For the first time, Horikita Manabu's normally emotionless expression showed a ripple of change. Looking at his sister in front of him, he spoke softly:
"You've changed, Suzune."
A brother relieved by his sister's growth, he gently voiced his thoughts.
"Honestly, I wondered if, upon hearing the news, you might impulsively cut your hair again and try to show your growth in front of me."
"Do you really think I'm still like that?"
"Because that's the kind of decision you used to make."
Manabu's gaze softened.
"That's why I'm so glad to see you like this now. You've returned to the original Suzune."
"No—it's wrong to come to such a conclusion on your own."
"A year—no, it's only been a little over half a year. What has Suzune been doing?"
As she adjusted her breathing, Suzune slowly answered her brother's question.
Though it sounded like the casual exchange between siblings reunited after a long time, Manabu clearly meant something deeper.
He glanced toward Kitagawa Ryo, who leaned against the wall. Suzune's change was likely connected to him.
"Too many things happened. I served as an executive committee member for the school festival, wore a mascot costume for a dessert shop..."
She instinctively recalled only events from the past few months. Pressing her lips together, her words became slightly muddled.
But Manabu just watched her gently, waiting for her to find her words.
"I tried many things I never imagined or attempted before."
She couldn't list them all at once. If she had to choose one keyword to describe the past half year, it would be: trying.
Like standing at a crossroads of fate, seeing endless paths unfold, she wanted to find her own.
"But there is one thing I can say for certain. The old me—was always chasing after you. But that version of me no longer exists."
Everything—studies, sports—had been for her brother's approval.
"I don't know where I'll go, but many paths have opened before me."
"Is that so?"
Manabu let out a soft chuckle and looked at her with admiration:
"In that respect, you're more impressive than I am, Suzune."
"Eh?"
Suzune looked startled. This was probably the first time she'd ever heard such direct praise from him.
"Because up to now, I've been holding the same vague goal—to be an excellent person. But I never decided on a destination."
"Or rather, I never found a place I truly wanted to go."
"Politician, doctor, researcher, teacher... Even now, I don't know what I truly want to be."
For the first time, Manabu opened his heart to Suzune. She listened quietly.
"That's why I was confused when you made me your eternal goal, your destination. It's like chasing a train without a destination—just tiring and meaningless."
"Since I was little, I simply completed the tasks others gave me, day after day."
"Later, the family expected me to be a role model. I believed it was right, never doubting it."
"I made the same mistake as you. I defined myself based on others' expectations, trapping myself in a tiny box."
"So in that regard, you're stronger than I was at fourteen."
"To try—or rather, to carve your own path."
Manabu gently placed a hand on Suzune's head. In that affectionate gesture was an unprecedented hope:
"So you will become stronger and even more kind."
In some ways, they truly were siblings.
From afar, Kitagawa Ryo observed them.
He probably understood Manabu better than Suzune did. Despite Suzune's poor social skills, Manabu had also struggled with relationships during his time at Advanced Nurturing High School—a reflection of his own way of doing things.
Ryo remembered Manabu saying he never deliberately formed close friendships. If Tachibana Akane hadn't spent three whole years melting his icy heart, he might have graduated without a single true friend.
Not that their relationship could be simply labeled as friendship.
Though Manabu was hailed as the most outstanding student council president in the school's history, he only ever trusted Akane. His chosen successor before graduation? Kiriyama—a notorious fence-sitter.
Ryo had interacted with Manabu in two simulations, one of which had them as friends. So he knew: Manabu was never a perfect person. The version Suzune had chased was merely an illusion of her own making.
That's why Ryo was genuinely glad to see the siblings openly sharing their hearts.
"Suzune, a year and a half from now, I'll be waiting for you outside the school gates."
"I look forward to that day."
Placing his hands on her shoulders, they looked into each other's eyes.
Suzune nodded firmly, making her own promise:
"I'll come. Not to chase after you, but to show you a better version of myself."
Both understood that after today's cultural festival, their next meeting might be the day Suzune enrolled in the school. As if wanting to burn her current self into memory, Manabu smiled at her.
He wasn't a man who never smiled.
But for Suzune, this was the first time seeing such a gentle smile from him.
Kitagawa Ryo, standing in the shadows, smiled quietly.
He had deliberately stayed silent throughout.
He must never interfere too much in Suzune's life.
But now, all the obstacles hindering her growth were gone.
From here on, she would walk forward without stopping.
Whatever path she chose, it would surely be better than before.
Ryo walked away quietly from the opposite end of the corridor, hands in his pockets, thinking about his next move.
Originally, he planned to simply witness Suzune complete this simulation. But something else had shaken that plan.
On the wall hung a Class 1-A promotional poster for their cultural festival performance.
