Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 85

The call was not sudden nor unexpected. Goro knew that it would be coming. The moment he had those papers and other pieces of evidence right in his hands he knew that someone would be calling out for him and asking for his presence right away. And he could already guess what this was about.

Ever since he had seen them inside that chair, he knew that it would come to this. After all, the instructions were clear for Miyuki – Frame Karl Wolff for a heinous crime and get him convicted. Though she did more than that on her own free will by killing him inside his cell, something she was told not to do. Her answer when she had received that scolding?

"Why not? He's silenced for good, isn't he? Wasn't that what you wanted?"

Hence why the change in attitude was sudden but nothing unexplainable. Though Goro had no confirmation for his thesis, It was all a guess. Yet it had happened at a time which was a little too convenient for it to not be the case. They knew. They had to know. The cognitive world, there was no doubt about it. The circumstances would be too much to ignore. Not to mention how it had happened... They found out about the cognitive world, one way or another. How was a mystery for him altogether. He didn't know and for now he didn't have enough answers for him to know about it. Yet there was no doubt in his mind that they knew of something and managed to act up on it. Them getting captured, only to be freed the next day? Them being present at the scene and having sniffed around for evidence regarding Miyuki herself? At the very least knowing of some corruption within her? Yeah, no way this was 'a lucky guess'. They knew and probably had access to this world in some way. They had reached a point where they simply knew too much for their own good. What he feared had most likely happened.

However they had interfered, it had caused Miyuki to gain the sudden urge to confess and hand him over everything. Though probably because she knew what would overcome her out of nowhere. While this woman had no access to the world in any way nor shown any interest she had been somewhat filled in. So when she felt odd she probably knew what would hit her next – The guilt, making her confess to all of her crimes on her own. And that was what she hated the most. So she knew that she had to do something to silence herself, hence why she handed everything she had over to Goro.

"Make sure that I get arrested. I will not feel something I haven't felt before. I'm never going to apologize to this brat." – These were the words she had said in private. And both knew what would happen to her, hence why she was ready to silence herself. "I'd rather die than feel any type of guilt."

But of course this would also reach the ears of his father as a result. She probably reported something and dropped their name, their legal name at least. That it was 'her' fault, Anja's fault, Karl's daughter. The child of the politician who enjoyed enough success to be a threat to Goro's own father. Not to mention the constant back and forth the two were known for. Karl was not a man who shied away from speaking his mind, no matter how blunt he had to be. Although, he wasn't completely wrong when he had called Shido 'a useless piece of shit' in public once. It secretly amused Goro when it had reached his ears.

But that was beside the point. The point was that the two did not see eye to eye, they never did or would have. So, just do the quickest thing to tarnish Karl's reputation and get him silenced. Using Miyuki for it was also not a bad choice. She had murdered with no hesitation and had the influence to cover up her tracks and frame the wrong person. She had even fooled the officer in charge, one who was known to solve every case despite his ruthless methods. And he thought that he had convicted the right man. But he didn't. And that was coming to light. Officer Sato will be in for a surprise.

But enough about that... It was this stubborn behavior which probably had gotten Anja on Shido's radar now. Goro knew that. Hence why he didn't want them to get involved like this if at all. He knew that this would happen. And he didn't have the energy to deal with it. Or so he told himself but ever since that conversation... He quietly admitted that there was more to it than that. Even if he dared to not speak about it out loud in any way.

Honestly, they both knew why Goro had been here, hence why Shido did not hesitate to give out the order just shortly after Goro had entered his father's office. "Get rid of that brat!" And he was far from pleased.

Goro didn't know what to say. If it was him he would have probably refused. That was very unusual perhaps yet he couldn't bring himself to 'get rid of them'. It meant that he was supposed to kill them. "That won't be necessary." He ended up saying, calmly.

An answer the old man hated. He didn't hide it. 'How dare you disobey me!?' It may as well be said out loud. But instead he asked in a rather agitated voice: "And what makes you say that?"

"Please, do not concern yourself with some mere girl." A lie however. They were not 'some mere girl' at this point. But what else was Goro supposed to say to convince the one in front of him. "She's insignificant in the grand scheme of things."

"Insignificant? This brat has just brought someone—"

"I know, I was there myself." He interrupted, trying to hide his frustration. Though his voice may have cracked a little here. "But who would listen to someone like her? She's not just 'a random girl' but also considered to be the daughter of a criminal. Even with her father proven innocent, she will carry that reputation for a lifetime."

"And how are you so sure about that?"

"She is under my watch Sir." Goro responded. "If she acts out of line, I will be the first to know. But as things are, there is no reason to dispose of her. If she was to uncover something it is unlikely that she will have that amount of evidence to begin with."

A moment of silence. Honestly, he didn't even know why he was defending her of all people. He lied, he knew he did. Because all he could have said was 'If you wanted me to get rid of her, I couldn't.' There was a reason. But instead he made sure that Shido would just forget. Or so he was hoping. It was as if he was shielding her from his good for nothing father. Even though there was no need in doing so. It was odd to him yet was also the start where he may have realized something... And it confused him to no end deep down. Yet during this conversation he did not show any of it. IN fact he was rather relieved when Goro heard the next sentence.

"Fine. But if she becomes as annoying as her own father you know what to do." Though it was a scoff, clear disapproval of this decision. Yet maybe there had been some convincing there. After all, it would look suspicious if they were found dead all of a sudden, right after it came to light that their father had been innocent all along.

"Yes yes, I know. Better safe than sorry." Though Goro played along until the bitter end. He knew what he had done. There was a simple truth behind all of this... He didn't want to kill them. He just didn't. Next to 'couldn't' there was also a 'not wanting to'. Usually he had no problems with that. He would get rid of anyone in his way. But... Them? Just the thought of it had him freeze and ache. It felt strange...

But he knew what that meant. He hated to say it, admit to it... But maybe somewhere... Somehow... He started to care for them. At least a little bit. And there was unfortunately no way around that.

This just made everything more complicated for him... At least when it came to the likes of Anja / Luka. He hates it but at the same time he can't exactly stop it, not anymore.

Getting to know them and letting them stay and work with him was a mistake to make. Yet he can't leave them alone now, not when they get more and more involved as time goes on. Yeah, he has to let them stay...