Shimizu Akira finally understood—Nagumo Miyabi was deliberately provoking him.
He'd never crossed the guy, yet Nagumo had gone out of his way to mention his outing with Kushida Kikyō, specifically to Horikita Suzune.
What's his angle?
Into Horikita?
Or sees me as competition?
Nagumo was just the student council VP—not a teacher, not even the president. And the actual president was standing right here.
With that in mind, Shimizu saw no reason to tiptoe around his ego.
"VP Nagumo, no need for the theatrics. In terms of popularity, I'm nowhere near your level."
"Oh?" Nagumo's head snapped up, surprised.
The kid had spine.
To stand his ground against the VP...
And that "popularity" line? A backhanded compliment implying he was a playboy.
"Ahem."
The moment Horikita Manabu hung up the phone, his icy gaze swept over them. "What's the noise?"
"Nothing. My mistake." Nagumo shrugged, flashing Shimizu a smirk before turning to Horikita. "President, I'll take my leave."
Without waiting for a response—or even acknowledging his childhood friend—he strode out.
Open disrespect.
Not just behind closed doors, but to the president's face.
The audacity to walk out mid-conversation.
"My apologies, President."Saionji Hiyori stood, her eyes regretful. "Miyabi's always been like this—he wants to provoke you. If you'd just beat him once, he might settle down. Not that I'm defending him. He does need a lesson."
Horikita studied her for two seconds, his tone flat. "I know his temperament. I recruited him, after all."
Saionji opened her mouth, but Horikita had already turned away. "You may go."
She swallowed her words—the president was a black hole for provocations, absorbing even Nagumo's worst without ripple.
Yet Nagumo kept trying, convinced he could crack that calm.
This had been their dynamic for half a year.
Sometimes I'm glad they're both men. If one were a girl, this'd be even messier.
"Excuse me." Saionji bowed, pausing briefly to eye Shimizu and Horikita Suzune before leaving.
"You two. Meeting room."* Horikita Manabu's order was curt.
"Shimizu-kun, Horikita-san, tea's ready!"Matsushita Chiaki beckoned warmly.
They followed her into the adjacent room.
Horikita took his usual seat at the head of the table—then pulled out the chair beside him.
Horikita Suzune hesitated.
Should I sit next to Brother?
But then—
"Shimizu. Here."
Shimizu blinked, then nodded. "Right."
He took the coveted seat, now closer to the president than his own sister.
Horikita Suzune froze, her planned spot usurped.
"Why stand? Chairs exist."* Horikita Manabu gestured to the seat opposite Shimizu.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she sat.
Shimizu sipped his tea, savoring the absurdity.
"State your business."* Horikita Manabu's voice was steel.
"Multiple items. Let's start with the first."* Shimizu glanced at Horikita Suzune. "President, your sister's made real progress since last month. You're siblings—if you can't meet, at least text weekly."
A beat of silence.
"Suzune."* Horikita Manabu's gaze pinned her. "Rather than fixating on this, focus on reaching Class A."
Horikita Suzune paled.
Of course he'd say that.
All her rehearsed words dissolved under "irrelevant."
Horikita Manabu studied her. "...Fine. Since Shimizu insists."
He leaned forward. "List your flaws. One by one. Three seconds per. Fail, and you lose the right to call me brother."
Horikita Suzune jolted.
Two seconds passed before she spoke, her voice quiet but clear.
"I'm socially inept. I struggle with people. My personality is off-putting. I have no real friends. These are why I'm in Class D."
Horikita Manabu listened, something akin to approval flickering in his eyes.
"Good. You've finally distinguished arrogance from isolation. Recognizing your weaknesses and the value of allies—for you, this is progress."
A pause. "...Weekly texts. Granted."
Horikita Suzune's shoulders unclenched.
But then—
"However."* Horikita Manabu's gaze sharpened. "Was this Shimizu's coaching, or your own realization?"
"What I said to Matsushita-senpai... was from Shimizu." She met his eyes squarely. "But these flaws? All mine."
No lies.
Shimizu hadn't scripted this.
These self-indictments were hers alone.
Horikita Manabu exhaled. "...I'm not reprimanding you."
His eyes shifted between them. "Knowing when to rely on others is a skill."