At the police station, a girl enters Mana's office.

Mana: Oh? Naomi. What brings you here?

Naomi: Nothing, I just came to report some stuff.

Mana: Are you doing dangerous stuff again? I thought you were on vacation.

Naomi: Did you also thought I'd care?

Mana: Are you still a solo player?

Naomi: What if I am? 

Mana: Just be careful out there.

Naomi: Don't worry about it. I'm always on guard.

Naomi proceeds to leave.

Mana: Oh, and Happy Birthday.

Naomi nods and leaves.

In The MatriX. The team was at Kunai's Safehouse to discuss what to do.

Kunai: It's not exactly cozy, but make yourselves at home.

Tempest: Not exactly what I was expecting, but I like it.

Rogue: And these sits are quite comfy.

Kunai: Now, as for the Labyrinth... It's just a matter of time before the whole incident with Gamma's double-crossing spreads like wildfire. Players will most certainly be cautious with any information given to them by Information Brokers. 

Tempest: Meaning?

Kunai: Meaning that from now on, we'll have to do all the scouting ourselves.

Rogue: So the time we could spend grinding up we'll have to spend it gathering info!?

Kunai: Unfortunately, yes. Now, ACE...

ACE: Yes.

Kunai stands up and bows down.

Kunai: We're still alive because of you, thank you.

ACE had a confused look on his face.

ACE: Huh? What did I do?

Tempest: You knew the information Gamma gave us was false, so we were able to make the right preparations and survive.

ACE: Uh-huh.

Kunai: But seriously though, how could you know that?

ACE: Hm?

Kunai: How did you know the info was false?

Tempest: Yeah, I've been wondering that as well.

Rogue: Now I'm curious, too.

ACE: Why should I tell you?

Kunai: Look, we're grateful for what you did, but if we want this to work there cannot be any secrets between us. You understand what I mean, right?

ACE: Okay, where are you guys living right now?

Tempest/Kunai: Huh?

ACE: I just recently moved to Naka.

Kunai: Wait a minute, did you just say Naka? That's where I'm living right now!

Tempest: No way! Me too! Talk about a crazy coincidence!

Rogue: I live in Naka as well.

ACE: This is perfect, then. If were gonna make this whole teamwork thing work then there cannot be secrets between us. Am I correct?

Kunai: Hold on, you mean...

ACE: We have to meet... In reality.

Camille was shopping around in a textile shop.

Camille was looking around for one specific design she had in mind. Then a girl walked up to her.

???: Excuse me, would you please move? I need something over there.

Camille: Oh. I feel sorry. I was just questioning whether there is a specific black here.

Hikaru: Um, what?

Camille: I feel sorry. I only have fluency in German and French. My Japanese is still not so good.

Hikaru: Oh. Don't worry. I know French, too.

Camille: You do?

Hikaru: What are you looking for?

Camille: A soft black textile.

Hikaru: Sorry if my question bothers you, but what's the occasion?

Camille: Do you know of the cosplay convention that will be held in Kanagawa?

Hikaru: Of course I do!

Camille: I wanna make a certain custom to participate.

Hikaru: I see.

Camille: The problem is... well...

Camille shows her a poorly-made costume.

Camille: My first attempt didn't go so well as you can see, so I wanna try again.

Hikaru: You're kidding, right?

Camille: Huh?

Hikaru starts inspecting the costume all over.

Hikaru: This material needs some lining.

Camille: Lining?

Hikaru: It seems you used knit fabrics, if you're beginner you should've used woven fabrics because they're easier to work with. You don't use knits unless you have a decent level of skill. You also must've forgotten about seam allowance, and...

She went on and on about Camille's flaws, it lasted for about 6 minutes.

Hikaru: How's this, I'll lend you a hand. I may not look like it, but I'm actually a designer.

Camille: You are?

Hikaru: Yeah.

Camille: That's great! I need someone who can help me with my costume.

Hikaru: I can help you, who are you cos-playing as?

Camille: Shalltear Bloodfallen from Overlord.

Hikaru: This thing you made can hardly even be called a Shalltear costume.

Camille: ...T^T... Please stop it... It's so embarrasing!

