Life goes on as usual after Francis had the strange dream. Sunday passes fast as he spends it unpacking. While Dojima is working, Nanako volunteers to help Francis. With Nanako's help, Francis is able to finish organizing his room. With spare time, Francis chooses to take a walk around town.
Seeing it drizzle outside, he takes an umbrella with him.
Eventually, Francis finds himself lost. Seeing strangers pass by, he decides to ask for directions.
"Excuse me, but can you direct me to this area?" Francis asks as he approaches a businessman in a suit, holding up the address for Dojima's place as he does.
"Sorry, but I am busy." The businessman says while leaving in a hurry.
Francis decides to ask another passerby. However, he received the same result.
It took him a number of tries, but managed to find someone who is willing to give him directions.
During the evening, Francis and Nanako spend time alone in the living room. With Dojima out for work, the two cousins spend the evening in the living room.
"I will be walking you partway to school tomorrow.." Nanako explains.
"Thank you." Francis says politely.
Meanwhile, the news talks about some issues which don't particularly draw Francis' attention. Nanako seems to share Francis' disinterest as she changes the channel.
An advertisement for what seems to be a shopping center plays on TV. As it closes with a tune, Nanako sings along.
"Everyday is great at Junes~"
After the ad ends, Nanako seems to have cheered up. Seeing her innocent smile gave Francis some courage to speak up.
"You like that song?" Francis says as confidently as he can.
"Everybody at my school does!" Nanako says cheerfully.
With that opening, Francis continues to talk with Nanako, learning more about her as the ice between the two slowly melts.
Later that night, Francis finds himself sitting comfy on a couch in a room with velvet colored walls and furniture. In front of him, an old man with a long nose and a beautiful woman with shoulder length blond hair sits.
The old man is dressed formally, and has balding hairlines and big eyes. The woman is dressed in a certain colored clothing that Francis is unable to identify.
"Welcome… to the Velvet Room." The old man speaks in Japanese, his voice raspy.
"Real creative name…" Francis mumbles sassily in English, looking away from the two people in front of him as he does. As he does, he relaxes himself, resting his weight on the sofa behind him.
"While I am willing to converse in English, I am afraid my recent hire is unable to speak or understand it." The old man changes his language.
"Oh, right." Francis says while sitting up, switching to Japanese as he does.
The door opens and a familiar girl appears from the fog outside. Francis takes a while to study the girl as she takes her seat next to the old man. It is the same girl with black short hair he met in the station and at the Central Shopping District.
"Well, now that she is here, allow us to introduce ourselves." The old man continues. "I am Igor, the owner of the Velvet room."
"I am Margaret." The blond woman goes next in a buttery voice.
The girl stays silent. As she does, she averts her eyes, as if not willing to look Francis in the eye.
"Marie," Margaret calls to the girl, who reluctantly turns her gaze back to Francis.
"All right. All right." Marie pouts. "Well, Margaret-san just mentioned my name."
"She did." Francis replies with humor.
"I am Yamada Francis. Nice to meet you." Francis says politely.
"Well," Igor resumes after Francis introduces himself, "Interesting. For you to appear here indicates that a bizarre fate awaits you."
"I wouldn't mind something bizarre." Francis replies in a relaxed manner.
Margaret chuckles. "Forgive me." She apologizes when Francis looks at her. "Usually people are more surprised when told such things by my employer. Not to mention your reaction to being in this room."
"Well, I am pretty sure I fought something with a magic ghost last night so I am not particularly surprised." Francis responds calmly.
"Magic ghost…" Igor says before chuckling.
"You are really calm about this." Marie says mockingly. As she does, her beady eyes continue to point at Francis, with a hint of dissatisfaction on her face.
"Look, I suddenly moved here to a small town in the middle of nowhere. Weird dreams are not one of the worst things that can happen." Francis says sarcastically.
"A dream, huh?" Igor says.
As Igor speaks, a feeling dawns on Francis. He quickly lowers his head and apologizes.
"Sorry, didn't mean to be rude." Francis pauses for a bit to find the words. "Just… how should I put this, I just have this habit of going off track at times."
"Hahaha.." Igor laughs. "I can see why you were chosen now." Igor speaks with confidence.
"Thank you…" Francis replies. 'So what were you going to say?"
Igor places his hand atop the table. As he does, a couple of cards seemingly spawn out of thin air.
"Not my first time seeing cards spawn out of thin air, but that is amazing." Francis says. As his eyes match the others, he swiftly apologizes.
"Look, you don't have to stop for everything I say. Just ignore me if it gets annoying." Francis says in an apologetic tone yet humorous tone.
"I am actually amused." Igor's words surprised Francis. "Our previous guests were rarely so talkative."
"Thank you." Francis responds. Igor simply smiles before continuing.
"Are you familiar with fortune reading?" Igor asks.
"No." Francis responds.
Silence hangs in the air, almost like Igor is waiting for something.
"No wisecracks?" Marie's question breaks the silence. As she speaks, her tone conveys a form of annoyance with Francis.
"I don't have a wisecrack for everything, you know." Francis looks over to Marie, who glares at him. As Marie turns her eyes back to the table, Francis follows suit.
