Horikita Suzune had ultimately cut her long hair, transforming from straight black locks to a shoulder-length bob.
Just as Kushida Kikyo had mentioned, the experience was indeed uniquely refreshing—especially when dressing Horikita Suzune in androgynous clothing, which gave Kaoru a novel sensation.
Of course, there were plenty of unconventional outfits too.
It seemed to trigger a curious chemical reaction that greatly interested Kaoru, leading to many such sessions.
However, today was the third-years' graduation ceremony, so they needed to exercise some restraint.
Kaoru shifted his gaze from Class 1-D, where quite a commotion had erupted because of Horikita Suzune.
Due to an unexpected transition in the Student Council during the final Special Exam, although Nagumo Miyabi would still deliver a speech, everyone knew this would be his final appearance.
Nagumo Miyabi was scheduled to announce the new Student Council president at the end.
Kaoru would appear before the entire school for the first time and then succeed Nagumo's position.
Now, all teachers and students were gathered in the gymnasium, with the rarely seen principal and board chairman present before the students.
"Next, we invite the class representative from the group that fought relentlessly over the past three years to graduate from Class A to deliver a speech."
After the administrators' addresses, it was finally time for the day's main event.
Kaoru heard an expected name and watched as the person walked confidently toward the podium under everyone's gaze.
"On this vibrant spring day, we welcome the graduation ceremony..."
A year ago, Kaoru had listened here as Horikita Manabu explained the Student Council.
Now, the content had shifted to farewells.
Kaoru could still see the wishes swirling around him, but as he spoke, they dimmed one by one, soon leaving him an ordinary person.
Wishes have expiration dates.
In specific times and settings, certain individuals suddenly manifest wishes—like Hasebe Haruka, who was just an ordinary person back then, so she hadn't caught Kaoru's attention.
Perhaps before that, Hasebe Haruka hadn't yet become the protagonist of any story.
Kaoru looked toward the third-year ranks, where a petite figure stood. The wishes belonging to her were fading away.
Every story must eventually conclude—which was why he had bid farewell to the agency back then.
"I hereby swear that what you have learned at this school will become treasures, providing support for your future lives."
Horikita Manabu spoke his final words, "I believe that next year and two years from now, the person delivering the graduation address here will inevitably understand the meaning of these words at some moment."
Many people instinctively glanced toward Nagumo Miyabi.
After Horikita Manabu's departure, he was the most likely candidate to deliver his own graduation address on stage next year.
However, those slightly more informed turned their attention to Kaoru.
Kaoru maintained a calm expression as he watched Nagumo Miyabi step onto the stage.
As the Student Council President, Nagumo Miyabi would represent the underclassmen in bidding farewell to the graduates.
Some anticipated whether Nagumo Miyabi would attack Kaoru in his final speech, wondering if their conflict would erupt today.
Holding such expectations, many soon felt disappointed, as Nagumo Miyabi made no mention of Kaoru whatsoever, expressing only profound regret over Horikita Manabu's departure.
"Heh, now let's welcome our new president to the stage."
Nagumo Miyabi cast a challenging look toward Kaoru.
Their conflict needed no further emphasis - he knew when words became superfluous.
Before ascending the stage, Kaoru glanced briefly at Tsukishiro Kazunari, who responded with a smiling applause.
...
Since the graduates needed to bid farewell to the teachers afterward, Horikita Suzune waited outside the gymnasium for quite some time.
Among others, Sudo Ken attempted to strike up a conversation with her, naturally curious about her decision to cut off her long black hair.
Fortunately, Kushida Kikyo helped fend off many approaching students, preventing her from being surrounded by classmates.
Staring toward the gymnasium, Horikita Suzune felt time dragging unbearably slow. She began regretting her decision, even considering whether to seek out Kaoru.
"Speaking of which, I don't think I've ever properly greeted Horikita-san's brother," Kushida Kikyo remarked beside her.
"My brother doesn't care for people like you," Horikita Suzune instinctively resisted her presence, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"Wasn't Horikita-senpai also a student at our school before?" Kushida continued, seemingly oblivious to her resistance.
"I heard he was an remarkable senior. Truly impressive - managing to graduate from Class A here and even serving as Student Council President."