Hikaru: Don't worry. I'll make you a costume that will make you indistinguishable from the real Shalltear Bloodfallen

Camille: Y-You will?

Hikaru: I mean look at you, with your sharp eyes, fine chest, and luscious hair, a wig won't even be necessary, it's as if you were meant to be her.

Camille: But, are you sure it will be ready in time?

Hikaru: Leave it to me.

Camille: Thank you so much! I promise to re-pay you properly. Let's go to this new cafe that just opened up, we can talk more there. It'll be my treat.

Hikaru: Really? That would be great!

And so, they left for the cafe Camille mentioned.

Tsukasa was carrying a short girl's bags as she went on a shopping spree around the place.

Tsukasa: Don't you think you went a little overboard this time?

Momoka: Cut me some slack! I saved up for months just for this! Although... I think I want some cheesecake to go.

Tsukasa: Are you sure it's a good idea? You'll probably get fat after this.

Momoka was beyond pissed.

Momoka: How rude! What kind of man talks about a lady's weight!?

Tsukasa: You should really consider whether you're qualified to be called that.

Momoka: WHAT WAS THAT!!!?

Tsukasa: ...O-O...

Momoka:

Tsukasa starts running away from the angry Momoka.

Ikki arrived at Yamashita Park, where he was supposed to meet up with the others.

Ikki: .....

Then Suoh was the first one to arrive.

Suoh: Yo.

Suoh: Looks like you were first to arrive.

Ikki: Yeah. Kunai and Tempest should arrive shortly as well.

Suoh: So what kind of people do you think they will be?

Ikki: I don't know.

???: Inuzuka-kun? Terashima-kun?

They looked back to see their school president, Airi Asaka.

Suoh: School prez? Out jogging?

Airi: I'm supposed to wait for someone here.

Suoh: Ooh~ Is it a guy?

Ikki: You're late, Kunai.

Suoh: Eh!?

Ikki: Are you familiar with these?

Ikki shows his MatriX Glasses.

Airi: So you must be ACE.

Ikki: I am.

Then Airi shows her own glasses.

Airi: It sure is a strange coincidence.

Suoh: I'm here, too.

Airi: Tempest, I assume?

Suoh: Nope! I'm Rogue.

Airi: I had a bad feeling about this.

Suoh: So we've been working together with the prez this whole time? Man, it's almost scary.

Airi: Is Tempest here, too?

Ikki: No. He's late.

Suoh: What kind of person do you think Tempest will be? Think he's someone we know IRL?

???: Heyo! What's up, folks?

Speak of the devil...

Suoh: Do we know you?

Airi: Wait, I've seen you before. You're Kenzo Iwasaki, the heir to Iwasaki Industries.

Kenzo: Have we met?

Airi: No, but I've met your father during meetings. He even showed me a picture of you.

Kenzo: Ah. So you're Airi Asaka. Fancy meeting you here.

Kenzo walks up to Airi, kneels down and holds her hand.

Kenzo: Your beauty doesn't do the rumors justice.

Airi: Do you happen to be familiar with these glasses by any chance?

Kenzo: You mean these?

Kenzo shows off his glasses.

Airi: Then that would mean...

Kenzo: Tempest at your service.

Suoh: You're not exactly what I thought you would be.

Kenzo: What were you expecting?

Suoh: Judging by the way you act in The MatriX, I expected one of those shy scaredy-cats.

Airi: Terashima, be nice.

Kenzo: Well, I do acknowledge that the first impression I gave was less than ideal.

Ikki: ...-_-... And now you're being all romantic? Are you really Tempest?

Kenzo: Hey, the quiet guy. Who are you supposed to be?

Ikki: ACE.

Kenzo: I expected you to be more outspoken.

Ikki: Whatever...

...

...

...

Suoh: So... What now?

Airi: Why don't we ask the one who suggested this meeting?

Ikki: ...

Airi: What are we doing? We have a dungeon to clear, we shouldn't be goofing off now of all times.

Suoh: Relax prez! We've been working real hard recently, a small break wouldn't hurt.

Kenzo: Shima's right. You should let loose every now and then.

Suoh was weirded out at the name he called him.

Suoh: "Shima"?

Ikki: Ah, because's Terashima.

