Suzunari First (chapter)

Short Summary
The round 4 match starts, and Nasu Squad's choice of map surprises all.

Long Summary
Flashback Murakami's teammates find him crouched in the corner of their operating room, crying. Surprised, Kuruma asks what happened. Kon explains that Arafune had suddenly given up on the Attacker role, and Betsuyaku wonders if it was because he felt growing inferiority to his mentee; Kon reproaches him. Kuruma insists it mustn't have been because of Murakami, but Murakami says otherwise. He explains that he often becomes isolated from people due to his accelerated learning; this time, he didn't go through any of the usual hardships. Murakami adds that all his side effect does is steal other people's efforts. Kuruma decides to go meet Arafune and asks if that's really how he feels. Arafune says Murakami is just thinking too hard, explaining that he always planned to quit when he got to 8,000 points. He just didn't tell anyone because it sounded like an excuse. Kuruma is relieved to know it's not Murakami's fault, but Arafune admits he was indeed shocked when he surpassed him, and thought he should leave Murakami to be the better Attacker. Since he has proved he can get to 8,000 points with his theory, he plans to do the same as a Sniper, then as a Gunner — planning to become the next perfect All-Rounder after Reiji. He says his goal is to popularize a method to mass-produce All-Rounders, which is different from Murakami's method, impressing Kuruma. Arafune affirms that once his goals are accomplished, he'll go back to teaching his theories to Murakami. Kuruma then asks Arafune to tell the same to Murakami, and he records a video of Arafune telling Murakami not to get so full of himself — it was his teaching that showed results. He says that Murakami should only say stuff like "stealing other people's efforts" when he surpasses people like Tachikawa, Kazama, or Kageura. At the end of the Facetime, Arafune asks for Kuruma's opinion, who thanks him with praise. Kuruma informs Murakami that it's alright to get stronger in his own way and that people will be thankful for him being so strong. Flashback Ends

Murakami wakes up in Suzunari First's Strategy Room to Betsuyaku and Kon's greetings. He confirms he's ready.

Meanwhile, Tamakoma Second discusses their strategy and what map Nasu Squad will choose: Osamu theorizes Exhibition Hall, Riverside, or Industrial District, as these maps have a lot of open spaces prone for easy targets. He says that Nasu Squad will probably focus on mid-range fights, which causes Usami to question his line-of-thought. He explains it's because their ace, Nasu, is a Shooter. In the match last Sunday, where Suwa Squad beat Suzunari First, Suwa had essentially barraged Murakami from afar. He says that was the only time in recent records that Murakami was completely nullified; since Nasu Squad has the mid-range advantage, they could easily entrap Tamakoma Second simimlarly. He adds that if he was in Nasu Squad's position, he'd only fight while shooting. Osamu says that this time they're the "reacting side," that they should face their opponents as a group as much as possible, and that no matter what stage is chosen regrouping comes first, as practiced. Yūma and Chika comply.

In Nasu Squad's operation room, the girls discuss their strategy. Kumagai says they're choosing the Riverside, so they'll have to especially rely on luck for good transfer locations, but their priorities are to regroup and destroy the bridge. She advises them to be careful with Murakami and Yūma while moving, asking Hiura if she remembers where they'll meet. Hiura says it's on the side where Murakami isn't. Kumagai approves while asking if Hiura is alright. Hiura says she is, but Shiki mocks her for crying the day before, which prompts her to say she's already gotten over it. Shiki asks Hiura if she remembered to equip Meteor, which she already did. Nasu says she'll need Hiura's support, and Hiura complies. Nasu then tells Kumagai she'll need to rely on her defense, which Kumagai knows, and says she'll make sure to get points.

In the auditorium, Mikami of Kazama Squad announces the match and introduces herself as the narrator of the day. She then introduces the commentators: Jin and Tachikawa. Mikami says the location chosen by Nasu Squad is Riverside A and asks the commentators what they think, asking Tachikawa to go first. Tachikawa says they obviously want to isolate an attacker on the other side of the river and then destroy the bridge, to give Nasu the advantage. He adds that Suzunari and Tamakoma must already know that, so terrain won't be the only factor. Even if they're separated, the river's water is only waist-level, so you can easily traverse it with support. Jin asks if that's so, which makes Tachikawa ask if he snooped, but Jin dismisses his question. Mikami announces the match is starting and tells all squads to prepare for transfer.

Reaching the map, the members of Tamakoma and Suzunari are surprised by Riverside A's stormy climate. Tachikawa is impressed, since crossing the river would prove even more difficult. Jin notes that weather and time period are included in the map options, but he has never seen such an extreme configuration. He says it's visible how serious Nasu Squad is about the match. Mikami observes that all squads were separated by the river, so it seems the main objective for all is to reunite. Nasu takes the lead, unphased by the weather. She orders her teammates to begin their plan, to which they comply.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics are only seen briefly and have yet to make a proper appearance.
 * Kō Murakami (flashback)
 * Tatsuya Kuruma (flashback)
 * Yuka Kon (flashback)
 * Taichi Betsuyaku (flashback)
 * Tetsuji Arafune (flashback)
 * Kō Murakami (actual appearance)
 * Tatsuya Kuruma (actual appearance)
 * Yuka Kon (actual appearance)
 * Taichi Betsuyaku (actual appearance)
 * Osamu Mikumo
 * Yūma Kuga
 * Chika Amatori
 * Shiori Usami
 * Yūko Kumagai
 * Akane Hiura [debut]
 * Rei Nasu
 * Sayoko Shiki
 * Kaho Mikami
 * Kei Tachikawa
 * Yūichi Jin

Triggers in Order of Appearance

 * Bagworm (Chika & Betsuyaku)