Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 146

A retreat, even if tactical, was something Goro didn’t like taking into account. If it was up to him he would have brute forced his way through, have that head at the other hand of his blade. It was far from a secret now that deep down he was thirsting for blood. Or maybe it was something Lukanja had been a little unaware of for the time being. In any case, if it had been like any of his other missions, his solo missions, then this would be no problem. But rushing into things would not solve anything in the end and so he had to hold himself back for the time being. This also meant to retreat, as annoying as it was. 

But what if they had beaten the jailor? It would be one Shadow down, yet there were still those lookalikes to deal with, probably roaming around and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. And Officer Sato’s Shadow was also caged in the depths  of the dungeon, most likely not hesitating to attack. At least right now they should avoid those battles until they know what they are doing. Or rather have taken the necessary preparations beforehand. It would be one battle after the other, a wave. And being careless was not an option. Hence why Goro had suggested the retreat to begin with.

He had expected the complaints while leaving the Palace, Lukanja themself asking him several times for the ‘ Why? ’ behind all of this. Hence why he had pointed out this simple logic to them, hoping that they would understand. Even if it earned him glares and hisses from their cat companion, even the old man did not seem to approve of this action. Yet he was ready to shrug it off without much care whatsoever. All because Goro himself just had called the shots. And that grudge didn’t seem to settle on the way to the train station. No, it only got worse with each step. The cat may as well have thrown daggers right onto his back or something like that. And outside of that it was silent for a while as the two walked right next to another.

In truth there had been many thoughts racing through the guy’s mind since this mission had started, since he had agreed to do this. Just like him they had lost someone important to them, the cause of the death being the very same man. Though in their case there were lackeys involved, those who had gotten their hands dirty, directly or not. Officer Sato was one of those people, or saw himself as such. Goro wasn’t ready to place judgment on that. While one may argue that it was the result of a job sloppily done on the other, he and anyone else involved in this investigation had been tricked by those pulling the strings. 

And yet, he had expected that there was some part where Lukanja would shove the blame. It was not just the officer either, no, Prosecutor Nijima was in the same boat. No one was a stranger to the tension between the two, Lukanja and Sae–San respectively. They were arguing more often than not and she was giving them a hard time as well. So there was also her Palace at the same time, the perfect opportunity for them to strike. And yet… He couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“You are an odd case.” He abruptly began while walking, though honestly he was just talking without a second thought here. He didn’t expect them to respond, let alone to answer. Hence why he had not eyed them, at least not at first. “You have the perfect chance to get back at some adults who cause your life to be worse.” As soon as that had escaped his lips he was having his gaze move sideways, spotting Lukanja’s face.

They eyed him, walking yet having a momentarily shock right then and there. Just as expected, they were not used to this after all. If it had been at any earlier point he would have probably called them an ‘idiot’ right out loud. But honestly, he was more curious than anything. Because he didn’t understand. He truly didn’t. 

“What do you mean?” They asked him as they tilted their head a little sideways. Were they really that oblivious?

“Sae–San and Sato–San.”

“O… Oh, them…”

“Sato–San in particular. After all, he led the investigation in regards to your father, didn’t he?”

They nodded as their head turned back to face forward while walking, though now slightly tilted down. “Yeah, he did. And I probably could.” They agreed at the very least. And yet it would only confuse Goro further as they kept talking. “But it wouldn't bring him back.”

A sigh escaped his lips. “No, it wouldn’t. But–”

“Besides, Sato–San didn't murder him.” They interrupted, not letting him finish that thought. He had to hold it. No, rather keep it to himself. A thought he would only know. Though while they said it as if they were stating the obvious it would also have him a little baffled. It was just unbelievable to his ears. A concept he didn’t know how to react to. And what made it worse that this seemed to be the raw truth out of their mouth. It made him turn his gaze away from them, stay silent for a second or two. 

“So you’re not seeking revenge…”  A sentence which escaped out of nowhere, something he didn’t want to say. Yet he said it off handedly. Something he had thought but would have rather kept to himself altogether maybe. Still, it was irritating him all the same. How anyone could just accept this. It was clashing in his mind. How can someone being wronged have no desire to destroy and get back at everyone? Then again, one could also wonder how true those words rang to begin with. Yet that thought hadn’t been pursued… The thought of revenge…  

“Why does that surprise you?” Lukanja asked, snapping Goro out of it one moment after the other. It was impossible to collect his thoughts like this. One thing after the other would cross his head. For him it was contradictory, though he hated to admit it. He just wanted to curse something, punch something in. Anything to get this frustration out of his system. But no… That feeling would nag on him for the time being.

“It’s nothing.” He lied. He knew he did. And they knew too. Even Ole who was being carried right now probably knew. And yet he heard no protest whatsoever coming from any of them. He wasn’t facing them yet the silence said as much. Were they going to press further? No, probably not. Yet he didn’t want to take any chances… Hence why he changed the topic as soon as possible. “Anyways, we have something else to discuss, don’t we? The treasure within the Palace—”  He didn’t want to think about any of this.