When visiting larger clubs, Tachibana Akane would typically use the roster to count heads. If numbers were sufficient, she rarely said much. With smaller clubs, however, she would carefully inquire about their situation.
Smaller clubs were more vulnerable to being abolished. As upperclassmen graduated, if they couldn't recruit enough members, the club would be disbanded the following semester.
Kaoru told Horikita Suzune that four small clubs had already received warnings from the student council. Most were niche clubs founded by upperclassmen based on personal interests.
During these situations, Tachibana Akane would discuss solutions with them, which struck Horikita Suzune as strange. Wouldn't it be simpler to just follow the rules?
Why consult these people about solutions?
Later, when a student dispute arose in the library, Tachibana Akane and Kaoru had to abandon club inspections and rush over.
The conflict was straightforward—seat hogging and noise issues. Someone had taken another's seat and made noise during study sessions, leading to dissatisfaction and arguments.
By the time Kaoru arrived, both parties had already calmed down, though Tachibana Akane still issued warnings.
Horikita Suzune witnessed Tachibana Akane's lecturing throughout and grew more perplexed. Why could Tachibana Akane reprimand others while she couldn't?
On their way back, filled with questions, she voiced her confusion to Kaoru about everything she'd observed.
"It's somewhat complicated," he explained. "Simply put, our senior was a student council executive with inherent authority. More deeply, she's handled numerous disputes and helped many people, earning their trust. Even after retiring, she can still persuade others."
Hearing Kaoru's praise, Tachibana Akane proudly puffed out her chest—her years of effort hadn't been in vain.
"I understand," Horikita Suzune nodded thoughtfully. "They complain and seek help from Tachibana-senpai because they trust her capabilities."
Then she abruptly shifted topics. "But what does this have to do with me?"
Kaoru sighed. "Your interpretation isn't wrong. The main reason we brought you along was to show you the complexity of interpersonal relationships."
"Interpersonal relationships?"
Horikita Suzune tilted her head.
"Between students, clubs and students, clubs and clubs, underclassmen and upperclassmen, boys and girls, students and teachers."Kaoru said, "I know you dislike interacting with most people, especially those who are of no help to you. You believe there's no meaning in engaging with such individuals."
Horikita Suzune pursed her lips slightly. Was he about to lecture her again?
"That's right, your thinking isn't wrong. Most people in this world hold no significance for us, just as we are unnecessary contacts in their eyes."
"But thinking there's no need for contact and therefore refusing it is just being detached from reality. Horikita Senior is worried about this very aspect of you. He feels you don't know how to communicate, don't understand others' thoughts. You only recognize that most people are worthless existences, yet you can't distinguish between them."
"What exactly is value? Just like how you initially believed you didn't belong in Class D, you consider Class D students as unnecessary trash to interact with. You even think Class A students aren't worth understanding. Yet the trash in your eyes became famous during the sports festival - Ayanokoji nearly won first place in running, and even Sudo shone brightly."
"Horikita Senior once told me that you're merely imitating his demeanor. You don't understand true strength, mistakenly interpreting it as aloof pride."
Hearing this much, Horikita Suzune finally couldn't hold back and spoke up: "I have been trying to change, my brother's..."
"What the senior just did is exactly what Horikita Senior used to do."
Kaoru said softly, "Horikita Senior had great prestige among the upperclassmen - not because he was in Class A, nor because he was student council president. It was because he actively reached out to most students, helped solve their problems fairly and justly. That's why everyone liked him, even though he appeared to be a cold, distant senior."
Horikita Suzune looked at Tachibana Akane, who nodded gently.
"That's roughly it. I wanted you to understand the difference between you and your brother."
Kaoru said, "Then, you can try to understand Horikita Senior's perspective."
Horikita Suzune fell completely silent. Try to understand her brother?
"Oh my, it's not really that serious. Horikita-kun is just too stern."
Tachibana Akane laughed it off, "He always keeps a straight face, nobody knows what he's thinking. I suspect his mind contains nothing but studying."
Kaoru smiled, his tone softening considerably: "This isn't meant as my lecture, just my perspective on you and Horikita Senior."
His words weren't wrong. At least Horikita Suzune had been constantly thinking about these questions - why her brother kept rejecting her.
Initially, Horikita Suzune thought she wasn't strong enough, thus not qualified to stand by Horikita Manabu's side. That's why when she met Kaoru, she felt particularly unconvinced.
If I can't match my brother, can't I at least surpass you?
Although she inexplicably lost to Kaoru later, it didn't exceed her understanding - she was simply defeated by someone stronger than her. She was still better than most people.
This way of thinking couldn't be called wrong, but it represented no real change.
Kaoru didn't intend to force Horikita Suzune, telling her this won't do and she must change. Instead, he wanted her to try stepping out of her own world.
"So, you think I should abandon my previous naivety and unite with classmates like Kushida, relying on the strength of the majority?"
"That would just make you another Kikyo, another Honami - not the Suzune I know."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I think Suzune should go ask Horikita Senior herself."
...
Closing the office door, Kaoru stood outside. His gaze met Tachibana Akane's beside him.
"Didn't you say she and Horikita-kun would start fighting if they met?"
Tachibana Akane asked worriedly, "Is it really okay to leave the two of them in there?""That shouldn't be the case. I deceived... I told Horikita Senior that since he's graduating anyway, it's perfectly normal to want to see his sister."
Kaoru said with a straight face, "Besides, tomorrow is Suzune's birthday. As her brother, he should at least show some consideration, right?"
Tachibana Akane's lips twitched. So this was how he managed to trick Horikita Manabu into coming to the student council office?
"Tomorrow is Horikita's birthday?"
"Yes, but they plan to hold the party tonight, combining it with Valentine's Day celebrations."
"Stare—"
Kaoru subtly averted his gaze. He kept feeling like his room was becoming too crowded lately, having specifically bought a double bed to replace his old broken one.
"Here, your Valentine's gift."
Tachibana Akane reluctantly took out a box of chocolates from her backpack and tapped it against Kaoru's head. "Being with you is nothing but trouble. People have been asking me all day what our relationship is."
"Next time, tell them to ask me directly. I'll tell them that Senior is my girlfriend."
Kaoru took the chocolates from her, beaming brightly.
"What girlfriend? I haven't agreed to that yet."
Tachibana Akane snorted a few times. "Everyone's calling you the Harem Overlord now, and a Cuckold Enthusiast at that."
Kaoru argued defensively, "Asahina Senior and I have mutual feelings. It's Namagiri who's interfering with our relationship."
"Did I mention Asahina at all?"
Tachibana Akane looked at him with disdain. "I heard that Karuizawa used to have a boyfriend."
Pretending not to hear, Kaoru opened the chocolate box and found it filled with adorable animal shapes.
"Hehe, I made these myself! Aren't they cute!"
Seeing his expression, Tachibana Akane puffed out her chest proudly, looking extremely pleased with herself.
Even though they weren't heart-shaped, these handmade creations clearly showed the girl's feelings.