Soft and Mellow Suzune

At this moment.

Horikita Suzune was walking with her head down, carrying a shopping bag. She had just bought some affordable ingredients from the supermarket, clearly having no intention of eating out.

After all, she was more accustomed to cooking for herself.

It was cost-effective and healthy.

As for why she was looking down...

She was reflecting.

Reflecting on her uncharacteristic behavior throughout the entire day.

Why did she have such intense emotional fluctuations toward that bastard? Why did she feel... annoyed, even angry, at being forgotten?

This did not fit her style.

It must be that guy who disrupted my train of thought.

That's right.

It must be that.

Starting tomorrow, I must ignore his existence; I have to treat him like air.

Horikita Suzune decisively shifted the blame.

And made up her mind.

She feared this feeling of her heart being out of control.

Just then.

A familiar aura, one capable of making her DNA tremble, permeated the air without warning.

It was a—

Majestic and cold sense of oppression!

Horikita Suzune froze, her eyes widening immediately. Only one person in the world possessed this aura.

That was...

In an instant.

Horikita Suzune's body reacted faster than her brain. Her footsteps came to a sudden halt, her back stiffened, and she stood there timidly.

She slowly, bit by bit, lifted her head.

And then.

Horikita saw him.

She saw the man who was like a god, the one she had chased for over a decade, yet whose back she could never even touch.

"...Elder Brother?"

The air solidified.

Horikita Suzune's brain completely crashed.

Why.

Why is Elder Brother here?

Could it be that Brother came specifically to visit me?

No!

Now is not the time to think about that.

My hair! Is my hair messy? My uniform! Is my tie crooked? And...

My expression? My complexion? My etiquette?

In an instant.

Thousands of thoughts flooded her mind.

Her usual aloof posture and the coldness that kept others at a distance vanished without a trace at this moment.

"..."

Xu Nuo looked at her teasingly.

Watching the young girl perform a masterclass in changing expressions.

From shock, to panic, to being at a loss, and finally settling into a nervous and hurried look.

Oh my~

Suzune is truly cute!

If the people from Class D saw the ice-cold, sharp-tongued girl looking like this, their jaws would probably hit the floor.

At the same time.

Xu Nuo also felt a hint of regret.

What a pity, such a cute expression, yet it wasn't meant for me.

Following that.

He struck a pose.

Xu Nuo said nothing, merely fixing his emotionless eyes upon her with a cold, steady gaze.

The emotion conveyed was anything but kind.

In an instant.

The faint surprise was washed away, and Horikita Suzune immediately softened, walking over with hesitation and timidity.

One step, two steps...

Every step felt as if she were treading on the tips of blades.

Soon.

Horikita arrived before her "Elder Brother" and performed a perfectly standard, deep bow, her head lowered until it was almost buried in her chest. Her voice trembled with nervousness:

"E-Elder Brother, good afternoon!"

Good afternoon?

Xu Nuo blinked, looking up at the setting sun, and couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.

You call this good afternoon?

It's over!

Horikita Suzune was on the verge of tears inside.

"I..."

Her lips trembled slightly as she struggled to organize her thoughts, seemingly racking her brain for an excuse.

But.

Seeing that her "Elder Brother" remained indifferent.

Horikita Suzune steeled herself and poured out the fruits of her efforts, "I am already different from the past... I came to this school only to catch up to you, Elder Brother... I..."

However.

Her words were stuttering and incoherent.

The composure and logic she maintained daily shattered into dust in the face of her absolute idolization.

Unfortunately.

This clumsy report, filled with genuine sincerity, could not move "Horikita Manabu."

A voice devoid of warmth rang out, cutting off her next words almost brutally.

"Drop out, Suzune."

Though it was an intimate address, it was cold and emotionless, like a sharp scalpel dissecting all the girl's expectations and fantasies.

"Having a younger sister assigned to Class D is a disgrace to me. Leave this school at once!"

Class D?

Because... I am in Class D?

Horikita Suzune's brain stalled once again.

She stood there blankly, her expression lost and bewildered, completely unable to comprehend her brother's words.

Classes... weren't they assigned randomly?

What could that possibly mean?

Horikita Suzune could not understand.

"Drop out."

"You lack the strength and the qualifications to move forward."

Xu Nuo diligently finished his lines, feeling a surge of pleasure as he watched the girl's vacant expression.

Sure enough.

People never tire when they are doing something wicked.

Fortunately, most students were at the Gymnasium right now, and their current location was inconspicuous.

Hardly anyone noticed.

Otherwise.

There would likely be news tomorrow about the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, running off to bully a first-year student.

Without saying anything more.

"Horikita Manabu" maintained his icy expression, turned, and strode away, as if even glancing at his sister for one second longer was a waste of time.

That resolute back felt like a needle, piercing deeply into Horikita Suzune's numb heart.

No!

I cannot just... let Elder Brother leave like this.

At the very least.

I must make him understand my determination—

"Wait!"

Horikita Suzune bit her lower lip, her voice hoarse and trembling, yet carrying a conviction that refused to give up.

She did not reach out to grab the hem of his clothes.

She simply used every ounce of her strength to shout those words.

"I,"

"Will not drop out!"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but Horikita Suzune held her head high, stubbornly refusing to let herself cry.

"I will definitely be able to catch up to Elder Brother's footsteps, so..."

Before she could finish her sentence.

She saw that figure slowly turn back, and then... raise his right hand high.

The purpose of this action could not have been clearer—

A slap!

The air froze in that moment.

Would Brother Lu pop out to hit me right now?

I wouldn't be able to handle that.

Xu Nuo thought to himself, but clearly, that did not happen; the palm swung down without a shred of mercy.

"Swish—"

The wind whistled!

Horikita Suzune's breathing stalled. She instinctively tensed her entire body, but her feet felt as if they were nailed to the ground, unable to move a single step.

She simply watched as that palm grew larger and larger in her field of vision, approaching like a storm.

Dodge!

Her instincts were screaming frantically.

But her body made the most honest choice.

No!

I will not flee!

Horikita Suzune closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling with fear, bracing herself for the pain of that instant.

However.

The sharp pain the girl had anticipated did not arrive.

Instead.

A sensation... with a bit of weight and warmth, landed gently on the top of her head.

A large palm rested upon her head.

"Eh...?"

Horikita Suzune was stunned.

She stood rigid, filled with confusion and bewilderment, carefully opening her eyes to look around.

She saw.

Elder Brother had already retracted his hand at some point.

He had already walked quite far away.

Only his back remained.

"I like long, straight black hair; you are not allowed to cut it short."

"Eh eh—?!"

Isn't this character setting all wrong?