Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 176

‘Hey Lukanja. Where are you?’

‘It’s afternoon. Are you oversleeping again?’

‘It’s almost evening. Didn’t you want to come over?’

‘Ey, answer me at least!’

‘If you see this, answer me right now!’

‘Lukanja!’

With each message Goro started to panic more and more. He didn’t know what to say, how to act in such a situation but he felt himself getting… Worried? Yeah, worried. Actually worried. It was a new feeling. A little odd but nothing he could stop. But it was also a little annoying. After all, he received no response from them whatsoever. Even when he was checking again and again that day, he saw that they hadn’t even picked up their phone. It was all on unread. It made his stomach twist. Especially once when running the possibilities inside his head.

He recalled a conversation with Shido months ago, just shortly after the conviction of Miyuki Ishikawa. Oh the conversation was still burned into his mind, especially when thinking back on it.

“Get rid of that brat!”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“Please, do not concern yourself with some mere girl. She’s insignificant in the grand scheme of things.”

“Insignificant? This brat has just brought someone—”

“I know, I was there myself. But who would listen to someone like her? She’s not just ‘a random girl’ but also considered to be the daughter of a criminal. Even with her father proven innocent, she will carry that reputation for a lifetime.”

“And how are you so sure about that?”

“She is under my watch Sir. If she acts out of line, I will be the first to know. But as things are, there is no reason to dispose of her. If she was to uncover something it is unlikely that she will have that amount of evidence to begin with.”

“Fine. But if she becomes as annoying as her own father you know what to do.”

And while Goro managed to fend Shido off for the time being there was always a chance that he has snapped by now. After all, on that last phone call between the two he seemed to be a little agitated, so much so that his orders were a given, though unusual for someone like him.

“How about you dispose of all the ones you think suspicious?”

“Right at this moment? But the election is coming up soon.”

“Correct. The earlier the better.”

“Why so suddenly? Did something happen?”

“Nothing in particular. But if something were to happen, it would already be too late.”

“I can understand why you might be nervous, but why not stay calm and hold off until after the election?”

“I’d like to take out the trash before my inauguration as prime minister of this nation. For the sake of absolute victory, I need all roots of anxiety to be pulled as soon as possible.”

“Anxiety? You’ve never mentioned such things before now… Um.. Shido–San?”

“Do you understand what it means to cross me!? Just do as I ask. I’ll be counting on you.”

And while Lukanja had not been involved in the Mental Shutdown business in any way the proclaimed future Prime Minister had set his sights on them pretty early on. Not just that but Akechi had been out of touch with him since the boiler room incident inside the old shithead’s very own Palace. So it wasn’t unlikely in the current state that he maybe, probably, possibly suspected them having something to do with it. At least it wouldn’t be completely out of character, especially not now.

With that in mind Goro’s head started to spin again. That idiot… If they got themself caught like this it might already be too late! He didn’t want to resort to this but he had to get into contact with Officer Sato himself at that point. He knew that they were missing last time so maybe this time he might also know? There was only one way to find out…

‘Excuse me Sato–San, may I have a moment?’

‘It’s you. What do you want?’

‘It’s about Anja. Is she alright?’

‘Why do you ask?’

‘She hasn’t shown up today.’

‘Have you tried contacting her?’

‘Yes. 

But it is all unread.’

‘Weird…

Let me ask her mother.’

It took a few minutes though these were probably the worst minutes of Goro’s life. He waited very anxiously. There may be no reason to yet in his head the possibility of something happening to them, because of him… Losing yet another person, he couldn’t bear that, not again. First his mother… And if it hit them now then—

But this came to a halt. A message plopped up after a short wait of agony, one which would put his mind at ease. At least somewhat.

‘Apparently Anja hasn’t gone missing.

However, according to her mother she locked herself inside her room and hasn’t come out.’

‘I see…’ What are they doing!? Seriously… Maybe it didn’t put him that much at ease, not now anyway.

‘Did something happen?’

‘I’m not sure.

I will check up on her tomorrow. Thank you for your cooperation Sato–San.’

‘Call it whatever you like, Inspector Gadget.’

‘That nickname again, huh…’

‘Report back when you visited her. I’d check myself but I’m currently busy with another case.’

‘Of course. You have my word.’