Horikita Manabu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Horikita Manabu (堀北学)
Alias(es)	Student Council President 8
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Advanced Nurturing High School; Student Council 8 45
Occupation/Role	Student Council President; supervisor of Student Council disciplinary hearings 45 47
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Background / History

Manabu first appears at the first-year club orientation, where he introduces himself as Student Council President. His silent scrutiny of the audience creates an immediate atmosphere of tension before he explains that the Student Council recruits only serious candidates and possesses the authority and mission to alter school regulations. He warns applicants not to enter with “naive ideas” and states that candidates generally cannot join other clubs. 8

He later confronts his younger sister, Horikita Suzune, over her attendance at the school. Treating her enrollment as a potential humiliation to himself, he orders her to leave and insists that she lacks the strength and qualifications to rise higher. When Watanabe Hayabara intervenes, Manabu fights him but is decisively defeated in close quarters. Despite this, he recognizes Watanabe’s strength and expresses relief that Suzune has found a strong companion. 19

After the fight, Manabu criticizes Suzune for misunderstanding pride and solitude, telling her that she must struggle with all her strength if she wishes to advance. He also takes interest in Watanabe after learning that his initial ability evaluation consisted entirely of question marks. 20

During the midterm-exam incident, Manabu negotiates with Watanabe over the circulation of exam answers and the suppression of second-year students involved in selling them. He reveals his opposition to Nagumo Miyabi’s absolute individual-meritocracy ideology, which he considers contrary to the school’s collective meritocracy. He agrees to work with Watanabe partly to restrain the second years and asks him to help Suzune recognize her own shortcomings rather than merely chase Manabu’s approval. 23 24

Manabu later recruits Watanabe into the Student Council as a Public Morals Committee Member and Vice Secretary, offering him authority without routine council work. He assigns Watanabe to preside over Akito Miyake’s disciplinary hearing while Manabu and Tachibana Akane supervise. 45

During the Miyake case, Manabu observes Suzune’s persistence in defending a classmate and verifies the authenticity of the decisive audio evidence against Class C. He later acknowledges that Suzune has changed significantly, though he remains wary of Watanabe’s motives. 47 49

Appearance

Manabu has sharp features, dark brown eyes, and black glasses. His stern expression and controlled bearing reinforce the pressure he exerts over those around him. 8 20 23

• Often adjusts his glasses when thinking or taking interest in a subject. 24
• His gaze is repeatedly described as cold, analytical, and difficult to evade. 20 23
• Maintains a composed, formal appearance in the Student Council office and at hearings. 45 47

Personality

Manabu is serious, demanding, and highly composed. At the club orientation, he establishes authority through silence before speaking, then makes clear that he expects commitment and competence from anyone seeking a Student Council position. 8

His behavior toward Suzune is severe and often deliberately cruel. He dismisses her ambitions, pressures her to leave the school, and argues that her fixation on his recognition prevents her from understanding herself. However, his later actions show that he is concerned about her future after his graduation and fears that she may be led astray by an environment centered on absolute individual meritocracy. 19 20 24

Manabu is difficult to provoke. Watanabe repeatedly challenges and mocks him during their negotiations, but Manabu usually responds with restraint, measured speech, and practical counteroffers. 23 25 45

Abilities & Skills

Student Council Authority

As Student Council President, Manabu oversees an organization trusted by the school to alter regulations within its authority. He manages recruitment, administrative matters, disciplinary hearings, and matters affecting school fairness. 8 24 45

• Establishes strict eligibility expectations for Student Council candidates. 8
• Negotiates measures against second-year students selling exam answers. 23 24
• Supervises disciplinary hearings alongside Tachibana Akane. 45 47
• Verifies contested audio evidence through decoding, retuning, and re-encoding procedures. 49

Martial Arts

Suzune states that Manabu holds a fifth dan in Karate and a fourth dan in Aikido. 20

• Reacts quickly enough to counterattack Watanabe after being released. 19
• Uses a clean roll to recover his footing after being thrown off balance. 19
• Is ultimately outmatched by Watanabe’s close-quarters combat and pinned to the ground. 19

Observation and Analysis

Manabu notices details that others might overlook, including a coffee stain on Watanabe’s jacket and the implication that Watanabe had just met someone before visiting the Student Council office. 23

• Takes interest in Watanabe’s unexplained all-question-mark ability evaluation. 20
• Identifies the ideological threat posed by Nagumo’s absolute individual meritocracy. 24
• Recognizes Suzune’s growth during the Miyake hearing. 47 48

Relationships

• Horikita Suzune — Younger sister. Their relationship is strained by Manabu’s harsh expectations and Suzune’s desire for his recognition, though he remains deeply concerned about her development and future. 19 20 24
• Watanabe Hayabara — A capable but distrusted first-year whom Manabu first fights, then negotiates with and recruits into the Student Council. Manabu relies on him to help guide Suzune while remaining wary of his intentions. 19 24 25 45
• Tachibana Akane — Student Council secretary who works directly under Manabu and supervises disciplinary matters with him. Manabu speaks gently to her but denies having a romantic relationship with her. 24 45 47
• Nagumo Miyabi — Second-year Student Council Vice President whose absolute individual-meritocracy philosophy Manabu opposes. 24
• Sakayanagi Arisu — Watanabe recommends her during negotiations concerning replacement midterm exam questions, but Manabu notes that allowing a student to create the questions would violate the rules. 23

Story Role / Major Arcs

Club Orientation

Manabu establishes the Student Council’s reputation and recruitment standards before the first-year students. His presence alone silences the gymnasium. 8

Conflict with Suzune

He confronts Suzune over her enrollment and ambitions, provoking Watanabe’s intervention. Though defeated by Watanabe, Manabu continues to challenge Suzune’s understanding of pride, solitude, and personal growth. 19 20

Midterm Negotiations

Manabu becomes involved in Watanabe’s plans surrounding leaked exam answers, second-year misconduct, and the conflict between individual and collective meritocracy. He seeks Watanabe’s assistance in guiding Suzune after Manabu graduates. 23 25

Student Council Disciplinary Hearing

He appoints Watanabe to the Student Council and supervises the hearing over Akito Miyake’s alleged assault. Manabu later authenticates the recording that exposes Class C’s role in provoking the incident. 45 47 49

Notable Quotes

“We in the Student Council do not want those who hold naive ideas to run.” 8

“If you wish to promote to another class, then struggle with all your might, Suzune. There is no other way.” 20

“I don’t care whether she rises to Class A or not; I want her to see herself clearly.” 24