Persona 5 Part #34 - 5/20-5/21: We're Gonna Need More Space In The Cat

Part 34: 5/20-5/21: We're Gonna Need More Space In The Cat

Part 33: 5/20-5/21:We're Gonna Need More Space In The Cat

Boss: Embittered Blacksmith & Foolish Monks

Music: Will Power

On your knees, intruders!

I learned much from you, Madarame. In order to see authenticity… one must be dispassionately realistic.

Yusuke’s cut-in is… pretty intense.

Somehow, Yusuke also has a goddamn rifle with him, which we won’t think too much about.

These guys go down eventually, and we happen to get Yusuke’s finisher while we’re at it.

Music: Desire

Yusuke approaches Madarame, but collapses.

Yusuke, you’ve just thrown your bright future down the drain.

You’ll forever rue the day you dared defy me.

Madarame leaves.

Why can’t I move!?

Listen, you’re totally drained. You can’t do much, even if you wanted to!

What a disgrace I am…!

C’mon, just listen to her.

Music: Confession/Secret

I’m no fool. Strange people have been coming by for years, and the plagiarism was an everyday affair. But… who would want to admit that the man they owned their life to was doing such terrible things?

Why didn’t you leave, Kitagawa-kun?

Well, he is the one who painted the “Sayuri.” On top of that, I owe him a great debt.

You mean ‘cause he raised you?

I… never knew my father. I was told my mother raised me by herself, but she died in an accident when I was three. That’s when Sensei took me in. I heard he helped my mother while she was still alive.

Heard…?

To be honest, I don’t remember much about my mother either. I did everything I could for Sensei. I thought of him as a father… but he changed.

...A lot’s happened to you, huh?

When you had mentioned plagiarism… deep down I knew you were right. That’s why I so vehemently denied you… I was simply running from the truth. I’m sorry.

I’m grateful for the chance to face what I have been denying all this time.

That’s why you’re always gettin’ stuck in your own head. Look at me! I just go with the flow.

For real.

What are you going to do now?

I don’t know...

We can’t help the fact that Madarame’s gone and changed. But… we can change his heart. We’ll make him pay for his crimes.

That reminds me, you mentioned something about that “change of heart” earlier...

Have you heard the rumors? The ones about the Phantom Thieves that steal hearts?

Music: High Pressure

Suddenly, Shadows!

We’ll talk later! We need to scram!

When did my clothes change…?

You just noticed that now…?

Save it for after! Let’s go!

Music: Sunset Bridge

And because of that, this PE teacher’s had a change of heart… The Phantom Thieves who steal hearts… To think they truly exist.

No, I believe you… There’s no need for common sense to blind me after seeing a world like that. So your plan with Madarame-sensei—with Madarame is to force a change of heart, correct? Let me join… as a member of the Phantom Thieves.

Had I faced reality sooner, this may have been avoided. I must put an end to this for the sake of the others whose futures as artists were robbed, as well. That… is the most civil thing I can do for the man who was… in some manner, my father.

...Civil, huh.

Sounds fine to me. We’re gonna deal with Madarame anyways.

...Remember how we mentioned this on our way here?

Madarame is a man who has the art world under his thumb. He has connections to many organizations. If someone like me raises my voice, it’ll only be snubbed out. ...We have no option but this.

“Just FYI, he might die.” “Fuck it, already said yes.”

Kitagawa-kun...

I hope we get along, Yusuke!

You’re awful quick to forget the blackmail.

You better not slow us down.

I’ll do my best.

As funny as I’m sure the nude paintings line is I’m eager to put all that behind us. Also, “don’t betray us” seems hilariously on-the-nose.

Thank you. I ask that you coach me well.

Oh, that reminds me… I wonder what’s going on with the real Madarame. Yusuke and I were in a pretty tight situation…

Actually, I contacted him before we came here. He believes that I continued pursuing Takamaki-san. And, just as you all explained, it appears he knows nothing about his Shadow.

What did he say…?

He was complaining to the security company how they couldn’t even catch one high school girl. However, he’s still furious about it, and said that he’s going to take legal action against everyone.

Talk about bein’ completely on guard...

Legal action… He’s acting way too desperate. Maybe he still has more secrets.

If he were to act, it’d be after the exhibit is over. Any scandal during the show would be his loss.

Right when I think the talk about being a nude model is over, this happens…!?

We’ll have to force a change of heart before then, if we’re to dodge this “legal action” thing. Looks like our plan must be accomplished while the exhibit is still open!

