Defeat Magic with Magic

Kitagawa Ryo said calmly, arms crossed.

"You've already achieved a fourth dan in Aikido and a fifth dan in Karate. Suzune, you should start by practicing Aikido."

"The Aikido will end around 11 o'clock. Suzune needs to learn to make her own lunchbox for tomorrow."

"Take a shower and go to bed before midnight. I'll wake you up for a morning run at six tomorrow morning."

"You're Horikita Manabu sister, you should be able to do it, right?"

The boy smiled.

Chapter Twenty: Defeat Magic with Magic

Horikita Manabu, his older brother, is a genius.

From the time Horikita Suzune could remember, the people around her had been saying these things: her older brother, Horikita Manabu, who was two years older than her, could do anything, and he quickly became a role model.

Soon, Horikita Suzune also gradually realized this. Like a newly ordained monk, she struck a wooden fish and chanted scriptures, telling herself this over and over again.

Horikita Manabu, her older brother, is a genius.

She is the younger sister of a genius.

This idea was ingrained in Horikita Suzune like a solid foundation brick.

However, Horikita Suzune and Horikita Manabu didn't have much contact. It seemed that he was intentionally avoiding her, as he went to study in another city alone at a young age. The two only occasionally exchanged a few words during family gatherings.

I like long hair.

Although she had almost forgotten the origin of the topic, Horikita Manabu's words remained deeply etched in Horikita Suzune's mind.

Horikita Suzune felt as if she had suddenly had an epiphany. Since everyone acknowledged her genius-like brother, all she had to do was imitate his every move and take his preferences and beliefs as the guiding principles of her life.

If my brother is right, then I, by following him, cannot be wrong.

Horikita Suzune began to grow her hair long; she seemed to be born with long hair, but Horikita Manabu never saw it with his own eyes until her jet-black hair reached her waist.

"Suzune, hurry up! There are only five minutes left!"

Horikita Suzune was grooming her long hair in front of the mirror. Although girls often envied such long hair, combing and maintaining it every morning was extremely troublesome. Even though Horikita Suzune was already very skilled at it, she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed when she heard Kitagawa Ryo's urging voice outside the door.

But she couldn't say anything, because every item on the schedule was something they had decided together.

Piano, cooking, Aikido...

Each training exercise is like a brick; simply stack them up to form steps, and Horikita Suzune can climb step by step until she catches up with Horikita Manabu.

Horikita Suzune straightened her bangs. The girl in the mirror tilted her head, her beautiful long hair swaying slightly, showing the most youthful vitality. However, she didn't really care about any of this. Her long hair was essentially no different from the subjects and skills she was learning.

I neither love nor hate it, just like mechanically stuffing coins into a piggy bank.

"Here's your bento. Remember to get a good nap during your lunch break; you have an Aikido class this afternoon."

Kitagawa Ryo handed the already packed lunchbox to Horikita Suzune urged her to go to school.

Actually, Horikita Suzune herself was a little curious about what Kitagawa Ryo did on weekdays when he didn't go to school, but it had nothing to do with her. Occasionally, she would ask him a couple of questions indirectly, but he would always shut her down.

Have a safe trip, bye!

"Your hairstyle looks great today."

Kitagawa Ryo waved to Horikita Suzune, who had already changed her shoes, with the door half-open. Horikita Suzune didn't really know what was different about her hairstyle today, so she nodded in confusion.

To her surprise, after hearing Kitagawa Ryo's praise, a light and subtle joy swept through her heart, like a sharp knife that only cut through the outermost layer of skin, without pain or bleeding.

The day's classes ended quickly. Horikita Suzune hadn't joined any clubs. Apart from a few members of the Go-Home Club who were still lazily chatting and packing their bags, the rest of the students had long since dispersed and regrouped in the corridor as [acquaintances], [friends], and [club members].

