Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 58

They didn't want to bring it up, given the encounter they saw. And yet Akechi–Kun was the first source coming to mind for them. Though they had taken note of his body language at the time they were not sure who else to turn to. Ishikawa herself may not say a word and who knows what she could do. Asking about the palace directly? Not an option, how were they supposed to even explain that? Maybe he wouldn't even know what they were talking about! No, they had to ask in another way. At least when asking about Miyuki they could claim it to be nothing more than curiosity. And that was what they actually did once speaking up about her.

They had asked Akechi directly once the two had seated themselves at a spot where it was way cooler than before, one where it would be easier to focus. And yet, once they had uttered the name they found Akechi staring at them in slight disbelief.

"Ishikawa–San..." He repeated when facing them, his eyes wide for a short moment. When looking at them they noticed his face having gone somewhat pale as well, as if they had just touched a nerve they shouldn't have. And yet he tried to play it off as if it was nothing, absolutely nothing. "She is... Well, an interesting person."

They could see how he had to restrain himself however. His arms were most likely on his thighs, being held in place. And yet they saw his arms move for a short moment, trying to not make any hasty movements. He was trying to come off as calm and composed as he always did... He was doing a terrible job at it. Though they knew that if they asked he would just try to deny it at any given moment. So they had to ignore it at first and instead said: "In what way?"

His gaze shifted around, first going from left to right, as if watching out for something. Though it then met theirs again and he continued talking. "She has her own public image to uphold." He said, his voice a little shaky despite the calmness it tried to ooze. "Her family has put pressure on her since she was a kid."

"So the common thing for her upbringing." They concluded and he nodded.

"I... Can understand her troubles in that regard. She... Barely has time to unwind..." Yet each word Akechi let out was one stuttery mess after the other. And they had to listen to it.

Actually, not for long, because one could see his expression changing. The hint of distaste in his voice, the expression becoming less and less calm. In fact the light in his eyes may as well turn itself of. He was just barely keeping himself contained which... Only made sense, given that they had seen his reaction before. How he wished to run yet didn't in the end. This was almost no different. Apparently her name held that much weight, enough to trigger such a reaction.

Yeah, they should drop it. They knew better than that. This wasn't worth it, especially if Akechi felt uncomfortable. "You don't like her, do you?" They decided to just face it heads on, as it is. Or as they concluded at the very least.

They heard a quick gasp, his head lifting itself up again, gaze wide, as if they had caught him in some sort of act. And yet, even with that he decided to just lie through his teeth by putting on a smile. "Now, what would give you that idea?" He even said with a chuckle.

Though they only rolled their eyes at that. He could only fool them so many times. "Your smile looks even more forced than usual."

Akechi stared at them for a moment longer, his face about to become as pale as a piece of chalk. It took him a few seconds to even respond. His body was trembling, keeping something in, something he would rather not reveal it seemed. They could press him about it yet was that really the best decision they could make? No, it was an awful decision, to say the least. It would only backfire, wouldn't it? A few moments later made him decide to speak up again, pressing the usual smile onto his face. The same, ever so forced smile.

"Ahaha, I... Am just a little stressed." He said. An excuse, wasn't it? "That's all."

"Ah— Guess that makes sense. You're working tirelessly after all." They ended up agreeing yet knew that this wasn't it. This was not so. But what were they supposed to say? It made him uncomfortable, he didn't want to talk about it... About Miyuki. So all they could do was dismiss the idea completely. Because that was the last thing they wanted for Akechi.

And yet, maybe that was a hint... She did something to him, didn't she? There was a connection... Maybe if they snooped around they could figure something out... Anything... The question would be what?

Oh this was all nothing but a headache. Why couldn't this be simple? Then again, nothing in life was simple. And if it was it would also make boring material for a plot. So they had to keep at it and pray that it would work... Just pray that something works out...

However they will go at it.