Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 186

“ I’ll change my heart! No matter what it takes! ” – A sentence easier said than done. And Lukanja was more than aware. Honestly, they would lie if they said that they didn't feel a little uneasy about this. Sure, they had said it with conviction and all but it only could last for so long. Because they knew that they would start having their doubts moments later. Or no, not doubt. They weren't doubting anything. It was more so that they were scared. Scared of the unknown, scared of the uncertainty, scared of what this would do, what it would mean to change their own heart. How would they act once it has been completed? Will they be any different? Or will it not do anything? And then thinking back on Ishikawa… Did it even have any effects? Or was it all worse than they had been shown? The thought made them tremble a little. 

Yet they didn't want to lose momentum nor time, therefore they invited Akechi right inside and upstairs, so they could discuss the matter right away. Not just that but Ole could listen to it as well then, even if he was currently busy resting on the bed like any cat his age would. And Lukanja was sitting right next to the old man. Akechi in the meantime had picked the chair in front of the desk, having turned it around to sit down on it, so that both could face each other while discussing the matter. They had to come up with a plan, quickly, a strategy of some sorts. Though since the Shadows they were going to face were Lukanja’s it should be quicker to come up with something. 

“Alright, first thing’s first!” They began, though sounding more as if they were announcing it more rather than just beginning to speak. “We gotta discuss where the treasure could be! Just so that we are on the same page!”

They saw Akechi shrugging. “Can’t say I spotted anything.” He said which… Well, it didn’t surprise them in the slightest. In fact, this was something they expected to hear, more or less. Not having a single clue nor seeing anything which could be a worthwhile hiding spot. This… Sounded just like themself, they had to be completely honest there. If it was something valuable they would not make it too obvious.

“Since they are made from my mind I assume that their treasure is not hidden somewhere within the Palace.” They added, knowing what type of reaction it would earn them. It sounded confusing at first and that was exactly how he looked at them. 

He wasn’t catching on at all and who was to blame him for that? Anyone would be confused by such a claim. After all, didn’t that contradict the rules of a Palace? At least the ones they had learned over the course of the past months. “What do you mean?”

They hopped off their own bed as a result, speaking while standing in the middle of their messy room with their bare feet. Yet the cold floor didn’t bother them anymore by then. They had to get their point across is all. “The Palace is small. We can explore but chances that we’d be spotted would be very high in such a tiny space. Especially now since both Shadows might be overly cautious after today.” They explained. Luckily he didn’t interrupt them, only nodding along as they kept on talking. “They probably keep the treasure close somewhere, especially if they consider it very valuable. Either inside their room or on their bodies.”

“So you’re suggesting that there could be a hidden room somewhere?”

“Yeah, exactly. They gotta manage their works somehow, don’t they?”

“That makes sense, I suppose.” He nodded. “I’m not going to argue since it’s your Palace we’re talking about here. But how about we check it out? Just to confirm that theory.”

“Alright, fair enough. If there’s a room we gotta find it anyways, don’t we?” They agreed with a nod. “We just gotta be careful then.They might be onto us.”

“Yeah yeah, got it.”

“So no reckless fighting!”

“Why do I feel like you’re scolding me all of a sudden?”

“Because I am.”

“Of course you are…” Akechi shook his head afterwards. “In any case, you go get some rest first. Text me when you’re ready to go.”

They nodded. “Roger that!” Though it would probably be sooner than later. Or it should be rather. Because they wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. There was no turning back, not after this conversation. They had to succeed, no matter what.

Mission – Change your own heart starts now!