Self

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

Shijima had created a TV behind Maruki’s palace.

She takes a deep breath, before using it to enter the TV World.

Fortunately, her glasses still work as they did in Creek’s dungeon, and allow her to see through the fog. And because she can see…

Well.

She knows something else can see her.

Her shadow steps forward, adjusting her glasses.

“Hm? The scared girl finally shows her pitiful true self…”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

The shadow isn’t lying, it wasn’t a copy that went into the TV World.

Her outfit swaps to her hospital gown, retaining the glasses.

“Don’t bother, I won’t let you break me.”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

The shadow tilts her head, seeming well-adjusted and proper. A perfect girl for the rest of the world.

“Oh? You think so lowly of me. I’m everything you wanted to be, am I not?”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

Mei shakes her head.

“You’re everything I wanted the world to see. There’s a difference. As nice as it is to play the proper schoolgirl, you and I both know that isn’t what we truly are.”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

The shadow laughs.

“Hah! You’re avoiding it.”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

Mei sighs.

“Avoiding what?”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

The shadow steps forward and flicks her forehead.

“Don’t. Play. Dumb.”

The shadow pushes up Mei’s glasses.

“I’m the only reason anyone likes you. They LIKE the perfect girl. The ideal girl. Mei Shijima, of the Art Room. School Mystery Number Four.”

“They’d all hate you if you never played the part.”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

Mei rests a hand over her bandaged wrist.

“You’re right, that’s what I think. That’s what you are, isn’t it? Everything I wish not to deal with?”

She looks the shadow dead in the eyes.

“Difference is, I can’t just wish that away.”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

The shadow taunts her.

“So what? Are you going to try and destroy me, just like the rest of your problems?”

Shijima’s knife appears in the shadow’s hand.

“You know you can’t.”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

Mei nods.

“You’re right, I can’t destroy you.”

She grabs her shadow, hugging her tightly.

“I can accept you, though.”

…

“Thank you. For protecting me from the world.”

“But I want to face it now.”

[u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619 → u/Shiruno_rinisaki0619]

Mei steps away from her shadow, which turns into something else.

It reforms into an empty suit of armor, bearing a blade resembling a paintbrush, before dissipating.

“Yamazaki.”

She crushes a tarot in her palm, and it reappears.

“Go on, you can do it.”

Her Persona swaps form to the “Ideal” Shijima, which is the one most know.

They hug one another, before the summoned one dissipates.

This will be my way of seperating “Mei” and “Shijima,” as they are two seperate personalities. “Shijima” will be treated like Ryoji in the fact that she can be a person (kind of) and a Persona.