Several hours earlier while Feng Ye and the others had just woken up, the skies above Aven City had darkened as rain clouds gather together.

A few droplets fall from the sky which initiate the symphony of rain to follow.

Akeno, from her office, looks out her window as the rain pours down heavily.

She sighs and then comments to the individual who is with her in the office.

The individual, Akimichi, comments, “Such downcast weather today…” Commenting as though, this weather would foreshadow something, Akimichi stands silently behind Akeno while also looking out the window at the rain.

“It will start soon…”

***

In another area of the city, another board of directors meeting has been initiated

Five individuals sit around the conference table. The age range of the group is around 38-45 years of age. The codenames of the members in the board of directors are TIGER, HAWK, CAT, FOX, and LEOPARD, respectively. The genders of these five individuals consist of two males and three females.

A dark haired man with a tiger mask sitting at the seat of honor looks at the several other attendees of the meeting. “I’m sure that most of you have already heard or have been informed by various news sources... the appearance of an individual with rank S potential.”

He pauses and several television screens within the meeting room immediately show data on Feng Ye and his current status along with his trend.

“This student, by the name of Feng Ye, had recently joined Kami Institute. The beginning of the year, he had scored the top rank during the entry examinations. It is very likely that they have fallen into the student council camp. I don’t believe the student council would be blind to miss out on this talent.”

Various discussion murmurs can be heard from the other four members of the board of directors.

“Hope is not loss though, as you forgetting- an important solution..” The dark haired man with the tiger mask continues.

“Earlier last week, we had decided to dispatch Silent -1, our elite influence. Four members were sent to Toukai Academy, Serin Institute, Houtei Academy, and Fito Highschool. However, we still have one more that was responsible for Kami Institute. Naturally, due to the fact that the student council already seemed to be in cahoots with Kami, we didn’t expose her.”

Sitting across from the tiger mask man, a male with a hawk mask comments, “Are you suggesting to have Silent -1 member 05 deal with this Feng Ye?”

Besides the hawk mask male, a female with the cat mask interjects, “Shouldn’t we try to win this talent over. Would be a waste to destroy him.”

“I also agree with CAT.” A woman with the fox mask replies. Nearby, the last female who had remained silent with a leopard mask nods.

The male in the tiger mask clears his throat. “I’m pretty sure you may have forgotten who our member 05 is?”

Seemingly enlightened, the woman in the cat mask gasps, “You couldn’t be thinking…”

“That’s right.” The male in the tiger mask interrupts the female mid sentence. “Our trump card member 05 with her rare mind ability will convert this rank S talent to our side… It doesn’t matter how strong, I have full confidence in member 05’s ability!”

Most of the room is silent as they digest this suggestion. The tiger masked male continues, “It has been shown from Silent -1 member 05’s performance record that she has a 98% success rate and pretty much has not encountered any failure due to her ability and talent. The 2% was simply due to that anomaly back then who decided to take down the majority of a research centre along with her own life...yes, that Kotori Kotomi…I don’t believe this failure will be repeated. Thus, I have sent for member 05 to monitor Feng Ye. I have brought us all together to discuss this before we move to a more important matter. We should vote if we can authorize member 05 to act.”

“I think we should go along with this plan.” The woman in the cat mask comments.

“I agree.” The hawk mask male adds.

“I …” The woman with the leopard mask is about to also make her statement when she is interrupted.

“I don’t believe this is the best way to go about it. Would there be a less forceful way?” The masked fox female argues.

“What other method might you propose?” The hawk masked male inquiries.

“Surely, you wouldn’t care for some mere student? It isn’t like we are crucifying him.” The masked hawk male smiles cruelly underneath his mask.

“We should win him over with resources.” The masked fox female replies.

“That’s leaving things to chance. We won’t have time as we will be striking at the student council very soon.” The masked tiger male replies. “Despite your opinion, it seems we already have 3 / 5 in agreement anyways. Thus, I will initiate this plan..”

The woman with the leopard mask furrows her brows under her mask. While the woman with the fox mask grits her teeth. Hidden from the view of the other four, the woman with the fox mask clenches her fist under the table.

The masked tiger male sends a text to Silent -1 member 05. “You may begin at your discretion.”

After doing so, he nods to the other 4 members of the board of directors. “Next, using this break where students have been dispersed… the student council’s members are significantly less. We will use this opportunity to completely topple their authority and influence.”

“How are you planning to do this?” The fox masked female inquiries.

Nearby, the hawk masked male laughs, “Naturally, we will be using our fellow test pieces from the Esper Enhancement Program. Fear not, our side won’t have any casualties in regards to personnel.”

“You are planning to use them?!” The woman with a leopard mask inquiries asking to clarify.

“Yes, we have a limited area in our research facilities, thus, this is a perfect time to recycle and put to use these guys who have been taking up space as failures!” The hawk masked male chuckles.

“What about dispersing the residents in the area?” The cat masked woman inquiries.

The tiger masked male answers, “There is no need. That would only give more time for the student council to prepare...Besides, it seems unlike you to inquire. Did you forget the goals of our organization?” The tiger masked male stares at the cat, leopard, and fox masked individuals.

“You are overthinking.” The cat masked female cooly replies in a chilling voice.

“Great. I guess this meeting is over. We can discuss results at another time. I do not recommend wandering around tonight as it may be quite chaotic…”

The five members disperse.

***

Back in Akeno’s office, an encrypted message had been sent. Opening the message, Akeno sees the following warning:

“They will begin tonight.”

Seeing this warning, Akeno looks at the individual with her in the office. “Akimichi, it’s time.”