Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 127

The office door had opened pretty much in one swoop. The knock had been skipped, something which Lukanja was usually not doing at work. However, they were unable to even think about formalities at that point. It was the last thing on their mind honestly, not when it had shot through their mind pretty much all the time. And all they had to do was think back on what they had heard not too long ago.

“Wait, really? Sato–San is going to resign?

“Yeah. I’ve heard him talk about it. He’s apparently working on the paperwork for it as well.”

“You sure? I mean, he’s always taken his job so seriously.”

“Yeah but don’t you know? The major fumble?”

“You mean— Ah right, that Wolf guy.”

Resign? Sato–San!? Now, they had only known him for so long. Actually, they had only recently started to get to know him but he always had been working so effortlessly. Not just that but he was basically one of the few people who stuck by them no matter what. One could be wrong about the vibes yet he didn’t seem like a bad person nor incapable of doing it. Yet here they were, listening to all of those rumors. And apparently it is a big surprise to hear that.

“Sato–San… He has always been so serious about his work. Maybe the Ishikawa incident has gotten to him after all.” It had been Akechi’s words yet maybe in this instance they were at least somewhat trustworthy. After all, wouldn’t he know the officer better? They assumed so at the very least. 

That was enough reason for them to just barge in all of a sudden. Yet even when they did they saw him inside his own office, a small pile of papers on the side. And he didn’t even lift his head up nor had paid any attention to what had been going on around him. He was just there, quiet, pretending as if he didn’t just hear them barging in at that very moment. Of course he may have been lost in thought, to the point he hadn’t noticed them, yet they had found that unlikely.

They repeated it in their head, what they had heard, which made the sight even more terrifying in the end. Claims of ‘Sato–San going through the procedures’. Then again, if he did plan to resign then he would need to get some work done before being able to do that. And yet it didn’t sit right with them either, hence why they suddenly talked without thinking. No, greeting, not even easing into the conversation. Instead they just dashed in front of his desk at the other end, slamming the hands on the table and shouting: “What do you mean you’re going to resign, Sato–San!?”

Finally, they had gotten the officer’s attention, his head tilting upwards to see Lukanja. Though it was met with a sigh, then he scratched the top of his head. “Hah, the birds’ started chirping and tweeting, didn’t they?” He wasn’t even going to deny it, was he? No, this was actually the opposite of a denial and it seemed to somewhat get on their nerves. They didn’t know why exactly. Why were they reacting like this? Maybe because of one simple thought – Why is a  guy cut out for this job quitting!? At least that was the impression they got. And even if they were wrong, he had years of experience, didn’t he? So why— 

No, focus for now Lukanja! They had to get through to him! Or try to get through to him at least… “Don’t tell me it’s true.”

His face seemed to be a little annoyed yet it didn’t show much more emotion than that. “So what if it is? You don’t need to concern yourself with that.”

“That…” They couldn’t argue there. He wasn’t exactly wrong. Yet— “Can I ask why at least?”

“It should be obvious to you.”

“But it’s not. I don’t get it. Why would you—”

Before knowing it Officer Sato had gotten off his chair, dropping the pen and walking right past them all of a sudden. Yet he kept on talking while doing so. “You solved a case I was in charge of.” He began, making them freeze up in shock.

“B… But… That was…” Would that even count!? They didn’t even have the same means as Sato–San! So that’s just an unfair comparison, isn’t it!? Yet before they could even think about their next words, he continued.

“It’s not just that you know.” He continued. “You’re working directly with our so–called ‘prodigy’ over here.”  Was he referring to Akechi–Kun? Isn’t that a bit of a stretch? That didn’t mean— “You’ll be fine on your own.”

“Huh!?” He was addressing them directly too now. That was just off putting. What was the meaning of this!? “N… No, you–” They wanted to say as they turned around, seeing that the police officer was already at the door, sighing. 

He had forced a smile onto his face yet it was not a genuine one nor a snarky one. The smile was forced, empty, as if mocking himself. He even let out a laugh ever so empty. “She’s right. I can't do my job right.” He said, making them question this outcome even more. But before they could even process that part he added some damning. Something they hoped they would have never heard but… Here they are now. And it would ring inside their head a few more times. 

“ I’ll be gone by the end of the month. You don't have to bother. ”