Hey guys! I'm posting this after a LOOOOOONG time. Sorry it took a while, I just thought that you guys would like my Persona 4 and Persona 5 fanfics more than this but in 2020, be sure to be ready for more frequent updates on this fanfic. Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter! Also, there's a character from a future Persona game making an appearance so be on the look out for that.

"Sup, dude!?" What the fuck? Some guy with a baseball hat stands in front of my desk. This is unexpected. "Haha, you look like a deer in headlights." He's talking to me? Okay… "Who are you?" I look up at his smirking face. "Me? I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya. I transferred here when I was in 8th grade. I know how tough it is being the new kid… so I thought I'd check up on you, make sure you weren't freaking out on your first day." Huh, nice guy. "*sigh* At it again, huh? Honestly, is there any girl you wouldn't hit on?" Wait, Yukari? Wait, he was hitting on me?

"Did you ever think you could be bothering someone?" So he's the flirt of the school? Didn't expect that… "What? But, I was just being friendly." That's what I thought… "If you say so." Yukari then turned he attention to me, "Anyway, some coincidence that we'd end up in the same homeroom, huh?" Meh, could be. "I'm glad I at least know one person in this class, even briefly is fine with me." Standing up, I grab my back off of the desk hook. "Um, hello? Did you forget I'm in this class too? C'mon, let me in on the fun! Wait, you said you knew each other? That explains why I heard you two coming to school together." No surprise, Yukari seems popular.

"Huh? Why are people even talking about that? Minako~Chan and I walked to school together, what's so exciting about that?" That I have to agree with, that ain't exciting at all. "Anyway, I got to do some things for the archery team. Don't do any funny to Minako~Chan, you got that Junpei?" And with that, the brunette turns around and leaves. "What is she, your nanny? Anyway, just to clear things up, I seriously didn't come here to hit on you." Kinda got that, "If you have any troubles, you've got ole pal Junpei to help you out!" Junpei smirks as I nod. After school classes will start soon, I need to get ready.

~Timeskip~

We finally get to leave! I can't wait to get back to my bed, I'm exhausted. "Hey, Minako~Chan!" I know that voice, "What's up Junpei?" I turned around to see the same smirking, hat-wearing guy rushing up to me. "Can I walk you home? I want to talk to you more!" He sounds desperate. I don't have a choice in the matter, huh? "Sure, why not?" My response made him give me a stupid toothy grin that I couldn't hold back my laughter. The two of us left the building as we were greeted by girls running past us. They were being lead by a girl with long, dark hair tied in a ponytail wearing the school gym wear with a grey jacket. "Hey check it out! It's the volleyball club! I know because the one their following is Rio Iwasaki, a friend I met a while back. Just know that if you want to join, there's a friendly face there!" Junpei walks up and begin to scream, "RIO! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! LET'S GO GET RAMEN WITH KENJI!" the girl stopped and looked back. With a smile, she waves and gives Junpei a thumbs up then continued to run with her team. "I'll think about it…" the two of us continue walking, talking about mundane stuff.

We reached the dorm and exchanges farewells so I walked into the dorm. Only Mitsuru and Yukari were down here but I paid no mind to them. Flopping onto the couch, I pull out my PSP from my bag and began playing on it. Final Fantasy will always be my favorite game series and Crisis Core will be my favorite game overall. I'm currently on my third run and trying to beat this boss that keeps kicking my ass. "Arisato, it's late. Time to go back to your room," Mitsuru sipped her tea as I grumble. "Fine. I'm staying up though…" To my annoyance, I got up and walked upstairs. Huh? A vending machine? Hmm… should I take a soda up there or would that bitch yell at me? Meh, if she yells at me, she can kiss my ass. The only options were Mad Bull, SoBay and Cielo Mist. Hmm…

"If you want a drink, I'd recommend SoBay." I jumped and turned around to see a boy around my age with short silver hair, wearing a red vest. "Jesus! A little warning before scaring the shit out of me!" With a sigh, I turned back around to the vending machine and got a SoBay. "Thanks though…" And with that, I went upstairs. Don't know who he his… but he is cute. Entering my room, I jump on my bed and continue playing on my game and sipping my drink. Wait, what the fuck? In the corner of my eye, I see a camera aimed at me. Do they have intense security or something? No matter what, it's creepy as fuck. Just then, a light bulb lit up in my head. On a small sheet of paper, I drew a shitty dick and the middle finger and stuck it onto the lense of the camera. Hah! I'm gonna keep that there for a few days. The clock on my wall shows the time. 10:15pm. Holy shit! How long have I played that game? Eh, I have to go to sleep before I lose that extra hour.

