Dojima Residence | Evening | Year 2012

"...Say again?"Dojima says in disbelief, eyebrow crooked, eyes widen staring at Yuki who is sleeping soundly on the couch. Both Chie and Rise are sitting on the floor next to him making sure Yuki stays asleep. Kanji is crossing his legs under the round table while Yosuke tries to explain the whole event to the detective.

"Uhh okayy..."Yosuke inhales preparing to start from the beginning. "So, Yu here saw the kid, Yuki, in the shopping district, and he looked ill, then—"

"No no, I got that. I meant..."he sighs. "...his name."Dojima presses on the word.

"He said it's...Yuki Narukami."Yosuke answers still not believing it himself. Dojima turns around and gives a meaningful look towards Yu who is preparing tea with Nanako. Getting the signal, Yu lifts his head.

"I swear, Uncle, I never knew him."Yu says almost casually then goes back to organizing mugs. Both are aware of Yu's rare family, so Dojima strokes his chin in deep thoughts.

"You sure you've never...dated a girl before? Say...5 years ago?"

"No."he answers quickly. On the other corner, Rise is surprised to hear another fact of her beloved crush.

"Wow, Senpai. You really never dated anyone before?"she asks in a quite loud voice. Everyone in the room looks her way.

"Is it so surprising?"Yosuke adds looking sheepish. "It's clear he is sooo inexperience in that field."he crosses his arms looking at Yu teasingly. "He practically needed my help regarding Yukiko. And oh, you remember Ebihara? I'm telling you, he's in a different level of dense!"

"Ebihara? You mean, Ai Ebihara?"Chie perks up. "I thought she was crazy about Kou-kun."

"She was, at first. That's why she got close to him. But then—"

"Whoa whoa, kids."Dojima dismisses their conversation. "Don't mean to get into your...fun, but now's not the time."

"Oh right, sorry sir.". Yu sighs in relief upon his uncle's interruption.

"Tea's ready!"suddenly Nanako shouts and starts carrying a tray of tea mugs to everyone receiving few 'thanks' on the way. "I hope he feels better soon."she says while passing by Yuki.

"Yeah, we hope so, too. So much to ask him."Rise adds, sipping her tea slowly. After Yu and Nanako finish cleaning the kitchen they find themselves a chair or a spot they can make themselves comfortable.

"Nanako, isn't it your bedtime already?"Dojima tells his daughter.

"Aww... I can't join you?"Nanako pouts.

"I'm afraid not. Sorry."he pats her head lovingly. Suddenly everyone hears the front door knocks a few times.

"I'll get it."Nanako opens the door and cheers happily. "Yukiko nee-chan!"

"Good evening, Nanako-chan."Yukiko says with her usual soft voice, smiling.

"Come in, everyone's waiting."she steps aside to let Yukiko in and closes the door.

"Hi, everyone. Good evening, Dojima-san."Yukiko bows lightly when addressing him. He nods when Chie stands up and walks up to her best friend.

"Finally."Chie hugs Yukiko's shoulders with one arm. "You're about to be told a surprising surprise."

"So what is it?"then she notices a little boy sleeping next to Rise. "Who's that?"

"Uhhh...your son?"Kanji blurts out making everyone stifles a laugh.

"Oh okay."after 2 seconds then she realizes. "W-wait, my what!?"her eyes wide, definitely surprised.

? | ? | Year 2024

Yu's mind is overloaded by Yuki's disappearance. He stands upright then walks towards Yukiko helping her gets on her feet.

"You okay?"he asks concerned.

"I-I'm fine..."she steadies herself then swings her fan. "Diarahan."she whispers, but nothing happens. She looks around and realizes the dome has disappeared, so is her power to call out persona. "It's gone...? Ohh I should've used it earlier..."she regrets of not using her healing power. The street is now back visible once again, yellow-ish gold ceiling is replaced by clear night sky. In front of them is a particular electronic store where Yosuke heard the weird voice, Yrutron. People who are walking by leer down at them just sitting there on the pedestrian. As if the dome was never there and nothing happened, just a normal day. Realizing the weird looks they're getting, Yosuke hooks his one arm under Rise's legs and lifts her bridal-style.

"Maybe we should...go somewhere else."Yosuke tilts his head toward the store, signaling the others.

"...Right."Yu responds and starts following Yosuke inside before suddenly Yukiko stops short, halting both her and Yu.

"Wait, where's Yuki?"Yukiko asks worriedly. "Yu, where is he!?"she frantically looks around.

"Yukiko, calm down. We need to get inside first."Yu says softly trying to steady their pace despite his own worry over his missing son.

"But—"tears are forming on the edges of her eyes.

"We'll figure something out, okay? We always do. I promise."Yu says in a determined voice to assure her, including himself. When they're almost inside the store there is a shout calling Yu's name nearby. A deep masculine-woman voice.

"Senpai! Yu-senpai!". Yu turns his head and sees a slender woman half-running towards them. She struggles to keep her hat stays on her head.

"...Naoto?"

? | ? | Year ?

For a while, there is a engine revving sound before the brake is hit and the sound stops. It makes his eyelids flutter open in curiosity of his surrounding. He feels that he's sitting on something very soft and fluffy. Everything his eyes catch is blue, very dark blue. Except for certain human-like figures across from him.

"Ah!"he points his finger toward the figure he recognizes. "Pinocchio old man!"he yells. It is indeed a 'pinocchio'ish man sitting intimidatingly with his hands under his chin. His round face with pointy fingers and ears, fits just-so with the tuxedo he is wearing. Smirking, the pinocchio man puts down his hands on the table.

"Hmhmhm."the man chuckles inside his throat. "This is absolutely interesting. Of course, I have always known this, but to finally see it happening in front of my eyes..."he turns his head slowly to another figure sitting beside him. The figure, a woman wearing blue dress, matching with the color of everything around, lets out a heavy sigh and looks down to the floor.

"...She has done it."the woman's wavy hair falling a little over her shoulders as she says it somehow reluctantly.

"Or rather...they."the man adds with excitement plastered on his face. The woman lifts her head and keeps her composure, wearing a small smile she politely looks the other way.

"Well then, I suppose we have an exceptional, unique guest."the man once again puts his hands back under his chin, smirking wider. "Welcome to the Velvet Room."

End of Chapter 9

Author's footnote :

Hello. I want to inform you guys that starting from the previous chapter, I will be continuing this story. And as you may have noticed, I am a different author. The real author is...well...*sigh*. Anyway, the last author was so very excited about this story, sometimes she confused herself just to organize the timeline and the story-flow. All her original concept is nowhere to be found, and so I made a new one. Not sure if it will still capture the essence of the story itself, but I put a few personal touches (or modifications) through it. Pssst, not to mention some plot twists and surprises too. Remember, Makoto Yuki? :)