With his profiling skills, Kogami determines that the girls' school killer isn't the same murderer from the unsolved case years ago; he explains that the recent murders lack "originality" and pointed social commentary of the previous killings. When he and Akane realize the culprit is one of the students, they locate Rikako - who escapes when one of teachers stops Kogami from executing her. As the Enforcers try to locate her secret routes and hiding places, Rikako flees - but not before everyone discovers her latest creation. Makishima calls Rikako to tell her that she's a disappointment and has Senguji dispose her. In the meantime, Kogami picks up a damaged audio file which was deliberately left by Makishima. Due to Rikako's failure, Makishima develops an interest in Kogami.

Makishima and Senguji set up a hunt by using Akane's friend, Yuki, as bait to lure Kogami into an abandoned subway station. Upon entering the station, Kogami discovers Yuki in a train car and loses contact with Akane; the two must evade Senguji and his canine drones as a curious Makishima observes from above. Ginoza scolds Akane for letting Kogami go on his own but Masaoka chastises him over his treatment of her. Meanwhile, Makishima rigs the hunt to give Kogami a chance to create a working transponder and, as a result, Kogami makes contact with the group outside and they go in after him.