4/8

Afternoon

Sigh, school's as boring as ever. All I can do, other than listening to the bullshit teachers say, is doodling in my book. I'm not an artist, but my sketches aren't horrible so that's a plus. This place is weird, too. Apparently an underclassman of mine stopped coming to school, stares at a wall, and mutters "It's coming… it's coming…!". And I've read that there's been a case of 'Apathy Syndrome' being widespread in this area. That's kinda the reason why I chose to go to Gekkoukan. My adoptive family got me into detective stuff so once I've heard that weird stuff was happening here, my curiosity started spiking. "Open your textbooks and we'll take a look at the first novel by… Zenzou Kasai." My teacher's voice snapped me out of my thoughts so I started paying attention.

Ms. Toriumi showed great disgust however, "Ugh… why him? I'd rather teacher Utsubo Kubota. He became famous as a singer, but he's also produced fine literature. I wonder why his book isn't in the textbook. We'll, I'll just bring Kubota's book next time. Hey Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favorite author?" Junpei showed that he was just leaving his daze. "H-huh…? U-ummm… psst! Who does she like?" his hand gestures are directed to me so I decided to write it down on my sketchpad, pretended to be looking through my book. He saw it and read it out loud, "Utsubo Kubota!" "That's right! So you were listening to me after all!" Good, I thought I wrote the wrong guy, "Eheheh… well, you know how I like to pay attention! Man, you've saved my bacon Minako!" No problem, Junpei.

"Minako gave him the answer… she must pay attention in class!"

Evening

Stepping into the dorm after a long wait for the train, Yukari is in the lounge with an older man with long hair and glasses. "Ah, you're here." Yukari gestured me to sit next to her on the couch she was on so I did so. "So, this is our new guest… good evening! My name is Shuji Ikutsuki, the Chairman of the Board at your school. 'Ikutsuki'... hard to say, isn't it?" Not really old man, "That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes… I apologise about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive the proper room assignment. Anyway, is there anything you'd like to ask?" He asks, pushing his glasses up.

"Why did you come here?"

"To welcome you, of course. Speaking of which… where's Mitsuru, Yukari?"

"I think she's upstairs,"

"Diligent as always. Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello… do you have another question?

"Who else lives here?"

"There are four students living here. You, Yukari, Mitsuru, and another senior named Akihiko Sanada. I hope you all get along!"

So that guy's name is Akihiko and my senior, huh?

"Do you have another question?

Maybe I shouldn't ask this, but I'm curious as fuck.

"I saw something odd…"

"You saw something odd? Like what?"

Yukari gazes over at me with an odd expression.

"You were probably just tired, I wouldn't worry about it. It's bad for your complexion, you know?"

Okay, two things. 1) An old man worrying about my complexion is weird and 2) This whole thing is strange. I was right to be wary, they know something. I need to act on my part.

"Is that all? Well, you must be tired from getting used to your new surroundings. It's best you go to bed and rest up. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm'! Sorry for the bad pun" Ikutsuki chuckled to himself while Yukari and I roll our eyes and sigh. "You'll get used to his stupid jokes…" Will I, Yukari? Will I? I stood up and went to my room. Whether or not this is connected to the 'Apathy Syndrome' is irrelevant. I need to know what's going on.

RING RING*

Huh? Oh, it's my cell. Looking at the name, I see 'Naoto' on it. Naoto is my soul sister since her grandfather adopted me just three years ago and she was living with him since her parents died a few years ago. Nowerdays, people know her as the 'Detective Prince' as she solves many cases at her young age. She presents herself as male and I don't get it and I don't question it as her gender doesn't matter. However, she doesn't mind her grandfather and I calling her a girl. I answer the phone.

"Hey Naoto! What's up?"

"Hi Minako! How's Gekkoukan?"

"It's okay. Still haven't found much info on the Apathy Syndrome but I'm still looking!

