Horikita Suzune's fingers tapped lightly on the coffee table, making a subtle beat sound.
Her eyes drifted to the window, and through the glass she could see the blue sea sparkling in the sun.
"If there was one person in this world..."
Her voice was very soft, with a tentative tone, "She has an extremely outstanding relative, and that person really hopes to catch up with his relatives and prove his ability."
"As a result, it's getting further and further away now, and I don't know what to do anymore."
Her voice became softer, almost as if she was talking to herself, "What do you think... such a person should do?"
Kazehara Tetsu leaned on the back of the sofa and crossed his hands on his chest.
"Isn't this who you are?"
"It's not polite to directly reveal someone else's hidden inferiority complex."
There was a hint of dissatisfaction in Horikita Suzune's tone, but more of a helplessness after being seen through.
"I don't see that you have low self-esteem."
His eyes stayed on Horikita Suzune's face, observing the changes in her expression.
"After all, someone who can still sit here when the class is falling apart doesn't look like he will be defeated by low self-esteem."
"Not necessarily."
Horikita Suzune raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a bitter smile. "People always use various ways to cover up their weaknesses, don't they? Overconfidence is sometimes just another form of inferiority."
"But that's not the point right now."
Horikita Suzune looked at Kazehara Tetsu again, with a look for help in his eyes.
"What I want to know is, what should someone like this do?"
"Horikita, you have always wanted to prove that you can reach Class A, but have you ever thought about whose standards you are measuring yourself by?"
"What do you mean?"
Horikita Suzune frowned, feeling that what Kazehara Tetsu wanted to say might make her feel uncomfortable.
"You always use u0027 Horikita Manabu's Younger Sister u0027 this ruler to measure yourself."
Horikita Suzune's breathing became slightly faster. She wanted to refute, but found that she could not find the right words.
"He likes long hair, so you keep it long. He is used to being dictatorial, so you become dictatorial too. He pursues perfectionism, so you accept everything he wants."
"I... I didn't..." Horikita Suzune wanted to deny it, but stopped mid-sentence.
She realized that what Kazehara Tetsu said might be the truth.
"None of this is a question, the question is why you do it."
Kazehara Tetsu leaned forward slightly, getting closer to Horikita Suzune.
"Are you going to be promoted to Class A to achieve the goal of 'Horikita Suzune', or to make him recognize you as a 'qualified sister'?"
This question caused Horikita Suzune to fall into a long silence.
"I... I don't know."
"I always thought that as long as I could catch up with him and prove that I am no worse than him, I would be able to..."
"Just what?"
"Being able to get his approval... proves that I am also a child that my family can be proud of."
"There is nothing wrong with the idea itself. But the problem is that the method you choose is to become another Horikita Manabu instead of becoming the unique Horikita Suzune."
"Then what should I do? I really don't know what else to do except follow in his footsteps."
"True strength is never to become another person. Even if that person is your most admired brother."
Kazehara Tetsu's voice is gentler than usual, without the habitual teasing.
"But he's definitely better than me, isn't he? How can I possibly catch up to him if I don't do it his way?"
There was an almost stubborn persistence in her voice.
She gently stroked her forehead with her hand, trying to relieve the discomfort caused by the fever, her movements seemed a little helpless.
"What do you think Horikita Manabu wants to see?"
Kazehara Tetsu asked, "Is it a Horikita Suzune that perfectly copies all his characteristics, or is it a truly independent sister?"
"You know, sometimes when I look at you, I feel very pity. Because you obviously have your own unique advantages, but you always try to measure yourself by other people's standards."
"Unique advantages..."
She repeated Kazehara Tetsu's words with a hint of confusion in her voice, "I always thought that only by becoming as perfect as my brother can I prove my worth."
"Maybe Horikita Manabu doesn't want to see a Horikita Suzune who will definitely win everything."
"What do you mean?"
"What he wants to see may be a sister who can really change herself and no longer just stays behind her brother."
"A Horikita Suzune with his own ideas and goals."
"But... if I don't do it the way he does, how can I prove that I am no worse than him?" Her voice became softer, almost as if she was talking to herself.
Her sickly paleness made her look particularly in need of care.
"Even Horikita Manabu cannot be perfect in all aspects. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses."
Horikita Suzune held his temples with his hands, trying to relieve the discomfort caused by the headache. "So what do you mean, I should give up chasing him?"
"It's not about giving up, it's about changing a way."
Kazehara Tetsu shook his head, "Instead of becoming the second Horikita Manabu, it is better to become the first Horikita Suzune."
"The first Horikita Suzune..."
"You know, sometimes the bravest choice is to admit that you don't need to be a copy of anyone else."
"What if I follow my own path and end up not being able to prove myself?"
"Then what do you think the current Class D has proved? Using Horikita Manabu's method resulted in the class splitting and all the efforts being in vain. Isn't this an answer?"
"This Exam's failure is indeed serious, but the failure itself is not the problem. The problem is what you learned from the failure." Kazehara Tetsu's tone became serious, "Besides, who said you must stay at Class D?"
"..."
Kazehara Tetsu observed the changes in her expression and could feel her inner struggle at this moment.
This girl who usually kept a distance from her now really regarded him as a friend to whom she could confide.
"How about starting with a change of environment?"
Kazehara Tetsu suddenly said, "Horikita, do you want to come Class A?"
This question made Horikita Suzune obviously stunned.
Her eyes widened slightly, and she subconsciously wanted to say words of rejection, but the words stopped when she reached her lips.
"I..." she started, then stopped.
Unlike the decisive refusal last time at Cafeteria, this time she did not refuse immediately.
Her eyes were a little confused, as if she was thinking about something.
"At Class A, you don't have to bear the burden of being a class leader. You can have the time and space to think about what you really want. You can work purely for yourself, not to meet the standards set by someone."
Horikita Suzune bit his lower lip lightly and frowned slightly. "But by doing this, doesn't it mean admitting my failure in Class D?"
"Failure and learning are two concepts."
Kazehara Tetsu shook his head, "What you learn at Class D, regardless of success or failure, is your experience. And now, you have the opportunity to use these experiences to explore new possibilities in a different environment."
"Your proposal... I need time to consider it. This is not a decision that can be made easily."
"Of course."
Kazehara Tetsu nodded, "I just want you to know that you have this choice. And no matter what you decide in the end, it should be based on your own wishes, not anyone else's expectations."
"If I really go to Class A, do you think I can find my own path?"
"I don't know. But if you continue to stay in the current environment, it will be difficult for you to have a chance to try it. You have also seen Class D's current situation."
"Thank you for what you said to me today. I need time to think."
"You're always welcome."