Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 153

The first sight Swan took in was the sight of O, how he was just barely keeping himself together. Ignoring everything else going on they ran over to him, just when he was collapsing, making the old man drop right into their arms. They held onto him, first worried that they had been a little too late. However, the worry was eased when they heard the light snoring. He fell asleep. But of course he did. It made them let out a sigh in relief yet they still held onto O, making sure that he was all comfortable.

Their gaze then went to somewhere else, quickly spotting the Knight Of Thorns. They saw him looking down at two sets of armors, the armors which the other two Shadows had worn. Though there was no sight of them. They moved their gaze around but nothing. They didn't spot anything or anyone, at least not the lookalikes. In the end they looked back at where The Knight Of Thorns was standing, silently eyeing the set of armors in front of him. Due to his face being covered by the helmet it was unclear what he was thinking at that point. One could only guess. Yet he was looking at these armors for quite some time, minutes in fact.

"Looks like we missed the big showdown." A voice would get Swan at least out of the gutter, looking right next to them. Crow was standing there and he was looking into the same direction with his arms crossed. "But he managed to handle it by himself."

"Y... Yeah, he did." Swan nodded. They couldn't disagree there. Even though they only wanted his help, in the end Sato–San's Shadow took all the credit in taking those two down. Even if it wasn't exactly easy on him he managed to pull it off. There was no denying that. He pulled through in the end, didn't he? And that's what counts. Maybe more than any had first realized.

Yet this moment would only last for so long. The knight in question soon turned away from the armors and walked over to the trio. A few steps before he was standing right in front of them and then... Bowing? Yeah, he bowed suddenly. " I can't thank you enough, travelers from afar. " He began. Already that was giving Swan the urge to flinch. Thanking them!? They should thank him more! But they couldn't say that. They didn't even get a chance to do so. " If it hadn't been for your arrival, who knows what might have happened today. "

"Haha. We didn't do anything, really. In the end it was all you Sir." Crow responded, basically just stating what they were thinking at that moment. And wasn't that—

" You are underestimating your worth then. " The knight sighed and before knowing it his gaze suddenly met their's. " You told me what I needed to hear. Please, accept my gratitude. "

Their... Words? They shook their head, even if only a little. "But you were the ones who defeated... Well, those two."

" That I did. But you helped me open my eyes. " He sighed. " You also deserve some of the credit. Do not argue with me on this. " The stern talk... Yep, it started to sound more like Sato–San, didn't it? The same Sato–San who refused to take 'no' for an answer sometimes. And this was no exception.

"Alright, fine. We accept your thanks." They responded, noticing the light smile tugging on their face however. This Shadow... It started to talk differently. Maybe... Yeah. Maybe that was enough?

" Then again, travelers usually come here for one thing. " The knight continued, his next action sudden. He took the hands on top of his helmet and pulled it off, revealing his face to them once more. And then he continued by asking: " This is what you were here for, right? "

The helmet, the treasure. They were eying it. It was within reach now. One touch and it would be theirs, what they had been coming for. And it should 'change Sato–San's heart'. But... At this point they were honestly debating that. Changing this heart by such circumstances. Especially when witnessing what they had witnessed just now. They were hesitant, to say the least. And yet...

" You may take it. This is your reward for— "

"No..." It just escaped their mouth and they felt the sudden gazes of Crow and the Knight Of Thorns on them for saying this. Both were surprised, though in their own rights. And yet it just kept shooting out of their mouth, before anyone could ask 'Why?' "There is no need. But instead, promise me something." Even if it was seemingly out of nowhere something told them that this was the way to go. That this was something they should do at this moment. And even if they didn't know what they were doing, they decided to trust their gut feeling for once.

" What is it? " The knight asked, as confused as he was. This was no secret when looking at his face and listening to the tone of his voice. But it should all be clear to him in a moment...

"Never forget what you dedicated your life to." They responded. "Rebuild and protect this kingdom at all costs."

Their gazes met each other for probably longer than intended. It was as if the actual Sato–San was eyeing them with surprise, shock even. There didn't seem to be a response at first, only silence, almost the equivalent to a stare off.

But they then saw it, a grin on that face. A wide grin, the most genuine they had seen from him. Even if it was the Shadow, it was still filled with actual emotion. And he nodded. " If that's all it takes, then I shall honor this request. I will not disappoint. Not now and never again. "

And thus the tale of the Knight Of Thorns comes to an end.