Horikita Suzune was squeezed alone in these circles, as if she were the only one left out. After school, the campus was full of students and bicycle wheels. She walked straight out of the twilight and out of the crowd towards the school gate.

"They came out a little slowly."

But today was the first time Horikita Suzune was spoken to. Kitagawa Ryo was standing by the school gate, leaning against a tree, waving in Horikita Suzune's direction.

Horikita Suzune paused for a moment, but continued walking towards Kitagawa Ryo. The first thing she noticed was the small stack of business cards and a piece of paper in the other person's hand, which seemed to have a string of numbers written on it, like contact information.

"Is this how Liang Tian earns his income while he's at home doing nothing all day?"

"Slandering my brother is not allowed, not even if he's my cousin."

Kitagawa Ryo casually tossed the various business cards and slips of paper handed to him by talent scouts, female students, and even students' parents into the nearby trash can.

"Let's go home quickly, today's classes were tough."

Horikita Suzune saw Kitagawa Ryo leaning closer to take the bag from her hand and instinctively took a half step back.

"... I can do it all by myself."

She had already noticed that many eyes were focused on this place. After all, Kitagawa Ryo had a face that he could easily support himself on, and Horikita Suzune felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

I even have a feeling that I'll hear all sorts of rumors and gossip in class tomorrow.

However, these things are not important.

Horikita Suzune was well aware of her classmates' attitudes towards her; it was nothing more than the instinctive jealousy that people feel towards excellence. They didn't hate her as an individual, but rather the talent and excellence she represented.

After all, what humans love to do most is trample on the more base things and pull down the higher ones.

Let's go.

Horikita Suzune raised her little face.

"Alright, that concludes today's Aikido lesson."

Kitagawa Ryo clapped his hands, and Horikita Suzune, who was standing opposite him, finally relaxed after hearing this. A sense of exhaustion that surged from the depths of her soul instantly overwhelmed her, and she almost collapsed to the ground.

"Go take a bath first. I'll cook dinner while you're in the bath, then eat after you've finished. After dinner, do two sets of practice tests, then practice Tea Ceremony, play the piano before bed, and then make tomorrow's bento before going to sleep."

However, Kitagawa Ryo showed no intention of helping her up or showing any concern. Like a rigid instructor, he casually assigned Horikita Suzune the remaining lessons for the day.

"Call."

Horikita Suzune let out a heavy breath. She felt a soreness in all her muscles. During the sparring session, she had a deep understanding of the gap between herself and her opponent.

However, according to Kitagawa Ryo, Horikita Manabu's fighting skills are even better than his.

Keep trying.

"After all, this is the kind of younger sister Xue wants."

"When Suzune has grown up enough, I can take you to Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School."

Kitagawa Ryo said this before leaving the room.

"Isn't Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School a fully enclosed management system?"

Horikita Suzune paused, then asked with some confusion.

"This November, Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School will be holding Cultural Festival, and some restrictions will be relaxed then."

Kitagawa Ryo casually waved his hand:

"Of course, Suzune still needs to work hard."

"After all, you are Horikita Manabu's younger sister. As Manabu's defeated opponent, I am very much looking forward to seeing that guy defeated by his own sister. That's why I came to find you."

Horikita Suzune nodded in agreement while rubbing her calves.

Although Kitagawa Ryo was right, she still felt a fleeting sense of annoyance when she heard "that's why you came."

Kitagawa Ryo didn't care about himself; he just wanted to train himself to be someone who could defeat Horikita Manabu.

Although the two of them shared similar ideas, which was why Horikita Suzune initially agreed to the relationship, after spending a few weeks together, she began to have some reservations.

Feeling the heat of the water from the lotus seedpod touching her skin, Horikita Suzune instinctively shivered before quietly closing her eyes and enjoying the wash of the hot water.

"I'll be making some dishes tonight to help relieve fatigue. Does Suzune do anything she shouldn't eat?"

