In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 101

Mikoto did not object, and Shokuhou nodded in agreement. The others followed suit.

Even though several hours had passed, the atmosphere was still quite tense. Shifting the focus was the best option at the moment, and everyone was indeed hungry.

Higashino went to the villa garage to get another grill. The girls split into two groups: one group started helping to clean the poolside area, set out chairs and tableware, while the other group went to the kitchen to get another grill and ingredients.

Higashino walked to the garage and turned on the lights. The garage was large, with a low-key yet luxurious sedan parked inside, which was also kindly provided by Mitsuko. On the other side, outdoor gear was neatly stacked.

He had just lifted a heavy portable oven when he heard light footsteps and a faint, sweet, moist aroma behind him.

Higashino Yu turned around.

Riko Takitsubo was standing at the garage door. After being punished, she took a shower and changed out of her swimsuit, since even a swimsuit isn't very comfortable when the bottom is wet.

She was wearing a loose beige cotton-linen dress with a light brown thin knitted cardigan over it, which once again concealed her large breasts that had been exposed earlier that day.

"Yu-kun..."

Takitsubo made up her mind to come and help, but hesitated for a long time. She wanted to come, but was afraid that she would be too clingy and be disliked.

But considering that Higashino is usually very busy, I don't know how long it will be before I have another chance to be alone with him.

With so many girlfriends in Higashino's life, if I don't take the initiative, I might end up being relegated to the sidelines in his heart.

"I... will help you."

She took a few steps forward somewhat awkwardly, with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

She'd rested enough and felt ready again. Anyway, Higashino had a way to ensure she didn't suddenly get pregnant, so she wanted to have her fill all at once!

Higashino put down the grill and looked at her. Even the most oblivious person wouldn't be unmoved by her almost drooling gaze, let alone someone as oblivious as him.

"Thank you, it's just that I couldn't carry it all by myself."

Higashino smiled and walked up to her.

In the dim light of the garage, the two were alone again.

Looking at her eyes, which seemed to glow in the dim light, and her delicate face, Dongye felt a stirring in his heart. He reached out and placed his palm on her charming face, perfectly feeling the slightly cool yet rapidly changing temperature in his hand.

Takitsubo's body trembled slightly, but instead of flinching, she leaned closer to him with a submissive gesture.

Higashino's fingers slid down and lifted her chin.

This action made Takitsubo's heart pound wildly, her breathing became rapid, and her cheeks quickly flushed. She nervously closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

She knew what was going to happen next because she had noticed the changes in her surroundings before she closed her eyes.

This time it was a very luxurious room with a large, round bed in the center that was so big that even twenty people could lie down without feeling crowded.

Even though it wasn't the first time, she still found it incredible every time Higashino demonstrated the phase he mentioned. Not only could he change space at will, but he could also change the flow of time. In her opinion, such an ability was not Level 5 at all.

If you were to say that Higashino is an absolute esper, Takitsubo wouldn't doubt it, because it's really exaggerated.

"Yu...can it last a little longer this time? I can do it..."

Higashino didn't answer her; instead, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

After all, if a girl makes such a request, wouldn't it be embarrassing if you couldn't fulfill it?

He didn't want to lose face in something like this.

This time, Higashino is determined to teach her a lesson about what happens when someone provokes him and tells a man to "stay a little longer."

The plots in the movie can be done in real life, or even more exaggeratedly. In any case, both of them were very satisfied this time.

When the two returned to the garage, Takitsubo, whose body was limp, was being held by Princess Higashino.

Seeing her completely lost and embarrassed, almost fainting, Higashino Yu couldn't help but chuckle softly, the sound particularly clear in the quiet garage.

"Has this lasted long enough?"

He asked gently.

"...Not enough...no, it's been long enough..."

Takitsubo's voice was barely audible, and she lowered her head even further. The words she almost said startled Higashino, but thankfully she changed her mind in time, otherwise Higashino wouldn't know if he should go back to the Phase and teach her a lesson again.

"Very...good..."

The last two words almost melted into her breath.

"Let's go, or we'll all go hungry if it burns."

Higashino didn't say much and put her down. It has to be said that abilities are indeed very useful; even Takitsubo, a girl with relatively poor stamina, could persist for a very long time.

Moreover, it transformed him into an invincible, super-enhanced version of Zhao Zilong, making it twice as easy for him to charge into and out of Cao Cao's camp seven times. He felt confident that even if everyone in the villa attacked him together, he could defeat them all and force them to produce defeat CGs.

The two of them carried their belongings out of the garage, one after the other.

