After walking Karuizawa Kei back to the dorm, Wu Qiao didn't hurry back to rest. He strolled along the quiet campus paths at night, feeling more at ease than ever before. He was genuinely happy.
If he'd been out in the world, he might have been able to make friends normally. But in this school, whose story he knew so well, he hadn't really planned on making many genuine friends.
He couldn't help it. He knew too much. His thorough understanding of the plot and the characters' fates made it difficult for him to truly care about anyone. He was more like a chess player, treating everyone around him as pieces on a board.
However... when someone truly let down their guard and opened their heart to you, being trusted so completely felt entirely different. They were no longer cold data or scripted characters, but living people whose warmth he could feel.
Wu Qiao wished he had a bottle of liquor on hand so he could properly celebrate this unexpected windfall.
Unfortunately, minors weren't allowed to drink in this country—unless he stole some, like Kamuro Masumi from Class A.
In the end, Wu Qiao decided to buy some ingredients on Commercial Street and brew his own liquor back at the dorm. He also bought a two-liter bottle of mineral water, planning to gulp it down first to calm his overexcited emotions.
However, as he walked past a secluded corner carrying bags full of purchases, Wu Qiao keenly noticed two figures there. He instinctively quieted his steps and slipped into the shadows.
Nearby, Horikita Suzune looked at Horikita Manabu, who had asked her to meet him, her nerves stretched to the breaking point. She had always respected—and even feared—her older brother, while also harboring a complex mixture of admiration and longing for him.
But today, faced with Horikita Manabu's usual stern reprimands and merciless insults, Horikita Suzune didn't feel hurt or aggrieved like she usually did.
Her gaze was fixed on the system panel only she could see—
[Name: Horikita Manabu] [Current Affection: 98]
98—a level of affection higher than she had ever seen before, almost at the system's limit.
"You're always like this, convinced you have to prove yourself, yet you can't even tell the difference between being aloof and being lonely." Horikita Manabu's voice was as hard as iron. In the past, Horikita Suzune would have already been arguing back with tears in her eyes.
But now, those cutting words were all softened by the thick filter of the bright red "98" in Horikita Suzune's eyes. She suddenly understood the meaning behind his sternness. It wasn't dislike, but the frustration of seeing her waste her potential. It wasn't rejection, but a protectiveness born of fear that she might get hurt in this cruel competition.
So this is how my brother has always seen me?
Horikita Suzune's tense body gradually relaxed. She raised her head and, for the first time, didn't shy away from her brother's intimidating gaze. Instead, she listened carefully to every word of his lecture.
Watching from the shadows, Wu Qiao raised an eyebrow. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but seeing the student council president, who was usually so stern with his sister, and Horikita Suzune's seemingly enlightened expression gave him a pretty good idea.
It seemed tonight was destined to be a sleepless one. It wasn't just him and Karuizawa Kei; this awkward pair of siblings seemed to have finally reached some kind of turning point, too. Was this his butterfly effect?
Horikita Suzune raised her chin, meeting Horikita Manabu's gaze without fear. Her eyes, usually tinged with coolness and stubbornness, held no trace of fear now.
A rare hint of satisfaction flashed in the usually placid depths of Horikita Manabu's eyes. It seemed that after being tested and tempered over this period, his younger sister had indeed made some progress.
Nevertheless, Horikita Manabu's words remained mercilessly harsh. He pushed up his glasses and said coldly, "You'd be better off dropping out and going to another school. This Advanced Nurturing High School isn't suitable for naive people like you."
Horikita Suzune listened quietly to her brother's words, which would have crushed an ordinary person's resolve. She took a deep breath and said firmly, "I know this school is dangerous, and I know that unless I reach Class A, there's no point. But I want to try. If I don't even have the courage to try and get scared off right away, then I'd be a real coward."
At her words, some of the coldness in Horikita Manabu's eyes faded, replaced by a touch of relief. Since that was the case, he didn't mind giving her more time to see what kind of brilliance Horikita Suzune could shine with.
Just then, Horikita Manabu's keen eyes caught an unnatural glint in the shadows: the corner of a plastic bag. He instantly suppressed all warmth, turned, and snapped, "Who's there? Come out!"
Wu Qiao sighed inwardly. That was careless. Then he reluctantly stepped out of the shadows. He openly lifted the plastic bags filled with mineral water and brewing ingredients, wearing an innocent smile as he said, "Good evening, President Horikita, Horikita. Sorry, the atmosphere over here seemed a little tense, and I was worried there might be a confrontation, so I came to see what was going on."
Horikita Manabu looked Wu Qiao up and down, apparently recognizing him as the Class D student who had been pushed down the stairs earlier. He paused, glanced between Wu Qiao and his younger sister, then said in surprise, "Suzune, you've made a friend?"
At that, Horikita Suzune instinctively wanted to deny it. She said, "No, we're only classmates for now."
Horikita Manabu frowned at her words, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny. But he quickly caught the implication in what she'd said. Since she'd said they were "only classmates for now," that meant she was open to developing a relationship. She hadn't shut herself off completely.
"Only classmates for now..." Horikita Manabu repeated thoughtfully. Then he looked at Wu Qiao, his tone returning to its usual authoritative edge. "Since you've met, get along well. Suzune can be difficult, but she isn't a bad person. If she does anything wrong, you can remind her as a classmate."
Wu Qiao smiled and nodded. "Of course. Horikita is impressive, and I'm looking forward to improving together."
Horikita Manabu said nothing more. After giving his sister a long look, he turned and disappeared into the night. Only after her brother was completely out of sight did Horikita Suzune let out a long breath. She turned to Wu Qiao, looking a little ill at ease. "What are you doing here?"
Wu Qiao jangled the bags in his hands and smiled. "I came out to buy a few things, and happened to witness... a historic moment. Congratulations, Horikita. It looks like you're one step closer to your goal."
Horikita Suzune paused, then said coldly, "Mind your own business."
"All right, all right. I'll mind my own business. Come on, let's head back to the dorm."