Horikita

Biodata

Background

Suzune enrolled at Advanced Nurturing High School to follow her older brother, Manabu. She believed she had grown enough to stand alongside him, but seeing him at the club information session exposed her fear of disappointing or embarrassing him. Manabu knew she had enrolled but initially had no intention of meeting her 22.

She attended the same middle school as Kushida Kikyo and knew about the incident Kushida wanted to conceal. Suzune did not expose it or initially acknowledge their shared background in class, but Kushida regarded her knowledge as a threat and sought her expulsion 14 33 50.

Appearance

• Usual expression: Cold and composed; she often maintains an expressionless face even while embarrassed 46 48.
• Date clothing: Replaces her outer school uniform jacket with another garment while keeping the rest of her outfit simple 48.
• Visible embarrassment: Blushes when Natsukawa claims to be her boyfriend before Manabu and when she unexpectedly sees Natsukawa changing shirts 46 48.

Personality

Suzune values independence and does not consider solitude lonely. She rejects Kushida’s insistence that they become friends, arguing that a relationship imposed on someone cannot create genuine friendship or trust. She is also uninterested in joining a club 21 50.

She holds herself to strict standards and is highly confident in her abilities. After learning that the school evaluates students through its class system, she assumes her placement in Class D must be a mistake. Her belief that her entrance examination results should place her around the top ten leads her to plan a formal inquiry 49.

Her confidence weakens considerably around Manabu. She idolizes him, fears his judgment, and struggles to accept that Natsukawa can fight him on equal terms. Nevertheless, his rejection strengthens rather than ends her determination to reach Class A 22 45 46 47.

Suzune is sharp-tongued and sometimes responds physically when Natsukawa provokes her. However, she can acknowledge help sincerely: after he explains the school’s rules, she thanks him and accepts him as a friend while maintaining that their classes remain rivals 21 47 49.

Abilities & Skills

Academic Ability

Suzune considers academic performance a major measure of her qualifications, although the supplied chapters do not establish an exact examination rank.

• Believes her entrance examination results should have placed her around the year’s top ten 49.
• Is described by Manabu as having outstanding academic ability 45.
• Initially fails to understand that advancement also depends on relationships, cooperation, violence, and other factors beyond academics 45.

Close-Quarters Attacks

Suzune uses sudden strikes against Natsukawa when verbal retaliation fails.

• Attempts a knife-hand strike to his abdomen during the club information session 21.
• Uses a drawing compass to jab toward his waist 47.
• Attempts an elbow strike while walking beside him 48.
• Limit: Natsukawa intercepts each of these attacks; no martial-arts rank is established for Suzune 21 47 48.

Equipment / Items

• Drawing compass — Carries it as a potential means of retaliation. Natsukawa disarms her when she attacks him with it and retains it after she leaves 8 47 48.

Relationships

• Manabu Horikita — Older brother and the model she tries to emulate. His disapproval drives her ambition, while he believes she must recognize her shortcomings and find her own perspective 22 45 46 47.
• Natsukawa Tatsuya — An antagonistic acquaintance who becomes an acknowledged friend and interclass rival. He intervenes during Manabu’s assault and trades school information for a date. His claim to be her boyfriend is a deliberate provocation, not an established relationship 45 46 48 49.
• Ayanokoji Kiyotaka — Classmate who accompanies her during several early encounters. He is interested in observing her convictions and development, but does not consider their friendship firmly established 12 14 22.
• Kushida Kikyo — Classmate and former middle-school acquaintance whose friendliness Suzune finds insincere. Suzune promises silence about her past if left alone; Kushida interprets this as a threat and remains determined to have her expelled 50.

Natsukawa’s Affection Readings

These are Suzune’s feelings toward Natsukawa as measured by his system, not combat levels.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Encounters and Club Information Session

• Suzune meets Natsukawa while shopping and immediately rejects his attempt at a friendly introduction. During a later encounter, she objects to his familiar manner of addressing her 8 12.
• At the club information session, their insults escalate into an unsuccessful strike against him. She refuses his offer to explain the school’s rules, insisting on her own judgment 21.
• Manabu’s appearance onstage leaves her absorbed in anxiety about facing him. Natsukawa pulls and kneads her cheeks until she eventually responds by stepping on his foot and leaving 21 22.

Confrontation with Manabu

• Manabu condemns her placement in Class D, pins her against a wall, punches her stomach, and orders her to withdraw. Suzune continues insisting that she will reach Class A 45.
• Natsukawa intervenes after using system information to locate their meeting and arranging for Kushida to distract Ayanokoji. Suzune denies his claim to be her boyfriend and later stops his fight with Manabu 44 45 46.
• Before leaving, Manabu tells Suzune to decide for herself whether to withdraw and suggests finding someone whose perspective can help her understand the world. His intention is for her to learn by observing Natsukawa 46.
• Suzune resolves to prove she is no less capable than Natsukawa and asks him about Class A. He makes a date his sole condition for explaining the school’s rules 47.

Date and Discovery of the Class System

• Suzune accepts the bargain, visits Natsukawa’s dormitory the next morning, and accompanies him around Keyaki Mall and campus 48.
• At a café, he explains class points, personal points, and the privileges reserved for Class A graduates. She thanks him, acknowledges their friendship, and plans to question her Class D assignment on Monday 49.
• Natsukawa invites Kushida to join them. Suzune rejects Kushida’s friendship overtures and makes it clear that she knows her secret but will remain silent if Kushida stops pestering her 49 50.

Notable Quotes

“Although I don't know what it means yet, I will stand by my convictions and act on them!” 47

“Do you think a relationship forced on someone like this can produce friendship or trust?” 50