Under the poolside lights, the grill was already set up, and everyone sat around it. The aroma of grilled meat and charcoal began to fill the air, and the previous romantic atmosphere was temporarily suppressed by the temptation of the food.

However, when Higashino Yu and Takitsubo Riko walked back side by side, they still attracted some attention.

Misaki Shokuhou, holding a glass of freshly squeezed juice from Junko, fixed her honey-colored starry eyes on Takitsubo's excessively red ears and obviously swollen lips, her gaze instantly freezing!

The Queen's smile faded slightly; she knew that one scoundrel had run away again, after all, the change in his lips was too conspicuous.

Although they were only gone for a short while, the two of them definitely went to sneak a bite to eat.

Misaka Mikoto was handing a skewer of grilled meat to Kuroko when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of Takitsubo's strange expression and lips, and then saw Higashino's calm demeanor. The nameless anger in her heart suddenly flared up again.

She angrily took a bite of the meat she had just grilled, only to find it so hot that she had to pant in pain.

"Misaka, be careful, it's hot!" Haruhi quickly reminded her.

Kihara Awaki took a swig of beer, her gaze towards the two men becoming even more complicated. Mugino Shizuri watched the changes in Shokuhou and Misaka's expressions, chuckled, and whispered to Kinuhata beside her, "Hmph, that guy is really insatiable, he actually invited Takitsubo over again."

As for the fact that Takitsubo took the initiative, and to a degree that Mugino couldn't even imagine, she hadn't considered it at all. After all, in her impression, Takitsubo wasn't the type to take the initiative.

Frenda, always eager for chaos, sidled up to Kinuhata: "Hey, Kinuhata, did you see that? Takitsubo's lips... hehe, could it be that she wasn't satisfied with her punishment earlier and went to get punished again..."

Frenda didn't understand. She didn't want to experience that kind of shameful thing a second time. It was too embarrassing. Even now, there was a little bit of awkwardness in the way they looked at each other.

The only saving grace was that everyone was publicly executed; no one was special, except for the three members of the cloaked group in the audience.

Fortunately, none of the three of them were the type to laugh at others.

As the evening breeze caressed the pool, a lively poolside barbecue began.

The smoke from the poolside barbecue gradually dissipated, and the aroma of the food was carried away by the evening breeze. Only a few scattered red dots remained in the grill, flickering like tired eyes in the night.

The pool reflected the warm lights of the villa and the sparse stars in the sky. After the hustle and bustle, a tranquility filled with satisfaction and a touch of weariness spread through the air.

As it grew late, people began to say goodbye.

The Item team was the first to leave. Mugino Shizuri felt a sense of relief that the banquet was finally over. After all, the events of the day were still vivid in her mind, and she couldn't pretend nothing had happened. She had already done her best to stay until the barbecue was over before leaving.

He simply said "I'm leaving" and then eagerly led the way away.

Frenda was dragged away by Kinuhata Saiai. When Takitsubo Riko passed by Higashino Yu, she paused slightly, lowered her head and whispered "Goodbye," her cheeks still flushed in the shadows.

Dongye watched her slightly hurried back, his gaze lingering for a moment on her still reddened ears, recalling their two encounters today.

It must be said that Takitsubo's physique is indeed outstanding, and their coordination is also very good. Moreover, after several practices, Takitsubo's skills have become more proficient, and she can perform some more difficult poses quite well.

Nobuyuki Toshinobu also left with Last Order and Misaka 9999, who were somewhat reluctant to leave.

However, he gave Higashino a meaningful look as he left, but didn't say anything more.

Kihara Awaki downed the last sip of beer and precisely tossed the empty can into the trash can. She walked up to Higashino, looked at him with a complicated expression for a few seconds, and finally managed to stammer, "Higashino, I want to go on a date by myself next time! The therapy session isn't over yet, don't you dare give up halfway!"

After saying that, he activated his ability and disappeared.

Misaki Shokuhou walked up to Higashino, her starry eyes sweeping over him, a meaningful smile curving her lips.

"Tonight has been...very interesting, Dr. Higashino."

Her voice was still sweet.

"Thank you for your hospitality. Your 'new home'... is indeed full of 'vitality'."

Her gaze flickered almost imperceptibly at Uiharu Kazari beside her, then glanced at Mikoto, who was whispering something to Shirai Kuroko not far away, before finally settling back on Higashino's face.

"Well then, I look forward to seeing you next time."

She nodded slightly and gracefully departed, leaving only a faint, alluring fragrance in the air.

As Dongye watched her retreating figure, he also looked forward to their next meeting, after all, he had decided to take the initiative and get revenge next time they met.

"Big sister, it's time for us to go!"

