Horikita Suzune

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Horikita Suzune (堀北铃音)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Class D, Advanced Nurturing High School
Occupation/Role	Student; aspiring leader seeking to bring Class D to Class A
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Suzune enrolled in Advanced Nurturing High School and was assigned to Class D despite placing third on the entrance examination and possessing excellent physical ability. Chabashira Sae attributes his placement to a severe personality flaw, which Suzune rejects; he resolves to lead Class D to Class A and prove the evaluation wrong. He is also driven by a desire not to disgrace his older brother, Horikita Manabu. 21

Initially, Suzune modeled himself after Manabu’s apparent aloofness and pursued advancement alone. During their confrontation, Manabu rejects this imitation, explaining that he did not reach his position by walking alone and telling Suzune to find his own path. 31 33

Chihaya Rei’s intervention helps Suzune reassess both his brother and himself. Suzune recognizes that he had mistaken Manabu’s aloofness for loneliness and resolves to try making friends rather than focusing exclusively on himself. 33

Appearance

Suzune has delicate brows, red eyes, and a normally cold, composed expression. 1

• His expression often hardens into a scrutinizing frown when challenged. 1 7
• He can visibly flush or become flustered when embarrassed, particularly around Chihaya. 7 34
• He is described as physically capable and ranked highly in the entrance examination. 21

Personality

Suzune begins as proud, blunt, and socially inept. He confronts Chihaya merely for glancing at him, yet admits fault and apologizes once the misunderstanding is explained. 1 He dislikes yielding in confrontations, even remaining at a cafeteria table rather than appearing to retreat from Chihaya. 7

His self-focus causes him to overlook useful information about other students and to initially lack interest in classmates unrelated to his personal goals. However, he can quickly analyze clues once prompted and recognizes when another person’s reasoning is superior. 7

Following Manabu’s criticism, Suzune becomes more reflective and proactive. He seeks advice on friendship, worries about the effects of expelling classmates, and begins paying closer attention to Chihaya’s moods and concerns. 34 35 61

Abilities & Skills

Academic and Analytical Ability

Suzune ranked third in the entrance examination and can process information effectively once he is given relevant clues. 7 21

• Identifies common traits among upperclassmen relying on free cafeteria meals after Chihaya directs his attention to them. 7
• Notices that struggling classmates are likely to fail the midterms based on their study habits and quiz performance. 35
• Recognizes the strategic danger of expulsions, including their potential impact on future exams and class performance. 35
• Deduces Kushida’s motive for approaching him after learning of her past and viewing Chihaya’s recording. 56

Resolve and Directness

Suzune is willing to confront threats openly rather than avoid them.

• Confronts Kushida after learning that Kushida sought to have him expelled. 57
• Offers to keep Kushida’s past secret if Kushida stops targeting him and contributes to Class D. 57
• Maintains his ambition to reach Class A despite Manabu’s harsh rejection of his initial approach. 31 33

Relationships

• Chihaya Rei — Initially clashes with him after mistaking his glance for provocation. Chihaya repeatedly criticizes Suzune’s self-centeredness but later advises him on Manabu’s intentions and on making friends; Suzune asks Chihaya to become his friend and works toward earning his trust. 1 7 33 34 61
• Horikita Manabu — Older brother and Student Council President. Suzune admires him and had tried to imitate his aloofness, but Manabu urges him to stop copying him and forge his own path. 31 33
• Kushida Kikyo — Suzune initially refuses Kushida’s friendship request due to an instinctive distrust. After learning of Kushida’s hostile intentions and middle-school past, he nevertheless offers normal coexistence and possible friendship if Kushida stops pursuing his expulsion. 8 56 57
• Sakayanagi Arisu — A Class A student aware of Suzune’s third-place entrance-exam ranking, though she considers Chihaya her primary opponent. 36
• Ken Sudo, Koji Ike, and Haruki Yamauchi — Classmates whose poor academic performance concerns Suzune before the midterms; he ultimately considers the wider consequences of allowing their expulsion. 35

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Class D Conflict

Suzune’s first interaction with Chihaya becomes a tense argument over his glance. After Chihaya challenges his behavior, Suzune acknowledges his error and apologizes. 1 Their later cafeteria conversation exposes Suzune’s tendency to overlook details outside his own concerns. 7

Contact with Kushida

Suzune refuses Kushida’s initial request to exchange contact information and leaves the classroom. 8 He later attempts to communicate with Kushida after deciding to make friends, but his terse replies leave the exchange with little progress. 56

Reconciliation with Manabu

Suzune confronts Manabu in an attempt to prove he has changed, only to be forcefully dismissed and struck by him. Chihaya records the incident and intervenes. 31 32 Manabu later clarifies that Suzune must stop imitating him and understand that success requires connections with others. 33

Pursuit of Friendship and Class Leadership

After reassessing himself, Suzune invites Chihaya to lunch, asks for advice on friendship, and declares his intention to earn recognition as Chihaya’s friend. 34 35 He also begins considering Class D’s collective welfare, opposing careless expulsions even when weak students could obstruct the class’s progress. 35

Kushida Confrontation

Chihaya reveals Kushida’s recorded outburst and explains that Kushida had intended to expel Suzune. 56 Suzune then confronts Kushida directly, promises discretion regarding her past, and proposes that they cooperate for Class D rather than remain enemies. 57