As soon as he entered and saw Horikita Manabu watching him expressionlessly, Kaoru swallowed the words he had been preparing.
"Have a seat," Horikita Manabu spoke, without the expected anger of a brother-in-law towards an unworthy suitor.
"To be honest, I didn't expect the student council office to have changed this much."
At this moment, the student council's atmosphere had completely transformed.
Extravagant and luxurious decorations could be seen everywhere, and even the original sofas and tea sets had been replaced.
The president's throne particularly showcased its owner's unique aesthetic taste, with an even more conspicuous desk displaying his beloved ornaments.
Clearly, this was Nagumo Miyabi's personal style.
It seemed Horikita Suzune hadn't yet informed Horikita Manabu about their relationship, which made Kaoru breathe a sigh of relief.
"Nagumo used a significant portion of the budget to renovate the office, but ironically, after the renovation was completed, he rarely shows up at the student council. Now I'm basically the one managing the council's affairs."
Actually, Kaoru had received feedback that Nagumo Miyabi was preparing to replace the original student council members with newly recruited ones.
Replacement was fine - after the other party left, Kaoru would return to the student council anyway.
"Because of your appearance, he's now dealing with the dissatisfaction among second-year students. Kiriyama has been constantly stirring up emotions among the lower classes."
Horikita Manabu paused briefly, "He's about to be surrounded. You're currently slaying the dragon, though I didn't completely believe your words from the beginning."
"Not that fast. Nagumo is just temporarily blinded. Before he could make a move against me, I had already accumulated sufficient capital."
Kaoru spread his hands.
Although he didn't control the entire grade level, he had people in every class.
It would be difficult for Nagumo Miyabi to sow discord like he could, especially since Nagumo himself had planted many time bombs among the second-year students that were now detonating one after another ahead of schedule.
As long as Nagumo Miyabi couldn't quickly reverse his image, he would continue bleeding to death like this.
Horikita Manabu glanced at him, his expression unchanged: "My assessment of you remains the same as before - you're like an elusive presence drifting through the world, making it hard to understand what you want. But now you seem more human."
'He's definitely angry,' Kaoru thought somewhat awkwardly.
The next moment, Horikita Manabu turned his head away.
"Never mind, let's not talk about these things. I appreciate your intention to help my sister grow. However, even if you try to teach Suzune to view the world with understanding, she won't comply with your wishes. I believe she'll continue contemplating what she and others should do according to her own thinking."
Kaoru was somewhat curious about what he and Horikita Suzune had discussed - it probably wasn't just about giving a birthday gift.
"Horikita-senpai cares about Suzune more than I imagined."
Kaoru smiled, "What she sees isn't me trying to teach her, but what her brother has done before. Once she understands the differences between both sides, Suzune will actively seize a completely new ending for herself."
"You seem to have full confidence in Suzune."
"Because she takes everything too seriously."
"I see. No wonder she keeps mentioning your name. Your understanding of her surprises me."
Kaoru's smile froze.
What was going on with Horikita Suzune? Shouldn't she be crying in her brother's arms?
Why would she mention his name?
"Curious why she mentioned your name?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Horikita Manabu's mouth, as if he had finally regained control of the conversation.
He turned back, "Because of your existence, she seems to have realized her own problems. I should thank you, Mitoma-kun."
"You're too kind."
Kaoru forced a dry laugh, "Actually, between Suzune and I..."
"I really shouldn't interfere in your affairs, but you're going too far..."
Horikita Manabu couldn't find more precise words for a moment, letting out a deep sigh.
"Why would even Tachibana end up like this?"
If Kaoru had only pursued Horikita Suzune, Manabu would have felt strangely pleased - after all, he was genuinely surprised that the sister he knew could actually be won over.
Having Kaoru as a boyfriend to correct her didn't seem problematic to Manabu.
The real issue was that Kaoru didn't have just one girlfriend.
The rumors about him had become so numerous that Manabu couldn't make sense of it all - Ichinose Honami, Kushida Kikyo, Asahina Nazuna, and others. Who was the actual girlfriend?
What was even more surprising was that Tachibana Akane was among them.
Manabu simply couldn't understand it.
He felt like the world had become something he no longer recognized.
"Things are somewhat complicated," Kaoru said through gritted teeth. "Before I knew it, it ended up like this. It's hard to explain in just a word or two."
"But, Horikita Senior, my feelings for all of them are genuine."
Manabu remained silent, staring at him for a long time before finally speaking.
"Tachibana will graduate soon. Have you thought about what you'll do then?"
Kaoru was slightly taken aback.
Instead of asking about Horikita Suzune, Manabu was inquiring about Tachibana Akane, which stirred some ripples in his heart.
"Senior plans to continue her studies. I'm thinking of going out once a month, which would be perfect for seeing her."
The Personal points obtained through the system item - Kaoru intended to use them all for this purpose.
His situation was somewhat similar to a long-distance relationship, except they couldn't communicate freely at any time.
Manabu was stunned for a moment, seemingly unsure how he planned to go out.
But upon second thought, since he said so, he probably had some special means.
"Have you thought about the future?" Manabu asked seriously. "I don't oppose you simply dating, but life isn't just about romance. To be blunt, I don't think you can keep Suzune. Her future potential will be higher and stronger than mine. She won't be content being just an appendage to a man."
Just moments ago he was criticizing his sister, and now he was praising her, Kaoru thought to himself.
"What do you mean by 'keep'?" Kaoru countered.
Manabu raised an eyebrow, but then heard him continue: "If you think I would restrain Suzune, you're mistaken. I won't bind her, or Honami, or any of them, in the name of love or family."
"You're aware you have other girlfriends. Why would Suzune stay by your side?"
"Horikita-senpai, I understand what you mean, but such presuppositions are unfair. Right now, Suzune and I share the same position. She wants to prove herself, to defeat Class A - I don't see that as betraying me. In fact, I welcome it. Someday in the future, whatever university she wants to attend, or whatever career she wants to pursue, I won't be standing in opposition to her decisions, but supporting her own choices."
"..."
Manabu fell completely silent.
He understood what Kaoru meant, and was even somewhat incredulous.
"I see. So that's why you brought her here, specifically telling me beforehand to prepare a birthday gift for her."
So the book she was holding earlier was the gift Manabu had prepared.
The elder brother and the boyfriend surprisingly shared the same thinking in this regard.
"Although your feelings are somewhat peculiar, your desire to mend the relationship between me and my sister is..."
A faint smile appeared on Horikita Manabu's face. "I must admit, I have no room for refusal."
Kaoru blinked.
Had he passed this hurdle?
'It's a pity I didn't witness the tender moment between those siblings earlier, and I've never seen Horikita Suzune shed tears before.'