CH. 18 - Beneath the Night Sky

"What a drag..." I muttered to myself, checking my watch as I walked back to the dorms. 11:30 PM – way later than our usual group study sessions. Everyone had their reasons for pushing it back today, but still, this was cutting it close to curfew.

The night air was cool, and the campus was eerily quiet. Most students would be in their dorms by now. As I approached the dormitory building, movement caught my eye. Someone was leaving – at this hour?

I recognized the figure immediately. Horikita, still in her school uniform, was walking purposefully toward the school grounds. Her usual composed demeanor seemed different, almost tense.

Something felt off. I followed, keeping my distance.

She stopped abruptly near one of the building corners, and another figure emerged from the shadows.

"Suzune. I didn't think you'd follow me this far." The voice was cold, authoritative.

'The Student Council President?' I thought, recognizing Horikita Manabu. Their conversation echoed in the empty courtyard.

"Hmph. I'm far different from the useless girl you once knew, niisan. I came here to catch you."

Their exchange grew increasingly tense. I watched as Manabu's words cut deeper with each response, his demeanor growing colder as Horikita insisted on her ability to reach Class A.

"It's pointless. You will never reach Class A. Your class will crumble soon enough."

When he grabbed her wrist and pushed her against the wall, I knew this had gone too far. Sibling dispute or not, this was crossing a line.

"Student Council President," I called out, stepping from the shadows. "It's rather late for a family counseling session, isn't it?"

Both siblings turned sharply. Horikita's eyes widened slightly, while Manabu's narrowed.

"This doesn't concern you," he said, his voice carrying a clear warning.

I took another step forward, maintaining a casual stance despite the tension. "Maybe not. But threatening a student – even your sister – seems beneath someone of your position."

Manabu released Horikita, turning to face me fully. His stance shifted subtly – I recognized the change immediately. He was ready to strike.

"You're either very brave or very foolish," he said, his voice dangerously quiet.

I smiled slightly. "I get that a lot."

His first strike came without warning – quick, precise, aimed to test rather than harm. I shifted just enough to avoid it, my movement equally controlled. His follow-up kick came fast, but I was ready, evading with practiced ease.

"Interesting," Manabu said, reassessing. "You move well for someone in Class D."

"There's a lot about Class D you might not know," I replied, maintaining my position.

Our brief exchange seemed to shift something in his demeanor. He straightened, the threatening aura dissipating slightly.

"Perhaps," he said, glancing between me and his sister. "You've found an interesting protector, Suzune." Without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.

"I'm going to drag myself up to Class A even if it kills me," she said.

The tension lingered in the air. Horikita hadn't moved from her spot against the wall.

"You okay?" I asked, turning toward her.

"I didn't need—" she began, but I cut her off.

"I know you didn't need help. But sometimes it's okay to have someone step in."

She fell silent, her eyes fixed on the ground. After a moment, she spoke quietly, "Why were you here?"

"Group study ran late. Lucky coincidence, I guess." I paused, then added.

"So, you heard everything ?" She said ,maybe a little embarrassed to know someone has found out her supposed secret.

I nodded my head slightly, "But, you don't need to worry , your secret will be kept between you & me... And , third person who is currently listening to us." I said not looking anywhere in particular.

"Third Person ,what do you mean ?" She asked confused by my reply.

"You can come out now, Ayanokoji."

Horikita's face turned to a more confused expression, "What____?!"

There was a moment of silence before Ayanokoji emerged from the shadows of a nearby pillar. His face was expressionless as always.

"How long did you know?" he asked, his voice neutral.

"From the beginning," I replied, watching him carefully. "You're good at hiding, but not that good. At least, not to someone who's looking."

Horikita looked between us, surprise evident on her face. "Ayanokoji-kun, you were...?"

"Just observing," he said simply.

Horikita's expression tightened a bit, "At this time , you were observing ?"

"Just walked out for some reason, and saw the scene, so was just observing, yes."

I studied him for a moment. "And you would have stepped in if things got worse?"

"Perhaps," he replied, his expression giving nothing away. "But you handled it well enough."

