Ayanokoji's Probe

The stairwell was quiet.

Most people on lunch break had either gone to the cafeteria or returned to their dorms.

Only the light outside slanted in, dividing the floor tiles into patches of brightness and shadow.

Gu Heng looked at Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji looked back at him.

Neither of them softened their tone first.

"That question's too broad."

Gu Heng spoke first. "Are you asking how much I know about Sudo's situation, or why I know these things?"

"Both."

Ayanokoji's tone remained as even as ever.

But Gu Heng could tell that this time, he wasn't asking casually.

He was confirming something.

"Then let me ask first."

Gu Heng looked at him. "Are you here to probe me, or to give me information?"

The corner of Ayanokoji's lips shifted faintly.

"Both."

Gu Heng didn't respond.

He waited for him to continue.

Ayanokoji didn't beat around the bush either.

"The cameras near the gym won't be shown to students casually."

He said, "But if it involves an on-campus conflict, the teachers handling disciplinary matters usually check the duty records first."

"I caught wind of something."

"The conflict in the back court the afternoon before yesterday was indeed brought up."

"But as of noon today, it still hasn't been formally compiled into a disciplinary decision."

Gu Heng's gaze sharpened slightly.

That was enough.

It proved that his judgment yesterday had been right.

The other side hadn't completely locked things down yet.

"Why tell me this?"

Gu Heng asked.

"Because I want to see too."

Ayanokoji looked at him. "I want to see how far you plan to push this."

"Is that all?"

"What else would it be?"

Gu Heng looked at him for two seconds.

He didn't press the matter.

The stairwell was quiet.

Only the occasional faint footsteps drifted over from the distant hallway.

Ayanokoji rotated the coffee can in his hand halfway around.

"Your turn now."

He said, "Why did you think of the cameras, the duty records, and the order in which different versions spread so quickly?"

"A normal first-year wouldn't be that fast."

Gu Heng's expression didn't change at those words.

"When this school gave Class D a hundred thousand points, it wasn't planning to wait for us to slowly learn how to take a hit."

Gu Heng said, "The traps were written right beside the rules."

"Anyone willing to look would smell something sooner or later."

"But you weren't just sooner or later."

Ayanokoji looked at him. "You were like someone who'd already gone around the traps no one else had even noticed yet."

Gu Heng turned his head and glanced at him.

Ayanokoji's face was expressionless.

But the wariness and interest in his eyes were both plain to see.

"Sometimes, you seem like..." Ayanokoji paused. "Like you've already memorized where the doors are, where things will collapse, and who'll be the first to say the wrong thing."

Gu Heng smiled.

"Then just think of me as someone especially sensitive to traps."

"I don't really believe that."

"But you'll use me first."

Gu Heng said.

It hit too close to home.

Ayanokoji fell silent for a second, then actually smiled.

"True."

He said, "After all, Sudo's matter still needs to be pushed forward."

Gu Heng withdrew his gaze.

"You'd better not dig too deeply into why I know these things."

He said.

"Is that a warning?"

"It's advice."

Gu Heng's tone was calm. "Because spending your energy on that right now won't benefit you, and it won't benefit me either."

Ayanokoji looked at him.

He paused a little longer than usual.

"You really are strange."

He said.

"Likewise."

"No."

Ayanokoji shook his head lightly. "I'm strange, but at least I can be explained. Some parts of you don't seem like they come from observation alone."

Gu Heng didn't follow that thread.

"So what do you plan to do now?"

Ayanokoji asked.

"First, don't let Sudo get labeled as the sole aggressor."

Gu Heng said, "As for the rest, we'll wait until the other side says what they need to say first."

"Sounds like you've already assumed there'll be a formal confrontation tomorrow."

"There will be."

Gu Heng looked down the hallway. "Since they started spreading rumors first, they won't just spread them among the students."

Ayanokoji gave a quiet hum.

"Then let me make this clear too."

He said, "When it comes to Sudo, I won't undermine you."

Gu Heng finally turned his head.

"What's the condition?"

"No condition."

Ayanokoji looked at him. "It's just unnecessary for now."

Gu Heng chuckled.

"Then I'll give you an honest answer too."

"What is it?"

"I won't undermine you."

Gu Heng said, "So don't undermine me either."

"When our interests align, we cooperate first."

"When they don't, we each keep something in reserve."

The stairwell fell quiet for two seconds.

Ayanokoji didn't answer immediately.

It was as if he were turning those words over in his mind.

Then he nodded.

"Fine."

He said, "For now, that's enough."

With that, he didn't linger any longer.

He turned and headed downstairs.

Gu Heng remained where he was.

Until his phone buzzed.

It was a message from Hirata.

"The other side has arranged a face-to-face confrontation tomorrow at noon."

Gu Heng had just finished reading it when a second buzz followed.

This one came from a completely unfamiliar number with no contact name.

There was only one line.

"Don't let Sudo ruin everything you've investigated so far with that mouth of his."

Gu Heng stared at the two messages for several seconds.

The real confrontation hadn't even begun yet.

Someone had already started looking into him.