Chapter 93: Aria's Slave?

"Xiao Ya, do you know her?" Riko's expression darkened noticeably. Although she knew it wasn't the time to show hostility towards Aria, the sight of Aria sitting beside Zhang Fan struck a nerve. An intuition told her that Aria should not be underestimated, not only in combat but also in matters of the heart.

"No, this is our first meeting," Zhang Fan shook his head, as puzzled as Riko about Aria's sudden approach.

"I see," Riko replied, reluctantly returning to her seat. She began to contemplate whether to advance her plans, given the emergence of her archrival. She was tormented by uncertainty: how would Zhang Fan treat her if he discovered her true identity? She didn't know and was torn between hope and apprehension.

Throughout the class meeting, Riko was lost in her thoughts, so much so that she didn't even notice Zhang Fan and Aria leaving their seats when the meeting concluded.

"So, what do you want from me, Aria?" Zhang Fan asked, as Aria led him to a secluded spot in the corridor. Her proactive approach hinted at a specific reason for seeking him out.

"Be... be my slave!" Aria blurted out, her face turning crimson with embarrassment. It seemed she lacked experience in dealing with boys, and the request came across as both awkward and baffling to Zhang Fan.

"What? I didn't quite catch that. Did you say 'slave'?" Zhang Fan exaggeratedly cleared his ears. The idea of becoming Aria's slave upon their first meeting seemed absurdly amusing.

"Yes, that's right! I need Zhang Fan to be my slave!" Aria insisted, her face beet red with a mix of determination and embarrassment.

"Sorry, but that's not really my area of interest. If you're looking for a slave, you might have to look in another dimension or a country with such practices," Zhang Fan responded, gently rejecting the peculiar request. He found the notion of immediately becoming Aria's slave demeaning and turned to leave. However, Aria grabbed his arm before he could walk away.

"I need you!" Aria's face drained of color as she clung to Zhang Fan, her pitiful expression tugging at his heartstrings.

"Let's talk seriously, Aria. What do you really want to do? Let's skip the slave talk," Zhang Fan advised, trying to steer the conversation towards a more sensible direction. Despite Aria's youth, he recognized her ingenuity and resourcefulness. He was curious about the anime's second season, which hadn't been released yet, leaving many questions unanswered.

"I want you to join my team!" Aria finally clarified her intent after regaining her composure.

"Your team? Why choose me?" Zhang Fan was genuinely surprised. As far as he knew, he hadn't demonstrated any particular skills that would attract Aria's attention.

"Because of your strength! The name 'Zhang Fan, Master of Gun and Sword', is well-known in the European Martial Detective circles. I believe your assistance will be invaluable to me here in Japan," Aria explained.

Zhang Fan was perplexed by his unexpected fame in Europe. His involvement in a few European missions and the dismantling of criminal organizations had apparently made a significant impact, although he was still processing the implications of his actions there.

"I see. But how can you be sure I'll cooperate with you?" Zhang Fan asked, intrigued by her confidence in their potential partnership.

"That's... I..." Aria hesitated, realizing she might have been presumptuous in assuming Zhang Fan would agree. However, she was desperate for his assistance in proving her mother's innocence, who was wrongfully accused of being the Martial Detective Assassin.

A brief introduction to Aria's background: An S-class martial detective from Britain, renowned for her dual-wielding of guns and swords, she possessed the bloodline of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. Her transfer to Tokyo Martial Detective High was driven by her determination to exonerate her mother, who had been sentenced to an 864-year prison term. Clearing her mother's name hinged on capturing the real assassin, a task far beyond Aria's capabilities alone.

Realizing she couldn't find a convincing reason for Zhang Fan to join her, Aria's cheeks flushed with a new idea, perhaps a bit far-fetched.

"Stop! Don't jump to conclusions! About the teaming up, I'll tentatively agree to a trial period. Let's say two months. If we work well together during this time, then forming a real team is a possibility," Zhang Fan quickly interjected, amused by Aria's alternating expressions of shyness and frustration.