"Ok! Keep it up, Minako! Also, grandfather is wondering if you're going to come and visit during Golden Week, so he can plan accordingly."

"Of course I'll come! I want to see you two!"

"Yay! Thanks, Minako! I'll tell grandfather, see you soon!"

"See you soon, Naoto!"

Hanging up, I opened my door and flopped on my bed as I sleep.

Later, in a certain room in the dormitory…

No One's POV

"How is she?" The old gentleman asks as he enters as the mature woman with red hair opens up a new panel. "It took us a while to put it onto the secret camera since she covered the main camera…" The main camera panel showed the picture Minako taped onto the lense, a shitty drawn penis and the middle finger. "Kinda surprise she did that, however, I don't know her that well to begin with…" The other young person piped up from her seat, "It's not exactly against the rules but I will have a speaking to her about it. Anyway, she seems to be asleep. Mr. Chairman, do you think she's…" "No need to be hasty, we'll see in a bit as the Dark Hour is slowly approaching…"

Somewhere else,

A man is listening to loud music with a beer in hand. Others are nearby as they are dancing to the music, paying no mind to this man. "Man, this sucks…" taking a sim of his beer, the music from the radio ends. "KJ Radios presents, the Bay Tuners. Tune in again next week for more of the hits." "This program is brought to you by Kirijo Electronics. Kirijo Electronics, always there where you need them. The time is now, midnight."

TICK, TICK, TICK, TICK, TICK.

Dark Hour

The dancing people transforms into coffins, making the drinking man stand up in shock. "Huh…? What the…" Was all he could mutter before his head began to drip black goo. "What's… happening…! Ahh, ahh… ARGH!"

Back at a certain room in the dormitory

As the room was tinted with green by the light of the moon coming from the window, Minako is still sleeping soundly. "Huh? She has retained her human form. The Dark Hour is an unnatural phenomenon that happens at midnight every night, you could say it's the hidden hour. Normally, humans transmogrify into coffins. But, if the human retains their human form, they would pray on them. The fact that she hasn't been prayed on by now…" Ikutsuki inquired, making Yukari pipe up yet again. "Does that mean she…" "We'll just have to see…" Mitsuru had a serious look on her face as she looked into the monitor showing Minako, still peacefully sleeping. "I feel kinda bad though… spying on her like this…"

Minako's POV

I was in the backseat with my brother as our parents were in the front driving. "Nato~Nii! Your think Kitsune~San will come back?" I was upset because I lost my fox plush at the diner, "Don't worry Minachi! Kitsune~San will come back, just be patient." my brother reassured me by holding my hand so I give him a huge smile. With his warm hand in mine, I driftly doze off.

A happy memory of mine.

"Master…"

Huh?

"Master Minako Arisato…"

I opened my eyes and my surroundings aren't anything I recognise. I was in a blue, giant elevator that's going up with a huge clock on the wall. There were three doors on both my left and right as I sat on a chair with a lyre as the backrest. In front of me was a table and chair with someone sitting on the chair. An old man with thinning hair, in a tux and a long nose. "Welcome to the Velvet Room my dear guest… my name is Igor, I am delighted to make your acquaintance…" Okay… not creepy at all… "This place exist between dream and reality, mind and matter… only those who have signed a contract can enter this place…" The paper I signed two days ago appear on the table.

'I choseth this fate with my own free will.'

'Arisato Minako'

"Henceforth, you shall be welcomed her 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 your contract, and assume responsibility for the choices you make." I think I get it but at the same time, I don't. "Is this a dream?" I ask with uncertainty in my voice, "Precisely… you are fast asleep in the real world as we speak. This visit or yours is merely a dream. However, you will come here of your own accord, sooner or later. Hold onto this…" A key appeared and went onto my wrist. It turned into a charm bracelet.

"There is still one more resident of this room, who unfortunately could not be present for your arrival. But I'll make sure you two are properly introduced. Another time, perhaps. 'Til we meet again…" And with his parting words, the Velvet Room faded away as I hear my alarm from my phone.

Hey guys! I hope you liked this chapter! It took a while to write this so I hope it's good! I also thought I would add Naoto in here because of her resemblance to Minato and I wanted to add a subplot with Naoto later on in my fanfic when she gets introduced and I thought that the events of this would be good as part of it. Anyway, have a good day!