The Away Mission Test: Part 19

Short Summary
''Kitora phones Azuma about the special assignment response, just as Kakizaki pulls Inukai aside after another argument with Kageura. Teruya begins to question her squad's abnormally high rankings.''

Long Summary
Ema is frustrated by his response's low marks, but Ninomiya only informs him to be prepared for the next one he assigns. Soon after, Kitora reaches out to Azuma. He sees nothing wrong with her answer — except, when prompted, would have included how fostering agents' adaptability and versatility in rank wars would help them on an away mission, which Kitora likens to. Disappointed by her unadventurous response, she thanks Azuma — but not before he clarifies that Ema was assigned to write the response, suspecting Ninomiya to be training the younger generation. After hanging up, Azuma asks for Ema's attention.

In Kakizaki's Squad 3, a pensive, wide-eyed Taichi eats his meal, much to his worried teammates. A flashback reveals that Taichi had figured the special assignment would go to him due to his poor performance in the strategy-oriented battle sims. Inukai concluded Taichi to be an ill candidate, but Kageura reasoned he should be given a chance; as the dispute escalated, Kakizaki left Inukai to the task, reassuring Taichi of his inevitable improvement. Kageura blames Inukai for Taichi's troubled demeanor, to which Inukai responds with a retort. Kakizaki later reprimands the latter. Inukai apologizes, but explains his efforts to refrain from filtering his thoughts in favor of easing Kageura's side effect, promising to pull his weight in the battle phase. Kakizaki reveals an ulterior motive for choosing the pair.

In Mizukami's Squad 9, Teruya notices the large leg up they have on the other teams and asks her captain for further investigation.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics are only seen briefly and have yet to make a proper appearance.
 * Yuzuru Ema (Present then Flashback)
 * Rin Kagami
 * Masataka Ninomiya
 * Haruaki Azuma
 * Chika Amatori
 * Ai Kitora (Present then Flashback)
 * Taichi Betsuyaku (Present then Flashback)
 * Nono Fujimaru (Present then Flashback)
 * Kuniharu Kakizaki (Present then Flashback)
 * Sumiharu Inukai (Present then Flashback)
 * Masato Kageura (Present then Flashback)
 * Fumika Teruya
 * Yuka Kon
 * Satoshi Mizukami
 * Yutaka Kashio

Triggers in Order of Appearance
None appear over the course of this chapter.