Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li and Aria, both S-Rank Martial Investigators, engage in a car chase against hijackers.
• Aria demonstrates exceptional marksmanship, taking out the hijackers' vehicles one by one.
• Fang Li and Aria land on the roof of the hijacked bus, where students from Special Operations High School are held captive.
• Aria locates the bomb under the bus, while Fang Li enters the bus to check on the students.
• Aria finds the bomb, and they prepare to disarm it.

Character Developments

• Fang Li: Shows strategic thinking and concern for the students' safety. He also reveals knowledge about Aria's abilities and ranks within the Martial Investigators.
• Aria: Demonstrates exceptional combat skills, particularly in marksmanship. She shows initiative and decisiveness in action.
• Kinji Touyama: A student on the bus, he expresses relief at Fang Li's arrival. He reveals his current E-Rank status and disinterest in rank due to his desire to leave Special Operations High.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork and coordination between Martial Investigators.
• The importance of ranks and abilities within the Martial Investigators.
• The tension and danger of defusing a bomb.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria work together to defuse the situation, showing mutual respect for each other's abilities.
• Fang Li and Kinji Touyama have a brief exchange, revealing Kinji's current rank and disinterest in it.
• Aria and Fang Li communicate through a radio, coordinating their actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li receives a text message from the Armed Detective Killer, predicting a bloodshed incident.
• Aria, an S Rank Armed Detective, attempts to disarm a bomb on a hijacked bus, but Fang Li shoots and deflects it, preventing an explosion that would have targeted him.
• After the incident, Aria and Fang Li return to the school, and Aria asks about the sudden explosion.
• Fang Li reveals the message from the Armed Detective Killer and deduces that the bus hijacking was a trap to lure and eliminate him.
• Aria confirms Fang Li's ability, which he used to shoot and deflect the bomb undetected.

Character Developments

• Fang Li demonstrates his quick thinking, marksmanship, and deductive reasoning skills.
• Aria shows her surprise and curiosity about Fang Li's abilities.

Significant Themes

• The Armed Detective Killer's threats and crimes.
• Trust and partnership between Armed Detectives.

Character Interactions

• Aria and Fang Li discuss the bus hijacking incident and the Armed Detective Killer's involvement.
• Aria asks Fang Li to be her partner, indicating her interest in working with him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Aria propositions Fang Li to be her partner.
• Fang Li is surprised and unsure about Aria's meaning of 'partner'.
• Aria explains that she needs a partner to unleash her family's true power.
• Fang Li reveals he knows Aria's full name and lineage, connecting her to Sherlock Holmes.

Character Developments

• Aria: Shows determination to prove herself as a martial investigator, despite not inheriting her great-grandfather's deductive abilities.
• Fang Li: Demonstrates knowledge about Aria's lineage and understanding of the martial investigator world's team dynamics.

Significant Themes

• The importance of teamwork in the martial investigator world.
• The pressure Aria feels to live up to her famous lineage.

Character Interactions

• Aria and Fang Li's interaction reveals Aria's admiration for Fang Li and her desire to team up with him.
• Fang Li's revelation of knowing Aria's lineage surprises her and shows his understanding of her background.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Aria reveals that the 'true power of the family' lies in having a partner, as seen in Sherlock Holmes' relationship with Watson.
• Aria asks Fang Li to become her partner, hoping to compensate for her shortcomings and unleash her family's talents.
• Fang Li agrees to be Aria's partner on the condition that she promises to cry for him if the most important person by his side dies.

Character Developments

• Aria: Reveals her desperation to find a partner, showing her vulnerability and need for support. She becomes more assertive and willful in her pursuit of Fang Li as a partner.
• Fang Li: Reflects on his own 'defectiveness' and sees a parallel with Aria. He agrees to be her partner, revealing a deeper emotional need that he hasn't expressed before.

