The two arrived at the Corridor connecting the two school buildings. Karuizawa Kei let go of Horikita Suzune's wrist, leaned casually against the railing, and turned her head to look at the girl who was still in a daze.
...Did he send you?
Although it was a question, there wasn't much doubt in her tone.
"Bingo~"
Karuizawa Kei snapped her fingers, a look of undisguised triumph on her face.
"Besides him, who else would deal with this mess?"
"As expected..."
(He's right...)
(My so-called "strength" is so vulnerable.)
She had always thought she was chasing her brother's footsteps, believing that by imitating his actions, she could become as strong as him.
But reality had slapped her hard.
Her imitation was clumsy. She lacked her brother's insight, his control, and even in the face of crisis, she couldn't maintain the most basic composure.
"The sister of a genius... isn't necessarily a genius."
She murmured softly. At this moment, she finally had to face the truth she had been avoiding—she, Horikita Suzune, was just an incompetent person with a superficial facade.
If it weren't for Natsukawa, she would probably be kneeling before Ryuuen now, bringing shame to the Horikita family.
"That..."
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath, forcing herself to suppress those emotions. She looked at Karuizawa, a hint of apprehension in her eyes.
"Although Ryuuen was scared away just now, what if... he really reports it to the school?"
"Kinoshita's leg injury is a fact. If the school intervenes in the investigation..."
Her worries were not unfounded. The toughness just now might have been a temporary bluff. Once Ryuuen came to his senses, or really wanted to go all out... "Huh?"
Karuizawa Kei shrugged indifferently, as if she had heard something amusing.
"Then let him report it. Anyway, I'm not the one getting expelled."
"?!"
Horikita instantly performed a Sichuan opera face-change.
"W-what are you saying?! If I get expelled, then, then..."
"Pfft—hahahaha!"
Seeing Horikita's horrified expression, Karuizawa finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Sorry, sorry. He said that if I answered like this, I would definitely see a very interesting expression."
She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked at the bewildered and angry Horikita, teasing:
"As he expected, Horikita-san's expression management still needs improvement."
"You... he..."
Horikita Suzune was both embarrassed and angry, her face gradually turning red.
"Alright, no more jokes."
Karuizawa reined in her smile and, imitating Natsukawa's usual tone, held up a finger.
"Don't worry. Natsukawa-kun's exact words were—"
"'Ryuuen's little tricks can only fool naive kids like you who panic at the first sign of trouble.'"
Horikita's mouth twitched.
"'His understanding of injuries is still stuck in the stage of street brawls, unaware that under professional modern medical injury assessment, his little tricks are as obvious as being naked.'"
Karuizawa repeated as much as possible, and although she had memorized some professional terms by rote, it didn't hinder her aura at this moment.
"'Even if Ryuuen really had the ability of One-Punch Man and could break Kinoshita's leg with one kick, the formation of wounds has a chronological order.'"
"'Through injury assessment, overlapping damage can be easily seen. Not to mention, through biomechanical analysis of the injury morphology, doctors can easily distinguish whether it was an impact injury from running or a fracture caused by external force. The point of impact, direction of force, extent of bruising... these are all evidence.'"
Karuizawa looked at the stunned Horikita, a mocking curve forming at the corner of her mouth.
"So, the drama Ryuuen self-directed due to his limited medical knowledge can only deceive naive kids like you. Because once it's taken seriously, he'll be the only one to suffer."
"Not only that, but we can also use this appraisal report to accuse him of 'deliberate harm to a classmate' under the charge of school bullying."
"At that time, it will be Ryuuen Kakeru who gets expelled."
"Understand, my lady?"
After hearing these words, Horikita Suzune was completely stunned.
So that's how it is... "Phew..."
Horikita Suzune let out a long breath, her tense body finally relaxing.
With no more worries, reason returned to the forefront.
But with it came an even stronger sense of shame and anger.
(That bastard... he knew all this, but deliberately waited until I was almost... before acting...)
(And even used Karuizawa's mouth to mock me...)
She fiercely swore revenge against Natsukawa in her heart: she would remember this grudge.
"Since the matter is resolved..."
Horikita Suzune hesitated, her eyes flickering as she looked at Karuizawa.
"Does he... have anything else to tell me?"
She didn't believe Natsukawa went to such lengths just to see her make a fool of herself. That man must have another purpose.
"Indeed."
Karuizawa nodded, her expression becoming a little more serious. She cleared her throat, seemingly trying to imitate Natsukawa's nonchalant tone.
"Ahem, listen closely."
"'After this experience, that little girl who always looked up at the stars must have personally felt the powerlessness of having her feet in the mud.'"
"'Admit it, individual strength has its limits. In this malicious world, lone wolves cannot survive.'"
Karuizawa extended her hand and pointed at Horikita.
"'So, now, accept the first weapon I give you.'"
"Weapon?" Horikita was startled.
"Exactly." Karuizawa lowered her hand and reverted to her own tone, "He wants you to find Sudo Ken and bring him back to the competition before lunch break ends."
"Sudo..."
Horikita Suzune's mind conjured the image of the red-haired boy's angry retreating back.
Is this... a weapon?
"I understand."
Horikita Suzune's eyes gradually became resolute.
She finally understood Natsukawa's meaning.
To survive in this school, to ascend to Class A, she must learn to use all available resources, including... people's hearts.
"Tell him, I will do it."
Horikita Suzune nodded solemnly. Enduring the pain in her ankle, she turned and walked out of the teaching building.
Even if only one leg could move, she would go and retrieve that "weapon"... Just after the two left the Corridor one after another.
Around the corner on the other side, two figures slowly emerged.
Walking behind was a girl with two bun hairstyles, the Student Council Secretary, Tachibana Akane. She looked in the direction Horikita Suzune had disappeared and then at the boy beside her with some confusion.
"President, why did you suddenly stop? Since you're here, aren't you going to see your sister?"
He had deliberately taken a detour to pass by here, but stopped at the corner to listen to the entire conversation, and then just let his sister leave?
Horikita Manabu stood in the shadows, his eyes behind his glasses deep.
He didn't answer Tachibana Akane's question, but looked at the empty Corridor, a rare, almost imperceptible curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"It seems my feeling was correct, Natsukawa Sosuke is indeed a very interesting person."
"Eh?"
"Let's go."
"Things have become a little more interesting."
"It's a pity he's not interested in the Student Council, otherwise..."