Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 91

If there ever was a list of people who probably did not have the highest opinion of their father, Okumura was probably one of those said men. The head of Big bang Burgers, a business man through and through. The rumors had spread like wildfire and were something which had not gone unnoticed. And besides, their father had long suspected that something was unethical about these business practices. But sadly, it was also not something which had surprised him.

The rumors of producing food at a cheap price with cheap ingredients, right in mass. Not just that but also underpaying employees and making them work unpaid overtime. Then again, these rumors were not all too uncommon either. He had seen it first hand.

"This man is one of the worst." Their father had pointed out once when it was just the two of them at home, he and his kid. It was a discussion, one they always held, especially since they had grown older. Though they were not as experienced as him, especially when it came to politics and business. They were pretty green after all. "Then again, I suppose you could say that about any CEO."

"These days?" They had asked with a head tilt, only to receive a head shake in response.

"No. All of them are the same." He said. "Always out for profit, no matter what it takes. You think that any of my bosses had treated me better during my time?"

"Ah— I mean, you talked about that before..."

Their father had worked as a businessman before, though not the highest up, right in the textile industry, more specifically somewhere with fashion. He didn't design anything or something yet he was part of the financial management. Buying fabric, looking at patterns and designs and selling clothes to customers. He wasn't the highest out there yet he was high enough to have traveled to different places in the world, from different places in Europe and also within Asia. Not to mention that he had been respected. He did good work and he worked very hard... Until his doctor told their father to quit it. How did he phrase it? 'You may continue if you wish to die at the age of 45. '

It had been their father's true passion. He loved his job and that was why he had been working so hard. And yet he had to put a stop to it. He had talked about it, the cruel work conditions he had experienced, though he didn't mind it when younger. Barely any ounce of sleep which made him practice sleeping while standing. Working everyday of the week, barely getting any sleep. All to attend meetings and take care of things. There was no break whatsoever. And while he did have fun stories from his travels it was also a hard endeavor. This all had been before their birth, they had never seen their father like this. By the time he had married their mother he had quit his job. Though he didn't seem to regret it either, having chosen his health over his job. And if not for that he would have never made it into politics either. It was impressive, considering that he wasn't even a local and had not grown up here. Yet he managed to win people over to everyone's surprise. But that's a long story kept short.

In any case, he knew the circumstances of the work ethic. He had seen it first hand. And honestly, seeing a boss cut his salary to not fire anyone was an exception, not the norm. So none of these rumors had really surprised him.

"Even if there are laws set in place, I don't think that would change anything." Their father had told them with a disappointed sigh. "As long as there is a profit, it will all continue."

"I mean... Wasn't that why you decided to get into politics?"

"You're right. But it's unfortunately not that easy. Especially when you have businessmen like this Okumura guy always interfering." He kept pushing for it at least, they knew that much. "And besides, don't think that he won't expand his business and exploit more people somewhere else. That's how they work."

"So they're all pretty greedy?"

"I'm not saying that they all are but... You often hear about such incidents in the media."

"But Okumura gives you a special type of headache?"

"Given how often I have to deal with this guy's protests... Yes. But I shouldn't just throw that onto you like that, sorry."

"No, it's fine! It's interesting to listen to!"

Yeah, they recall that name, at least somewhat. Not the greatest of people to be around. And it seems that the rumors are catching up to him, enough to be voted first on the Phansite to have his heart changed. A target who probably had it long coming... A candidate for a Palace maybe?

They couldn't say yet Pipistrello had pointed it out directly so there might be something there, as hard as it was to tell for them possibly. Usually that would mean that they were going to be sent on this goosechase yet how would one figure out a target like Okumura? He was pretty much untouchable for them, especially at this point. So how could they find out a distortion and a concept? Hah... This was going to be a pain... They just had to hope that they could figure something out, especially if the Phantom Thieves chose to get involved.

Well, at least they knew where they could perhaps start searching... Okumura Foods Headquarters .