The three of us stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of what had just happened settling around us.

"Perhaps, I will take my leave now, I think I won't have the sleeping problem for now," Ayanokoji said

"Wait..." Horikita called out from behind as Ayanokoji walked towards the dorm building.

Ayanokoji simply raised his hand a bit, "No need to worry, I won't tell anyone about it,"

"He is a weird one..." I commented.

"So is you..." Horikita said from standing beside me.

I slightly shook my head in disapproval, but she had a expression of 'You know that's true' so I didn't argue, "By the way, your brother is good at fighting it seems," I commented, changing the subject.

"He's ranked fifth dan in karate and fourth dan in aikido."

"Is that so ? No wonder he was so good back there___"

"Even you were good, you dodged his attacks very well. So, even you have experience in Martial Arts !?"

I nodded, "I am glad I have experience, or I would have some broken bones back there."

"Let's go back. If anyone saw us out here, they'd probably get ideas." She commented

"Will that be too bad ??" I commented, which she gave a sharp glare of her eyes, which even in dark could pierce through anyone.

"Let's go," I said, leading the way back to the dorms. The night air had grown cooler, and our footsteps echoed in the empty courtyard.

"Your brother seems quite adamant about you leaving the school," I mentioned as we walked.

"That's nothing new," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of resignation. "He's always been like that."

We reached the dormitory entrance, but neither of us moved to go inside just yet. There was still something hanging in the air, unspoken questions that needed answers.

"About your study group," I started, leaning against the wall. "I heard it didn't go well with Sudou and the others."

She tensed slightly. "News travels fast."

"Small class," I shrugged. "Plus, Kushida isn't exactly subtle when she's worried about something."

Horikita was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "They're impossible to deal with. Especially Sudou. He refuses to listen to anything I say."

"Maybe because you're too direct?" I suggested, remembering my own conversation with Sudou. "Some people need a different approach."

"And I suppose you have a better idea?" There was a challenge in her voice.

I smiled slightly. "Actually, I talked to Sudou yesterday."

That caught her attention. She turned to face me fully. "You did what?"

"Let's just say I had a... conversation with him after his basketball practice. He might be more receptive to studying now."

"What did you say to him?"

"Just helped him understand the consequences of failing," I replied, deliberately vague. "Sometimes people need to see the whole picture to make the right choice."

She studied me for a moment. "You're more involved in class matters than you let on."

"Don't read too much into it," I said, pushing off from the wall. "I just don't like seeing wasted potential."

"Is that why you helped me tonight too?" she asked suddenly.

I paused at the entrance, considering my answer. "No," I said finally. "That was different."

"How so?"

I turned to look at her, our eyes meeting in the dim light. "Because sometimes, Horikita, people deserve to be helped simply because they matter."

Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a faint blush color her cheeks. But before she could respond, I opened the door.

"We should head in. It's late, and we both have class tomorrow."

She nodded, composing herself. As we walked to the elevator, I could feel her glancing at me occasionally, as if trying to figure something out.

"Hayashi," she said as we reached our floor.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you..."

"It's My pleasure... My lady,"

After my playful response, I saw her expression shift through several emotions - surprise, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite read.

"...Idiot," she muttered, but there was no real bite to her words. For a brief moment, I caught a glimpse of what might have been a smile, quickly hidden as she turned away.

The elevator stopped as I walked out for my floor as I turned around once again towards her, "Hey, Horikita."

She looked up slightly, "What?"

"Good luck with the study group tomorrow. Remember, sometimes the best approach isn't always the most direct one."

She didn't respond to that as the elevator door closed.

I watched her disappear before heading to my own room. Tonight had been... interesting, to say the least. Between the confrontation with Manabu, Ayanokoji's silent observation, and these moments with Horikita, things were definitely getting more complicated.

As I unlocked my door, I couldn't help but smile slightly. For someone who claimed to want a quiet school life, I sure was getting involved in a lot of drama.

"What a drag..." I muttered, echoing my words from earlier in the night, but this time, there was a hint of amusement in my voice.

Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, sleep was calling. And after a night like this, I definitely needed it.