The Darkest Hour Chapter 1

Naoto's POV

I woke up in a hospital bed. I could only guess the battle ended but one question remained. How long was I in there? As I become awake, I hear a voice and surprisingly it is Yukari being there. She gasped as she spoke surprised that I woke up.

''You're awake..!'' She says relieved. I nodded and asked her what happened.

''What happened?'' I asked as she answered but also rambled a bit on her life story but I would cut her off.

''You're in the Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. You collapsed after what happened and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong with you. They said you were only exhausted. Sigh... I guess you saw what happened huh?'' Yukari sighed as I nodded and my voice was firm. I had enough of fighting. Fighting brought death and too much pain to take part in
anymore.

''I guess... So that is why you guys didn't transfer me huh? I was used for recruitment huh? Well... I'm saying no... I am sick of fighting. I've seen it since I was a kid and at this point...you all lied to me and tried to spy on me.'' I said as Yukari was shocked. She thought I would fight but I wasn't. A disappointed sigh escaped your lips.

''Sigh... you gave up huh? I can't be mad... I guess we'll head to the dorm. No use stalling then...'' She said disappointed but she was understanding. The things that attacked weren't normal and most people wouldn't dare fight them. The mood was tense as we arrived as all of them seemed to be waiting for me. The Chairman... Ikutsuki if I remember tried to speak to me.

''Ah... you're back. Please have a seat. We must brief you about the situation and talk about your to...'' He tried to say only for me to cut him off.

''No. I already told Yukari. I ain't doing this. You all lied instead of transferring me. I destroyed the cameras and more every time. I'm packing my stuff.'' I said as I ignored their shocked look as I went to my room and started packing.

''Not how I imagined it would go...'' Mitsuru said. Akihiko nodded and said his piece.

''Yeah... he has already made up his mind. Tch... we need all the help we can get and this happens...'' Akihiko scowled as Yukari asked a question.

''What if the other student survived? Would they have awoken and joined?'' Yukari asked Ikutsuki seemed to think about it as he answered.

''Hard to tell... First, They'd have to experience the Dark Hour and not transmogrify into a coffin. Then have the potential and not be prayed upon. It is extremely unlikely but that is something we'll never know. Now I guess... I have paperwork to fill out. Please excuse me.'' Ikutsuki said as he left to fill out the forms.

The room was tense as Yukari spoke up next.

''What if we ask him for a trial week? Honestly, spying on him is what put us on the wrong foot with him... I did say I felt kinda bad doing so.'' She said as Mitsuru.

''It's the best shot we've got. Akihiko! Go tell Ikutsuki about this before Naoto comes downstairs.'' Mitsuru said as Akihiko nodded and answered as he went to do that.

''Alright.'' He said as he left. An hour later I came downstairs. I was aware of their plan thanks to my superhuman hearing but it wasn't like I was gonna tell them. Mitsuru approached as she spoke to me.

''I understand you want to leave after what happened. Nobody will fault you if you do. However, there are many things at stake and reasons as to why we did this. If you agree, we could do a trial week of sorts. A week where you wouldn't be spied on, or lied to and you'd get to understand why we are doing this. Should you do this and still refuse... we won't stop you. I simply implore you to not let anger cloud your judgment and at least hear us out.'' Mitsuru said as I answered her.

''You have been spying on me, lying to me, and more. How can I even trust you on this?'' I asked her as she answered her.

''You have my word. Takeba put the option of being honest on the table and even admitted to being uncomfortable with what we have been doing. this idea is hers. If you cannot trust me, the chairman, or Akihiko that is fine but Takeba has felt discomfort at what happened to you and brought this alternative.'' Mitsuru said as I grabbed my bag after a long silence.

''You have one week... Last chance to earn my trust.'' I said before going back upstairs Mitsuru sighed in relief as it seemed the others really liked that news. As I was about to go back to my room for the night, Yukari spoke to me.

''Hey... Thanks for staying. I really am uncomfortable spying on others but I also saw their reasoning. I'm not asking you to like it, even if I don't but to see why they did. I guess we got off the wrong foot huh... Should I reintroduce myself?'' Yukari said as it reminded me of Naruto. A small chuckled laugh escaped me as I smiled and responded to her.

''No need. I guess... I'll stick for now. It better be a damn good explanation though. I said extending my hand which she shook and smiled. Suddenly in my head, I heard a voice.. It was my persona speaking.

''I am thou... Thou art I. Thou has established a new bond. Thou shall be granted the power of the Lovers Arcana.'' It said as it seemed a power of some sort awakened in me with this friendship. I went back to my room after we told each other goodnight. My eyes opened as I was in an elevator with a long-nosed man in a black tuxedo spoke to me.

''Welcome to the Velvet Room.''