Plot Twist! Stolen Away...! Episode 23

As Kyōsuke is assembling a group of espers with the sentiment that zero hour is nigh and points to Kaoru as their long term ruler, Minamoto's frustration at Kugutsu's recalcitrance to B.A.B.E.L. exhortations that he explain himself almost explodes into violence. In an attempt to acknowledge his hard work and inhibit him burning himself out, Dr. Sakaki brings over pizza and directs that Kaoru and her teammates greet Minamoto in swimsuit and aprons so that they can sit in the hot tub together. Unfortunately, Minamoto is not amused and his affirmation that three beasts are his maximum limit prompts a telekinetic objection from Kaoru and an austere reproach that the girls have tried to maintain the apartment in their leader's absence -- even working together to make a salad. A high-level shogi game of sentiments and events within B.A.B.E.L. and the mysterious organization P.A.N.D.R.A. is set in motion as Kyōsuke's discourse prompts a young teleporter named Mio (who rejects the prospect of Kaoru's future leadership) to set in motion an operation of her own. Taizō, Oboro, and Dr. Sakaki accompanying Minamoto and his esper charges to confront Kugutsu instigates a hostile garrison of dolls as appreciation for the visit and the revelation that Kyōsuke is up to no good. After seeing them off on their individual family activities, Minamoto's reverie regarding the metamorphosis he has undergone at the hands of his esper charges as he sets to cleaning up the apartment is interrupted by Mio introducing herself. Angrily interpreting Minamoto and Sakaki's ignorance as recalcitrance to her mortal designs for Kaoru, Mio and her partner trash the place before beating up Sakaki and kidnapping Minamoto. Appalled by the destruction, Kaoru sets off into the night after Mio.