I'm don't have anymore comments except that I'm going to add a little mini story section that features interviews with characters. Enjoy chapter 3!

CHAPTER 3

The Velvet Room; Remembrance

"We won't be able to look out for you for the year"

"We have business back in Tokyo so make sure you behave"

"Don't worry. I'll make myself comfy."

Kazuhiko remembered the conversation he had with his god-parents and was still saddened at how he would have to live the year back at Nuzoko without any familiar faces. He couldn't remember very much at his last month in Nuzoko, but he could draw the conclusion that he and Johei had been out of touch.

"I wonder if he still lives there."

Hopefully, nobody there will remember him as the demon child. It had been a long time ago when he left, but he still could be bullied just as easily.

Before he knew it, he began to feel drowsy and closed his eyes.

"So, this is the new guest?"

"Indeed. Why do you ask?"

"He looks quite young… and like a loser"

"All guests are at that current age. As for your comment about his appearance, please do not say that to him directly."

"You have to admit, he does look like a shrimp"

Kazuhiko opened his eyes to find himself in a courtroom. An old man with a long nose was sitting in the judge's chair with a gray-haired woman standing next to him.

"Welcome to the Velvet room"

Kazuhiko stared at the old man as he talked. Never before had he seen a sight as frightening as him. The bulging eyes that seemed to staring right at his soul as the long nose looked comical and strangely sharp; as if he could stab someone with the nose.

"My name is Igor, and this is my assistant, Alexandria. We are honored to make your acquaintance"

"As my master has said, my name is Alexandria. We are here to observe the progress of your journey"

Journey?,Kazuhiko thought, If they're here to see my journey to Nuzoko then they'll be really dissappointed.

"This place exists between mind and matter; dream and reality. Only those bound by a contract may enter here."

Contract? I never signed anything that included this weirdness. I definitely never seen either of you before.

"Why don't you introduce yourself? We shall see each other more often in the future"

Should I really? I mean, I shouldn't judge, but I can't even look you in the eyes right now.

Kazuhiko seemed very confused. All this was most likely a dream and he was either going crazy, or he had smoked something that would probably make him feel stoned for the rest of the day. As if reading his thoughts, Igor chuckled creepily.

"Do not worry, you are not losing your mind. This is all happening; you are fast asleep in the real world."

And that's supposed to make me at ease?

This time, Alexandria spoke.

"All that we ask, is that you take responsibility for your actions, no matter how small."

That doesn't seem that bad. Kazuhiko thought for a moment and nodded. A piece of paper and pen were handed to him. After signing the paper, both items disappeared.

"Very well then."

Igor smiled as he continued.

"We shall meet in the near future"

With that, Kazuhiko began to close his eyes and was no longer in the velvet room.

"Hey! Hey mister!"

Kazuhiko opened his eyes when he looked at a young child about six years old.

"This is your stop, right?"

Kazuhiko then looked at the display and saw that Nuzoko station was the next stop.

"Yeah. This is my stop. Thanks, kid"

Kazuhiko began to pick up his stuff and moved towards the sliding doors that were about to open. He looked at his cellphone. He left some reminders and notes on where his living accommodations would be so he opened them up.

"Excuse me, officer. Could you tell me where I can find the Matsuhito hotel?"

The officer turned to Kazuhiko and showed him the directions.

"Yeah, sure. It's down that street and then you'll take a right. After two blocks, It should be on your left. You new around here or something?"

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Well, be careful around here. It may look nice, but there are a bunch of gangs here looking for potential recruits. Be best if you head there straight away. And make sure not to make eye contact with any of those thugs; one wrong look and you could be drinking broth for a week"

"Thank you, officer. I'll remember that"

Kazuhiko began walking and turned around the lamp post. He immediately found a bunch of people sporting scars and holding bags of baseball bats.

"Hey! Dude with the black hair and uniform!"

Kazuhiko began to walk faster and looked straight ahead.

"Hey! Hold up! I just want to talk!"

Kazuhiko then began to run to the hotel until he was right at the door. He pulled on the handles of the door but they wouldn't budge.

"Shit!"

With no other choice, Kazuhiko turned around to face his follower until he was convinced that he had seen the face before.

"Are you, Kaz-kun?"

The person before him was a high school student with chestnut medium length hair that was swept to the side and showed his eyes. He was about 5'8" and had a buff yet slim build that would have made him a good asset to a Kendo team. All in all, he looked like a normal guy. But for some reason, Kazuhiko felt as if he had seen him before.

"Y-yes. How do you know my name?"

The boy smiled and chuckled while Kazuhiko seemed as confused as ever.

"So, you really don't remember me huh?"