Kenzo: You are most correct, Inu.

Ikki: "Inu"?

Airi: We have no time for stupidities. We should be using whatever time we got to prepare for the dungeon raid.

Kenzo: You won't be able to prepare properly if you don't give your mind a break. You agree, right Inu?

Ikki: I don't really care.

Airi: Anyways, why did you suggested a cafe?

Ikki: I'm hungry.

Suoh: I know! There's this cafe I saw the other day, the food there is godly! You gotta check it out!

Airi: "Godly"? I'm sure you're just exaggerating.

Suoh: I am not! You'll believe me once you see it for yourselves.

Kenzo: A cafe you say? For us rich folks, a taste of common lifestyle is a unique experience.

Airi: That is true.

Ikki: Okay, then where is this place?

Suoh: Follow me!

Suoh storms off.

Airi: Hey, slow down!

They chased after Suoh, who led them downtown. They followed him to a specific cafe with the word "Atsushi" in it.

Airi, Kenzo and Ikki were panting after so much running, Ikki especially.

Suoh: What took ya so long, slowpokes?

Airi: You... ...run... ...too fast...

Suoh: Well, here we are. Just in time.

They entered the humble cafe.

Chef: Welcome. What will you have?

They sit down and look at the menu.

Chef: So, what do you guys wanna eat?

Airi: You know, for a cafe, this menu is quite interesting.

Suoh: Right?

Kenzo: I'm in the mood for anything, surprise me.

Chef: Coming right up.

Camille and Hikaru were at the restaurant wondering what to order.

Camile: Hmm... So many options... What should I try?

Hikaru: Take your time.

It was getting cloudy in the sky, then Tsukasa enters the cafe in a rush.

Tsukasa: I think I lost her.

Everyone looked at him in confusion.

Tsukasa: Don't mind me.

Camille was the first one to recognize him.

Camille: Tsukasa Ryoke?

Tsukasa: You're here, too?

Hikaru: You know him?

Camille: I met him at the dry-cleaners.

Suoh: Sup, Tsukasa. Fancy meeting you here.

Tsukasa and Camille recognized Ikki and Suoh.

Tsukasa: Oh. It's you two.

Camille: You're the man who did the paying for my dry-cleaning.

Hikaru: Dry-cleaning?

Camille: He tainted by wears, but he had the kindness to pay.

Ikki: Can we forget about that?

Then someone else enters the place, it was Naomi, who then takes a sit.

Naomi: I'll have a beer.

Yusuke: Coming right up.

Naomi then turns to see Ikki.

Naomi: Do I know you?

Ikki: I don't think so. 

Airi: Oh. You're Naomi Kudo, right? You also go to Chisai University.

Ikki: Wait a minute... You're that girl I saw on my first day at Chisai.

Naomi: I'm surprised you remember.

Kenzo: Did something happened?

Ikki: Stuff.

Yusuke: Seems like you all know each other. You guys friends?

Naomi: It's nothing like that, these people are just strangers. To me at least.

Yusuke: Okay?

There was silence in the room as they were only 8 people in the customer seats.

Naomi: ....

Tsukasa: ....

Airi: ....

Hikaru: ....

Kenzo: ....

Suoh: ....

Camille: ....

Ikki: ....

Airi: Oh, Kudo-san. Happy birthday.

Everyone was confused at what Airi just said, even Naomi.

Naomi: Huh?

Airi: Today's April 15, right? Meaning it's your birthday.

Naomi: How do you know that?

Airi: I'm your school president, remember? I often look at the files of my peers. That's how I know.

Suoh: Really? Happy Birthday! Any plans for today?

Naomi: I'm just having a drink and calling it a day.

Suoh: But it's your birthday, isn't it? Shouldn't you do something special?

Naomi: It's really nothing.

Then it began raining heavily outside.

Suoh: Dang it. Stupid rain.

Hikaru: Looks like we won't be able to leave for a while.

Naomi: Oh, great. Just what I needed.

Hikaru: Um, sorry this had to happen on your birthday.

Naomi: Like I said, it's really nothing.

Then Kenzo thought of something.

Kenzo: I know! Let's celebrate Nao-chan's Birthday right here and now.