Setting aside whatever reaction Suzune Horikita might have had, Manabu Horikita fell into deep thought instead.
He had genuinely intended to have Suzune Horikita expelled from this school, for two reasons.
First, Suzune Horikita had misinterpreted what it meant to be excellent.
On her path to growth, she had mindlessly imitated him, even following in his footsteps to enroll at the Advanced Nurturing High School—living completely in his shadow.
Second, just as he had previously been unwilling to let first-years join the Student Council, he saw no evidence that Suzune Horikita possessed the ability to survive in this school.
Moreover, he needed to contend with Miyabi Nagumo’s attacks.
If his relationship with Suzune Horikita were exposed, Nagumo would surely find a way to target that weak point.
“I won’t be expelled…” Perhaps having her innermost thoughts exposed in front of an outsider made Suzune’s emotions suddenly tense, her tone turning unusually defiant.
“In this school, it’s not as if you can avoid expulsion simply by not wanting it.
Ken Sudo from Class 1-D doesn’t want to be expelled either, but there are only two weeks left until the next exam.
Can he really pass in his current state?” “There’s no way my grades would fall to that level…” “Even students with excellent academic records can’t afford to be complacent.
Otherwise, with your grades, Horikita, why weren’t you placed in Class 1-A from the start?” Shiraishi Makoto rejected Suzune’s naive thinking.
“Our homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya-sensei, is a graduate of this school.
She once experienced an exam that required the entire class to vote one student into expulsion.” “In that case, Horikita, do you still have full confidence?” “How could there possibly be an exam like that…” “There is indeed such an exam.” Manabu Horikita interrupted Suzune’s protest.
“I also went through that exam.
Expelling just one student would earn the class 100 Class Points.
For a class that’s only slightly behind the one above them, those 100 points are undoubtedly a lifeline, wouldn’t you agree?” Both of them deliberately concealed the “unanimous consent” condition of that exam, intentionally exaggerating its difficulty.
“Just as students with insufficient academic ability like Sudo and Ike are weeded out in exams that test scholastic aptitude, it should only be natural for someone like Horikita—who hasn’t made a single friend to this day—to be weeded out in an exam that tests interpersonal relationships, right?” Shiraishi said with a bright smile on his face.
Yes, even now, Suzune Horikita had “not a single friend.” Even Kiyotaka Ayanokōji, who was closest to her, had never explicitly stated that they were “friends.” Suzune Horikita believed such things didn’t matter, while Ayanokōji—though appearing to desire friendship—still adhered to his pragmatist ways.
“Gh…” With even her beloved brother testifying to this, Suzune could only swallow her resentment.
“I’ll manage it.
Something this simple…” “You still don’t get it, do you?” Manabu Horikita pressed his forehead with his hand in exasperation, his eyes filled with disappointment.
“In this school, inter-class competition is the norm.
If someone is willing to act, Shiraishi has more than enough ways to get you expelled.
Why not go take a look at the second-year classrooms and see how many students the lower classes have lost to Class A’s attacks?” “As the Student Council President said, in your current state, you cannot survive in this school.” Shiraishi delivered the final word.
“Well then, President, it’s getting late.
I’ll head back to the dormitory now.” “Go ahead.” After watching Shiraishi enter the elevator, Manabu Horikita finally spoke slowly.
“Shiraishi Makoto is the first-year student I have the highest hopes for.
His ability to lead Class 1-B to overtake Class 1-A within the first month proves his capability.
If you continue to cling to such foolish ideas, you’ll be expelled before you know it.” “However, if you can make a change and withstand Shiraishi’s attacks, then I would consider that growth on your part.” With those words, Manabu Horikita also left the area.
Suzune Horikita remained rooted to the spot, her emotions unsettled for a long while.
Only after some time did she finally return to the dormitory with heavy steps.
After everyone had left, Kiyotaka Ayanokōji emerged from the shadows.
The next day was a rest day.
Shiraishi Makoto found a quiet corner at the school’s most popular café, Palet.
He ordered two cups of coffee and a few small, appealing pastries, and arranged to meet a certain girl alone.
“Good morning, Shiraishi-kun.” A lively girl with short light-brown hair arrived at the designated meeting spot.
Because it was still early, and Shiraishi had deliberately chosen a corner seat, the environment was relatively quiet and private.
“Good morning, Kushida-san.” Shiraishi gave a slight nod.
“I wonder what Shiraishi-kun wanted to see me about?” Kikyo Kushida’s face always wore a sweet smile, radiating an astonishing warmth and approachability—the very reason she was called “Class 1-D’s little angel.” In the first month alone, she had been frantically making friends.
Beyond her own classmates, she also knew many students from other classes, and she’d had brief contact with Shiraishi before.
Looking at the coffee and pastries spread across the table, countless guesses ran through her mind, but she showed none of them.
“I’d like to show you something, Kushida-san.
Please make sure to put on the earphones.” Shiraishi took out a media player and handed it to Kushida.
Curiosity flickered across Kushida’s face.
She put on the earphones and turned on the player.
Then, the smile on her face abruptly froze.
The content on the player was precisely the footage that Shiraishi had sent Masumi Kamuro to secretly film the previous afternoon.
Stripped of her facade, Kushida was violently kicking the railing, her tone vicious and cutting as she cursed and complained about her classmates—Suzune Horikita, Ken Sudo, and others—completely shredding her usual gentle and kind mask.
“This must be the reason Kushida-san was placed in Class 1-D, I take it?” Shiraishi commented from the side.
Kushida put down the player and shot to her feet, closing in on Shiraishi with rapid strides, her eyes brimming with chilling hostility.
“Be careful—there are security cameras here.” Shiraishi pointed at the surveillance camera not far away.
Realizing this, Kushida’s initial impulses instantly dissipated.
Unable to think of any good move, she could only sink back into her seat.
“So what do you want?” Kushida’s voice had completely shed its warmth.
“Could you smile again, Kushida-san?
Otherwise, it feels a bit OOC.” Shiraishi even used two fingers to lift the corners of his own mouth upward, demonstrating how to smile.
“You bastard…” “Stop—I’m done joking.” Seeing that Kushida’s emotions had been sufficiently recalibrated, Shiraishi got to the point: “If Kushida-san doesn’t want to be ostracized by everyone for the next three years, or expelled outright, I suggest you hear me out.” “I’d like to form an alliance with Kushida-san.
In exchange, this video will never be leaked to anyone from this day forward,” Shiraishi said.
“How do you want to cooperate?” Kushida forced herself to remain composed, asking with feigned calm.