April 8, 2010. Wednesday.

Heading to school alone on the next day, Makoto couldn't help but over hear a conversation.

"Did you hear the rumor?" Said one.

"Oh, um... something about...a bathroom?" Said their companion

"N-No!" Face palmed the first one, "Not that one! I mean the story about the first-year student! Not only did she stop coming to school, she does nothing but sit and stare at the walls all day. If her mother tries fo speak to her, she only mutters to herself, "It's coming...It's coming...!""

"Huh. How about that." Said the second one.

"You don't believe me...?" Grimace the first one.

Rumors it may be, maybe it was just a rare illness that hadn't been found a solution to deal with. Then again, it was just rumors. The first bell has rung, quickly Makoto went to the class to find most of his friends were there.

The class came by quickly, before lunch break, it was Ms. Toriumi's class.

"Open your textbooks and we'll look at the first novel by Zenzou Kasai" Ms. Toriumi said, "Ugh, why him? I'd rather teach Utsoba Kubota. He became famous as a singer but he's also produced fine literature. I wonder why it's not in the textbook. Well, I'll just bring Kubota's book next time."

After all that, she noticed Junpei and called out, "Hey, Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favourite author?"

"H-huh...Umm..."Junpei gulp as he search for help. Since he was beside Makoto, he whispered and ask, "Psst! Who does she like?"

Makoto just sighed and whispered the answer, "It's Utsoba Kubota"

Junpei told the answer and Ms. Toriumi said with surprise, "That's right! So you were listening to me after all!"

"Ehehe...Well, you know how I like to pay attention!" Junpei said as sweat drips down in his forehead.

After that, Ms. Toriumi went back to her teaching, Junpei look at Makoto and thank, "Man, you saved my bacon Makoto!"

Makoto just went back to listen to Ms. Toriumi's teaching in daze, preferring for the day to end soon.

Walking back to the dorm together with Minako. They went inside the dormitory lounge only to see is Yukari, talking with a middle aged man who has dark brown eyes with glasses and long wavy brown hair, wearing a tan jacket over his brown turtleneck.

"Oh, they're back." Yukari said.

"So, this is our new guests" says the middle aged man as he sign them to sit beside him, "Good evening. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki, I'm the chairman of the board for your school. "Ikutsuki"... Hard to say isn't it?That's why I don't like introducing myself, even I get tongue-tied sometimes. I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations however it may take awhile longer before you two receive the proper assignment. Is there anything you like to ask?"

Makoto stood up silently and turned around and leaves. "No, I'm good."

It wasn't that he wanted to leave right off the bat rudely. He was tired still after his trip. He just hoped that no one had misunderstood his sloppy intentions.

Heading to bed early, sound asleep. He didn't know late night something was happening.

Ikutsuki open the knob and went inside, "Working hard? So, how are they doing?"

"They went to bed a little while ago," Mitsuru reported as she press buttons "They're asleep now"

Mitsuru look at Ikutsuki and ask, "Mr. Chairman, do you think they're...?"

"Well, let's wait and see for now" Ikutsuki said, "The Dark Hour is approaching."

Meanwhile, in a back alley of Tatsumi Port Island.

There was a man, listening to a radio. He keep checking then sighed in defeat "This sucks" and throw the radio.

Upbeat music is playing from the radio that the man threw away.

"KJ Radio presents The Bay Tuners" the Radio DJ announce, "Tune in again next week for more of the hits!"

Then this time a female radio announcer continued, "This program is brought to you by Kirijo Electronics. Kirijo Electronics; always there when you need them. The time is now midnight."

5 seconds before midnight.

The first second was the man sighing and grumbling.

The next was the radio finish.

Then the silent wind breezing.

The fourth is when the man stood and look up at the moon.

And finally midnight.

The night turned green, the moon was eerily big again, giving off the same odd atmosphere. The place suddenly being deserted.

"Huh?" the man said confuse, "What the...?"

Suddenly, a black glob was forming in him. His breath was turning ragged, "What's happening to me?"

Faster as it could, the black glob takes over the man's body. The man look at his hand, screaming in pain then he disappeared. Being dissolved by darkness itself.

Back at a certain room in the dormitory.

Mitsuru and Ikutsuki continues to watched over Makoto and Minako in the camera.

"Hmm, they're still sleeping." Ikutsuki said surprisingly, "The Dark Hour occurs everyday at 12 midnight; you could say it's the "hidden" hour. During this time,  an ordinary person transmogrifies into a coffin and is oblivious to all that occurs" Ikutsuki explained.

Yukari, who just recently enter the room and watch at the camera, replied. "Then they must be..."

Ikutsuki look at Yukari and said, "As you can see, they retained their human form. They're asleep but they are definitely experiencing the Dark Hour. The only question that remains is whether or not they have the potential. Although they must... If they didn't, they would've preyed on them by now"

"Scary..."Yukari said as she shiver by that thought.

"In any case, we should continue to monitor them for a few more days" Ikutsuki said.

"Yes, Sir." Mitsuru obeyed.

"I feel kinda bad though, spying on them like this." Yukari muttered.

In Makoto's room, an unknown voice called out, "...Master..."

A few seconds, it called again. "Master Makoto Yuki"

In his dream, he saw black and white tiles until he saw a velvet door that opened itself.

It was bright then suddenly Makoto appeared in a room that looks like an elevator, 2 doors in each side and infront of his was a bizzare old man with a long nose, pointed ears and bulging bloodshot eyes, wearing a black suit with white gloves, sitting in a couch and beside him was a girl, who has short white hair and yellow eyes, wearing a blue dress the resembles a stewardess outfit, carrying a book.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room" the old man greeted "My name is Igor, I am delighted to make your acquaintance."

The man named Igor then pointed out at the girl, who was beside him, "This is Elizabeth, she's a resident here like myself."

"Please to meet you," Elizabeth smiled.

"This place exist between dreams and reality, mind and matter" Igor explained, "Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place"

Makoto soon realize the contract he signed at the dorm is now lying before Igor. He had almost mistaken Minako to have signed it too when in fact only he did. Despite being a witness herself, it seems she couldn't enter here.

"Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room" Igor continued "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 the contract and assume responsibility for the choices you make"

Slowly nodding his head in agreement, Igor simply smile.

"Hold on to this "Igor gave a velvet key to Makoto, "'Till we meet again."