When is the complement of the diagonal of a LOTS functionally countable? (Q6155547)

A space \(X\) is said to be functionally countable if the set \(f(X)\) is countable for any continuous function \(f:X \to \mathbb{R}\). \textit{V. V. Tkachuk} [Stud. Sci. Math. Hung. 58, No. 3, 398--407 (2021; Zbl 1499.54137)] established that (in ZFC) there is a non-separable \(\sigma\)-compact space \(X\) such that \(X^2 \setminus D_X\) is functionally countable and asked if there is a non-separable LOTS \(X\) such that \(X^2 \setminus D_X\) is functionally countable, where \(D_X = \{(x,x): x\in X\}\) is the diagonal of \(X\). Working on this question the authors of this paper proved: if there is an uncountable LOTS such that \(X^2 \setminus D_X\) is functionally countable, then \(X\) is an Aronszajn line which contains a Souslin line. They also proved that under assumption that there is a Souslin line the following hold: (i) there is a functionally countable Soulsin line, and (ii) there exists a Souslin line \(L\) which is functionally countable, but \(L^2 \setminus D_L\) is not functionally countable. Two interesting open questions are posed: (1) is there a functionally countable Aronszajn line in ZFC?, (2) is it consistent that there is a Souslin line \(L\) with \(L^2\setminus D_L\) is functionally countable?