Each One's Resolve

That's completely different. It feels like Hirata Yosuke has already decided that he's just randomly looking for someone to replace him after his breakup.

And how could that Nagumo possibly compare to Ryo?

I made up a random excuse to say goodbye to Hirata Yosuke, who thoughtfully added, "If you have any difficulties, feel free to ask me for help anytime."

[Miyabi Nagumo... Miyabi Nagumo]

I searched for everything about the Student Council vice president on the school's forum, but all I could find was the Confessions incident from last night.

Karuizawa Kei clicked her tongue and skipped over him, seemingly oblivious.

By focusing all your energy on one thing, you can easily forget about other worries.

The first day of the new semester wasn't too busy. After the afternoon classes ended, when Karuizawa Kei left her friends and came to the playground alone, there were already quite a few students gathered there, some participating in clubs and others simply there to exercise. The scene of sweating profusely looked lively and bustling.

"They're in the middle of a match."

Shifting our gaze to the soccer field in the center of the playground, students wearing soccer jerseys are divided into two teams, seemingly having finished their jogging and stretching warm-up, and are about to start a training match.

Bump--

A male student took a shot with his right foot. The soccer ball drew a curve in the air and flew towards the goalpost. It was a beautiful trajectory, but it seemed easy to predict. The goalkeeper, as expected, showed keen reflexes and punched the ball back.

A quick glance around revealed Hirata Yosuke's figure. The two teams seemed to be a mix of first to third-year students, so there were quite a few unfamiliar faces.

Just as Karuizawa Kei was about to look for Miyabi Nagumo among them, a shout suddenly came from behind.

Hello, Karuizawa.

Turning around, Karuizawa Kei saw Ichinose Honami from Class 1-C standing on the edge of the field, watching the soccer club's training match, just like her.

At the start of the new semester today, due to changes in Class Points, Class 1-C and Class 1-B have switched places. However, since the Class Points is not too large, it is possible that a Special Exam will be all it takes to reverse the situation.

"Good afternoon."

Since the other person had greeted her first, Karuizawa Kei felt awkward walking away, so she also stepped over to greet them.

"I heard that Shibata from your class is also in the soccer club. Are you here to watch his game?"

As the absolute ace of sports in Class 1-C, Shibata Sō also possesses strong social skills, almost like a male version of "Ichinose Honami". However, the reason why Karuizawa Kei knows so much about him is because her first collective action with Kitagawa Ryo was to frame Shibata Sō and successfully extort 800,000 Private Points per month by taking advantage of his trust in his classmates.

"That's part of the reason, but the main reason is to ask Vice President Nagumo to return to the Student Council."

Ichinose Honami glanced at her watch, keeping track of the time, then cupped her hands around her mouth to form a megaphone and shouted into the arena:

"Vice President Nagumo, it's almost time for the meeting!"

Startled by Ichinose Honami's actions, Karuizawa Kei quickly grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Shouldn't this kind of behavior, which disrupts training on the field, be prohibited?"

"It's alright, this isn't training, it's just a friendly match organized by Senior Nagumo."

Ichinose Honami explained with a smile, but the situation on the field didn't seem to be as she described. The two teams, who were engaged in a fierce battle, seemed to be so engrossed in their fight that they didn't even notice her shouts.

The ball, kicked from the corner, flew to his teammate who was waiting near the goalpost.

The player who skillfully coordinated the pass was Hirata. However, aiming for a shot would be closely marked by the opponent, so he didn't force himself and passed the ball to Shibata Sō from Class C. Shibata did not disappoint everyone's expectations and took a shot at the perfect moment, beautifully scoring the goal.

"Oh, is it almost time? Looks like I'll have to get serious about this game."

On the opposing team, where Hirata and Shibata were facing off, a blond man made this declaration.

Miyabi Nagumo blinked one eye, Ichinose Honami to wait a moment, and then started running.

Because of Nagumo's sudden seriousness, the other team, led by Hirata and Shibata, also became solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy, and almost instantly noticed the change in the atmosphere on the field.

Once the game resumed, the ball and players immediately began to gather around Nagumo.

