Chapter 5

"How did you find me?"

"Easy enough," Joseph shouted, "Hermit Purple!" He revealed his stand that resembles a long thorny stem of a plant. "This is my map." He briefly explained, wearing a smug smile.

"Kid, I need that money to buy something important. And when I say, important. It's about life and death." Joseph continued, trying hard not to disinterest Giorno without spilling too much information. After all, he didn't want to involve an innocent civilian for the Joestar's bloodline fight against Dio. If Giorno lose interest, he would probably run away again with the money. Joseph still needed the money and credit card eventhough he already own a mansion.

Giorno was silent. He casted Joseph a look of suspicion. Why would a camera be related to something with a life-threatening stuff? Was there a person who would kill them if they don't give him or her the camera? Giorno frowned, "Is the camera related to stand?"

Joseph blinked a few times, bewildered by Giorno's question. He assumed Giorno was more interested in stand and it was dangerous. However, lying was not a choice. Joseph believed Giorno is an intelligent kid, he wouldn't be bothered by some stupid lies.

"Yes."

In the past few days of Giorno trying to find a clue about his amnesia, he hadn't found a single hint to why he was in Japan. No one uses stand while he was there, the place where he was found unconscious didn't help him much and the photo in his wallet couldn't remind him of anything. He needed to find an alternate way and there they were, revealing their stands to Giorno.

He firmly believed, his heart told him so as it rapidly beat in excitement- he was at the first step to return to his old self. "Tell me more. About what you're going to do."

Joseph's eye twitched along with his faltering smile.

"Mr. Joestar, do you really think it's safe to tell him?"

"I won't give you the money until you explain." Giorno insisted, knowing it's a petty threat. He didn't expect Joseph to easily agreed though.

"Fine, there's no helping it then. I'll just make it short. But first, let me introduce myself, I'm Joseph Joestar. And my friend here, Muhammed Avdol."

Then, Joseph pulled out a photo, a picture of a man. The photo was from last time when he broke the camera.

The picture revealed a back of a man while his head was slightly cocked to the side to look behind. His body was bulky and Giorno noticed the small details of the scar around his neck. The star on his shoulder was also familiar to Giorno. He was thunderstruck to what he had seen before his eyes.

Avdol who seemed to notice Giorno's odd reaction, started to ask, "Does he seems familiar?"

"Hmm? Really?"

Giorno averted his gaze away, "No, it's probably someone else." He lied.

If he said he has the same star birthmark as the man, they would probably target him and interrogate him. "So? What's the deal with the man?"

"His name is Dio. Apparently, his existence is a problem to us."

"And why is that?"

"Dio was my grandfather's brother but he was also an enemy. He's pure evil I'd say. Some things happened between them and I tell you what, Dio isn't human."

"Isn't human?"

"He's a vampire. You probably won't understand this but Dio took my grandfather's body, look at this scar around his neck." Joseph pointed his forefinger towards the picture.

"Yeah I already noticed that.. and I get the gist of it."

"He's getting stronger every minute. And he's going to destroy humanity."

"I see." Giorno lowered his gaze, his hand was under his cheek in a thinking posture. He thought, if he wanted to cure his amnesia, he would've had to learn about the man, Dio first. Perhaps, if he joins them in the fight, he could achieve his goal. He was determined, his eyes was filled with motivation. "Please, let me join you." He politely ask.

"Huh?"

"I know that I probably won't be any of help but there's something I need to learn about."

Avdol studied the boy's expression, he wasn't underestimating Giorno but he didn't want the boy to think that it was a game. Fortunately, a glance could already tell that Giorno means business. "I don't know what's in your mind kid but I do admit you have the skills."

"Are you sure, Shiobana?"

"Yes, I'm sure." The boy clenched his fist when Joseph had his eyebrows in a knit. He was doubting Giorno and he didn't like that. "It's useless to stop me."

"Alright, alright. I'll let you tag along." Joseph gave up, seeing the boy's confidence.

Sighing, Giorno took out his phone that had rung a few times. It was from Misaka, 10 messages and 9 missed calls. His eyes widened in shock as he looked at the time. He had made Misaka wait too long! "I'm sorry but I need to excuse myself."

"What? Are you in a hurry?"

"Yes," Pulling out the money in his wallet, he returned Joseph's money and card but kept a few pieces in it, "I'm taking a few to buy something. Is that okay?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah sure."

Avdol also didn't forget to ask for Giorno's address and phone number so that they could be in contact. "Haruno Shiobana was it?"

"No, make it Giorno Giovanna. It's my name now." Giorno turned around as he started to walk away, leaving the two men dumbfounded.

"Giorno Giovanna huh? He's sure is mysterious."

Joseph rubbed his beard, eyes narrowing in thoughts, "What is the thing he desperately wants to buy though? He insisted to have that money so much."

"Hmm? Whatever it is, it must be something important and life threatening."

"Now that you mention it, he must've had people hate him with the way he behaved."

"Tsk tsk."

*

*

*

"I'm home."

"Giorno!" Misaka greeted the young man, although she was a bit messy with an apron hanging around her neck and some ketchup stain on it, "Where did you go? I was worried."

"I'm sorry for worrying you, I was meeting some acquaintances."

"Geez, you should've replied my messages. By the way, dinner is ready. Go clean yourself."

Eventhough Giorno was someone she just met, Misaka treated him like her own son. She once told Giorno that he resembled her son in a way. And his eyes was coincidentally the same colour as her son.

Giorno was truly lucky to meet her eventhough he was just a replacement.

Giorno couldn't help but smile, he felt warm and a little bit guilty but he covered it up as he went inside, putting the plastic bags on the table. "Let me help you with the cake later."

*

It was 12.35 am, Giorno couldn't rest his eyes and he felt his heart thumped rapidly. The same thing happened this afternoon.

He had the sudden urge to rise up and grab his wallet. The light was switched on as he took a seat on the bed. Opening his wallet, Giorno slipped out the photo and contemplated it for a brief moment.

It was the same picture, he thought. The same as the one Joseph showed earlier. Definitely, he didn't mistake it.

Dio. Joseph said his name was Dio.

"Dio...

.. Who are you?"