Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 177

The plan had never been to step outside. And Goro knew the risk it had entailed if he did. He had planned to barely leave his flat and if so not without company. But this took a different turn of events, leaving him with no choice but to leave and check up on them. That conversation yesterday with Sato–San was getting to him. Sure, the guy was glad that they didn’t get apprehended or ran away again but it was still concerning. 

They had been in slumps before, he wasn’t blind. Yet they never said a word. In fact, they would always insist that everything was fine. Even before getting closer like this he had already known that. Even if something was on their mind they just… Well… They were disguising it usually. Just like back then…

“Say say, does anything look different about me lately?”

“Hmm… You are looking more tired than usual.”

“Huh? I do?”

“W… Was I supposed to notice something else?”

“No, nothing like that… I was just curious.”

“How so?”

“Haha, I… do feel a little sluggish lately. So I wanted to know if it was obvious or not. And Akechi–Kun has a pretty sharp eye~ … So I wanted to ask you first.”

They had blamed it on not taking their medication that time. Maybe that played a part in it but it was impossible that this was the only reason. He didn’t believe it fully at least. They just seemed too out of it that time. So during the time they ran off it was probably something similar. Hah… They were a terrible actor, to say the least. But they had a talent of making people worried sick about them, that’s for sure.

In any case, being fully aware of that made Goro push everything established aside and hurry over to the house they and their mother lived in. To not be recognized he made sure to cover up his entire face – Wearing a coat to cover his body and a scarf to cover the lower half of his face. But in case it would slip down he already wore a mask. To top it all off he even wore a cap and sunglasses. He got weird stares, certainly, yet if it meant that no one could tell that this was him, then it should be fine. Though in a crowded train it was hard to breath wearing that. And he had to go through the entire city that way, so no one could tell who this was.

Luckily Lukanja seemed to live a little bit outside of the city. Still close by yet an area which was usually not visited unless you had some business here. The streets were empty as a result, devoid of anything or anyone. And having a hard time breathing under that mouth mask he pulled that off of him as well as the cap and the sunglasses, storing them inside his coat’s pockets. 

Luckily the way to their house was not a long one. He still remembered the way from last time, when he had to carry them home. It was basically burned into his memory. But then again, how could he forget the day he had met their mother and how she nearly mistook the two for a couple? Not the most ideal first meeting but at least the visit shouldn’t be sudden.

Skip forward just a few minutes, Goro arriving at the door. He didn’t hesitate ringing the doorbell a few times, hearing a loud “ Coming! ” as an answer. Footsteps hurried over before the door opened and a young looking woman was standing right inside the door – Lukanja’s mother. And she looked distressed. Her hair was all messy and her clothes were a little out of shape. Not to mention the bags under her eyes. Did she even get any sleep? 

And yet she tried putting on a smile on her face, as weak as it was. “Ah, Akechi. Hello. What a surprise to see you here.” She greeted him, trying to keep up her usual tone. Or so he had assumed.

“Hello Miss. Is your child home?” He asked.

“Ah– My child…” She began though hesitated. He knew, he already did. Otherwise he wouldn’t be here. But he couldn’t just tell her that, not into her face. It would come off as weird, wouldn’t it? 

“Is something going on?” He therefore asked.

“They… Haven’t come out for a while.” She explained, her expression showing as if she was somewhat in pain due to her worry. “ They didn’t even come out to go to work.”

“That— Are they sick or something!?” He blurted that out rather, unable to conceal at least a worried undertone. This was starting to get a little scary for him. No, he had to calm down before concluding the worst again. But…

“I tried talking to her but I get no response. That or he yells at me to get out.” The mother sighed, dropping her head in defeat, showing more and more of her frustration all the same. Maybe that’s why she was so tired? Keeping herself up at night just because of her child acting weird… She was Lukanja’s mother after all. That should be expected. “I don't know what to do anymore.”

“May I have a word with them?” Goro asked, making her lift her head up to look at him. He was trying his best to remain calm here. And the worst he could do was try in the end. Yeah, try. He had to try. Maybe he could get through to them… Maybe… “If you don't mind.”

She seemed to think for a bit, not saying a word. For a moment he worried. What if she said no? It was her every right yet he didn’t just want to go and leave it at that. But he had to try. He was about to consider a plan b, get in there and talk to Lukanja somehow. But to his surprise and luck their mother agreed in the end. “Of course. I’ll lead you to their room.”