They had agreed to meet at the library.
He had already taken care of the idiot trio.
However, when she composed herself and walked into the library, the scene inside made her frown.
In the library, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was indeed already there, still looking expressionless.
But besides him, there were four other people in the room—precisely the problematic trio of Yamauchi Haruki, Ike Kanji, and Sudo Ken.
What made her even more slightly displeased was that Kushida Kikyo was also present.
This social butterfly, loved by everyone in Class D and even the entire school, currently wore her signature radiant smile, seemingly trying to liven up the somewhat stiff atmosphere.
It seemed Ayanokoji had used Kushida's social influence to successfully gather this "idiot trio."
A flicker of irritation crossed Horikita's mind.
She disliked this method of overly relying on external forces, and even more so, Kushida's smooth demeanor, as if she could get along with everyone.
But now, as she thought, the bigger picture had to take precedence.
To move up to Class A, she had to make changes.
And imitating the strong was the first step towards success.
For Class A to achieve a perfect score, Sakamoto must have played an indispensable role.
Therefore, learning his calm, composed, and elegant demeanor might also be a necessary practice—even though his behavior today had confused her.
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath, trying to suppress all the impatience and negative emotions in her heart, making her expression appear as peaceful as possible.
She initiated the greeting, her voice in what she considered a reasonably friendly tone:
"It seems everyone is here."
Her gaze swept over Yamauchi, Ike, and Sudo:
"Regarding the study session, I hope you will seriously consider participating. The upcoming mini-test is crucial for the class's points; we cannot afford to lose any more."
However, the idiot trio was, after all, the idiot trio.
Ike Kanji was the first to scoff, leaning lazily back in his chair, looking askance at Horikita:
"Huh? Study session? Horikita, are you out of your mind? Suddenly so 'kind'? We don't need that kind of thing; a last-minute cram session will do."
Sudo Ken also folded his arms, looking displeased:
"Exactly, it's a hassle. And why should we listen to you? You act all high and mighty."
Horikita forcibly suppressed the urge to retort.
She told herself to stay calm.
She turned her gaze to Yamauchi Haruki, who was the only one who hadn't immediately voiced opposition.
She noticed that Yamauchi's reaction was somewhat strange.
He didn't immediately join in the jeering or spout some embarrassing lewd remarks, unlike at the beginning of the school year.
Instead, he seemed hesitant, his eyes darting around, as if weighing something.
"Yamauchi-san," Horikita tried calling his name, her tone softened, "What do you think? A little extra preparation never hurts."
Yamauchi Haruki opened his mouth, looked at the resolute Ike and Sudo beside him, then at Horikita and Kushida, who were waiting for his answer with "kind" expressions.
Finally, his gaze even flickered to the almost invisible Ayanokoji next to them.
He seemed to waver slightly, perhaps due to Kushida's charm, or perhaps genuinely worried about failing.
But in the end, swept up by the consistent hardline attitude and "bro code" of his two friends, he awkwardly rubbed his nose, his voice dropping:
"Uh… I think Ike and Sudo have a point too… maybe it's not necessary to make it so complicated…"
Seeing Yamauchi ultimately choose to go with the flow, Ike Kanji snorted triumphantly, and Sudo also gave him a "you know what's good for you" look.
"See, Horikita," Ike Kanji stood up and patted his rear, "Those with different paths cannot plan together; you all study well yourselves! Let's go, let's go!"
With that, the three of them left the study room arm-in-arm, chattering loudly, not giving Horikita a chance to say anything else.
The study room door slammed shut, and silence instantly fell inside.
Horikita Suzune stood rooted to the spot, clenching her fists.
She had tried her best to restrain herself, even attempting to change her attitude, yet the result was still the same.
First Year Midterm Exam: Chapter 058: Sakamoto Who Wants to Go to NASA
The night was inky black, and the cool evening breeze swept through the campus, rustling the leaves.
The teaching building cast a huge shadow, intertwined with the halos of scattered streetlights, dividing the area into alternating light and dark.
In a secluded corner, the light was dim, almost blending into the night.
Horikita Suzune stood there, looking up slightly at the tall and stern figure in front of her, his back to her—her brother, Horikita Manabu.
He wore his crisp school uniform, meticulous even at night, his glasses reflecting a cold, hard glint in the weak light.
His mere back exuded a sense of oppression.
Horikita Suzune, in contrast, seemed a little frail, a few strands of her long black hair blown by the evening breeze.
She was uncharacteristically not as cold and sharp as usual, but carried a softness unique to girls.
"Suzune, you actually chased me all the way here."
Horikita Manabu did not turn around, his voice deep and devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
"I am no longer the useless me that Big Brother once knew."
She tried to make her voice sound firm, "I came to catch up to you."
"Catch up to me?"
Horikita Manabu finally moved; he raised his hand and pushed his glasses, his movement precise and indifferent.
"You may have noticed your shortcomings, but it's not enough. Choosing this school was your mistake."
His words were like ice picks, piercing Horikita Suzune's heart.
Her face showed an expression mixed with unwillingness and the pain of being denied, a vulnerability she only revealed when facing her brother.
"I will immediately move up to Class A to show you! Then…"
She tried to argue, but her voice involuntarily weakened.
"You can't do it."
Horikita Manabu's tone was decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
"I will definitely do it!"
Suzune's voice grew increasingly uncertain.
"What an disobedient younger sister."
Horikita Manabu finally turned around, his cold gaze scrutinizing her through his glasses, looking down on her.
The next moment, his movement was as fast as lightning.
A hand shot out abruptly, precisely grabbing Horikita Suzune's wrist, and with immense force, he slammed her entire body against the cold wall.
"Ugh!"
Suzune let out a muffled grunt, pain shooting through her back as it hit the wall, and her wrist throbbed from his grip.
Horikita Manabu leaned slightly forward, assuming a posture of absolute dominance, his gaze like he was inspecting a defective item.
"Having a younger sister thrown into Class D, I'm the one who's disgraced."
His voice was very low, "Disappear from this school immediately."
Suzune's face showed an expression of pain as she tried to struggle, but under her brother's absolute strength and imposing aura, it seemed futile and fragile.
"You have neither the qualification nor the ability to climb higher," Horikita Manabu continued coldly, slowly raising his other hand, as if about to commit a more aggressive act of violence the next second, "Recognize that!"
Suzune closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling, as if preparing to endure the coming blow.
However, the anticipated pain did not arrive.
A clear and composed male voice abruptly cut into the almost solidified air.
"Oh dear, violence is not good. It will scare it."
The source of the voice seemed very close, yet somewhat elusive.
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