Kazuhiko tried hard to remember who the boy was. It couldn't be a former teacher of his. Yoshimitsu would never treat him with this much familiarity. So then…

"Wait, don't tell me..."

The chestnut haired boy slowly nodded.

"Yeah, that's it, keep going..."

"Johei?"

The boy pumped his fist in the air with a look of triumph on his face.

"Yeah! That's it! Right on the money!"

"Damn, dude! You look different!"

"I could say the same thing for you too! Last time I saw you, your arms looked as stiff as uncooked ramen noodles!"

Kazuhiko fondly remembered when he looked like a shrimp. Over the years, he did work out and was successful at gaining some respectable biceps, but he still was somewhat scrawny.

"This place changed so much, I'm surprised that you found your way to the hotel!"

"Oh, I just asked a police officer for directions. Nothing much."

The two were busy talking to each other, they didn't notice someone stepping out of the hotel.

"Excuse me, but are you Kazuhiko Sukima?"

Kazuhiko turned around and saw a young girl in a secretary's uniform who looked about his age. She was holding a clipboard and a pen behind her ear. Her long dark brown hair was brushed behind her back and her eyes were blue.

"Oh, sorry for holding you up! Kaz, this is Mikan Echihiro. Mika-senpai, this is Kazuhiko, an old friend of mine that moved back here after 10 years in Inaba."

Kazuhiko looked at Mikan and smiled as he held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mikan. I take it that you work part time here?"

Mikan smiled slightly and took his hand.

"Correct. I also attend the local high school. I'm a third year."

"So, I'm guessing that makes you my senpai, then?"

"Correct, once again"

They stopped shaking hands and looked at Johei.

"Well, I'm going home. Senpai, make sure to help him find his way to school. He hasn't been around in quite a while so look out for him."

And with that, Johei walked off. Kazuhiko picked up his stuff and walked into the hotel with Mikan next to him.

"Your parents called in to make sure that you arrived safely. Don't worry, I told them that you were at the front steps."

"A never knew that this place made it big."

Kazuhiko looked around the foyer. There was a rather elegant living room where he saw a group of family members chatting while making plans for dinner. A hallway to the dining area showed many residents at tables and the scents of delicious food.

"You may choose to dine here or have room service bring your food to your room if you wish"

Mikan then led Kazuhiko to the check-in desk where she told him to sign a paper holding him responsible for any damages that he would cause to his room and his room key.

"Room 32 will be on the third floor to the left corridor. We'll have dinner up for you when you request it."

"Alright. Thanks Mika-Senpai."

Mikan nodded to Kazuhiko and went to welcome other guests.

"I thought I told you to not come here. You disrupt the guests and your antics are unacceptable!"

Kazuhiko looked behind him and saw two tough-looking men talking with Mikan.

"Come on, girl. How could we possibly stay away when you look bomb as always. We can't just let that beauty go to waste."

"Leave right now or I'll call security"

"Let them come. They don't stand a chance against or gang!"

Mikan took a few steps back and reached for the phone until one of the men grabbed ahold of her arm.

"You try to call them, and I'll make your face so god damned jacked up that nobody would dare look you in the eye."

Families in the foyer now began to make their way to the elevators. Pretty soon, there was nobody else near the front desk besides the thugs and Mikan.

"So, what's it gonna be, pretty lady?"

At that comment, Mikan twisted the man's arm and forced him to let go of her.

"OW! I'll fucking kill you, bitch!"

The accompanying gang member moved towards Mikan while wrapping chains around his fist.

"You're gonna pay for that, you broad!"

As the man swung his fist, Kazuhiko knew that he had to do something to stop the fist. He could have used anything as a shield; He could have blocked the fist with his own hand. But of all the things he could have used to protect Mikan, he acted like a dumb ass, and used his face.

"The hell?"

On contact, Kazuhiko didn't feel all that bad. He did feel a bit dizzy from the blow to the face and reminded himself to never use a head-butt in a fight. Blood began to stream down his face where the chain had ripped his skin.

"So your this chick's boyfriend, huh?"

Kazuhiko then began to realize what a bad idea he had.

"What? No, I'm just a passerb-"

Kazuhiko suddenly stopped and got punched in the ribs by the man. He heard a crack and felt a flaming pain from his ribcage.

"You gettin' in the way of our business? This'll teach you!"

An endless barrage of punches were sent to Kazuhiko's broken ribcage to the point where he felt that he couldn't breath.

"Gentlemen, I believe that you have done enough."

Kazuhiko turned his head to see the policeman that gave him directions, who was backed up with other officers all wielding batons. Mikan at his side with a phone.

