Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1387: Chapter 1386: Who Are Our Friends, Who Are Our Enemies

”Hoo...”

Due to the rehearsal for the new song, by the time Fang Zheng and Sora left the school, it was already evening. However, even with nightfall, the entire school was still brightly lit, and students were busy setting up exhibits everywhere. Seeing this scene, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but think of the New Year’s party he attended before Rebirth during his school days.

Compared to the cultural festival in Japan, the event back home wasn’t as extravagant. Although some people did have the habit of decorating before certain holiday activities, most people found it quite burdensome. At most, they would draw a mural on the blackboard and stick some paper flowers on the wall. That’s about it.

Oh, and there’s the big clean-up...

Thinking about this, Fang Zheng shook his head. Even with just that, most people complained endlessly. If they were to attempt a cultural festival like Japan, they might as well jump off a building. Here, everything, including the billboard and scenery setups, must be done by themselves... and after that, they still need to do a big clean-up... Ah, just thinking about the clean-up gives Fang Zheng a headache.

Forget it, it’s better to go home and eat.

”Hmm?”

But unexpectedly, while Fang Zheng was taking the train home with Sora, he suddenly saw a familiar figure.

”Sora... is that Gui Kotonoha?”

”?”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Sora lifted her head and looked in the direction Fang Zheng pointed, indeed seeing a busty girl with long black hair walking out of the station. From her appearance and striking features, it was clear that the girl was Gui Kotonoha.

”Why is she here?”

Sora frowned slightly and even took out her phone to check the time.

”It’s strange, Gui told me her family is very strict about curfew... she should have been home by now.”

Fang Zheng and Sora were only returning home late because they’d been practicing with the Light Music Club. Gui Kotonoha didn’t participate in any clubs, so even if she was helping with the school festival, she should have gone home by now. Why is she wandering around here?

”Shall we go take a look?”

Although Fang Zheng was somewhat keen to avoid Gui Kotonoha, she was still Sora’s friend, and it would certainly be troublesome if she encountered any issues. Hence, Fang Zheng made the suggestion, and Sora nodded — she was curious about why Gui Kotonoha, a well-behaved girl, was out so late wandering around.

After making their decision, the two walked out of the train station, following Gui Kotonoha’s trail.

Gui Kotonoha was still wearing her school uniform, holding her backpack. From appearances, she seemed similar to Fang Zheng and the others, as if she had just left school. But she appeared to be searching for something, walking while checking her phone. Then... Fang Zheng and Sora watched as Gui Kotonoha changed direction and headed towards the hotel district.

”Uhh... should we keep following?”

Looking at the brightly lit hotel district, Fang Zheng frowned. Although he hadn’t been here before, having traveled through so many worlds, he knew this place was a ”transaction site” for kind-hearted older men to assist needy young girls. Of course, sometimes young couples who can’t find a good place might also come here for a quick rest.

Still... never thought she’d have such a side.

She doesn’t look like she lacks money.

Just as Fang Zheng was puzzled, he saw Gui Kotonoha standing in a nearby vacant lot. After a moment, a man around fifty years old, chubby and dressed in a suit, approached her, speaking to her with a smile.

Gui Kotonoha appeared polite towards the rotund older man in front of her. They exchanged a few words before turning to leave.

Hmm... other people’s business; better not interfere.

Seeing them about to leave, Fang Zheng had nothing to say. However, to be safe, he used Future Sight on Gui Kotonoha... if there were no issues, he’d consider it akin to watching a movie.

Soon, the scene several hours later flashed before Fang Zheng’s eyes. After witnessing the Future Sight, Fang Zheng’s expression darkened. He firmly placed his hand on Sora’s shoulder.

”Wait here for me. I’ll be back in a moment, don’t wander around.”

”I’m not a child.”

Seeing Fang Zheng’s serious look, Sora rolled her eyes, not bothering to say more. Fang Zheng, however, began walking briskly towards where Gui Kotonoha was.

”Gui!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng, Gui Kotonoha paused, looking back to see Fang Zheng approaching her. She seemed quite surprised upon seeing Fang Zheng.

”Haruno?”

”What are you doing here?”

Fang Zheng glanced at the older man next to Gui Kotonoha, then directly asked. Gui Kotonoha, appearing unguarded, quietly replied.

”Um... this gentleman invited me for dinner...”

”Do you know each other?”

”This... well...”

”Hey.”

Seeing Fang Zheng’s appearance, the chubby suited man appeared displeased.

”Who are you? What does my dinner with Kotonoha have to do with you?”

Hearing the older man’s words, Fang Zheng coldly glanced at him.

”Scram!”

”You...!”

