Working With Phantoms

The New Self

Sheila arrived in the Velvet Room after she got home to see Margaret, Elizabeth, and Philemon all looking at the tablet.

"How did it get there so fast...? What did Sheila- oh, you're here?"

Sheila walked up to the group and nodded.

"Yeah. Um, what's going on?"

"Just recently, the Metanav has you on as a target, and you're apparently moving throughout Mementos, tearing various shadows apart."

"Uh... could that be Shadow Sheila?"

"Wait, what happened?"

"I, uh, took okāsan's advice, and told Yusuke my feelings, but this enraged her to the point of her attacking me and Yusuke after dragging us into the Metaverse."

"Good job on the first action, but what about your shadow?"

"Uh, we did some damage, and she fled."

"I see. Can you, by chance, go after her?"

"I... yes."

"Do you want one of us to come along?"

"Well, some backup would be appreciated, but... I feel like I have to handle this by myself."

Philemon nodded.

"Very well. Then, put your name into the Metanav and get going."

Sheila nodded and entered Mementos. Then, she took her phone out and opened the Metanav.

"Sheila Inan, Mementos."

The Metanav then started up, pointing Sheila down the train tracks. Then, upon walking for what felt like a long time, which was made awkward and creepy due to the lack of shadows, the area began to get notably more deteriorated as Sheila noted that she had passed down a few levels.

"Gosh, how long have we been walking?"

"A long time, it feels like. The Metanav says that we're in... Adyeshach? Hmm."

Sheila then saw that it had been at least thirty minutes since she started moving along the rails.

"You aren't much further... why don't you show yourself?"

Sheila looked around.

"I don't know what's wrong with you, no, with me. If you could calm down, then maybe, we could talk things out?"

Sheila looked down at her Metanav to see that her shadow was approaching her destination.

"We don't have to fight, y'know. You don't have to be like the shadows of Madran, Wysteria, whatever."

"Is that so true?"

Sheila looked to see Aphrodite floating towards her.

"I see that you've come looking for me."

"I see that you're running away."

Aphrodite glared at Sheila.

"What is your business, coming all this way? Just to talk?"

"Yeah. Why are you so mad at how I finally took charge of my life, for once? Did I do something wrong?"

"Yes."

"Then, can you tell me why? Seriously, you're the only one who knows. I'm happy enough knowing that Yusuke is aware of my feelings for him."

"Is that really the case? You may not realize it, but I do. That other part of you... it screams in agony. Will he return those feelings? Will this stance make the relations between Akira and Madran worse? Do you truly have feelings for Yusuke, or is this just some high school screwery?"