Did she call the police on these guys? Damnit, now I can't beat these guys up and look cool in front of her.

"Can you stand? I'll call for an ambulance"

Mikan had shown up at his side and attempted to help Kazuhiko sit up, but failed. Black spots began to dance before his eyes as Kazuhiko fought to stay conscious.

A few minutes later, an ambulance drove up to the hotel and moved him onto a cart. Mikan, insisting that she rode with him, stepped into the ambulance as well. They were left alone in the back of the vehicle with Mikan looking down on Kazuhiko's face.

"You know..."

Wait, is she going to thank me for what I did for her? Hell yeah! Maybe getting beat up for her sake was worth it!

"You're incredibly stupid for doing that!"

Or she'll chew me out for my heroic deed of protecting her with my face. Yep! That definitely makes up for my broken nose and ribs.

"Still. I should thank you for what you did back there. I swear, whatever I do, others just end up getting hurt."

"That's alright. A lot of people think I have a very… punchable face."

Mikan chuckled slightly at the tasteless joke that Kazuhiko made and suddenly grew serious once again.

"No. It's my job to make sure that you're safe. I'm already failing at that again."

"Again?"

Kazuhiko wanted to ask more about the matter but was abruptly cut off.

"Excuse me. We're here. We'll need to take him in now for x-ray scans."

"Oh, alright. I'll see you soon Sukima-san."

As soon as she said that, Kazuhiko sight began to slow down. He began to hear a faint voice that was accompanied by a card that appeared in front of his face.

Oh crap, this again Kazuhiko thought.

I art thou, Thou art I

Thou hast established a new bond

It shall become the power to smite those who try to corrupt thee with despair

I present to thee, the Empress Arcana.

Persona: One Last Promise

Interview with Kazuhiko Sukima

Dangstaboy: Hey Kazuhiko! Welcome to the after show where certain members of this fanfiction are interviewed! I'm your creator.

Kazuhiko: Am I having one of those dreams again? Great, first I talk to a man with a freakishly long and sharp nose, now I'm on a low-budget talkshow.

Dangstaboy: Well, I will admit that the studio isn't very upscale, but come on. On to the first question! In chapter 2, you kissed Nanako. Now in chapter 3, you tried to impress Mikan by protecting her. What are you, some type of manwhore?

Kazuhiko: Wait, how did you know about Nanako? Second, I don't think you were in the hotel.

Dangstaboy: Just answer the question. Who are you going for? Your bestie from the boonies or your new senpai that works at the hotel you live in?

Kazuhiko: I mean, I've known Nanako for years and we're best friends! I can't do that to Nanako.

Dangstaboy: It will happen if the fans will it to. I'm writing this entire fanfiction so whatever happens is because I will it to. Audience! Who do you think Kazuhiko here should date?

Kazuhiko: Wait, what do you mean you're the creator in this fanfiction? I make my own decisions. Am I really just fake?

Dangstaboy: JK dude. I'll try to make your future entertaining but, you'll live. Next question! How did you come to meet the cast of Persona 4?

Kazuhiko: (IF this is a dream, might as well play along) You mean Nanako's friends? Well, Nanako saw me on the playground by myself and asked who I was. I was surprised that nobody had heard of my demon child rumors that we instantly became friends. One thing led to another and I met her friends; Yosuke-san, Officer Satonaka, Mistress Amagi, Mister Tatsumi, Teddie, Detective Shirogane and lastly, her "big bro"

Dangstaboy: Alright! Couldn't have said it better myself. Or could I? Anyways, We're at our final question. What would you think if I told you that you weren't the only one who had dreams about the Velvet Room? On top of that, Narukami had the same problem as you.

Kazuhiko: Wait, Narukami-san experienced that before? So, I'm not crazy?

Dangstaboy: Don't worry, you're still sane. The velvet room is supposed to help you on your future journey. You can use it to buy and fuse monsters to make some pretty weird shit, like Mara over here.

Mara: You know what? F*ck you. I'm perfectly fine with how I look. You only wish your dick was as big as I am.

Dangstaboy: And that's enough talking with the giant douche bag of a penis. I think I've said enough about what your future holds so that's a wrap on this interview. You won't remember any part of this.

Kazuhiko: I definitely do not want to remember that… thing. Just send me back; I'm tired of all this already.

Mara: Oh yeah? Well this "thing" has better chances of getting laid than you do. You better watch your back when you fuse me in the velvet room.

So, how did it go? As always, please review. I will take some suggestions on who you want to interview and what questions you want to ask them. Thanks guys! I'll also make short stories for after the main story. It turns out that I'll have more free time than I thought so I'll post a new chapter every 1 or 2 weeks.