Finally Seeing a Normal Sibling Relationship

"Student Shiina, are you inviting me to become a reading buddy?"

Chihaya Rei looked down at Shiina Hiyori, an intrigued expression on his face.

"Yes."

Shiina Hiyori felt a bit self-conscious under his gaze, her heart fluttering. She nodded with a serious expression and said:

"If Chihaya-kun is willing..."

"Hmm..."

Chihaya Rei paused deliberately for a moment, and the next second, his cheerful voice echoed in the surroundings: "Sure!"

He would naturally never refuse Shiina Hiyori's invitation to be a reading buddy; if anything, that was exactly what he had come here for.

Shiina Hiyori's eyelashes fluttered rapidly.

She slowly lowered the book she had been using to shield her face, the corners of her lips curling up slightly. With a tone that was both relieved and delighted, she said:

"Thank you, Chihaya-kun. When you hesitated just now... I was really worried you might use some mean-spirited words to turn me down!"

Shiina Hiyori pouted her pink lips and raised her voice slightly, voicing a small complaint about Chihaya Rei's mischief.

However, to Chihaya Rei, her soft voice sounded more like she was acting spoiled, carrying absolutely no bite.

"Actually, I'm not a mean person; I just don't know the art of conversation."

Chihaya Rei said, a touch of helplessness appearing on his face.

Shiina Hiyori's eyes darted slightly as if she had thought of something, and the next second, she spoke with a smile:

"Then should I help you find a book on 'The Way of Conversation'?"

"Huh?" Chihaya Rei widened his eyes in surprise. "Does the library actually have books like that?"

"The collection at Advanced Nurturing High School is very extensive!"

For the rest of the time, the two new reading buddies sat together, immersed in their books.

Time flew by while reading, and it wasn't until they noticed it had grown dark outside and checked the time that they realized it was nearly nine o'clock.

Neither of them had even eaten dinner yet.

Chihaya Rei and Shiina Hiyori realized it was time to leave; there were hardly any people left in the library.

Although Shiina Hiyori felt a bit regretful, she realized how late it was and had no choice but to pack up her things.

The two left the library together, chatting about the content Chihaya Rei had been reading on the way back to the dorms.

He had already finished a third of Farewell, My Lovely.

Chihaya Rei shared his theories regarding the murderer's motives with Shiina Hiyori, and she happily played the role of a listener.

However, as they neared the dormitory area, Chihaya Rei decided to head to the convenience store for a cola, so he let Shiina Hiyori head back on her own.

Before he even reached the convenience store that Kamuro Masumi had once frequented, Chihaya Rei spotted two familiar figures up ahead.

He had a vague feeling he had stumbled upon a key plot point.

Without a second thought, Chihaya Rei activated Stealthy Aura, transforming into an assassin, and crept forward without making a sound.

He soon arrived at the corner where a vending machine was placed.

He saw Horikita Manabu and Horikita Suzune, with Horikita Manabu standing with his back to Horikita Suzune.

The siblings seemed to be arguing.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that Horikita Manabu was unilaterally lecturing Horikita Suzune.

The next second, Chihaya Rei quickly pulled his digital camera from his coat pocket, hung it around his neck, and switched it to video recording mode.

The entire process took less than three seconds.

It was precisely to handle such emergencies that he had practiced this routine to perfection in his dorm every night.

Chihaya Rei poked the digital camera around the corner of the wall so he could film the Horikita siblings.

However, he leaned out slightly himself, his eyes fixed on the two without blinking.

The footage captured by the digital camera was clear enough.

But it was ultimately not as thrilling as watching it live.

Besides, with Stealthy Aura on his side, the chance of being discovered was minimal.

Look at Horikita Suzune's furrowed brows and bitten lip—that stubborn, resentful, and aggrieved little expression was even more delicious than when she had been criticized as a "defective product" by Chabashira Sae at the assembly a few days ago.

Hold it in, can't laugh yet...

I have to wait at least 400 seconds before I can laugh.

"Suzune, to think you actually chased me to this school."

Horikita Manabu's voice was calm, revealing no trace of emotion.

