COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 95: sister-in-law!

______

[Host, find an excuse to escape. If you stay here any longer, the consequences could be disastrous.]

The narrator prompted Rin Matsuoka, providing a timely reminder. Just as Rin was trying to find an excuse to slip away from the standoff forming between Ichinose Honami and Horikita Suzune, the clock struck five.

At that moment, Akane Tachibana, holding a microphone, stepped up onto the gymnasium podium. Horikita Suzune and Ichinose Honami, as if reaching a silent understanding, withdrew their hands and ended their conversation about Rin.

'I never expected Rin to have such a beautiful childhood friend—and a formidable rival' Ichinose Honami thought to herself.

'I didn't expect Rin to be acquainted with such an old friend. It's a bit disappointing' Horikita Suzune mused, lowering her gaze.

When it came to looks, Horikita Suzune was in no way inferior. But if she compared her figure to Ichinose Honami's... well, she could only admit defeat. There was simply no comparison!

"Hello, first-year students, and thank you for your patience," Akane Tachibana greeted.

"I'm Akane Tachibana, the Student Council Secretary, and I'll be your host for this club recruitment briefing. Please give me your attention."

"Oooooh!"

The freshmen cheered enthusiastically—senior Tachibana Akane was charming and cute. Yet, as the cheers continued, she barely acknowledged them; she was scanning the group of freshmen below, trying to locate the most handsome boy.

It was rumored that a first-year named Rin Matsuoka, who had been called up by President Sakayanagi himself, was the most handsome student in the entire grade. As soon as I find the most handsome boy, I'll have found him, Akane thought.

Out of the nearly one hundred freshmen who came to participate in the club recruitment, Akane quickly spotted the striking figure she was looking for.

The one standing between two pretty girls—that has to be him, the President's neighbor's younger brother, she thought.

"Wait… doesn't that black-haired girl look a bit like the President?"

Akane observed Horikita Suzune with surprise. She was very familiar with Horikita Manabu, and she couldn't help but notice a similar air around this girl.

While Horikita Suzune's features weren't exactly the same as her brother's, her demeanor was strikingly familiar to Akane, reminiscent of the President.

Suppressing her surprise, Tachibana Akane raised the microphone again. "Next, representatives from each club will come up to introduce their activities to you all."

After Akane stepped off stage, a series of seniors representing the various clubs began making their introductions. Some were impressive, hulking figures in judo uniforms, while others were elegant senior girls clad in beautiful kimonos. But Rin's eyes widened in surprise as he spotted a familiar face among them—Asahina Nazuna!

Taking the microphone in hand, Asahina Nazuna spoke cheerfully to the freshmen below. "Hello everyone, I'm the president of the swimming club. If you're interested in swimming, please come and talk to me afterward!"

Then she added with a mischievous smile, "Oh, and by the way, boys are not allowed to join the swimming club."

"Ah!"

As soon as Asahina announced this, disappointed groans filled the gymnasium. Rin could even make out a few familiar voices among the crowd, including those of Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji...

Were those two actually planning on joining the swimming club just to see the senior girls in swimsuits every day?

Honestly, how pitiful!

Ichinose also heard Asahina Nazuna's announcement. Suppressing her surprise, she turned to Rin with a smile. "Matsuoka-san, boys aren't allowed in the swimming club. So, how about joining the Student Council with me?"

If Rin Matsuoka joined the Student Council with her, they would still be able to spend more time together!

Horikita Suzune glanced at Rin, a hint of disdain flashing across her cold, pretty face.

Clearly, Horikita Suzune suspected Rin's interest in the swimming club wasn't purely innocent. Her disdainful expression made that obvious.

"The Student Council? I really haven't thought about it much," Rin replied, shrugging. "But I remember your brother, Horikita, is a member. Why not join with Ichinose?"

"...No, I don't plan on joining any club," Horikita Suzune replied coolly.

In reality, Horikita Suzune did want to join the Student Council and work alongside her brother. But fear held her back.

"If you don't plan to join any clubs, then why are you even here in the gym?" Rin asked, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance. "Aren't you the one who hates wasting time on meaningless things?"

Rin's words made Horikita Suzune's lips curl slightly. "Matsuoka, you talk as if you know me very well."

"I don't know everything, but I know a bit." Rin shrugged. "With your tsundere personality, the more I get to know you, the easier it is to understand what kind of person you are."

Rin's words caused Horikita Suzune's slight smile to freeze, while Ichinose pressed her lips together, holding back a laugh.

At this moment, Horikita Suzune wished she could punch Rin, but with Ichinose Honami right beside her, she settled for shooting him a fierce glare instead.

The representatives from each club continued their introductions, and finally, Akane Tachibana returned to the stage.

"Lastly, as the Student Council Secretary, I'll now introduce the Student Council to all new students."

"Our current Student Council President, Manabu Horikita, and I, as Secretary, will be graduating next March 31st. Therefore, we're looking for first-year students to join as candidates."

"There are no special requirements to apply. Just fill out an application and submit it to me."

"Please note that if you intend to join the Student Council, you won't be able to join any other club. The school doesn't allow students to be part of both the Student Council and a club simultaneously."

"Our Student Council has been granted the authority by the school to modify certain rules, so anyone who wishes to join should be prepared for that responsibility."

"That's all!"

Akane Tachibana finished her introduction with grace, then added, "Now it's time for the freshmen to choose their clubs." With that, she turned and left the podium.

But Rin couldn't shake the feeling that Akane Tachibana glanced his way several times before leaving.

[Narrator: Host, are you assuming this charming senior likes you?]

[Host, you're overthinking it. Akane Tachibana already has someone in her heart, and that someone is Manabu Horikita.]

Rin's expression instantly changed.

He had just foolishly thought his "sister-in-law" might be interested in him. How embarrassing!

To Rin, Horikita Manabu was like an older brother, and so, Akane Tachibana naturally fell into the role of "sister-in-law." In his mind, there was nothing wrong with that logic!