What is the worst thing? Bearing the consequences of another person's decisions.
Why should I, the present me, bear the decisions made by the past me? Aren't we separate people now? This is unfair.
I woke up today an hour earlier than usual, just to go to the student council. I'm already starting to regret this decision.
I stood in front of the elevator with tired eyes, waiting for it to arrive so I could leave the dormitory.
When the doors opened, a girl with long black hair, wearing her school uniform, appeared in my daze.
Even though it's still early, Horikita is heading to school now. Does she go at this time every day?
Her eyes were fixed on the door, but after she saw me, she quickly looked away.
What is this? Bullying?
I'd better not take the elevator with her now. I feel like the atmosphere will be awkward. But what's even more awkward is standing here like an idiot.
I quickly got into the elevator and stood in the far corner away from her.
Horikita is a girl with high pride. Maybe she's angry because I saw her in a moment of weakness yesterday, even though she looks normal now, no change, the same usual aura and her aversion to people.
I know the president is a mature, rational, and logical person, so it's hard for me to imagine that a trivial fight broke out between them after I left.
Who knows? Maybe behind those glasses, he hides the personality of an "annoying brother."
It's impossible for their relationship to be fixed in one night, but they've already started, so it won't be too difficult.
Source: Me.
The situation inside the elevator remained quiet, without a single word from me or her, until we reached the ground floor.
Horikita remained standing in her place without moving, frozen as if she was thinking about something.
I moved to leave first. I don't want to be too late on the first day.
What is this? I'm starting to talk like a new employee!
The student council is starting to corrupt me. This is bad.
"Hikigaya-kun..." I heard Horikita's strong voice in the empty hallway in the early morning.
It seems she finally decided to speak.
"Hmm..." I turned towards her slowly. Although I still feel this is awkward, it's not appropriate to ignore her.
"I just want... to thank you... because of you, yesterday, I talked... with my brother." Horikita was hesitant in delivering her words, even though she seemed sincere.
I felt my senses losing their ability to comprehend. Is Horikita really thanking me? I thought she at least knew how to pronounce words of thanks.
I tried to regain my composure. No need to show an exaggerated reaction.
"Ah... no need to thank me." I couldn't look directly at her, so my eyes inadvertently drifted away. I feel embarrassed.
"No... you really helped us..." Horikita seemed insistent, but I don't like her calling it what she wants.
"No, I didn't help you... I did it for my own benefit too." As I said yesterday, just for the class... I'm not interested in the president's relationship with his sister at all.
That's right.
"Oh... okay." It's strange to see Horikita like this. The girl who always claimed strength and saw people as just obstacles in her path, no one would expect her to be like this.
Well, everyone has multiple sides. Even I have a right side and a left side...
There's something else...
"... I'm sorry for the words I said before... even though I still think they were correct, they were somewhat rude." Everything I uttered that day behind the school were just selfish words from me that might hurt her feelings.
Horikita looked as if she was trying to remember exactly what she had talked about.
Did she forget that easily?
"Regarding that... I think you were somewhat right..." Horikita slowly rubbed her elbow while looking at the ground.
Did my hearing get damaged, or my comprehension? This is a bad morning.
Is this entire change due to the influence of Horikita Manabu? That's impossible...
But truly, sometimes what we learn from our siblings is more important and deeper than what we learn from life.
Unfortunately, Komachi won't learn anything from me.
It seemed there was nothing left for me and Horikita to talk about, so I moved again to continue my way to school. But it seemed Horikita still had something she wanted to say.
Horikita walked beside me at the same pace. I don't intend to slow down. If she wants to say something, let her catch up.
"So... will you try to reach Class A?" A serious, firm tone slipped from Horikita's mouth into my ear.
A strange chill ran through me from her persistence.
Horikita might be obsessed with reaching Class A to catch up to her older brother.
That's natural. Everyone wants to reach Class A, but everyone has personal reasons.
Some want to do it to prove themselves, to change, or even for fun...
Everyone has their own perspective.
"And why are you asking?"
Horikita pressed on the strap of her bag as if gathering courage to answer.
"My brother said, to reach Class A... the whole class must cooperate...'" Did the president really start giving his sister advice this quickly?
Horikita Manabu is a student in Class A and has studied at this school for two years. He must have tried and understood this system well, even becoming the student council president, so he might know the right way better than anyone else.
Usually, I don't like words like "group" or "cooperation." I see them as just superficial words used to prove how close and harmonious a group of people are.
But in this school, they might be the most important weapon.
The solution isn't always in the group, but it's a good foundation.
"It's not about desire, but about ability..." The words came out in a hostile manner again, even though I tried to restrain my tone.
Horikita raised her head to stare at me, as if examining my face.
"...What do you mean?" Confusion was evident on her face. She didn't understand my words yet.
It's okay to explain at this stage.
