Some of the freshmen had already followed the crowd out of the gymnasium.
Shimizu Akira keenly sensed a sharp gaze and turned slightly, locking eyes with Horikita Suzune's icy, pond-like stare.
**"Late on the very first day. It seems you don't take your student status seriously."**
**"I was gathering necessary intel and got held up by... a troublesome person."** Shimizu replied nonchalantly.
**"...Those with poor time management rarely achieve much."**
**"You're right. By the way, I'm quite interested in the student council. Why don't we go check it out together now?"**
His tone was casual, as if discussing the weather.
—*Again.*
Horikita mentally clicked her tongue.
Every time she struck with sharp words, he effortlessly deflected them, even steering the conversation toward topics that piqued her interest.
She had to admit—his emotional intelligence surpassed hers by more than a little.
And this time, he'd directly mentioned the student council.
**"You..."** Her voice hitched slightly, brows furrowing unconsciously. **"You know the student council president is my brother? Is that why you deliberately brought it up? Thinking I'd be interested?"**
Shimizu tilted his head. **"Same surname, and... well, the way you looked at him during the ceremony was rather complicated, wasn't it?"**
Horikita's breath caught.
—*Seen through again.*
The realization made her fingers tighten imperceptibly.
She prided herself on her intellect, never believing anyone could surpass her in insight.
Yet since meeting Shimizu Akira, every exchange left her feeling transparent.
It gave her the illusion of facing her brother.
Even her secret intention to visit the student council and see her brother had been...
So that's why he'd extended the invitation.
Pressing her lips together, an inexplicable restlessness stirred in her chest.
*If we were dating, he'd probably show up ten minutes late on purpose, hiding just to watch me fidget before appearing with an apologetic smile, wouldn't he?*
Yet paradoxically, this feeling of being outmaneuvered... reminded her strangely of her brother.
—Equally sharp, equally clever, equally impossible to refute.
Though their personalities differed, the resemblance in how they made her feel was undeniable.
She hated this vulnerability, yet couldn't bring herself to truly cold-shoulder him.
For some reason, she just... couldn't dislike him.
**"...Stop looking at me so much."** She finally turned away, her voice quieter than usual, carrying a barely detectable tremor. **"Let's go."**
Her retreating figure seemed less like a graceful exit and more like a flustered escape.