Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 106

The next day of Shujin's school festival, which also meant that the speech would be in full force. It was the day of the panel, the 'lecture' so to speak, which meant Akechi was going to have a moment on stage. And of course the topic of the Phantom Thieves would be brought up, right then and there. They expected nothing less to be honest, given that this was the big topic across the country. Everyone was talking about the 'murderers' by then, unaware of what had been going on behind the scenes. Yet who could blame anyone really? They didn't know any better, only being able to judge everything based on how it was all presented. Even if it was a little tiring to listen to in the crowd. Yet they had to keep it in mind no matter what.

That was also where they had been, right inside the crowd, listening to the speech from there. They were seated, one of many, probably unable to be spotted. Yet that also had given them a clear view on how things were going... Or being held. Yet it had been rather quickly that this lecture had turned into a heated debate between the student council president, Makoto Nijima, and the Detective Prince, Goro Akechi. The two were just at a back and forth essentially, for the first few minutes at least. Until one statement dropped... Akechi knew who the Phantom Thieves are!?

It even had them a little tense in their seat because they were not doubting that. Not really at least. It would only fit if he had figured it out by now. Given how he had been talking to the group the day before... There was no doubt in their mind for that. This had to be on purpose. There was more than he would say. Even if he was mincing words every single time he spoke out in public. But being put on the spot like this...

Of course he would have an ace up his sleeve however. They weren't sure how he had pulled it off yet having his phone suddenly ring right at this time, just before he was going to reveal the identities of the thieves, or 'state his opinion' rather, he just happened to get an important call from work. To most it looked like a coincidence yet they knew him better than that. They could tell it was nothing but a coincidence. Now if it was just the timer or if it had been triggered by a word... That was hard to say. Yet he had this under control it seemed. And when he spent a little bit too much time conversing with Makoto... That's when they knew that something was up! Thus they had gotten off their seat pretty quickly, deciding to be a little bold and follow wherever Akechi had been heading to this time. Even if they were told to just stay put they couldn't ignore this.

And that was what had led them there, to a room of the school. Apparently it was unused right now and a bit further away from the stage. And there was more than one person Akechi had entered with, more than Makoto. Judging from what they had seen from afar... It was them, the entire group of the thieves. Looks like there was some business after all.

And the moment the door had closed they took a look around, just in case someone would pass by. Yet no one did. So they snuck a little closer, right towards the closed door and pressing their ear right against it, just to listen in.

"Please, let's not feign ignorance. All of you can go to that other world too, yes?" It was the first thing they had heard, the voice all too familiar to them. Akechi's, and he was putting them right on the spot. At least from what they had heard. "It's not just all of you. I am aware of that world too... I also know that when you traverse over there your appearance changes as well. It's because of those mysterious powers, isn't it?" It all sounded pretty matching for now. However, that all was until he said the following... "I found out about that world about a month ago."

They only stared, even if it was at literally nothing. A month ago? That can't be right. The mental shutdown cases reach even before the Phantom Thieves! Either he was lying or he had some secret twin brother! They couldn't say but... The first option seemed the most plausible. He was playing them for fools! And they could already tell! Yet... It didn't tell them what his plan was with them however. What game was he playing here? And why would he confront them like this? It was hard to say yet they had to keep on listening instead of being lost in thought.