Support points?
Horikita staggered for a moment. Amane, biting down on a carrot to free her hands, quickly reached out to steady her.
"Suzune, what's wrong? I don't remember you having low blood sugar."
You idiot! This has nothing to do with blood sugar!
If anything, it's my blood pressure!
Horikita pressed a hand to her forehead.
Just to be safe, she needed to confirm this matter of 'assistance fees' with Amane.
"Does… does my brother give you points every month?"
Amane thought for a moment. Last month, Horikita-senpai had paid her for helping to put on that act in front of Suzune. She wasn't sure what this month's payment was for, though.
Thinking about it…
Well, he had given them both months, right?
"Mhm, President Horikita has given me two hundred thousand points both of the last two months."
Given them for two months straight.
That meant ever since Amane and her brother had met, he had been providing her with these 'assistance points.'
Why? Why would he do that?
"And… has my brother… done anything… excessive to you?" Horikita asked softly, clinging to a last shred of hope.
Excessive things?
Amane blinked.
"Does 'using' me count?"
Using?
Horikita could hardly believe it. That word, 'using,' had actually come from Amane's mouth. And Amane was being used by the very brother she herself had always admired and chased after.
"Why… why didn't you tell me?" Horikita gently pulled Amane into a hug.
This just left Amane utterly bewildered. Why did Suzune seem so… heartbroken?
Was it because she'd been used by Horikita-senpai?
Amane really wanted to explain it to Suzune. But the content of that 'using' was all about how to guide and deceive Suzune herself.
How could she possibly tell Suzune that?
"I… I was scared…" Amane truly was scared. If she spilled the beans about that day being an act, she'd probably be thrown out of the room that very night.
"You fool! Amane, you're such a fool!"
Huh…?
That's so mean!
She wasn't a fool at all!
Just as Amane, feeling quite pleased with herself, was about to retort, she nuzzled contentedly into Suzune's embrace.
"No, I won't stand for this. I'm going to get justice for you, Amane."
The moment Suzune said she was going to confront Horikita-senpai, Amane was so startled she immediately wrapped her arms around Suzune's waist.
"No! Suzune, you can't go! If… if he finds out, I'm done for!"
If Horikita-senpai found out the leak came from her side…
He might just cook up some special 'trouble' just for her. After all, he was the Student Council President.
Dealing with a weak, pitiful, and helpless girl like her would be a breeze for him.
Hearing Amane say that sent a jolt through Horikita's heart.
Why was Amane trying to stop her from exposing this? This kind of shameless behavior should be brought to light, even if he was her own brother.
But Amane was terrified.
That could only mean one thing. Amane had a weakness her brother was exploiting.
A handle related to this 'assistance.'
And what else could that possibly be?
How despicable!!!
Just as Amane was about to try and persuade Horikita further, her phone rang.
Horikita, seeing it was Horikita-senpai calling, felt a surge of anger and immediately pressed the answer button.
"Why has it taken you so long to get in touch? I was beginning to think you didn't want the points anymore."
That opening line made Horikita Suzune clench her jaw. She signaled with her eyes for Amane to keep the conversation normal.
"Why… why are you suddenly giving me points?"
The tension in Amane's voice was not lost on Horikita-senpai.
"Is there someone else with you right now? Is it inconvenient to talk?" he asked.
One had to admit, Horikita-senpai was quite experienced in these matters.
Someone else?
Amane thought about it.
Someone who shares your futon probably doesn't count as 'someone else.'
"No, there's no one else."
"Are you sure? If you need me, you can tell me your room number. I can come over so we can talk in person." Horikita-senpai frowned. It was obvious someone was definitely with Amane.
Her hesitation clearly indicated she was either receiving instructions or carefully watching the other person's reactions as she spoke.
To prevent the other party from doing anything rash, Horikita-senpai specifically asked for the room number she was in now, not the number of her own room.
Furthermore, by mentioning he could come over, most people would likely reveal themselves out of fear. Yet, it was unusually quiet on Amane's end. He began to wonder if he was overthinking it.
"N-No, there's no need to come over! We can talk on the phone. So, President Horikita, why did you suddenly transfer such a large amount of points to me?"
Noting that Amane used his formal title ['President Horikita'], and getting no reaction from the other end, Horikita-senpai felt slightly relieved.
The person with Amane was probably his difficult younger sister. Otherwise, anyone else on campus, upon discovering the person they were talking to was both their 'bullying victim' and the Student Council President, wouldn't remain so calm.
If there was someone with such strong willpower, he'd have to commend their mental fortitude.
Since it was likely his sister with Amane, there was no need to hide anything from her.
"That's the payment for last time. I'm quite satisfied with your performance so far."
Those words completely ignited Suzune's fury.
Just as Horikita was about to yell into the phone, Amane, quick as lightning, snatched the phone away and held it high up out of reach.
"Can we meet tonight?" Horikita-senpai asked, hearing some rustling and noise on Amane's end but no direct reply.
Finding it strange, he extended the invitation. Some things were better discussed face-to-face.
Especially since the matter concerning Horikita Suzune had been causing quite a stir recently.
While other classes might not know the details, the Student Council had received the complete and detailed report.
Horikita-senpai was deeply dissatisfied and disappointed that his sister had managed to turn a simple reading session into a violent incident.
He thought this would be a good opportunity to talk with Amane and see if she could guide Horikita Suzune a bit further.
However, remembering that Amane was also one of the parties involved, he had been hesitant. Now that he had this chance to communicate, he decided to meet with Amane and discuss the next steps.
What he didn't anticipate was that Amane and Horikita Suzune had just had a little misunderstanding because of his transfer. Horikita Suzune was still fuming.
Upon hearing that her brother actually dared to ask Amane out, she immediately reached out, grabbed the phone.
"Brother!!" Horikita Suzune's voice, at maximum volume, blasted through the speaker. "You're asking Amane to meet with you, late at night!?"
The sudden shout startled Horikita-senpai, causing him to fumble and drop his phone.
He froze for a second.
After processing that it was indeed Horikita Suzune's voice, he calmly picked the phone back up.
"Rest assured. I'm merely borrowing Miyako-san. We'll meet just behind the dormitory building. I'll resolve the matter quickly and return her to you promptly."
Under normal circumstances, this response would have showcased Horikita-senpai's emotional intelligence and attentiveness.
He immediately reassured Horikita Suzune about his intentions, clearly stated the meeting spot—it all painted the picture of a considerate older brother.
But to Horikita Suzune's ears, in this moment, his words carried a completely different meaning.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.