Chapter Text
Wednesday September 6th
Wednesday December 6th
Three months or 91 days.
Shijima Mei, born with the intent of creating art and doing as she pleased. Shijima Mei was not promised that life, instead diseased and given a life of following what she was told.
None the less, Mei pursued art.
In the morning she’d paint before school, at school she’d paint before home, at home she’d paint before bed, and at bed she’d dream about painting. Unfortunately, her family did not approve of her art. It was seen as useless and she was not ever praised for her ability.
So Mei had been given until four months she’d have to quit art, and in that she decided to take matters into her own hands.
December 6th would be the day Shijima Meis body is found hanging from her ceiling light. Exactly three months from the date she was given, just enough time to finish what needed to be done.
September 6th, the day Shijima Meis family told Mei that she had four more months to do as she wanted, then they’d stop her career in art and she’d study to be something profitable, like a doctor.
Three months, thirteen weeks, ninety one days.
Over the course of three months, Mei decided that she would make a painting that would be all that remained of her, in thirteen weeks Mei decided that she’d be the person she wished she was, and in ninety one days Mei decided that she wasn’t made for this world.
In the morning, she’ll get up as she does, but instead of painting as she regularly does she’ll sleep as long as she wants. At school, she’ll go as she regularly does but instead of pleasing her peers she’ll say whatever she wants that comes to mind. When home, she’ll come as she regularly does but instead of doing her homework or making dinner for her family she’ll paint until her bedtime has passed well into morning.
”Mei! Get ready for school you’ll be late soon!”
Meis mother, Shijima Kurumi left no room for error. Always bothering Mei or her father about some minuscule task they’d failed that day, such as brushing the dog or dusting the bookshelf. Always something with that woman. Kurumi was the one who decided to cancel Meis artistic career, didn’t see it as practical.
This morning, as planned Mei did not paint for a bit as she usually does and went straight down to eat breakfast and get ready.
“Have you quit your hobby yet?”
”No Mama.”
“Soon.”
On the way to school Mei ran into some boys, four she didn’t like much in particular. They were greasy, nasty, said terrible things and all their mothers would say is “boys will be boys”
This is the first time Mei gets to exorcise her new plan of action.
Snickering and whispers come from the nasty boys, and Mei doesn’t find it very funny. She heard her name, something about her paintings, and decided they don’t get to say much more.
“Keep my name out of your dirty mouth you… uh… desperate pigs!”
Mei never was good at insults. It did the job though, she was able to walk to school in peace after that mediocre insult. Considering she doesn’t say things like that Mei did pretty well. (lies)
Now at school, once again Mei was challenged with what to do when people wouldn’t let her through the hallways. She had three options.
A.) Wait for them to move
B.) ask politely for them to move (again)
C.) Get through, shoving and what’s needed
Option A and B never get the job done, and Meis never tried option C. Option C sounded very rude in her opinion, but would it matter much in three months?
So yes, Mei shoved her way through the kids and got a few mad, but for the first time in a long time she was on time to class. Mei hadn’t ever been in class on time before so she wasn’t sure what to do in the time she had. Usually she came after the bell rang seconds before class started. Now she was just sitting at her desk, waiting for instructions but that would be another five minutes. Maybe she should interact with the other students? What *are* the other students talking about?
”have you heard? School wonder No.4 is a painter too! I heard she even has the same first name!”
In her opinion, Mei thought school wonder rumours were a bit boring. What does it matter anyways, if they are real.
”I bet they even look the same! Iruma Mei and Shijima Mei!”
This was quite attention catching. Mei didn’t think the other students payed any mind to her, but kids just can’t leave each other alone can they?
”Shh she’ll hear you!”
Two girls, Makoto and Jonou going back and forth about these school wonders. Everyone knew they gossiped, got in trouble for gossiping, didn’t gossip for a day then started it over again. Usually it’s just about people they know, why’s Mei so interesting now?
“Did you say my name?”
”No, we didn’t.”
Laughter
“This is why your parents are divorced.”
It’s a good thing the teacher wasn’t in the room because that shut them up quickly. Some people would say it’s “completely unnecessary” but why would Mei care? Who knows what they had said before that. Mei didn’t do anything, she’s just an artist who’s done with people’s nonsense and shenanigans.
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.
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So now it’s lunch time and Makoto and Jouno are still upset about what Mei said. Well Mei would assume that’s what happened because she walked into the art room and her painting was cut and scribbled over. Such a terrible response, it’s only appropriate to respond in an equal way. It’s been two months of Mei working on this and it was almost done, what a shame.
“Hey Yuto do you know where I can find Jouno and Makoto?”
”Probably hiding in the girls bathroom.”
”Thanks.”
The girls bathroom is where Makoto and Jouno always hide. They’re in there alone, because it’s awkward to use a bathroom where people are doing something other then what it’s meant for.
”And what’s she gonna do? Cry?”
Mei hated the way those girls laughed. Sounded like fire alarms.
It’s fine though, because they were getting what was coming to them anyways. It doesn’t take much to lock a door that can only be opened from the outside. Outside bathrooms are just great aren’t they? When would they realise they couldn’t leave, when the bell rings and the halls are too busy for someone to hear them? When one of them hears a noise outside and goes to check what it is?
Locking girls in a bathroom was just the first part of what Mei was doing. Now it was off to their lockers. If it hadn’t been for the three month time limit Mei would’ve never done this, she probably wouldn’t have even brought up their divorced parents.
“Mei? What’re you doing with those shoes?” Is probably what her mother would say. But her mother isn’t here is she? It’s a lot more fun doing things you know that other people don’t know how to fix, like cutting the shoes just enough so they’d fall apart when Jouno and Makoto put their shoes on. Is Mei taking it too far? Yes. But was destroying her beloved painting taking it too far? Also yes.
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.
.
The school most likely did not find out about what Mei did because she went home with no trouble. She didn’t see Makoto or Jouno after school, and the boys she encountered earlier that day were off at their respective sports.
“Have you quit your hobby yet?”
”No mama.”
”Soon.”
Dinner was cold and silent. Not much a difference from what it usually is.
Just as she planned Mei after dinner went straight to painting, up all night and going into the early hours of the morning.
Ninety one days