After running around the corner and out of Jiang Xia's sight, Dr. Araide let out a breath of relief and answered the phone.
A woman's voice came from the other end, belonging to the FBI agent disguised as a high school foreign-language teacher. "How are things at school? You haven't run into anything unusual, have you?"
"..." Dr. Araide paused. Suzuki Sonoko's earlier mention of "screen time" instinctively flashed through his mind.
But thinking of that guileless child, he ultimately fell back into the habit of defending his student and shook his head. "Nothing."
Jodie went, "Hm?" "Really nothing? I felt like you hesitated just now."
Dr. Araide: "..."
Th-though that was indeed what happened, wasn't it a little too embarrassing to say it outright?
But then he remembered that this FBI agent had been just as blunt when speaking with him before. It was probably simply her nature, so Dr. Araide could only sigh and overlook that minor lack of tact.
After thinking it over, he changed his story. "All right, there was actually a small misunderstanding between some students—but don't worry, it's already been resolved."
Anyone would lose interest upon hearing that it was merely a minor dispute between students that had already been settled. Surely she would not press too deeply.
Yet contrary to his expectations, the FBI agent on the other end did not let the matter pass. After a pause, she asked in a very serious tone, "What exactly happened?"
Before Dr. Araide could speak, Jodie added, "Every detail. Every single line of dialogue!"
"..." Dr. Araide dearly wanted to pretend he had not heard her and quietly hang up... but unfortunately, as a good man indebted to her, he could not bring himself to do such a thing.
After considering it, he could only