet to regain my legs' motor function. I have to wait for a few more months before I can ditch this cane. Though even when I can finally walk, I may still need something to maintain my composure when my legs are still restrictive even after standing up."
"Hey, chin up Johnny. Kotaro said the healing process will be gradual as the months pass by. Just be patient," Gyro pats his shoulder with a smile. "It may take a long while but when that day comes, you won't need a cane anymore. It'll all pay off in the end."
"Yeah, you're right. Only choice I have now is to play the waiting game." Johnny sighed.
The living room went silent afterward, aside the muffled sounds of splashing rain and occasional thunder. While one half of the zombie group are searching for Ai and Junko, the remaining six stayed back because there's no need for extra members. During the interim, having been brought to tears by the two idols' argument and Ai's harsh words, Lily was comforted by Yugiri by hugging and rubbing her head while assuring her Ai may not have not meant to distress her. When the two learn why she was brought to tears, Johnny and Gyro thought Ai's behavior is unwarranted since even if she raised a point, she doesn't need to be angry to convey it; she should have said it calmly. Mamezuku only learned about what happened when he got back after trying to find Kotaro, and while he agrees with her remark, even he thought she was being harsh.
As for where Kotaro is, Mamezuku believes he went somewhere because the van is not parked outside. Considering he and Tae cannot find the producer everywhere in the mansion, probably finding a venue for Franchouchou's next performance, the plant appraiser draws this likely conclusion and relays it to the four when they got back. That is when he and everyone aside from Tae watched Johnny struggle to stand up and fail. If they didn't know about Stands and Spin from both Kotaro and Gyro, they wouldn't think Johnny has a chance to regain the use of his legs again.
"Hmm, may I interject?" Yugiri spoke up because she's curious if there's something that can be done regarding his legs. "Can you use the ｢Spin｣ again, Johnny-han? You told me you managed to walk again thanks to Gyro-han passing it down to you. Is it possible at all?"
Remembering his talk with her about what his country is like during the end of 19th century when he went off-topic to satiate her curiosity about his struggles before and during Steel Ball Run race (Yugiri also compared some aspects of America to something else based on her understanding, much to Johnny's perplexed amusement), Johnny, after Gyro gives him an okay as he believes there's no harm in telling them about the Spin, acknowledges her remark but he has this to say. "While it is true I learned the secrets of the Spin to get my legs back, it was not until Gyro told me about a level of the Spin formed through riding a horse. This is after I told Gyro that I am close to regaining my legs and how I will not stop until I am ｢above negative｣." He adopts a thinking pose with a hand under his chin. "Maybe… that's what I've been missing. I need a horse to achieve the maximum potential of the Spin.
"A Spin through 「riding a horse」?" Lily repeated.
"Yup," Gyro nodded, taking over from Johnny as he has the most knowledge. "Know the stirrups used on horses? In my world, they were invented in the Middle Ages to absorb the power of the horse of its rider. As the Golden Rectangle is required to properly utilize the Spin's properties, a horse naturally galloping at its pace produces energy that is transferred through the whole body coming from the stirrups. If one is able to harness the perfect rotational energy of a horse, an ｢infinite Spin｣ is created."
A look of amazement is present on Yugiri's and Lily's faces with the latter exclaiming, "Wow… That sounds amazing!"
"It sounds like a miracle," agreed Yugiri. "If you have a horse, you will regain your legs quickly."
"Yeah. I would've done that shortly after finding out I can't stand up if there are horses available," Johnny shrugged with a sigh. He glances sideways with an annoyed look, saying, "I hope Kotaro knows that me and Gyro work best if we have horses."
"Oh he better be. I would be happy if Valkyrie, my loyal steed, is the one Kotaro might pick up. Same for you having Slow Dancer."
"Are they the horses of your choice?" Mamezuku inquired after silently listening to the two until the two brought up an infinite form of Spin created from a horse.
"Yup. A stock horse and an appaloosa are the horses we used back in the race. Honestly, I wouldn't be home without Valkyrie." The Italian smiled in fondness of the 4-year-old Australian stock horse he chose due to its stamina and durability.
"Same goes for Slow Dancer." Nail Jockey added, not regretting getting battered around trying to get on the stubborn appaloosa which got Gyro's attention that made him taught the Spin technique.
Eyeing the two jockeys hailing from America in the 19th century, Mamezuku believes he may get along with these jockeys better thanks to them knowing the Spin. Little do they know, he has known about the Spin since he was young, albeit he only learned the basic applications of the Spin and hadn't got the chance to master it.
An amplified Spin created from a horse galloping at its normal pace… Sounds impressive and esoteric. I was already interested in these two when I heard they are familiar with the Spin, more than any zombies in this house. That doesn't mean I have become fine living with the others and Kotaro-san but seeing that they appear to be experts, I wonder if I can learn a thing or two from them. While I think I might use the miraculous technique in my own way, maybe I can augment the Spin through my Stand's ability. I have known the Spin ever since I was young and have only demonstrated it through twirling a rope, so perhaps with these two, I can finally manifest it through my Stand and master it.
"Gurrrrgh."
"Hm?"
Feeling his leg being nibbled, Mamezuku looks down and sees Tae is lying on the floor with her back, currently biting his left leg as if it's food to her. Unfazed, he gets his leg off her mouth and calmly says, "Tae-san, stop biting me. I'm not food."
"Auunnggh." She moaned in response, giving him a begging look, as if she's pleading with him to continue nibbling his leg. At least that's what he can gather. For his part, he almost caved in.
Wow. You really look… adorable even as a feral zombie. Wait, did I say that? He blinked, thankful hr didn't blurt that out loud.