Music: My Homie

Huh? A cat.

But it’s talking.

No, not really.

Nothing fazes this guy.

Why not?

He’s just on a different wavelength than other people.

Do you wish to draw me? You better bring out the best of me in that case.

Draw me like one of your dated references.

Hm...

Yusuke presses the call bell, which I guess is a thing in Japanese diners.

I was thinking of ordering some black-bean jelly.

I bet he got that idea from a “black cat”...

I didn’t bring any money.

Mercer’s delivery of this line kills. I can’t even describe it, he’s just so lost.

...Never mind. He’s just weird.

Music: Beneath the Mask

Who, me? Why, I never.

Don’t forget you’re still under probation, got that? One misstep and you’re finished.

...No good? What’s wrong about changing the hearts of criminals? We’re doing the right thing.

If the police hear about this, they’ll totally get in touch with the school. We’ll get expelled for sure this time.

School would be the least of our worries… We’d end up arrested. Unlawful entry, defamation...

Guess that means we really can’t afford to eff it up this time.

I can’t believe they’re so committed to not letting Ryuji say “fuck” they’d even have him type out the word “eff.”

Yeah, from here on out is what really matters. Let’s do it!

We just need to change his heart before he presses charges. Try to focus on that problem for now.

An exhibition of Ichiryusai Madarame’s works opened in Shibuya earlier this week. Many of his pieces—from when he first started, all the way to the present—are on display. Praised by critics, the exhibition also shows the evolution of the master’s style through the years.

Everyone’s totally fallen for his lies. They’ll find out soon enough, though, eh?

Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental Version)

Time to finish The Alluring Dancer.

Music: Everyday Days

So, you’ve finished reading The Alluring Dancer. The great beauty Carmen lived for love and passion. I suppose life without freedom is pointless. Well, I don’t know if I could live exactly like she did, but you learned a lot, didn’t you?

Maaku gains Charm +3.

Music: So Boring

The golden ratio used in the Mona Lisa and the Parthenon is a famous example. But a different ratio has been used in Japanese art and architecture since ancient times. Do you know what it is? Now then, Hamiru-san. Take a look at this.

Correct.

One theory says it’s because Asians have rounder faces than Westerners, so they prefer a similar shape. This ratio was used in things like ukiyo-e paintings and the pagodas at Horyuji Temple. One you should all be familiar with is B4-size paper. Those proportions are the silver ratio.

Maaku gains Knowledge +1.

Oh yeah, I hear that mascots that are seen as cute have faces that are close to this ratio. In other words, if you use this ratio, you can make cute things.

It is true that mascots tend to have round-ish faces… Huh? Why’re you looking at me like that?

Music: Tokyo Daylight

Our fight’s not over until the exhibit ends. Keep your head in the game.

Let’s head down to the Velvet Room and turn in that request.

Music: Aria of the Soul

By fusing Berith and Apsaras, we can get Jack Frost, and look at that, it learns Mabufu all on its own.

Rude.

I know I’m just a mask, but take good care of me-hee, ho!

Jack Frost is the Shin Megami Tensei mascot of sorts, and is a spirit from England thought to bring in cold weather and create the frost that appears on windows.

That Persona… Hey, sit right there!

Hmph… Fine, I’ll take it. By the way, your Personas are super weak… Not that I’m surprised, Inmate. Though I guess you deserve at least some praise for finishing your penal labor. You might actually complete your rehabilitation...

In order to promote that process, we would like to offer you the use of a new facility.

Hmph. It’s rare to see you smile, Justine.

You are the smiling one, Caroline. Did something happen to make you so joyful?

Me…?

Know your place, Inmate…!

As wardens, we simply feel satisfaction in seeing your rehabilitation progress. ...That is the extent of it. I find it upsetting that you would see such a matter as a source of amusement.

It’s like you forget where you are, Inmate. You’ve got some real guts though! With that spirit, you should have no trouble making progress!

Very well then… If you have the will to continue your penal labor, we can grant you greater freedom within this prison. It is a deal between us, the wardens, and you, the inmate.

Not like you have the right to turn it down though! Hard work is what you’re meant to do, Inmate!

This isn’t exactly making license plates, but fine, I’ll do it.

Music: The Spirit

No Sae flashforward this time. Strength is the arcana of inner strength and determination, as well as physical strength, though it’s not the focus, unlike the Chariot. It represents concepts like patience, but when reversed signals weakness and self-doubt.