Significant Themes

• Partnership and teamwork: The importance of having a partner to complement one's abilities and provide support.
• Defectiveness and completeness: Both Aria and Fang Li feel incomplete due to their perceived 'defects,' and they hope that their partnership will help them overcome these feelings.
• Emotional connection: Fang Li's condition for their partnership reveals his deep-seated fear of losing an important person and his desire for emotional connection.

Character Interactions

• Aria and Fang Li: Their interaction reveals Aria's desperation and Fang Li's willingness to help, despite knowing he will leave soon. Their conversation also shows a growing understanding and acceptance of each other's 'defects.'

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li and Aria miss classes due to a bus hijacking incident and are called to the Academic Affairs Department for separate explanations to prevent biased testimonies.
• After resolving the incident, they receive substantial rewards, and Fang Li returns to his room in the evening.
• Aria is waiting in Fang Li's room, having obtained a copy of his key card, and they discuss the incident's investigation results.

Character Developments

• Aria displays a more willful and stubborn side, showing her true self to Fang Li.
• Fang Li sees Aria's vulnerable side when she cries after hearing his theory about the Armed Detective Killer.

Significant Themes

• Trust and partnership between Fang Li and Aria.
• The willful and stubborn nature of Aria's character.
• The seriousness of the Armed Detective Killer case.

Character Interactions

• Aria's casual behavior in Fang Li's room contrasts with her usual mature demeanor.
• Fang Li and Aria discuss the incident's investigation results, with Fang Li sharing his theory about the Armed Detective Killer.
• Aria becomes emotional and cries after hearing Fang Li's theory, showing vulnerability and trust in him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Aria reveals that her mother was framed as the Armed Detective Killer and is carrying guilt for many criminal members of a powerful organization called "I-U".
• Fang Li realizes Aria's persistence in chasing the Armed Detective Killer was due to her determination that he was the real culprit.
• Fang Li decides to help Aria, seeing an opportunity to complete his Main Missions Three and Four.

Character Developments

• Aria: Shows vulnerability and emotion when discussing her mother's case, displaying her determination to clear her mother's name.
• Fang Li: Reveals his true intentions and commitment to helping Aria, showing a more proactive and involved side.

Significant Themes

• Partnership and Trust: Fang Li and Aria's partnership deepens as they share their goals and secrets, building trust.
• Justice and Redemption: Aria's pursuit of justice for her mother drives the plot, and Fang Li's decision to help her reflects his commitment to his principles.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria: Their interaction reveals Aria's vulnerability and Fang Li's commitment to their partnership. Aria asks Fang Li if he regrets becoming her partner, to which he reassuringly responds that he won't.
• Fang Li and the Armed Detective Killer: Fang Li's desire to arrest the Armed Detective Killer is driven by his personal debt and Aria's need to clear her mother's name.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Aria moves into Fang Li's room, displaying a high level of trust and familiarity.
• The next day, Aria wakes Fang Li early, and they have breakfast together before leaving.
• They encounter Kinji Touyama, who misinterprets the situation and thinks Fang Li has brought another girl back while Shirayuki is away.
• Kinji Touyama accidentally falls down the stairs after Aria describes him as a "gloomy guy with misandry."
• Fang Li and Aria arrive at Class 2-A, where they are greeted with excitement and speculation about their partnership and relationship.
• Riko approaches Aria, feigning tears and accusing Aria of abandoning her.

Character Developments

• Aria shows she trusts Fang Li deeply and treats him as family, even waking him up and having breakfast together.
• Kinji Touyama displays his misandry and jealousy, but also shows appreciation for Fang Li saving him, keeping the secret about Aria.
• Aria reveals she knows about Kinji Touyama's S Rank rating and has collected information on him, showing her investigative skills.
• Riko shows her manipulative side, faking tears to make Aria feel guilty.

