Student Council room — after school.
Shikime Natsu had originally been planning to go find some lovely girls and enjoy their company for a while. But just a short time ago, he'd received a message from Student Council President Horikita Manabu, asking him to come by and have a chat.
All things considered, this was Horikita Suzune's older brother — and moreover, an angel investor who had funnelled a not-insignificant number of points his way. Shikime Natsu agreed without much fuss, and made his way to a stairwell in one of the academic buildings at the time and place Horikita Manabu had specified.
At this hour after school, the stairwell was deserted. Not wanting to disturb the quiet, Shikime Natsu kept his footsteps silent as he drifted up behind Horikita Manabu.
"President Horikita, you wanted to see me?"
Shikime Natsu's voice sounded right beside Horikita Manabu's ear. The Student Council President, who had just been gazing out at the scenery a moment before, turned his head — and in those eyes of his, ordinarily so composed, a flicker of genuine surprise passed through them. He hadn't heard a single footstep. This guy had already closed the distance without making a sound. Did he actually have that kind of ability...?
But the surprise in Horikita Manabu's eyes lasted only a fraction of a second before it smoothed back into its usual calm. He looked at Shikime Natsu with a measured gaze.
Shikime Natsu's eyes swept the surrounding area. He confirmed that Tachibana Akane — the secretary who was usually at Horikita Manabu's side — was nowhere to be seen. Whatever was going to be discussed here was clearly personal. If it were official business, at the very least it would have been conducted inside the Student Council room, not in a place like this.
"I called you here because of Suzune," Horikita Manabu said slowly, reaching up to adjust his glasses.
Hearing those words, the corner of Shikime Natsu's mouth curved into a small smile. He leaned back against the wall beside him with easy, unhurried composure and looked at Horikita Manabu.
"If you're here to review results, I'd think President Horikita has already seen them for himself."
"Horikita-san has already fulfilled everything we agreed upon. And... I'd imagine President Horikita has also noticed the changes in her over this period of time, yes?"
Listening to Shikime Natsu's words, Horikita Manabu gave a small nod. It was true. This guy, Shikime Natsu, had actually managed it — he had brought about a genuine change in his sister, who had always been a mass of thorns, who had refused to communicate with anyone, who believed that isolation was strength.
She had even shown a gentler side of herself. That alone was enough to make her own older brother wonder if he was dreaming. After all these years, that little sister who had only ever trailed along behind him — she was actually talking to other people now. Of course, Horikita Suzune's warmth was still limited to a very specific few. But for her, it was a transformation of earth-shattering proportions.
Horikita Manabu had more or less assumed that Horikita Suzune would learn nothing at this school. That she wouldn't change at all — just as she had been all those years before, perpetually trying to imitate him, but never quite grasping the essence of what she was trying to copy.
Now, Horikita Suzune was growing. And without question, all of that was thanks to Shikime Natsu.
If Shikime Natsu could continue to be friends with Horikita Suzune, then... who knew — she might keep growing quite a bit further. Enough, at least, that her older brother wouldn't need to worry anymore.
And yet...
The moment his thoughts turned to Shikime Natsu's current situation, Horikita Manabu's mood became decidedly more complicated.
Who in all of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School didn't know by now that first-year Shikime Natsu was simultaneously dating three girlfriends? Kamuro Masumi, Sakura Airi, and Shiina Hiyori.
Of course, in everyone else's eyes, the fact that Shikime Natsu was dating three girls at once was perfectly normal. After all, in this world, it was entirely reasonable that Shikime Natsu would be the one building a harem.
But...
As an older brother, Horikita Manabu felt that no matter what, he absolutely could not allow his little sister to get too close to someone like Shikime Natsu.
Even if Suzune really had improved under his influence. Even if her personality had shed those old spines.
Even if Suzune really was growing.
But... the moment he thought about Shikime Natsu not being content with just three girlfriends — the moment he thought about him reaching his claws out toward Horikita Suzune, who already had a relatively close relationship with him — well, his little sister might not have the easiest personality, but in terms of looks, she was absolutely top-tier. And Shikime Natsu just might actually be plotting to add Horikita Suzune to his harem.
As an older brother, that was a scene he absolutely, positively did not want to see unfold.
Even if he could acknowledge that Shikime Natsu was genuinely impressive — impressive enough to have brought down even Nagumo Miyabi, the most talked-about figure among the second-years.
Even if he knew perfectly well that his little sister would, someday, get married to someone.
