As the morning sun spilled across the treetops, casting dappled shadows, Bai Ye saw a boy in the distance running slowly toward him against the rosy dawn.
His gaze was sharp, sweat rolled off him, and his arms swung evenly as he kept up a steady rhythm, alternating between exertion and ease.
His sure-footed strides never faltered. It was easy to see he was running effortlessly.
That person was Horikita Manabu, Horikita Suzune's older brother.
Bai Ye stepped aside to let him pass, but Horikita Manabu stopped in front of him.
"You're Jingu Byakuya, right?"
"?"
"Don't be nervous. The chairman asked me to keep an eye on you... though I don't know why."
After hearing him out, Bai Ye pondered for a moment, then nodded. "So, what did you want with me, President?"
Horikita Manabu didn't answer. Instead, he invited him, "Want to run together for a bit?"
"No, thanks. I don't like running."
"What do you like?" Horikita Manabu took off his glasses and gently wiped them with a handkerchief.
"I like watching other people run."
"..."
Horikita Manabu nearly dropped his glasses. After putting them back on, he studied Bai Ye carefully. "You really are different from everyone else."
"Seems you've been keeping an eye on me, President. May I ask how the chairman introduced me to you?"
"He told me to keep an eye on you and make sure you didn't cause trouble."
"..."
"I saw you having lunch with a girl from your class in the cafeteria the other day... What's your relationship?" Horikita Manabu narrowed his eyes.
"...She's my wife."
"Are you joking?" Horikita Manabu frowned deeply and stepped closer.
The force of his presence pressed in, making Bai Ye's breathing hitch slightly.
But a moment later, he steadied himself.
After all, he'd met countless important people as a child. Handling a situation like this was child's play.
Seeing that Bai Ye had barely been affected, Horikita Manabu's gaze held a hint of approval.
"You're not an ordinary person, are you?" Horikita Manabu asked.
"There probably aren't many people at this school with a more complicated situation than mine," he said honestly.
There was no point hiding it. Anyone who wanted to look into his situation could do so at any time.
Besides, based on what he'd pieced together over the years, some powerful figure seemed to be protecting him. Otherwise, with the influence those people wielded, he'd have died several times over by now, even with the old man protecting him. How could he still be attending school in peace?
Horikita Manabu's deep-set eyes studied him. "I don't know what complicated background you have, but let's set that aside for now. Tell me, what do you think of this school?"
"To be honest, I don't think much of it."
"Nothing at all?" Horikita Manabu's eyes dimmed slightly with disappointment.
They walked side by side.
"I do have a few thoughts. Would you like to hear them, President?"
"Go ahead." Horikita Manabu showed a little interest.
"The girls at this school are pretty. Even our class has several top-tier beauties."
"And then?"
"Especially... your younger sister. I really like her."
"..."
Bai Ye glanced sideways and saw Horikita Manabu's handsome face twitch. But the proud, aloof president still replied coolly, "You don't need to provoke me on purpose. It won't work."
Would it really not work? He wanted to find out.
With a faint smile, he said, "Your sister even asked me to carry her in my arms last night. She was so well-behaved while I held her... Heh."
"..."
"And her hands feel so nice. They're cool and smooth to the touch..."
"That's enough. Are you trying to provoke me?" Horikita Manabu gave him a dark look.
"I wouldn't dare."
Bai Ye pursed his lips.
He thought, He got angry after just two sentences. If I really had my way with his sister, wouldn't this aloof, proud president hack me to pieces?
The thought made him a little nervous.
Thankfully, as befitted the greatest president in the school's history, Horikita Manabu quickly composed himself and made a reasonable deduction.
"So, according to you, the two of you are dating?"
"More or less."
He didn't dare say no. After all he'd done, claiming they weren't even friends would probably make Horikita Manabu chase him down with an axe.
"I didn't expect her to date anyone..."
"Jealous?"
"No. If it's her own choice, I have no right to interfere."
So this was what a real-life younger sister was like. They weren't all lovey-dovey like the ones in anime. Not fighting was already good enough.
At that thought, Bai Ye grew more serious. "What do you think of her? Are you just going to leave her alone?"
Horikita Manabu looked at him with some surprise. "Even if I tried to control her, what good would it do? She's very stubborn. I told her to stop following me, but she still came here."
"She just can't understand how you feel. If you'd only talk to her properly, she'd understand."
"Tell her what?"
"Tell her you believe in her and that she should stop chasing your shadow."
"Even if I told her that, would she understand? You have to walk your own path. She can only truly transform once she understands that for herself."
Hearing this, Bai Ye sighed. "Yeah. The truth is, you have high hopes for her, while she... doesn't have the same ambitions. The person really pushing her is you, President."
"If you were in my shoes, what would you do?"
"I'd let her do what she wanted, of course. I couldn't bear to see my little sister suffer. Being happy is what matters most."
"You're quite the good brother. Do you plan to support her for the rest of her life?" Horikita Manabu frowned.
"That's hard to say. Maybe one day she'll find something she wants to pursue. I'd rather see a future where she blossoms in her own way."
Horikita Manabu said no more. Their views were different, and neither could convince the other.
But he still said, "I'm glad I could talk with you about this. From now on... I'll leave her in your hands. I don't have time to look after her."
"Worried I'll ruin her?"
"If that happens, I'll settle the score with you then."
With that, Horikita Manabu jogged off.
Bai Ye stopped and watched Horikita Manabu's retreating figure. "I really hope you won't hate me when that time comes, Horikita-senpai..."
Thinking about the fact that he was destined to break up with Horikita Suzune gave him a headache.
But it was all right. The process might be painful, but the ending would be happy. As long as he kept completing his missions, he was confident he could make that future come true.
And after talking with Horikita Manabu just now, he'd also gained "custody" of Horikita Suzune. If he ever ran into a problem he couldn't handle, he could use Horikita Manabu as leverage.
That was a trump card.
Before you continue