Houtarou cornered Suzune against the wall.
The air froze between them. She looked up at him while he stared directly into her eyes.
"I heard you ran out of the classroom alone this morning." Houtarou said.
This explained why he was here. It was about her problem.
"Let's deal with it now. I don't like delaying things." Houtarou continued, "Let's address these rumors."
This was typical of him — when he spotted a problem, he tackled it immediately. His ability to prevent and reduce risks made him Suzune's familiar savior.
However…
"I don't deserve your help anymore." Suzune said, pressing one hand against the joint of her other hand — a gesture psychology recognizes as signaling lack of confidence.
She felt deeply remorseful.
Earlier, she had considered marrying Houtarou as punishment for her weakness. Yet here he was, still extending his hand to help her.
She felt ashamed of her shallowness.
"You think you've done something terrible?" Houtarou asked.
"...Yes." Suzune nodded.
"You think you're weak?" He pressed.
"...Yes." Though admitting it gave her a sense of defeat, Suzune nodded.
However.
"Then you don't understand yourself." Houtarou said, "Haven't you charged ahead recklessly enough times already? Don't you think you've grown at all?
When Ken Sudō was 1 point away from failing, you performed well by suggesting buying Points. You even received a class evaluation reward. But that was only when handling other people's problems.
When matters target you personally, you become helpless because you can't stay calm. There's nothing shameful about being agitated over things you care about. What's shameful is your behavior during this rumor incident."
Suzune: "..."
The girl, who had been feeling weak and guilty toward Houtarou, now felt like she was being excessively criticized.
Just as she was about to retort, she heard his voice.
"You really didn't notice." Houtarou said, "You haven't forgotten about the Sports Festival, have you? I put two voice recorders on you, and you were completely unaware — that shows how oblivious you were.
Then, when Ryūen counter-accused you, you were at a loss because the voice recorders and your phone had been thrown away. Afterward, Sakura picked them up and returned them to you, which gave you leverage over Ryūen.
Do you think that was luck? I arranged that through Sakura. So, little sister Suzune, you're still just a little sister."
"Ugh…"
This was something Suzune hadn't known.
When Airi picked up the voice recorder and returned it, Suzune had simply thought she was lucky and seized the opportunity to counter-attack Kakeru.
Had she actually been protected by Houtarou all along?
"So this time is the same." Houtarou said, "You've been causing me trouble all along. Just follow your usual approach. I'm already used to dealing with your troublesome affairs. If anything, you stalling or arbitrarily backing down would cause me more trouble."
As he said this, he extended his left hand toward her.
Looking at his offered hand, Suzune didn't immediately grasp it.
"W-why would you help someone like me…" She said, still appearing weak.
Until now, she was still just a small, helpless, and weak little sister. She didn't think she deserved such help.
"Why do you think your brother pays me Points every month to look after you?" Houtarou countered, "That's him providing support for his sister. And now, I believe you need support. So I'm fulfilling my task for him. Therefore…"
The Suzune he saw now was almost the same as the little sister he had met on the night when she was about to drop out of school.
Her usual sharpness had vanished, replaced only by vulnerability.
This was Suzune at her most timid. Cornered against the wall, she had nowhere to retreat.
"I-I see..." Suzune paused momentarily, "T-then I'll trouble you again this time."
She grasped his left hand with both of hers.
"I'm useless — I've realized that deeply. So, Oreki..." She tightened her grip on his hand, "Please... continue to help me."
"Mm."
...Now back to the third wheel.
"...Ugh." Standing to the side, Honami felt inexplicably awkward.
She had been directly brought here by Houtarou to assist Suzune. She owed him a favor, so she genuinely wanted to help.
But did these two even notice her presence?
Their interaction felt like they were deliberately flaunting their connection in front of others — especially with Houtarou's talk about Suzune's brother paying him to look after her, and him fulfilling that duty.
This wasn't just assistance — this was practically a passionate confession!
And Suzune seemed to accept it at face value. No, girl, you're mistaken. Your reaction doesn't come across as simply practical; it shows complete dependence on him.
The proper wording would be "please help me again this once", not "please continue to help me".
You're essentially making Houtarou your default solution whenever you face trouble you can't handle alone.
In Honami's understanding, only one type of relationship worked this way — family.
People often say family members are those who trouble each other. Yet through these troubles, they form deeper bonds. Life consists of these small challenges, and family ties are what hold everyone together through them.
So, Suzune, do you understand what your words and responsive attitude are really conveying?
Honami began to question her purpose here. It seemed like she had stumbled upon a marriage proposal and acceptance.
And they were completely oblivious to how they appeared.
"S-sorry..." Honami finally broke the intimate atmosphere, "I feel like I'm intruding on you two."
"Not at all..." Suzune replied, only then remembering Honami's presence.
⍟⍟⍟
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