Chapter 35

"There must be some mistake. I will definitely be promoted to Class A, and then..." "It's useless." Manabu Horikita ruthlessly interrupted his sister's grand declaration, striking her down without a shred of mercy: "Not only will you fail to reach Class A on your own, but you might even cause the class to collapse. This school is not as simple as you think." "I will absolutely be promoted to Class A." Manabu Horikita sighed and adjusted his glasses. Partly because his sister remained as stubborn as ever, and partly because Yuan Yuyuan, who had agreed to help, was now standing on the sidelines watching the show. But since he was already in too deep to back out, he had to resort to force: "Didn't I tell you that's impossible? Your temper really hasn't changed at all." Just then, Yuan Yuyuan moved. He blocked Manabu Horikita's path forward and spoke toward the corner behind Horikita Suzune: "Come out. If I'm not mistaken, it's Ayanokoji, right?" A person walked out from the corner; it was indeed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Whether it was because he lacked such emotions or otherwise, he didn't seem surprised at being discovered: "Sorry, I was just passing by." Yuan Yuyuan wasn't fooled. This guy had been "passing by" from start to finish; at the very least, he was here to eavesdrop. It wasn't as if he were possessed by Sakanayanagi and couldn't move his feet, right? "What a coincidence. I thought Suzune had specifically brought her only friend as backup. It seems I was overthinking it." But he immediately turned to output his frustration at Manabu Horikita. There was no helping it; he had been too engrossed in watching, and to prevent Manabu Horikita from accusing him of slacking off, he had to contribute something now. "I should say the same to you. How could you do this without confirming if there were any accomplices? I don't want tomorrow's headlines to read: 'Student Council President commits such acts against a freshman, while the Vice President stands by and watches without intervening.'" Manabu Horikita understood the implication. He also realized this was a perfect opportunity to shatter his sister's fixed impressions, so he went along with Yuan Yuyuan's criticism. "You're right." Seeing Horikita Suzune appear dazed, he raised his voice slightly: "If others were to see this situation, the consequences would be unimaginable." "Um..." Ayanokoji didn't know if he should interrupt the two, but he felt his presence here was somewhat inappropriate. "About the accomplice thing, I really was just passing by. If there's nothing else, I'll be going." Seeing Manabu Horikita still staring at his stunned sister, Yuan Yuyuan, the only one on the scene capable of speaking, opened his mouth: "Fine, but next time, Ayanokoji-kun, you must discard your emotions as usual. Your curiosity almost caused us to misunderstand Suzune." "I'm truly sorry about that. Then, I shall take my leave." After Ayanokoji left, the Horikita siblings were still staring at each other and the floor. Yuan Yuyuan finally couldn't take it anymore. "Are you two okay? The person is gone; it's time for you to come back to your senses." Horikita Suzune finally snapped out of it, looking at Yuan Yuyuan and Manabu Horikita with innocent eyes. She pursed her lips, not knowing what to say, and could only continue staring at the ground. Manabu Horikita, at least, knew how to speak. "Although I noticed it back then, I really didn't expect you to have a friend, Suzune. Even now, it surprises me." "Ayanokoji? We're just classmates..." "You're still the same as before, misunderstanding the meaning of being aloof and being lonely." Manabu Horikita shook his head and walked straight toward the exit, muttering: "If you want to advance to a higher class, then struggle with all your might." Manabu Horikita left behind a distressed Horikita Suzune and an envious Yuan Yuyuan, walking away without looking back. Damn it, he finished his scene and still left behind such a cool line, and Horikita Suzune actually played along. If it were her... that girl would definitely have roasted him mercilessly at a time like this. Although Yuan Yuyuan was jealous, he didn't forget his mission and said to the dejected Horikita Suzune: "Want to talk?" Horikita Suzune didn't speak, silently walking toward the dormitory entrance. The two sat on a bench at the entrance. "My brother... why was he with you?" "I was entrusted by someone to come and smooth things over between you two." Horikita Suzune doubted her own hearing, frowning as she looked at Yuan Yuyuan. "Who?" "Can't you guess, Suzune? Or do you find it hard to believe?" Seeing Horikita Suzune fall silent again, Yuan Yuyuan said in frustration: "Idiot, it's your brother, the third-year Class A student, Manabu Horikita." "Don't mess with me..." "Suzune." Yuan Yuyuan mimicked Manabu Horikita's tone to interrupt her. Seeing Horikita Suzune, who usually acted like a high-and-mighty flower, looking so weak and vulnerable, he was truly angry at her lack of resolve. Could she wait until he finished his scene before wallowing in self-pity? "I've heard about your situation, but after seeing your performance, there's one thing I don't understand. Do you imitate him because of an inferiority complex? Or do you think he can never be wrong?" "I don't know... My brother has always been so excellent since we were young, while I seem unable to do anything. That's why I thought that as long as I learned to solve problems just like my brother, it would be enough..." Yuan Yuyuan understood a little now, but there was still one thing he didn't get. "But you're two years younger than him. Did you do his homework? Or is it because you can't go to the bathroom by yourself..." Seeing Horikita Suzune's gaze turn dangerous, Yuan Yuyuan quickly said something she would like to hear: "Do you know how he evaluates you in private? He said Suzune is a shining raw gemstone, possessing even greater potential than him." "Really? Did my brother really say that?" "Why would I lie to you? Otherwise, why would I be here? You have no idea what he looked like when he came to find me. Tsk, like a 50-year-old man who hasn't married yet, being forced into blind dates by his elderly parents." "Is that any way to talk?" Horikita Suzune thought about the scene he described and couldn't help but laugh. "So, it really was my brother who asked you to find me?" "Really, really. Actually, you've misunderstood him all along. He's just an awkward brother who dotes on his sister but can't bring himself to show it. Everything he did was in the hope that you would know when to retreat." "Why? I want to be as strong as him. No matter what problem he encounters, he handles it with ease, while I..." These words reminded Yuan Yuyuan of his own sister. Yuye had once said something similar. "Because you're his sister." Yuan Yuyuan patted Horikita Suzune's head. "I also have a sister. She's only a year younger than me. Our relationship has always been good, but like you, she always takes her brother as her life goal, hoping one day to surpass me." "But I don't want her to do that. It's not because I can't accept her being stronger than me, but because it's too hard. I'm the only one who knows how much effort it took to get here. I see her hard work, but the result... isn't very ideal. I foresaw this situation from the very beginning, but could I say it? To you little sisters in the rebellious phase, such words sound like looking down on you." These words touched Horikita Suzune. She thought back to how Manabu Horikita's advice hadn't made her turn back, but instead made her sink deeper, trapped in profound self-doubt.