Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 51

It had happened out of nowhere and on that day itself they would have dismissed it as coincidence. Even if it was not something they would write off as such at first glance. It was only one fleeting meeting after all, none of their interest whatsoever. They would forget about it if it had not been for the upcoming events... The ones which would change everything.

It had started on that day where Luka had been talking to Akechi, the topic being about the usual. It was a little tiring, always having to discuss the same thing over and over. But work was work and Luka had agreed to this. Even though it was evident that he would rather be doing anything else, talk about anything else. Especially in this heat, making it difficult to focus. Besides this there was also that figure who had been talking to him once. One would shove it away as a dream but it felt a little too real. This location he had been in felt as if it had been there, as if he had visited that place. Not to mention that it had an odd sense of familiarity when entering... He wanted to mention it but couldn't. It would plague his mind, even once his time resting was over. Even–

"Luka?" Akechi's voice would however force the guy to stop having his head in the clouds like that, even if it was keeping him busy on its own. There was a time and place. And when back to reality he could see the detective's expression, a little annoyed yet not in a way one would... Usually expect? There seemed to be an undertone of him... Paying attention to what Luka was doing? Or trying to figure it out at least, as if caring about it. Or Luka just wanted to look at it that way. "If you still need time to rest, you're free to go home."

"Huh? N... No! No no no! I'm fine!" A quick counter, though it did not sound believable. It wasn't that he wasn't feeling well, it was just...

"And yet you look as if you can barely focus."

"Ah– That's 'cuz... I couldn't write much, being busy resting and that stuff. I've probably drifted off to new ideas to focus on!" Though that was damage control, mainly because he couldn't say it. If he told Akechi any of the events during the past few days, especially about Pipistrello... No one's going to believe that, not even him. So it was pretty much a secret.

Luka heard a frustrated sigh coming out of the other male's mouth. "So you can barely focus after all..."

"H... Hey! It ain't related to not feeling well! I'm gonna help, no—"

"Oh my, what a surprise to meet you here, Akechi–San~" A third voice would interrupt the flow of the conversations, making both of the guys turn their heads to the side for a moment. And when turning there the sight one would be met with was the following...

A young woman of slim body build, average height. Long, brown, wavy hair reaching down to half of her back. The golden eyes taking turns, looking at either Akechi or Luka, as if observing the two, trying to look right through them. Her clothing of choice was a long, white dress with long sleeves yet exposing her shoulders all the same. In her hands was a large. white sun hat with a yellow ribbon wrapped around it. An appearance bright, all with a smile gracing her face. It was something which could make anyone swoon and for a second Luka had nearly been doing that. She just looked so... Soft? Could anyone look like that?

Not just that but she had drawn attention to herself, some of the other guests inside the café mumbling when looking at her. "Oh, it's her. What a lucky day~" One said.

"It's not often the public gets a glimpse of her close up."

"Does she have to talk with this Akechi guy again?"

Needless to say, the whispering had Luka curious, his gaze thus wandering to the Detective Prince quickly. This one seemed to... Keep his composure? He had the same polite smile on his face yet it felt a little more forced if anything, as if he was trying so hard to not grimace right then and there. It was odd to look at, a sight Luka was not used to in the slightest. And yet, Akechi decided to pull through in the end, even forcing the words out of his mouth. "Greetings Ishikawa–San. Did you need something?"

The young woman chuckled, amused. Yet once she had opened her mouth that way it sounded... Odd. A sudden shiver went down Luka's spine, as much as he didn't want to admit it at first. Yet when processing it he could feel the goosebumps. Why? She hadn't done anything yet. This was weird. Maybe it was her piercing, golden stare? "Do you always have to assume that?" She continued, that smile still plastered onto her face. "Can't I greet an acquaintance once in a while?"

"No one said that you couldn't but it is not common for you to approach someone without voicing any needs."

"How cruel. Does the Detective Prince hate me that much?"

"Hate is a strong word, wouldn't you say?"

"Your words wound me deeply." She said with a chuckle before her gaze turned back to Luka. This one had just been listening in, not wanting to interrupt. Yet also because the air around the duo felt a little... Unsettling if not suffocating. He was a little tense, not sure if he should even get a word in to begin with. This was a little... Well... It was hard to put into words but something felt a little off about this conversation.

But it seemed that he was not an outsider for long, given the woman smiled sweetly at Luka himself and asked: "May I ask who this is? A friend of Akechi–San's?"

"Eh!? Me!? W... Well, I—" He wanted to explain yet got interrupted by the detective in question.

"We happen to work together on a few cases. He is assisting me."

"Oh? An assistant? You?" The female brunette had been taken aback for a moment, her eyes showing the moment of surprise. "This is a first."

"I'm only teaching him a few things. I also find his perspectives for cases valuable. There is nothing more to it."

"Huh... Talk about some high praise. He must be a special case then." She nodded. "May I have your name?"

"This i—"

"Akechi–San, I was asking him. I'm sure he can speak for himself."

"Hah, of course. My apologies." And yet was this even an apology? No, not with that bitter undertone. Talk about getting involved in a mess... Was there an option to run? No, not really. So no need to try...

"Ah– S... Sure. Just... Call me Luka." A quick response yet he knew that he was only getting more and more tense. Even more so when the young woman had taken a step closer to eye him, scanning him from head to toe. Or so it felt like and he didn't know why she was doing it.

Her chuckle did not put him at ease either. Especially if she was that close to begin with. "Luka–San... Alright, I will keep it in mind~" She responded. "It should be relatively easy, given that you look pretty cute."

"Er... Thanks?"

To make matters worse he swore that he heard a short grumble from Akechi's direction and when gazing one could see a grimace he had been holding back to make, one of disapproval. Not to mention that his eyes had been surprisingly blank all of a sudden. It was almost unsettling to look at.

"Oh I mean it." Luka heard the woman continue speaking as he turned his gaze back to her, being met with this empty smile. "But where are my own manners? I'm Ishikawa Miyuki. Pleased to meet you. Let's have some fun together, shall we? "