Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 15

Each day became more irritating than the last. With every single day passing, Goro was not being left alone by them. Day in and out they were just approaching him, either as Anja or Luka. What most failed to realize that both were one and the same yet he had figured it out even before that ‘accidental meetup’. It was just putting two and two together really, nothing impressive by any means. Honestly, it was baffling that barely anyone managed to get behind this act. They weren’t even trying to hide it, were they? And if they were it wasn’t the best attempt. Then again… Not like it mattered to begin with. And under normal circumstances Goro would not bother but… Something seemed off about them to him. They were pushing it a little too hard, weren’t they? He was not referring to their act however, no. Rather them getting closer to him by any means necessary.

It was almost a daily endeavor and they did not even bother to wait for an answer at this point. No matter how they chose to present themself as. They were deciding to latch onto him, taking every opportunity they could get. Either they were an obsessive fan or there was something else going on… And he assumed the latter because they were way too composed for just a fan. Actually. during their first meeting they had shown no interest in him whatsoever. 

“Is that some guy you’ve got a crush on?” 

“Huh!? You still don’t know who this is!?” 

“Haha, please. There is no need for–”

“Anja, come on! Don’t tell me you live under a rock and didn’t hear about the Detective Prince!”

“The wha— Oh.”

Yeah, they didn’t even know who he was to begin with and there were not many signs of her caring anytime soon. He would usually just scoff at that had it not been days later where they had approached him in the same getup as the first time.

“Hey, you’re Akemi–Kun, right? Why are you looking at me— Ah, right! It’s Akechi–Kun! Whoops~ You probably don’t know who I am anymore. I’m not surprised. The name’s Anja. Just call me Anja for now, ok? Anyways—”

That had been their introduction. All of a sudden they started to care. Wouldn’t it put just about anyone off? He had to figure out more about them as a result and thus had observed them from time to time as well as their mannerisms, even if some situations were a little bit closer than he would have liked. But that had no meaning behind it other than figuring things out about them… There was nothing else going on. There was something they wanted from him. For now he had to tread carefully but… Their tactics were working. He couldn’t afford slipping up. And yet he had always been so close to letting his facade slip a few times, solely because they were driving him insane with all the teasing. 

Most would look past it. However, to him it was the equivalent of a provocation. What on earth were they thinking? Yeah, there is no way this is just ‘teasing’ behavior. There is way more going on than this. They wanted something from him but he couldn’t figure out what. What is their reason for a sudden approach like this? Well… Until it clicked with him. And it was only a conversation by chance.

“I have seen you around with his daughter lately. What’s up with that?” The Prosecutor Nijima had asked Goro one day. It had not been the fastest of work days so there was some time to spare for at least a bit of idle chit chatter. Though said ‘chit chatter’ was anything but unimportant from both ends… But it proved to be more beneficial to him than to her perhaps. 

“Daughter? What do you mean?” He asked Nijima, at that time truly having been clueless. He wasn’t sure what she was heading at, let alone who  this ‘daughter’ is. Yet he would get his answer soon enough of course.

“Oh, she isn’t a suspect?”

“Please, be more specific. You could refer to anyone, don’t you think?”

“Right… I should have been more specific. I’m talking about Wolf’s daughter… I think Anja was her name?”

It then hit Goro quickly, from one moment to the next. The last name… The daughter of that Wolf guy… Karl, was it? He had not been unknown. In fact shortly before his conviction he was a respected man despite having been from overseas. He made himself a name within the ranks of politics. Only few could see that his words were meaningless in the end yet he had everyone wrapped around his finger… Or almost everyone. However, due to unforeseen circumstances he had been convicted. It is said that his family had cut all ties with him, his wife even divorcing him. Though if you have your sources you know that it is nothing but a fabrication. Even after his passing Karl made sure to spread one last thing, to ensure that his family would be staying out of the crossfire. Apparently fathers like these do exist, don’t they? So even after he will be gone they could live… He cared… Yeah, this man did.  And even then most would know that his wife and daughter were still pleading for his innocence. Though what’s done is done and cannot be changed anymore. And yet, both seem to be unaware. Or at least the daughter is, possibly… What does that have to do with anything though? Well, a lot. If Anja was seeking answers or was trying to hopelessly save her father then— 

“Oh, her.” Goro still said with a smile however, playing it off as if nothing was going on. “We have become acquaintanced, yes. But I assure you, she is no suspect of some kind. I don’t think she would have any affiliation with the Phantom Thieves.”

“Oh, really?” Was it really that surprising? He knew for a fact that they were not involved. Then again, Nijima had no idea herself as of yet… “I thought that there was something going on. Given that her father–”

“I’m sure she has moved on by now. There is nothing to worry nor be wary about. She’s no one dangerous, I assure you.” Well, so was his claim but it all made sense all of a sudden… 

They want answers, hence why the sudden interest… Right? They never wanted to be friends with him. If they are the daughter who is adamant and vocal about her father’s innocence then it would only make sense to try building up connections on her own.

Tch, what a nuisance. She could be a foil to his plans. No, they were in their own way. If they keep sticking around him like that… He could care less about their involvement otherwise. So, to shut them up… He should just give them what they want. Yeah, then they will leave him alone… Won’t they?