COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 112 Horikita: I was so happy for nothing!

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"...It's best not to hit someone with a club. If the school's surveillance cameras catch you, you'll be punished," Horikita Manabu warned.

"Oh, oh, oh," Rin Matsuoka nodded repeatedly, pretending to understand.

So… from now on, Rin would simply find places without surveillance cameras to knock people out.

After all, Rin, brimming with mischievous intent, had no plans to give up his beloved club-wielding tactics!

Horikita Manabu left, visibly satisfied.

Although his biological sister, Horikita Suzune, still disappointed him, the "future brother-in-law" he had unofficially chosen did not. Instead, Rin's discovery of "class points" on just the second day of school left Horikita Manabu particularly impressed.

Moreover, Rin had agreed to join the student council, relieving Horikita Manabu of his long-standing worries.

Now, Horikita Manabu's next task was to train Rin to become a competent student council president before his own term ended in mid-October.

After Horikita Manabu had left, Horikita Suzune hurriedly ran up to Rin.

"Rin, why did my brother leave?"

"He just left, Horikita. Don't look at me," Rin replied dismissively.

"When Manabu-san was leaving, I asked him to talk to you, but he said he had already said everything he wanted to say to you before I came over."

"..." Horikita Suzune's face sank with disappointment.

Seeing this rare vulnerable side of Horikita Suzune, who was usually aloof and confident, Rin couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. Trying to console her, he said, "It's okay. I suggested that Manabu-san bring you into the student council. If you join, you'll have plenty of chances to talk to him."

"Really?" Horikita Suzune's eyes lit up with surprise.

"Really," Rin confirmed, spreading his hands. "Unfortunately, he refused."

Horikita Suzune's expression froze as her smile disappeared. She glared at Rin, annoyed. "Rin, can't you finish things in one go?"

God, you got my hopes up for nothing!

"Although Manabu-san rejected my proposal outright, he did say he would wait and see. So, you still have a chance to join the student council," Rin added.

"..." Horikita Suzune gave Rin a deadpan stare.

Noticing her reaction, Rin asked, "Horikita, why are you looking at me like that? Manabu-san isn't completely against the idea of you joining the student council. Shouldn't that make you happy?"

"I'm waiting," she replied curtly.

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting to see if you'll say anything else. I don't want to get my hopes up again," Horikita Suzune muttered.

Rin laughed, "Hahaha, I've said everything I wanted to, Horikita. You can be happy now."

Horikita Suzune let out a frustrated sigh. Rin's fragmented way of speaking was exhausting. Even though she knew there was hope for joining the student council, she couldn't bring herself to feel genuinely happy.

"Rin, what did you mean earlier when you mentioned 'that thing' and 'Nagumo' to my brother?"

"Oh, Nagumo refers to Nagumo Miyabi. He's the vice president of the student council, and 'that thing' was about me offending him," Rin explained.

"You're incredible. It's only your second day at school, and you've already offended the vice president of the student council," Horikita Suzune said sarcastically.

Rin shot her a sideways glance. "What are you talking about? He's the one who came looking for trouble with me, and I just hit back. That's how I ended up offending him."

"Why would the vice president cause trouble for you out of nowhere?" Horikita Suzune asked, her curiosity piqued.

Rin Matsuoka thought for a moment and concluded that Horikita Suzune would eventually join the student council and fight against Vice President Nagumo alongside him. With that in mind, he decided to share the details of his conflict with Nagumo.

"Horikita, do you remember the senior girl I chatted with in the cafeteria yesterday?"

"I remember. Is this related to her? Don't tell me Nagumo is her boyfriend, and now he's giving you trouble because you talked to her?"

"I asked Asahina-senpai in the cafeteria yesterday, and she's still single. Nagumo just has an unrequited crush on her. He's treating her as if she's his girlfriend and punishing any guy who approaches her."

"Let me tell you, Horikita. Asahina-senpai is in the swimming club. To stop other boys from seeing her in a swimsuit, Nagumo abused his authority to kick all the boys out of the swimming club and even banned boys from joining altogether."

"Nagumo isn't worthy of being the vice president of the student council!"

Horikita Suzune didn't care much about how Nagumo treated Asahina Nazuna. What caught her attention was something else entirely.

"Rin, you asked a senior in the cafeteria if she was single? What exactly did you mean by that?"

"Hmm? I didn't have anything else to talk about, so I just picked a random topic to break the ice."

"Really? I thought you were checking if the senior had a boyfriend because you were interested in pursuing her."

"Asahina-san is quite nice. Eh... Horikita, where are you going?"

Rin quickly followed after Horikita Suzune, who had suddenly started walking away.

"Horikita, I rushed over to save you. How do you plan to thank me?"

Horikita Suzune shot Rin a sharp glare. "You still expect me to thank you?!"

"Of course! Even though the one bullying you was your brother, my intervention saved you from being beaten. That's undeniable," Rin said matter-of-factly.

Horikita Suzune pressed her lips together tightly. As much as she hated to admit it, this annoying guy did step in to help.

"...Thanks."

Her voice was so soft that Rin tilted his head and asked, "What are you mumbling about? Are you scolding me?"

"..." Horikita Suzune's patience wavered as her desire to punch him grew stronger.

"I said thank you! Did you hear me this time?" she snapped, raising her voice.

Rin nodded with a grin. "I heard you loud and clear, but verbal thanks don't mean much."

"You want me to show my gratitude through actions now?"

"Exactly."

Rin's straightforward response left Horikita Suzune both amused and exasperated. This guy was truly difficult to deal with.

"Fine. How do you want me to thank you?"

Rin blinked and asked, "Horikita, I remember you've been learning how to cook since elementary school, right?"

"Yes, so what?"

"How skilled are you?"

Horikita Suzune tossed her black hair and answered proudly, "My cooking is far better than that of any ordinary family restaurant."

Rin's eyes lit up with excitement. "Perfect! In that case, I'd like you to handle my meals on weekends. I don't feel like eating in the school cafeteria on weekends. It's inconvenient, and I'd rather save my personal points."

Horikita Suzune's expression darkened. "Rin, don't push your luck. I haven't even called you out for hitting my brother with a stick yet!"