Horikita

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Horikita Suzune (堀北 鈴音)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Advanced Nurturing High School; Student Council
Occupation/Role	Student; Student Council Secretary
Status	Active
First Appearance	14

Background / History

Horikita entered Advanced Nurturing High School in Class D despite possessing exceptional academic and athletic ability. Her surname, similar hair and eye color to Student Council President Horikita Manabu, immediately connected her to her older brother in others' eyes. She initially pursued Class A chiefly to earn Manabu's recognition and modeled her idea of “excellence” after him. 17 21 74

At the beginning of the school year, she was isolated, rigid, and unable to build friendships. Manabu considered her unable to survive the school’s interpersonal challenges and was prepared to see her expelled unless she changed. 21

Her early clashes with Class D, particularly Sudo Ken, exposed her harsh communication style. She dismissed students she viewed as unwilling to work, often aggravating tensions rather than gaining cooperation. 19

After Class D’s midterm crisis, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka pushed her to lead the effort to save three failing classmates through Private Point contributions. Though initially resisted, Horikita argued that poor grades did not make classmates worthless, marking her first major attempt to act for the class rather than herself. 27 28

During the Uninhabited Island Exam, illness and Ibuki Mio’s attack forced Horikita to withdraw. Witnessing Class A’s unity afterward made her recognize the weakness of Class D’s cohesion and her own inability to lead solely through individual strength. 64 67 68 73

She later sought Shiraishi Makoto’s advice regarding Ayanokoji and her leadership. Accepting that she needed others’ support, she began learning to rely on allies instead of treating leadership as a solitary proof of worth. 73 74

Appearance

Horikita was initially known for her long black hair, worn to her waist with a braid tied by a bow on the right side. After a significant discussion with Manabu, she cut it into a short, neat style as a declaration of resolve. 73 202

• Long black hair prior to her second year, with a right-side braided bow. 73 202
• Short, refreshed haircut after deciding to stop living in Manabu’s shadow. 202
• Similar hair and eye colors to Horikita Manabu. 17
• Her expression became less icy and unapproachable after her change in outlook. 202

Personality

Horikita began as proud, aloof, and intensely single-minded. She valued ability and effort, but her blunt honesty often alienated classmates; she initially had no friends and preferred being alone. 19 21 49

She is highly determined and resilient. Even while feverish during the Uninhabited Island Exam, she refused to withdraw because of the point penalty, and she later faced Shiraishi directly to declare her intention to challenge him and reach Class A. 64 202

Over time, Horikita developed greater self-awareness and social consideration. She learned to acknowledge others’ strengths, use teamwork, accept help, and observe basic social courtesies such as reciprocating gifts. 74 102 167

Her romantic awareness remains notably underdeveloped. She initially refused Sudo Ken’s invitation to eat together without recognizing its implications, only understanding afterward that it was likely a date. 167 168

Abilities & Skills

Academic Ability

Horikita possesses top-tier academic performance and is considered exceptionally capable in ordinary assessments. Her ability to organize study plans and explain material makes her a key academic resource for her class. 17 38 135

• Developed a focused study method for struggling students: listen during class, identify gaps in understanding, and seek clarification during breaks. 38
• Prepared and organized notes for weaker classmates rather than having them copy material they could not understand. 38
• Her strong grades make ordinary academic expulsion highly unlikely. 135

Athletic Ability

Horikita has exceptional athletic ability and competes effectively in school events, though she can be defeated by better-informed specialists. 17 117 135

• Served as Class D’s final runner in the Sports Festival relay. 122
• Lost a hurdles event to Class C track-and-field member Yajima because Class D lacked detailed intelligence on her opponent. 117
• Fought Ibuki Mio after discovering the theft of Class D’s leader card, but was defeated while weakened by illness. 67

Analysis & Strategy

Horikita can identify inconsistencies and assess class-level problems, although she initially struggles when information is incomplete or when she relies too heavily on personal ability. 52 73 81

