1 week after the death of Katsuragi Kohei, Group 5 which only consisted of Yuko and Rento after Takeru's quick departure was enjoying a meal in a restaurant located in the Bunkyo ward of Tokyo.
"I can't wait anymore, Senpai. I'm so hungry...", Rento said sounding exhausted. They were in Onigiri Café Risaku located in the neighborhood of Sendagi.
"Just a little longer, Takahashi-kun. Our onigiri are almost here!", Yuko replied in a cheerful voice. Both of them glanced over to the waiter and say he was coming their way, they got excited to finally eat. Rento started to even drool. Just as he was about to reach them, the waiter made a swift turn and headed towards another table.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!? YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY, HUH!!??", Rento shouted. The waiter looked back seeming confused and a little scared. Yuko stood up and started bowing down to apologize. "Please forgive my Kohai for shouting, he's just a kid. Hehe..."
"It's okay...?", The waiter said and moved on.
Rento and Yuko both sat down on their seats and Yuko began glaring at Rento. "So sorry, Ikari-senpai... I lost my cool...", Rento said sounding shameful.
"Come on, Takahashi-kun... I'm disappointed, you need to be more mature! I guess you didn't learn anything from me, hmph!"
"Aww man, I disappointed my cute senpai! I need to fix this!"
"Here you go, you guys! Thanks for waiting!", Another waiter said as she approached their table. She then placed two bowls of delicious Onigiri and left.
"Finally!", They both said and then started munching down on their food. During their meal, Rento noticed that Yuko suddenly started to look somber.
"Umm, Senpai? What's wrong?", Rento asked in a concerned voice. Yuko immediately snapped out of it. "Uh- Huh? What do you mean, Takahashi-kun?"
"Come on, Ikari-san. You don't have to lie to me, you know? Something's up, you've been acting kinda weird these past few days? Something on your mind?"
Yuko sighed. "It's just... It's about Ichino-kun..."
"Him? Senpai... Don't stress yourself worrying about him. There's nothing we can do about it, he's the reason Katsuragi-san die-"
"We're done eating, let's go out to patrol again.", Yuko replied trying to ignore what Rento said.
"Alright... I just want you to be okay, Senpai." Yuko looked towards Rento with a pleasant smile. "I'm perfectly fine, Takahashi-kun!"
"Senpai's so cute..."
Group 5 went out and began walking around the Sendagi neighborhood. "Today's been kinda quiet, huh? Its already 2pm and there've been no alternates.", Yuko said.
"Yeah, its great. I love just hanging out with you, Ikari-san.", Rento replied.
Yuko looked over at him with a cheeky smile. "Still tryna butter me up for those extra points, Takahashi-kun?"
"No! I'm being serious, Senpai! You're an amazing person!", Rento replied in a stern voice trying to make sure his point was made clear.
"Well, I can't deny that! Hehe!"
"You know, Senpai? I'm honestly still kinda hungry. Since it seems like there'll be no alternate today, wanna go somewhere else to eat and hang out?"
Yuko smiled brightly and raised her hands. "Yes yes! Lets go to the Yomise Shopping street, I know a Masaru-san there that sells great skewed rice dumplings!"
"Sounds great, Senpai!", Rento replied smiling as well. "I'm glad she's back to her usual self, I hope hanging out with me is making her forget about Takeru."
Meanwhile, those 4 individuals had gathered together once again.
"Why is it you've called us here again, Shion?", Mei asked sounding concerned. They had meet up on the 7th floor of the Tokyo Plaza Omotesando building again.
"You seem different from usual, Mei. Is there anything wrong?", Shion asked dodging Mei's question.
"Uhh- Its nothing."
"Hmm, ok."
Jin started to lick his pancakes and spread his spit all over them. "Mmmm... Seriously though, why did you call us here? We're all very busy, you see?"
Shion sighed. "I have an important announcement for you 3."
Yui, while licking her ice cream, glanced at Shion. "I like good important announcements but I don't like bad important announcements.", She said. Shion glanced back at her. "This one's good, Yui. I promise."
"So what is it, Shion?", Mei asked.
"Well, we're finally taking a step forward in our plan. We've been tasked with something by one of our masters." Mei looked excited. "Finally! Hehehehehehe... Its been almost a year since we all awakened and I was getting tired of the human life. We'll be getting rid of it now, won't we?"
"Not really. After we deal with the task, we'll be going back into blending in.", Shion replied.
Mei looked frustrated and stood up. "Oh god damnit! When are we gonna get really started!? I'm tired, Shion!" A tiny bit of fire came bursting out of her mouth, her anger was that extreme.
"Calm yourself, Mei. We must obey whatever she says, you know that.", Shion replied. Mei sighed and sat down again.
"Mmmm.... Come on, you. We shouldn't be arguing amongst ourselves, you see?", Jin said. Mei looked over at him still looking angry. "Aren't you tired of it too, Jin!?"
Jin started to ponder. "Hmmm... I'm actually enjoying it, you see? Its not that bad." Mei looked genuinely surprised. "What about you, Yui!?"
"Its alright, Its nothing to get frustrated about.", Yui replied.
Mei was dumbfounded. "What is it with you two...?"
"Alright Alright, Enough chit chat.", Shion said with a stern voice.
"Although, Shion. I do have a question for you.", Yui said.
"What is it, Yui?", He asked.
"If we were supposed to still stay in hiding for an indefinite amount of time so SOMA won't be aware of us, what was the point of killing the members of Group 3?", She asked. Mei looked curious too. "Yeah! That had me thinking the masters were gonna make their move soon but they didn't. What was the point?"
"To be honest, I thought that as well. I have no answer to give to you two, I was simply following her orders."
Mei and Yui started to look a bit concerned. "Master's not telling even you everything about her plan, its a bit concerning that even we don't know exactly what she's planning...", Mei said.
Even Shion started to look concerned. Looking at all three of them like this, Jin spoke up. "Come on, you three... Don't you have faith in our master? She's brilliant and she's always cared about us, you see? You don't have to worry, it'll all work out if we just follow her orders. Now... What is this task that's been given to us by her, Shion-kun?"
All three of them calmed down and Shion began clearing his throat.
"The task given to us is to wipe out the biggest hurdle in our plan, we've been ordered to eliminate Kagura Hikari."