Horikita Suzune: How Many Friends Should I Make?

Horikita Manabu lowered his head, watched the video Chihaya Rei had recorded, and then deleted it.

Chihaya Rei wondered if he had actually enjoyed watching it.

As for Horikita Suzune, who stood behind them, she had no say in the matter, her expression caught between wanting to speak and holding back.

"Bringing this thing was a wise choice."

Handing the digital camera back to Chihaya Rei, Horikita Manabu seemed to be speaking from the heart.

"I think so too."

Chihaya Rei smiled slightly.

See? Even a veteran like Horikita Manabu had to acknowledge the utility of a camera at Advanced Nurturing High School.

Although Horikita Manabu had paid 1,000,000 points and a personal favor, the corners of his typically stoic mouth were now slightly upturned.

With less than a year left before his graduation, personal points no longer held much importance for him.

Moreover, discovering that such a person existed in Suzune's class felt like a valuable realization to Horikita Manabu.

If this person could help look after Suzune... he could leave with peace of mind.

"Did you see that, Suzune?"

"If you truly intend to rise to Class A, you must possess this kind of capability."

Horikita Manabu finally turned around to face Horikita Suzune, offering her this profound admonition.

Horikita Suzune was slightly stunned. Connecting this to everything that had just transpired, her mind still not entirely clear, she asked instinctively:

"Brother, are you referring to physical strength?"

The moment the words left her lips, Horikita Suzune felt a pang of regret.

"?"

As expected, Horikita Manabu's expression darkened, and he instantly turned away, leaving Horikita Suzune with nothing but his aloof back.

He really didn't want to see this younger sister of his for a while.

Seeing Horikita Manabu's reaction, Horikita Suzune immediately realized she had erred again; this was clearly not the answer he had been looking for.

Her face flushed, and she inwardly berated herself for how she could have said something so foolish without thinking.

"You really are going to be the death of your brother."

Chihaya Rei was also amused by Horikita Suzune's answer and pointed it out without mercy.

Although Horikita Suzune wasn't entirely wrong—physical strength was indeed an indispensable element for rising to Class A—her answer had focused solely on that, ignoring everything else.

It was no wonder Horikita Manabu felt disappointed and helpless regarding Horikita Suzune.

Having a sister like this truly required a strong heart.

Chihaya Rei looked at Horikita Manabu and teased:

"President Horikita, it seems your method of educating your sister needs some improvement. I think you should be more explicit in the future."

"Otherwise, given Horikita-san's comprehension, she might easily misinterpret your words, which would be quite troublesome."

As Chihaya Rei spoke, his gaze swept over Horikita Suzune.

"For instance... interpreting your aloofness as loneliness, or something of that sort."

Upon hearing Chihaya Rei's words, Horikita Suzune looked at him in astonishment.

Horikita Manabu was also taken aback.

He rested his hand on his chin, unable to help but reflect on whether there had indeed been such a flaw in the way he and Suzune had communicated all along...

After a moment, Horikita Manabu nodded in admission: "You have a point."

"I should indeed be clearer when speaking to Suzune."

Hearing this, Chihaya Rei wore a curious expression, intending to see how Horikita Manabu would proceed.

Horikita Manabu turned back to face Horikita Suzune, his tone much softer than before, yet filled with sincerity.

"Suzune, stop imitating me. The imitation you've been doing all this time has been wrong."

"The version of me you've been mimicking deviates significantly from the real me."

"Remember this: I did not reach this point by walking alone."

Horikita Manabu felt much more satisfied after saying these things to Horikita Suzune.

"How could that be?"

Horikita Suzune shook her head in disbelief, her spirits deeply shaken.

Horikita Manabu had personally denied her imitation and told her it was wrong.

Horikita Manabu said nothing more; he looked back at Chihaya Rei and extended an invitation:

"Chihaya, if you have any interest in joining the Student Council, come find me there."

Chihaya Rei waved his hand dismissively.

"I'll pass. I'm actually quite busy every day."

Between the special training for Karuizawa Kei and his book club sessions with Shiina Hiyori, he had no time to waste on the Student Council.

Although joining the Student Council wasn't without its perks—if he were in, he could wield the Student Council's banner to torture the students—the Advanced Nurturing High School's Student Council had very few members, which meant the workload assigned to each person was far from light.

Chihaya Rei had no desire to sign up as a laborer.

"Very well."

Horikita Manabu didn't press the issue, though he seemed a bit regretful as he bid him farewell and left.

Chihaya Rei stepped closer, looking at Horikita Suzune, who was still leaning against the wall, and asked curiously:

"Your brother is already gone. How much longer do you plan on standing there in a daze?"

Horikita Suzune looked up, her voice low as she asked:

"Why would my brother say something like that?"

"That's simple."

Chihaya Rei spread his hands, giving her the answer directly: "He obviously hopes you can go back to being yourself."

"Go back to being myself?"

Horikita Suzune parted her lips, letting out a confused sound.

Chihaya Rei felt that Horikita Suzune had truly become much softer lately.

He nodded and lectured her:

"Horikita, you don't understand your brother at all—not even as well as I do, and I've only just met him."

"Your mistake is mistaking the aloofness of Horikita Manabu for loneliness."

"You, who fancy yourself aloof, have actually just become someone without friends, someone who only sees themselves."

[Torture Horikita Suzune, Torture Value +1520]

"Then what should I do?"

Horikita Suzune couldn't help but ask again, "If I'm to go back to being myself..."

At this point, Horikita Suzune no longer felt that what Chihaya Rei said could be false; after all, even her brother had agreed with his words.

"I don't know what you were like before, either."

Chihaya Rei replied: "Try harder to remember."

Horikita Suzune stared at Chihaya Rei without blinking, lost in thought. After a while, she spoke, sounding somewhat uncertain:

"Perhaps I should try making a few friends?"

"Mm, that would be a good change for you." Chihaya Rei nodded in agreement.