The counselor paused halfway through lifting his teacup.
"...He submitted a written analysis.
It was quite detailed. He broke down the surveillance footage frame by frame. Everyone at the meeting read it."
Frame by frame.
"I understand.
Thank you."
"Don't rush off just yet." The counselor put down his cup.
"Sign the letter of commitment. It's just a formality."
Kannazuki signed his name, stood up, and headed out.
"Light Yagami."
He stopped at the door.
The counselor's voice was a little quieter than before.
"That friend of yours... that student, L."
"Yes?"
"The level of expertise in his report-" The counselor paused, as though weighing his words. "It wasn't something an undergraduate could have written."
Kannazuki turned around.
"What kind of person do you think he is?"
The counselor waved a hand.
"I didn't say anything. You can go."
Kannazuki left Room 302. The hallway was empty.
He took out his phone and sent L a message.
[The decision's out. No disciplinary action.]
The reply came quickly.
[That's good. Congratulations.]
Kannazuki's thumb hovered over the screen.
He typed a few words, deleted them, and tried again.
[Thank you.]
After sending it, he stared at the screen for two seconds.
L's reply took another ten-odd seconds to arrive.
[You're welcome. Friends don't need to thank each other. Are you free tonight? Let's eat at the cafeteria. My treat.]
Kannazuki locked his screen.
Jiang Shiyu came rushing up from the turn in the stairs.
"Well? What happened?"
"No disciplinary action."
"Aaaaaah-!"
She bounced up and down in the hallway, her shoes thumping against the tiles, the echoes ricocheting across the entire floor.
"I knew it! I knew they wouldn't dare!"
"Keep your voice down. This is the Administrative Building."
"I don't care! I'm so happy!" She rushed over and hugged his arm,