Making Horikita Suzune Apologize

Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, tree-lined path.

Watching her brother, who had always been an insurmountable mountain and had consistently treated her with cold disdain, being forced back several steps by this eccentric student from Class A, Horikita Suzune's mind went blank for a fleeting moment.

But immediately after, her intense pride and the long-suppressed sense of humiliation allowed her to regain her composure (in plain terms: the Haki Code kicked in). She gritted her teeth, fighting through the trembling of her body, and fixed her gaze on him, looking past Amasawa Reigetsu who stood in her way.

"Amasawa... why are you here?"

Although Suzune's voice was slightly hoarse from the shock, it still carried her usual sharpness and arrogance.

"Who gave you permission to meddle? This is my... this is a matter between me and my brother. It doesn't require an outsider's interference!"

In her eyes, whether it was being suppressed by her brother or being coldly rejected by him, it was a twisted yet private entanglement belonging only to the two of them. She absolutely did not want an unrelated outsider—especially someone with such perverse tastes as Amasawa—to see her in such a pathetic state, nor did she want to owe him any favors.

Amasawa Reigetsu didn't care, but Ayanokoji Kiyoko blushed; after all, they were only there because they were preparing to start a round.

No, no, they were only there to take a shortcut!!!

Ayanokoji Kiyoko fried her own CPU, cupping her flushed face as she retreated to crouch in the bushes.

Amasawa Reigetsu: ...Is she an idiot?

Ayanokoji Kiyoko: ///

"Cough, cough... well, Senior, you saw it too. We've been recording, and we've been here since you two started arguing."

Although the situation was a bit awkward and the reason for their presence was hard to explain, Amasawa Reigetsu still shook the recording device in his hand. The screen was frozen on the moment Horikita Manabu had pinned his sister against the wall.

"Horikita-senpai, you wouldn't want this video to circulate on everyone's forums, would you?"

"Ten million private points to buy out this footage."

"Straightforward. You carry quite a heavy burden, Horikita-senpai. It seems that if the people around you were to lose you... don't worry, don't worry, I'm exactly the kind of sinister person you think I am."

Hearing the second half of Amasawa Reigetsu's sentence, Horikita Manabu's eyes flickered imperceptibly. The opponent before him was too sharp; he had revealed an even greater weakness.

Horikita Manabu's gaze swept over the small screen. His eyes behind his lenses remained calm, but his tensed jawline betrayed his internal weighing of the situation. After a moment of silence, he took out his terminal and operated it with crisp, decisive movements.

With a "ding" notification, the massive sum of points was transferred into Amasawa's account.

"Then—"

"What are you doing! Why are you using my brother's leverage to extort points? I don't agree to this transaction!"

However, before Amasawa could put away his terminal, Horikita Suzune rushed forward, glaring at him with bloodshot eyes.

Watching Horikita Suzune, who had triggered the Haki Code once again, Amasawa Reigetsu chuckled, though the smile didn't reach the depths of his eyes.

"Oh? You don't agree? That's truly a pity."

He deliberately drew out his tone and flicked his finger in the air.

"Since the buyer's family has an objection... how about this? Fifteen million points. How about it, Senpai? Let's just call it a prepayment for your sister's tuition."

Complex emotions flashed through Horikita Manabu's eyes. Fifteen million was nearing the amount required for dropout protection. This extra five million, which would constrain Nagumo Miyabi, hit his weak spot hard. A first-year really was a ruthless character; was this just his luck, or had he truly thought this far ahead?

He had to negotiate further.

But Horikita Suzune would not grant him his wish, even though, as a brother, Horikita Manabu wouldn't truly blame her.

"You—!"

Horikita Suzune was completely enraged. Ignoring the gap in their strength, she clenched her fists and swung at Amasawa Reigetsu.

Amasawa didn't even move his feet. The moment her fist was about to touch him, he tilted his body slightly to avoid the blow, seized her wrist, and used her momentum to pull and push her gently. Horikita Suzune lost her balance and fell into Amasawa's arms in a highly ambiguous position.

The two of them were now posed as if dancing a waltz. Horikita Suzune realized this, blushing as she tried to struggle, only to find her tendons locked, leaving her almost completely unable to exert any force.

"When your strength is insufficient, acting tough will only make you look worse. This is also something your brother wants to tell you."

Amasawa Reigetsu kept his face at an intimate distance from Horikita Suzune's. She felt her heart beating incredibly fast.

I'm just flushed from anger, don't look at his face, I'm furious, I'm enraged, I hate this person, the suspension bridge effect can't possibly exist, don't be fooled by him!!

Horikita Suzune recited this rapidly in her mind, but the body never lies to itself.

Thus, Horikita Suzune reached a groundbreaking conclusion, creating a term that pushed her flexible thinking to A+:

I'm steaming with anger.

But the others didn't know what Horikita Suzune was thinking; they only saw her gasping for air.

No, one person knew. As the masterpiece of the White Room, Ayanokoji Kiyoko felt a strong sense of crisis!

Her master was going to have a new puppy (ｉДｉ)

I don't want that to happen!!!

Amasawa Reigetsu turned his gaze back to the grim-faced Horikita Manabu:

"Leave something behind today, so we can meet again another day. Ten million points, plus an apology from Horikita to me. How about it?"

Horikita Manabu's reason told him this was the best possible outcome; don't be greedy! But seeing his sister's eyes already brimming with tears—

"Fifteen million points, and you join the Student Council."

Sister-complexes are truly disgusting.

"No need, Brother. It's not the first time anyway."

Horikita Suzune stepped two paces away from Amasawa Reigetsu and bowed deeply.

"I am sorry. I was impulsive and offended you, Amasawa-kun. I apologize."

A sense of humiliation surged in her heart, making it impossible for Horikita Suzune to hold back her tears any longer. She walked over to the bushes where Ayanokoji Kiyoko was hiding and crouched down to wipe them away.

Yet, along with the humiliation, a strange sense of pleasure began to spread within Horikita Suzune's heart, like a drop of ink falling into clear water.

Watching his sister walk away in tears, Horikita Manabu clenched his fists, suppressing the emotions in his heart as he attempted one final negotiation.

Wait, what does he mean by "it's not the first time anyway"? Could Suzune's first time have already been taken by this man!??

Forget it. With Suzune's personality, having Amasawa around might actually be beneficial for her growth. I am graduating soon, and I cannot help her for all three years after all.

"Join the Student Council as Vice President. I will clear away any procedural obstacles for you."

"Deal."

Amasawa Reigetsu saw the heavy burden on Horikita Manabu's shoulders and admired his sense of responsibility.

The two men shook hands and bumped shoulders.

Everything remained unspoken.