Through the frosted glass, Horikita Suzune heard Kitagawa Ryo's voice outside the door.

"No."

She paused for a moment before continuing:

"This is troublesome."

"OK."

A misty fog rolled in, and it seemed that Kitagawa Ryo had already left.

"Call"

Taking a deep breath, Horikita Suzune silently squatted down on the ground, letting the hot water pour over her head.

Her clear eyes looked up to see a blank white ceiling. Her wet hair clung to her face. Horikita Suzune stood up and pushed aside the shampoo on the shelf next to her.

She gently stroked her long hair with her palms and fingers, as if washing each strand clean.

Spinach with sesame seeds.

Kitagawa Ryo placed the cold appetizer in front of Horikita Suzune as an appetizer.

Horikita Suzune, who had just come out of the bathroom, had skin that was usually sickly pale, but was now slightly flushed, proving that her body had been thoroughly warmed.

Her waist-length black hair cascaded down her back, still damp with moisture, its color as black as a raven's wet feathers.

Her purplish-red eyes, seemingly capable of reflecting the light of the world, shimmered with a watery sheen, while her moist lips also radiated a dewy glow.

Horikita Suzune ate slowly and deliberately; the simple combination and the final taste of the dish quickly won over her taste buds.

The next main course served was Tom Yum. Horikita Suzune had learned about this famous Thai dish before and had even tried making it herself, but neither its color nor its aroma could compare to Kitagawa Ryo's.

The only thing that surprised Horikita Suzune was that the person in front of Kitagawa Ryo seemed a little different from herself.

Noticing Horikita Suzune's somewhat puzzled look, Kitagawa Ryo took the initiative to explain:

"The balance of sour and spicy flavors is not right, and I didn't add cilantro; I don't like that."

"Oh."

Horikita Suzune hummed in agreement, then continued to focus on the dish in front of her.

Finally, dessert was served: a small but exquisite mousse cake.

"Consuming sweet flavors can bring feelings of happiness."

Although Horikita Suzune didn't know what happiness was, her body still honestly finished eating.

"Alright, now it's time to do the test."

After cleaning up the dishes, Kitagawa Ryo checked his phone:

"Start the timer now. I'll come back to collect the first set in an hour and a half."

Now, Horikita Suzune understands what "misfortune" truly means.

Three hours later, Horikita Suzune yawned as she looked at Kitagawa Ryo, who was grading her paper.

"Feeling sleepy? Go brew a pot of tea, and you won't feel sleepy while doing things."

"I'm grading your paper to make time for you to practice the Tea Ceremony. Back in the day, when the Horikita family entertained guests, they always had the student take the initiative to brew and serve tea to them."

"I've already boiled the water. Just do it the way I taught you."

Kitagawa Ryo glanced sideways at Horikita Suzune.

Horikita Suzune had no choice but to take out a complete tea set and tea leaves from the cupboard. Sure enough, there was a kettle of freshly boiled water in the kitchen. She picked up the kettle and began to scald the teapot, warm the cups, dry the teapot, put in the tea, roast the tea, and pour in the water... The boiling water poured into the teacups, and soon steam and aroma filled the air, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

It took her almost a week to learn just this one set of movements.

Although Horikita Suzune didn't understand why she had to learn this, even though there were no guests at home.

"Have some tea."

After serving the brewed tea to Kitagawa Ryo, Horikita Suzune pulled up a chair and sat down beside him, propping her head up as she watched Kitagawa Ryo grade exam papers under the lamplight.

It seems that all I've done so far is make tea for Liang alone.

This was a rare moment of relaxation in the day. Under the soft yellow light, Horikita Suzune's eyes shone with a sense of ease and comfort, and a rare, gentle smile graced her delicate face.

"You've made great progress recently."

However, this warm atmosphere was quickly interrupted by Kitagawa Ryo's remarks.

"You're already very close to them in terms of learning; you can start working on the next project to improve and catch up."