Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 115

"I can't feel my body... Ow..."

It had been in Goro's ear for a while now, the entire way home. And there was nothing he could do about it, at least not ever since having left the Metaverse. It was either him or someone of the Phantom Thieves... And honestly, he was not going to risk them slipping up and say something, or so he told himself. So he had offered himself to take them to their home. Even when they had protested a few times there was nothing they could really do about it.

But what had happened here? Why did someone have to carry Lukanja home? Well, let's recap just a little bit...

So, to everyone earlier today it had looked like they had awakened a Persona, just as they all had rushed over to rescue them. And even Crow was a little bit in a hurry, he had to admit. Even though he knew that it would be fine. This entity, the one they dubbed 'Pipistrello', didn't seem to intend to kill them off just yet. He was certain of that. It had all the chances, didn't it? So letting them die now would have been out of left field. An odd choice one may say. So he wasn't really worried. It was just to play along. Yes, play along, nothing more. He had no concern for Lukanja whatsoever. None. Absolutely none.

Anyways, they had given everyone a show, dealing with a Shadow all by themself. It left everyone impressed and they were also buying the act that Pipistrello was a Persona. It wasn't, he knew that much already. Yet it fits right into the picture of looking like one. And its rash acting and talking was brushed off as 'free spirited and eccentric', nothing more. They were really believing that act of that thing. But as long as it didn't cause any complications, it should be fine.

After that they had simply moved on with everything leading up to this point and continued to further into the Palace, make progress. All while with each encounter Luka– Ahem, Swan was in, they were surprisingly adept in combat. They were moving around precisely yet gracefully all the same, a sight to behold. Ironic, given that they were mauling every Shadow in sight. Or at least any which had dared to come a little too close. They were holding their own weight and it was a little impressive. Maybe with a bit more training they could become a worthwhile opponent... If it had to come to that.

However, once leaving the Metaverse one could hear a sudden 'thud', only to be greeted with the sight of Lukanja sitting on their knees, not moving an inch. They were only staring on the ground at first, trembling visibly before they lifted their head up and said: "I... Don't feel my legs. No, actually, I don't feel my entire body. I can't move." They had tried to get up a few times yet would always collapse back down as a result, only to give up after a few more tires.

And that is how Goro had ended up here. How he was carrying them on his back right now and literally walking them home like this. At least it was just the two of them and their cat, Ole, who was tapping right next to the two of them and looking up from time to time, as if observing Goro closely. Yet he chose to ignore it and have a conversation instead.

"Not feeling your body huh? Now how did that happen?" He asked, though knowing how dryly he sounded. Or rather... He was trying to sound like that. After all, it was not as if it mattered. It was just an inconvenience now, that he had to carry them back to their own home. It had even taken time to squeeze the information out which trains to take and what the stops are. It was as if they had refused to say anything for their own reasons yet what could be so bad? He was just carrying them back home and the only person there was probably their mother anyways.

"I... I don't know. It just happened." They responded yet one could hear that this was the truth. "I really can't move..." All they did was cling onto him yet that was a reflex more than anything. They didn't want to fall off yet they also gripped onto him on occasion, as if to confirm that they were still there, on his back, carried like a backpack.

"Do you think you can make it tomorrow?"

"If not I'll text you I guess..."

"Hah... Yeah, yeah." He sighed, knowing that this was the only way. Great, just great. "But seriously... How did that—"

"Liking my little present?" Suddenly, a voice spoke up, nearly making him drop Lukanja, but just nearly. He was careful enough not to do it of course! Yet that voice had still caught him off guard. But it also sounded like someone he heard before... Or rather something. And honestly? That voice irritated him when just hearing it. It was already hard enough to pinpoint it down, what it exactly sounded like. Because everything just switched. But it was also irritating to hear what it said. He had a taste before and it's only getting worse from here honestly. "I've gifted you a free chance to bond. How's that?"

"What did you do, Pipistrello?" They asked, sounding clearly weakened yet also annoyed. At least as much as they could muster. He decided to let the two do the talking, for now. He just didn't want to confront this entity in any way. How do they keep up with it in the first place?

"Oh nothing. I just made sure that you have enough power to face any Shadow coming your way. It's an athletic boost." It cackled. "Oh, and I may have deactivated your pain receptors."

"You did what?" They wanted to sound shocked yet they were clearly too tired for that.

"Isn't it wonderful? Now you can run around the Metaverse as much as you like without worries. You won't even feel the strain of your body, no matter how much you move. That's until you leave though. You're welcome~"

"I can't move though!"

"Haha, that tends to happen. Don't worry about it. Besides, you're getting a ride home from that boy over here."

"I only do it because I had no other choice." Goro hissed back all of a sudden, though noticing the defiant tone when he did so. He was silent shortly after, trying to figure out why he said what he just said. It was... Unbelievable. A little embarrassing even. What was the reason for that? Why did he react like this? No one was talking to him after all. It was a conversation between Lukanja and Pipistrello. In fact, maybe he was just trying to convince himself? ... No, that's not it. No way.

Though it seemed to have gotten the entity's attention. Because the next thing he had heard in his ears was: "Oho? Now would you look at that. Got something to say?"

He only grumbled when hearing that. It sounded so... Unserious. It was infuriating. 'Got something to say?' Asking it like a question but also not really. More of an expectation. And that was just such a pain in the ass! "No, nothing at all." He then scoffed, refusing to answer. He had nothing to say though. Nothing!

"Hmm... Alright, if you say so. Then it can't be helped~" That only made him roll his eyes. "Maybe we can talk about this more some other time."

"There's nothing more to say here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

No, seriously, how does Lukanja keep up with this thing? Sounded insufferable.

As for the rest... It was simple. All Goro had to do was deliver them home and that was what he did. Though he should have known that him showing up to someone's house would cause some attention. Because the moment their mother had answered the door she had gasped, was in utter shock even.

She had even asked: "Luka? You know the Detective Prince? Was that the friend you were talking about? A... Are you two... Perhaps..."

"No Mom. There's nothing going on. We're just friends." They did the talking for him at the very least and the misunderstanding had been cleared up quickly. And just as fast as he had arrived he had also left. At least until he had somewhat explained the circumstances for Lukanja, claiming that they were just not feeling well suddenly and their entire body hurt due to having pushed way beyond their limits. And after also having personally introduced himself Goro had left, no longer having had any business at that house.

Though some things that evening still stuck with him. It was as if something had been implied... Something he was not fully admitting as of yet. But...

No, he was just imagining it. There was nothing to admit, nothing to say. It was just some stupid misunderstanding...

"Oh but how wrong that boy was. Although, he had no idea until he would be taught that lesson first hand~"

"Would you shut up!?"