Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Date: September 9, 1998

Location: Joestar Family Home, London

A week had passed since David had joined the dojo, and with each class, he felt himself becoming stronger and more confident. The initial nerves he had felt on that first day had transformed into excitement, as he immersed himself in the world of karate. His body was beginning to adapt to the rigorous training, and the strain of maintaining his protection against telepaths order no longer felt as burdensome.

At fourteen, David was beginning to see tangible results. His stamina had grown, allowing him to engage in longer training sessions without the fatigue that once hindered him. His mornings were now filled with the invigorating sound of his flute, followed by karate classes in the afternoons, where he was learning techniques that made him feel capable and empowered.

Today was no different. After school, David rushed home to change into his gi, excitement bubbling within him as he prepared for another session at the dojo. He had been eagerly practicing the fundamentals—kicks, punches, and basic forms—each movement building on the last.

As he finished lacing up his belt, he heard Jonathan's voice calling from the living room. "David, come here for a moment!"

Curious, David stepped out of his room and into the living room, where Jonathan was seated on the couch, flipping through a stack of old photographs. Emily was beside him, a warm smile on her face as she sifted through memories of their family.

"What's going on?" David asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"Your dad found some old family photos," Emily explained, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia. "We thought you might like to see what your family looked like when you were little."

David's heart raced at the mention of family photos. He moved closer, intrigued by the snapshots of moments long gone. Jonathan held up a picture of himself as a young boy, beaming with joy beside a tall tree. "I was about your age here, David," he said, chuckling softly. "Look at that hair!"

"Wow, you look just like me!" David exclaimed, laughter bubbling up inside him. "I guess I really am a Joestar."

As they flipped through the pictures, David felt a deep sense of connection to his new family. He saw images of Jonathan and Emily on their wedding day, surrounded by friends and family, joy radiating from their faces. Each photo revealed pieces of their lives that had come together to form the beautiful tapestry of the Joestar family.

"Here's one of our first family vacation," Emily said, holding up a picture of them at the beach. "I think you would have loved it. We made sandcastles and splashed around in the ocean."

David's heart swelled with warmth. "I wish I could've been there," he said, the thought lingering in his mind. Despite his memories from a different life, moments like these felt like the real essence of family. He may not have experienced them before, but now, he was fully immersed in the love that surrounded him.

"Maybe we can plan a family trip again soon," Jonathan suggested, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. "What do you think, David? Where would you like to go?"

David considered the question, imagining all the places he had read about. "I'd love to see the countryside, maybe visit some castles!" he replied, excitement lighting up his voice. "I think it would be amazing to explore history together."

"Then it's settled!" Emily declared, clapping her hands together. "We'll look into it. It'll be a great bonding experience."

After a few more moments of reminiscing, David glanced at the clock, reminding himself of the time. "I should get going to the dojo! I don't want to be late."

"Have a great class, buddy!" Jonathan said, ruffling David's hair affectionately.

As David headed out the door, he felt buoyed by the love of his parents. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth wash over him. This was his life now, and he was determined to protect the happiness he had found.

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Later That Evening at the Dojo

David stepped onto the mat, greeted by the familiar scent of sweat and polished wood. He felt a surge of excitement as he joined his classmates, bowing respectfully to the instructor. Today's lesson focused on kata, the formalized sequences of movements that formed the foundation of their training.

The instructor demonstrated the moves, showcasing precision and power. David watched intently, taking mental notes of the technique. As he stepped up to practice, he felt the tension in his muscles, the thrill of executing each motion perfectly.

"Focus, David! Remember your stance!" the instructor called out, guiding him through the movements.

As David practiced, he felt himself entering a flow state. The world around him faded, and all that existed were the movements of his body and the rhythm of his breath. Each punch, each kick felt like a part of him, merging seamlessly with his determination to grow stronger.

After the session, as David wiped the sweat from his brow, he felt accomplished. The dojo had become a second home, a place where he could channel his energy and train his body. But even with his growing skills, he knew he had to remain cautious. The powers he possessed were still a closely guarded secret.

As he walked home, the night air was cool against his skin, the stars twinkling brightly overhead. He thought about his training, about his family, and how far he had come since waking up in this new life. Each day brought new challenges, but he was determined to face them head-on, with his family by his side.

End of chap.