Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 84

"So... Is this how the Phantom Thieves do it?" They had asked, one of the first things once back in this weird plane of existence, this rather weird room again. Once more they had to be careful to not be eaten alive by the invisible seating places yet one got used to it the more time they spent there. At least they did.

Why had they been here however? Simple, in their sleep they were called over by Pipistrello. Apparently it wanted to congratulate them on their first successful mission, the first treasure stolen, the first heart changed. And yet it didn't really feel like an accomplishment, if that made sense. It all just happened from one moment to the next, so quickly, making them hardly process the situation. Maybe it was also the moment of disbelief? That was a possibility for them but... Was that really it? Hah, maybe they had to just try to not think about it too hard. Then again, that Shadow's words were... Something else. And they still rang inside their head, whether they liked to admit to it or not.

"Pff... You're weird. But I guess that explains how you stick around Goro. Don't tell me you trust him."

Why point that out in particular? It's just... It was weird. And why was it that? Then again, maybe the Shadow wanted to cast some doubt. Yeah, that was the only explanation, throw them out of the loop. Best to just forget it. Not like they were given much time to think about it anyways...

"I promise that I have not lied on that front." Pipistrello responded to their initial question, if this was the 'Phantom Thief Way'. And it was as chipper as it always was. "How do you think people change their hearts? With the snap of a finger?"

"Well... No! But–" They wanted to respond. That was not what they were saying at all! Of course it didn't just happen! That would be too convenient as well as too great of a coincidence! But it still felt surreal, to say the least.

"You can surely put it all together now dearie." It said. Sometimes they wondered if it put too much faith into them or something like that. Although...

"Uh... Ok so if this is close to how then–" They didn't even remember what they wanted to finish however, as something else shot through their mind. Wait, the investigation on the Phantom Thief case! They nearly forgot! If this was true, this discovery was huge! It shot their mind pretty much right away! Yeah, that could be it! Actually, should they even keep shut about it!? Maybe it was just a heat of the moment thought. "Hold on, you think I should–"

"Ah, I know what you're thinking. A hard worker, aren't you?" The figure chuckled, placing down the cup it had in its hands before continuing. "No. I advise you to not say anything to that boy you're hanging out with."

That boy? Did Pipisterllo— Wait, of course it knows. They should start to stop questioning it. Besides, maybe it was watching from here. Yet they didn't like the sound of that. "What? Why not?"

The silence in between was a little unbearable, to say the least. They needed a good reason as to why, even if they could think of some later. But Pipistrello's response after some anticipation, it being all silent like this for whatever reason? It only made them more nervous. The response however... It was far from satisfactory. "Don't fall into the devil's arms like that~"

They blinked at it for a moment, staring a bit in disbelief before sighing and dropping their head. "Hah, dare I say that this makes no sense?"

"Up to you." It chirped. "But we don't need a party pooper, do we~? Think about it, our game would end if you talked. Because who knows what answers he would want to squeeze out of you."

"Ugh..." That was a fair point, they had to admit it. And it was giving them a headache, somewhat. "Fine, I won't. I don't think that he'd believe me anyways."

And yet it had occurred shortly after when something came to their mind... Stealing treasures like these to result in a change of heart. Could that be true? It was something, to say the least. And yet it was done without people being aware. The sudden guilt, the sudden rush of emotions, not acting and contemplating for the next few days.

It made them think back to Maki. She has changed since, yeah, but still... It had happened without her knowledge. While it was for the better, it just... Happened. And she had no say in this. She had no will to change, had she? Not that they knew of anything or could recall. If so she probably could have acted a long time ago. But she kept going.

And besides, even she said that it was a bit weird at first. It all overcame her all of a sudden. So if the Phantom Thieves stole her treasure in whatever way possible then... Well, then... They didn't know how to feel about this. Hadn't they done just the same to Miyuki?

Though there was a difference... Miyuki's change was a little too instant, Maki's took a few days. Maybe... Miyuki was aware of something odd happening within her. Something she was not ready to embrace. So, before she could confess herself she would just let someone else do it. At least that was their guess...

So that begs the question if everyone could be changed like this... Could they? Or was there something they were missing? Hmm...

Well, they won't have the answers now so there is no use to dwell on that. They survived Miyuki's ordeal and figured out who— Wait...

Just when Pipistrello was about to cut off the conversation however... "Hey uhm... Can I ask you something?" They began suddenly, getting its attention right then and there.

"Of course. Ask away. I'll answer you in any way I can~" It said. Before it could ask what however they went on ahead already.

"About my father... Did you always know who was behind this?"

"Oho, someone has gotten curious. What, you won't believe me if it was by mere chance?"

"Just curious. It was all a little too convenient after all."

"It was, wasn't it?"

"Well, even if it was by chance..." Yeah, that didn't matter. After all, they finally got closure on that end. Who framed and murdered their father, confirming what they had guessed all this time already. And they finally figured it out. Honestly, it made them smile out of nowhere. It was still painful but... Hey, they are no longer in the dark. So they looked up at Pipistrello suddenly, then finished with: "Thank you!"

The face they saw in between was one they would never forget and perhaps was the only time they had spotted it. The smile on its mask formed into a very unusual expression, a first one. The mouth took the form of an o–shape and the eyes became a little softer. It didn't say a word, or they heard nothing coming from it in any way. Instead it was just frozen in this position for some time, even if it was just seconds. The amount of seconds they would be unable to forget, as short as it was. They didn't know what it was yet it was the first and probably last time they saw it. Yet they were none the wiser what it was yet it felt unusual. Unusual but... Not unsettling, unlike the other times.

But Pipistrello came back to its senses after a few more moments, then laughing. "You? Thanking me? Haha! But you're very welcome~"

It then leaned backwards in its seat, only to suddenly get up however, that grin they were all too familiar with plastered back onto the mask. Yet it felt different, even if only in this moment. Or they were just hallucinating. Yeah, maybe they were hallucinating right then and there.

" Use my power as you see fit. Whatever you desire, I shall desire it too. "