Horikita Suzune

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Horikita Suzune (堀北铃音)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Formerly Class D; later Class C
Occupation / Role	Second-year student; Class C representative; performs Student Council work 367 485 598
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background / History

Suzune entered the school determined to reach Class A and gain recognition from her older brother, Horikita Manabu. Her early approach was modeled heavily on him: she pursued perfection, acted independently, and treated Class D's low-performing students as obstacles to be corrected or discarded. 27 50 103

After Class D's failures and internal divisions, Suzune confronted the possibility that imitating Manabu's methods had not brought her closer to her goal. Kazehara Tetsu urged her to become “the first Horikita Suzune” rather than a copy of her brother, a perspective she gradually accepted. 102 103

Her relationship with Manabu later improves substantially. By his graduation, Suzune cuts her hair short and shares an emotional farewell with him; Manabu entrusts Kazehara with looking after her in his absence. 356

Appearance

Suzune initially has long black hair, a cool profile, and a meticulous, composed bearing. She later cuts her hair short as a symbol of personal change. 27 356

• Often maintains a cold or expressionless demeanor. 27 70
• Keeps her school uniform neat, including a meticulously fastened collar. 380
• Sustained a severe right-ankle ligament strain during the Sports Festival. 161 162
• Wore a black-and-white maid outfit while working at Class C's school-festival café. 600

Personality

Suzune is proud, direct, and intensely disciplined. She does not flatter others even when desperate, refuses to falsely admit wrongdoing, and places great importance on dignity, honesty, and competitive fairness. 168 175 331

Early on, she was highly individualistic and ruthless in her reasoning, considering the removal of classmates who could not provide sufficient value to the class. 50 60 Defeat, injury, and repeated class crises force her to become more reflective. She learns to assess people more calmly, seek help when needed, and make decisions for her own beliefs rather than solely for Manabu's approval. 103 194 485

Despite her reserved manner, Suzune consistently works to protect her class. She negotiates for partners, forms alliances, defends Manabu when his circumstances are misunderstood, and assumes responsibility for difficult class decisions. 321 366 367 387

Abilities & Skills

Academic Ability

Suzune has an Academic Ability rating of A and studies with exceptional concentration. 27 367

• Works through large stacks of reference books and takes detailed notes. 27
• Uses careful research to investigate Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's chess ability through repeated games against a chess AI. 331
• Acknowledges her own limits: she had little practical knowledge of International Chess before cramming its fundamentals for the class battle. 339

Leadership and Strategy

Suzune serves as a class representative and directs Class C during high-stakes examinations. 334 598

• Built a seven-player soccer lineup around Hirata Yosuke to maximize his athletic and leadership value. 334
• Refused to disclose Class C's plans to an opposing-class student, prioritizing fairness and tactical secrecy. 331
• Negotiates with underclassmen and seeks partnerships to reduce the risk of her classmates being expelled. 366 367
• Formed an alliance with Nanase Tsubasa to clear an obstacle in the small-group pairing exam. 387
• Recognizes the political importance of the Student Council and intends to seek its presidency. 485

Observation and Deduction

Suzune can identify inconsistencies and hidden motives under pressure.

• Questioned how Kushida obtained information from Kinoshita, correctly suspecting cross-class coordination. 163
• Noticed Ryuen was secretly recording their confrontation before he could use the footage against her. 175
• Deduced that Kazehara's acquisitions of Class B's “Free Ride” cards likely served broader Student Council and class-manipulation plans. 425

Athleticism and Combat Aptitude

Suzune possesses agility and enough combat awareness to evade attacks and counterattack, though she is outmatched by physically overwhelming opponents such as Hosen Kazuomi. 382 383

• Continued competing despite a strained ankle, eventually finishing the 1,200-meter race in last place rather than withdrawing. 162 173
• Dodged Hosen's repeated attacks and adopted a formal combat stance when she could no longer evade indefinitely. 382
• Her stamina was rapidly depleted during the confrontation with Hosen, whose strength and endurance exceeded hers. 382 383

