Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 163

The stop they had taken was a small café, one hidden from the general public. It was not Leblanc. Luckily it was not Leblanc. Otherwise Lukanja would be truly unable to get out even a peep. Because it would be a direct reminder of everything, a rush back. And then they would just shut off completely, knowing that they would not get out another tone for the rest of their life. .

It was just some random café. No one knew who they were and didn't ask any questions. The waitress who had approached Lukanja and Sato–San had the usual polite expression on her face as she got their orders – Two coffees, obe with milk and one without. It only took her a few minutes yet she had returned with the respective orders. The black one was placed towards the officer while the one with milk went to them. And then she left. 

They took the handle of the cup and moved it towards their mouth, taking a sip. The moment they did they felt warm, the wave overcoming them throughout their entire body. It was a contrast to how it was outside, how it felt like staying within the domain of Pipistrello’s. It was reassuring, almost comforting. Come to think of it, this wave of warmth made them feel alive again. At least more than they had felt the past few days. It may as well have been one of those revival drinks you could obtain in jrpgs. Except it was just coffee. Literally. Coffee. Just coffee.

Sip after sip passed, them feeling more and more refreshed with each sip. One after the other, as if taking in each drop. And their gaze went over to Officer Sato. He wasn’t saying anything, not a word. He wasn’t asking them or pressuring them to talk, no. He was too busy with his own coffee here. Or so it looked like at the very least. All he did as well was take one sip after the other.

Usually this would cause a rather awkward atmosphere. Only silence, both occasionally catching glances at one another. To outsiders it may have been that way. Yet if Lukanja had to put it into words, they would not describe it in such a way. It was… Oddly comforting. It had a certain effect on them, a rather obvious one.

It was as if they had all the time in the world. No questions, no jabs, not even an attempt to steer the conversation into that direction, any direction really. He was just sitting there, waiting for them to take the first step, saying the first word. 

Though that would still take a while. Only the sound of gulping and sipping would fill the air between the two. Well, that and the background noise caused by the other customers, mostly talking amongst themselves. But that was all the noise there was, no other. 

Thus it took not too long until Lukanja placed down an empty cup. That was all of the coffee and it had been pretty much devoured by them. Maybe it was because they had not really consumed anything back there, when running away, not having had the motivation to do so. Maybe that was why they had been faster than Sato–San who was still busy drinking his own coffee. Maybe… That's why they had decided to say something. Maybe that was why they could finally open their mouth, after so long. Maybe… Yeah, maybe. Because they weren’t sure why they had spoken up but they just did, though calmer than before.

“Uhm… Sato–San? Can I… Confess something?” That was how they had started, giving out a warning. It was as if they wanted to give him the chance to back out. Or maybe they hoped for a chance to back down. Yet they also knew the answer. After all, the reason why the both had been here was to talk, making them explain themself.

He placed down his cup, finally looking at them constantly. Their eyes met and the cup was standing on the table. He didn’t pick it back up, only eyeing them. “Yeah. Go on ahead.” He said. “What is it?”

Their chest became tighter for a short moment, their body tense. They knew that they had to say it now yet at least for this split second they had been hesitant. But they shoved it off, no. They couldn’t back out now. No turning back. “It’s about… The mental shutdown incidents…”

Curiosity had peaked almost instantly. He looked at them, a bit of a shock yet also somewhat expecting. And yet he didn’t verbally say anything. He was waiting for them to continue. And that was what they did.

“I… It’s a long story but… I… I…” They stuttered, noticing how it became tougher and tougher to speak. Should they even say it? Probably not, it would go against the agreement. But it was painful to keep shut all the same. They had to tell someone, anyone! And if it was Sato–San, then so be it! That was the only reason why they forced their voice out, squeezing it out of their throat. “I know who the culprit is!”

“You what?” There it was, the sudden disbelief. Deep inside it was causing quite a stirr within them. Should they say it? Maybe it was not a good idea after all. But then– No, they can’t. They cannot back out now! They had to… 

“I know how it sounds but please, hear me out!” They continued finally, and then decided to just let it out. Just speak and don’t think about it too much! “It probably sounds far from the truth! And I understand that you might not believe me! But if you could lend me an ear, that’d be enough! I promise that I’m not lying! I will find a way to prove everything! Just please, one chance! It will be worth your time! If you let me—”

“Stop right there.” Sato–San interrupted out of nowhere and then their mouth went shut. It suddenly just went all quite, not continuing in any shape or form. In fact they even had turned their face down for a short moment, soon realizing what they had just said and embarrassment washing over their body. Though when they came to face him… He wasn’t looking at them in disgust or anything like that, no. Nor was he looking at them as if they were a weirdo. Instead he continued rather calmly. “I think you should collect your thoughts first before speaking.”

“But I—”

“I understand, your information might be time sensitive. But if it’s such a massive deal, you can’t make any errors in your testimony.” He then suddenly got up from his chair. “Meet me in my office once you’ve calmed down.We’ll continue this another time.”

They didn’t want to yet they had to agree. The nod was a little hesitant overall yet this was all they could do. They wanted to speak up so badly yet their mind had been in shambles. Not even they were sure what they were thinking anymore. So talking like this wasn’t safe at all, was it? Ah yeesh, why did everything have to turn out that way!?

“Good. I’m glad you understand.” He nodded however. “Now let me pay up and get you home. I’ll handle your mom too if you want.”