Umm... sorry for the late update. My lil cousins came to visit my family and I just can't help myself to let them play my computer and PS2. Exam is over and I think I'm going to prepare myself for the big day. Thank you Reviewer, Ritsuka Justice, la la land, Mr. Thumbsup, DemonGirl13, shadowzerover5, Majinken and ghost chibi for reviewing the first chapter.

Also thank you to Mr. Thumbsup, DemonGirl13 and shadowzerover5 for making this story as your 'Story Alert'.

I really appreciate Ritsuka Justice who always cheering me up and making this story as your 'Favorite Story'.

Thank you to Majinken for spending his precious time to message me. Although your words are kinda like a spice for me but I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Italic : Thoughts

I'm really sorry for the bad grammar and there's a slight change from the actual scene. Hope you all will be pleased with my works.

Alert : I don't need Beta-Reader anymore. I think I will do just find and I have to put extra effort of not making any mistakes.


Ms. Toriumi kept lecturing, "Hakushu Kitahara is great, but I think I prefer Fuyuhiko Yoshimura. His works aren't as famous, but that's what I like about him. My personal favorite is 'Mangekyo'. Why isn't it ever in textbooks...? I'll bring it next time so you can write an essay on it. ...Hey, Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favorite author?"

Junpei immediately tensed his shoulder when he heard Ms. Toriumi shouted his name, "H-Huh? U-Ummm..." he then turned his head toward Mina who was sitting beside him. "Mina! Psst! Who does she like?" he whispered.

Mina rolled her eyes without turned her head toward Junpei, "Junpei Iori."

"Ms. Toriumi!" Junpei raised his hand, "It's Ju-… what?!" he turned his head again toward Mina.

"Ju What?" Ms. Toriumi raised her left eyebrow.

"It's Fuyuhiko Yoshimura." Mina whispered again.

"It's Fuyuhiko Yoshimura!" Junpei said it loudly.

Ms. Toriumi lips formed a smile, "That's right! So you were listening to me after all!"

"Eheheh... Well, you know how I like to pay attention!" Junpei scratched his head in embarrassment before turned his head toward Mina. "Man, you saved my bacon, Mina!"

"Whatever…" Mina murmured before falling asleep.

Mina suddenly heard her classmates talking, "Mina gave him the answer... She must pay attention in class!"

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Later that evening, Mina returned to the dorm and surprisingly found out that there was a male guest with a sophisticated appearance. He and Yukari were talking with each other while sitting on the couch at the lobby.

Yukari then spotted her while she was standing at the main entrance, "Oh, she's back."

The male guest turned his head to stare the blue haired girl, "So, this is our new guest..." he said with a smile plastered on his face. He and Yukari then stood up, "Good evening. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school. 'Ikutsuki'...

Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes... Please, have a seat." Ikutsuki motioned his hand to let Mina sat at the couch beside Yukari. "I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive a proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

Mina thought for a second, "Why are you here?" she asked.

"To welcome you, of course. Well, to be honest, I do have other business here. Speaking of which... where's Mitsuru, Yukari?" Ikutsuki replied with a smile that was still on his face.

"She's upstairs." Yukari said.

"As diligent as always. Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello..." He gave his painful expression. "Is there anything else?"

"Who else lives here?" Mina asked a second question.

"There are only four students in this dorm; you, Yukari here, Mitsuru, and a senior named Akihiko Sanada. I hope you all get along. Any other questions?"

Without a second thought, Mina asked a question that seemed to bother her for while. "The other night, I saw..."

The smile on Ikutsuki face immediately died, "You saw something strange? ...Like what?" Yukari was speechless when she heard the question. "You were probably just tired. I wouldn't worry about it."

Mina stared at Ikutsuki face for awhile, "Something doesn't seem right..." she thought.

"Do you have another question?" Ikutsuki quickly broke the silence moment.

"No, I'm good." Mina rolled her eyes aside.

"Then, I hope you have a successful school year. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Ikutsuki began to smile again and stood up, "You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm!' ...Please forgive the bad pun." He chuckled before leaving.

Mina and Yukari sweat drops. "...You'll get used to his lame jokes." Yukari spoke. "Ikutsuki is right; you should go to bed early. You look tired Mina."

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Mina stirred from her sleep, "Where am I?" she asked herself and suddenly aware that she's no longer inside her room. She was inside a huge room covered in blue. The back wall is chain-link, displaying that the room seems to be moving upward like an elevator, and has a large clock whose hands are continuously spinning. Mina sat on chair, and across the table from her are a plain-looking woman and an old man with a long nose.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room, my dear young lady." The old man with a long nose greeted Mina. "My name is Igor. ...I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This is Elizabeth. She's a resident here, like me."

