Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 13

The forum was as lively as ever when they had visited it yet again. It was late but it was a little difficult to sleep these days. Several thoughts kept them up at night after all and if it wasn’t for the soda from the vending machine they would just fall asleep during the day and miss out on everything. But maybe it was also what had kept them awake at night – The fear of missing anything crucial. The fear of not spotting something they should have. The fear of missing anything really. But what would they keep an eye on anyways?

The Phansite and thus the Phantom Thieves as a whole. Article after article, trying to find something, anything. But why? They had nothing to do with the Phantom Thieves. There was no need for them to investigate in any way. And yet that was what they were doing at the end of the day and it was giving them a headache. Well, not just the Phantom Thieves but also staying up for so long maybe. Yet again they were at the brink of falling asleep in front of the computer. But if they did, their mother would scold them again for falling asleep not on their bed. So they had to stay awake, check the updates. It could happen at any minute.

Hah, they felt childish here. Seriously, what were they even doing? They had said it themself before. “ Maybe it’s just a load of crap altogether. If it was just that easy to change a person by stealing their ‘heart’... ” Those were their true thoughts. No matter the face they presented, their thoughts would never change. And they had said the truth, their truth at least. It was just too surreal, too good to be true. Way too good to be true. Because if that was the case then everything would be so much easier. Let’s be realistic here for a second. If someone could be this easily swayed then so many problems could be very easily solved. 

Like the conviction of their father. They had never seen the proof, not even their mother did. So just make whoever pinned the crime on him change their heart and free him, easy. They would just have to find out the name, the person who did something like that for whatever reason and thus paint a target on their back. Then they might deal with it… Might. 

And yet it was just some fairytale in the end, wasn’t it? The evil being punished for their crimes when asking for it… Well, it wasn’t a ‘fairytale’ per se but… Point being, it was too good to be true. “ You sure it’s not some conspiracy going on? You aren’t actually buying that crap, are you? ”

That is something they should tell themself right now. They’re not actually believing this bullshit, are they? It can’t be… It just can’t be true. It’s way too good to be true! They cannot give in and believe this now of all times! No, this has to be some weird conspiracy. Maybe the work of… Uhm… Would a cult go this far? No, but someone else maybe. A hacker group? Blackmailing their targets and forcing them to confess? Given that the targets were only bigshots! 

If only… Apparently these Phantom Thieves also tackled smaller tasks. At first they just shrugged it off as people being desperate, in need of something and praying that these ‘mysterious heroes’ will swoop in and save the day. But as if they would listen to someone who had only comitted petty to small crimes. All insignificant ones in the grand scheme of things, aren’t they? There were not many expectations… At first.

However, when going through the forum they could read the comments…

‘ Woha. The cat thief has come forward and turned herself in. You think the Phantom Thieves were behind it? ’

‘ Ah, Hikaru’s treating me nicer these days. She really has changed… Thank you Phantom Thieves! ’

‘ Our boss has improved his mood lately. He’s way nicer than before. He even apologized the other day. ’

‘ The old man stopped being so annoying and drunk! I feel safer walking around Kichijoji again! Thanks! ’

This group was bothering with smaller requests, weren’t they? And if they were just interested in causing a ruckus… Then maybe…

Ah no, childish thoughts. “ Changing people’s hearts? As if it was that easy. ” That was a fact. Maybe it was just a set up! Cause some buzz to make it look more believable! Yeah, that was probably it! That was all! To get someone desperate to believe it all… If you want change or answers, you need to do it yourself after all. No matter what it takes… In the end you can only rely on yourself.

“Ugh… Maybe I’m just too tired. I should just call in sick tomorrow and catch up on some sleep.”

It’s all a ruse anyway… Isn’t it?