Shirai Kuroko tugged at Mikoto's arm, glancing warily at Higashino. She was genuinely worried that her older sister might suddenly lose her temper and say something like, "I'm staying tonight."

Mikoto seemed to want to say something to Higashino Yu, but seeing that Uiharu and Ruiko were both there, she finally just awkwardly said, "Um... thank you for the hospitality, we'll be going now."

She let Kuroko pull her away, and before leaving, her gaze quickly swept across Higashino's face, carrying a hint of complex emotion that was hard to detect.

What happened this afternoon was so fantastical and embarrassing. If she could turn back time, she would never have agreed to participate in the competition proposed by Mugino.

Not only did they not gain any benefits, they also suddenly had many more competitors in the future.

Soon, the bustling villa quieted down. Only Higashino Yu, Uiharu Kazari, Saten Ruiko, Index, Himegami Akisa, and Miyuki Meiya remained.

Index, her belly round and full, lay contentedly on the soft carpet in the living room, dozing off. She was very satisfied today.

Himegami Akisa and Meiya were cleaning up the last remaining areas.

Ruizi stretched lazily, revealing her beautiful curves: "Ah—I'm so tired, I've eaten, drunk, and played to my heart's content!"

She walked up to Higashino Yuu and Hatsuharu with a grin, her eyes darting between them with a mischievous smile.

"Alright, I'll head out now. Chuchun, you must still have a lot to say to your senior!"

"Yes, it will only take a little while."

Haru had already told Ruiko that she wanted to be alone with Higashino for a while before leaving.

Ruiko laughed heartily, then suddenly stood on tiptoe, leaned close to Higashino Yu's ear, and whispered quickly in a voice only the two of them could hear, "It's a promise, right? Next time we'll study... remember to be on time, senpai~"

After she finished speaking, before Higashino Yu could react, she quickly gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then, like a cat that had successfully stolen some fish, she jumped away with a grin and winked at Haru: "Good luck, Haru-chan! I'll wait for you outside!"

She picked up her small bag, humming a song, and left the villa with great energy, leaving behind a dashing figure, Higashino with the lingering warmth on his cheek, and Chuchun with a flushed face, both shy and embarrassed.

In an instant, only Higashino and Hatsuharu remained in the huge living room.

Upon hearing Ruiko say that Haru wanted to be alone with Higashino for a while, Himegami stopped what she was doing, took the sleeping Index back to her room, and Meiya disappeared into the shadows at the opportune moment.

Chu Chun was squatting on the ground, carefully tidying up the scattered paper plates and disposable cups. Dong Ye walked over to her, squatted down, and helped her tidy up.

"Tears...she's always like this..."

In early spring, she muttered softly, her tone not full of blame, but only of familiar helplessness and a touch of shy sweetness.

“Yes, she’s very lively.” Higashino Yu smiled, his gaze falling on her cute profile.

The two tidied up in silence for a while; the villa was quiet. Chu Chun felt Higashino's gaze lingering on her, and her heart began to race involuntarily.

"senior..."

She mustered her courage and spoke softly.

"Thank you for inviting everyone to come today... The new house is really beautiful... Miss Mitsuko... It seems she chose it with great care, no wonder she's from a prestigious family."

She looked up, and her large eyes, which always held a hint of shyness and gentleness, now clearly reflected Dongye's figure, filled with pure affection and deep longing.

"I'm so happy to be here with my seniors... and I think it's actually quite nice to have a lot of people... everyone seems to be having a lot of fun in this lively atmosphere."

Looking at her expressing her feelings wholeheartedly and without reservation, Higashino Yu felt a warm current surge in his heart.

This was his "first official girlfriend," as defined by his "cognitive reconstruction," but her feelings were already genuine and warm. Higashino could sense that these were emotions that transcended his preconceived notions.

He put down the trash bag he was carrying and reached out to place his hand on her head.

"I'm happy if it makes you happy."

Chu Chun felt incredibly uncomfortable under his deep, focused gaze, yet she couldn't look away. Her cheeks felt burning hot, as if they could fry an egg on them, and her mind went blank. The distance between them closed silently.

The early spring heartbeat pounded like a drum in the quiet living room. She watched as Higashino slowly leaned closer, his face receding, and instinctively closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

At this moment, the so-called "verbal battle" is not an adjective, but a verb.

This moment felt both fleeting and long to Chuchun; she only truly felt the passage of time again when Higashino stopped.

Sensing Higashino's departure, Haru suddenly opened her eyes, her clear eyes instantly filled with a hazy mist.

Her little face and earlobes were tinged with pink, making her look incredibly cute.

She stared blankly at Higashino Yu's handsome face so close to hers, her mind completely blank, forgetting to breathe.