Solitary Lone Walker

The afternoon sun slanted into the empty classroom. Horikita Suzune sat alone by the window, several reference books spread out before her. Her posture was straight, her expression focused, as if nothing in the outside world concerned her.

Fūki Ran stood in the hallway, quietly observing her through the window. This was the third time he had seen Horikita studying alone at this hour. Unlike other students who preferred the library or group study rooms, Horikita always chose secluded corners like this.

Inside the classroom, Horikita seemed to have encountered a problem. She stared at a question in her textbook, her brow furrowing tighter, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk. Fūki noticed it was a philosophical debate topic that required multi-angled thinking, and it was difficult to find a perfect answer relying solely on textbook knowledge.

"Need some help?"

Fūki pushed open the classroom door, his voice calm.

Horikita looked up sharply, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, before returning to her usual cold demeanor. "No need. I can solve it myself."

"Stubbornness doesn't improve efficiency," Fūki walked over to her, his gaze falling on the difficult question. "The key to this problem lies in understanding the implicit premise in the question."

Horikita's fingers paused slightly, but she still didn't look up. "I said, I don't need help."

Fūki didn't leave. Instead, he pulled over a nearby chair and sat down. "You know, in this school, looking out only for yourself is the most dangerous way of survival."

This sentence finally made Horikita look up. Her eyes were sharp, carrying a clear displeasure. "Are you lecturing me?"

"Just stating a fact," Fūki's tone remained calm. "The special system of Kōtō Ikusei High School dictates that no one can go it alone forever. Even the most outstanding students need support from others."

Horikita let out a cold laugh. "Relying on others only makes you weak. My brother once said..."

"Your brother is the student council president," Fūki interrupted her, "but he doesn't manage the entire student council by himself."

Horikita's expression visibly wavered. She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to retort, but ultimately said nothing.

Fūki seized the opportunity to continue. "True strength isn't about refusing all help, but about knowing when to leverage the power of others."

A brief silence fell over the classroom. Horikita looked down at the exercises on the desk, her fingers unconsciously curling.

"This problem," she finally spoke, her voice very soft, "I really have no idea."

This was the first time she had shown weakness in front of Fūki. Fūki didn't miss this breakthrough. He picked up a pen and began drawing a diagram on scratch paper.

"Look, this problem is actually discussing the relationship between free will and determinism. The question implicitly contains a premise..."

Fūki's explanation was clear and easy to understand. Horikita, initially maintaining her distance, was soon captivated by his analysis and unconsciously leaned closer.

"So that's how it is..." she murmured to herself. "I was too fixated on the literal words."

"Often, the answer to a problem isn't in the books, but in communication with others," Fūki put down his pen. "Thinking alone is important, of course, but appropriate communication can bring new perspectives."

Horikita was silent for a moment, then gently closed her reference book. "Thank you. But..."

"But you still think being alone is better?" Fūki finished her sentence.

Horikita didn't deny it, merely turned her gaze out the window. The sunlight cast faint shadows on her delicate profile.

"My brother once said that depending on others is exposing your weaknesses."

"But you've also seen," Fūki's voice was soft, "that even your brother needs the other members of the student council."

This statement seemed to touch Horikita. Her fingers tightened slightly, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

Just then, the classroom door was pushed open, and several Class D students walked in, chatting and laughing. Seeing Horikita and Fūki together, they all looked surprised.

Horikita immediately resumed her usual cold demeanor, quickly gathering her books. "I'm leaving first."

Watching her hasty departure, Fūki didn't stop her. He knew change took time. Today's conversation had planted a seed in Horikita's heart, and that was enough.

In the hallway, Fūki noticed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka approaching from the other end. Their eyes met briefly. Ayanokoji remained expressionless and they quickly passed each other.

Fūki understood that in this special school, everyone had their own way of survival. Horikita chose to build high walls with indifference, Ayanokoji chose to hide his strength with mediocrity. As for him, he chose to find breakthroughs through observation and understanding.

On the path to changing Horikita Suzune, an important first step had been taken today. But Fūki knew this was just the beginning. It would take more opportunities for her to truly understand the value of cooperation.

Outside the window, the sun was setting. Fūki watched Horikita's receding figure, already planning his next move. In this campus full of competition and calculation, perhaps he could help this proud maiden find her own path—a path that neither depended on others nor completely shut herself off.