For his teammates, he was such a reliable partner; for the opposing team, he was the most formidable enemy. Hirata Yosuke the lead, challenging Nagumo to a duel in an attempt to steal the ball. His movements were just as agile as before, yet Nagumo dodged and outpaced him with a dazzling grace, as if teasing a baby.

Then, Shibata rammed into Nagumo, Nagumo used several feints to confuse his opponent before overtaking him. In Karuizawa Kei's eyes, both Hirata Yosuke and Shibata Sō were quite formidable fighters, but Nagumo was on a different level.

He took another step forward and unleashed a powerful shot from mid-range. The ball traced a terrifying curve, exceeding the goalkeeper's prediction, and found the back of the net in no time.

After completing this one-on-one opportunity that was almost a personal showcase, Miyabi Nagumo smiled and waved goodbye to the players on the field. He took off his jersey and walked towards Ichinose Honami while drinking water.

This was the first time Karuizawa Kei had seen Miyabi Nagumo face-to-face. His striking blond hair made him stand out in the crowd, and his appearance and figure were indeed very good. However, having formed a preconceived notion, Karuizawa Kei always felt that the other man's narrow eyes seemed to be plotting something bad.

"I'm so sorry to have kept Ichinose waiting."

Miyabi Nagumo also sincerely apologized, then looked at Karuizawa Kei standing to the side, her eyes lit up, and she struck up a conversation with a smile:

Who is this?

"I'm Karuizawa Kei from Class 1-D."

Upon hearing that it was Class D, a barely concealed hint of disdain flashed in Miyabi Nagumo's eyes, but it was quickly masked by a smile. He extended his hand with a rather sunny expression.

"It's nice to meet you Karuizawa -Miyabi Nagumo. I'm Nagumo Masaru, a second-year student."

"Sorry, I'm a bit of a germaphobe and not used to shaking hands with people who have sweaty hands."

Karuizawa Kei glanced at the outstretched hand with some disdain and casually made up an excuse.

"Really? That's a real shame."

Having just finished exercising, he naturally sweated a lot, but Miyabi Nagumo didn't mind. Although Karuizawa Kei's appearance was worthy of being included in his collection, there were more important things to do right now, so it didn't matter if he put it aside for now.

"Ichinose, let's go."

The two seemed to be heading to the Student Council meeting together, Ichinose Honami Karuizawa Kei said goodbye to Karuizawa Kei, who nodded in understanding.

She watched their retreating figures and could roughly guess that they were going to discuss matters related to the Sports Festival.

However, as one of the most important parts of the school, the Student Council naturally cannot be freely visited like the football club's training sessions.

Karuizawa Kei took her phone out of her pocket, connected it via Bluetooth, and plugged in her earphones.

[It seems Vice President Nagumo has a proposal to make today?]

The voice that came through the headphones, though muffled, was Ichinose Honami's voice.

Ichinose Honami is the only Student Council member in her First Year.

Just as she grabbed the other person's arm, Karuizawa Kei had already slipped a small listening device into Ichinose Honami's pocket.

To lie and deceive without batting an eye.

Even if it means this, we must obtain intelligence.

Karuizawa Kei closed her eyes and listened intently to the sounds coming from her headphones.

This was the first time she had acted independently, breaking away from Kitagawa Ryo's instructions.

"Although Suzune's goldfish scooping attempt last night was a complete failure, considering your effort, we will still pay you."

Kitagawa Ryo handed a note with a string of numbers written on it to Horikita Suzune, who was sitting opposite him.

"Actually, I'm quite surprised myself. As the younger sister, you don't even have your brother's contact information."

"None of your business."

Horikita Suzune responded coldly, but judging from the way she quickly clenched the note in her hand, her inner state was clearly not as calm as she appeared.

I'm leaving now.

Having completed his task, Kitagawa Ryo also planning to leave. After all, the thought of Shiina Hiyori and this culinary novice being alone in his room's kitchen made him a little uneasy.

Considering his stomach condition that evening, he decided to go back and try again.

"... Don't go."

However, Horikita Suzune tugged at Kitagawa Ryo's sleeve.

Her other hand was holding the phone, her fingers resting on the green call button.

For the first time, Horikita Suzune showed a vulnerable side in front of Kitagawa Ryo; the trembling of her fingers crept up her clothes.