The more she spoke, the more agitated Horikita Suzune became.
The confidence she'd painstakingly built gradually crumbled, though she struggled to maintain an indifferent facade.
Despite having made some changes, whenever she thought about facing Horikita Manabu, an inevitable sense of inferiority welled up inside her.
Would her brother be satisfied with such results?
Horikita Suzune felt deeply unsettled, especially with Kushida Kikyo insistently remaining by her side, creating a looming sense of impending humiliation.
"Look! Horikita-senpai is coming out!" Kushida suddenly waved toward the entrance, giving Horikita Suzune no time to react.
"Horikita-senpai! Your sister has something to tell you!"
"You!" Horikita Suzune felt certain Kushida simply wanted to watch her struggle.
Noticing the surrounding gazes, her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Sure enough, Horikita Manabu immediately spotted the bouncing Kushida Kikyo.
Then, surprise flickered in his eyes.
When Horikita Manabu approached, Kushida Kikyo smiled and took the initiative to greet him.
"Hello, Horikita-senpai. I'm a friend of Horikita-san. You can call me Kikyo-chan."
Noticing Horikita Manabu's slightly surprised gaze, Horikita Suzune's face burned even hotter as she quickly said.
"N-no... it's not like that... we're just ordinary classmates."
"Eh? After going through so much together, we're still not friends?"
What did she mean by "going through so much together"?
Did she mean being played with while lying together in bed?
Horikita Suzune really wanted to chase Kushida Kikyo away, but this girl was thick-skinned and pretended not to read the atmosphere.
"You seem to have changed, Suzune."
Horikita Manabu suddenly said, "It seems you've started learning to enjoy your high school life."
Horikita Suzune was slightly taken aback, then heard Horikita Manabu's nostalgic voice.
"This hairstyle reminds me of how you used to be. It's really nostalgic."
"I... I only realized this now. Have I disappointed you, brother?"
Horikita Suzune's expression was complicated.
Horikita Manabu smiled slightly, "During the sports festival, the Suzune I knew had already started to return. I'm really happy you could change in such a short time."
Perhaps never expecting her brother to praise her, Horikita Suzune became somewhat flustered.
"Having broken free from your past self, what do you plan to do now?" Horikita Manabu asked.
Horikita Suzune calmed down a bit.
She had already understood that she couldn't blindly chase after someone's shadow anymore - she needed to find her own path.
"I want to lead everyone forward together."
The girl said, "I want to continue studying here, and think about how to defeat that guy."
At this moment, Kushida Kikyo interjected, "Thanks to Horikita-san's efforts, we're already in Class C now!"
Horikita Manabu was momentarily stunned, then showed a relieved smile.
What he cared about wasn't the class ranking, but that Horikita Suzune seemed to have integrated into her class.
However, the "that guy" mentioned by Horikita Suzune made Horikita Manabu's expression somewhat complicated.
Horikita Suzune pursed her lips and said softly: "I won't be satisfied until I defeat him."
Horikita Manabu came back to his senses and sighed, "What if you lose?"
"Then I'll just try again."
Horikita Suzune remembered Kaoru Mitoma's words and unconsciously showed a slight smile, "I can lose many times, but he can only lose once."
Seeing this, Horikita Manabu felt extremely helpless.
Just what kind of magic had Kaoru used on his sister?
"It seems I really don't need to worry about you anymore." Horikita Manabu said with some emotion.
The current Horikita Suzune had not only broken free from her past restraints but also had her own goals.
Wait, Horikita Manabu suddenly realized a problem.
While his sister might be free from psychological barriers, there was a more serious issue!
"Where's Mitoma-kun?" Horikita Manabu asked seriously, "I need to talk to him."
High school students can date, but they need to exercise restraint!
Don't let any accidents happen!
Horikita Suzune was clearly taken aback, then became somewhat nervous.
Had her brother discovered something?
"He's not here." Kushida Kikyo answered, "It seems he ran off from the start. Probably thought it would be troublesome."
Horikita Manabu slightly frowned.
As the older brother, he planned to have a frank conversation with Kaoru in a few days - at the very least, he couldn't hand over his sister to him without clarity.