Sitting alone in her room, Hazumi sulks over her inability to protect Takumi and losing her sword. Her mother walks in and chastises her on working on her boobs and butt, but not on her brains. She explains that she hit Hazumi as a form of shock treatment. This makes Hazumi suddenly realize: it may have been shock that made her sword disappear. She makes another try to summon it, and only ends up with a mop. Despite this, her mother manages to cheer her up somewhat.

As the show opens, news helicopters are flitting around the giant, monolithic Gate, and a reporter's frantic voice can be heard trying to describe its impact to viewers. Futilely, he tries to speculate on the origin of the Gate, but is abruptly cut off when a flying Remnant gets too close and destroys the helicopter. On the ground, people stare in awe, overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness. Exhausted, Hazumi struggles to climb up the side of the Gate. "Wait for me, Takumi! Don't die!" she screams.