"Evil spirit? Are you still running a fever?" Hori reached out to feel Diego's forehead, only to receive a glare from him in return.
Facts proved: don't pet an angry cat.
"Anyway, Hori—I, Dio, have remembered the kindness from yesterday. I'll repay you properly. This is Dio's promise—remember it well."
Diego's gaze softened as he looked at Hori before him, quietly thinking to himself: The person I couldn't protect when I was little... perhaps now I have a chance to make up for it.
"Yes..." Hori replied.
"Hori, let me ask you something—does the university you're attending still have any open admission channels right now?" Diego asked.
Hori pressed her chin in thought for a moment before answering:
"Aside from the major conglomerates, Shuchiin only accepts through the national entrance exam, right? ...Wait, no—there's a nationwide academic competition in a few days. The top three get admission eligibility. Apparently it's prepared for students who underperformed on the entrance exam."
"I see. Where's the nearest library? I want to prepare a surprise for you."
"Turn right out the door and walk 400 meters—there's one there. Are you going?"
"Leaving now. Breakfast is already prepared on the table—make sure to eat it." Diego was always the type to act the moment an idea struck. He put on his coat and strode out of the Hori household with long, purposeful steps. The World followed slowly behind him.
Hori stared blankly at the table: congee, miso soup, and various side dishes. She sat down, picked up the bowl, and took a small sip of the porridge.
"Being taken care of... feels unexpectedly nice..."
...
The instant Diego stepped out, far across the Atlantic, Jotaro Kujo sensed something abnormal.
"Old man, you felt that too, right?"
"Yeah, Jotaro... That bastard DIO... he's still not dead..."
Beside him stood Joseph Joestar with a grave expression. Despite suffering from age-related dementia, in critical moments he could still regain the sharp edge of his youth.
Jotaro pressed down on the brim of his hat and sighed: "Yare yare daze... I'll contact the SPW Foundation to investigate. If it's really that demon DIO, we're in trouble again."
"But Jotaro, today is Jolyne's birthday. She's been looking forward to spending it with you for so long..." Joseph slowly reached out to stop him.
Jotaro's departing steps paused. He fell silent for a moment, then continued walking without mercy and replied: "Old man, if it's really DIO coming back to life, we don't know how many people will die because of it. This has to be handled... as quickly as possible..."
...
—At the library—
Dinosaurized Diego was rapidly flipping through books. His extraordinary dynamic vision allowed him to finish reading an entire law textbook in mere dozens of seconds, while Heavenly Restriction's physique granted him perfect recall. Together, the combination far exceeded simple addition.
Beside him, The World kept bringing him more and more books he needed to study.
Diego's heart sank. This yellow phantom... what exactly does it want...
From the moment it appeared until now, I've never figured out its intentions. It hasn't attacked me—instead, it feels like it's constantly trying to please me.
As if sensing Diego's thoughts, The World let out a aggrieved "Muda muda" from the side, then slowly vanished behind him.
"It's gone!" Diego's pupils suddenly contracted as he spoke in disbelief.
Hearing this, The World reappeared and let out a delighted "Muda!"
This thing... seems kind of happy. Whatever—forget it.
The World wasn't annoyed. It simply continued handing Diego the books he needed.
Diego gave a knowing smile. Looks like it really admires Dio. Having a little subordinate like this isn't bad. Let's give it a name—The World.
Law, history, mathematics, biology, chemistry... stacks of books grew higher and higher as knowledge flooded into Diego's mind like a tidal wave.
Diego felt exhilarated beyond measure. The corners of his mouth rose wildly—he was thoroughly enjoying the sensation of knowledge pouring into his brain.
In the distance, near the library window, a purple-haired girl watched in shock as books flew through the air and landed on Diego's table.
A long-abandoned idea reignited within her.
A power that doesn't belong to this world... the Invisible Boundary Line really does exist!
The next second, Diego's figure vanished and reappeared behind the stunned purple-haired girl. His hand landed on her shoulder as he spoke: "You... were spying on me, weren't you!"
Feeling Diego's unfriendly gaze, Takanashi Rikka trembled and said shakily: "S-sorry... I won't tell anyone..."
Then she fled in a panic from Diego's side.
Diego coldly watched Takanashi Rikka's retreating figure, mentally calculating whether he should eliminate her.
Suddenly, Alicia's image appeared in his mind.
...
"Dio, please don't attack those villagers. I'll explain—they'll apologize."
...
"Forget it. Even if she tells anyone, no one will believe her. Besides, I've already left a mark on her!"
The dragonized left hand hidden behind him slowly returned to normal. Diego turned and reentered the library.
...
At dusk, Diego cracked his neck with a satisfying pop, shook out his hand, and walked out of the library.
Gazing at the setting sun, he casually scooped up a handful of pebbles from the roadside and flicked them one by one toward the trees. With each flick, a dead cicada dropped down.
"So noisy!"
In the distance, Hori approached slowly, carrying the groceries she had bought.
"Dio, can I bother you for a moment?"
...
After some conversation...
"Eh? You want me to come to your house tonight?" Diego stared at Hori in surprise. "Do you even know what it means when a girl invites a guy over like that?"
Hori realized her words sounded ambiguous. A faint blush appeared on her face as she hurriedly waved her hands:
"N-no, that's not what I meant! It's Sota—he said he wants to play with Big Brother Dio again!!"
"Really? Then I'll bring a few of these cicadas on the ground. Kids are brave at this age—they love playing with bugs."