"Even if you have the desire to reach Class A, your class's ability to do so is another matter." As the president said, the secret is in cooperation, not one person or two, but the whole class. Everyone must commit and have the ability to progress.
"But aren't you the one who said Everyone has their own abilities?" Horikita furrowed her eyebrows, considering my words a contradiction.
"Everyone has their own abilities and merits... but if they aren't utilized correctly, they are useless."
It's like in companies. They place you where you fit best, not for your comfort, but to maximize the benefit gained from you.
Therefore, most of the students in our class don't understand the situation, or think what we're doing is useless, so the place is unsuitable for them.
For example, Sudo. I'm sure he thinks playing basketball is more important to him than studying, while the class needs him as an important physical asset.
"So, what should we do?" Horikita put her hand on her chin, thinking more about my words.
I feel obligated to answer her. I don't know why. This is bad, like an interrogation.
"They need to be guided more and developed, not just to become capable of reaching Class A, but to deserve reaching it." Horikita threw me an angry look. What is this? Didn't she like my words? She was the one who wanted to listen.
"You say I'm arrogant, and look at what you're doing now... Do you think you're better than everyone?" Horikita seemed angry at my words.
"No, not at all... because even I have many problems." Even I am still solving many things, and I'm not good at many things either. The difference is that I perhaps have a clearer view of matters.
"If the class doesn't have the ability to rise yet, why did you plan all those things?" It seemed Horikita meant the documents.
There's no point in denying it now after all this.
"...So that things wouldn't get worse."
"Huh?" I threw a sideways glance at Horikita. She still didn't understand. Are my words that difficult?
"If someone hadn't slacked off back then, things would have gotten worse, and we would need to start from scratch." That way, the start would be difficult and painful.
I'd rather lose hope than resist.
Also, I don't want to spend the month without any personal points.
"I don't know why I feel your words are strangely complicated..." Horikita began massaging her temples as if she was in pain.
Come on, it's not that bad. My communication skills are poor, but I can form a useful sentence.
Suddenly, Horikita moved faster and stood in front of me.
What is this? Are you blocking my way to bully me? I'll complain to your brother if you do.
"If you try to change them as you say... will you help too?" Horikita's eyes began to shine intensely, as if inspiration had descended upon her from the sky.
What kind of brother complex do you have to become like this after talking to your brother? This is insane.
"Isn't this difficult for you?" Even if she has the desire and ambition, that's not enough to achieve the results she wants.
"I know this... but there's also Yukinoshita-san. She's suitable for this too. And... even though he doesn't have a motive, I'll try to pressure Ayanokōji-kun as well." Determination was evident on her face and in her calm way of speaking.
Yukinoshita, I think she won't mind working either. Even though I don't know how she will convince Ayanokōji, it's enough to push the class forward.
It seems the time for laziness will be over.
"Why do I feel like you're thinking of backing out?" Horikita's eyes seemed as cold as her voice.
This is scary... Does she have a supernatural power to read minds?
I quickly looked away. Looking into her eyes might allow her to discover more.
"Either way, I'll do this with or without your help... I won't stop until I reach Class A." Determination glowed in her eyes as if her spirit would never break.
Well... that's fine. If joining isn't mandatory, that's fine.
An involuntary smile appeared on my lips.
It seems the arrogant girl will be bidding us farewell soon. Even though it's just initial enthusiasm, it might be enough as a start.
"So... why did you miss the swimming class yesterday? That hinders the class." Horikita began protesting my actions.
Ah, did you decide to start from now? And why am I the first victim here?
I thought no one would notice my absence... most of them don't even know I exist in the first place.
"Ah... well, you know, I was a little busy." I started vigorously scratching the back of my head, looking for an excuse. Really annoying.
Should I try to change the subject?
What should I talk about? Anime? Max coffee?
This is really bad.
"Hikigaya-kun, if you talk about ability and other complicated things with an arrogant face... and you yourself can't even commit to attending, that makes you worse than them." A malicious smile appeared on Horikita's face.
Why are you using this opportunity to scold me? Do you hate me that much?
"Okay, okay, enough. I'm the worst, I'm sorry." I raised my hands in surrender. I don't mind apologizing to end this quickly.
But seriously, if she wants to change them, she's starting with me?
"I think Yukinoshita-san doesn't tolerate such matters, so I'll leave it to her." Horikita crossed her arms as if accepting my surrender.
But Yukinoshita isn't a problem for me. You could say I have a connection with her, right? She won't punish me.
No, she'll probably be worse and will use violence.
Horikita smiled a faint smile and adjusted her bag on her shoulder.
"I'll leave now. It seems you have to go to the student council... goodbye." Horikita quickly walked away towards the school, leaving me alone behind her.
You know I have to go, and you're trying to delay me? That's unacceptable.
Her nature and actions are really harsh. Will her brother be worse than her?
Will I be okay if I work with him?