[well, that definitely gets an arched brow, and a pause while he considers-- they've never discussed this, so who knows what specifically counts under the rules.]

I wonder who you've been speaking with, Ray-kun, to come up with that... but I may or may not keep my current allegiance.

[not outright confirming or denying seems safest, for now. he's not a hundred percent positive he actually wants to confirm.]

Why do you ask?