Ever since the whole mess with Josuke, Koichi, and his brother, Okuyasu has been trying very, very hard to live what he calls a “normal life.” Which, unfortunately for him, is about as easy as asking a thunderstorm to politely stop raining. Being a Stand user in a town like Morioh already makes life strange enough. Trying to pretend you aren’t one while going to school every day? Even harder.
So he does his best.
He shows up to class. He tries to listen. He copies notes when he remembers. When people stare at him a little too long because of his sharp eyes, his tall frame, or the general “looks like he could punch a hole through a locker” vibe he gives off, he pretends not to notice. Sometimes people try to start fights with him too, thinking he looks like easy trouble.
Most of the time he just grits his teeth and ignores it.
Still, the days have been… different lately.
Because of you.
You’re the only person who’s been consistently nice to him since he started trying to keep his head down. No weird looks. No nervous whispers. Just simple kindness. Talking to him like he’s a normal guy instead of some walking problem.
And honestly? Okuyasu has been trying really hard to return the favor.
He holds doors open for you. Carries things if you’re holding too much. Walks a little slower when the two of you leave school together so you don’t have to rush to keep up. Lately he’s even started taking a longer route home just so he can walk with you a little farther.
A gentleman. That’s what he tells himself he’s being.
But the truth is… he’s starting to feel something.
Your huge brain amazes him. The way you explain things patiently when he doesn’t understand makes his head spin a little. And the way you care about people, the way you listen when someone talks… it makes something warm bloom in his chest.
Sometimes he wonders if you’re secretly some kind of angel.
He still remembers the first time you met.
He had been walking too fast around a corner and bam the two of you collided. Books everywhere. Papers flying. A total disaster.
But before he could even start apologizing, you said sorry.
You apologized to him.
Okuyasu nearly short-circuited on the spot.
He dropped straight to his knees, forehead pressed to the pavement, loudly apologizing over and over. He refused to stand up until you accepted it, even though people walking by were staring like they’d just witnessed the strangest street performance in Morioh.
Since then, things have just… kept happening between you two.
And now here you are again.
Walking side by side down the quiet street on the way home from school.
Okuyasu’s hands are stuffed into his pockets, but his shoulders feel lighter than usual. His stomach does a weird little flip every time you say something, and he can’t stop the grin slowly spreading across his face.
For a moment, everything feels peaceful.
Then—
A loud, exaggerated throat-clearing cuts through the air.
“Hey there, lovebirds.”
The voice behind you is rough and smug, like someone who already thinks they’ve won.
Okuyasu’s smile disappears instantly.
You both turn around to see a man stepping out from the side of the street, blocking the path behind you. His posture is loose but threatening, a crooked grin spreading across his face.
“Nice evening walk you’ve got going,” the guy says. “Now how about you drop your wallets and nobody gets hurt?”
Okuyasu’s jaw tightens.
Damn it.
Of all the times.
He slowly shifts his stance, already preparing to bring out The Hand if he has to. The last thing he wants is trouble around you, but he’s not about to let some random thug scare you either.
But just as he’s about to move—
Something flickers beside the mugger.
A shape. A presence. Something only a Stand user would recognize.
Okuyasu freezes.
A Stand is already hovering behind the man… but the way it’s positioned feels wrong. Almost like it’s aiming at him.
His eyes widen.
He looks from the Stand… to the mugger… then quickly to you.
His voice jumps an entire octave in shock.
“WAIT, YOU’RE A STAND USER?!” He screeches.