Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 137

The two had decided to call it quits yesterday, after returning to the real world. Needing rest and being prepared, to discuss this with a clear head. Lukanja had agreed to this, seeing no other way but to go on ahead. And it did make sense. They had noticed how much simply running had exhausted them. And it wasn’t even that long of a sprint. Yet they had been exhausted regardless. It felt like they had run for a little too long, as untrue as this had been. Then again, for them it was longer than they could handle or were used to! So it was actually close enough!

In any case, the two of them had met up the day after, when everything had been done, back at the club which may as well have become their personal ‘hideout’. Except it wasn’t hidden in the classic sense. But not just that they managed to smuggle Ole along inside their bag. But the old cat was busy sleeping anyway, trying to recharge still. That or he just loved sleeping overall and was using any excuse to get a snooze in. But it wasn’t as if they could involve him in this conversation anyways. Unless one wanted Ole to be discovered by the constant meowing… 

The conversation begun soon enough however, Akechi starting with the following: “You remember what we’ve been asked, right?”

“Of course I remember! Help them so they help us to get to the treasure.” They responded, keeping it simple. Though the nod suggested that they were spot on with this rather short and simplified explanation.

“Right. Mutual help on both ends.” He essentially repeated. “But isn’t it a little odd?”

“Odd? Why?”

“Shadows from the Palace offer us their help. Sounds too good to be true.”

“Hmm… It does but…” They saw the point, somewhat. After all, Shadows were made with the Ruler’s cognition in mind. And to think that a Shadow would pray for its own downfall this easily, essentially working towards the collapse of the Palace. Then again, if they were a result of Sato–San’s cognition then… “What if this is a good sign though?”

“A good sign?” Akechi asked, raising one of his eyebrows as he sat back on the chair, crossing his arms towards his chest and eyeing Lukanja. He seemed intrigued yet also bothered by it. Though given that he went silent he may want to hear what they had to say about this.

“Yeah! What if deep down Sato–San wants to change! And so these two Shadows were created to reflect that! Whoever he thinks is capable of helping him change!” 

To them it was simple logic. Maybe they were also just a little too hopeful however, who could really say. But it was the only thing making sense in their mind. Why else would they be looking so prestigious? The entire setting was that of the times of knights in fairy tales. And one of them looked just like that! And the king they talked about? Perhaps that could be the Palace’s ruler which as a result would be the Shadow of Sato–San! He’s just desperate and doesn’t know what to do anymore! So he sent out two knights to help him! And that’s why they are easily surrendering the treasure! Maybe this could be a breeze! They just had to defeat that Shadow down there and all would be good, wouldn’t it?

Though it seems that Akechi was not exactly sharing this mindset. Instead he only stared at them, the moment of doubt visible on his face. He turned away for a moment, as if trying to overthink this statement before turning back to Lukanja. “You mean that he is asking us deep down to help him change?”

They nodded. “Yeah! Maybe he would have given us the treasure just like that but since this beast in the place is keeping it, we have to defeat that one first!”

And yet a shudder went down their spine when they spotted him shooting a glare right at them. This wasn’t convincing him at all, was it? But was there something they had missed out on? Or did he just have doubt because ‘things are never that simple’ or something? Sure, not even Shadow Nijima would hand her treasure over easily, but she and Sato–San were different altogether! Nijima was really lost in the moment and busy belittling whoever she could yet also carrying a burden. Sato–San was nowhere close to that. He was probably desperate, searching for a way out. But nothing would come to mind. So when seeing the two in the cognitive world, that may have kick started something. 

“I still think that there’s something off about this.” Akechi sighed. “I just wish that I could put my finger on it.”

“What? Did you want to solve a big mystery or something?”

“No. I would prefer to get this done quickly. But this seems too good to be true.”

“Well, any other suggestions then? You won’t know what happens if we turn ‘em down you know.”

“That’s also something to consider.” He agreed at least, sounding a little too calm about this. “No matter how you look at it, we could use this to our advantage.”

In what way? Or was he slowly realizing the conclusion they had drawn? … Eh, probably not. “What do you mean?

“Exactly what I said. We accept their cooperation for as long as we need to.” He explained. “We could uncover more details with their help before we jump to any conclusions.” That last part… It was something when it had been brought up. In fact they were sitting their for a moment, staring a little dumbfounded for a good second before they could even respond to that… Then realizing what he had been probably implying.

“Hey! That’s not what I was doing!” Except that was exactly what they were doing… 

“Your words, not mine.” He mocked, a sudden slight grin on his face before continuing, smirk fading. “Anyways,I say we accept. And when we gathered enough intel… We’ll figure out how to handle those Shadows in particular.”

“That’s… Simple. But I can’t argue with that.” They had to sadly agree. This was sounding like the safest option they could take right now. Using this as a chance to uncover more of the Palace and learn what was going on… Until then they could still stick to their theory. Everything pointed at that after all. Right?

“Then it’s decided. Shall we head out now?”

“We better give them a quick answer before they’re going to do anything reckless.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. You’re not a total idiot.”

“Ey! Do you have to say that? You’re awfully mean.”

“That’s not my problem.”

“Uhh… Meanie.” 

And yet they couldn’t help but huff for a second, noticing a small smile curling up on their face. Even if it was just for that short moment they were… Somewhat glad. As glad as they could be in this situation at least.

Sometimes it’s the small moments which count.