Thinking of that smart little kid—not Blue Mountain coffee—Diego's mood improved slightly. He silently followed Hori home.
On the way, Hori couldn't help asking: "Um... I have a question. It might be a little rude... Dio, what about your family?"
"Dead."
Hori fell silent for a moment. I'm such an idiot! she thought, inwardly freaking out.
"Eh? Then where are you living now?"
"Nowhere in particular. Wherever."
Hori fell silent again. I'm such an idiot!!
"Did you eat anything today?"
"After mooching breakfast at your place, I went to the library and feasted on spiritual food."
So basically nothing?! I'm such an idiot!!!
Hori went completely silent and walked forward without another word.
Diego looked at the depressed Hori and asked with concern: "What about you? If I guessed right, tonight at your house it's just you and Sota again, isn't it?"
"My parents are really busy. They've been working away from home since I was little and rarely come back." Hori's eyes dimmed as she answered with some difficulty.
Diego extended his pinky finger toward Hori and said gently: "Then... we now have a secret we have to protect each other for. Pinky promise."
"What is this, so childish..." Hori stared blankly at Diego's extended pinky, then suddenly burst out laughing. The gloom on her face dissipated as their fingers hooked together. "Pinky promise, hang for a hundred years—break it and swallow ten thousand needles."
"Shouldn't it be a hundred needles?"
Diego sensed Hori's unease. He reached out, patted her head, and said confidently: "Well... you've been working really hard on your own... You've done well. Don't be afraid anymore—ko no Dio will protect you."
Don't be afraid... huh?
Ah—that's right. All I needed was someone to tell me "don't be afraid"...
I'll protect her. I'll protect Hori Kyoko.
Back home.
"Ah, Big Brother Dio came to play!" Sota rushed over from the sofa and hugged Diego tightly.
Diego lifted Sota up and spun him around twice, laughing: "I brought you a present."
Sota looked at Diego expectantly: "What present?"
Diego slowly opened his half-clenched hand, revealing the cicada in his palm.
"I came in a hurry and didn't prepare much. I don't know if you'll like it."
"Awesome! The teacher assigned a craft project today—I can make an insect specimen!"
Sota took the cicada and eagerly ran to the table to start making the specimen.
Suddenly it was just Diego left. He glanced somewhat boredly at Hori Kyoko busy in the kitchen... Since he was a guest in someone else's home, helping with cooking or chores was only natural, right?
Diego wanted to go show off his skills.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong."
"Big sister, someone's here—" Sota walked around holding his freshly made cicada specimen.
"Delivery? Wait, I'll—"
"I'll get it. Just sign it as Hori."
Eh? Why does this feel so much like the husband of the house? This is my home, right?
A voice came from outside the door.
"Hori—sorry, I forgot to return the notes I borrowed earlier."
Click—Diego opened the door. Standing there was a petite girl with short yellow hair, a cute face, speaking with her mouth covered by the loose sleeves of her oversized sweater. The moment she saw Diego, her eyes filled with shock.
Oh no—I'm going to get exposed. We just made a promise to protect each other's secrets.
After finishing cooking, the uneasy Hori quietly followed and peeked around the corner to watch their interaction.
"Eh? Who are you? Why are you at Hori's house?" Yoshikawa Yuki tilted her head, completely puzzled.
"Diego Brando—Sota's big brother. Just hand me the notes. Hori's cooking—she's busy."
"Eh, is that so? Then..."
"Goodbye."
After taking the notes, Diego shut the door without a hint of hesitation.
Yoshikawa Yuki: So insanely handsome...
Ding-dong. You have a new message.
Hori picked up her phone and glanced at it.
Yuki: Hori, you're so unfair—hiding such a hot guy at home and not introducing him to me?
Huh?
Hot guy? She means Dio?
"Hori, I left the notes on the table. Is dinner ready? Ko no Dio is starving to death."
Hori pressed her forehead and shook her head helplessly: "Is this your style...? Dio, why did you shut Yuki out?"
Diego glanced at Hori and shook his head: "Saying things you don't mean too much will fool even yourself. You clearly didn't want Yuki to see you like this right now."
"Hori—at the very least, when it's just the two of us, I hope you can show your truest self. Relax. As long as I'm here, you have a safe harbor."
"What's your truest thought right now?"
Diego handed her the Blue Mountain coffee and added: "You worked hard today—how about a little pick-me-up?"
Hori froze for a second, took the coffee, her expression unreadable: "...Thank you."
"I have a gift for you. Not for Sota—this one's just for you." From the horse (Silver Bullet) residing within his body, Diego took out a ring.
Silver Bullet originally had no storage ability. After accidentally swallowing an Ugly Treasure one day, not only could it reside in Diego's body—it also gained the Ugly Treasure's storage power.
"This is said to be one of only seven Cosmic Stones in the world. I happened to have an especially large one and broke it down. As long as you call on it, I'll definitely appear before you."
Then Diego slipped the ring onto Hori's right middle finger.
"Eh... eh... for me...?!" Hori double-checked, her eyes darting between Diego and the ring in panic.
"You don't want it?"
"...I do... Thank you."
"I'm going to change clothes." Hori said, then returned to her bedroom and locked the door.
The next second, her face flushed crimson. She slid slowly down the door until she was sitting collapsed on the floor.
"Dio... after drinking this coffee... seriously... I only want Dio to see me like this..."
Hori took a few sips of coffee. A faint smile played at the corners of her mouth as she gently stroked the ring on her right hand.
"So bitter... Guess juice really does taste better."