Standstill Bonds

Chapter 5 ~ Reckless Compassion

The morning sun cast its golden glow over the streets as Josephine walked to school. Her route, slowly becoming familiar, was still an intricate maze of unfamiliar sights and indecipherable signs. She wondered if she'd ever get the hang of the Japanese language, that on its own felt like an impossible, head churning journey. Reliant on the guidance of her smartphone's mapping app, she navigated the streets until she'd feel she could remember on her own.

As she approached a bustling road crossing, her attention was suddenly drawn to a pitiful sight; a small, injured pigeon sat helplessly in the middle of the road. Cars sped past, heedless of the creature's plight, causing the injured bird to cower in fear.

Without a second thought, Josephine sprang into action, her instincts overriding any semblance of caution. She dashed into the road, her hands raised in a desperate attempt to halt the oncoming traffic before quickly lifting the pigeon into her hands.

In the flurry of the moment, a car raced around the corner, hurtling towards her with alarming speed. Her eyes widened in shock and fear, bracing for impact...

But in a bewildering instant, she found herself standing on the side of the road, the cacophony of traffic and screeching tires replaced by an eerie silence. Confusion clouded her senses as she scanned her surroundings, only to be met with the sight of Jotaro standing behind her, his gaze intense and unwavering.

"Kid are you crazy? What the hell are you doing being so careless?" his voice was stern, the question sharp and direct.

Josephine stared at him in utter shock, where did he come from and how did he move so fast?

Josephine's bewilderment was parked aside as her gaze fell to the wounded bird she cradled in her arms, its small body trembling from fear and pain. Jotaro's eyes followed hers down as he took in the wordless answer to his question.

With a sigh and shake of his head, Jotaro gestured for her to follow, his steps purposeful as they made their way to the school. The morning still young, he led her to the biology classroom, his intent clear as he rummaged through the back of the room for a first aid kit.

Silence enveloped them as he carefully tended to the injured bird, Josephine holding it gently, her heart heavy with empathy for the fragile creature. The steady movements of Jotaro's hands, his precision and care, spoke volumes about his experience and knowledge.

As he worked, a conversation began to unravel between them. "You shouldn't have risked yourself like that," he stated, his voice firm.

"You need to be cautious, not reckless." he continued.

As Jotaro worked, he cast a sidelong glance at Josephine, who had remained silent the entire time, a subtle hint of curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "Most people would have just left it," he remarked, his voice a mix of observation and inquiry. "Why didn't you?"

Josephine's gaze lingered on the fragile bird, its small form cradled in her hands. "I couldn't ignore it," she said softly, her tone carrying a blend of empathy and determination. "The poor thing needed help. I couldn't just stand by and watch it get run over."

Jotaro continued his ministrations, his focus unshifting. "It's admirable," he acknowledged, his voice tinged with a hint of reluctant admiration. "But sometimes, helping requires more than risking yourself. It's about finding the right way, the safe way."

His words resonated within Josephine, a pang of realization settling in her chest. Her eagerness to help, while well-intentioned, had been impulsive and risky. She had acted on instinct, not considering the consequences of her actions.

"I understand," she murmured, a note of contemplation in her voice. "I gotta try and be more careful."

Jotaro nodded in agreement, a subtle acknowledgment of her statement.

The minutes passed in a comfortable silence, the two of them enveloped in the task at hand. The wounded bird seemed to sense the care and attention it received, its trembling subsiding as Jotaro skilfully stabilized its wing.

Finally, Jotaro stepped back, his gaze fixed on the bird as it rested in Josephine's gentle hands. "It needs rest," he declared softly, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "But it should recover."

Josephine's eyes sparkled with gratitude and relief. "Thank you," she said earnestly, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. Together they placed the bird in a carrier and Jotaro tucked it away discreetly in a closet at the back of the room where it could receive food and water when needed.

Josephine thanked him one last time before heading to her first class of the day, Jotaro offered a nod in response, his usual stoic expression softened by a glimmer of satisfaction at the successful intervention.