12/25......Evening

The night went from a joyful celebration of Nanako's return home to mournful of Ryo's eventual departure to another joyful celebration for the good news that Ryo was staying in Inaba.

"Oooooh that's such good news Senpai" said the always cheerful Rise as she latched her arms around him and squeezed much to Chie and Yukiko's annoyance..

"Oh god do you ever stop?" Chie chided as she and Yukiko's face showed their annoyance to which Rise, as usual, shrugged off. Ryo rubbed Rise's back slightly as the hug ended. The celebration continued for a couple more hours until Ryotaro looked at his watch and noticed the time...

"OK it's getting late and Nanako needs her rest" he announced to everyone only to met with a groan from the teens and Nanako when Nanako objected "I'm not-" the young girl started to say before she let out a yawn which confirmed what Ryotaro said.

"Yea you are, c'mon time for bed" Ryotaro uttered as everyone started to clean up, not too long after that everyone took their leave as Ryo showed them all out until there was only one left...

"Finally alone at last" Ryo said as he walked back over to the girl he spent the night before in his room....with the lights off...

"Yup" Yukiko said as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's neck, she was usually nervous when it came to displays of affection but Ryo cured her nervousness, just by being himself not being like any other boy she ever met.

"I wish I could stay like I did last night" she said with pout she really did like spending time with him just as much as she liked spending time with Chie of course there were things that she could do with Ryo that she couldn't with Chie, like what happened last night.

"I wish you could too but it's ok" Ryo said he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her a little closer which caused her to lay her head on his shoulder and moved her hands down his back, enjoying the spent many a time just enjoying said silence with each other in thought seemingly with each other mostly when they held each other. The silence lingered there until Ryotaro came back out clearing his throat which automatically caused them to break apart and nervously begin to babble to cover

"Nice try......almost beat me and Chrisato time when we were young" Ryotaro uttered as he looked around and added "You all cleaned up? You kids are something else, Yukiko do you want me give you a ride home?"

Yukiko shook her head as Ryo walked her to the door "I'll take her home uncle" he said as he and she put their shoes on at the door"I'll be back" he added with a wave from his uncle's hand as his out into the cold air they make their way through the silent sleepy Inaba as once again they embraced each other fully as they walked. Yukiko laid her head on his shoulder and look out on the road ahead of them, Ryo his arm around her shoulder as they walked silently until Yukiko broke it with

"Now that you're gonna be here from now on then maybe it's time we tell everyone about us" Ryo looked at her as she looked up at him for a moment replying "Are you sure?" to which Yukiko nodded lightly as they continued to walk towards the Inn.

"What brought this on Yuki?" Ryo uttered as they got closer to the inn. "I figured since the investigation is over with that maybe it's time to let everyone know.......and to stop that annoying Amagi Challenge" Yukiko said the last part with a hint of disgust.

Ryo laughed as she referred to the daily routine of the male contingent of the school who tried to ask Yukiko out only to be met with a no from Yukiko. Poking him in the chest Yukiko as she spoke

"H-Hey why you laughing?" Ryo laughed for a moment longer until he looked at her "Because I can...heh heh heh and because I can imagine everyone's faces when we find out, the mad faces on most of the guys and the lack thereof on Chie's face"he replied to her as he stopped laughing.

"Chie? Why would Chie not that same shocked look on her face Ryo-kun?" Yukiko asked as she stopped him by the Gazebo on the floodplain

"Cause you told her about us? Cause she would be one person out of everyone to figure it out?" Yukiko shook her head at his words and answered back "I didn't tell her, I was gonna tell her tomorrow or just let her see me holding your hand" doing what she speaking.

"Oh? I'm sorry Yuki-chan" Ryo replied as he affectionately squeezed her as they began to walk again only to finally reach the entrance of Amagi Inn.

Stopping in front and turning to face him Yukiko leaned in and with her face turning completely red she kissed him on the lips. "Thank you for walking me home Ryo-kun" Yukiko said as she leaned away from his face to which he blushed to match hers and answered back

"Thank you for all the time you spent with me while Nanako and Uncle Ryotaro were in the hospital, Yuki-chan" leaning in and returning the kiss.

"Ryo-kun? Can I ask you something?" Yukiko said as she looked at their hands "Sure Yuki-chan you can ask me anything?" Ryo responded as he looked at her looking at their hands as she looked up at them,

"Would it be ok......." she trailed off like she did many times when she was genuinely nervous "Would it be ok if I gave you a pet name?"

Ryo was a little taken aback by the request but in his normal cool fashion he merely gave her a simple "Sure" Yukiko looked at him with a gleam in her eye then walked up the walkway towards the door, turned and wave at her boyfriend before going inside. The trip back to his house wasn't as eventful as he thought it would be but not everything had to be a struggle or an adventure.

Walking back into the house he takes off his shoes and makes his way up to his room where he takes off his jacket, looking at it, the years he's had one of his favorite pieces of clothing

"You and me been through a lot together old friend" he said as if the jacket could respond to speech, looking at it one more time he hangs it up once again sits it in his closet. Changing into his sleepwear he lays on his futon looking up at the ceiling smiling as it finally sunk in that he was really staying here, that thought and the recalling of memories of the past year as he drifted off to sleep, or at least that what's he thought.....

"Welcome to the Velvet Room"

…............To be continued.................

*Cue cheesy announcer voice!*

Why has Ryo been summoned to the Velvet Room once again?

What will happen to Ryo and Yukiko when they reveal to the school their relationship?

Till next time stay tuned....Same Persona Channel, Same Persona Time :p

*and cut the cheesy annoucer voice!*

Yea anyways thanks to everyone that's reading the story, favoring the story, reviewing it and offering much needed critism I will be back and hopefully the next chapter will be longer and finally add some adventure!