The Triangle Spread, which let you fuse three Personas in 3 and 4, is curiously absent from Persona 5. Instead, you’ll do almost all your fusing from two Personas and select few special Personas are only attainable through the Group Guillotine, which takes its place. The Group Guillotine requires you to place specific fodder Personas into preset “recipes” to work, unlike the open system of regular fusion.

Music: Aria of the Soul

Now, it’s time for your next task!

Please talk to us again once you have it.

Next, we fuse a Kushi Mitama from Succubus and Hua Po.

I’ll bring some vigor back to your body. Come on, let’s check out the mysterious nature of this world!

Kushi Mitama is another Mitama, this one representing the “wondrous soul,” having the power to cause transformations and cure illnesses according to Shinto belief.

While we’re out, I also think to check out the gym Ryuji showed us.

HP and SP, huh? Sounds decent (but we’ll still never do it).

Now that Yusuke’s joined the party, a new book has become available from the library. We check it out.

>Let’s hang out.

Are you sure about that? We still haven’t found the Treasure...

I guess there’s no point in worrying if you’re so sure… Oh yeah! I started training, so you should totally help me out if you have the time.

>Hang out with her

All right, let’s go. Hm, the best way to get to Inokashira Park is by train, right?

We found a new spot!

Music: What’s Going On?

So, remember how I said before that I want to strengthen my heart? Well, I came up with a way to do it!

I think having a strong heart means you don’t let anything get under your skin. So basically, I want you to say stuff to me, and I’ll try not to get fazed by it!

I guess I should say something to Ann...

C’mon, hit me with your best shot!

Yeah, yeah, yeah! And?

Uh-huh, uh-huh. What else?

Maaku’s really not feeling this.

Wait… is this how the game is supposed to go?

Oh well. On to round two!

…… You know… I kinda feel like this won’t make our Personas stronger.

Huh, something’s not right...

Oh, sorry. I just got an email from my agency. The next shoot is… really far. Wait, what’s this at the end? It’s a notice saying to pay extra attention to the time and place they tell you. Apparently some models haven’t been showing up at all lately. Then when asked why they didn’t come, the models all say they heard there was a change in schedule. It sounds like shoots have been real hectic with all the scrambling they’ve had to do for substitutes.

It probably really confuses the staff to see a sub showing up too. Hopefully it doesn’t happen to me… Though actually, my first modeling gig was as a sub. That was back when I was still in Finland. My parents didn’t have enough models for their event.

Oh, haven’t I told you? My parents are both fashion designers who put on some seriously extravagant shows.

My perception of this character is flying into fucking orbit. This is somehow even less relatable than Rise or Naoto from 4.

They jump from country to country, so I only really see them for half of the year. ...Maybe less these days.

Sounds like a Persona protagonist in the making!

Plus it would probably be tough being a phantom thief with my parents around, don’t you think? It was rough when I was little though… It was just me and our live-in caretaker. I didn’t really have any friends… Wow, that got dark fast…! Ahaha… Honestly, when I’m modeling… it almost feels like I’m connecting with my parents somehow. It’s a nice hobby to have… but I don’t think I’d want to make a living out of it. After all, that’s where Kamoshida first spotted me… and that’s how our class started those rumors...

“Yeah, my parents are fashion designers, and I’m a model in high school… but it’s just, like, a hobby. Also I’m so preternaturally beautiful I’m constantly being victimized by the people around me.”

And there’s kind of my issue with Ann. I just don’t feel like all this random shit they pile on in these scenes adds up to a whole character, something her Confidant is incredibly guilty of, which is why it’s one of the weaker ones overall.

Besides, the Phantom Thieves are more important to me right now. Nobody can be my substitute there...

(in forty-to-sixty updates in the future voice) I wouldn’t be so sure about that.

That’s why I need to get stronger!

I sense a heightened motivation from Ann...

When I was little, I used to watch this anime where the main villain was this female thief. She’d lose to the hero every time, but I always thought she was cool. She wasn’t really a “good” person per se… But she was beautiful, strong, sincere, and even sexy. She always said whatever she wanted, did whatever she wanted… She knew what justice was for her. I… wanted to grow up to be just like her someday. I hope I’m getting closer now, if only just a little bit. Well, see you later.

Music: Beneath the Mask

People are out and about in the city, enjoying the early summer breeze. In the city, people can still escape and enjoy nature by visiting Inokashira Park...

Hey, that park looks really nice. It might be a good idea to take a break and relax there.

Goddammit, cat, I was just there.