Stripped of its outer disguise, what is now revealed to Kitagawa Ryo is simply a little girl stumbling and running towards a figure that is forever out of reach in her memories.

Please stay here.

"... Give me courage."

Chapter Sixty-Two: Each Person's Resolve

"How long has it been since you spoke to him alone? You're so scared."

"Your brother isn't some man-eating demon."

Kitagawa Ryo tried his best to ease Horikita Suzune's tension with a teasing tone, but she still clung to his clothes like a child. This subtle gesture had already attracted attention, so Kitagawa Ryo could only sit back down in his seat.

"It's been about three years."

Horikita Suzune said that even if you subtract the two years she spent in Horikita Manabu, she still hadn't communicated with the other person for almost a whole year.

For the past three years, she has only been following a phantom.

"Actually, when my brother first found out that I had also applied to this school, he sent me a message telling me to give it up."

Horikita Suzune lowered her head and said softly:

"I just didn't listen at the time."

"I think that's probably why he doesn't want to see me."

Even though we're in the same high school, we still feel a great distance between us, like the chasm between Class D and Class A right now.

"I've already dialed the number for you."

Kitagawa Ryo had already witnessed the twisted relationship between the two during the last simulation, so he didn't want to listen to it again. He simply snatched Horikita Suzune's phone and dialed Horikita Manabu's number.

"Eh eh eh eh?"

Startled, Horikita Suzune held the phone Kitagawa Ryo had thrown back at her, unsure whether to hang up or listen, like holding a hot potato, shifting it back and forth between her two hands.

"Hello."

The call wasn't hung up or unanswered as Horikita Suzune had hoped. After about twenty seconds, a steady male voice came from the other end of the receiver.

"Ah, um, brother."

Since things had come to this, Horikita Suzune had no choice but to bite the bullet and offer her greetings.

"Suzune?"

She heard the sound of papers being turned over on the other end. Horikita Suzune felt a little annoyed, thinking that her brother might be working on something. After all, he was different from her; he was both the Leader of Class 3-A and the president of the Student Council. She should have chosen a better time to call him.

Kitagawa Ryo leaned back in his chair, watching the siblings' conversation with a leisurely air.

If Horikita Suzune suggested that she wanted to get back together with Horikita Manabu, he was sure she would hang up the phone without hesitation.

Given that Horikita Manabu could ignore Horikita Suzune for three years, it's not surprising that he would do something like this.

Therefore, Horikita Suzune's next statement will be quite important.

In fact, Kitagawa Ryo himself was also somewhat curious about what Horikita Suzune would Horikita Manabu. Unlike Horikita Suzune in the last simulation, who was influenced by him early on, Horikita Suzune in this timeline had already come this far on the path of following Horikita Manabu. Her vision was narrowed because she only looked at the back of one person. But if Kitagawa Ryo were to define her, the current Horikita Suzune was actually someone who stayed in her own comfort zone.

Over time, she had become accustomed to this distorted way of life, which was why she couldn't truly lead Class D. In her eyes, the people and things in Class D were merely tools to prove herself to Horikita Manabu. If Horikita Suzune really wanted to make a change, she would have to overturn everything from her past.

Denying one's past is an extremely difficult thing.

"I want to ask my brother about the upcoming Sports Festival."

Horikita Suzune's answer seemed to surprise Horikita Manabu slightly as well:

"Then what?"

He gestured for Horikita Suzune to continue.

"If you're looking for inside information from me, then I can tell you right now, that's a waste of your time."

"No, I never thought of... asking my brother for something like that."

Horikita Suzune reminisced about everything that had happened this semester, from being unfairly assigned to the bottom-ranked Class D, to being deceived by Kitagawa Ryo and losing her hard-earned position as the Leader Class D, to being deceived by Kitagawa Ryo again on the Uninhabited Island and losing Class Points, and then to the helplessness in the Werewolf game.

Even the goldfish she couldn't catch last night appeared before her eyes.

Horikita Suzune has always lived in a state of failure. Although she is determined to surpass her brother, she considers Horikita Manabu to be her eternal goal.

But the moment the word "forever" was uttered, it was already a surrender.