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Akira finally understood. Nagumo was deliberately looking for trouble.
He'd never offended the guy, yet Nagumo insisted on bringing up his outing with Kushida, specifically mentioning it to Horikita.
What was his deal? Was he interested in Horikita? Or was he treating Akira as a rival?
Sure, Nagumo was the Vice President, but he wasn't a teacher. He was still just a student, and the Student Council President was right in front of them.
With that thought, Akira felt there was no need to worry about his expression.
"Vice President Nagumo, no need to beat around the bush so much. When it comes to popularity, I'm nowhere near your level."
"Heh~" Nagumo suddenly looked up at him, a little surprised.
He didn't expect this kid to be so tough.
Facing him, Vice President Nagumo, the guy could still stay so calm.
That phrase, "nowhere near your level," sounded like he was indirectly calling him a playboy.
"Cough."
The phone call at the desk had just ended. Horikita Manabu put down the receiver, glanced at the corner, stood up, walked into the middle of the group, and asked in a cold tone, "What are you all arguing about?"
"Nothing, seems I misunderstood this student," Nagumo raised an eyebrow, saying no more.
He crossed his arms, deliberately glanced at Akira, then turned to Horikita Manabu and said, "Student Council President, I have something else to do, so I'm leaving first."
Without waiting for Horikita Manabu's response, and without even saying goodbye to his childhood friend, he walked straight out of the Student Council office.
Nagumo showed no respect for Horikita Manabu whatsoever.
Not only was he inappropriate in private, but he was like this in public too.
The Student Council President had just hung up the phone, and he dared to just walk away.
"I'm sorry, President," Asahina also stood up, her gaze toward Horikita Manabu filled with apology. "Miyabi's always been like this. He just wants to provoke you on purpose. If you could beat him just once, he might behave for a while. I won't speak for him. He really needs to be taught a lesson."
Horikita Manabu's gaze lingered on Asahina's face for two seconds, his tone unreadable. "I know his personality. After all, I was the one who recruited him."
Asahina wanted to say something else, but saw the Student Council President had already turned around and sat back down at his desk. "If there's nothing else, you can leave too."
She opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing more. Horikita Manabu was always like this. Even the biggest provocations would sink into him like they'd fallen into a deep pool, leaving not even a ripple.
But Nagumo fell for exactly that, always feeling like he could stir up some waves in that pool of water.
These two had maintained this dynamic for almost half a year.
She'd actually thought about it before: it's a good thing they're both boys. If one of them had been a different gender, things probably wouldn't be this troublesome.
"Then I'll take my leave," Asahina bowed slightly. As she turned, she caught sight of Akira and Horikita standing in the corner. Her steps faltered slightly, but she slowly walked away.
"You two, come to the counseling room," Horikita Manabu glanced at Akira and his sister again, his tone calm but commanding.
"Shimizu-kun, Horikita-san, please come in and have some tea," Tachibana came over with two cups of tea, smiling as she greeted them.
Akira and Horikita responded and followed, walking one after another into the innermost counseling room.
Horikita Manabu was sitting in the innermost seat of the counseling room, but he reached out and pulled out the chair closest to him.
Horikita hesitated for a moment. Just as she was thinking about whether to sit next to her brother, he'd already spoken, directly calling out a name. "Shimizu Akira, you sit here."
Akira was startled, then nodded to Horikita Manabu. "Okay."
He walked over and sat down in the chair that had been pulled out. This position was only an arm's length from Horikita Manabu, even closer than where Horikita was currently standing.
Horikita froze in place. She'd originally planned to sit to her brother's left, but now that spot was taken by Akira, making her feel like an extra person.
"What are you standing there for?" Horikita Manabu looked up at her, his tone flat. "There are still empty seats over there."
She followed her brother's gaze. The remaining chair was directly opposite Akira.
Horikita pressed her lips together and slowly walked over to sit down.
After sitting down, Akira picked up his teacup and couldn't help but take a sip of tea.
"Speak. What do you two want from me?" Horikita Manabu asked, his tone carrying its usual calmness.
"There are quite a few things. Let's start with the first one," Akira naturally looked at Horikita. "President, Horikita from our class has made a lot of changes since what happened last month. Since you two are siblings and don't have time to meet, you can at least send a few messages each week, right?"
Horikita Manabu was silent for a few seconds, his gaze falling on his sister. "Suzune, instead of dwelling on such unimportant matters, you should think more about how to get your class promoted to Class A."
Horikita's face instantly turned pale. She knew her brother would say that.
The words she'd gathered the courage to say after all this time were instantly blocked by that phrase, "unimportant."
Horikita Manabu glanced at her again. "Alright! Since Shimizu said so, then tell me your shortcomings. Explain them one by one. I'll give you three seconds to think. If you can't answer, don't call me brother anymore."
Horikita was suddenly stunned. After two seconds, she looked up, her voice lower than before but very honest. "My social skills are terrible. I'm not good at dealing with people. My personality is bad, making people feel like I'm unapproachable. I don't have anyone I can call a friend. These are probably the main reasons I was placed in Class D."
Horikita Manabu listened quietly. When she finished speaking, a hint of approval appeared in his eyes, barely noticeable. "Not bad. Seems you've finally figured out the difference between arrogance and loneliness this time. You've recognized your shortcomings and understood the importance of having people by your side. Being able to do this is a significant step for you. Alright, I'll send you a few messages each week."
Horikita's face immediately brightened. Just as she was about to respond, she was suddenly interrupted by Horikita Manabu.
"However," he changed the subject, his gaze moving between his sister and Akira. He asked abruptly, "Were these words taught to you by Shimizu, or did you figure them out yourself?"
"Those words to Tachibana-senpai, Shimizu told me," Horikita paused, then looked up at her brother, her tone serious. "But those shortcomings I just mentioned, I figured all of them out myself."
She wasn't lying.
Akira really hadn't prepared any words for her. Those self-analyses were answers she'd come up with herself recently.
She'd originally intended to keep them to herself, but now that her brother had asked, she naturally blurted them all out.
Horikita Manabu spoke after a few seconds of silence. "I didn't mean to blame you." He looked up at the two of them. "Knowing how to use the strength of those around you is itself an ability."