Horikita led Ayanokouji to a relatively secluded spot outside the Teaching Building. She made sure no one was around before lowering her voice and getting straight to the point. "About Sudo, I suspect Sakura Airi has evidence."
Ayanokouji's expression didn't change in the slightest. He simply listened in silence.
"Yesterday and today, her reactions were far too strange. She was terrified and clearly trying to hide something. I suspect she may have witnessed something, or even taken a picture of it. But she's too timid to bring it up."
Horikita spoke quickly and clearly. "We need to find a way to get her to talk, or make her hand over the evidence."
Ayanokouji was silent for a few seconds before replying in his usual flat voice. "Evidence? Why do you think Sakura has it?"
"It's not about you." Horikita frowned. "I wanted to exchange information with you. Have you noticed anything unusual about Sakura? Or has there been any new activity on Class C's side?"
Instinctively, she felt that someone as seemingly unremarkable as Ayanokouji might notice details others overlooked.
Ayanokouji looked at Horikita, his calm gaze seeming to see right through her.
He didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "What are you planning to do? Interrogate Sakura directly?"
"That's the most straightforward approach." Horikita's tone was firm. "We're running out of time."
"She won't talk. You'll only scare her." Ayanokouji stated it as a fact.
"That's still better than sitting around doing nothing!" Horikita snapped, visibly irritated. "If you don't have any other leads, I'll figure something out myself."
With that, she paid him no further attention, turned, and strode away.
Ayanokouji remained where he was, watching Horikita's retreating figure. A faint glimmer, almost impossible to detect, flickered deep in his eyes. Then he, too, turned and left.