Significant Themes

• Trust and familiarity between partners (Aria and Fang Li)
• Misunderstandings and jealousy (Kinji Touyama)
• Manipulation and deceit (Riko)

Character Interactions

• Aria and Fang Li: They show a high level of comfort and trust, with Aria treating Fang Li's room as her own and waking him up without hesitation.
• Fang Li and Kinji Touyama: They greet each other casually, but Kinji misinterprets the situation and gets annoyed, showing his misandry.
• Aria and Kinji Touyama: Aria describes Kinji as gloomy and misandric, leading to him accidentally falling down the stairs.
• Aria and Riko: Riko manipulates Aria into feeling guilty, showing her ability to deceive others.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Riko, known for her childlike face and well-endowed figure, teases Fang Li, her classmate, throughout their second year.
• Riko falsely accuses Aria of stealing her boyfriend, causing an uproar in the classroom.
• Aria, enraged, threatens the class with her guns, demanding silence.
• Riko claims Fang Li is cheating on her, provoking Fang Li's wrath.
• Fang Li drags Riko out of the classroom for a private discussion.

Character Developments

• Riko: Reveals her mischievous side and her feelings for Fang Li.
• Aria: Shows her protective side towards Fang Li and her jealousy over his potential relationship.
• Fang Li: Demonstrates his calm and collected demeanor under pressure, and his determination to deal with Riko's prank.

Significant Themes

• Teasing and pranks: Riko's mischievous behavior towards Fang Li.
• Jealousy and possessiveness: Aria's reaction to the false accusation.
• Consequences of actions: The students' reaction to Riko's prank and Fang Li's impending retribution.

Character Interactions

• Riko and Fang Li: Their dynamic is shown to be playful yet tense, with Riko teasing Fang Li and Fang Li growing increasingly frustrated.
• Aria and Fang Li: Aria's protective and jealous nature is revealed in her interaction with Fang Li.
• Students and Fang Li: The students show fear and respect towards Fang Li, expecting him to handle Riko's prank.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Despite the recent bus hijacking, the school continues its normal schedule.
• Aria prepares equipment to intercept the Armed Detective Killer's radio waves.
• Fang Li encounters Riko, who surprises him and asks him to walk home together.
• Riko behaves unusually, hinting at a possible departure from the school.
• Riko trips Fang Li and kisses him on the cheek before running off, leaving him with a sense of farewell.

Character Developments

• Aria is shown to be more open to forming a partnership with Fang Li, contrary to her usual loner status.
• Riko displays a nostalgic and melancholic side, hinting at a troubled past and a possible departure from the school.

Significant Themes

• Partnership and camaraderie among Armed Detectives.
• The passage of time and change, symbolized by the setting sun.
• The mystery surrounding Riko's past and her future at the school.

Character Interactions

• Aria and Fang Li's partnership grows stronger as they prepare for their next encounter with the Armed Detective Killer.
• Riko and Fang Li's relationship becomes more complex, with Riko displaying affectionate and troubling behavior, leaving Fang Li confused and concerned.
• Riko's interaction with Fang Li hints at a possible romantic interest, but her actions also suggest a deeper, more complicated emotional state.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter introduces the Combat Disciple system at Armed Detective High School, where upperclassmen train lowerclassmen, forming master-disciple relationships.
• The teacher explains the system's dynamics and benefits for both upperclassmen and lowerclassmen.
• Riko is absent from class, and Fang Li seems worried about her, even asking Kinji Touyama to inform him if Riko attends her professional class.

Character Developments

• Fang Li shows concern for Riko's absence, indicating a growing bond between them.
• Aria displays curiosity and slight jealousy regarding Fang Li's relationship with Riko.

Significant Themes

• Hierarchy and dynamics of relationships (upperclassmen-lowerclassmen, master-disciple).
• Friendship and concern for others (Fang Li's worry for Riko).
• Jealousy and insecurities (Aria's curiosity about Fang Li and Riko's relationship).

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria: Aria questions Fang Li about his relationship with Riko, showing curiosity and slight jealousy.
• Fang Li and Kinji Touyama: Fang Li asks Kinji to inform him if Riko attends her class, showing concern for her absence.
• Fang Li and the teacher: Fang Li listens to the teacher's explanation of the Combat Disciple system, showing interest in his role as an upperclassman.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li and Aria receive a text message from the Armed Detective Killer, forecasting their next crime: a feast on the ocean at night, inviting the partner of a famous detective.
• Fang Li and Aria decide to investigate on their own instead of seeking help from other departments.
• They deduce that the crime location is likely a large cruise ship hosting an event at night, leading them to find news about the Matia Haida cruise ship's opening ball.

