Brother Complex Horikita (Seeking Everything)

When Watanabe Hayabara walked out of the special building, night had already fallen. The streetlights on campus cast dim, yellow light, stretching his shadow long across the ground. He quickened his pace, hurrying toward the dormitory.

However, just as he passed a grove of trees, a familiar figure caught his eye. It was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, standing there silently like a pillar, motionless. His gaze, however, seemed to be fixed on a spot not far away, carrying a hint of stealth.

Watanabe Hayabara felt a surge of curiosity. He lightened his footsteps, crept up behind Ayanokoji, tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and whispered, "What are you looking at?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka turned his head slowly, his face devoid of any surprise. He replied calmly, "Watanabe, you've come at just the right time. Horikita is here meeting a boy in private; they haven't started talking yet."

Watanabe Hayabara followed Ayanokoji's line of sight and, sure enough, saw Horikita Suzune standing under a nearby streetlight, facing a strange boy.

"Suzune, I didn't expect you to actually follow me here."

"I am no longer the useless person my brother once knew," came Horikita Suzune's voice, laced with stubbornness. "I came to this school specifically to catch up to you."

"I heard you entered Class D. You're exactly the same as you were three years ago—completely unchanged. You've only ever looked at my back, and even now, you haven't discovered your own flaws. Choosing this school was a failure for you."

"Th-this must be some kind of mistake. I will definitely be promoted to Class A, and then..."

"Impossible. You will never reach Class A. Not only that, but your class will likely collapse as well. This school is not as simple as you think."

"I will, I absolutely will enter Class A..."

"Didn't I tell you it was impossible? You really are a disobedient sister." The man was none other than Horikita Manabu.

Watanabe Hayabara looked at Ayanokoji with a smile, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "You don't seem surprised at all that Horikita Suzune's brother is the student council president, Horikita Manabu, Ayanokoji."

Ayanokoji replied expressionlessly, "Judging by the surname, one could certainly guess as much, but that is all." His voice was flat, as if he had little interest in the matter.

Watanabe Hayabara's lips curled into a faint smile as he continued, "Then don't you need to go up and help? After all, you and Horikita Suzune are on pretty good terms, aren't you?"

Ayanokoji's gaze remained calm. He glanced briefly at the arguing siblings and shook his head. "I feel this is a matter between brother and sister; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to intervene."

Just then, Horikita Manabu pressed down hard on Horikita Suzune's wrist, pinning her entire body against the wall. His expression was stern and cold, his voice revealing a hint of ruthlessness. "No matter how much I try to avoid you, I cannot change the fact that you are my sister. If people around us find out about you, I will be the only one humiliated. So, leave this school at once!"

Horikita Suzune's face turned pale, her lips trembling slightly. "I... I can't do that... I... I will definitely be promoted to Class A...!"

However, Horikita Manabu seemed deaf to his sister's words, his eyes growing colder. "How foolish. Since you are so stubborn, I will make you taste some bitterness, just like in the past."

"Brother—I—" Horikita Suzune's voice was ruthlessly cut off by Horikita Manabu. "You lack the strength and the qualifications to climb higher. Understand that clearly!"

Before the words had even faded, Horikita Manabu pulled sharply. Horikita Suzune's body lurched forward, her feet lifting off the ground. Having completely lost her balance, she could only clutch Horikita Manabu's arm to keep from falling.

"If you don't go up and help now, Horikita Suzune will be in danger," Watanabe Hayabara said, continuing to observe Ayanokoji's reaction.

"I think it would have a better chance of success if you, Watanabe, went to assist Horikita. Someone like me, who has no strength to truss a chicken, would only add to the trouble. I'll leave it to you, Watanabe." Ayanokoji turned to look at Watanabe Hayabara; though his tone was a request, it left Watanabe Hayabara feeling somewhat annoyed.

[Ayanokoji, avoidance is not a good choice.]

"Fine then, Ayanokoji." After Watanabe Hayabara agreed, his figure flashed like a ghost. He crossed several meters in an instant, leaping forward and reaching Horikita Manabu's side as swiftly as a gale.

