And so, the sun slowly set.
Despite the bus hijacking incident that occurred just yesterday, Butei High was carrying on with its classes and activities today as usual, almost to the point of not feeling guilty about it.
As mentioned before, for Butei, encountering such incidents was nothing out of the ordinary. While it might have caused a commotion in other schools, here, it was just a casual topic, like an after-dinner conversation.
However, the fact remained that the culprit had not been caught.
After the professional class in the Assault Department, Aria headed to the Connect and Equipment Department, apparently preparing to intercept the electromagnetic signals commonly used by Butei assassins, getting ready for the next confrontation.
Fang Li asked Aria to help him purchase some bullets before parting ways with her and heading home alone.
But as soon as Fang Li stepped out of the Assault Department building, someone jumped out from the side.
“Clang Clang! Here comes Riko!” With an expression and posture that seemed to be reserved for a surprise party, Riko greeted Fang Li, who stopped in his tracks, and the look in his eyes turned into a dead fish stare.
“Phew.” Riko seemed dissatisfied with Fang Li’s reaction, crossing her arms in front of her, and said, “Li Li, zero points.”
“What’s the criteria for this rating?” Fang Li couldn’t help but sigh and said, “Why are you here? Inquesta’s classes shouldn’t be running this late. Are you intentionally ambushing me here?”
“Hehe, Riko just wanted to give Li Li a surprise,” Riko bounced over to Fang Li’s side and hugged his arm, acting cute, and said, “Li Li did something so excessive to Riko this morning. Shouldn’t you compensate her?”
“Come on.” Fang Li spoke with a bit of impatience, “Who did something excessive here?”
After saying that, Fang Li tried to break free from Riko’s hold, but she skillfully used some sort of judo-like technique to tightly cling to him.
Helplessly, Fang Li ended up walking with Riko.
Under the setting sun, a beautiful girl holding hands with a boy would naturally give off a romantic atmosphere.
If Aria were to see this scene, she would undoubtedly be too shy to pull out her gun.
If Shirayuki were to witness this scene, she would undoubtedly be so stimulated that she’d draw her sword.
Fortunately, neither of the two girls, both dangerous in their own way, were present at this time, giving Fang Li some peace.
Riko also acted unusually quiet for someone like her, it was as if she was savoring something, gently holding Fang Li’s arm as they walked through the evening campus.
The students who were heading home noticed this scene and were both surprised and curious.
It was highly probable that some rumors might circulate tomorrow, that was for sure.
In this situation, Fang Li furrowed his brow.
He had a feeling that something was off with Riko’s state of mind.
Just as Fang Li was about to say something, Riko suddenly spoke, “It seems like your relationship with Aria has gotten quite good.”
“Me and Aria?” Fang Li blinked and scratched his cheek, saying, “Has it?”
“Of course,” Riko nodded emphatically, saying, “In the Assault Department, Aria has always been known for being a lone wolf, never getting close to anyone. So, when everyone saw you and Aria going to school together, they were genuinely surprised, which is why it was so noisy this morning.”
“Well, I guess so,” Fang Li shrugged and sighed, “Including you, right?”
“But Riko is different, you know. Riko knew that sooner or later, you and Aria would end up together,” Riko raised a finger, giving a meaningful smile, and said, “Riko always said that you and Aria were bound to meet and develop a relationship.”
“Ohh, I have to admit you did gather information about Aria needing a partner,” Fang Li answered honestly, without seeing Riko’s expression. “But to some extent, you could say that Aria and I are partners, right?”
Simply because both sides were flawed.
He wasn’t sure if Riko understood his words.
Suddenly, Riko changed the topic, and her voice softly reached Fang Li’s ears.
“If, one day, Riko were to disappear from Butei High, would you feel sad for Riko?”
“Disappear?” Fang Li’s brow furrowed again, asking, “What do you mean?”
Instead of answering Fang Li’s question, Riko spoke as if talking to herself, “Riko has been very happy during this year at Butei High.”
From her words, Fang Li sensed a nostalgic emotion.
“Do you know?” Riko showed Fang Li a beautiful smile and said, “Since Riko turned eight, no one has celebrated Riko’s birthday until I came to Butei High.”
After saying that, Riko suddenly extended her foot and tripped Fang Li.
Caught up in Riko’s words, Fang Li hadn’t noticed, and because of the sudden trip, he stumbled and knelt on one knee on the ground.
“Eh?” Fang Li was immediately taken aback.
At that moment, Fang Li felt a soft touch on his cheek.
“Ah?” Fang Li froze.
By this time, Riko had released Fang Li and was running towards the school gate. She waved at Fang Li, with her usual cheerful smile, gradually disappearing from his sight, swallowed by the setting sun.
Watching Riko vanish into the dusk, Fang Li felt a certain emotion in his heart.
He felt like Riko was saying goodbye to him.
……
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