Giggling from their interaction, Yugiri asks, "You two sure are an interesting pair."
Mamezuku turns to her with a raised brow, not noticing or ignoring Tae munching his leg again when he looks up. "What makes you say that?"
"You always have your eye on Tae-han for months," she answers, her breath fogging out of her mouth as she speaks. "I believe you are still analyzing her behavior without stop?"
"It's to… past time," he shrugged, noticing this time the raven-haired woman trying to latch on his back. He held her back by an arm's length as he continues, "I don't have anything to do other than protecting the girls and talking with someone I have my interest on."
"You sure are weird, Mamezuku-san. And so are Tae-san too. I think you two do make a great pair!" Despite saying that, Lily isn't bothered of his conduct as she smiles at the sight of the two interacting in their own, weird way.
"Or a couple." Gyro grinned.
"A what?" Rai appeared to be mortified, or the closest he ever get since his stoic exterior doesn't always noticeably change.
"Ah, forget it. It's too early to see you two that way, nyo-ho."
Johnny gave Gyro a narrowed eye look, before he noticed Lily wrapping her short arms around her. He also noticed it's start to feel chilly here. "What's wrong Lily? Are you shivering?" He asked
"Y-Y-Yes. I-It suddenly g-got c-c-cold…" She stuttered, shuffling close to Yugiri.
"Indeed. I can see my breath as I spoke." She pointed out, shuffling her posture to wrap her arms to warm her.
"I think I can see some ice forming in the g-g-glass!" Gyro looked at the door where the embedded glass starts forming ice on it.
"Hmm, we need s-something warm. Even I d-d-don't think I c-can take this c-cold," Johnny wraps his arms around his body like Lily. "Or wait. I think i-it's getting c-c-colder now!"
Just then, Mamezuku starts walking around the living room, glancing around with a pensive look, as if he's inspecting the room. Everyone turned to him curiously, wondering what he was looking for. "Mamezuku? What's wrong?" Gyro asked.
Facing them, Mamezuku seemingly gave the four a look over before he asks this question with a cautious look. "You five. Can you feel your hearts beating?"
"What?"
ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ
As if made aware by his question, the zombies realize that they can feel their hearts beating. Not only that, but they also see they are breathing, letting out air from their mouth or nose that becomes cold from the freezing air. Those things wouldn't be possible as a zombie, so to see and feel they are breathing fine and sense the cold air in the room all of a sudden…
ビシッ ビシッ ビシッ
! !
"Wha… What was that!?" Lily held on to Yugiri, whipping her head around in panic.
Remaining calm in spite of the unnatural situation, Mamezuku's eyes settled in the corner of the room far from the six when a lump of ice formed. The ice grows big and takes a shape as the plant appraiser can only guess the situation to the four now-vulnerable zombies. "It appears… an enemy Stand has found its way here to eliminate us."
His statement bring a sense of alarm to the zombies, but before they can have him elaborate, an unfamiliar voice is heard. From the same corner Mamezuku is gazing at without stop.
"Tsk! You're quite perceptive. I was going for a sneak attack so that all of you will not know you will die from subzero temperature. But I have underestimated your analytic skills, which pisses me off!"
"Who's there!? Are you an enemy Stand!? Where are you hiding!?" Johnny exclaimed, pointing his finger around to find the source of the voice sounding like it's on the verge of an angry breakdown.
"Isn't that obvious? I'm under this thick layer of ice!"
ガシャンッ!
As soon as the enemy said that, the lump of ice shatters, revealing a man covered in white suit that has a Y-shaped transparent yellow visor showing a man's face, two short cones atop his head, green bars dotting the entire suit, a pink swirl on his forehead, pink patches on his shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and heels and ice skates on his feet.
Having made his appearance, the enemy Stand stands up straight, glaring his red eyes on the now-alerted zombies as patches of frostbite appear on the floor, walls and ceiling due to temperature dropping from his presence.
Up in the skies of Saga, unnoticeable by those even with vision assistance, strange white clouds below the stormy clouds. These clouds are grouped together, producing their local wind, lightning and even rain. As lightning erupted above it, briefly flashing their appearance, wispy clouds started coalescing from the top, forming someone's upper body showing a head with spikes protruding atop it, a mask-like face, whole ruby eyes with vertical stripes lining them and wing-like clouds attached to its shoulder. Its body is pure white like the clouds it came out from.
As the rain continues pouring, the Stand's upper body hovers above, eyeing the progress of the enemy Stands out to eliminate fourteen targets. For now, it remains on the sidelines, awaiting orders from the one who summoned them all.
To be continued
Onomatopoeia:
ゴロゴロ (Gorogoro) - Rumbling thunder
ドーン/ドゴーン (Don/Dogon) - Loud thunder
ビュゥゥゥゥ… (Byuuuuuu…) - Sound of a wind
ビシッ (Bishi) - Cracking ice
Just as I prolonged the scene of Junko wanting not to work with Franchouchou anymore due to being overwhelmed by how much everything changed from what she knew, I also added a scene where Ai was reprimanded gently by Bucciarati, Avdol and Saki for expecting Junko to conform with the way a current idol singer interacts with fans without considering her feelings. Felt like Ai needed that after letting her stubbornness get to her and become cold or dismissive, though I made sure she wasn't portrayed in the wrong mostly so she became regretful for her quarrel with Junko and stating a fact to a sensitive Lily brusquely. I have nothing against her. My goal is to portray both sides having good points so I hope I was successful.
Anyway, the next five chapters will be a five-part Stand fight. I'll leave it to you to guess what enemy Stands they will face if you already read/watched JoJo. See you next time!