Character Developments

• Aria transitions from surprise to seriousness and determination upon receiving the text message.
• Fang Li demonstrates his deductive skills and resourcefulness in tracking the crime location.
• Aria shows her trust in Fang Li's abilities and her willingness to support him.

Significant Themes

• Partnership and Trust: Aria's trust in Fang Li's abilities and her support for his decisions highlight their strong partnership.
• Deductive Reasoning: Fang Li's use of deductive reasoning to narrow down the crime location emphasizes the importance of this skill in their work.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria work together to decipher the message and find the crime location.
• Fang Li playfully teases Aria about her feelings for him, leading to a blushful response from Aria.
• Aria expresses her appreciation for Fang Li's childish side, showing her affection for him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The opening ball of a large cruise ship is scheduled for April 18th, giving Fang Li and Aria three days to prepare (April 15th).
• They need to prepare formal wear and obtain an invitation for the ball.
• Fang Li visits the Special Investigation Research Department (C Research) to get his formal attire made.
• Aria leads Fang Li to an empty room in the second girls' dormitory, where they find Leiji maintaining her sniper rifle.

Character Developments

• Fang Li: Demonstrates his familiarity with C Research and his no-nonsense attitude towards their flirtatious advances. He's shown to be a workaholic who takes his missions seriously.
• Aria: Shows her British noble status by confidently taking on the task of obtaining the invitation. She's comfortable in the empty, stark room, suggesting she's used to such environments.
• Leiji: Reveals her exceptional skill and dedication in maintaining her sniper rifle, showcasing her caution and seriousness.

Significant Themes

• Preparation: The chapter focuses on the preparations for the ball, highlighting the characters' efficiency and attention to detail.
• Seriousness and Dedication: Both Fang Li and Leiji are shown to take their tasks seriously, with Leiji's thorough gun maintenance serving as a symbol of her dedication.
• Contrast: The stark, empty room contrasts with the luxurious setting of the ball, and Leiji's seriousness contrasts with the flirtatiousness of the C Research students.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria: They divide tasks efficiently, with Aria using her noble status to obtain the invitation and Fang Li using his familiarity with C Research to get his attire made.
• Fang Li and C Research Students: Fang Li brushes off their flirtatious advances, showing his professionalism and lack of interest in their attempts to exploit his wallet.
• Aria and Leiji: Aria leads Fang Li to Leiji's room, showing she's aware of Leiji's presence and activities. However, there's no direct interaction between Aria and Leiji in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li and Leiji, both S-Rank Armed Detectives, have worked together on missions but are not familiar due to Leiji's robotic personality.
• Aria hires Leiji as a lookout for a mission on April 18th, with Fang Li and Aria as the primary operatives.
• Leiji warns Fang Li about impending extraordinary events.

Character Developments

• Leiji: Despite her robotic demeanor, she shows concern for Fang Li's safety, hinting at possible emotional depth.
• Fang Li: Remains curious about Leiji and accepts her warning seriously.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between Fang Li's and Leiji's personalities and their impact on their relationship.
• The professionalism and trust between S-Rank Armed Detectives, even with minimal interaction.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Leiji: Despite their lack of familiarity, they share a mutual respect and understanding due to their professional backgrounds.
• Aria and Leiji: Aria is comfortable hiring Leiji due to their previous collaborations and Leiji's efficiency.
• Aria and Fang Li: Aria and Fang Li work well together, understanding each other's strengths and planning their missions accordingly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A lavish party is held on an oil tanker docked at Gakuen Island's port, attended by high-society elites.
• Fang Li and Aria arrive, dressed in formal attire, and are greeted by staff who verify their invitations.
• They board the oil tanker, with Aria revealing that Leiji, an S-Rank Armed Detective, is observing them from a nearby building.

