Horikita Suzune's Surprise

Becoming the leader of Class A wasn't difficult.

But trying to touch the other students' pocket money was as good as killing their mothers.

It was impossible.

Unless it was for something that benefited all of Class A, they might be willing to pool their money.

But with a handout like Ichinose Honami's, there was no chance. They'd only think she was an idiot, just like Hashimoto Masayoshi did.

Eight hundred thousand points was no small sum.

Thinking of the personal points they'd just received, Hashimoto Masayoshi and the others couldn't help glancing at Kijima Tsukur.

Chapter 33: Horikita Suzune's Surprise

"Yamamura."

"Ah... yes?"

Under everyone's gaze, Kijima Tsukur turned to Yamamura Miki and held out his phone, saying flatly:

"Help me distribute this eight hundred thousand to the rest of Class A. Twenty thousand personal points each. Tell them to save it."

"Wait a second..."

Katsuragi looked surprised. "You're giving these personal points to us?"

"What's the problem?"

Kijima Tsukur placed the phone directly in Yamamura Miki's hands.

"I agree with Ichinose on this point. Since we earned these points by sacrificing Class A's interests, I'll naturally distribute them according to everyone's contributions. But this time, none of you really contributed, so I've decided to split them evenly. Any objections?"

"No..."

"Then let's go, Yamamura. We'll deal with work tonight. First, come back and make me dinner."

With that,

Kijima Tsukur turned and left the rooftop.

Some money could be accepted, and some couldn't.

Besides, he wasn't particularly interested in personal points.

Personal points were a weapon. They only reached their full value when spent; in your hands, they were useful for little more than intimidation.

What kind of work? I don't even work for you...

Yamamura clutched the folding chair under her left arm and held Kijima Tsukur's phone in her right, looking close to tears. Still, she hurried after him.

Damn it.

How could he hand her his phone without a second thought?

What if she dropped it?

At the thought, Yamamura Miki glared at Kijima Tsukur's back and tightened her grip on the phone.

Night fell.

Dormitory building.

Horikita Manabu arrived at Room 1207 on the twelfth floor of the dormitory building.

He took a deep breath.

This was his younger sister Horikita Suzune's room.

As student council president, it was naturally no trouble for him to find his own little sister's room.

Horikita Manabu raised his hand,

and couldn't help recalling what had happened yesterday.

Actually, he'd spotted his younger sister Horikita Suzune in the audience at the club information session yesterday.

When he learned that his sister had chosen this school,

and saw her waist-length hair, Horikita Manabu knew she'd followed him here.

After all,

he still remembered.

His little sister had always liked short hair,

but after he said he liked long hair, Horikita Suzune had decided to grow hers out.

Because of that,

Horikita Suzune had also stifled her own potential, modeling herself after her older brother in everything.

Whenever he thought about it,

whenever he thought of the brilliant future that had once lain before Horikita Suzune like an uncut gem,

Horikita Manabu was consumed by remorse, believing that he'd crushed his sister's chance to grow.

And so,

he'd chosen to come to this school.

He hadn't expected Horikita Suzune to follow him after all.

At first, Horikita Manabu hadn't planned to approach her. He'd even considered deliberately keeping his distance from his sister.

That way, he could spur Horikita Suzune on,

and make her strive for Class A, letting her own light shine!

However,

he hadn't expected to meet Kijima Tsukur...

The moment he saw Kijima Tsukur, Horikita Manabu realized he wasn't a match for him, and neither was Horikita Suzune.

With Kijima Tsukur around,

no one else could make it to Class A.

The best they could hope for was to submit at Kijima Tsukur's feet and wait for him to lead them all to graduation from Class A.

It might have sounded ridiculous.

But seeing the eerie light in Kijima Tsukur's eyes, as if it could swallow everything, Horikita Manabu couldn't help believing it...

In that case,

there was no point in keeping his distance from Horikita Suzune anymore...

He might as well explain things clearly and let her enjoy her school life.

With that in mind,

Horikita Manabu pressed the doorbell.

Soon, he heard quick footsteps.

As the footsteps drew closer, and he thought of his sister, whom he hadn't seen in so long, Horikita Manabu realized that he felt a little nervous.

"Who is it?"

The door didn't open,

and Horikita Suzune remained on her guard.

After all, she'd never told anyone her room number, and it was almost night. No matter how she looked at it, this was suspicious.

Horikita Manabu felt a little pleased. He answered in a deep voice:

"Suzune, it's me."

Quick footsteps retreated in a rush, as though she'd been startled and was backing away.

Inside the room,

Horikita Suzune stumbled backward several steps, her face full of shock.

Her brother?

How could that be?

Ever since she was little, her brother had always kept his distance from her.

That was why she'd followed in Horikita Manabu's footsteps and come to this school.

She hadn't expected it.

Horikita Manabu had actually come to see her?

At the thought,

Horikita Suzune panicked. She quickly fixed her hair, and a hint of embarrassment touched her cool face.

She and her brother hadn't seen each other in so long that even though she'd thought about it, she no longer knew how to face him.

But she couldn't keep Horikita Manabu waiting too long.

"Phew..."

Horikita Suzune took a deep breath and opened the door. Seeing Horikita Manabu outside, her excitement spilled out before she could stop it.

"Brother..."

"What, were you planning to talk to me from the doorway?"

"No, please come in."

Horikita Suzune ushered Horikita Manabu into the room, then made coffee for them both.

Horikita Manabu took the opportunity to look around.

The school year had only just started, so the room was mostly undecorated. Still, Horikita Suzune's room was unusually tidy, as if she were imitating him.

Meanwhile,

facing her brother after so long, Horikita Suzune felt like an awkward little girl, completely at a loss for how to act around him.

"What's wrong?"

Horikita Manabu took a sip of coffee and asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

"Of course not."

Horikita Suzune hurriedly explained, "Why would I be afraid of you, Brother?"

"Is that so..."

Horikita Manabu kept a straight face, but inwardly he felt relieved.

"That's good."

"..."

After a long silence,

Horikita Suzune finally relaxed a little and asked softly:

"Brother, what brings you here?"

"What, am I not allowed to come?"

"Of course you are. I just thought you'd always hated me."

"Why would you think that?"

Horikita Manabu frowned. It had never occurred to him that Horikita Suzune might think that way.