After hearing that someone had instigated this and identifying the culprit, Suzune seemed to stabilize somewhat.
After all, if Kikyō was the mastermind, she could understand it. That girl had always disliked her, so this kind of behavior was plausible.
And now, rumors about her brother were spreading throughout the school.
"I understand, I'll calm down. But…" She gripped her hands tightly, "How can I possibly calm down?! The whole class knows... they all know... and the upperclassmen... the third-years... I'll definitely be used as material to attack my brother. I'm going to cause him trouble."
Suzune was visibly distraught.
"Like just now with Yamauchi, directly asking if I got information from my brother... hasn't this already damaged his reputation? And the other girls also want me to get benefits from my brother, the Student Council President…" She continued mumbling.
Meanwhile, Houtarou quietly observed her.
In this state, Suzune had completely lost her ability to think rationally. She was trapped in her own emotional spiral.
He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
When he'd received Kikyō's report about the leak of Suzune's relationship with her brother, he had already analyzed the situation.
The reason she feared these rumors was simple — she felt her existence might endanger her idol brother, that she couldn't help him and would only be a burden.
This was an inferiority complex. The psychology of a timid sister.
But this was merely immaturity.
"Your thinking is flawed." Houtarou said, "The revelation of your sibling relationship with President Horikita might not be as bad as you think. What you see as negative could actually be positive.
You were initially assigned to Class D, but now you're in Class C, even if you're only 10 Points away from Ryūen's class.
The Points your class gained in the Island Exam and your current standing have caught the attention of students from other classes. So even being revealed as the Student Council President's sister who started in Class D isn't embarrassing."
In fact, not only was it not embarrassing, but it could even bring honor to Manabu.
Others don't know how challenging Suzune's class originally was. Instead, they're impressed by how well her class performed in the Island Exam and their strong showing at the Sports Festival.
Class D advancing to Class C has only happened two or three times in the school's history. Observers would naturally find this achievement impressive.
Suzune may not realize it yet, but she has already established quite a reputation for herself.
Most students in Class C are like sheep, simply believing what they're told. They're curious about the rumors and potential benefits, without truly understanding the value of this situation.
Many third-years and second-years admire Manabu. If Suzune's identity as his sister becomes public knowledge, she could gain both assistance and popularity.
This is the halo effect from Manabu — a highly respected and powerful figure. Even after he graduates, his influence can be passed down to his sister like an inheritance.
So in Houtarou's analysis, this revelation is actually beneficial.
Consider Princess Arisu as an example — she's the daughter of the school's chairman.
If her connection were revealed, some might question whether she entered Class A through favoritism, but her popularity would significantly increase regardless.
Being related to high officials, influential figures, or the Student Council President naturally elevates one's status. People instinctively gravitate toward those with power.
So, from a certain perspective, this news is actually advantageous.
However, Suzune failed to understand this. She only displayed her timid side now, convinced that her very existence was causing trouble for her brother.
Houtarou bore some responsibility for this situation. He had concealed her growth and progress from Manabu, and this incident was a direct attack on Suzune's vulnerability. As a result, she was completely lost.
"Anyway, calm down first!" He gently embraced her.
Normally, such an action would prompt her to demand three days' worth of books in return, but Suzune didn't even notice. This showed just how distressed she truly was.
If she could calm down, she might be able to think clearly again — though judging by her current state, that seemed impossible.
While holding Suzune, Houtarou checked his phone, which had been vibrating non-stop since they left.
The messages confirmed his suspicions: students were reporting that Suzune from Class C was the Student Council President's sister.
Class A students had received this information from Class C students. Class C, functioning like a sieve — essentially a teenage gossip factory — meant that by the next class, all first-years would know. By tomorrow, the news would likely spread throughout the entire school.
Considering the situation after Manabu's graduation, Houtarou didn't feel it necessary to stop the rumors. In fact, he believed they could continue spreading.
However, some intervention was needed. Suzune simply wasn't mature enough to handle this yet.
So Houtarou messaged Kikyō, who had been following them, asking her to come and take the blame as the villain.
⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟
About two minutes passed.
The golden-haired little angel Kikyō, who had been following them, came running over.
She had read Houtarou's message several times in disbelief. He was actually asking her to act as the villain and take the blame for spreading the rumors — all to make Suzune feel more secure.
His reasoning was simple: when the source of rumors remains unknown, people feel more anxious. Having a scapegoat to blame would relieve some of that pressure.
So she was supposed to be that scapegoat? What the hell. Why should she do this?
She had thought she misread the message at first, and now he wanted her to confirm this absurd request?
But the conditions Houtarou offered were impossible to refuse.
| Houtarou Oreki |
| I can guarantee that Ichika Amasawa won't wipe the floor with you in the second year. |
Kikyō: "..."
Who the hell was Ichika Amasawa? And why was Houtarou so certain this kōhai could defeat her?
Still, hadn't she been compromising and serving him for precisely this reason?
These freshmen were so annoying!
And so, little Kikyō reluctantly accepted her role as the scapegoat.
She could see that Suzune was deeply affected by the situation, which essentially confirmed she was indeed Manabu's sister.
Had she really been bold enough to fight against the Student Council President's sister all this time?
Kikyō knew that if she had succeeded in forcing Suzune to drop out, the Student Council President would never have let her get away with it.
Houtarou had arranged for her to contact seniors from the third-year Classes C and D, where she gathered information about the Student Council President.
What she learned was revealing: the students in Manabu's Class A weren't exceptionally talented, but through his strength alone, they maintained their Class A status and created a significant gap with other classes.
In short, he was a formidable individual carrying an entire class on his shoulders. Terrifying, right?
Looking back, Kikyō realized she was fortunate not to have taken more drastic actions against Suzune.
| Kikyō Kushida |
| Then you have to help clear my name later! |
This concern was precisely why she hadn't fully agreed to Houtarou's plan and why she had taken two minutes to arrive.
She knew Suzune would believe the story about her spreading rumors — after all, she had clear motives to target her.
Though this lone girl wasn't particularly powerful on her own, being targeted by her brother, the Student Council President, would put tremendous pressure on Kikyō.
If Suzune sought his help, wouldn't that mean she would be forced to drop out?
Kikyō certainly didn't want to make her situation even worse.
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