Character Developments

• Fang Li displays maturity and reliability, adhering to traditional Armed Detective principles of saving money for equipment.
• Aria showcases her noble background and influence, securing invitations and transportation for the event.
• A mysterious young girl is introduced, watching Fang Li and Aria from the oil tanker's top floor, hinting at potential intrigue.

Significant Themes

• Disguise and infiltration, as Fang Li and Aria blend into high society to investigate.
• The importance of money and equipment in the world of Armed Detectives.
• The contrast between Aria's noble background and Fang Li's more modest principles.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria interact as a pair, with Aria playing the role of a noble lady and Fang Li her escort.
• They subtly communicate about Leiji's presence, demonstrating their trust and understanding of each other's abilities.
• The mysterious girl's smile suggests she has a hidden agenda, setting the stage for potential conflict or intrigue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li and Aria attend a cruise ship gala undercover, maintaining a low profile to avoid attention.
• They suspect the cruise ship might be rigged with bombs by the Armed Detective Killer.
• Aria's teacher, Sayonari, unexpectedly appears at the gala and approaches them.
• Sayonari makes derogatory remarks towards Fang Li, implying he's unfit for high society and has ulterior motives with Aria.

Character Developments

• Fang Li remains calm and composed despite Sayonari's provocations, hinting at his growing suspicion towards Sayonari.
• Aria becomes upset on Fang Li's behalf but is interrupted before she can respond to Sayonari.

Significant Themes

• Social class and belonging: Sayonari's remarks highlight the divide between high society and the lower classes, with Fang Li being from the latter.
• Suspicion and trust: Fang Li's suspicion towards Sayonari grows, raising questions about trust within their circle.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria maintain a low profile together, sharing their observations and suspicions about the cruise ship.
• Aria and Sayonari interact as teacher and student, with Aria becoming upset on Fang Li's behalf.
• Fang Li and Sayonari have a tense exchange, with Sayonari making derogatory remarks and Fang Li maintaining a calm demeanor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li and Aria discuss the strange behavior of Sayonari-sensei.
• The cruise ship unexpectedly starts to sail, deviating from the planned schedule.
• Unmanned speedboats equipped with submachine guns approach the cruise ship, firing at the deck.
• Panic ensues among the high-society guests, who rush into the cabins for safety.
• Fang Li and Aria take cover and decide to head to the cockpit to assess the situation.
• A sniper bullet is fired towards Aria.

Character Developments

• Fang Li shows concern for Aria's safety and strategic thinking in handling the situation.
• Aria demonstrates her intuition and quick decision-making skills.
• Leiji proves reliable in providing information and coordinating with external forces.

Significant Themes

• The Armed Detective Killer's modus operandi: using vehicles as traps and causing panic among high-society figures.
• The importance of quick thinking and teamwork in crisis situations.
• The contrast between the initial gala atmosphere and the sudden violence.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Aria work together, showing mutual concern and respect for each other's abilities.
• Aria's intuition leads her to believe that Sayonari-sensei is rejecting Fang Li, not the other way around.
• Leiji remotely supports Fang Li and Aria, providing crucial information and coordinating rescue efforts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li and Aria are attacked by speedboats with submachine guns while on a cruise ship.
• Aria demonstrates exceptional reflexes and intuition by dodging a bullet.
• They spot a figure on the ship's cabin, likely the Armed Detective Killer.
• They rush into the cabin and find Riko sitting on the railing, singing.
• Riko reveals her full name, Riko Robin IV, claiming to be the great-granddaughter of Arsene Lupin, the gentleman thief who clashed with Sherlock Holmes over a century ago.

Character Developments

• Aria shows impressive reflexes and intuition, hinting at her potential as a detective.
• Riko reveals her lineage and true intentions, displaying a warrior-like demeanor and a desire to defeat Fang Li (Holmes IV).

Significant Themes

• The legacy of famous detectives and thieves (Holmes and Lupin) and the expectations placed on their descendants.
• The clash between intelligence, intuition, and reflexes in detection and combat.

