"You wanted to see us up here Yosuke-sempai?" Kanji asked curiously.
"Yeah, is something wrong?" Yukiko asked.
"Not yet, but something might be pretty soon." Yosuke said quietly. "You guys know how we stopped your shadows from killing you right?"
"Of course, you saved our lives." Yukiko said. "What does that have to do with you calling us to the roof of the school?"
"Yukiko-san, the culprit probably knows you two survived even after he threw you into the TV." Yosuke said. "They might try and get to us here."
"Here, you mean the real world?" Kanji asked. "Is that even possible?"
"Actually, I think it might be." Yu said. "The killer likely knows that Yukiko and Kanji survived, and if they know the TV didn't work there's always the possibility they could try and go after us where we're vulnerable."
"Then what are we supposed to do, the culprit could be anyone." Yukiko said nervously.
"I don't know, they might try and use the TV one more time but we should still be careful just in case something does happen." Yu said.
"Yeah, you have a good point." Yosuke said thoughtfully. "Still, for the time being we should keep our eyes on the Midnight Channel in case someone else shows up on it."
"Well we should be safe for a little while, the school trip is in two days." Yukiko said calmly.
"Oh yeah that's right." Yosuke said with a grin. "I'm looking forward to that. What do you think partner?"
"It should be a nice change of pace from everything else we've been doing so far this year." Yu said calmly.
"You guys don't know what the school trip is do you?" Chie asked.
"What are you talking about Chie?" Yosuke asked. "Aren't you looking forward to it, I mean we get to relax in the river and just spend some time not sitting in class."
"The river, what are you talking about?" Chie asked. "We're helping clean up trash."
"Huh, you're kidding. That's not a trip it's manual labor." Yosuke said in frustration.
"Nope, that's how the trip has been every year." Chie said. "Well, at least this time we're all in the same group so that's something."
"Yeah, I guess you have a point." Yosuke said. "Still, we should head home. There's no telling what might happen tonight."
"You're right, be careful you guys." Yu said thoughtfully.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me." Yosuke said before taking the Velvet Key out of his pocket. "Here you go partner."
"Thanks." Yu said as the five of them walked back into the school.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." Margaret said calmly. "As you can see, my master and Marie are currently away."
"I noticed, do you mind if I ask where they went?" Yu asked.
"My master had a task to attend to and Marie requested to go with him, I believe her exact words were 'Anything's better than sitting in this room.'" Margaret said calmly.
"That sounds like something Marie would say." Yu said with a smile. "So I guess that means we can continue that conversation from before?"
"True." Margaret said with a small smile. "Not once but twice now I've been the one to welcome you to the Velvet Room."
"That's right, do you think he's doing this on purpose?" Yu asked. "Leaving you here alone I mean."
"Everything that happens in the Velvet Room occurs for a reason." Margaret said thoughtfully. "Though you may have a point. Perhaps the next time you ask I may agree to go with you, but for now I need to stay here and make sure things are in order."
"Alright, well if you get the chance I'd be glad to show you around." Yu said with a smile.
"I appreciate that." Margaret said calmly.
Thou hast strengthened thy genuine bond… It leads thee closer to the truth… Thou power to fuse Empress Personas has increased.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Do you really think that could happen Chie?" Yukiko asked nervously. "I mean wouldn't the killer not try anything since it might lead the police to them?"
"I don't know, maybe." Chie said. "I just wish we knew who it was so we could find them and Inaba can be safe again."
"Yeah, maybe Igor-san can help us somehow." Yukiko said thoughtfully.
"Maybe, but I just wish we knew more about what was going on." Chie said anxiously. "Anyway, let's talk about something less depressing. What do you think we should make for the trip?"
"Oh, I hadn't actually thought about it." Yukiko said. "Oh, maybe curry."
"Yeah, that sounds perfect." Chie said with a smile. "We can all head to Junes tomorrow to pick up the ingredients too."
"You're right, oh I can hardly wait." Yukiko said eagerly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Oh welcome home big bro." Nanako said happily.
"Thanks Nanako, how was your day?" Yu asked with a smile.
"It was good, the teacher said I did really well today." Nanako said with a smile.
"That's great Nanako." Yu said before suddenly shuddering.
"What's wrong, are you cold big bro?" Nanako asked.
"No, I just had a feeling something very bad is going to be happening soon." Yu said. "Something that I won't be able to stop no matter how hard I want to."
"Nanako, I'm home." Dojima said walking into the house. "Oh, you're back."
"Yeah, is everything ok uncle?" Yu asked.
"It's fine." Dojima said. "Just a bit of hard work on the case."
"Well I'm sure you'll be able to solve it." Yu said calmly.
"Thanks." Dojima said calmly. "Oh yeah, you're going on a trip pretty soon aren't you?"
"Yeah, it's an overnight trip." Yu said.
"That sounds fun big bro." Nanako said with a smile.
"She's right, and it can help take your mind off of everything." Dojima said calmly. "Who knows, the fresh air might do you some good instead of spending so much time at Junes."
"Yeah, you have a point." Yu said. "It might be a nice change of pace."
(The Investigation Team has realized the potential risk that the killer could go after them in the real world. Next chapter, Yukiko and Chie will look into curry ingredients for the trip. As always any reviews or critique is appreciated.)
