Horikita, you wouldn't want others to find out about your brother complex, would you!

The man was about 170 centimeters tall, roughly the same height as Ju Fan, and not particularly imposing. Above his slender frame was a head of clean, black hair. Through his sharp-rimmed glasses, one could catch a glimpse of eyes brimming with intellect.

That was Horikita Manabu, the older brother of Horikita Suzune, who was currently gazing down at the first-year students with a composed demeanor. He seemed to be waiting for them to quiet down.

But the first-year students misunderstood his intentions.

"Good luck!"

"Are there no handouts?"

"Hahahaha."

Such voices drifted from among the first-years, yet the senior standing on the stage remained unmoved. He simply stood there, as if the laughter and encouragement hadn't reached him at all.

It wasn't until the laughter reached its peak and began to die down that silence finally took hold.

"What is that guy doing?"

At this moment, someone finally sensed that something was wrong; a nervous person wouldn't be able to appear that calm.

An incredible silence permeated the entire gymnasium, so oppressive that it felt impossible to speak. This atmosphere lasted for half a minute, and after Horikita Manabu scanned the room, he finally began his speech.

"I am the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu. With the graduation of the seniors, the student council is once again recruiting candidates from the first-year students."

"There are no special requirements for candidates, but if anyone is considering running for the student council, please refrain from joining other clubs. In principle, we do not accept those who wish to juggle other club activities with the student council."

His tone was soft, yet it created a tension that felt like it was piercing the skin; he alone had silenced everyone in the gymnasium. This ability to control the atmosphere was just like a larger version of Horikita Suzune. Though, they were indeed family.

"Furthermore... we in the student council do not want those who harbor naive thoughts to run. Such people will not only fail to be elected but will also leave a stain on this school. Our school's student council is highly anticipated precisely because it is endowed with the power and mission to change school regulations. We welcome those who can understand this."

After finishing his fluent speech, he stepped down directly and walked out of the gymnasium. His words revealed one thing: the Student Council President had the authority to change the rules within this school.

"If there are no restrictions, it wouldn't be impossible to turn this entire school into my own personal harem. Joining the student council really does seem like a good choice."

"If you harbor such thoughts, I advise you not to join the student council. Someone like you would be eliminated immediately."

Horikita's sarcastic voice reached his ears; it seemed that now that her brother had left, she had returned to normal. However, Ju Fan had accidentally voiced his inner thoughts, a sign that he had let his guard down.

"Thank you all for your hard work; the orientation ends here. We will now begin accepting club membership applications. Additionally, since the application period will run until the end of April, students who wish to apply later should take their application forms directly to the club they wish to join."

After the host finished her closing remarks, the third-year students representing the clubs began accepting applications.

"Shinomiya, can you accompany me to find someone?"

At this moment, Horikita's voice trembled, like an injured puppy seeking his help. This showed just how out of control her emotions were; she would never have shown such an expression before.

"Is it the Student Council President from earlier?"

"Yes, that... my brother. I have something I want to say to him. So, please come with me."

Horikita's eyes were filled with trust in Ju Fan, as if she were certain he would agree to her request. That was likely why she had reached out to him for help.

Since Horikita trusted him so much, he wouldn't let that sentiment go to waste.

"Of course. Besides, you accompanied me here this time, Horikita. Reciprocity is only natural, and I'd like to see what kind of person the Student Council President really is."

Afterward, Ju Fan and Horikita headed toward the back exit of the gymnasium, the same direction the Student Council President had taken after stepping off the stage.

Things took an unexpected turn; when Ju Fan and Horikita stepped out of the gymnasium, Horikita Manabu was actually standing under a large tree outside, as if waiting for someone. Beside him stood the cute host from earlier—the student council secretary, Tachibana.

"So you really did follow, Suzune... and who is this?"