Character Interactions

• Aria and Fang Li work together to dodge gunfire and investigate the ship.
• Aria is astonished and reacts strongly to Riko's revelation of her lineage.
• Riko addresses Fang Li as "Holmes" and expresses her desire to defeat him, setting up a potential confrontation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Riko reveals her true intentions and combat power, drawing two Walther P99 pistols and aiming at Aria.
• Aria reciprocates, and Fang Li intervenes, asking Riko about her goals.
• Riko expresses her obsession with surpassing her great-grandfather, Arsene Lupin, by defeating a descendant of Sherlock Holmes, Aria.
• Riko admits to being the Martial Arts Killer and reveals she joined I-U to gain power for this purpose.
• Riko confesses to orchestrating the bus hijacking incident to bring Aria and Fang Li together, aiming to make Fang Li Aria's partner.
• Riko provokes Aria, expressing satisfaction with Aria's current favorability towards Fang Li.

Character Developments

• Riko: Reveals her hidden strength and true motives, displaying a dangerous obsession and manipulative behavior.
• Aria: Struggles to process Riko's revelations and becomes increasingly angry and frustrated.
• Fang Li: Remains calm and composed throughout, understanding Riko's manipulations and beginning to see Aria's potential as a partner.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and its destructive consequences (Riko's fixation on surpassing her great-grandfather).
• Manipulation and deception (Riko's orchestration of events to bring Aria and Fang Li together).
• The importance of partnerships (Riko's belief that Aria needs a strong partner to unleash her full potential).

Character Interactions

• Riko and Aria: Their partnership is strained as Aria learns of Riko's manipulations and true intentions.
• Riko and Fang Li: Riko expresses a desire for Fang Li to be Aria's partner, while Fang Li remains neutral and analytical.
• Aria and Fang Li: Aria becomes increasingly concerned about Fang Li's safety and well-being due to Riko's revelations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Riko orchestrates a bus hijacking to facilitate a meeting between Aria and Fang Li.
• Aria and Riko engage in a high-speed, close-quarters gun fight, both demonstrating the ability to dodge bullets and using their guns as striking weapons.
• Aria runs out of ammunition first, and Riko advances on her.
• Fang Li intervenes, stopping Riko with an "Invisible Bullet" and declaring it's his turn to handle the situation.

Character Developments

• Riko reveals her manipulative nature and her desire to make the fight between Aria and Fang Li more interesting.
• Aria's determination to clear her mother's name and arrest Riko grows.
• Fang Li demonstrates his formidable skills and calm demeanor, showing he's a force to be reckoned with.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control: Riko's actions highlight her desire to manipulate others for her own purposes.
• Determination and resolve: Both Aria and Riko show unwavering determination in their goals.
• Skill and preparation: The characters' abilities and preparation are emphasized, with Fang Li's intervention showcasing his superior skills.

Character Interactions

• Riko provokes Aria, leading to their intense gun fight.
• Aria and Riko both realize they need to engage in close-quarters combat to gain an advantage.
• Fang Li intervenes, showing his confidence and skill, and positioning himself as a protector for Aria.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Li confronts Riko for hiding information, but she refuses to apologize.
• Fang Li, upset that Riko is on the opposing side, decides to punish her first before discussing.
• Riko, excited by Fang Li's fighting spirit, challenges him.
• Fang Li uses his Invisible Bullet technique, disarming Riko.
• Riko throws a flashbang to obscure Fang Li's vision and charges at him with dual guns and blades.

Character Developments

• Fang Li shows his serious side when crossed, using his unique gun skills.
• Riko reveals her obsession with Fang Li's strength and her ability to dual-wield guns and blades using her hair.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of hiding information and standing against Fang Li.
• The power dynamics between Fang Li and Riko, with Riko admiring Fang Li's strength.

Character Interactions

• Fang Li and Riko have a tense standoff, with Riko provoking Fang Li and him responding with serious intent.
• Aria watches the confrontation, holding her breath and reacting to the intense situation.