"Are any of you planning to take Advanced Ability Theory?" Brett-sensei asked.

"You're a combat specialist, aren't you? So why teach this instead?" A student asked.

"Although that is true, and as you all know, I'm part of the TYB, but the truth is, I like Ability Theory---it's the subject I have always excelled in, and it is my favourite, too. Plus, Mariko-sensei has more knowledge in raw fighting than I do---she is also a former member of the TYB. Rank-4, at that." He replied.

"WHAAAT!?" Everybody shouted in awe.

She's ex-TYB, huh? I knew she'd have been involved in something like this. She has a strong personality, and also amazing athletic capabilities.

After classes, 8:00 PM

"Man, was Brett-sensei amazing! He taught so well. He's a walking legend." Yosuke said.

"You seem to be holding him in high regard. I'm guessing he's done some really heroic stuff."

"Of course! A year back, he single-handedly took out 5 of Imperium's soldiers during a ferocious battle---all the while being seriously wounded, and having his teammates down. Thus, he saved them all, and brought them home, and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to this, and now, he's earned immense respect from all over the world."

"Wow. That is one unbelievable tale. Then, why is he not out there in the field? Why here, teaching us kids?"

"He's probably still suffering from the injuries---he was out of action for about a month after his heroic feat. Some of those injuries might still be painful for him, even after all this time."

That's highly likely---or, it could be... fear? PTSD? I mean, from what Yosuke just told me, he was basically left cornered. I'm having a feeling that taking out five Imp--wait, what? How does he know about Imperium? Wasn't it supposed to be "classified" information?

"Did you say Imperium?" I asked.

"Yes, why?"

"How do you know about it? Who told you?"

"Everybody knows it---they're literally the bad guys. The TYB was formed to wipe out people like them." He replied.

What was the point of keeping the conversation in the Principal's office a secret, then?

"Say, what is the procedure to join the TYB?" I asked.

"There are two ways---Either you apply for it, and get selected, or, you become really strong, and get directly recruited, while still being a student. Either way, you need to be good at what you do... Be it fighting, or as a support."

"Would minors also be allowed to join?"

"Depends. If they're really, really strong, then they'll be given a chance---of course, they can decline if they want to. But, most parents wouldn't allow their under aged kids to be part of something so dangerous."

So they basically recruit alumni, or students. Either way, only people associated with this academy. That means...

"Say, do you know of Harumi Akane?"

"No, never heard of that name before. Who's she?"

"N-Nevermind. Anyway, I'm heading out for a walk. You coming?"

"Nah, I'm planning to play some video games now, so you go ahead." He replied.

"Okay."

As soon as I opened the door, I saw a person walk by---it was Utsumi. What--?

"You're in #501? What a coincidence---I'm just a floor above yours, #601." Utsumi said.

"Why're you here, then?"

"The vending machine's broken upstairs, so I came down here. Anyway, I was about to contact you---I've found the third member. Care to join?"

"S-Sure."

Outside the main building, 8:40 PM

"It's too darn cold---why're we still standing here?" I asked, trembling.

"Relax, she'll be here any moment." Utsumi replied.

"She? Who, exactly, then?"

"You'll see---oh, there she is."

It's... Someone with glasses, someone... Tsujihara!? The class rep!?

"Her!? How in the world did you get her to agree?" I asked.

"I have my ways, Yoshida." He replied.

"Isn't that... The new student... Yoshito... Yoshi..."

"Yoshida."

"Well, after her defeat, she decided to stick, to learn more about me. Funny, right?"

"I-It's not funny! I plan on becoming stronger than you, or anyone." She said.

"You, after all, accepted my offer without flinching. Thank you."

I was right---she did feel humiliated. But, I'm also somewhat here for the same reason---to find out about him, so I can't blame her.

"With the 3 of us, we can finally submit this letter of permission to revive TREC."

"Are we going now? At this hour?"

"The principal is available 24/7," Tsujihara replied, "Some even say that she never sleeps. She's a rekishiya, after all."

The Principal's Office

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? IS THIS SOME SORT OF A JOKE!? REVIVING TREC? NO!" Principal Yuriko shouted.

"With all due respect, ma'am, you cannot judge our intentions as ill, based on past events tied to this club. We plan to make good use of the notes in the old club room, and try to come up with research of our own." Utsumi refuted.

"Are you really stupid, you insolent brat? Reviving---no, even mentioning that name itself is considered taboo. And I will never allow this to happen anyw--"

"This should be interesting. Let them do it, Principal Yuriko." Henry interrupted, while entering the office room.

"Henry? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Henry? The founder!? Y-You're him? It's an honour, sir." Utsumi greeted him.

"You must be Utsumi Takashi. Pleased to meet you. And, you, young lady, are Tsujihara Fumika, I suppose." Henry said.

"Y-Yes, s-sir! Pleased to m-meet you." Tsujihara said, trembling.

"Henry, knock some sense into these maniac kids." Yuriko said.

"While what they're doing can be considered dangerous, and to an extent, disrespectful, it can also prove to be very useful. Ever since that day, no research club has quite been created like this one. There hasn't been any progress in research all over the world in past three decades. I suppose, we should give them a shot at this." Henry suggested.

"You have a point, Henry, but are you sure about this? About letting a few kids have access to all the notes created by the previous members? Those notes aren't a joke." She asked.

"There's a reason why we've kept them untouched---it's the club's property, and it specifically belongs to the previous members of TREC. Plus, those notes are too valuable to be destroyed, and too dangerous to be made public. Unless the rightful people come and claim it, we can't do anything about it. So, why not let them have them?" Henry said.

"What about you, Reizo? Should we?" She asked.

"Although it isn't my position to tell you what to do, I definitely think that they should be given a chance. They seem determined enough." Reizo replied.

"You too? Ugh, fine... But hear this---I need progress. If I find you lazing around even once, I'll disband the club. You hear me?" Yuriko said.

"Yes ma'am." We said in unison.

"I may have overreacted to this whole situation. I apologise. Also, I wanted to ask---are you Utsumi Takeda's son, by any chance?"

"Yes, ma'am." He replied.

She started smiling. Odd... A few minutes ago, she was fuming with anger. And what is that day? She talked about it after the entrance test, too.