Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 159

The moment had presented itself. Eli just had to be a little patient. Honestly, he would have loved to storm into the interrogation room and ask the brat first hand. Especially when having seen him enter that room after a conversation with Prosecutor Nijima. And the ‘joke’ he made… It was unsettling, to say the least.

“ Akechi–Kun!? Why are you here? ”

“ Why do you seem so surprised? ”

“I  needed my director to step in to get access and I was directly responsible for this case. How did you get approval? ”

“ For the same reason you did. I am heading up the investigation team, after all. It’s only natural I’d have the right to interrogate our culprit as well, don’t you think? ”

“ They assigned you command!? ”

“ That was a joke, of course. I’m merely here to assist with the public security interrogation. I am surprised it’s this far underground though… There aren’t any other incarcerated here, yes? Nobody would ever know if things got a little violent… ”

Oh how tempting it was to run over and bash his face in. But he didn’t. Eli knew better than that. It was unfortunate, to say the least. This was no joke. There was no way this was a joke. Or maybe it was and he had some sick sense of humor, one for deserving a beating for. But deep breath, do not act hastily. He has a job to do and he must see it through. He was looking for answers first and foremost, even if the confrontation was going to be a direct one.

Hence why he waited outside, until the brat was done with whatever business he had. And the moment he had stepped outside of the building the officer had not hesitated to approach the boy directly, trying to keep up a calm yet serious facade. Make it seem that nothing was up and he was still in the dark about everything. Then again, he had no proof whatsoever either, only his ears. “Hey. Can I have a word with you for a sec?” A straightforward question while walking up. No beating around the bush whatsoever. 

It was enough to get the wannabe detective’s attention, making him turn to the officer. The look on that boy’s face felt a little weird. For a second his eyes seemed to be a mere blank and he seemed colder than usual. But it morphed quickly into that polite smile he always had on his face, the mere act of it. And when close enough he even opened his mouth in that sickening tone… That fake ass polite tone he had around everyone. “Ah, Officer Sato! I didn’t expect to see you here.” He said. “Have you sorted things out with Sae–San by any chance?”

An attempt at smalltalk now? Hah… No, pretend. Two can play this game. “More or less.” The officer responded.

“I see. And since you are still here you decided against your resignation, didn’t you?”

“I think that’s obvious.”

“Of course. My apologies.” 

‘ Apologies my ass ’ Eli thought, yet he kept that inside his head. Instead he continued the conversation, needing to steer it into a specific direction. “I’m currently working on another case. Do you mind if I ask you something?”

Akechi looked at the officer a bit perplexed for a moment. “Another case in the middle of this one?”

“There’s more going on than just the Phantom Thieves.”

“Right. Police work is tiring after all. Very well, go on ahead.” Yet he seemed to be on edge for a second. He didn’t show it but one could feel it. Yet there was no way that the officer was going to show some punk any mercy.

“Do you know where Anja is?” – A straightforward question. Eli did not intend to beat around the bush here. After all, this was time sensitive. If he didn’t then who knows what might happen to the girl. And he wasn’t going to risk it. The wannabe detective had to know something. He just had to!

He was really taking his time with his answers. Though his expression changed for another split second. The smile faded, eyes once more blank, a quick hiss coming from his lips. Until he spoke again, still keeping up the polite tone yet his face having grown more serious as he spoke. And something just rubbed the officer the wrong way about it. “No. I haven't heard of her since two days ago.” It was Akechi’s response. “Did something happen?”

What!? Was he seriously asking if something happened!? Shouldn’t he know if the two were apparently ‘close’!? That little… “Don't play dumb with me!” A sudde burst of emotions just came flowing out. Eli didn’t know what overcame him but he raised his voice a little. Perhaps a little too much but he quickly got riled up here. Then again, maybe it was just because of the current circumstances. And what didn’t help was that he never really liked this brat to begin with. Akechi was always a little weird, out of place. And the officer only got confirmation after confirmation today. Something’s definitely up with him. “She’s missing! It was you, wasn't it!?”

“Missing?” Akechi’s eyes widened for a moment. But he then shook his head, trying to not react to the change in Eli’s tone. “I… didn't know.

A lie! This had to be a lie! No way! There’s just no way! “I think you did! Spit it out or–”

“On what basis do you make such an accusation, Sato–San?” The sentence brought him back to reality. It was a little sharp, as sharp as a knife’s blade. And that glare… He hated that some brat had something over him but he really couldn’t argue with that. He hoped for something, anything, to just show this guy his place. But no, not like this. 

Hence why he got himself to cool down. He had no other choice but to do so. A deep breath and he finally responded, though begrudgingly. He had to even force himself to look that guy into the eye. “Sorry. I got a little too worked up here.” He said. “I just want to find her as quickly as possible. The first 24 hours are crucial after all.”

“It is very common for a missing person’s case if you want to find them alive. I understand.” He said, pretending perhaps to reassure the officer. But were these words really trustworthy? “But I assure you that I don't know anything about her whereabouts. That is the truth.”

“Hah… She didn’t send you anything?”

“No. I haven’t heard a word from… Her for days now.” It was as if he was holding something back, as if he wanted to call her something entirely different. Come to think of it, Akechi was acting a little different than usual. And also different from the recording. 

Looking at him closer he seemed very agitated, a little too agitated. His voice nearly cracked at some points, as if he was holding something in. He clutched onto the suitcase he was holding, his hand nearly cracking the holder into tiny pieces. Not just that but there was also a bitter undertone in his voice, the entire time. It wasn’t exactly a grudge but the topic was not something he wanted to touch upon either. It was… Odd. 

Eli didn’t want to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, he really didn’t. Not after what he had heard. But, as hard as it was to admit, maybe the boy really didn’t know anything. He didn’t know where she was and when thinking about it for just one second… It unfortunately sounded believable. And he couldn’t frame someone for something they hadn’t done. There was something else but this wasn’t it, at all. 

“Alright, I get it. You can go now.” The officer said, knowing that this conversation wasn’t really going to lead him anywhere.

“Good luck Sato–San. If you excuse me.” And then he left. He just walked past the officer and called it a day. 

This really didn’t make any sense… Just where was this girl hiding? Did he really have to be the idiot walking all over Shibuya to get his answers?

This can’t be happening…