Crazy Heartbreakers - Chapter 5
"When endings seem too good to be true like this, it almost always means we've just been following in somebody's footsteps. NiNi! This case isn't closed yet!"
Disquietude (不穏で不安, Fuon de Fuan, lit. Unrestful and Uneasy) is the fifth chapter of Crazy Heartbreakers, a light novel based on the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series.
Summary
Ryoko's Burden and Noriaki Kakyoin's Tragedy
Ten years ago on a cold winter day, Ryoko Kakyoin returned home from school to find her house filled with her relatives. They often hosted gatherings at her house, as it was the main household of the Kakyoin family. However, this time, her family was mourning the death of her cousin, Noriaki Kakyoin, whose body was found in Egypt. Ryoko's mother hugged her and told her to go to her room. Confused and unable to fully process the news, Ryoko recalled their trip to Egypt five months earlier. Their family had gone on the trip at the recommendation of a travel agent. Only later did the Speedwagon Foundation discover that the agent was connected to DIO, who had orchestrated the trip to recruit Noriaki. After visiting ancient ruins in Luxor, everyone was on their way back to the hotel, but Ryoko got lost in a labyrinth-like area. She was saved by Noriaki, but their path back to the main street never appeared, and they would end up in the same spot. Noriaki realized that it was a Stand ability and fired Emerald Splash at a wall, revealing the exit from the illusion. Before they could escape, they were stopped by DIO, who revealed he had orchestrated their meeting and that the labyrinth was created by his servant. Noriaki tried to escape with Ryoko, but DIO relentlessly pursued them. To protect her, Noriaki hid Ryoko in a crevice and confronted DIO, only to succumb to his control after being implanted with a flesh bud. Although Noriaki appeared normal afterward, Ryoko saw the sinister influence of DIO's power in his demeanor. Three months later, Noriaki ran away from home. Fifty days later, he died in Egypt. Ryoko spent the next decade haunted by flashbacks of that day, unable to share her experiences with anyone.
Ryoko is staying at the apartment of her aunt Mitsue in S-City for the day. Ryoko hears her aunt nostalgically describe Noriaki as a good, yet serious boy, who might have been burdened by unspoken worries. She reflects on his mysterious death, wondering why he ran away from home and went to Egypt again. Mitsue views his passing as a distant, almost romantic tragedy, while for Ryoko, it remains a sharp and unresolved pain. Ryoko lies about how much she remembers about Noriaki, and even when Mitsue points out that the first thing Ryoko did when coming to Morioh was visit Noriaki's grave, Ryoko claims that her dad told her to do that. Mitsue chuckles about her elder brother being a stickler for tradition, betting that he wouldn't even let Ryoko have a boyfriend. Determined to uncover the truth behind her cousin's death, Ryoko lies about her intentions, pretending that she'll be going sightseeing in Morioh. Mitsue brings up that Ryoko's university entrance exams went well, informing her that she's the pride of the Kakyoin family and that they love to brag about her, making Ryoko feel a bit guilty about her lies.
Separating Hol Horse
Following the arrest of Koji Kiyohara, evidence from his home such as recordings of animal abuse and deadly weapons like the crossbow justified his detention. However, his lawyer pushed for a psychiatric evaluation, making the case likely to drag on. Ryohei reflected on how many criminals lacked the imagination to foresee the consequences of their actions, though Koji's devastated reaction to his arrest felt unusually unnatural. He had become a shell of his former self and only reacts to eye contact in his cell by screaming. Ryohei's instincts tell him that something more sinister is lurking beneath the surface. During his patrol, Ryohei encounters Boingo sitting alone on a park bench. Ryohei asks Boingo to go search for his comic book instead of waiting around all day, but Boingo is hesitant to get involved, citing Hol Horse's warnings. Ryohei asks Boingo why his book is so important to him, but Boingo is reluctant, claiming Ryohei wouldn't believe him anyways. Ryohei tells Boingo about how police officers always hear strange stories and complaints; it's their job to listen to people and not just write off what they're saying as nonsense or lies. Boingo ends up making a decision. He puts his trust in Ryohei and reveals the truth about his comic's ability to predict the future. Ryohei listens intently and learns that Hol Horse had left earlier in the morning with someone from the town. He asks Boingo if the other person was a young man with a strange hairstyle.
