Brother's Words

Though he'd just been thrown to the ground moments ago, he could now recruit the other party with a perfectly composed expression.

There really was still much about his brother worth learning from.

"Sorry, I'm not really interested in that."

Suzuki Tsubame spread his hands—he had no reason to join the Student Council.

If it was just for Tachibana Akane's sake, that didn't seem necessary either.

After all, the one she had her heart set on didn't seem to have that kind of interest.

"Is that so... Well, if you ever change your mind, you can come find me anytime."

"Then, what are your thoughts on this school? Whether it's the students or the rules, tell me your take."

Horikita Manabu's real intention wasn't simply to hear Suzuki Tsubame's impressions of the school.

He was trying to remind his foolish sister that this school was far more complicated than she imagined.

"Uh, the rules are okay, and the student quality is pretty high overall, especially the girls—they're all really pretty."

"Of course, Suzune is definitely the prettiest of them all."

One of them.

Heh, Suzuki Tsubame didn't dare say those last two words out loud.

"Is that so."

Faced with Suzuki Tsubame's impenetrable attitude, Horikita Manabu had no way to force him—he couldn't exactly compel him to speak.

He glanced again at his sister, frozen in place.

Horikita Manabu only felt a headache coming on.

But at the same time, he felt immensely proud of this sister of his.

Whether it was academics, housekeeping, or physical ability, as a woman, she had grown into someone beyond reproach.

"Suzune, I hope you'll take care of yourself."

"I'll prove it to you, brother. I will definitely advance to Class A!"

Is that what I was trying to say? Did you really understand?

Looking at Suzune's determined expression, Horikita Manabu's feelings were quite complicated at that moment.

"Don't worry about Suzune. Before she grows up... no, no matter when or where, I won't let Suzune fall into danger."

Suzuki Tsubame assured him.

Hearing this, the expression on Horikita Manabu's face grew even more complicated.

What the hell...

After a moment, Horikita Manabu's expression eased slightly.

For now, Suzuki Tsubame did seem like someone worth entrusting her to.

Of course, it wasn't because he couldn't beat him—it was simply because he trusted his own judgment.

"I hope you both gain something from this school."

That was Horikita Manabu's last words for the night.

Parting ways with Horikita Manabu, neither of them chose to retrace the path they'd come from.

They walked slowly along the coastline.

The soft warm lights by the roadside, paired with the pale blue moonlight, were like fireflies under a starry night, dancing lightly in the low air.

Even though he'd long witnessed its vastness, seeing it again still left him awed by its boundlessness.

The sea, oh the sea, why do you have so much water.

Advanced Nurturing truly lived up to being the school in the Classroom of the Elite world where the children of wealthy conglomerates gathered.

Surrounded by the sea on three sides, aside from the school gate, every other direction was an endless expanse of ocean.

Though located in Tokyo, where land was worth its weight in gold, the school grounds were not only absurdly large—its facilities and staff were all fully equipped.

Everything inside existed solely to serve 480 students.

Suzuki Tsubame couldn't help but sigh again at how formidable the Sakayanagi family's power really was.

Wait... had he forgotten to squeeze something out of the Student Council President?

President, you wouldn't want this video to end up online, would you?

Just as Suzuki Tsubame was letting his mind wander, Horikita beside him looked a bit listless, weighed down by something.

The pressure Horikita Manabu had put on her earlier was no small thing.

Suzuki Tsubame felt it was time to guide her a little.

"Suzune, what do you think about what happened today?"

"The events of today? You mean Sudo this afternoon, or the promise with my brother."

Horikita Suzune looked puzzled.

"You mean the part where I swore to my brother that I would definitely rise to Class A?"

"Honestly... I have no clue right now. Whether it's personal points or class points, the known conditions are too few."

"Aside from taking things one step at a time, it feels like there's nothing I can do."

Her expression was somewhat dejected, having just boasted to her brother moments ago.

But... surpassing Class A in class points and needing 20 million personal points—for her current self, it was far too difficult.

Seeing her so downcast, it was clear she had misunderstood your brother's words again. Your brother never once said you had to rise to Class A.

Sigh, no choice. I'll have to interpret it for you.

"Suzune, President Horikita never said from start to finish that you had to rise to Class A, did he?"

Huh?

Horikita's mind went blank.

Recalling her brother's words just now:

Deficient areas... D-class sister... disgrace... expulsion.

Didn't those words mean he wanted her to rise to Class A?

The more she thought, the more confused she became. Her brother's words were always so profound; she simply couldn't figure them out.

With that in mind, Horikita countered:

"Then what do you think... my brother meant by that?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Horikita regretted it.

Even she, his own sister, was baffled—how could Suzuki Tsubame, an outsider, possibly know?

Suzuki Tsubame had no idea she was thinking that, and even if he did, he would only smile dismissively.

The onlooker sees the game best; the player is lost in the fog. Besides, he was very clear on the events between the Horikita siblings.

"Your abilities—your brother, of all people, knows them best."

"The reason your brother is angry has never been because you're in Class D, but why you're in Class D."

Suzuki Tsubame's words made Horikita immediately reflect on herself.

That's right. She had excelled academically since childhood and mastered various skills well.

A well-rounded development in intellect, physique, aesthetics, and labor.

Her brother knew all this.

The reason she was placed in Class D—Suzuki Tsubame had mentioned it—seemed to be because of her solitary personality.

What kind of lame reason was that? Was her brother angry for this reason?

Horikita Suzune was deeply puzzled. Hadn't her brother been the same way before?

She'd never seen him make friends either. Why would he be angry about it?

Horikita's inner confusion grew, her doubts and bewilderment written all over her face.

"Suzune, I've heard about it, you know. The Class A led by President Horikita has kept the other three classes down for these two years, unable to lift their heads."

The Class A led by her brother?

She seemed to have caught a key point. Even someone as strong as her brother needed to lead a class to suppress others. It seemed she needed to find more help.

Wait!

She had long known about the exam's existence. Though it wasn't a behavioral exam, it was enough to alert everyone.

And it was because of her selfishness that the class points were now completely depleted.

Horikita's face was full of regret.

If only she had known, she should have warned them earlier.

[Ding! Long-term quest: Solitary Maiden, completion: 50%. Reward: Plant Mastery. All plants existing on Earth—one glance is enough to understand their effects.]

The long-absent system notification sounded. It seemed Horikita was gradually coming to understand the meaning of companions.

Adjusting her mindset, Horikita turned her gaze to Suzuki Tsubame.

A cool, clear voice rang out:

"Suzuki, what do you think I should do?"