Elizabeth nodded. "Pleased to meet you."

"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter... It's been years since we've had a guest." Igor said in enthusiastic voice then waves his hand and the red notebook from the opening movie appears on the table. It's the document you signed at the dorm. "Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place... Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so. I only ask one thing in return... that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices that you make."

"I understand." Mina nodded as she closed her eyes.

Igor smiled. "Hold on to this..." he said while handed a key to Mina. "'Til we meet again..."

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"Yesterday…" Mina said as she tying her hair with a red ribbon in front of a mirror inside her room. "That was a strange dream…" she thought while adjusting her jacket. "However, it's time to go to school."

As Mina arrived in front of the school gate, she suddenly met with Junpei while on her way. "What's up!? Man, today is the perfect day! The sky is blue... We're young... What more could we ask for!?" he gave Mina a bright smile.

"You're full of energy." Mina replied his smile as she passed him.

Junpei blushed when he saw Mina's smile. "O-o-o-… of course! Hey Mina, listen to this... Oh, wait! I'm not supposed to say anything! Sorry, girl." He chuckled. Both of them walked together as they went inside the school compound.

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"...How is she?" Ikutsuki asked Mitsuru. He, Mitsuru and Yukari was inside a control room while monitoring Mina as she fast asleep.

"...The same as last night." Mitsuru replied.

"Hmm... Very interesting. Even those who have the potential tend to be unstable at first... Memory loss... disorientation... But, this subject is rather unique. She hasn't exhibited any of the common symptoms." Ikutsuki awed.

"But... we're treating her like a guinea pig." Yukari said with guilt.

"I understand your concern, but it's imperative that we recruit new members. I heard he's your classmate... Wouldn't you be more comfortable working with someone from the same grade?" Ikutsuki gave a reassure smile to Yukari, just to ease her worries.

"Yeah, I guess. But, still..." suddenly, the control panel started to beep.

"Command room. ...Is that you, Akihiko?" Mitsuru answered.

"You're not gonna believe this...!" Akihiko replied Mitsuru answer by the transceiver. "This thing is huge! Unfortunately, I don't have time to talk... It's chasing me... I wanted to let you guys know. I'm almost there."

Yukari began to freak out. "Does that mean... he's bringing that thing here!?"

"Mr. Chairman! Let's suspend our observation for now. We'll prepare for battle!" Mitsuru ordered Ikutsuki.

"...R-Right! Be careful!" Ikutsuki stammered.

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Akihiko immediately went inside the dorm and closed the door before slumped down. Mitsuru, Yukari, and Ikutsuki arrive to his aid from the control room. "Akihiko!" Mitsuru shouted his name.

"Agh...!" Akihiko cried in pain.

"Senior?!" Yukari shouted in shock.

Akihiko smirked. "I'm alright. Get ready to be surprised... It'll be here any second."

Twitch. "This is no time to joke around!" Mitsuru shouted angrily to Akihiko.

"It's one of them, Akihiko?" Ikutsuki asked.

"Yes, but not an ordinary one-…" The ground suddenly shakes.

"Ahh!! What the...!? ...You've gotta be kidding me!" Yukari freaked.

Mitsuru pulled out a gun, "Mr. Chairman, please head for the command room! Takeba, go upstairs and wake her up! Then, escape out the back." She ordered.

"But, what about you two?" Yukari asked Mitsuru.

"We'll stop it here." Mitsuru said and turned her gaze toward Akihiko. "You led it to us, Akihiko, so I'm afraid you'll have to fight."

"Like I had a choice!" Akihiko gritted his teeth. "What are you waiting for, Yukari? Go!" he ordered.

"I-I'm going!" Yukari stammered and ran toward the stairs.

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"Ugh… what was that?" Mina's eyebrows were frowning before opened her eyes. She then slowly got up from her bed and brushed her eyelids as the sleepiness still hazing her thoughts. "The noises… are it any commotions happen down there?" Mina thought and get off from her bed to move toward the door.

The sound of footsteps caught Mina attention and followed with a several knocks at her bedroom door. "Wake up!!" Yukari shouted from outside. "Sorry, I'm coming in!" Yukari forcefully opened the bedroom door and panted. She then proceeds to held Mina right wrist. "I don't have time to explain. We have to get out of here, now!"

