"A-Amazing... In just two hours, you've already grasped the techniques of Hokushin Itto-ryu..."
The twilight glow filled the kendo dojo.
Watching Ren before her, who absorbed knowledge and techniques like a sponge, fluently executing Hokushin Itto-ryu techniques after only two hours, his form incredibly standard without the slightest deviation, "Hokushin" Mei forced a smile onto her exquisite face.
Her congratulations sounded somewhat strained.
Mei felt completely numb now.
Although Ren had currently only mastered the forms of Hokushin Itto-ryu and hadn't yet learned to fluidly link and adapt them in combat, that was merely a matter of time. With a little more practice, he would undoubtedly reach the level of a sword saint, wielding the true essence and secrets of Hokushin Itto-ryu as easily as pointing a finger.
Mei started practicing kendo at the age of five and had held a sword for twelve years now. Yet Ren, from first holding a sword to mastering the Hokushin Itto-ryu forms, had taken, at most, two days. Compared to Ren's learning speed, Mei felt her past twelve years of training amounted to practically nothing.
Even though Ren's current mastery of Hokushin Itto-ryu wasn't yet equal to hers, given his progress so far, Mei feared that by the time they met again tomorrow, she would have the depressing realization that even her Hokushin Itto-ryu skills had been completely surpassed by her junior.
Being overtaken in just two or three days by Ren, who seemed to be using cheats, surpassing twelve years of hard work... Mei finally understood, dimly, what it meant for one's fighting spirit [dao heart] to shatter.
"With Amamiya-kun's strength, after a bit more training, you'll definitely be able to win first place in the upcoming national kendo tournament and become famous throughout the country."
Mei sighed wistfully. She instinctively wanted to invite Ren to join the kendo club, to compete alongside her in the upcoming national tournament. But the words had barely left her mouth before regret washed over her.
If Ren actually wanted to participate in the nationals because of her words and truly joined the kendo club, he would inevitably learn her real identity. Setting aside other issues, those girls who bullied her would be the first to approach Ren, trying every means to make him quit the club, perhaps even attempting to recruit him into bullying her alongside them.
To maintain her current relationship with Ren, Mei thought it best if he didn't join her kendo club.
Fortunately, Ren himself didn't seem particularly interested in Mei's suggestion. Winning the national kendo tournament meant nothing to Ren; he'd rather spend the time doing pull-ups on a rafter somewhere.
Before Ren could voice his thoughts to Mei, his vision suddenly dimmed again. The surrounding scenery rapidly blurred and faded, and Shadow Mei, like the Queen of Thunder, reappeared before him.
Here we go again... Mei's mood seemed particularly volatile today, causing her inner Shadow to project itself intermittently, even though she appeared perfectly normal on the surface. It had happened so many times now that Ren was almost getting used to it.
[Insect... You can see me, can't you?]
Unexpectedly, this time the proud, queen-like Shadow Mei didn't just look down loftily. After staring at Ren for a moment, realizing their gazes seemed to meet, she abruptly initiated the conversation.
The girl who can see ghosts, huh. Luckily, Ren knew this was the world of Persona; otherwise, he wouldn't dare make eye contact or talk back to Shadow Mei.
One of Ren's goals in getting close to Mei was to obtain the "key" to her inner Palace. Simply building rapport with the real-world Mei wasn't enough; the ultimate access rights depended on the will of Shadow Mei, the Palace Ruler. Therefore, Ren needed to maintain a good relationship with Shadow Mei as well.
This was Shadow Mei's first time initiating contact. Ignoring her would be incredibly rude, and first impressions were crucial in social interactions.
"Yeah. Hi."
Ren nodded slightly, raising a hand and giving Shadow Mei a little wave in response.
Seeing Ren actually reply, Shadow Mei, who had maintained a cool demeanor, suddenly widened her purple eyes in astonishment, a look of disbelief flashing across her face. In the next instant, her gaze flickered away evasively.
Just as Ren thought Shadow Mei was about to start talking, the dim, faded reality around them abruptly solidified again. Shadow Mei's figure vanished from Ren's sight.
"Eh? Ah... H-Hello?"
Mei's own slender figure reappeared in Ren's vision. Seeing Ren suddenly raise his hand to greet her, a look of utter confusion spread across Mei's delicate face. However, out of politeness, though confused, Mei reflexively returned the greeting.
"Why did you suddenly say hello to me, Amamiya-kun?"
"...No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it, Mei-senpai."
Ren's mouth twitched slightly. He cleared his throat and nonchalantly lowered his raised hand. Right, interacting with Shadow Mei in the real world means Mei herself can see and hear my actions. Although he was prepared for this, being stared at with such bewildered confusion by Mei was still a bit awkward.
That Shadow Mei is really rude. He'd just said hello, and she vanished without even a word in reply. As expected of a Shadow, truly fickle and unpredictable. Ren wondered if he could successfully obtain free access to her Palace...
Ren pondered this absently. Fortunately, he now had another potential Palace candidate. If things didn't go smoothly with Mei, he could always switch focus and try to become a regular visitor in Kallen's Palace. With the Yae Sakura Persona as a familiar face, securing resident status in Kallen's Palace shouldn't be impossible.
But...
Was it just Ren's imagination? Instead of Shadow Mei being extremely cold and aloof, disdainful of interacting with a human she called an insect... Ren actually felt she seemed rather flustered just now.
As if she hadn't expected him to actually respond, and like someone with social anxiety, immediately employed the "disconnect" tactic and fled because she didn't know what to say next?
That can't be right... She's the Shadow formed from Mei's inner distortions. Surely she wouldn't be that tsundere...? (her inner self is chunibyo actually)