He Still Has to Thank Us!

"How much do you want?"

"10 million. That shouldn't be much for you."

"Impossible!"

Horikita Manabu rejected the request flatly. He wasn't so foolish as to agree to such an outrageous demand.

"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse."

Makoto said with a beaming smile, "I helped you deal with Nagumo Miyabi, so in the joint exams that might happen in the future, the threat of any offensive he might launch against you will be greatly reduced. In that sense, I've helped you solidify the position of Class A!"

Perhaps by then, he wouldn't even have the time to worry about cross-grade confrontations; keeping the status of Class A would be far more important.

Whether he could actually keep it was another matter.

"It's absolutely worth the price!"

Makoto said, coaxing him along.

"And what are the conditions for deleting the video?"

Horikita Manabu sensed something was off. If that were truly the case, it might not be entirely unacceptable.

The value of being free from Nagumo Miyabi's harassment was indeed that immense.

But that would lead to another problem—

What was the value of deleting the video?

"That..." Makoto smiled slightly and stated the condition he had prepared long ago, "It is, of course, to express your true feelings to your sister."

Horikita Manabu: "?"

Horikita Suzune, who had just struggled to climb up from the ground, was also stunned.

First, an unexpected person had suddenly appeared, and then he and her brother seemed to have known each other for a long time, discussing matters related to the second years.

Then, they suddenly started talking about 10 million private points—one had to realize that was equivalent to 10 million yen!

She had never seen that much money in her entire life!

What she found most unacceptable was that the condition the other party proposed was for her brother to express his true feelings to her?

How did she not know there was someone who cared about her this much?

By the dim light of the streetlamp, Horikita Suzune finally realized that the person was none other than Miyano, whom she had seen from a distance this morning.

Finally, his appearance, name, and voice all matched up.

Is this the strength of Class B?

For the first time, Horikita Suzune began to doubt her own true abilities.

Could she... really climb to Class A?

"No need... Brother, don't agree to him. I won't pursue this matter."

Horikita Suzune wanted to help her brother.

"Have you still not recognized the reality of the situation?"

Makoto sighed with a hint of helplessness. When it came to her brother, Horikita Suzune's brain just didn't seem to work well enough.

"Your brother is the leader of the third-year Class A and the student council president of this school. Is this something that can be covered up just by you saying you 'won't pursue it'?"

People who carry their own aura always attract more attention than ordinary people.

"...Suzune, this matter is my fault."

Horikita Manabu took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind about something.

"I have always regretted it—regretted that I was the one who turned you into who you are today."

Upon hearing this, Horikita Suzune opened her mouth, but for some reason, she couldn't make a sound.

As if silenced, she waited quietly for her brother's next words.

"I always wanted you to stop chasing my shadow, which is why I chose this school. Now it seems that was a wrong decision; I should have interacted with you more."

Just as in a person's heart, the living can never defeat the status of the dead, people only discover each other's flaws through constant contact.

That was exactly what Horikita Manabu wanted to express.

"There is no need to chase anyone's shadow, nor is there any need to belittle yourself. You should simply follow your own true inner thoughts."

"Suzune just needs to be Suzune."

Makoto listened from the side with great interest. That's how it should be!

Everyone isn't a three-year-old child anymore; just speak your mind openly! Stop acting like a riddle-maker!

Riddle-makers get out of the school!

"Brother..."

Horikita Suzune was deeply moved. She made a move to hug her brother, but then she remembered her clothes, which were dirty and disheveled from being thrown to the ground just moments ago.

She stopped in her tracks, and Horikita Manabu noticed her hesitation.

This time, it was finally his turn to take the initiative; thinking this, Horikita Manabu stepped forward and gently hugged his sister.

He could feel the body in his arms tremble slightly, but it soon calmed down.

"Brother... is this what you've been thinking all along?"

"Have I disappointed you?"

"No, I've always loved you the most, Brother!"

Not wanting to disturb the siblings' private moment, Makoto watched their embrace silently from the side and used his phone to capture this beautiful scene.

I really want to post this on social media.

"Alright, that's enough."

Horikita Manabu pulled back, creating distance between himself and his sister.

"I've already deleted the video, but in its place, I have a photo of you hugging your sister just now. Would you like me to send you a copy?"

Makoto smiled.

"...Sure."

Seemingly a bit embarrassed, Horikita Manabu's voice was very faint.

But both Horikita Suzune and Makoto heard it.

Seeing the student council president, who always kept a straight, serious face in front of others, show such a side, both of them couldn't help but smile.

"I've already transferred the 10 million private points to your account."

This sentence pulled Horikita Suzune out of the honey-sweet memory of the embrace.

That's right, because of her, her brother lost 10 million private points; this was all her fault...

Wait, hold on?

That doesn't seem to be the case...

Makoto felt that this was art.

There were two bargaining chips—

The matter regarding Nagumo Miyabi and the "domestic violence" video.

There were two demands—

10 million private points and opening his heart to his sister.

Trading the matter regarding Nagumo Miyabi for 10 million private points, and trading the "domestic violence" video for opening his heart to his sister.

It looked perfectly balanced.

If the conditions were swapped, Trading the "domestic violence" video for 10 million private points...

It would feel like he had turned into a heinous villain.

And what the hell would it mean to trade the matter regarding Nagumo Miyabi for opening his heart to his sister!

Is there any causal relationship between the two?

But now, he had transformed into a great person who helped siblings reconcile!

He even had to thank me!

"Thank you?"

Horikita Suzune wasn't sure if she should be the one to say this, but she said it anyway.

"Don't mention it, it's what I should do. I've always been unable to stand seeing things like this."

Makoto smiled slightly. He took a closer look; the battle-damaged long-haired girl had a unique charm to her~

Wait a minute!

That's enough, that's enough.

He hurriedly dispelled the dangerous thoughts that had just emerged in his mind.

A person shouldn't, at the very least, they shouldn't...

"Then I'll be heading back."

Not waiting for the girl to say anything more, Makoto hurriedly left the scene.

Staying on the spot after everything was over was too awkward; if he didn't leave, was he waiting for someone to treat him to a meal?

Oh right, the hot milk he bought a while ago was still in Ayanokoji's hands.

Makoto bought another bottle.