Suzune before Manabu Horikita

As night fell and the sky grew dark.

Having already worked out the timing, Natsukawa led Kushida out of the restaurant and, following his information, arrived at a place where Horikita might appear.

Kikyo Kushida said in surprise:

"Huh? It's Horikita! How did you know she'd come around here?"

Before long, the two of them spotted Suzune Horikita as they strolled along. She headed behind a building while keeping a wary eye on her surroundings.

Natsukawa looked mysteriously in one direction and replied:

"Anyway, don't worry about it, little Kikyo. Wait for my good news. See you tomorrow! Remember to stop Ayanokoji from going that way!"

"Hmph! How dare you order me around! Fine, I'll forgive you, since you treated me to dinner and you're doing something for me."

Kikyo Kushida retorted. At the same time, she spotted Ayanokoji wandering along the street twenty meters away. If she didn't stop him, he would probably catch up with Horikita.

Kikyo Kushida said with a smile:

"Remember to keep your promise. I'm off to complete the mission you gave me."

"Of course. Who do you think I am?"

"Tch, you're so annoying!"

Kikyo Kushida stepped in front of Ayanokoji and said with a smile:

"Ayanokoji, what a coincidence! Out for a walk alone this late? Could you do me a favor?"

"Could you come to Keyaki Mall with me? I forgot my phone, and I want to buy something to eat at the dessert shop. I'll pay you back the points on Monday!"

Ayanokoji had been bored and come out for a stroll. He hadn't expected Kushida to strike up a conversation with him. It probably wouldn't be right to ignore a classmate asking for help, would it?

Ayanokoji answered:

"Huh? Kushida, you mean me?"

Kushida nodded with a smile:

"Don't forget you still owe me a favor. Come on, help me out!"

"All right."

After thinking it over, Ayanokoji agreed to her request without expression.

Although it's a hassle, this is the sort of school-life development that celebrates youth... A chance encounter with a popular girl from your class? Most classmates would agree, wouldn't they...

Kushida is worth a look, too.

Meanwhile, after seeing Kushida successfully lead the nuisance away.

Natsukawa followed Suzune Horikita behind the building as well.

Manabu Horikita stood with his back to Suzune Horikita. Since they had been facing away from him at first, neither noticed the third person.

Natsukawa used the system to check:

"Target: Suzune Horikita."

"Current affection rating: 30"

Suzune's affection rating had been zero the last time they met. Natsukawa hadn't seen her during this time, yet it had actually risen by thirty points.

It had already reached the level of a casual friend.

Natsukawa hid discreetly at a nearby corner to watch the drama.

Soon, he heard their voices.

Manabu Horikita turned and stared expressionlessly at Suzune as he said:

"Suzune, I didn't expect you to follow me all the way here."

Suzune looked a little nervous, but she still said firmly:

"I'm no longer the useless person you knew back then. I came here to catch up with you, Brother."

"Catch up...?"

"I heard you entered Class D. You really haven't changed at all in three years. You've done nothing but watch my back, and you still haven't discovered your own shortcomings. Choosing this school was a mistake."

Suzune murmured in confusion:

"My class? What does my class have to do with this?"

Manabu Horikita watched Suzune Horikita's stubborn face as she tried to put on a brave front.

Suzune, it's been a long time.

But half a month has passed, and you still haven't even figured out the school's rules?

Manabu Horikita said expressionlessly:

"Suzune, it seems you really don't understand!"

"Haven't you noticed that I'm in Class A?"

Suzune Horikita couldn't make sense of her brother's words for the moment. In any case, there had to be some issue with the classes.

Classes?

Right... Class A.

She could only say nervously:

"Th-there must be some mistake. I'll definitely move up to Class A right away, and then..."

"Impossible. You'll never reach Class A. Not only that, even your class will fall apart. This school isn't as simple as you think."

Suzune Horikita said stubbornly:

"I will, I absolutely will get into Class A..."

"Didn't I tell you it was impossible? You really are a disobedient little sister."

Manabu Horikita took a step closer. His expression held no emotion, and his gaze was like that of someone looking at something that didn't interest him.

Manabu Horikita grabbed Suzune's unresisting wrist and forcefully pinned it against the wall.

"No matter how much I avoid you, it won't change the fact that you're my little sister. If the people around me learn about you, I'll be the one humiliated. Leave this school immediately."

"I-I can't... I... I'll definitely move up to Class A...!"

"How foolish. I'll make you suffer a little, just like in the past."

"Brother... I..."

"You have neither the strength nor the qualifications to climb higher. Get that through your head."

Horikita's body was yanked forward, her feet leaving the ground, and then Manabu Horikita punched her in the stomach.

Suzune Horikita clutched her stomach and crouched on the ground, looking at Manabu Horikita with stubbornness and hurt.

Manabu Horikita said coldly:

"Give up! Suzune, leave this school!"

Manabu Horikita couldn't quite bear it either, but to make Suzune see the school's cruelty, he had still delivered that blow with a deliberately expressionless face.

Suzune, you're still far too immature!

You haven't even figured out the school's rules, yet you keep talking about moving up to Class A with such naive ideas.

I'll give you a painful lesson now.

But a clever person would notice, wouldn't they?

That violence can still be used at a school with such strict rules?

Or, Suzune, are your eyes still filled with the same blind admiration for me as always, so that even being hit won't make you notice?

Let me see how you've grown.

No matter when you manage to discover this.

Even with outstanding academic ability, relationships, cooperation, violence, and so on also determine victory...

Just as Manabu Horikita was about to leave, Natsukawa stepped out from around the corner.

"Horikita, as Student Council President, isn't using violence in private inappropriate behavior?"

Manabu Horikita noticed the phone in Natsukawa's hand. This student with the Sakura-Colored Hairstyle had left a deep impression on him. Back at the Gymnasium... he hadn't expected him to be able to play a prank on the inwardly proud Suzune.

Manabu Horikita adjusted his glasses and said expressionlessly:

"Suzune, I truly didn't expect you to have a friend. Honestly, I'm very surprised."

Suzune Horikita also looked up and saw Natsukawa, a little curious about why he had come here.

She also felt a little self-conscious about Natsukawa seeing her in such a sorry state, and being in front of Manabu Horikita made her even more nervous. She could only remain crouched, clutching her stomach, and stubbornly deny it:

"H-he isn't my friend."

Natsukawa said with a smile:

"Suzune, it really hurts to hear you say that. I'm your boyfriend, after all."

Shortening "boy who is a friend" to "boyfriend" seems reasonable, right?

Suzune didn't have many friends anyway, so Natsukawa thought he would shorten it a little.