Horikita Manabu, her older brother, was a genius.
From as far back as Horikita Suzune could remember, people around her had always said this. Her brother, two years her senior, seemed capable of doing anything and quickly became an ideal others looked up to.
Gradually, Suzune came to recognize it as well. Like a young monk chanting sutras and beating a wooden fish, she repeatedly reminded herself:
Horikita Manabu, her brother, was a genius.
She was the sister of a genius.
That belief became the foundation stone embedded deep in her being.
Yet, her contact with Manabu was limited. He seemed to intentionally keep his distance, leaving home early to study elsewhere. They only exchanged a few words during rare family gatherings.
"I like long hair."
Though she could barely recall the context of that statement, it etched itself deeply into her memory.
In that moment, Horikita Suzune felt enlightened. If everyone praised her genius brother, then all she had to do was imitate his every action. His likes and values would become her life's guiding principles.
If her brother was always right, then following him meant she would never be wrong.
So she began growing out her hair. Her natural hair suited length, and eventually, it reached her waist. Yet Manabu never once saw it.
"Suzune, hurry up. You've got five minutes."
Suzune was fixing her long hair in front of the mirror. Though many girls envied her flowing locks, maintaining them each morning was a tremendous hassle. Even with her practiced routine, Ryo's voice from outside the door still irritated her.
But she couldn't complain. Every schedule item had been agreed upon together.
Piano, cooking, aikido...
Each training session was a brick, and by stacking them, she could build a staircase to ascend—step by step—until she caught up to Manabu.
She adjusted her bangs. The girl in the mirror tilted her head slightly, her sleek black hair swaying with youthful energy. But she didn't care about appearances. Her long hair was no different from her studies or skills.
Neither loved nor hated—just coins mechanically deposited into her piggy bank of effort.
"Your bento. Get some rest during lunch break. You have aikido this afternoon."
Kitagawa Ryo handed her the boxed lunch and urged her out the door.
Suzune had always been curious what Ryo actually did at home instead of going to school, but it didn't concern her. When she asked indirectly, he would just brush her off.
"Take care. Bye."
"Your hairstyle looks good today."
Ryo waved to her with the door half-open. Suzune had no idea what was different about her hair today but nodded anyway.
What surprised her was the flicker of joy that followed his compliment. A faint sliver of emotion, like a sharp blade grazing only the skin's surface—not painful, not even bleeding.
The school day ended quickly. Suzune wasn't part of any club, and most classmates were chatting lazily while packing up. Others had already grouped up in the hallways as friends, acquaintances, or club members.
She stood alone, like the one person excluded. The afterschool campus bustled with students and bicycle wheels. With her back straight, she walked through the twilight crowd toward the school gate.
"Took you a while."
For the first time that day, someone spoke to her.
Kitagawa Ryo stood by the gate, leaning against a tree, waving at her.
She hesitated but approached. She immediately noticed the handful of business cards and notes in his hand, each scribbled with what seemed to be contact info.
"So this is how you make money while staying home all day?"
"Slandering your brother is forbidden, even if I'm just your cousin."
Ryo casually tossed the cards and notes—from talent scouts, schoolgirls, even parents—into the trash bin.
"Let's go. Today's training will be tough."
As he reached out to grab her bag, Suzune instinctively took a step back.
"...I can carry it myself."
She had already noticed the stares around them. Ryo's face was striking enough to live off of, and she felt everyone's eyes.
She could already imagine the rumors tomorrow.
But none of it mattered.
Suzune knew exactly how her classmates viewed her. Their hostility came not from personal dislike but from instinctive jealousy toward excellence.
Human nature delighted in trampling the weak and dragging down those above.
"Let's go."
Horikita Suzune lifted her chin.
-------------------------------------
"Alright, today's aikido training is over."
Kitagawa Ryo clapped his hands. Across from him, Horikita Suzune finally relaxed, her taut nerves unwinding. A deep fatigue surged from her core, nearly making her collapse on the spot.
"Go take a bath first. I'll prepare dinner during that time. After your bath, we eat. After dinner, you'll do two practice test sets. Then a short tea ceremony session, a piano piece before bed, and lastly, make your bento for tomorrow."
He offered no support or concern—just issued her remaining tasks for the day like a rigid instructor.
"Haa..."
Suzune exhaled heavily. Her muscles ached everywhere. During their sparring, she had truly felt the vast gap in skill between them.
And according to Ryo, Horikita Manabu was even more skilled.
"Work hard."
"This is the kind of sister Manabu wants."
"Once you show enough growth, I can get you into Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School."
He said this casually as he left the room.
"Isn't that school completely closed-off?"
Suzune blinked, a little confused.