Equipment / Items

• Compass — Carries one and has used it to threaten Kazehara Tetsu when angered. 485 498
• Smartphone — Used to play a recording during her confrontation with Ryuen. 175

Relationships

• Horikita Manabu — Older brother whose recognition initially drives many of Suzune's choices. Their distant relationship softens into an emotional farewell before his graduation. 103 225 356
• Kazehara Tetsu — A Class A student who repeatedly challenges Suzune's thinking, aids her in several crises, and influences her personal growth. Their exchanges alternate between strategic cooperation, irritation, and mutual gratitude. 27 103 168 177 485
• Ayanokoji Kiyotaka — Classmate whose concealed abilities Suzune investigates. She relies on him in class strategy while remaining cautious of his motives and true limits. 102 329 331 367
• Kushida Kikyo — Classmate and persistent adversary. Kushida intensely hates Suzune and conspires against her, while Suzune remains unmoved by Kushida's approval or hostility. 149 197
• Ryuen Kakeru — Rival who frames Suzune for Kinoshita's injury and attempts to extort and humiliate her. Suzune ultimately turns the situation around using evidence. 164 165 175
• Ibuki Mio — Initially hostile toward Suzune, but later assists Class C's school-festival café through arrangements Suzune approves. 425 598 600
• Nanase Tsubasa — First-year student who later forms an alliance with Suzune for the cross-grade exam. 382 387
• Sakayanagi Arisu — Class A opponent whose loyalty to Kazehara puzzles Suzune during the class battle examination. 333 334
• Ichinose Honami — A major anticipated rival in Suzune's goal of becoming Student Council President. 485

Story Role / Major Arcs

Class D Crisis

Suzune confronts Class D's zero-point standing, poor discipline, and risk of collapse. She initially resolves to either reform underperforming students or eliminate them as liabilities. 27 50

During the Sudo/Xuteng Jian incident, she investigates the missing evidence but ultimately refuses to defend Xuteng when no proof supports his account, separating his conduct from the rest of Class D. 66 70

Uninhabited Island Examination

While ill and feverish, Suzune is attacked by Ibuki and framed by Ryuen through her key card. Ayanokoji later rescues her. 96 102

The exam's failure and Class D's resulting mistrust leave Suzune emotionally shaken, leading to her pivotal discussion about abandoning her imitation of Manabu. 102 103

Sports Festival

Suzune suffers an ankle injury after Kinoshita collides with her, with Kushida further worsening her condition through sabotage. 161

Ryuen uses Kinoshita's false injury claim to demand one million Personal Points and a humiliating apology. Suzune refuses to admit guilt, seeks help from Kazehara, and later confronts Ryuen with recording evidence. 164 165 167 168 175

Despite her injury, she completes the 1,200-meter race to prove her resolve. 173

Class C Leadership and Student Council Ambitions

As Class C's leader, Suzune directs class-battle strategies, protects tactical information, and organizes teams for special examinations. 331 334 366

She begins Student Council work with the aim of becoming secretary and eventually competing for Student Council President, viewing institutional influence as necessary to overcome Class A's class-point lead. 485

Cross-Grade Examination and Hosen Conflict

Suzune attempts to secure first-year partners despite Class C's lack of points and unfavorable bargaining position. 366 367

When Hosen attempts to extort her class and turns violent, Suzune refuses to yield, evades his attacks, and chooses to fight back. 380 382 383

School Festival

Suzune manages Class C's maid café and personally works in uniform alongside Ibuki. She vouches for Ibuki's participation despite her classmates' concerns about sabotage. 598 600

Notable Quotes

“I won't give up on promoting to Class A. To achieve that goal, I'll pay any price.” 50

“The first Horikita Suzune...” 103

“I won't do that.” 168

“Whether you hate me or loathe me, it has nothing to do with me.” 197

Trivia

• Suzune calls Kazehara Tetsu a “Monster” after witnessing the enormous number of points he earns. 425
• Her short haircut coincides with her farewell to Manabu and symbolizes her growth away from his shadow. 356
• She initially knew little about International Chess, but still prepared extensively to evaluate Ayanokoji's skill. 331 339