Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 118

Now, one may not ignore the mission going on within the Metaverse. That had taken priority, of course it had. However, to work better together it was also important to let loose before or after, get to know the team. 'Team building' was also important, even if temporary, and Lukanja had been a little curious about each of the thieves, even if only a little. So, they had thought about hanging out with each of them, even if it was only for a morning or afternoon, whenever they had some free time to spare. Yet they didn't know where to start. All of them had been complete strangers to them after all... All except for one. The one who they probably would have the easiest time approaching on their own. In fact, they didn't even need to do it themself. They had been basically invited and it was not an opportunity they were going to say no to.

'Hey Lukanja! Sorry to bother you on such a short notice but would you mind coming with me tomorrow? There's this new shop in town I kept hearing about and going alone sounds a little boring. Want to come along?'

'Depending on when you plan to go, sure. I don't mind.'

A simple invitation. Honestly, Ann was someone who seemed to be pretty straight forward when it came to stuff like this. She made this look so easy, at least in Lukanja's opinion. After all, they would only be a stuttery mess if they had to ask a stranger to hang out. They wouldn't even know what to say! And... In a way, they were proving for such a thing to be true.

Even that day when they had spent some time with Ann they were mostly just listening, being overwhelmed by all of this. What an ironic twist of fate this was, being the one who got dragged from one shop to the other. Having their ear talked off. Always going wherever the other was going. And yet it wasn't something they really minded per se, if that made sense. It could help them ease into this situation. Yet it was probably hilarious if one knew that the constant dragging along was something they tended to do to Akechi all the time, whenever the two were free of course.

But today they were the one being just dragged anywhere by Ann while listening on whatever topic she brought up. It was usually something very mundane, something they were used to talking about when hanging out with some other girls recently. Though they had to admit, with them it was more a 'let's get this over with' type of deal. They were usually not that interested in any of the topics so they just let the girls run their mouths dry as they were exploring with their eyes. They were looking at shops or whatever the passing strangers were doing while the others enjoyed their time. Only when spoken to would they ever respond, However, maybe it was also depending on the person they were hanging out with?

Truth to be told they just did it because they were invited and didn't think much of it. Maybe it was also a bit of a tough pill to swallow, given that anybody else previously had been looking down on Lukanja, until Maki had started changing her ways. So maybe that was why they were not really invested in any of this. Or at least part of the reason as to why they had not been invested. After all, the tension would always last. Even if those people would usually not realize it. Maybe that was what had made them feel uneasy.

With Ann though? It felt like a fresh start. Lukanja didn't know her all too well outside of that one time where she had come up to pull them away and save them from certain doom. So seeing her all so lively and just enjoying this little spree the two were going on... It felt less like being dragged around against their will and more like them being there because they wanted to be. It was hard to put into words.

So maybe, even if only for this short period of time... They could indulge in this moment? Just for a little while. This wouldn't last. They doubted it. But at least while it lasts... Maybe having a bit of fun with the Phantom Thieves could be a worthwhile experience.

"Hey, Lu– I mean Anja!" A voice would wake them up however, them having just noticed how deep in thought they were. The two had been traversing Shibuya's streets for an hour or so, passing by one shop after the other. Even if they were just looking at everything from the windows or browsing around. Something so simple was actually fun. "Are you coming!? The shop is over there!"

"Ah– Yes! Coming!" They responded before hurrying over, having just noticed that they were just standing there like some idiot probably. Yeah, this wasn't bad at all. They kinda enjoyed it.

"Was there something catching your eye a moment ago?"

"Uh... I guess? Sort of?"

"Sort of? You don't sound like that y'know."

"I wasn't really paying attention honestly."

"Haha, I admit, it did look like that a little. You were spacing out, weren't you?"

"I–"

"Daydreaming about someone?"

"It's nothing like that!"

"Haha, just kidding~"

"Yeesh, it's not funny!" Yet even then they didn't mind this. May these days last just a little longer.