Natsumi's pompous attitude gets her in an argument with Sato, the friend of photographer Mahiru Koizumi, leading to some serious threats between the two. Hajime attempts to pass along Chiaki's advice that there's more to life than talent, but Natsumi refuses to listen, stating that she wants to have talent so she can stand alongside her brother. The next day, Hajime arrives at school to discover that Natsumi has been murdered, while Sato, who he suspected may have been the one responsible, is found dead a few days later. Hajime tries to go to the main building to confront Mahiru over what happened, but is stopped by Juzo, who insults his lack of talent and beats him up until Chisa breaks up the fight. As Chisa and Juzo grow concerned about the higher-ups covering up the two deaths, Hajime, left scorned by the whole experience, undergoes an experiment to be injected with an artificial talent.