"Uwaaah!"
Although Goto Hitori had vaguely felt there was something behind Shin just now, when "Blackbird's Requiem" fully manifested, she was still startled.
As a socially anxious person, Goto Hitori's courage naturally wasn't very great, especially in this situation of two people alone together when a figure suddenly appeared.
However, soon Goto Hitori also noticed that the black figure behind Shin—that is, "Blackbird's Requiem"—seemed to have no self-awareness.
It stood like a puppet, completely motionless behind Shin. As long as Shin didn't command it, it seemed it wouldn't move.
So after calming down, Goto Hitori touched her chest, calming her heartbeat while using a somewhat subtle expression to evaluate "Blackbird's Requiem":
"In terms of styling, it's... quite rock and roll."
This was the first time Shin heard someone evaluate his Stand like this—though usually there didn't seem to be many people evaluating his Stand.
He turned to look at "Blackbird's Requiem"—pitch-black body, feather cape, spiked collar, wearing a pitch-black cowboy hat on its head. Was this styling very rock and roll?
Shin actually didn't know much about rock, only knowing rock liked to emphasize being distinctive... If speaking from the distinctive aspect, this styling probably counted as rock?
Thinking of how the Kessoku Band members' definition of rock in the original work was also quite subtle, Shin stopped pursuing it further and just took it as Goto Hitori's unique way of praising.
"So, you should remember that after meeting you for the first time, I took an interest in you, right?"
Although Goto Hitori's evaluation of the Stand was somewhat strange, Shin still continued explaining to Goto Hitori.
"That was because you're the first person I discovered with extremely strong Stand aptitude."
The reason for saying "first" was naturally because later Shin also discovered other people with extremely strong Stand aptitude.
For instance, Yotsuya Miko was one of them. Her Stand's "Bestowal" ability had helped Shin quite a bit later, greatly increasing Shin's operational space for various abilities.
Therefore, although he'd nearly forgotten about helping Goto Hitori awaken her Stand later, Shin still had certain expectations for Goto Hitori's Stand ability.
If Goto Hitori's Stand could also help him to a certain extent like Yotsuya Miko's Stand, it wouldn't be in vain that he'd focused on Goto Hitori for so long initially.
"So... that's how it is? I was targeted by Shin-kun because of Stand aptitude?"
Goto Hitori's face showed an enlightened expression—she finally knew why after contacting Shin, she was always actively sought out by Shin.
Turns out it was because her Stand aptitude attracted Shin.
"I thought I was going to be silenced by Shin-kun, since I saw Shin-kun at the bar back then..."
As she spoke, Goto Hitori also scratched her head somewhat embarrassedly, showing an awkward smile—she had been afraid of Shin to no end back then.
Now after Shin explained it this way, recalling her initial thoughts, Goto Hitori couldn't help blushing.
"So, interested in trying? As long as I prick you with this, you can awaken a Stand like me."
Shin looked at Goto Hitori, smiling as he flipped his palm, and the golden "Arrow" appeared in his hand.
The moment the "Arrow" appeared, its arrowhead instantly pointed at Goto Hitori. Its speed was faster than when detecting Stand aptitude before, fully demonstrating how strong Goto Hitori's Stand aptitude was.
"Stands can do quite a lot, and every Stand has different abilities. Maybe your Stand happens to be an ability you need."
Seeing the "Arrow" in Shin's hand, Goto Hitori instinctively trembled—this awakening method sounded somewhat dangerous.
However, seeing Shin's very calm expression, Goto Hitori roughly guessed that awakening a Stand probably wasn't dangerous, otherwise he couldn't speak so lightly about it.
Of course Goto Hitori wasn't planning to refuse Shin. Forget about her actually being somewhat interested in Stands now—even if she wasn't interested, she'd agree for Shin's sake.
However, before agreeing, she still asked Shin curiously:
"By the way, Shin-kun... have the others also awakened Stands?"
Although she didn't express it very clearly, Shin still understood—the "others" Goto Hitori mentioned should refer to those who ate lunch together with them.
Kato Megumi, Eriri, Kita Ikuyo—Goto Hitori didn't know if they were like Shin, already awakened "Stands."
"They don't have them yet. You're the first... However, they also don't have Stand aptitude like yours."
Shin smiled and answered Goto Hitori's question.
The others didn't have obvious Stand aptitude. Shin also planned to later try getting some feathers from "Blackbird's Requiem" for them to carry and see if they could gradually gain Stand aptitude.
"Is that so? The others don't have Stands."
Goto Hitori's expression immediately brightened—for someone socially anxious like her, this expression was quite rare.
However, it wasn't strange she'd be this excited. The others didn't have Stands, so didn't that mean she was one step ahead of everyone else regarding "Stand users"?
"Then... I want to awaken a Stand! Please help me awaken a Stand!"
Shin looked at Goto Hitori seeming to suddenly become serious and was somewhat puzzled—he naturally didn't know Goto Hitori's little calculations.
However, since Goto Hitori actively requested it, of course Shin wouldn't refuse.
Whoosh!
Shin flicked his finger, and the golden arrowhead instantly shot out, directly grazing past Goto Hitori's neck.
The "Arrow" left a wound on Goto Hitori's neck, making Goto Hitori involuntarily gasp and nearly squeeze out tears.
After all, Goto Hitori usually always stayed alone in quiet corners, so she'd never been injured much. Her tolerance for pain would naturally be somewhat poor.
Using the "Gate of Babylon's" retrieval ability to recover the shot "Arrow" before it hit the wall, Shin looked at Goto Hitori's neck.
The cut wound had already healed. Goto Hitori's "Stand" had undoubtedly awakened.
"It seems everything went smoothly."
Shin said with a smile, guiding Goto Hitori patiently.
"Alright, Goto, try it. You should be able to feel an additional power in your body... try to call it out."
To be continued…