Sadayo Kawakami is Joker's homeroom teacher during Persona 5 Royal, and she's also the Temperance confidant who offers some very useful benefits that players won't get from anyone else. However, she won't become Joker's confidant until after he discovers something more about Kawakami's private life.
This is because Kawakami has a night job, and one that's rather inappropriate for a teacher. The reason for this side job becomes clear as her story unfolds, and along the way players will get access to some valuable time-saving abilities. Most of them cost yen, but time is the most valuable asset players have in Persona 5 Royal.
General Information
The Temperance Arcana is all about balance. It traditionally depicts an angelic woman who is passing water from one jug into another, and behind her are stars both in the sky and in the water's reflection. The card can mean moderation, frugality, and accommodation, while the reverse meanings include discord and a conflict of interest. At the start of her storyline, the reverse Temperance is a better description of Kawakami's life.
To contact Kawakami for ranking events and hangouts, players must use the yellow public phone in Leblanc at night on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, though in December players can also meet her on Monday. None of her events take place outside, and so weather will never affect her availability. Kawakami's services are available on any night of the week, but Joker can't spend time with her if she's busy.
If players don't have enough relationship points to reach the next rank, they can hang out with Kawakami in Joker's room. Her favorite gifts are the Heart Ring, Robot Vacuum, Digital Camera, Face Beautifier, Electric Toothbrush, and Blaring Alarm Clock. If Joker is on the romance path, he can invite Kawakami out to Odaiba (so long as it isn't raining) and get the Night Pennant room decoration.
Somewhat surprisingly, Kawakami is a potential love interest. If players reach rank 10 on the romance path before the Hawaii vacation, Joker can spend time with her and get the Hawaiian Ring. This is an accessory that holds the Evade Bless skill. Joker can also sneak away with her during the school festival on 10/26 to get Sadayo Taiyaki, a consumable that restores 100 SP to one ally. On Christmas Eve, Kawakami can give Joker a Pen Case, which will improve the same-Arcana bonus during future playthroughs. Finally, Joker can get Kawakami's Chocolate on Valentine's Day (an item that restores full SP for one ally) and date her on White Day.
Getting Started
To begin the Temperance confidant, players must first meet with Ryuji and Mishima to "investigate" a maid service flyer. The first night Joker can begin this event is 5/27, but players can delay it until later if they prefer. Most dialog choices during this event don't matter, but say "You're a genius, Ryuji!" To get a few bonus points for the Chariot confidant.
On the next school day, players can find Kawakami near the faculty office on the second floor of the classroom building. Another teacher is confronting her about her late nights, but Joker can intervene by asking Kawakami a question. Feeling grateful, Kawakami will give Joker her work number, and players can then start the Temperance confidant by using the Leblanc public phone on any night of the week.
However, Joker will need to meet two more requirements before beginning rank 1. First, he must have Guts 3 (Staunch). Second, Joker must be able to pay 5000 yen each time Kawakami visits.
Rank 1
Kawakami is somewhat surprised that Joker actually called her number. She won't allow any funny business, but she is willing to clean the dusty storage room that Joker calls home. Most of the dialog choices don't matter, but at the end players can get a few relationship points depending on what they say.
- Yeah, I get it. 3
- I will if you will. 2
- Please stop talking like that. 2
The points listed in this guide assume players have a Temperance Persona in stock to get the same-Arcana bonus. For starting this rank, Players get the ability Slack Off. On certain school days (one per month), Kawakami will change the curriculum to give Joker a chance to do something else. Options include reading a book, crafting infiltration tools, studying, and sleeping to get a possible boost to a random social stat or relationship.
Rank 2
As Kawakami takes a break from cleaning, she explains that she needs to work two jobs to help her sick sister.
- It does. 2
- I feel nothing. 0
- I'll tell your boss. 0
- I can't say I wasn't... 0
- Absolutely not! 2
- What kind of weird things? 0
- You need money? 0
- What's it for? 0
- Are you scolding me? 0
- This is all for you. 0
- I requested you. 0
- You have the wrong number. 2
- Uh, what the hell? 2
- Is this the hard sell? 2
Rank 3
During the next service, Kawakami suggests the "Maid Cooking" option, but it turns out her cooking skills amount to preparing instant noodles.
- Yeah, they do. 2
- Do some real cooking. 2
- Can I have a different maid? 0
- I was curious. 0
- So I could slack off in class. 0
- I wanted to see you. 0
- Your sister's bills, right? 0
- I'll request you more often. 3
- You're really blunt. 0
- You have it rough. 0
- Are they that expensive? 0
- Don't overdo it. 0
- Thanks. 2
- I'll work hard at it. 0
- You're not in character. 0
This rank unlocks Housekeeping. Joker can now ask Kawakami to brew coffee or do the laundry for him so that he can do other things with his evening. Kawakami will make whatever type of coffee Joker can make based on his Hierophant rank, but she only brews one cup instead of two. There's no downside to having Kawakami do the laundry, but the clothes she cleans won't count towards the Thieves Den laundry reward.
