At the end of the school day, Tanaka, homeroom teacher of Class 1-B made her way through the empty corridors to a section of the building that few knew existed. She approached what appeared to be an ordinary maintenance door, but as she placed her hand on a concealed scanner, the door slid open silently to reveal a narrow staircase leading downward.
The secret room was located two floors beneath the school's foundation. As Tanaka entered the dimly lit chamber, she stood in the center and waited. Moments later, a brilliant band of light materialized in the air before her, gradually forming into the holographic image of a stern-looking man in military uniform.
"Colonel Harrison," Tanaka said, offering a respectful bow to the projection.
The Colonel's sharp eyes focused on her with the intensity of someone accustomed to command. He was a man in his fifties with graying hair and the bearing of a career military officer. "Report, Agent Tanaka. I trust you have updates on the subjects we've been monitoring."
Tanaka straightened and began her briefing. "Yes, sir. I have significant developments regarding both Jun and Haruto that require your attention."
"Proceed."
"First, regarding Jun Nakamoto. Our observations confirm that he has the potential to become an awakened individual. The signs are becoming more apparent each day - heightened intuition, occasional glimpses of supernatural phenomena, and what appears to be latent psychic sensitivity. He fits the profile of someone who could develop abilities within the next few months."
Colonel Harrison nodded slowly. "And the second subject?"
"Haruto Kurokami presents a more complex case, sir. Based on my agent's reports and my own observations, he demonstrates exceptional potential. His natural awareness of supernatural elements, his protective instincts toward Jun, and his ability to remain calm under pressure all suggest he could be valuable to the government." Tanaka paused, choosing her words carefully. "However, I believe we need to conduct proper trials to fully assess his capabilities."
The Colonel's expression remained impassive. "What kind of trials do you propose?"
"Nothing too dramatic initially, sir. I recommend starting with subtle tests - observing his reactions to certain stimuli, evaluating how he handles stress, and determining whether he can sense things that ordinary individuals cannot. I plan to arrange scenarios that will reveal his true capabilities without exposing him to genuine danger."
"And your field agent? How reliable is her assessment?"
A hint of pride flickered across Tanaka's features as she spoke about her subordinate. "Agent Miki has proven herself exceptionally capable, Colonel. Her observational skills are remarkably sharp - she notices details that even experienced operatives might miss. What impressed me most about her initial report was not just the information she gathered, but the way she analyzed the interactions between the two subjects."
Colonel Harrison leaned forward slightly in his holographic form. "Elaborate."
"Sir, Miki has what I can only describe as an intuitive intelligence. She doesn't just record events - she reads between the lines, picks up on subtle behavioral cues, and can sense the underlying dynamics in complex social situations." Tanaka's voice carried a note of genuine admiration. "When she briefed me about Haruto's reaction to Jun's concerns, she didn't simply tell me what was said. She analyzed his body language, the tone of his responses, the way he positioned himself protectively, and even the micro-expressions that revealed his true level of understanding about supernatural matters."
"Impressive. How long has she been under your supervision?"
"Eighteen months, sir. I recruited her personally after observing her performance during the Riverside Academy incident. Even then, as a complete novice, she demonstrated an almost preternatural ability to assess threats and read people's intentions." Tanaka paused, allowing herself a small smile of satisfaction. "I'll admit, Colonel, that I take considerable pride in having recognized her potential early. Many agents develop good instincts over years of field work, but Miki arrived with them already intact."
Colonel Harrison's expression showed the first hint of interest. "What makes her particularly suited for this assignment?"
"Several factors, sir. First, her age allows her to blend seamlessly into the school environment - she genuinely appears to be just another student to casual observers. Second, her natural empathy enables her to build trust quickly with targets without arousing suspicion. But most importantly," Tanaka's tone became more serious, "she possesses what I call strategic thinking combined with emotional intelligence."
"Meaning?"
"She can simultaneously maintain her cover, gather intelligence, assess psychological profiles, and anticipate how subjects will react to various stimuli - all while appearing to be nothing more than a friendly classmate. Yesterday's conversation with Jun and Haruto is a perfect example. She managed to extract crucial information about Jun's dreams, evaluate Haruto's level of supernatural awareness, and plant seeds for future interactions, all within a single lunch period conversation."
The Colonel nodded approvingly. "And you trust her judgment regarding these assessments?"
"Completely, sir." Tanaka's response was immediate and confident. "In fact, I would go so far as to say that Miki's evaluation of Haruto's potential may be more accurate than any formal testing we could devise. She's observed him in natural, unguarded moments - when people reveal their true selves. Her report indicated that Haruto's protective instincts toward Jun aren't based on ordinary friendship, but on an unconscious recognition of supernatural danger. That level of innate awareness is exactly what we look for in potential recruits."
"Has she made any recommendations for the testing protocols?"