• Pressured Class C’s witnesses during the Sudo incident by exposing flaws in their claim that they could not seek help. 52
• Recognized Ayanokoji’s hidden influence after multiple Class D crises and the Uninhabited Island Exam. 73
• Identified the risks surrounding Nanase Tsubasa’s placement in Class D, reasoning that an exceptional student’s assignment likely had an underlying cause. 243 244
• Worked with Class A to revise Class D’s Sports Festival roster after discovering that the original lineup was no longer advantageous. 115

Leadership

Horikita gradually grew from an isolated aspirant into a recognized class leader capable of organizing classmates and making difficult decisions. 27 115 212

• Led Class D’s appeal for Private Point donations to prevent three classmates’ expulsions. 27 28
• Initiated tutoring efforts to improve struggling classmates’ academic performance. 38
• Took charge of Class D’s response to Sotomura Hideo’s betrayal and explained the circumstances of his expulsion to the class. 115 125
• Her rising influence was reflected when she received nineteen praise votes, placing third in her class. 212
• Made the decision to expel Sudo Ken following the secret-filming incident despite personally regretting it. 236

Relationships

• Horikita Manabu — Older brother and former Student Council President. His approval initially defined her ambitions, but she eventually began pursuing her own path. He remains concerned for her after graduation. 21 200 228
• Ayanokoji Kiyotaka — Classmate and covert strategic supporter. Horikita gradually realized he had influenced many of her decisions from behind the scenes and accepted that she needed his help. 27 73 74
• Shiraishi Makoto — Student Council colleague, rival, and mentor-like figure. Though his early schemes placed Class D under pressure, Horikita came to view him as someone testing and instructing her rather than a simple enemy. 25 73 74 202
• Sudo Ken — Initially hostile classmate whose temper she frequently provoked. She later tutored him, acknowledged his athletic strengths, and eventually expelled him over the secret-filming violation. 19 38 106 236
• Kushida Kikyo — Classmate with a strained relationship. Kushida harbored jealousy and hostility toward Horikita because they attended the same middle school, though Horikita was unaware of Kushida’s past incident. 135 167
• Hirata Yosuke — Classmate and fellow class representative. They collaborated on class matters, including the Sports Festival roster and later cross-grade activities. 115 240
• Ibuki Mio — Class C opponent who stole Class D’s leader card and defeated Horikita during the Uninhabited Island Exam while Horikita was ill. 67
• Nanase Tsubasa — First-year Student Council applicant whose unusually strong abilities and Class D placement made Horikita suspicious. 243 244

Story Role / Major Arcs

Class D’s Early Crisis

Horikita began as an isolated Class D student focused on proving herself through ability. Her hostility toward Sudo and inability to connect with classmates highlighted the personal flaws that threatened her position in the school. 19 21

Midterm Exam and Class D Reform

After Shiraishi’s exam-question trap endangered Sudo, Yamauchi, and Ike, Horikita led a campaign to gather Private Points and save them. The incident pushed her toward recognizing the value of each classmate beyond academic results. 25 27 28

Uninhabited Island Exam

Horikita served as Class D’s nominal leader but fell ill, lost the leader card to Ibuki, and was forced to withdraw. Class A’s cohesion and victory left her envious and convinced that her individualistic leadership approach had failed. 64 67 68 73

Student Council and Sports Festival

Shiraishi recruited Horikita into the Student Council, where she overcame her anxiety around Manabu and gained experience in schoolwide affairs. She then coordinated Class D’s revised Sports Festival roster and became increasingly composed in public leadership roles. 102 110 115 122

Independence from Manabu’s Shadow

Following Manabu’s birthday discussion with her, Horikita cut her hair and declared that she would challenge Shiraishi and lead her class to Class A—not merely to imitate her brother, but to grow through the challenge herself. 200 202

Second-Year Student Council Work

As Student Council Secretary, Horikita represented Second-Year Class C in the cross-grade exchange meeting and participated in evaluating Student Council applicants, including Nanase Tsubasa. 240 243 244

Trivia

• Horikita initially did not understand why Sudo’s invitation to share a meal might be romantic. 167
• She received a Christmas Eve apple from Shiraishi and promised to return the favor. 167
• Her haircut symbolized her decision to stop blindly pursuing Manabu’s image of excellence. 202