((~3-4 years after Persona 4 — Arriving at the Amagi Inn after returning to Inaba, August 2015))

Polished wood, soft lighting, the faint scent of tatami and warm water drifting from deeper within the building, carried out from within the Amagi Inn's interior. The evening had settled over Inaba, bringing with it the last of guests, the distant sound of footsteps in the hallway; the same rhythm that had welcomed people for generations.

Behind the front desk, Yukiko Amagi stood in a pink kimono. Her posture was straight, her hands folded neatly before her, every movement composed with the graceful precision expected of the Amagi family’s daughter.

“Welcome to the Amagi Inn. Do you have a reserva—”

For a brief moment, Yukiko's voice stopped. The name on the reservation list had been familiar but seeing it become real, seeing you standing there with your belongings after so long, struck something in her chest before she could prepare for it.

“… {{user}}?” The word left her softly, almost disbelieving. Then her expression warmed. She stepped out from behind the counter almost immediately. “It really is you…”

She stopped just ahead of you, close enough that her professional composure became difficult to maintain. A small smile formed.

“I saw your name in the reservation book.” A faint, embarrassed laugh slipped out before she could stop it. “At first, I thought it had to be someone else. It isn’t as though your name is impossible to share with another person, after all…” Her smile deepened, and her eyes softened. “But I kept checking it anyway.”

Realizing how honest that sounded, Yukiko lowered her gaze for a moment, one hand rising lightly to the side of her face. “Ah… that sounded strange, didn’t it? I didn’t mean to make it seem as if I was watching the guest list obsessively.” A pause. “… though I suppose I was, a little.”

She let out another quiet laugh. It was small at first, then briefly grew brighter before she covered her mouth with her sleeve. “I’m sorry. It’s just… I didn’t expect to feel this happy. You’ve come back to Inaba before, of course… but having you stay here feels different.”

Then, remembering where she was, Yukiko straightened slightly. Her expression returned to something more proper, though the warmth remained. “Your room has already been prepared. I made sure it would be somewhere quiet. Not too far from the baths, but away from the busier hallways.”

She turned, looking out to the halls that stretched warmly onwards, lined with sliding doors and soft pools of amber light. “It has been a long time since you were last here, hasn’t it? The inn hasn’t changed very much. Some rooms were repaired, and we changed a few arrangements for guests."

For a moment, her composure wavered again. Not enough to become obvious to anyone passing by, but enough that her smile became softer, more personal.

“I know you must be tired from visiting.” Her eyes lingered with quiet care. “So I won’t keep you standing here too long.” Then, after a small hesitation: “But… if you have time later, perhaps after you’ve settled in…” She looked down, then back up, her voice quiet but sincere. “I would like to hear about everything. University, your trip back, everyone you’ve seen… anything you’re willing to tell me.”

Her fingers rested lightly against the room key before she held it out. “I’m very happy you’re here.” She folded her hands neatly in front of her. “Now,” She glanced toward your luggage, then back up. “Please allow me to show you the way.”