We'll get some downtime in this chapter, a little spoiler for the next arc, and delve into the connections these heroes have with other characters in the story.

Team Kujo saw most of the racers had decided to rest for the night, and decided to do the same. Sadao, Sunset, James, and Radames each took out the steel ball they had collected. "Better not go flashing those in front of everyone," Rudy said, "No one said they couldn't be taken from us." "He's got a point," Sadao said, "Besides, we should be getting some rest. We've finished more than half the Steel Ball Run, and there's still a ways to go." "If I might ask," Radames said, "Why did you agree to partake in this run?"

Sadao shifted as he sat and sighed. "I'm hoping my son, Jotaro, might be watching. And I hope it helps us get a closer connection. I've tried to be there for him as a father, especially since my own father died at the end of World War II, but with me on tour all the time I can barely be there for holidays, birthdays, and other important events." "Your father was a soldier?," Rudy asked. Sadao shook his head. "Salaryman. But he was in Nagasaki when the big bomb hit."

Ryusei, Sanji, and Sunset nodded. None of them lost family in either of the two nuclear incidents, but they were still Japanese and could sympathize with Sadao. "The Kujos are an old samurai lineage," Sadao said, "To survive in modern times we've taken up more domesticated occupations. War is changing to the point that honor in battle is counting for less, so rather than die out due to poverty, we've chosen to adapt. My method of doing so was music. Thanks to that, I met my wife in America, and was able to provide her with a comfortable life."

He sighed. "But despite all I've tried to do for Jotaro, he's recently fallen into delinquency. He'll beat up anyone that tries to harass him. More than once he's forced an unruly teacher to quit using less than reputable means. And whenever he's served bad food at a restaurant, he'll refuse to pay the bill. He's still a good kid deep down, but his attitude has hardened over time. Maybe if he sees me trying performing in this competition, he'll think a little better of me."

Sadao chuckled. "Oddly enough his bad boy attitude and appearance gets him a lot of attention from girls, even if they're older than him. But he only has eyes for this one girl named Himari Utsukushicho." Sunset gasped. "My cousin Fluttershy!? Your son is the guy she's dating!?" The group looked at her, causing her to turn red. "Yeah, my father is Himari's uncle. The two of us grew up like sisters. Recently she's been talking about this awesome guy she started dating. She'd go on for hours about it. Honestly, I was just impressed that someone as naturally shy as her would be able to find her special someone."

"That reminds me," Sanji said, "Forgive me if this seems personal, but..." "Me and Ryusei have been dating for a few years now," Sunset cut him off, stealing his thunder. "At least she was honest," he noted. "We've been going to the same school ever since elementary school," Ryusei said, "We grew close over time." "Most of our prize money is going towards our future together," Sunset said with a smile, "Our parents have already agreed to a wedding, which we're planning for just after college. The rest is going into college."

"Sounds like you have your future all figured out," James said, "I guess I might as well mention my own past. I grew up in Georgia with my father, Smokey. It's not a complicated background, pretty typical actually. My dad's been a long running mayor in our hometown for several terms. In fact, he's the first recorded black mayor in the history of our town, which is all the more impressive considering the southern parts of America weren't very accommodating to black folk back in the 1930s, when my dad was just a kid. But he got inspired to turn his life around from just another street thief when he ran into a British man who would become a lifelong friend of his, Joseph Joestar."

"That's my father-in-law," Sadao realized, "I had no idea there was such a connection." James nodded. "Yeah, I've met Mister Joestar several times growing up. He likes to keep up with his friends. While Dad did always hate that Mister Joestar has a habit of running when pushed into a corner, he still sees him as a man to look up to." Sadao smiled. "It took a while for me to get Joseph to accept me as a son-in-law. He didn't like that Holly wanted to move in with me in Japan. I honestly would've been fine just moving to America, but she wanted a quieter life."

"You two are not the only ones who know Joseph Joestar," Radames said, "He is also friends with my older brother Muhammad Avdol. As I said when we first met, my family are all merchants. As part of that, my brother runs a fortune teller shop in the souk Khan Khalil. Like me he is a natural Stand user, but his Stand has a much different power. Whereas my Sun Goes Up is more physical, his Stand, which is called Magician's Red, goes more for the mystical."

"Any special reason you two are in this race?," Antoinette asked. "I honestly just wanted the freedom of riding cross-country," James admitted, "With how busy my family can be, I might not get such a chance again." "For me it is a chance to get enough money to start my own merchant business," Radames said, "I inherited Father's knack for knowing what sells, so I plan to put that to use with his help and a little capital to get started. It is a simple goal, but one I take very seriously."

They looked at the moon starting to rise. "I guess we should get some shut-eye," Sanji said, "Come tomorrow we'll be entering South Dakota." "There are four more balls up for groups," Sadao noted, "And we still have that mystery Stand user to contend with. He's struck three times so far, first in two major cities where traffic is bound to be heavy, and then in a former demolition site. Whatever his power is, it'll be tricky to get around. So for now let's get some sleep, then hit the road first thing tomorrow."