Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 99

When they had caught wind of this they were more than eager to have a look at it. They had overheard it by chance from Officer Sato. This one sounded a little frustrated and had even shook his head at the other person several times.

"I don't know why you're telling me this. It ain't my case." He had scoffed, sounding almost dismissive about the entire thing. They had shoved it to stress at the time, given that he was probably still going through other cases and correcting one which he thought he had dealt with. And it was kind of a big deal, them knowing that he never heard the end of it. Well, mainly from prosecutor Nijima She seemed even more on edge than before and it was setting everyone off. Even Akechi had brought it up when he had apologized to them.

"Sae–San is usually not like this. I apologize on her behalf for giving you a hard time.."

"Don't. If she's sorry, she can say it herself." They had told him that time. "Not like that's going to happen anytime soon..."

"Her... More aggressive methods are slowly getting out of hand, I admit."

More aggressive though, as if she hadn't always been like this. Though they could kind of see it? But also not really, given that they had always dealt with those judging glances from her, whether they liked it or not. They knew of their reputation. She especially did not like it that they were randomly dragged into this case for their 'thesis' months ago. But now it was getting out of hand.

All of that aside, there was something which had made them barge into Sato–San's conversation suddenly, when one word dropped... 'Calling Card'. Apparently one had been found in the Shujin's principal's office, the dead one. What was his name again? Kobayashi? No, not right. Koyakabo? Wait that sounds even more wrong! Koba... Koba... Kobayakawa! Yeah, that's it! Talk about a complicated name...

Anyways, they wanted to have a look and had even begged for it. The officer had tried to stop them though was also not really trying either. His attempts were half hearted, to say the least. "Do you really want to deal with Nijima again?" He asked, only to get a nod in response.

"This could be the chance! If it really was the Phantom Thieves, then I should be able to tell right away!"

"And how do you plan on doing that?"

"By reading and comparing the calling cards!"

They were eyed for a moment, a little skeptical yet Officer Sato shook his head in defeat. "Right, I heard... You're pretty good at gathering clues when there's some text involved."

"Heard? From who?"

"The team mentioned it. You convinced 'em to have a closer look at Shujin after all. Or 'least played a role."

They... Only blinked, unimpressed. All while he was staring at them with this gaze... It usually said nothing, it was as neutral as one could get. Yet there was also something off with it. As if he was looking at them very closely, some type of pain having formed in his gaze. Yet they may as well just imagine it. In any case, they shook their head quickly. "I'm pretty sure I had nothing to do with it. Wasn't Shujin Academy a top location to search because of the Kamoshida incident?"

"Not like I'd know. Heard you convinced some of the guys who were still in doubt though." It would usually end at that, but then... "You wanna start here soon? Pretty sure you'd make a fine addition to the team."

They didn't know how to feel. Usually someone would feel flustered by this yet their stomach twisted itself when hearing that. It was just... Not something they had heard of nor would consider in any way. "Officer, I think you're giving me too much credit again." They began. "I don't think I'd be of much use to anyone here."

"You say that but you solved one of my cases."

"That was just luck!" Yes and no... It was, in a way. "I was at the right place at the right time!"

"Right..." And there was the eyeroll. Seriously, why did he keep pushing it? They didn't get it. It wasn't anything enthusiastic either. He always spoke of it in a rather empty tone. But before they could question that he dismissed it just as quickly by saying: "Let's go and pay Nijima a visit. I'll stay close by, just in case it will escalate again."

Pretty much said and done. The two went to see her and she was not really enthusiastic seeing both of them, Anja and Sato–San. They could tell, given how she had rolled her eyes. In fact it took a little bit of convincing before she had even allowed them to take a closer look at the evidence, this 'Calling Card'. Not just anyone could see it yet when he threw in that Anja was involved in this case and part of the team... That had convinced her, though begrudgingly. And that was how they had even access to this calling card in particular. And it had them curious, even after the first read.

It wouldn't take long until they would speak up yet they wanted to give it a few more reads. Two or three. Maybe four. Just to check if they had missed any details. But they could conclude something quickly, just from the way it had been phrased. It made them drop this calling card onto the table and lift their head up, facing the prosecutor directly before stating their conclusion... "That's not from the Phantom Thieves."

They were prepared for this face, a harsh expression which was just full of doubt. Of course she would not believe it so easily. She never believed anything from their mouth with ease. "And how are you so sure about this?"

"The phrasing is off. It's missing some parts." That and 'they just knew'. But that was something they were not mentioning. And besides, the way this card sounded was a little off. Someone tried very hard to pull it off, to give it that 'Phantom Thieves' feel. Yet it was nothing but a cheap imitation. "The formatting is a little off. But then again, maybe that's due to the rush."

"Aha... Anything else?"

"Please, allow me to finish." They sighed. They were not done with their explanation here. In fact they had just gotten started. "I'm more concerned about the phrasing. You see, they usually point out–"

"Is a calling card not enough proof!?" Out of nowhere Nijima had interrupted them, their speech being cut off right in the middle of everything. "This has to be the Phantom Thieves! Look at it!"

"No! If you look closely Ma'am! Then–"

"It looks exactly like a calling card they would send! Everything matches with how they would send it! The material is also the exact same!"

"Yes, I agree. There's no doubt about that." They responded. This was getting a little frustrating. "But the phrasing... It's not how they would announce it! Just compare it to Okumura's! You will see that—"

But did she want to hear it? No, of course not. It was getting out of hand yet again, as if she didn't want to admit to it, nor considered the possibility. Anything to catch the Phantom Thieves, even if she was to get the wrong culprit. Or so it looked like. It was... A little obsessive. What was her problem!? "You're trying way too hard to prove that these cases are not connected." Nijima nearly hissed. "Perhaps you are hiding something from us."

This had them nearly freeze and gasp for a moment. Well.. Yes. But not in the direction she was thinking! "Huh!? I–"

"Spit it out already! I'm tired of your constant protests!"

"I just–"

"Alright, that's enough of that." Officer Sato finally threw in, him getting behind Anja before shoving them to the side all of a sudden. "I think you should go. I will handle the rest."

They... Were a little irritated when hearing that. Handle the rest? "But—"

"I will have a word with her. You go for now."

They were a little reluctant. Was that really fine? They wanted to stay, to prove that they could hold their ground. Yet one glance said it all... ' She won't listen to you .' They really wanted to yet this was a losing battle, as frustrating as it was. So they sighed.

"Y... Yes. Understood."

Another chance wasted... Great...