Upon hearing this, the chubby suited man seemed ready to shout angrily, but upon feeling Fang Zheng’s intense gaze, he shivered, as if he’d just escaped death’s grasp, breaking into a sweat and fleeing abruptly. In an instant, he vanished into the crowd.

”Ah...”

Watching him leave, Gui Kotonoha seemed relieved, but also showed a hint of disappointment.

”Follow me.”

Fang Zheng shook his head, then grabbed Gui Kotonoha’s hand, leading her back to where Sora was waiting. Seeing both Fang Zheng and Sora there, Gui Kotonoha appeared a bit surprised, though she seemed unperturbed by the discovery.

If Fang Zheng hadn’t used Future Sight to see the troubles she might encounter, he would have assumed Gui Kotonoha was a veteran.

After that, Fang Zheng took Sora and Gui Kotonoha to a nearby fast food restaurant, ordered some meals, and sat down again.

”Um, Haruno...?”

”Alright, Classmate Gui, now it’s my turn to ask you, what was your intention with that man just now?”

”This... ”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Gui Kotonoha seemed puzzled, but quickly gave her answer.

”Having dinner with him... ”

”And then?”

”And then?”

Gui Kotonoha blinked, seemingly perplexed by Fang Zheng’s words, as he pressed his palm to his forehead.

”Alright... let me put it another way. Why have dinner with someone you don’t know?”

”Because... he said he was lonely and hoped for company, and... offered me money...”

”Ha... ”

At this, Sora let out a big sigh, while Gui Kotonoha still looked bewildered.

”Is there... a problem?”

”You should use your brain.”

Fang Zheng shook his head helplessly.

”A man gives you money just for dinner companionship? Is he deranged? Do you know what you’re doing... okay, I doubt you contacted him on your own.”

”Yes, it was Kato who helped direct me.”

”Kato?”

Fang Zheng was momentarily stunned, while Sora provided an answer.

”He’s a classmate from our class, the star of the Basketball Club.”

”Oh... well then, explain the situation from start to finish.”

”Here’s how it happened... Kato approached me after the Culture Festival and said everyone planned to travel together... ”

Gui Kotonoha’s face then showed a few smiles.

”... They said everyone would pool their money, and if I wanted, I could join too, but the money they asked was too much for my allowance. Then Kato said he’d help find me a job, just dine with someone and earn enough money... ”

”... ”

Fang Zheng was utterly speechless, and Sora quietly sipped her drink.

”So you agreed? Do you even know what you’re doing? Why don’t you think? Why would a regular guy spend so much on just dinner? Why? Because he wants to... forget it, Sora can explain.”

Considering Gui Kotonoha was a girl, Fang Zheng gestured helplessly. Sora put down her drink, leaned toward Gui Kotonoha’s ear, spoke some unknown words, and Gui Kotonoha’s pale face turned bright red.

”Eh? But he clearly said... ”

”Of course, people won’t express this directly, but they imply it privately. Don’t you get this?”

Fang Zheng was utterly speechless looking at Gui Kotonoha. He knew from Sora that Gui Kotonoha was from a good family, but surely she’s too naïve. At this point, it wasn’t stupidity anymore—it was being sold without realizing it.

”I... don’t know... why...”

Gui Kotonoha’s face turned ashen as she thought of her potential encounter, shivering all over.

”Why did Kato and the others do this... I just wanted to befriend them...”

”But it’s clear they see you as a fool.”

To be honest, this was Fang Zheng’s first direct experience of Japan’s campus violence. Frankly, it wasn’t violence but a crime! Selling classmates to older men for profit is worse than bullying someone in a bathroom, right?

Fang Zheng time-traveled to many worlds, and it’s the first... oh, wait, the campus violence faced by Cursed Child in Black World is worse.

Strictly speaking, that’s not ”campus” violence.

In fact, Fang Zheng saw through Future Sight that the situation was more severe—if not stopped, Gui Kotonoha would be forcefully assaulted by the old man. And her classmates would film it, using the footage to blackmail Gui Kotonoha. If she resisted, they’d expose it to school and parents, continuing bullying afterward...

What a world full of absurdities.

If the target had been Sora, Fang Zheng would have orchestrated their ”transfer” already. But since Gui Kotonoha was the target, Fang Zheng chose not to intervene directly.

”Alright, now you’re aware.”

He finished his burger, drank some beverage, then stood up.

”I’ve mentioned to you before, now I’ll say it again for the last time. Wanting friends is great, but discern who’s a friend and who’s an enemy. I doubt anyone would sell a friend to old men for profit... that’s all, figure out how to handle this yourself, Sora, let’s go.”

”Hmm.”

Sora nodded at Fang Zheng’s words, looked at Gui Kotonoha for a moment, then followed Fang Zheng out.

Leaving Gui Kotonoha sitting alone, silently staring at the table.

At this moment, her eyes looked exceedingly sullen.