Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 111

The need to talk... They didn't want to. Honestly, they felt a little foolish for even showing up at this place. They were carrying Ole on their way home, right behind Akechi. Both were silent ever since they had been separated from the group. They were just walking down the streets, on the way to the train station. At that point things were more quiet, a little empty around. People had been heading home early, given that the next day was a Sunday. That or they were doing their night shifts. In any case, the two of them were doing just that, walking.

They didn't say a word nor did they dare to in any way. They couldn't even see his expression right now. All they saw was his back, making this even more unsettling. How were they supposed to react to this? What was he thinking? They couldn't even take a guess. They were not looking at his face after all... Which made this even more of a guessing game. What if they were about to say something wrong, something they probably shouldn't have said to begin with? Their stomach was turning, almost hurting when just thinking about the possibilities. Could this be the end? They weren't so sure and yet... Ah, how were they supposed to react to any of this? What if they were not even safe to begin with? Just... All of this... They didn't have their thoughts together. Even less the longer the two just walked there in silence. It was not just them who had gotten tense however, Ole had been just as tense in their arms, his tail swaying non stop. He would be ready to pounce if he needed to, didn't he? Well, given how the tension kept on rising with each step that was not really surprising.

And yet, before knowing it, Akechi stopped all of a sudden, dead in his tracks. It was when they had reached a more isolated area, close to the train station yet not quite there just yet. It was the shortcut both usually took, an abandoned street, surrounded by buildings. There was only one street light shining onto it yet that one kept on flickering non stop, even in the dark. No one would see the two or hear them. They were all alone. And maybe that was exactly what he had been waiting for.

"So? How long have you known about this 'other world'?" He asked, calm yet in a way it would send chills down their spine. They noticed how they pressed Ole tighter against their chest, though also making sure to not hurt the cat. Said cat knew, not moving away, staying in the grasp while still seeming to be on alert.

"H... How long? That—" They were trying to respond yet that guy was not giving them a chance to finish that.

"Don't try lying to me. We both know how terrible you are at it." Akechi continued, then turned around... Only to see his gaze right back at them. It was just as cold as back in the Palace if not colder. He didn't hide it at all. He was not pleased. In fact he was visibly annoyed. But it was also an awfully sharp gaze he had. "This was not your first Palace visit, was it?"

"Y... You don't know that!" They were trying to protest yet noticed how they had gotten cold feet at that moment. They heard him let out a disapproving grunt as he stepped closer to them, essentially towering over them, expression not changing.

"Didn't I tell you not to lie?" He pointed out yet again, his tone slowly turning more threatening. "Now answer my question!"

They were trying to keep silent, avoid it, and come up with something. Yet they took too long. So long in fact that he had gotten even more impatient, suddenly grabbing them by the hair to lift their head up forcefully, that they were forced to look at him. Ole's hiss was also audible at that moment yet they made sure to hold him back. The cat was just looking out for them yet they also had his safety as a priority.

As for Akechi... He was ignoring that warning from Ole entirely. Though he did glance down for a moment, probably spotting how the cat had opened his mouth to show the sharp teeth, given how loud the hiss was. Though the guy's attention soon went back to them, his face got awfully close. His reddish eyes were staring right through them, nearly glowing. "Answer already!" He yelled, his tone becoming more aggressive than they were used to. They had always known that he was probably not very pleasant deep down but knowing what he was capable of only made them terrified when hearing that. What would he do if they didn't answer? Well, they could find out. But they chose not to. Solely for the sake of self preservation... They gave in. They had no choice but to give in.