Horikita Manabu hadn't reacted at all, unable to make a single move, before Watanabe Hayabara struck like lightning. He precisely grabbed the hand Horikita Manabu was using to hold Horikita Suzune, gripping it like an iron vice and rendering Horikita Manabu completely unable to move, effectively restraining him.

Horikita Manabu felt a massive pressure on his wrist, as if his bones were about to be crushed, accompanied by unbearable pain. He let out a muffled groan and whipped his head around, his eyes sharp as blades, glaring at Watanabe Hayabara as he barked, "Who are you?!"

"I am Watanabe Hayabara, President Horikita." Watanabe Hayabara's lips curled into a faint smile, yet this smile carried a trace of chill that made one shudder.

"Watanabe...?" Horikita Suzune's voice came from the side, as weak as a flickering candle in the wind, as if it might go out at any moment.

"President Horikita, you really are something to behold," Watanabe Hayabara's smile grew brighter, but it was as cold and biting as frost in midwinter. "Not only do you lack chivalry, but you are also so ruthless toward your own sister."

"This is our family business, it has nothing to do with you!" Horikita Manabu's face darkened, and he growled, "Let go of your hand!!"

"Ayanokoji, stop..." Horikita Suzune's voice came again, even weaker than before, as if she were about to faint.

[What a truly unredeemable brother-complex.]

"Are you not going to let go?!!" Horikita Manabu growled again.

"President Horikita, you might as well stand down first." Watanabe Hayabara maintained his smile.

Watanabe Hayabara waited until he saw Horikita Manabu release his grip before he let go himself.

The moment he released him, Watanabe Hayabara felt a gust of wind; as soon as Horikita Manabu's arm was free, he threw a punch.

Horikita Manabu's fist whistled through the air, but just before the wind of the punch touched his cheek, Watanabe Hayabara tilted his body at an uncanny angle. His right hand, precise as a clamp, caught Horikita Manabu's wrist, using the opponent's momentum to twist it. Horikita Manabu lost his center of gravity and stumbled forward, but just before falling, he performed a clean roll and regained his footing.

"It seems President Horikita is not ready to give up." Watanabe Hayabara's smile remained, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Horikita Manabu roared, bent his knees, and lunged like a leopard, his hands clawing directly at Watanabe Hayabara's throat. Watanabe Hayabara didn't panic, sidestepping the lethal blow while sweeping his leg at Horikita Manabu's base. Horikita Manabu reacted quickly, leaping to avoid it, but Watanabe Hayabara had already anticipated this and drove his knee upward. Horikita Manabu crossed his arms to block in a hurry; the massive impact made his palms numb, and his body flew backward involuntarily.

Before Horikita Manabu could land, Watanabe Hayabara was already upon him like a ghost, slamming an elbow into his shoulder. Horikita Manabu groaned and crashed to the ground. He tried to struggle to his feet, only to find Watanabe Hayabara's knee firmly pinning his back, one hand locking his arm in place, leaving him unable to move.

"President Horikita, shall we continue?" Watanabe Hayabara maintained his smile, his tone filled with undeniable pressure. Horikita Manabu gritted his teeth, his eyes full of unwillingness, but he had to admit that he had lost this close-quarters bout.

"Are you from Class D?" Horikita Manabu's voice was low and slow. He stood up gradually and brushed off his sleeves.

Watanabe Hayabara stood where he was, smiling as he responded to Horikita Manabu's question: "I am Watanabe Hayabara of Class D. A pleasure to meet you, President Horikita."

Horikita Manabu stared at Watanabe Hayabara, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by admiration. He nodded and said, "Very well!! You are strong, especially in close-quarters combat." His words revealed his recognition of Watanabe Hayabara's strength.

Having said that, Horikita Manabu turned his gaze toward Horikita Suzune. His eyes softened slightly as he continued, "Suzune, it seems you have found a good friend..." His voice carried a hint of relief, as if he were satisfied that his sister had managed to make such a friend.