"She suggested a graduated approach - creating situations that would challenge Haruto's perceptiveness without immediately revealing our involvement. Miki believes he's intelligent enough to become suspicious if the tests are too obvious or convenient." Tanaka's pride in her agent was evident. "She's also proposed maintaining her role as the primary point of contact, since she's already established trust with both subjects. Her strategic thinking extends to understanding that disrupting existing relationships could compromise the entire operation."
"And your assessment of the timeline for these evaluations?"
"I estimate we'll need approximately three weeks to gather sufficient data, Colonel. During this period, I'll have Miki maintain close contact with both subjects while I implement the testing protocols. Her ongoing relationship with them will provide continuous intelligence updates, and her sharp intuition will help us identify the optimal moments to introduce more challenging scenarios."
Colonel Harrison was quiet for a moment, his gaze seeming to look through her as he considered the implications. "This Agent Miki - does she understand the full scope of what we're attempting here?"
"She understands enough, sir. Miki grasps that we're evaluating Haruto for potential recruitment and that Jun represents someone who needs protection during a vulnerable period. What I find particularly valuable about her approach is that she doesn't need to know every detail to be effective. Her natural intelligence fills in the gaps, allowing her to make appropriate decisions in real-time situations."
"That could be either an asset or a liability."
"In Miki's case, it's definitely an asset, Colonel. Her ability to improvise while staying within operational parameters is remarkable. During the Riverside incident, when our carefully planned approach fell apart due to unexpected complications, she adapted instantly. Not only did she maintain her cover, but she actually improved our position by building genuine relationships with key individuals who later became valuable information sources."
Tanaka's voice carried a note of professional satisfaction as she continued. "I believe Miki represents the future of field operations, sir. While traditional agents rely heavily on training and protocols, she combines those elements with an almost artistic understanding of human psychology. She reads people the way others read books - quickly, comprehensively, and with genuine insight into motivations and potential behaviors."
"Has she expressed any concerns about this particular assignment?"
"Only the appropriate ones, Colonel. She's cognizant of the risks involved in bringing new individuals into our world, and she's concerned about ensuring Jun's safety during what could be a dangerous transition period. Her questions during our briefing demonstrated both tactical awareness and genuine care for the welfare of her subjects." Tanaka allowed herself another small smile. "If anything, her concerns reinforced my confidence in her judgment. An agent who considers all the implications is far more valuable than one who simply follows orders without thinking."
"Very well. It sounds as though you have confidence in your team."
"I do, sir. Miki's intelligence, combined with her developing experience and natural instincts, makes her ideally suited for this type of complex, long-term evaluation. I trust her assessments, her recommendations, and her ability to handle unexpected developments."
Colonel Harrison was quiet for a moment, his gaze seeming to look through her as he considered the implications. "This is a critical juncture, Agent Tanaka. If Haruto proves suitable, he could be instrumental in protecting Jun during his awakening process. However, if he lacks the necessary qualities..."
"I understand the stakes, sir. That's why I want to be thorough in the evaluation process. And that's precisely why having Miki as our primary observer is so crucial. Her ability to detect subtle changes in behavior, to sense when someone is hiding their true capabilities or when they're genuinely confused, will be invaluable in making accurate assessments."
"You seem to have considerable faith in this agent."
"I do, Colonel, and I believe that faith is well-founded." Tanaka's tone became more reflective. "In our line of work, we often deal with individuals who are either trying to deceive us or are being deceived themselves. Miki has an almost supernatural ability to cut through pretense and identify genuine character. When she tells me that Haruto has exceptional potential, I trust that assessment because I've seen her accurately evaluate dozens of individuals over the past year and a half."
"What's her success rate in these evaluations?"
"Remarkably high, sir. In the seventeen preliminary assessments she's conducted under my supervision, her initial judgments have proven accurate in fifteen cases. The two exceptions were individuals who were actively using counter-surveillance techniques - and even then, she identified that something was unusual about their behavior, even if she couldn't immediately determine what it was."
Colonel Harrison seemed impressed despite himself. "Those are exceptional numbers for any agent, let alone one with limited experience."
"Exactly, sir. And what makes those numbers even more significant is that Miki's evaluations aren't just about identifying potential - she's equally skilled at recognizing when someone lacks the necessary qualities. Her ability to save us from wasting resources on unsuitable candidates is just as valuable as her talent for identifying promising ones."
"Very well. You have authorization to proceed with the trials. However, I want detailed reports every seventy-two hours. Any significant developments are to be communicated immediately." The Colonel's tone became more authoritative. "Remember, Agent Tanaka, we cannot afford to make mistakes at this stage. The organization has invested considerable resources in monitoring these individuals."
"Understood completely, sir. I won't disappoint you."
"I have no doubt. Your record speaks for itself." The Colonel's image began to flicker slightly. "One final instruction - maintain absolute secrecy regarding this evaluation. No other agents are to be informed until we have conclusive results."
"Of course, Colonel Harrison."