It displayed a famous set of lyrics:
[Daylight, I must wait for the sunrise.
I must think of a new life, and I mustn't give in.
When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too.
And a new day will begin.]
Kitagawa Ryo recognized it instantly.
It was from one of the world's greatest musicals: Cats.
He turned back to look at Suzune in the distance and softly sang the final line:
"You'll understand what happiness is. Look, a new day has begun."
After a moment of hesitation, Kitagawa Ryo dialed someone's number.
-------------------------------------
Horikita Manabu originally intended to chat a little longer with Horikita Suzune, but Tachibana Akane suddenly rushed out of the classroom, interrupting them with an anxious look. Having overheard that the girl in front of her was Manabu's biological sister and a guest of the school, she didn't avoid the conversation and spoke directly:
"There's a problem. Fujimaki and Amano still haven't shown up, and some of the stage props are missing or damaged."
"What?"
Manabu immediately switched into his usual role as Class 1-A's leader. Suzune, sensing the change, tactfully stepped back and blinked curiously, watching the situation unfold.
Since first entering this school, she had noticed a certain tension in the air. Even though this was just a cultural festival, every class seemed to be putting in extraordinary effort. Rivalry for guests was common, and it was obvious that students viewed this event as far more than mere entertainment.
"You can't reach them by phone either? Then first contact the homeroom teacher and have him check the nearby surveillance cameras. As for the props, try to purchase replacements or repair what we can. Instruct the lighting crew to help conceal any flaws."
Manabu issued his commands methodically, but his furrowed brow showed his concern.
Fujimaki was the second-in-command of Class 1-A and was playing the lead role in their performance. Amano was in charge of all the musical instruments and background music. She also happened to be a skilled pianist and had even composed an original piece specifically for the event.
If these two couldn't be found in time, their entire performance would collapse.
Manabu moved to the window and looked down. The festival had already been going for over an hour. By now, even the slowest guests would have reached the second floor of the special building. In ten minutes or so, even the third floor would start getting crowded.
"Understood. I'll contact the homeroom teacher right away."
Tachibana quickly pulled out her phone to make the call. According to the festival's rules, homeroom teachers had 10,000 points to spend but weren't allowed to purchase from their own year's class stalls, so no one knew where theirs had gone.
Meanwhile, Ishikura from Class 1-B leaned against his classroom's entrance, watching the sudden commotion at Class 1-A.
He had chosen the third floor for a reason—secretly monitoring them. Judging by the situation, it seemed Class 1-C and 1-D had already made their move.
This was the first coordinated strike among the three classes, and they had carefully planned it out. Class 1-D was in charge of abducting people, Class 1-C handled sabotage, and Class 1-B took care of surveillance and public opinion.
Ishikura's job was to spread news about Class 1-A's screw-ups to the guests. Even if Class 1-A recovered the actors and fixed the props, by then, guests would have lost interest in their event.
Underhanded? Perhaps. But at this school, where strength was everything, not being Class A meant you were nothing.
Lowering his eyes, Ishikura reminded himself: as the closest class to overtaking Class A, he had to lead his peers to victory.
Just then, he noticed Kitagawa Ryo walking down the corridor. He seemed to have separated from his companion.
Sensing a potential customer, Ishikura quickly approached him:
"Would you like to check out our musical concert? Since you're our first guest today, we can offer a half-price discount. Plus, we're collaborating with the maid cafe downstairs—you can get 20% off your bill with our concert ticket."
Kitagawa lifted his phone slightly, indicating he was on a call. Only then did Ishikura realize his overenthusiasm had led him to interrupt someone mid-conversation. Embarrassed, he offered an awkward smile.
"Mm, I know."
"No need to explain. It is what it is."
Kitagawa sidestepped Ishikura and moved to a quiet corner.
"How's Arisu doing physically?"
"Mm. If we get a chance next time, I'll take her to a proper cultural festival."
"No need to apologize. I really do like my sister."
"I'll visit Arisu. Talk later."
After ending the call, Ishikura tried to resume his pitch, but Kitagawa walked straight past him without a word and descended the stairs.
Staring at his retreating figure, Ishikura thought the voice from Kitagawa's phone sounded oddly familiar.
Wasn't it the same voice he had heard at the entrance ceremony...?
That of the school chairman?
-------------------------------------
Having overheard most of the conversation nearby, Horikita Suzune now understood the situation.
"Doesn't Onii-sama also play piano? If there's sheet music, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Manabu turned his head toward her, pausing for a moment before replying:
"I've never studied piano."
"Eh? But Ryo said..."
Suzune blinked, turning to glance beside her.
The boy who had stood there moments ago—was gone.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To Read Advanced Chapters, and support this novel, please join me on [email protected]/geats2000