Late night encounter

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sat in his dorm room, staring at his phone. He had called Horikita multiple times, but she hadn't answered. It wasn't like her to ignore messages unless she was busy with something. After a moment's thought, he decided to head out to get a drink. Perhaps some fresh air would help clear his mind.

As he stepped out of the dormitory, his sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure moving through the quiet campus. Suzune Horikita walked briskly toward the school grounds. Curious about where she was going, Ayanokoji followed her at a distance, keeping to the shadows.

Eventually, Horikita stopped in an isolated area, near a dimly lit path. Standing before her was a tall young man with striking features—Manabu Horikita, the student council president and her older brother.

"I heard you were placed in Class D then made it to Class C. but I suppose nothing has really changed in the last three years," Manabu said coldly. "You've always been fixated on following me, and as a result, you fail to notice your own flaws. Choosing to come to this school was a mistake."

Horikita clenched her fists. "I—no, we'll reach Class A. I'll prove that I belong there."

Manabu's expression changed a bit but soon returned to being indifferent. "You will never reach Class A. In fact, your class will fall apart soon enough. Things at this school aren't as simple as you think."

"I refuse to accept that," Horikita said firmly. "I won't let myself be left behind. I'll prove that I can be your equal."

"Equal?" Manabu scoffed. "You lack the ability to reach my level. You are weak, both in mind and in conviction."

He moved forward, as if about to act. The situation looked fraught with danger. Resigned to facing Horikita's anger, Ayanokoji leapt out from his hiding space and went after her brother.

Before Manabu knew Ayanokoji was there, he grabbed his right arm, which he was using to pin his sister.

"What? You... " Manabu stared at his arm and slowly turned to Ayanokoji with a sharp gleam in his eye.

"A-Ayanokouji-kun?!" Horikita cried.

"You were about to throw your sister to the ground, weren't you? You do realize the floor here is concrete, right? You might be siblings, but you should know the difference between right and wrong."

"Eavesdropping is not an admirable quality," Manabu said.

"Fine. Then let go."

"That's my line."

They glared at each other in complete silence.

"Stop it, Ayanokouji-kun," said Horikita, her voice strained. He had never heard her voice like that before.

Reluctantly, Ayanokoji released her brother. Instantly, Manabu tried to backhand him in the face. Ayanokoji instinctively took a step back to avoid it. For such a lightly built guy, he was a nasty attacker. He then aimed a sharp kick at Ayanokoji's unguarded spot.

"Watch it!"

He had enough power to knock him out with one blow. Looking slightly confused, Manabu exhaled deeply, extended his right arm, and opened his hand. If Ayanokoji grabbed his hand, he'd probably throw him to the ground. Instead, Ayanokoji slapped his hand away.

"Good reflexes. I didn't imagine you could evade all of my blows so quickly. Also, you seemed to understand quite well what I was trying to do. Have you been taught?" Manabu asked.

After the attacks stopped, the questions began.

"Yes, I was taught piano and calligraphy. Also, when I was in elementary school, I won a national music competition," Ayanokoji replied.

"You're in Class C too, aren't you? What a unique boy, Suzune." After he let go of his younger sister, he turned to face Ayanokoji.

"No. Unlike Horikita, I'm pretty incompetent."

"Suzune, is this boy your friend? I'm honestly surprised."

"He's... not my friend. Just my classmate." Horikita faced her brother fully, as if denying him.

"You continue to confuse independence with solitude. And you, Ayanokoji. With you around, things might get interesting."

Before the moment could settle, another voice cut through the night air.

"Now, now. I know I enjoy watching fights, but this is getting excessive," Kudo Shinichi's voice rang out as he approached, hands in his pockets. Beside him, Haibara Ai followed, arms crossed, her usual amused smirk on her lips.

Manabu regarded Kudo with mild curiosity. "And you are?"

"Kudo Shinichi," he said simply. "And from the way things are looking, this is getting dangerously close to a sibling feud gone physical."

"You should stay out of this," Manabu said.

"Sorry, but that's not who I am" Kudo replied. "I prefer to step in before things get out of hand."

Horikita shot him a glare. "I don't need your help."

"Never said you did," Kudo shrugged. "Just didn't want to stand around while you two throw verbal daggers at each other."

Haibara chuckled softly. "Always the hero, Kudo-kun."

Ayanokoji, meanwhile, observed the scene silently. He noted the way Manabu analyzed Kudo, as if evaluating him.

"You're that detective." Manabu finally said to Kudo. "I can't see why you were placed in Class D."

"I'd prefer to be placed outside of all this hierarchy nonsense," Kudo replied, then he smirked. "But that's not how this school works, is it?"

Manabu studied him for a moment longer before shifting his attention back to Suzune. "If you truly wish to prove yourself, then come find me when you're ready. But know this—you are far from being my equal."

With that, Manabu turned and walked away, but his gaze lingered slightly longer on Kudo, as if considering something.

Horikita stood motionless, fists clenched tightly. She refused to look at anyone, her frustration evident.

Haibara walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, let's go. No point in dwelling on it now."

Horikita hesitated but eventually nodded, letting Haibara guide her away.

Kudo watched them go before glancing at Ayanokoji. "Well, that was dramatic."

Ayanokoji remained silent, but his gaze lingered on Manabu's retreating figure.

Manabu Horikita had shown interest in two people that night—one was himself. The other, Kudo Shinichi.