To use these services, players must interact with the coffee pots or the washing machines. Right before Joker commits his evening, Morgana will ask if he should call Kawakami to handle things. Just like a regular visit, each use of Housekeeping costs 5000 yen.
Rank 4
Kawakami comes clean about her "sister" and suggests that Joker cut ties with her.
- That would be great. 0
- What are you scheming? 0
- How rude. 2
- No surprise there. 0
- How old ARE you? 0
- Yes, you do. 2
- You're pushing it. 0
- You need to love yourself. 3
- I already knew that. 0
- Why did you lie to me? 0
- You're a bad teacher. 0
Rank 5
After Joker requests Kawakami again in spite of last time, she explains why she really needs the money.
- It's fun. 2
- I want to know more. 0
- Who's the Master here? 2
- How terrible... 2
- It was inevitable. 0
- So, did you stop? 2
- It's not your fault. 0
- It was bad luck. 0
- It's no one's fault. 0
- You okay with that? 0
- Guardians, huh... 0
- It's too late now. 0
- What about our deal? 0
- I want to see you again. 0
- Curry is all I eat. 0
- You get bored of the taste. 0
- You want some? 2
The rank 5 ability is Free Time. Kawakami will sometimes call other teachers out of class, giving Joker more class periods he can use to do his own thing. This more than doubles the number of free periods players can get.
Rank 6
Kawakami's health is getting worse thanks to all the extra work she does to pay off Takase-kun's guardians.
- You just got here. 0
- Want to rest a bit? 2
- Give me back my money. 0
- Are you all right? 3
- Have you seen a doctor? 2
- You should go home. 3
- Are you okay? 0
- Don't overdo it. 0
- I'll be fine. 0
- Nah, too lazy. 0
- How are you feeling, though? 2
Despite her issues, this rank unlocks Super Housekeeping. Along with coffee and laundry, Kawakami will now also help Joker by making curry and infiltration tools. Like the coffee, Kawakami will make the same type of curry Joker can, but only half as much. She can also only craft one type of infiltration tool at a time, and she can only make half as many tools in a night as Joker can (plus Joker won't get a Proficiency boost).
Rank 7
The next time Joker tries to hire Kawakami, he'll learn that she was hospitalized for exhaustion. This event takes place at the hospital, and as such it doesn't cost 5000 yen like normal. Joker will also meet Takase-kun's guardians in person.
- Don't strain yourself. 2
- Don't lie. 0
- Don't pay them. 3
- Sister company? 0
- Can you make a lot there? 0
- Think this through more. 3 (unlocks romance flag)
- That's the wrong choice. 0
- Isn't there another way? 0
- Just rest for now. 0
Rank 8
Kawakami is just about ready to quit teaching, but Joker intervenes.
- That's the wrong decision. 0
- Please reconsider. 0
- Is this really what you want? 3
- You're running away. 2
- If that's what you decided. 3
- I need my teacher. 0
- Try to remember. 0
- That's your answer. 0
- Take a look at yourself. 0
- Are you going to give up? 0
- Mistakes can be fixed. 0
- Be confident in your answer. 3
- That's the right choice. 3
- You're asking a student? 3
- I want to protect you. 3
- That's reassuring. 3
- You're welcome. 2
- So much for being a maid. 2
- I'll do anything for you. 2
Request
On the next school day after the rank 8 event, Kawakami will tell Joker she'll stop paying Takase-kun's guardians, but then they show up and threaten to end her career. This begins the Mementos request "A Teacher Maid to Suffer." Joker will find the guardians' Shadows in Chemdah Area 7, and they take the form of Oberon and Titania. Oberon is weak to Psy while Titania is weak to Fire. The Shadows drop the Envy Chain, a unique weapon for Ann.
Rank 9
Once the guardians have their change of heart, Kawakami shares the good news with Joker.
- Nonsense. 3
- You may be right. 0
- Aren't you old already...? 0
- What a bummer. 3
- Thank you for your service. 3
- Not really. 2
- I want to keep seeing you. 2
If players choose option 2:
- Got it. 2
- I mean what I say. 0
If players choose option 2 again:
- I'm a master; you're a maid. 0
- I'm a man; you're a woman. 0 (romance flag)
If players are on the friendship path:
- I agree. 0
- You can do it. 2
- You were a pretty good maid. 0
Rank 10
To unlock the rank 10 event, a school day must pass so Joker can see Kawakami rededicate herself to teaching. Kawakami has quit her second job, and so this visit is free.
Relationship points no longer matter at this point, but players can still get a better reaction from Kawakami by choosing option 1 for the first two choices on the friendship path. For reaching rank 10, players unlock the Special Massage. If players call Kawakami after spending the day in the Metaverse, she'll give Joker a massage that will refresh him and let him spend the evening outside Leblanc. In addition, Kawakami will now perform all her Housekeeping services for free. Joker also gets access to the ultimate Temperance Persona, Ardha.
On 3/19, players can speak to Kawakami to get an Unlimited Service coupon. During a New Game Plus run, players who reestablish the Temperance confidant can get access to the Special Massage right away. However, the massage will cost 5000 yen.
Persona 5 Royal is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.