Igor chuckles before continuing. "While the same cards are used every time, the results are not necessarily always the same. Now, allow me to divine your fate."
Igor reaches for the card and grabs one of them. As he turns it over, Francis sees a picture he doesn't recognize. It is the picture of something struck by lightning, possibly a tower, and people falling.
"Hm… The Tower card in an upright position." As Igor speaks, Francis nods his head.
"You don't happen to know what this means, do you?" Igor asks.
"No idea." Francis responds in a deadpan manner, shaking his head as he does.
"It represents the immediate future. It seems a terrible catastrophe is imminent."
"F**k."
Igor and Margaret look to Francis, who realizes what he did and swiftly apologizes.
"F*rku…" Maries repeats the word. "What does that mean?"
"You don't need to know." Francis responds nervously. Marie seems unsatisfied and looks away pouting.
As she does, Marie says angrily. "Jerk."
"Okay, I deserve that." Francis speaks to himself while sighing.
"You seem terribly disturbed by my employer's words." Margaret speaks in a calm tone. "Is there a reason for that?"
Francis looks to the window, seeing nothing but fog outside.
"It's just…" Francis says softly.
"Forgive me if the question makes you uncomfortable." Margaret apologizes politely. "Feel free to ignore it."
"It's fine." Francis sighs. "Feels better to share it anyway." Francis looks over to the others. "My life has pretty much been a catastrophe, and I am pretty much starting anew tomorrow."
He then looks over to the card. "So when you said a terrible catastrophe is imminent, I just assumed something bad is gonna happen."
"I see," Igor replies calmly, "Perhaps the next card will make you feel better."
Francis watches as Igor reaches out and flips another card. Francis takes a closer look at the picture on the card, which resembles a bean.
"The Moon, in the upright position." Igor explains. As Igor speaks, Francis holds back his urge to speak.
"It represents hesitation and mystery. Interesting. It seems you will encounter a terrible misfortune, and a great mystery will be thrusted upon you."
Upon hearing misfortune, Francis sighs deeply, his head dropping as he does.
"Do not worry, esteemed guest." Margaret continues speaking as Francis rubs his face. "We will be here to assist you in your future endeavors."
"What do you mean assist?" Francis asks. "What type of catastrophe are you talking about?"
"I do not know what awaits you, but I know you have the power to fight it inside you." Igor points to Francis. "I can enhance those powers when the time is right."
Francis looks to his chest, wondering what Igor is talking about. As he contemplates, he remembers the dream he had last night. He decides to talk about it to the others.
"It is likely the dream is tied to the fate that awaits you." Igor explains.
Francis scratches his chin as the others remain silent. "Is there anything else you can tell me?"
"All shall be revealed in time, most esteemed guest." Margaret responds.
Francis sits back and sighs once again. He bends over and covers his face, thinking.
"Igor, can I talk with you alone for a bit?" Francis asks as he clasps his fingers, his hands in front of his mouth.
Igor looks at the other two.
"What is it?" Marie scowls at Francis, her gaze matching her tone. As Marie speaks, Francis swears he sees red on her face.
"Just something personal." Francis replies calmly as he sits upright.
"Very well." Margaret speaks. "Let us step outside, Marie."
After the two leaves, Francis looks at Igor sternly.
"Do you mind if I use English?" Francis asks in English.
"Very well." Igor says calmly.
"Are there…" Francis stumbles.
"Are there any cards that mean I can get a hot girlfriend who loves me?"
Igor remains unfazed by Francis' question. He waves his hands above the cards, and they all return to form a deck. He then waves his hands again, prompting the cards to scatter.
Francis holds his breath, staring wide eyed, as Igor reaches for a card and flips it.
"A sword?" Francis asks as he leans in closer. "What does that mean?"
Igor chuckles. "This is interesting." He puts the card back on the table and waves for them to return to the deck.
'Wait, what does that mean? Please don't tell me I am getting stabbed or something." Francis says nervously.
"Ponder your feelings and make your decisions wisely, Mr Francis." Igor says. He then calls for Margaret and Marie to return.
"What do you mean ponder my feelings?" Francis continues to ask with panic. "Make my decisions wisely, what does that mean?"
"I am afraid I do not have all the answers." Igor speaks as Margaret and Marie return. Marie looks at Francis in annoyance, leading him to switch his language once more.
"You have the power within you, esteemed guest." Igor says. "Use it well."
Just as Igor waves his hands, all the cards on the table vanish, say for two.
"What's this?" Igor says curiously as he flips the two cards.
Francis sees two cards with what seems to have the same picture. Both of them have pictures of a person, with one being inverted.
"Two Fools, one in an upright position, and the other inverted." Igor says curiously.
"And that means?" Francis questions Igor.
"You could become a powerful force. Whether that would be good, or bad, is uncertain." Igor answers.
Francis eyes Igor with confusion. He then questions him. "Any tips?"
"Like I said, ponder your feelings and make your decisions wisely."
Francis opens his eyes, finding himself staring at the rack that Dojima lent him. He sits up and looks around, finding himself back in his room.
"Well," Francis takes a look around, trying to make sure he is really alone.
"Sh..."