As if he had anticipated that Horikita Suzune would follow, Horikita Manabu turned around at the perfect moment. However, when he saw Ju Fan accompanying her, a flash of surprise appeared on his face for an instant. A cold glint flickered in his eyes, giving Ju Fan a sense of danger.

It seemed he had also witnessed Ju Fan's prank on Horikita Suzune earlier. After all, just like Horikita Suzune, who had been staring at him, he had clearly noticed her presence at the time.

"Shinomiya Ju Fan is also a student in Class D."

After Horikita Manabu posed his question, Tachibana immediately provided Ju Fan's information. The two worked together seamlessly, as if they had prepared for this long ago. Of course, it was also possible that Tachibana simply had a good memory and had memorized the information of every student in the school.

"Brother, I want to join the student council."

Horikita Suzune stated her purpose for coming here right away. Ju Fan understood; as a younger sister, she wanted to walk the same path as her brother.

"Give up, Suzune. You do not meet the requirements to enter the student council. That you, my sister, have been placed in Class D is already a stain on my reputation. I advise you to drop out."

Faced with his sister's request, Horikita Manabu not only refused but spoke harsh words. Yet, there was an underlying meaning: he wanted Horikita Suzune to leave Class D and strive to promote to Class A.

Seemingly harsh but actually caring for his sister, Horikita Manabu's personality was, in some respects, a bit twisted. One could tell this by looking at Tachibana, who had been watching the two of them silently with a smile from the side.

"I will promote to Class A soon, Brother. By then..."

"Hmph, you'd better do your best. Tachibana, let's go."

"Understood, President."

Ignoring Horikita Suzune, who was desperately trying to explain herself, Horikita Manabu called for Tachibana and left, as if he had lost interest.

Perhaps Horikita Suzune, lost in her own world, didn't see it, but Ju Fan saw it clearly: as they were leaving, Tachibana suddenly turned back and gave them a gesture of encouragement, though it wasn't clear what she was cheering for.

Moreover, when Horikita Suzune said she would promote from Class D to Class A, Horikita Manabu hadn't refuted her or said she couldn't do it; instead, he told her to do her best. Was the Student Council President specifically here to remind her? He really was a person with a twisted personality. If he wanted to encourage his sister, why not just say it? Doing it this way made it easy for people to misunderstand, and wasn't Horikita Suzune already misunderstanding it now?

"Hey, Horikita, are you alright? Honestly, the Student Council President was too harsh. There must have been a better way to express himself."

Ju Fan steadied Horikita, who was so shaken she couldn't stand straight, like a newborn fawn.

"I'm fine, I'm okay. I must promote from Class D to Class A; I absolutely cannot be a stain on my brother. Shinomiya, please help me."

"Ah, that was something we agreed on long ago, wasn't it? We've been partners for a while now. But wait, were you a brother-con all along, Horikita? Haha... I've learned something interesting. You wouldn't want others to know you're a brother-con, would you? If so, then be a good girl and... Pfft!"

"Shinomiya, are you challenging the limits of my patience? I really will hit you, you know."

"Haven't you already hit me... though, since you still have the strength to strike, it seems you're doing just fine."

I have to admit, despite how badly Horikita was crushed by her brother, her recovery speed is truly impressive. Perhaps it's because she grew up in a strict household, but her psychological resilience is remarkably strong.

Still, I'll need to apply some ointment once I get back. That punch Horikita landed on my stomach was delivered without a shred of mercy. It's probably already swollen; honestly, haven't I been hit a bit too many times today? Though, I suppose that's partly my own fault for asking for it.

"Shinomiya, this is for you."

"Is this anti-swelling and pain-relief medicine? Why do you carry something like this around with you, Horikita?"

"Well, Shinomiya, your personality is so atrocious. I was certain you would need it sooner or later, and now it's come in handy. Thanks for today, see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

Something about Horikita Suzune seems to have changed, though Ju Ji can't quite put his finger on it. But Horikita Suzune's favorability has reached 50 (perhaps she could become a regular friend of the opposite sex)...