Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 188

Materialization, easier said than done. When doing it to Sato–San and Ishikawa–San respectively it was rather easy. After all, observing how to get under someone else’s skin was a little easier to do than getting under your very own skin. It was a little uncomfortable to think about, something one would rather avoid. Having the shudder down the own spine, the goosebumps, having to hear something which would bring you one step closer to wanting to bash someone's skull in. 

However, if being prepared for it this might hit a little different. The suddenness was part of the deal. Nothing to make you brace yourself to hear something so awful, so unfiltered that you just want to lunge at someone or something while falling into a deep panic. And they also knew that if it came from any familiar mouth… It would not have any effect. They are aware of the intentions, it would not be something they would take at full value. Especially if it came from the mouth of people they got to know slowly, they fully trusted. And besides, in the real world they would just hear Ole meowing and then end up petting his head instead (before being pawed for daring to even touch the top of his head).

That was why the three were back inside Lukanja’s room, having fled the scene before they could be caught by the two Shadows or be cornered by them. Though no one really said a word, not even a ‘mrow’ echoing through the room. They were literally just sitting there, in silence, looking at either each other or the ground. At least they were looking onto the ground from time to time, trying to think. They were all aware of the previous method not working after all. But it was hard, very hard.

“A way to provoke you…” They heard Akechi mumble, somewhat in thought. And even if he may address them directly, at the same time he was just mumbling to himself here and most likely not expecting a direct response from them. “Getting under your skin is a little difficult, I have to admit.”

Hearing that part made them lift up their head in surprise, turning their head into his direction. To their surprise he had been facing them, even glaring at them while sitting on the chair with his arms crossed. It was as if he was trying to see through them. Or at least into their head. “Why say that?” They were confused about his statement however. It was difficult? Seriously!?

“Yeah. If you have somewhat patience with someone like me, I don’t think that getting under your skin will be an easy task.” 

“Oh come on! There’s gotta be something!”

“I’m sure there is. But trying things out would be a waste of time. Besides…” Suddenly he averted his gaze from them, almost trying to avoid them. At least he didn’t get up and run. Though his next words almost came out in a stutter. “I… Don’t think that I… Could… Get myself to say something… Hurtful to you.”

Hearing that, they didn’t know what to say. They noticed that there was a bit of a heartbeat all of a sudden. It was the way he said it. They felt honored to hear it if not more, perhaps false hope. Even though the timing for that was a little awful. “A… Akechi–Kun…”

“Don’t get the wrong idea.” He scoffed however, as if trying to counter it. Yet he didn’t look at them, no. In fact he turned his head a little further away from them, not even looking at them from the corner of his eyes. “I’m just saying that because I’d feel bad for insulting someone who helped me! That’s all! Don’t think too much into it!”

“Ah– I… I wasn’t going to!” They responded, though somewhat lying. They were about to get ideas yet didn’t voice it of course. Right, no wishful thinking. No getting sidetracked. They had to keep this to themself for now.

“A… Anyways! Back to the topic at hand. We need a plan before running out of time.” He reminded them as he turned back to face them, his expression having finally calmed down a little.

They nodded. “Yeah… A way to get under my skin…” They agreed. “Thinking of a way to get under my—” Yet as they repeated that quietly Lukanja suddenly stopped. It hit them like a sack of bricks, or like a mere thunder itself. It was like being hit out of literal nowhere, the equivalent of a shock. They nearly gasped, breath hitching in their throat and staying there. Though once it left their throat they suddenly stood up, rising up in one go from the bed and announcing something. But also not really. The tone was fitting for that though. “I got it!”

It was so sudden that Akechi raised one of his eyebrows while Ole lifted up his head all of a sudden, having woken up from his sleep and tilting his cat–head up to them in one go with his wide, green eyes. That old man looked as if he was in pure shock from that action alone. Yet they had to ignore that. Or did automatically, sticking with this sudden idea in their head. 

“You got it?” The human guy repeated in an asking tone.

And all they did was nod. Now they could have filled them in but they wanted it to be effective. So instead they just said: “Akechi, Ole, we will meet here tomorrow. We’ll see if my plan worked by then!” Even if it confused them it was for the best. “If it fails, it’ll be my fault and you can scold me for it. But for now, please put your trust in me!”

“Huh!? A… Are you sure? Isn’t there something we can help with?”

“No, I have to do this alone. But thanks.”

“I— No, alright. I’ll take your word for it. If it’s your idea, I’m sure it will work.”

“Haha, you’re really trusting me now, aren’t you?”

“I don’t have much of a choice. Plus, you’ve proven yourself trustworthy enough. Don’t disappoint now, you hear?”

“Got it! I’ll do my best!” Well, here goes nothing!