But!
Horikita Manabu still didn't want his little sister Horikita Suzune to become one member of Shikime Natsu's harem. The mere mental image of it — even for someone as composed as Horikita Manabu — was enough to sour his mood entirely. The joy he'd felt at Horikita Suzune's growth was washed away in an instant.
And so... that was why Horikita Manabu had called Shikime Natsu here. He gathered his thoughts and let his gaze settle back on Shikime Natsu.
"Shiki — regarding Suzune, your task is already complete. After this... there's no need to trouble yourself with looking after her anymore."
Horikita Manabu pulled out his phone and made a few quick inputs. Shikime Natsu noticed that Horikita Manabu had transferred one million five hundred thousand personal points to him.
"President Horikita, this is five hundred thousand more than what we originally agreed on." Shikime Natsu raised his eyes toward Horikita Manabu with a smile. Their agreement had been for one million personal points. Shikime Natsu might have a habit of squeezing people for more, but he had his own principles where they counted.
"The extra five hundred thousand is a token of my gratitude. To be honest, I didn't believe you could actually pull it off when we first made the arrangement," Horikita Manabu said, his tone perfectly level.
"So... after this, I won't trouble you further."
Hearing those words, and then glancing at the extra five hundred thousand personal points that had just landed in his account — for some reason, Shikime Natsu found his mind wandering in a completely unwarranted direction.
"Take this five hundred thousand and stay away from my little sister."
Hmm. But that was a little too cheap, wasn't it? Five hundred thousand? By any reasonable standard, shouldn't a payoff like that be in the hundreds of millions at minimum?
Of course, Shikime Natsu didn't dwell on the thought for long. Since Horikita Manabu hadn't said it outright, Shikime Natsu had no real intention of actually distancing himself from Horikita Suzune. Besides — Horikita Suzune was still his personal maid.
"Then I'll accept without hesitation."
Shikime Natsu flashed a perfectly natural smile and pocketed the points without any change in expression whatsoever. One million five hundred thousand personal points wasn't an especially large sum to him at this stage.
Points safely collected, Shikime Natsu looked at Horikita Manabu and asked with a smile:
"Is there anything else President Horikita wanted to say to me?"
"If not, I'll leave you to your peace and take my leave."
"Hold on."
Just as Shikime Natsu turned to go, Horikita Manabu's voice stopped him.
Shikime Natsu paused and turned back to look at him.
He saw Horikita Manabu push his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his expression turning genuinely serious, his tone growing correspondingly grave.
"Shiki."
"I still think... it would be appropriate for you to join the Student Council."
"You were able to defeat Nagumo — the Nagumo who had never once tasted defeat since the day he enrolled."
"That alone is proof enough that you have both the capability and the right to become this school's future Student Council President."
He meant every word.
Horikita Manabu genuinely believed in Shikime Natsu's potential. There were precious few people in this school whom he truly recognised — and among them, Shikime Natsu was without question the most exceptional.
He wasn't like Nagumo Miyabi, who was prone to going to extremes and would stop at nothing to force change. He wasn't like the others, who were mediocre and unremarkable.
Shikime Natsu possessed intelligence, capability, and charisma that far surpassed the ordinary.
If, after Horikita Manabu graduated and left, Shikime Natsu were the one to take over and manage this school — he would feel completely at ease with that.
As for Katsuragi Kouhei, whom Shikime Natsu had placed within the Student Council...
He had a certain level of ability, a steady personality, and a solid work ethic. But compared to the ambitious, calculating Nagumo Miyabi, he was still a fair way behind.
Shikime Natsu was different.
He was someone who had defeated Nagumo Miyabi head-on. In the midterm exam showdown, Shikime Natsu had crushed Nagumo Miyabi in dominant fashion — leaving the second-years' most celebrated figure with his dignity in tatters and his authority among his own year noticeably diminished.
Of course, Horikita Manabu was clear-eyed enough to know that this reflected Shikime Natsu's ability, not Nagumo's weakness. The fact that Nagumo had lost to Shikime Natsu didn't mean Nagumo was lacking — it meant Shikime Natsu was stronger.
Just recently, a second-year student had tried to provoke Nagumo and paid a steep price for it. The only one who could truly contend with Nagumo was Shikime Natsu. Having Shikime Natsu become Student Council President was the outcome Horikita Manabu felt most confident about. And of course, once Shikime Natsu became Student Council President, it might just inspire Horikita Suzune to push herself toward her own goals — to become even more outstanding. As for what kind of relationship Horikita Suzune would have with Shikime Natsu then... Horikita Manabu figured that a friendship of mutual progress, walking side by side, was not a bad thing at all.
