Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 11

“So Anja… Care to explain what is going on between you and Akechi–Kun lately?”

Hearing that question nearly made Anja choke on her own drink or spit it out. One of those two. If she had choked on it at that moment maybe that would have been really generous. Because then she wouldn’t even have this conversation in the first place! But it would have caused an inconvenience for her own mission at hand… 

“What are you talking about?” She decided to ask however, sounding as skeptical as always if not even dismissive. She had to or else it would all come out the wrong way. Or she would give anyone even more of a wrong idea. Then again, she probably had gotten herself into some shit when looking at the other female closely.

“What do you mean by that? You know exactly what is going on so you may as well spill the beans!” She continued, as if audibly upset? No, jealous would describe it better. Yeah, jealous. The other female was jealous. “Don’t think that no one has noticed you getting all chummy with him lately! Is there something we missed!?”

Actually, rumors should have been expected. After all, get yourself involved with someone who is sort of famous in the public eye and some people would be up your ass about it. However, they only bat an eye when it was ‘Anja’. Whenever hanging out as ‘Luka’ no one seemed to really care… How curious… Then again apparently it looked different when ‘two guys’ hang out but when it’s ‘a guy and a girl’ everyone just turns their heads and whispers all sorts of things. That matter in itself could be an eye rolling one. And it was annoying. 

“No, nothing at all.” She responded while letting out a sigh. “Can’t I just be friends with someone?”

“With someone!? Do you know who you’re talking about!?” This again… Here we go… “This is Akechi–Kun! Do you know how lucky you are!?”

‘Lucky? You sure about that?’ Is what she would say but… “He’s still someone, isn’t he?”

“He’s not just a someone!”

“I really don’t get what you’re getting so worked up over.” Anja shook her head. “I know him, big deal.”

“Know him… You’re always clinging on to him in some way!”

Oh right… She was doing that. Just grab him by the arm and drag him off or something like that. But there was no meaning behind it whatsoever, she just wanted to mess with him, get him out of his shell… May as well provoke him while at it. But he had pretty good self control over himself. Even when it was just the two of them in a public space he was not showing any cracks. Though she had spotted him getting close a few times… But he just barely managed to dodge it and keep himself together.

Honestly, him acting like some ‘polite goody two shoes’ was getting sickening. Being a flawless individual… You didn’t have to be a genius to figure out that this was nothing but an act. Anyone could tell you that much. But the general public keeps being amazed and fascinated… Did they seriously fall for that!? She didn’t have any details yet something was off with him. It was not her job to figure out what however, nor her mission. His ties were more important for her… Then again why is she slowly doubting that for herself? Hah, is Anja really losing focus now? Damn it… 

But, in any case, she responded like she usually would. “So what?”

“So what!?” The other female nearly yelled. “You’re just trying to show off at this point! No fair!”

“Show off?” Ok what was this about actually? No, really. What would she show off? Alright, she’s about to run her throat dry, may as well take a few sips and prepare herself… 

“Just say it to my face… You’re dating Akechi–Kun, aren’t you?” And there it was, the question which made Anja suddenly turn her head to the side before she could spit out the drink in her mouth. Once she did she coughed a few times before turning back in utter shock. Was it just her or had it been getting warmer all of a sudden?

“Wait what!? Dating!? That guy!? No!” She responded, though her tone had become more defensive from one moment to the next and the pitch in her voice increased a little bit. Dating? Dating!? What—!?

“Huh… The face of someone guilty. Lucky you.”

“Didn’t you listen to what I just said!? No! No no no! No!” Never! Never never never! She wasn’t even interested!

“Please, don’t lie. You got the catch and leave us all empty handed now. You can try sharing a little bit…”

“Do you just want to hear what you want to hear!? I said no! We’re not dating!” They really aren’t! 

“Oh yeah? Then why do you two hang out so much? Talking to each other at the train station, going out for lunch and dinner, going to public spaces like that darts and pool place.” 

“That’s no indication of dating someone!” Anja protested, noticing her voice becoming even louder. Having someone point it out was just… Why was it so embarrassing!? And why is it getting warmer!? The sun isn’t even shining that much, is it!? 

“Are you really sure?”

“Yes, it isn’t! You’re getting the wrong idea! I’m not interested in Akechi–Kun nor anyone really!”

“Kun?” Suddenly that had gotten the other one even more interested, leaning towards Anja and eyeing her with a curious glare. “Don’t you usually refer to people by ‘San’? Suspicious…”

“Th… That… Er…” She’s stuttering…. Ah crap! No comeback for that! Now it’s o– Wait a minute she doesn’t even have to justify this! “None of your business…”

“None of your business you say… But—”

“Ah yeesh! Stop interrogating me with something stupid! We’re not dating, there’s nothing going on and I’m not interested! We just happen to know each other!” 

With that she chucked up the rest of her drink inside the can and then threw it to the side somewhere. Not even expecting an answer she walked off, not even wanting to deal with this! This is stupid! Why are people assuming nonsense like this!

They’re not dating and never will be dating! Why don’t people get it into their thick skulls!? She’s not even interested!

This is so stupid! This is all just part of something else! There’s nothing going on! Nothing! Y… Yeah… Nothing…It’s not what it looks like.