"In November, they're holding a cultural festival. Restrictions will be relaxed."
He waved dismissively.
"Of course, that depends on your effort."
"You are Manabu's sister, after all. As someone who lost to him, I can't wait to see him beaten by his own blood. That's why I came to you."
Suzune nodded while rubbing her calves.
Ryo wasn't wrong. But the words "that's why I came" left a flicker of irritation in her chest.
He didn't care about her. He just wanted to mold her into someone capable of defeating Manabu.
Originally, their goals aligned, and that was why she agreed. But after weeks together, she found herself caring.
Feeling the warmth of bathwater against her skin, Suzune shivered slightly before closing her eyes, letting the heat wash over her.
"I'll be making a fatigue-relieving dinner tonight. Any dietary restrictions?"
His voice came faintly through the frosted glass.
"None."
She paused.
"Thank you."
"Got it."
Steam filled the room as his footsteps faded.
"Haa..."
She sat quietly on the floor, letting the water cascade over her head. Raising her clear eyes to the misty ceiling, her soaked hair clung to her face. She stood and reached for the shampoo.
Her fingers gently combed through her long hair, as if washing each strand one by one.
"Spinach with sesame."
Ryo placed the chilled appetizer in front of her.
Fresh from the bath, her normally pale skin was now flushed with warmth. Her waist-length black hair fanned across her back, still damp, gleaming like wet raven feathers.
Her violet-red eyes shimmered, lips dewy with moisture.
She chewed slowly. The simple dish, well-balanced and flavorful, pleased her palate.
Next came the main course: Tom Yum Goong.
Suzune had read about it and even tried making it before, but it never compared to Ryo's in color or aroma.
Noticing her puzzled glance, Ryo explained:
"I adjusted the sour-spicy balance. Also, no cilantro in mine. I don't like it."
"Oh."
She murmured and resumed eating.
Finally, a small, delicate mousse cake was served for dessert.
"Sweetness brings happiness."
Suzune didn't know what happiness felt like. But her body accepted it easily.
"Alright, time for the worksheets."
Ryo cleared the dishes and checked his phone.
"Timing starts now. First set due in ninety minutes."
Now, Suzune finally understood the meaning of "misery."
Three hours later, she yawned while watching Ryo grade her papers.
"Sleepy? Brew some tea. That'll keep you alert."
"I'm grading so you have time to practice tea ceremony. When guests came to the Horikita house, it was Manabu who served tea."
"The water's already boiled. Follow what I taught you."
He glanced sideways at her.
With no choice, she retrieved the full tea set and leaves. Sure enough, a pot of hot water was waiting.
She poured and swirled elegantly: warming the pot, rinsing cups, drying, adding leaves, roasting, pouring...
Steam and fragrance soon filled the air, soothing the senses.
It had taken her a whole week to master these movements.
She still didn't understand why she had to learn this. They never had guests.
"Here."
She handed him the tea, then pulled a chair beside him and watched him grade papers.
Up to now, she had only ever brewed tea for Ryo.
This was one of the few calm moments in her day.
Under soft yellow light, a rare, content smile appeared on her face.
"You've improved a lot recently."
But the peaceful mood broke as Ryo spoke.
"Your academics are close to his now. Time to move on to the next phase."
He twirled his red pen. Shadows danced across the wall.
"Your school has a cultural festival next month. You'll be the class executive."
"Why?"
She instinctively resisted.
"Because Manabu is in charge of his class's entire festival."
"..."
Suzune fell silent. That would be a big step.
Until now, she hadn't tried to communicate with anyone.
Much less lead a class.
Group work was troublesome and pointless.
"Do it."
His tone turned cold. Gritting her teeth, she retorted:
"I'm not good at that. You saw it today after school. I don't even have friends."
"I told you before. I only came because I believe you can surpass Manabu. I don't waste time on pointless things. If you reject this, I'll take it as a sign that staying here is meaningless."
He shook his head. Suzune stared defiantly.
"So it's all about benefits to you."
"Is that a problem? People weigh pros and cons all the time. Sell goods, earn money. Sell favors, earn gratitude. Why else would I come coach you?"
"But people have strengths and weaknesses. To me, most of my classmates are just dead weight. I can't lead them."
"If that's what you think, then I'll consider you dead weight too."
"And what makes you think I am?"
"Isn't it obvious? You're alone, completely unlike your brother—a student council member and class leader. That alone proves you're a burden."
They stared each other down. Ryo took a sip of tea.
"If you don't become class rep, I'll leave."
"Because I'll know you'll never surpass him."
Suzune took a deep breath and skipped the topic.
"Which piano piece today?"
Practice time.
Ryo paused, hesitated.
"Für Elise."
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