The Mastermind Behind the Scenes, Starting with *The Fruit of Grisaia*

Then came a colder male voice:

"I told you, do not do anything unnecessary."

Sakayanagi Arisu paused in her tracks.

She did not speak immediately, instead using her cane to gently tap the top of Su Wei's shoe.

"Say, Su Wei-kun."

"Although eavesdropping isn't very polite... it seems we've stumbled upon quite the scene."

Su Wei glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu, who was clearly treading lightly on purpose and even pulling him into the shadows.

"If you think eavesdropping is bad, then don't drag me into it."

He sighed, though he did not shake her off.

As the distance closed, the voices became clearer.

"It appears... to be Horikita-san!"

Sakayanagi Arisu covered her mouth in feigned surprise.

"Shh, be quiet," Su Wei reminded her.

"Prude."

Sakayanagi hummed softly, whispering in a breathy voice that only the two of them could hear:

"However..."

"What should I do now that I like you even more?"

Her warm breath brushed against his ear, carrying a faint, teasing quality.

Su Wei chose silence.

There is no reasoning with a woman; it is better to simply watch the show.

If he could, he would actually prefer to watch women fight, pulling hair and tearing clothes.

The identities of the two people around the corner were not hard to guess.

One of them was Horikita Suzune, who had parted ways with Su Wei not long ago.

The other, a black-haired man with glasses standing with his back to them, was naturally Horikita Suzune's older brother.

Horikita Manabu.

The Student Council President, the "human machine," a pure riddle-monger.

However, there were slight differences from the plot in Su Wei's memory.

This time, there was the miserable start of Class D's zero points, as well as the double setback of the Black Sphere exam.

The proud and arrogant girl seemed to have finally understood that empty words carry no weight.

Therefore.

The fact that she sought out Horikita Manabu this time was, in part, due to Su Wei.

She wanted to obtain the old answer sheets from the previous midterm exams from her brother, the Student Council President, and incidentally scout for information regarding the Black Sphere exam.

"...Buying test papers?"

Horikita Manabu turned around.

He looked down at his sister, who had always been a stickler for the rules.

"That's right."

Horikita Suzune bit her lip tightly.

"I've investigated, and the school does not explicitly forbid upperclassmen from revealing exam content to underclassmen. This falls within the scope of what the rules allow."

"As long as I can get a high score..."

"Even if it means using such methods, I am willing to try!"

Horikita Manabu did not answer immediately.

Although he was somewhat surprised that she had actually learned to be flexible.

He still adjusted his glasses, using the reflection on the lenses to hide the emotions in his eyes.

"I didn't expect you to have learned how to cut corners."

"You should know that this will only make me more disappointed in you."

"No, this wasn't my original intention..."

"I just... I just wanted to..."

Horikita Suzune's expression faltered, and the courage she had forced herself to muster crumbled away.

Horikita Manabu understood in an instant.

This clearly could not have been something Horikita Suzune would have come up with on her own.

Was someone guiding her from behind?

Or perhaps...

Horikita Manabu looked thoughtful.

"If I were to tell the teachers about this, or report it to the school."

He stepped forward, his overwhelming presence forcing Horikita Suzune to retreat.

"Do you think Class D would have any hope of a comeback?"

"Or even... have you considered that this act itself is a violation of the rules?"

"Eh?"

Horikita Suzune's mind went blank.

Fear, shame, self-doubt... countless negative emotions instantly overwhelmed her.

Just as she stood at a loss, on the verge of a total breakdown.

"My, how severe, Mr. President."

Accompanied by the crisp tapping of a cane against the floor.

Sakayanagi Arisu, arm-in-arm with Su Wei, slowly emerged from the shadows.

"Horikita Suzune, Horikita Manabu... I should have realized you two had this connection."

Caught in a private matter.

Horikita Manabu showed no signs of panic.

He did not hide it either:

"This is nothing worth being surprised about."

"She is merely a disgraceful, incompetent younger sister who brings shame upon me."

"..."

Horikita Suzune kept her head bowed, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"Is that really so?"

Su Wei, who had been silently watching the show, suddenly spoke up.

"In this school where ability is everything, regardless of the methods used, isn't the result the only thing that matters?"

"Thanks to her, at the very least, our Class D's ranking was on par with Class A in yesterday's special exam."

Hearing this, Horikita Manabu glanced at Su Wei.

"Your Class D?"

"Mmhmm."

Sakayanagi Arisu took over, smiling with an air of harmlessness:

"That's right~ As one of the participants, I must admit."

"Horikita-san really cooperated well with Su Wei-kun; the two of them combined for 90 points, actually managing to tie with Class A!"

Upon hearing this.

Horikita Suzune's gaze toward Su Wei and Sakayanagi turned complex.

There was the shame and disdain of having someone else claim credit for her work.

Yet, deep in her heart, a glimmer of hope faintly rose.

If that were the case...

Would my brother change his opinion of me, even just a little?

Even if it were just a tiny bit of recognition?

Unfortunately, Horikita Manabu completely ignored her feelings.

He turned his head, his gaze lingering on Sakayanagi for a moment:

"I remember you, Sakayanagi Arisu of the first-year Class A."

"It seems... this year really is different, after all."

Faced with this cryptic remark, Sakayanagi Arisu merely nodded elegantly:

"It can't be helped; we are special, after all."

Horikita Manabu shifted his gaze back to Horikita Suzune, his eyes remaining cold:

"I do not believe this so-called 'achievement' was something you accomplished through your own merit."

"Up until now, you haven't even realized your own shortcomings."

Horikita Suzune was deeply struck; she opened her mouth to retort, but found no way to argue.

There was no helping it; it was the truth.

No means no; she had even usurped credit that belonged to someone else, which made her feel even more unable to hold her head up in front of her brother.

Horikita Manabu looked at her state, utterly disappointed:

"If you can, just drop out."

"As you are now, you lack the resolve to survive in this school."

"..."

The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.

Su Wei opened his mouth, wanting to salvage the mood.

Although he knew Horikita Suzune couldn't possibly actually drop out.

But if this little Yukinoshita really left, he would definitely lose a source of amusement in this school!

Before he could speak.

Horikita Suzune, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly spoke in a muffled voice:

"I will not drop out."

Watching Horikita Suzune step backward as she left, as if trying to maintain her final shred of dignity in this way.

Su Wei couldn't help but nod.

"Good luck, I'm already lying flat, please carry me."

"..."

Horikita Suzune's originally tragic momentum stalled.

She turned her head and glared fiercely at Su Wei, gritting her teeth as she said:

"I will not rely on your charity! And I will never let you give me credit again!"

"I will accomplish it with my own ability!"