Meanwhile, Josuke had dragged Hol Horse out to one of the main streets, where Sadao Kujo had once played the song "Black Satin" on his trumpet at the Street Jazz Festival and was still the talk of the town years later. Not wanting Ryoko to encounter Hol Horse, Josuke asks him to stay away from the hotel for at least two or three days under the pretense of avoiding complications, but Hol Horse questions his reasoning. Josuke then asks Hol Horse if he's been to Egypt ten years ago and directly asks him if he knows Noriaki Kakyoin. Shocked, Hol Horse stiffens up, and Josuke realizes he was on the mark about his suspicions, believing Hol Horse carries some guilt from some incidents he did in the past. Josuke presses on, implying that Hol Horse's sudden appearance in the town might stir unresolved issues, particularly for his "senpai". Hol Horse then spots Ryoko at the outdoor seating area of a nearby restaurant speaking with another customer, noticing that her bangs are eerily similar to Kakyoin's. Before Hol Horse could react further, Josuke abruptly attacks him with his Stand, knocking him into a dumpster, which Josuke then "fixes" to seal him inside. Apologizing faintly, Josuke tells Hol Horse to stay put, explaining that his presence would only complicate matters. As Josuke walks away, Hol Horse is left stunned and trapped, struggling to understand what had just happened.
Ryoko's Unsettling Encounter
About twenty minutes earlier, Ryoko had set out early in the morning, unable to sleep and determined to act on her next steps while avoiding attention. Guided by Tohth's cryptic prediction about "lighting a fuse" to uncover the truth, she believed it was speaking metaphorically. Ryoko wandered through the quiet streets, reflecting on the persistent fear that had shadowed her life since her traumatic encounter in Luxor. While walking and looking at her map, Ryoko was spoken to by a man seated at a sidewalk café behind her, who questioned whether she was on a trip. The man seemed like an ordinary salaryman at first but soon unsettled her with his strange demeanor. Claiming to work at Kameyu Department Store, the man complimented Ryoko in an odd, detached manner, focusing on her hands and delivering cryptic remarks about "the truth lying in extremities." Despite his calm tone, something about his words and fixation unnerved Ryoko. When she tried to leave, her ankle inexplicably froze, preventing her from moving. A gust of wind suddenly whipped through the street, and as Ryoko shielded her eyes, the man's behavior abruptly shifted. He became visibly disgusted upon seeing her short fingernails, ranting about how she had wasted her delicate hands by not letting her nails grow. Confused and alarmed, Ryoko was further startled when a loud noise from across the street interrupted the interaction. She instinctively turned toward the sound and realized her foot could move again.
The noise was caused by Josuke Higashikata, who jogs over to greet her cheerfully. Relieved to see a familiar face, Ryoko looks back to where the strange man had been seated—only to find he had vanished, leaving behind his half-drunk cup of coffee.
Conversing with Josuke
Ryoko and Josuke are both surprised to see each other up so early. Ryoko wonders if Josuke's short temper might be the "fuse" the comic had instructed her to light, though she doubts her ability to provoke him. Suppressing her unease, she engages him further, hoping to learn more. Ryoko conveys that she's happy to see Josuke again, making him wonder if she's asking him out on a date. She brings up her curiosity about Hol Horse, wanting to meet him. However, Josuke deflects with exaggerated, nonchalant excuses. He lies that Hol Horse had left town after a dramatic encounter with an ex demanding marriage, and dismisses him as a hopeless womanizer. As for the parrot, Josuke brushes it off, vaguely stating it had died. His flippant attitude and evasive responses makes it clear to Ryoko that he is hiding something, though Ryoko recognizes that pressing further would likely get her nowhere.
Seizing the opportunity, Josuke offers to give her a tour around town, seemingly eager to move her away from their current location. Ryoko, still unsettled by her earlier encounter with the strange man at the café, briefly glances back to see the waiter clearing away his cup before deciding to follow Josuke. She resolves to let the incident go for now. Meanwhile, an early-morning jogger notices an unusual figure hiding nearby, seemingly spying on the café. Though they felt uneasy, their suspicion lay not on the hidden observer, but on Josuke and Ryoko. After all, the figure spying on them wore a police uniform, so the jogger had no reason to doubt him.
