Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 49

Their eyes shut open. It took a little bit until they were able to have a clear view. Though said view was that of a... Ceiling? That was confusing. Didn't they pass out in public, right on the ground? They were pretty sure that they did. So why were they inside a room?

The senses had started to slowly come back to them. They felt a soft cushion beneath their head and a mattress pressed against their entire back. They were lying there for a few moments, waiting for their body to lose its numbness. Only slowly did their body return to its feeling. First they felt their fingers moving, then the body adjusting and lastly their legs would move again, even if it was just moving from side to side, as if waving them around. They had to get a feel for them again before lifting themself up to see where they were. And once they took the sight in they... Were honestly confused, though for a moment also terrified.

It was a room, a small one yet looking like anything but shabby. The sun shone right in there, starting to... Set? How long has it been? Anyways, it was a little bit of a mess yet compared to their own room this would still be tidy. At most some papers were all around yet not much else. Though there was not that much inside the room either outside a shelf with books with a desk right next to it, a bed (of course, they were lying in it right now) and a closet. Outside said closet there was a jacket hanging out there, a gray one with a pair of black gloves hanging right next– Wait, this room... Was this by any chance... Akechi's room? Wait... How did they even get here? Ugh, their head still hurt a bit yet they managed to keep themself together.

After a bit they shoved the blanket aside, sitting first before getting up. How did they get here? This was very odd... First they were in this weird place and now they were in Akechi's room? What is up with today?

But they didn't want to just sit here and wait. So they got up and walked to the door, opening it and peeking outside. And the more minutes passed the more it kicked in... This was Akechi's place, right? So they were at... His place? They were at his place. His place... His–

When they finally realized it they noticed their body trembling again, yet for another reason. They grew nervous pretty quickly. They were at his home, had been in his room and had slept in his bed... What was with this day!? This was too much to handle!

No no no! Calm down! Just calm down a–

"You can come out Anja." They heard a voice getting them out of their trance and when looking over there he was. Akechi had been right in their view and seemed to have been headed to the door of his room? Uh... Embarrassing. Yet they nodded slowly, opening the door.

Only a few minutes later the two sat inside the living room. It was the average living room, though small – A coffee table, two couches, a television, yet another shelf... Basic stuff. Not to mention a small kitchen in the corner and a diner table nearby. Not much else to say.

Both were sitting across one another to face each other... Which meant that the guy was in their full view and while he looked a little calm there was a hint of seriousness in his expression. "How are you feeling?"

"Uhm... I'm fine." They responded, though shifting around a little. This was awkward. They didn't even face him, they couldn't.

"That's good at least." They heard Akechi sigh, their gaze moving a little to look at him again. They saw him sitting there with his arms crossed, mild annoyance in his expression. "Although, you have given me a near panic attack."

Hearing this had been more embarrassing... Them lifting their head down. "I... I... I'm sorry for causing you trouble!"

"It can't be helped now. I'm just glad that you're... Feeling better." For a moment they heard him pause, as if he wanted to say something different. It made them lift up their head, only to see his head turned away all of a sudden, as if trying to hide something. At least for a split second, he turned back to face them soon enough. "Although, you could have just stayed home if you weren't feeling well."

"Ah– I... Er... Just... Well..."

"Just?"

"I didn't want to lose my 'never misses a day' streak!" They responded, trying to keep up with their usual upbeat attitude. Yet this was only met with a rather unamused grimace, making them sit back down, still looking embarrassed.

"Are you even aware how that can hold us back?" He scolded, voice stricter sounding than before.

"Ah... S... Sorry."

"Not to mention your own health. You're impossible sometimes."

"Sorry."

"Keep it in mind for next time."

And then a moment of silence, making things awkward. At least for a bit. Because the longer they thought about it and when they looked around... Actually... There was no sign of anyone else living here. No pictures at least nor anything suggesting another person being around. Maybe they kept it private? So they decided to ask: "Were your parents even alright bringing me over here?"

Though it was a question they soon regretted, the moment they saw Akechi becoming tense for a moment, him gripping his trousers. Not just that but him growing pale, an expression in his face which suggested terror. It was very short lived yet left a shiver down their spine. All the bottled up pain of his, bursting out in one go and flooding the entire room. And yet he was holding back everything he could at this very moment. Just what was he reliving in his brain? He didn't even manage to bring out a single word.

They acted without thinking it over, not needing the details. They brought up something unpleasant, that was all they had to know. So they got up in one go. "Sorry! Forget I asked that!" They quickly said. "I'll get going now! Sorry to have been a bother!" They then dashed towards the door in an instant, still walking of course.

"Will you be fine on your own?" They heard Akechi ask, though with a hesitation in his voice which was unusual to hear. He was trying to keep his composure here, wasn't he? He tried to hide it yet just barely managed if at all. And yet he ignored the question from earlier as well, skipping right to their mention of going.

"Y... Yes! I'll manage! I think..."

"That's not very reassuring."

"I just need to find the train station, right? Besides, wouldn't it cause rumors if someone spotted you walking out of your home with some person presenting like a girl?"

"And you walking out like that wouldn't be any more suspicious?"

"Ah– W... Well... Wait, if that worries you, why bring me over to begin with?"

A moment of silence, as if he had to think about this response. There was no coming back right away, no response. But he managed to give one in the end. "And leave you alone on the ground? What do you take me for? As for why my home, I had some work to finish. And since I am allowed to do so from my own comfort, I did just that while you slept."

That... Sounded reasonable enough. "I see..."

"You're not going to collapse on the road again, are you?"

"No, it's fine now. I'll manage. Don't worry about me."

"Very well... But I suggest that you rest for a few days, just in case."

"Yeah... Will do." They then were so close to open the door, saying bye yet then remembered something... Something they forgot. "Oh, and be also..." A deep breath and they added what was long overdue. "Thanks for taking care of me for a bit, Akechi–Kun."