Farewell at Sunset

And so, the sun gradually set.

Despite the bus hijacking incident yesterday, the Armed Detective High School is still going about its usual routine today, so normal that it makes one feel a little guilty.

However, as mentioned before, encountering incidents is a very common occurrence for the Armed Detective Academy. So what would cause a stir in other schools is just a topic of conversation after dinner, and it doesn't even make a ripple in the Armed Detective High School.

However, it is also a fact that the criminal did not give himself away.

So, after finishing her specialized courses in the Assault Department, Aria went to the Communications Department and Equipment Department, seemingly preparing, just like last time, for instruments and equipment capable of intercepting the radio waves commonly used by Armed Detective Killer, in preparation for the next showdown.

Fang Li asked Aria to buy him a batch of bullets, then parted ways with Aria and went home alone.

However, just as Fang Li stepped out of the Assault Department building, someone jumped out from the side.

"Ta-da! Riko's here!"

Seeing Riko strike a pose and expression only suitable for a surprise party, Fang Li stopped in Fang Li tracks, his eyes turning into dead fish eyes.

"Pfft." Riko seemed dissatisfied with Fang Li's reaction, so she forcefully crossed her hands in front of her and said, "Riri, zero points."

"What exactly are the grading criteria?" Fang Li couldn't help but sigh, saying, "What are you doing here? Detective Department courses shouldn't be this late, right? Did you deliberately ambush me here?"

"Hehe, Riko just wanted to give Riko a surprise." Riko skipped over to Fang Li's side, hugged Fang Li's arm, and said in a coquettish tone, "Riri did such a terrible thing to Riko this morning, shouldn't you make it up to Riko?"

"Please," Fang Li said somewhat irritably, "Who exactly did the wrong thing?"

After saying that, Fang Li tried to break free from Riko's arm, but Riko held him tightly with a judo-like technique.

Having no other choice, Fang Li used a little more force.

"Ah..." Riko let out a gasp, as if even her breathing had become hot, and said to Fang Li with a flushed face, "Riri is so bold, actually rubbing against that kind of place..."

Fang Li immediately stopped what he was doing, having no other choice.

"Hehe." Riko finally let out a satisfied laugh, and said with a hint of excitement, "Alright, Riri, let's go home in a way that makes it seem like we're on good terms. This is Matoba can be used to collect CG, you know?"

As she said this, Riko grabbed Fang Li's arm and, with what appeared to be a delicate but actually very savage strength, dragged Fang Li up.

At that moment, Fang Li had no choice but to follow Riko.

The scene of a beautiful young woman holding a man's arm at sunset only gives the impression of a couple.

If Aria saw this scene, she would be so embarrassed that she would draw her gun.

If Shirayuki were to witness this scene, she would surely be so provoked that she would draw her sword.

Fortunately, the two girls, who posed a danger in various ways, were not present, allowing Fang Li to have some peace and quiet.

Riko, unusually quiet, seemed to be savoring something as she silently held Fang Li's arm and walked through the campus in the evening.

The students who were heading home all witnessed this scene, and were both surprised and curious.

Presumably, some kind of rumor might actually circulate tomorrow; who knows?

Under these circumstances, Fang Li frowned.

I have a feeling that something is wrong with Riko.

Just as Fang Li was about to say something, Riko suddenly said, "It seems like Riri and Aria's relationship has become quite good."

"Me and Aria?" Fang Li paused slightly, scratched his cheek, and said, "Really?"

"Of course." Riko nodded vigorously and said, "In the Assault Department, Aria has always been known for being a loner and has never been so close to anyone. So, everyone was actually quite surprised to see Riko and Aria going to school together, otherwise it wouldn't have been so noisy in the morning."

"Well, I thought so too." Fang Li shrugged and sighed, "Including you, aren't you the same?"

"Riko is different. Riko knew all along that Riri and Aria would end up together like this." Riko raised a finger and said with a meaningful smile, "Riko said it before: Riri and Aria would meet sooner or later, and it was only a matter of time before they developed into the relationship they have now."

"However, Riko didn't expect that Riri and Aria's relationship would develop so smoothly." Riko's grip on Fang Li tightened slightly, and the smile on her face faded a little. She said, "After all, Aria needs a partner, but Riri doesn't. It's Riko surprising that the two of them got together so quickly."

"As expected of you, you even gathered information about Aria needing a partner." Fang Li didn't see Riko's expression and simply answered truthfully, "However, in a way, Aria and I are pretty much a done deal, aren't we?"

Simply because both are defective products.

I don't know if Riko understood what Fang Li said.

Suddenly, Riko changed the subject, her voice softly reaching Fang Li's ears.

"If Riko were to disappear from Armed Detective High School one day, would the place be sad for Riko?"

"Disappeared?" Fang Li frowned again and asked, "What does that mean?"

Riko didn't answer Fang Li's question, but instead said as if talking to herself, "Riko had a very happy year at the Armed Detective High School."

Fang Li sensed a feeling of nostalgia in those words.

"You know what?" Riko gave Fang Li a beautiful smile and said, "After Riko turned eight, no one celebrated Riko birthday anymore until she came to Armed Detective High School."

After saying that, Riko suddenly stretched out her foot and tripped Fang Li.

Because Fang Li was focused on Riko's words, he didn't notice that he had tripped over her and immediately stumbled, falling to his knees on one knee.

"Chirp..."

At that very moment, Fang Li felt a soft touch on his cheek.

"Huh?" Fang Li was immediately stunned.

At this moment, Riko had already let go of Fang Li and was running towards the school gate, waving to Fang Li as she went, her usual happy smile on her face, as she gradually disappeared from Fang Li's sight.

As Fang Li watched Riko gradually disappear into the sunset, a feeling arose in Fang Li heart.

It felt like Riko was saying goodbye to herself.