By comparison, Horikita Suzune's voice sounded somewhat impatient, as if she were desperate to prove to Horikita Manabu that she had already changed.

"Older brother, I am no longer the person I used to be!"

Do you also want to say that the weak version of you has died?

Chihaya Rei felt like rubbing his forehead, but he still had to keep the camera raised.

"I won't be as useless as I was before; I came here to catch up to you."

"Catch up to me?"

Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, his voice growing a few degrees colder than before.

"Then I can only tell you that you still haven't recognized your own shortcomings. This school is the wrong choice for you."

Upon hearing this, Horikita Suzune grew anxious.

"I will rise to Class A immediately to show you, and if I do that..."

"You won't be able to."

Horikita Manabu interrupted her mercilessly.

"I definitely will."

Horikita Suzune tried to refute, but there was little conviction in her voice.

"Hmph."

With a cold snort, Horikita Manabu finally turned to face Horikita Suzune. He spoke with clear dissatisfaction.

"What a disobedient younger sister you are."

"Having a sister in Class D is an embarrassing matter for me as well."

"So, Suzune, disappear from this school immediately. As you are now, you possess absolutely no ability to reach Class A. Stop chasing dreams that cannot be realized."

As Horikita Manabu spoke, he suddenly raised his left hand, pinned Horikita Suzune's right wrist, and pressed her against the wall.

Horikita Suzune's feet retreated instinctively until her back hit the wall.

"This school allows the use of force."

As he said these words in a cold tone, Horikita Manabu curled his fingers and struck directly into Horikita Suzune's lower abdomen.

"Nngh..."

A pained expression crossed Horikita Suzune's delicate face.

She bit her lip tightly, not daring to cry out, as doing so would make her appear weak in front of her brother.

Instead, Horikita Suzune weakly reached one hand to cover her stomach, beads of sweat breaking out on her fair forehead.

Finally, finally I get to see a normal sibling relationship! This is exactly what I wanted to see!

Chihaya Rei stretched his neck out like a giraffe, eyes unblinking, not missing a single frame of this scene.

The moment he realized Horikita Manabu was about to act, he didn't rush to intervene.

He felt that with Horikita Suzune's current personality—where she only had eyes for herself—having her brother, Horikita Manabu, give her a punch might actually be a good thing if it could help her wake up a little.

Never underestimate the power of the Personality Correction Punch!

On the other hand, it was also to collect "incriminating evidence" on Horikita Manabu to increase his leverage for the upcoming negotiation.

It definitely wasn't because he was mean-spirited and just wanted to watch.

"Ooh!"

Chihaya Rei made a sound and stepped out from behind the wall.

At the same time, he deactivated Stealthy Aura, otherwise, the Horikita siblings, immersed in their conversation, might never have noticed him.

"I didn't expect to see such an interesting scene so late at night."

As Chihaya Rei spoke, Horikita Manabu turned his body in surprise to look at him.

His gaze immediately flickered toward the digital camera hanging around Chihaya Rei's neck.

Horikita Manabu understood at once that every move he had just made was within the camera's frame.

Considering the worst-case scenario, his actions had been recorded by the other party.

Horikita Manabu had specifically chosen this blind spot without surveillance to talk to Suzune tonight, and he had observed that no other students were around.

But now...

What kind of freshman is this? To be using such professional recording equipment in the very first month of school...

Horikita Manabu stared deeply at Chihaya Rei, unable to stop himself from pondering.

However, as long as he snatched the digital camera, whatever the other party said afterward would be nothing but empty claims without proof.

Chihaya Rei raised an eyebrow, sensing that the Student Council President didn't seem to intend on surrendering easily and was instead harboring some malicious ideas.

But rather than retreating, he stepped forward, his entire demeanor perfectly relaxed.

He walked two or three paces until he stopped half a meter in front of Horikita Manabu.

Horikita Manabu watched Chihaya Rei with interest, not making a move immediately.

At this moment, Chihaya Rei shifted his gaze past Horikita Manabu to look at Horikita Suzune, who was leaning against the wall with a surprised expression.

"You look a bit disheveled, Horikita-san."