Yaguchi Shimei

Yaguchi Shimei wearing usual attire.

• An unnamed Mother

**Yaguchi Shimei**, on the surface, is a model student at Sunadokei Academy. However, he introduces himself later on as the vigilante Persona user, **Demonio**.

Unbeknownst to most of the characters, Yaguchi is the second to awaken his Persona (soon after Okashi Kotsugai) and the first to take a stand against those opposing the idea of unification in the town inside the Glasslands.

## Personality

> "*Trust me, seize every opportunity. Who cares if it’s scary to do so? Do it and be scared anyway!*"
> ― Yaguchi Shimei, Persona RP
>
>

 Yaguchi Shimei is a very resolute and ambitious student, albeit hopelessly romantic. He has the tendency to let impulses get the best of him.

Yaguchi is a benevolent figure, and has been that way since his youth as he was raised in a wealthy and proper household. Due to the events that transpired before, he developed enmity towards social discrimination. He would always try to help someone in need, even at the expense of others. Though, it’s because of this that he secretly feeds the pent up emotions within him.

Although good-natured, if pushed hard enough, he reveals a distasteful side of him. He would always apologize after the outburst however.

He is also quite adept at learning new things, even if sometimes imperfect. He can easily adapt to new environments, survive an attack from unknown perpetrators, and understand new concepts or ideas as seen from his experience in the Glasslands.

The Fortune Arcana gives reason to his absurd luck in life, and his often opportunistic character.

## Profile

Yaguchi Shimei is a benevolent model student attending Sunadokei Academy. In the Glasslands, he uses his alias “Demonio” and fights shadows. As a Confidant, he represents the Fortune Arcana.

Prior to the events of Persona RP, Yaguchi was in search of his love, Kawahara Saeko who was last seen in the small-time town of Nobuyuki. They were separated from each other due to social discrimination.

Yaguchi’s Persona is Heathcliff, based on Emily Brontë’s Byronic hero that goes by the same name. Heathcliff specializes in Nuclear-based skills, and is vulnerable to Psychokinesis. He fights with Japanese swords and a variety of ranged weapons.

## Backstory

Yaguchi was born into a wealthy family, and was granted a very promising future. He performed quite well in his studies, having boasted an IQ of 149 at a young age. It seemed like he had everything, and was prepared to take over the world. Surrounded by friends and family, he lived a happy childhood.

Around his 12th birthday, he had a fateful encounter with a sickly and impoverished girl named **Kawahara Saeko**.

Kawahara and Yaguchi became quick friends, and eventually, lovers who promised one another longevity. They would often sneak out to go on dates together, and plan trips for when they graduate high school. Passionate. Honest. Undivided. It was true love manifested, and they embraced it. However, the course of true love never did run smooth and things eventually took a turn for the worst.

Upon discovering the relationship, Yaguchi’s parents forcefully separated the two and prevented him from seeing Kawahara ever again. Shocked and confused, Yaguchi asked his parents why, and the answer he received surprised him even more. Yaguchi couldn’t be with Kawahara due to her low status. After all, a royal prince cannot be wed to a measly peasant. This angered him, and led him to abandon every principle taught to him by his family.

Out of spite, he cursed at them and swore to rekindle his relationship with Kawahara again. Desperate and impatient, he left the city and chased after Kawahara back to her hometown. A few months had passed in his search, and Yaguchi, having settled down in her hometown, received a phone call from Kawahara’s family.

Kawahara had passed away. Her parents did not have enough money to pay for her medical bills, and her condition worsened at a faster rate than they can earn money. They all mourn her death together at her funeral, with Yaguchi being the last to leave her grave. He blamed himself, believing he could’ve prevented her demise.

Driven by his new principles and knowledge, he dedicated his time helping the citizens of the town in memory of Kawahara.

2 years later, he encountered an enticing mirror set aside Kawahara’s grave that allowed him to enter a realm mirroring the real world; the realm of subconsciousness. The Glasslands. He encountered many deviations of the real world, and as shocking as it may be for any sane human, he quickly adapted. He traversed the world more, and soon enough, he met his shadow; the embodiment of his disunity, and hatred for the people who wronged him. It spoke to him with a resentful yet somber tone. It remarked about his true nature, and his true desires.

Yet, despite all this, Yaguchi embraced his shadow. He acknowledged it. He put aside his desire for vengeance, and made room for new opportunities. He decided to make a change, and so his persona, Heathcliff called out to him and he awakened to his new power. By using this power, he could eradicate divergence due to social status and consolidate the unity in the town; possibly the whole world too. Brimming with purpose and curiosity, he traversed the Glasslands and soon after, the vigilant Persona user Demonio was born.

## Powers (Persona) and Abilities

* **Persona Summoning:** Yaguchi possesses the ability to summon his Persona, the manifestation of his character and the mask for him to use to face hardships. He represents the Fortune Arcana.
	+ **Heathcliff:** Yaguchi's Persona, which represents his strong resolve, and philosophy. It is based on Emily Brontë's Byronic hero in *Wuthering Heights*, Heathcliff. Heathcliff specializes in Nuclear-based skills, and is vulnerable to Psychokinesis.
* **Kenjutsu:** Yaguchi studied Japanese swordsmanship, such as kendo and iaido since childhood. He wields a standard Nodachi as his weapon.
* **Gun Proficiency:** Yaguchi spent some time refining his marksmanship at the town's gun range. However, since he's underage, he isn't legally allowed to carry a gun at all.
* **Survivability:** Having survived the Glasslands by himself, he's known to be adept at using his environment to his advantage.

## Trivia

* The vigilante name, **Demonio** is a direct reference to Heathcliff’s character in *Wuthering Heights* having been compared to the devil in more than one occasion in the novel. As a Persona, he represents Yaguchi's spite, nobility, passion, and indignation.
* Yaguchi is a Pisces (Feb. 20th - March 20th) which suits the character well as people that share the sign are known to be kind, gentle, compassionate, naive, and they tend to go by their emotions and instincts than intellect.
* **Etymology:** Yaguchi (矢口) literally translates to "arrow mouth"while Shimei is a biblical name? that means: "That hears or obeys, my reputation, my fame."

## References

1. ↑ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JkgMmUokcKDJimIn9WqTMEidhm9tFoNLAX0GIInREFE/edit?usp=sharing
2. ↑ https://docs.google.com/document/d/12BlNZAkOxrJ\_pOpKW-VRxbd1nqPH\_CdI1XDGO9hcQKI/edit?usp=sharing
3. ↑ https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-heathcliff-described-devil-583867