Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 149

“Come on in.”

Even Eli knew that he was out of it. He truly couldn’t deny it but then again, did he really have to? His attitude didn’t matter anymore. Only a few more days left… A few days until he would officially hand in the papers and leave this place. In fact he was already starting to pack his stuff, take some home with him, step by step. It took a bit as things had piled up over the years. But that was perhaps nothing unexpected. … Even though, if he was completely honest, he would want to throw these things right into the trash. They reminded him of his time here and… He wasn’t sure if he wanted to recall every single thing or anything at all. But some things would be a waste to throw away so he would have to take them home and see what he could do with them. Though the flow of his clean up had been interrupted when he had heard the knock.

At first he was a little annoyed. He told his co–workers not to bother shoving new cases into his face. He had just taken care of his last one and that would be it. There was no point picking up new ones after all, he had no right for that even. Though he was surprised to see who was standing right in the door. The moment he heard it open his face would turn there, spotting… Anja and Akechi?

He adjusted his glasses, standing up straight and turning away from the cardboard box on the ground, only to face both of them. He tried to remain calm when seeing both of their faces. No, it was fine. He wouldn’t have to see them any longer, not anymore. “What do you want?” He asked them, trying not to scoff yet maybe some happened to slip out.

“Ah… Sorry for the intrusion Sato–San… It’s just…” Anja began, her voice softer than expected. She was more on the silent side, that was nothing unusual perhaps. Yet the pauses in between, as if she was contemplating something… It got him curious. What business would these two kids have with him anyways?

“Make it quick. I’m busy.” He responded. Honestly, he just wanted to get this over with. Seriously, those two showing up are basically uninvited. But at least—

“Oh, our worries were for nothing. You’re already cleaning up your office.” Akechi said, looking around, as if observing the place. And the way he was looking… Something made the officer want to crack that brat’s skull in. No, maybe that is a little far. But he couldn’t help it. Something about this wannabe detective was always rubbing him the wrong way. One day showing up and making a big deal out of himself, solving cases a kid has no business solving… Truly the definition of a brat. It was not envy, or so Eli wouldn’t describe it. It was just a feeling though and nothing official, a hunch if you will. Something just set the officer off. However, the next comment coming from his mouth was something which got more under his skin than anything. “Good. That will make our job easier. Won’t it, Anja?”

“Huh!? Uh.. .Yeah! It will! Totally!” She responded, though her body went a little stiff when doing so, and her voice was a little more high pitched. To Eli she started out as just a girl but ever since solving the big case surrounding her father… He wasn’t sure how to feel. It wasn’t hate but— “Th… Then again, it wasn’t already hard to begin with.”

“What are you two talking about?” Eli asked, a little confused by this throwing around of words. “Stop beating around the bush.”

“Oh? You want us to get to business?” Akechi asked, that irritating, polite smile on his face. Ugh… “Alright, we will get straight to the point then. We just wanted to say our farewells, Officer Sato.”

“Yeah yeah. Whatever.” Was that it? Seriously, those kids… “If that’s it then—”

“Your efforts are appreciated. Even if they didn’t really lead to anything.”

Hearing that made something snap within Eli. His eyes went wide all of a sudden, his body shaking. What… What did that boy just say? “E… Excuse me?”

“D… Don’t look like that Sato–San! You… Er… Tried I think?” Anja talking only made this more awkward than it had to be honestly. Even the officer could see how the so–called ace detective looked at her from the side, as if not exactly impressed or pleased. She had noticed, standing there even stiffer than before. It was hard to take her seriously. “Yeah! You tried!”

“Ahem, to put it into simpler terms…” Akechi interfered quickly, coughing into his fist for a moment before turning to face Eli once more, directly. And the next words… Oh those next words… The tone made them extra crushing. “Your services are no longer needed since we’re here.”

Crack. Almost literally. If his glasses could shatter in place they would. D… Did he just… Just say… “What the–”

“We’ll make sure to pick up the slack. Rest easy at home, will you?”

This… Hearing it directly made him nearly furious. Especially when hearing it in that calm, irritating voice, as if being trampled on. Was that seriously why both were here? To tell him just that? Especially that brat of a detective… This little… 

But no, deep breath. He couldn’t snap at any of them. This was just as he had expected. He knew that. It was the truth, wasn’t it? Yeah, it was. And yet, something was infuriating him, making his thoughts spin around like crazy. He could barely contain himself. His fists forming said it all. “Get out of here.”

“Huh? You have no–”

“I said get out. I’m busy.” He wanted to scream, yell, just a lot of things. But he couldn’t get himself to do so. Instead he just turned away from both of them. 

“Y… Yeah, we’ll leave you to it.” Even Anja’s voice left a sour taste. It made him want to punch a wall. And yet he didn’t have the energy to argue. Was this… A declaration? That they will surpass him, do better than him? But they’re already doing that. He could be replaced at any point… Even by those two…

It’s time to end this then, isn’t it?