However, faced with Horikita Manabu's invitation, Shikime Natsu immediately shook his head and declined.
"President Horikita, I've already said as much before."
"I have no desire to become Student Council President. Not in the past. Not now. Not in the future."
Was he joking?
Student Council President? Not only would he have to wade through mountains of bureaucratic paperwork, he'd have to get into petty skirmishes with the likes of Nagumo Miyabi — and he had absolutely no intention of giving that guy an excuse to pick fights with him on a regular basis. His time was far too precious for that.
All that troublesome nonsense was the last thing Shikime Natsu wanted to get tangled up in. Spending time with lovely girls was a far more agreeable prospect.
Wait — actually...
Shikime Natsu shot a sideways look at Horikita Manabu.
This guy... could he actually be trying to lock him inside the Student Council's cage on purpose? Keep him so swamped with work that he'd have no time to corrupt his little sister — or any other girls, for that matter?
If that was the case, then this President's scheming ran rather deep.
Hearing Shikime Natsu's immediate, unhesitating refusal, Horikita Manabu let out a long, quiet sigh inwardly.
Just as he'd feared... still a no?
But he'd already extended the invitation more than once. If Shikime Natsu still wouldn't agree, there was nothing to be done about it. People had their own paths.
"In that case..."
Horikita Manabu shook his head and returned to that familiar cool, distant expression.
"There's nothing more to say then."
"Since you don't want to join, I won't push it."
"You can go."
"Sure."
Shikime Natsu gave a nod, turned around, and made to leave.
But he hadn't even taken a handful of steps down the stairs when —
"Shiki."
Horikita Manabu's voice rang out again.
Shikime Natsu had no choice but to stop again. He turned back around with a trace of weary resignation.
"What is it now, President Horikita?"
Was there really something that couldn't be said all at once?
Horikita Manabu looked at the figure standing before him, his expression subtly complex. His lips moved slightly — as though something had made it all the way to the tip of his tongue, only to get stuck there, refusing to come out.
I want to say... if you ever dare to betray my sister, I will not let it slide.
Or perhaps... please keep your distance from my little sister, and don't harbour any improper thoughts toward her.
But...
The words reached his lips — and Horikita Manabu forced them back down.
Because, when he thought about it objectively...
From what he could currently observe, Shikime Natsu, despite having three girlfriends, had not shown any particular interest in his sister. And his sister Suzune, for her part, appeared to regard Shikime Natsu as nothing more than something like a friend — with no sign whatsoever of romantic feeling.
If he suddenly blurted out a warning with that kind of pointed implication right now...
Wouldn't that be protesting a little too much?
And worse yet...
Could it actually end up fanning the flames instead of dousing them?
The inner turmoil of an older brother caused Horikita Manabu — normally so decisive — to hesitate in an uncommonly rare moment of uncertainty.
In the end.
Under Shikime Natsu's puzzled gaze, he simply let out a sigh, waved a hand, and said:
"...Never mind."
"Nothing. Go on."
Shikime Natsu stared at this Student Council President — who had swallowed his words halfway through and now wore the most peculiar expression — and found the whole thing thoroughly baffling.
What was wrong with this guy?
He shook his head, decided not to press further, and headed straight down the stairs. Not a single footstep could be heard. Watching him go, Horikita Manabu couldn't help but reflect that if this guy ever went into reconnaissance or intelligence work — or became a master thief — he'd be an absolutely natural fit.
Of course, being Student Council President, it would hardly be appropriate for him to suggest a path quite that irredeemable.
When Shikime Natsu emerged from the building, the sky was still early and light. He decided to wander over to Keyaki Mall for a leisurely browse.
But just as he was crossing the open plaza of the academic district, his gaze was snagged by two lovely girls.
One of them had her back against the wall, one hand on her hip and the other shaped into a finger-gun, pointing it at the empty air in front of her with a look of intense, solemn concentration.
The other stood beside her like a startled little rabbit, shoulders hunched, hands clutching the hem of her skirt, looking both tense and at a complete loss.
Morishita Ai and Yamamura Miki.
"Hey, you two — what are you doing out here?"
Shikime Natsu let out a soft laugh and strolled over.
____
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