Suzune was currently in her dormitory, almost in a state of self-isolation.
After fleeing from the classroom, she sighed deeply.
She still hadn't made much progress. Even though she knew what she needed to do and was aware of several good ways to handle the current situation.
But she had still run away from the classroom.
She had skipped class yesterday, sitting in her room reflecting and considering possible remedial plans.
Since Kikyō was her adversary, she should devise methods to counterattack.
However, even pretending to ignore those rumors proved useless; she simply couldn't bear to stay in the classroom, terrified that her immaturity would bring indelible shame to her brother.
She was still too weak. Too immature.
Today she felt intense dislike for both her classmates and herself. Her classmates were only thinking about benefits and convenient methods, while she was, due to her own weakness, becoming someone who held back her excellent brother.
She hated herself this way. She had come here to follow in her excellent brother's footsteps, but now what was she doing? Just holding him back.
Perhaps she really should have dropped out when she first enrolled.
Ah... Houtarou, keeping her here might have been a mistake.
Suzune pulled the blanket over her head. Her phone lay on the bed, displaying a message she had already read.
| Houtarou Oreki |
| I'm coming to your dormitory now. |
At that moment.
Ding Dong—
The doorbell rang.
This made her suddenly sit up from under the blanket. Kei and Maya had just visited. Hiyori had come by too.
But Hiyori had come asking for money, claiming that if Suzune paid 1 million, she could resolve her current predicament.
Ah... she really was useless. Was she already unable to handle things on her own?
She approached the door but didn't open it, instead activating the video intercom.
Normal dormitories didn't have these devices, but last night while she was alone with her thoughts, Houtarou had come knocking. When she hadn't responded, he brought management staff to install this video intercom in her doorway.
His reasoning was simple — with rumors spreading, inconsiderate people might come to her door, and the intercom would let her screen visitors before deciding whether to answer.
Grateful for his thoughtfulness yet again, she had resolved to pull herself together today and attended class.
Yet she had still fled.
"…"
It was always Houtarou cleaning up her messes. She truly was useless.
Suzune sighed inwardly, recalling how her classmates sometimes asked if she was dating him.
She understood why. Houtarou had been asking more of her lately, and she was running out of books to have him return to the library.
Perhaps she should just accept expulsion, and if he still wanted her afterward, maybe marriage would be better.
A hollow feeling spread through her chest as she went to see who had arrived.
The small screen displayed the visitor's image — a beautiful young woman with long hair and elegant features.
It was Honami.
Huh? Where was Houtarou?
Suzune leaned closer to the screen, studying it carefully.
Why would Honami be here?
'Haha... of course.' Suzune laughed bitterly at herself.
She had behaved so immaturely, so what was she expecting? Houtarou had already helped her more than enough; otherwise, she would have dropped out that night when her brother reprimanded her during her first enrollment.
And thinking of marriage as self-punishment was wrong. Marriage requires both parties to be willing, to support each other and build a new life together. Marriage should be for happiness.
She felt ashamed of her momentary thoughts of self-isolation.
So…
"Ichinose…"
Suzune chose to open the door after all.
Honami was essentially the leader of Class B, similar to Kikyō but perhaps even more popular.
She was not only well-liked but also excelled academically.
But Suzune couldn't be like her — she couldn't make friends with so many people.
Houtarou had probably interacted with Honami many times. As for Suzune herself, while they weren't complete strangers, she had never actually spoken with Honami.
People like Kikyō claimed to want to be friends with everyone and treat everyone equally. Honami seemed to be the same type as that little devil.
But she had no grievances with Honami. Was she here to show goodwill?
"Ah... Horikita-san, I'm sorry, were you sleeping just now?" Seeing Suzune open the door, Honami greeted her with immediate warmth.
"No. It's fine, but what brings you here?" Suzune asked somewhat wearily.
"The one who's here to see you isn't me." Honami said with a gentle smile, stepping aside.
She moved deliberately, revealing the person standing behind her.
"...Why…" Suzune's eyes widened in surprise.
Houtarou stepped out from behind Honami.
"Why…" Suzune repeated, her voice trailing off.
If Honami had come alone, Suzune might have assumed she had some personal business to discuss. But seeing Houtarou there with her changed everything.
They must have come to persuade her, to comfort her.
Suzune reasoned that her embarrassing behavior in the classroom had worried Houtarou enough to follow her here. He probably thought that as a male student, it wouldn't be appropriate to counsel her alone, so he had asked Honami to help.
"…" A mix of emotions swirled through Suzune as she processed this realization.
As she stood in the doorway, Houtarou leaned forward, pressing one hand against the wall beside her in a half-cornering gesture like a kabedon, "I have something to say to you."
Whoosh Whoosh—
The sound of Suzune's water kettle reaching a boil echoed from inside the room.
But the air between them seemed frozen.
⍟⍟⍟
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