"Umm… okay." The ground shakes suddenly.

Yukari began to get panic. "Hurry! Downstairs! We'll leave through the back door!" both Mina and Yukari start to run downstairs to the back door. "Alright, we should be safe now-…"

"Takeba, do you read me?" Mitsuru voice appeared on the transceiver.

"Y-Yes! I hear you!" Yukari stammered.

"Be careful! There's more than one enemy! The one we're fighting isn't the one Akihiko saw!" Mitsuru voice sound serious.

"What?!" Yukari shouted in disbelief and then the sound of several loud knocks on the back door really made the both girls backed away from the door. Yukari gasped, "L-Let's pull back!" the both girls retreated upstairs.

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Yukari and Mina were almost reaching the last floor of the dorm building. "It's getting closer! K-Keep moving! Hurry!!" they finally reached the fifth floor and Yukari moved toward the door at the end of the floor. "O-Oh yeah! If we go out through here-…!" Yukari said. Mina and Yukari leave through the rooftop exit, and Yukari locks the door behind her. Yukari sighed "I think we're okay for now..." she said in relieve before the ground started to shakes again. "...!?" Yukari eyes began to widen.

Mina and Yukari turn around. A large, multi-limbed creature holding a mask climbs onto the roof. The creature spots them, and pulls out a few blades and moves to attack them. Mina gasped, "What is that?"

"Those monsters... We call them Shadows!" Yukari shouted. Yukari takes out the gun she had earlier, puts the gun to her head and pulls the trigger. Several energy columns begin to spring up. However, the Shadow strikes the gun with one of its blades and she drops it as she falls to the ground. The gun lands at Mina's feet. A vision of the young boy from the opening appears.

"Go on..." the mysterious voice echoed inside Mina's head.

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Akihiko, Mitsuru, and Ikutsuki are back in the control room and they spot Mina and Yukari on the monitors. "There!" Akihiko shouted before him and Mitsuru leaving the control room.

"Wait!" Ikutsuki halted their movement and both of them turn around.

Mina picks up the gun, recalls what Yukari did with it, and lifts it to her temple. She hesitates at first, but then calms down and pulls the trigger. A smile formed on Mina's lips. "Per… so… na." Beads of energy start to stream around Mina, and an odd-looking being appears above him. Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Ikutsuki look on from the monitors.

A creature that looked like a puppet with a music instrument hung behind him appeared above Mina. "Thou art I, and I am thou. From the sea of thy soul I cometh. I am Orpheus, master of strings..." the creature spoke. Suddenly Orpheus begins to convulse, until he is ripped apart from the inside as a larger Persona bursts from within him. The huge new Persona lunges at the Shadow, and cuts its mask in half with a swipe of its blade. As the Shadow begins to split apart, the Persona grabs a tendril of it and squeezes it into nothingness. It then floats into the air and reverts to Orpheus.

Mitsuru, Akihiko, and Ikutsuki are still in the control room. "...!!" Mitsuru was speechless beyond her words.

"What on earth is that!?" Akihiko voice broke the silence inside the control room.

"..." Ikutsuki could not say a single word.

Akihiko turn to ran outside the control room. "I'm going to save her!" he shouted.

Orpheus regained its original form and disappeared. "Is it over...?" Yukari asked Mina. "...!" Several small shadows creep over to Mina. Yukari realized something that Mina was defenseless, "Oh no! I forgot to give her a weapon!" she thought.

Mina backed away as the small shadows move toward her. One of the shadows began to attack Mina and she immediately closed her eyes to face the worst. "Watch out!" unfamiliar voice shouted and Mina was being push away to the floor. Mina opened her eyes and saw a male student fight off the shadow until it has disappeared. Her lifesaver turned his body facing Mina and smiled at her after he defeated the shadows. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"Umm..." Mina nodded and replied her lifesaver with a smile formed on her lips. The male student move toward her and helped Mina to stood up. Mina accepted his offer and stood up with his help. She felt light headed before she could want to thank him and fainted in her lifesaver arms.

Akihiko blushed when Mina slumped in his arms. "H-h-hey!" he stammered.

Yukari gasped and ran toward the fainting girl. "Are you okay!? Come on...! Say something!" she shouted.

"A-a-are you okay?" Akihiko could not stabilize his body and fall on his back with Mina who is still in his arms.


-Crying-... ugh... I want my mom! When she will be back from Florida? Thank you for reading and please review. I do accept flames.