Chapter 34: Polnareff Is Indeed a Good Guy!
While Jonas was testing the limits of his new Stand form, Polnareff and Sherry had managed to apply some basic first aid to Amelie.
Seeing Jonas approach, Polnareff immediately rushed forward, grabbing Jonas's hand with both of his, his grip firm and enthusiastic. "Monsieur Jonas! Thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! If it weren't for you, my sister... she would have..."
Jonas waved him off. "Don't mention it. And just Jonas is fine. Taking out trash like him was just... pest control. I would have done it whether your sister was here or not."
"Regardless! You saved her life, Jonas! I will never forget this debt!" Polnareff declared, his face radiating sincerity.
Sherry, her face still flushed, listened intently to their conversation, secretly hoping Jonas might stay a little longer.
Jonas smiled. "Actually... I haven't eaten all day. If you really want to repay me, a large meal would be a good start."
Hearing this, Polnareff's serious expression instantly brightened. "Mais oui! Of course! The market should still be open! I'll go buy the finest ingredients right away!"
Truthfully, Polnareff wanted to treat Jonas to a fancy restaurant, but his wallet was painfully thin. A home-cooked meal would have to suffice.
Sherry beamed, overjoyed that Jonas was staying for dinner. Her eyes met his, and for a brief, electric moment, their gazes locked. She quickly looked away, flustered.
Later, after taking Amelie to the hospital and notifying her parents and the police, Polnareff returned. Jonas, wanting to avoid lengthy explanations to the authorities, had already used [Oni] to discreetly dispose of J. Geil's body and erase any signs of the battle—a task made easier by the cleansing rain. The official police report would likely conclude it was a random attack by a drug addict who had subsequently fled the scene. With no body and a non-fatal injury to the victim, the investigation wouldn't be a high priority. Jonas had slipped through the cracks.
It was late into the night when Jonas finally sat down to his first proper meal of the day. Polnareff had prepared a veritable feast, including burgers and fries alongside French cuisine, just in case Jonas wasn't accustomed to the local food. All the main dishes were placed within Jonas's easy reach, while Polnareff and Sherry contented themselves with soup and vegetables, save for the reheated beef dish in front of Sherry. Jonas, ravenous after the day's ordeals, devoured the food with gusto.
After the meal, Sherry insisted on clearing the table. Jonas took the opportunity to look around the cozy house, chatting easily with Polnareff. The shared meal had broken the ice between them.
"So, Jonas," Polnareff began, pouring him a cup of tea. "What was your beef with that bastard, anyway?"
Jonas shrugged. "Killing him was... an impulse. I have no tolerance for scum like that."
"But your reason for coming to France... it wasn't just tourism, was it?" Polnareff asked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"I came looking for someone," Jonas replied, taking out the sketch of Diavolo and handing it to him.
"And this is?"
"He did something... unforgivable," Jonas said, his voice dropping, taking on a chilling edge. "I must find him. And when I do... I will make him wish he had never been born."
The sudden shift in Jonas's tone piqued Polnareff's curiosity. What could this Diavolo possibly have done to provoke such intense hatred?
"Can you... tell me what happened?" Polnareff asked, leaning forward.
Jonas looked him straight in the eye. "He killed me."
He said it as casually as if he were remarking on the weather.
Polnareff froze. Even Sherry, eavesdropping from the kitchen, stopped washing the dishes.
"Quoi?! He... killed you?" Polnareff stammered, staring at Jonas as if he'd grown a second head. "But... but you're alive! You just ate enough food for three men! Dead men don't usually have such hearty appetites!"
"It's thanks to my Stand ability," Jonas explained.
"Ah! So that's it!" Polnareff exclaimed, remembering the battle. He'd seen Jonas fall, seemingly dead, only to rise again. He had suspected Jonas's power involved healing or regeneration... but this?
Jonas leaned closer. "My Stand, [Invisible Black Monster], grants me the power of immortality. No matter how I die, no matter how fatal the attack... I will always resurrect."
Normally, revealing one's Stand ability was unthinkable. Stand battles were battles of information. Knowing your opponent's power was half the victory. Jonas cursed himself for not having binge-watched the entirety of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in his past life. If he had, he wouldn't be fumbling in the dark, desperately analyzing every new enemy Stand. He could just... crush them.
But while his knowledge was limited, he did recognize Polnareff. He remembered him as one of the main protagonists. A member of the Joestar group. A hero. A man of justice.
And Jonas had to admit, hunting Enya and Diavolo alone was proving difficult. The world was vast. Finding two specific individuals, even within a single country, was a monumental task. He needed allies. And Polnareff had just appeared, as if guided by fate. Besides, Hol Horse had already witnessed his resurrection. The secret was partially out anyway.
"IMMORTALITY?!" Polnareff leaped to his feet, knocking his chair over. He'd known Jonas's Stand was powerful, but this?! This was... invincibility!
Sherry poked her head out of the kitchen, giving her brother an exasperated look. Polnareff, realizing his outburst, sheepishly sat back down.
He leaned across the table again, his voice a hushed whisper. "But... why would you tell me such a powerful secret? Aren't you afraid I'll tell someone?"
Jonas met his gaze, his expression completely serious. "No. Because I can tell... you're a good guy."
"A... A good guy?! Moi?" Polnareff's face broke into a huge, beaming grin. "Well, yes! Of course! I, Jean Pierre Polnareff, am indeed a good guy! It's amazing you could tell just by looking!" He proudly jabbed a thumb at his own chest, puffing it out, his earlier seriousness completely forgotten.