In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 140

Runzi felt like she was being driven crazy by this ambiguous and oppressive silence. She stared intently at her thighs, not daring to look up at him.

"What we discussed during our previous contact..."

Higashino finally spoke, breaking the silence, his voice filled with anticipation.

"Did you bring it?"

Runzi's body tensed up again; she knew what he meant.

That... is actually the key reason why she was so nervous today!

The two of them had already gone to that extent in the infirmary. Although Junko was a little nervous and shy about what would happen that night, she still had some expectations and even a little bit of anticipation that she didn't realize.

But the things that Higashino asked her to buy and bring were something that made her feel quite ashamed.

She still remembers the way the shop assistant looked at her when she went to buy that thing... She still feels embarrassed about it now.

She took a deep breath, as if summoning all her courage, and nodded very slightly, her voice barely audible, filled with intense shame.

"Um...it's...in the bag..."

Her gaze quickly swept over the unassuming brown paper bag that she had placed on the floor at her feet.

Following her gaze, Dongye also saw the bag, and his eyes lit up instantly.

If the girls who knew him well were to comment on the smile on his face, they would all agree that it was the wicked smile that criminals would wear when their schemes succeed.

"very good."

Higashino's voice was filled with undisguised joy; this was something he had been looking forward to for a long time.

"It seems my Runzi has been behaving very well. He's such a good boy."

He reached out and gently stroked her hair. Junko lowered her head, a blush of shame spreading from her cheeks to her neck.

Meanwhile, Higashino's interest grew as he looked at the paper bag.

"Well then, Runzi, it's getting late, we should..."

Before he could finish speaking, Runzi's voice made him temporarily stop himself from saying anything more.

"wait wait wait!"

"Ok?"

Chapter 175 Junko Hokaze's Utter Defeat, Both Physical and Mental

While hesitating at the door, Junko was thinking that yesterday in the infirmary, because of her deception and being a bad child, she deserved to be punished by Higashino however she was asked.

But what about this time?

Although it was for the Queen's sake, and I volunteered to take her place, I inexplicably agreed when Higashino texted me this morning asking me to buy that!

This wasn't part of the original deal! Why didn't I refuse?!

Moreover, she had been pulled in from behind by Dongye and led in all the way, and until now, she had not resisted at all, nor had she even entertained the thought of resisting.

Would I seem too casual, especially since Higashino is someone the Queen likes?

If I do this, will...

As if she had thought of something, Junko Hokaze took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked at Higashino with an unusually firm, even slightly provocative, gaze.

"Higashino-kun!"

Runzi's voice was less docile and more stubborn than before.

"Although I agreed to wear 'that' as you requested... before that, let's have a fight!"

Higashino, who had been holding Junko's head, paused upon hearing this and looked up at her with interest.

Higashino was somewhat surprised that Junko, who had been so docile and had been under his control since their first meeting in the infirmary, would react this way.

I don't know what kind of brainstorming she did to suddenly say something like that.

"Oh? A fight? Junko, you're so confident? I'm the 'number one' in Academy City, you know. How can you, a mere Level 4, be so confident?"

"So what if I'm number one? I know that!"

Runzi straightened her back, her eyes showing a firmness that Higashino had never seen before, and her aura was no less than Higashino's.

This is actually how she should be normally. However, from the very first time they met, she was exposed by Higashino for lying, which put her at a significant disadvantage from the start.

What happened next left her physically and mentally exhausted, making it impossible for her to maintain her usual confident and composed demeanor in front of Higashino.

And so, only now did I realize that Higashino was the Queen's favorite person, and what had I been doing all along!

Once she realized what was happening, her shame had already exceeded the threshold...

But since things have come to this, it's best not to think about anything! The more you dwell on it, the deeper you'll get caught up in it.

"Therefore, to be fair, you can't use those 'strange' abilities! You're only allowed to use your abilities to enhance your own 'physical body,' but you're not allowed to cause any other effects! Let's have a pure contest of physical strength!"

She stared intently at Higashino; this request was bold, even a challenge to Higashino's authority.

But she desperately needed to vent, to release the complex emotions that had been building up inside her!

The unspeakable attachment to Higashino, the fear that Queen Shokuhou might discover the truth, and the impulse deep within her heart that she has been suppressing with reason since having a relationship with Higashino all urgently need an outlet.

A thrilling battle might allow her to temporarily forget everything. Win or lose, it would give her an excuse.

Higashino was completely unaware of the girl's inner turmoil, and his smile remained unchanged.

He shrugged, his tone relaxed: "An interesting proposal. Okay, I accept your conditions. Only physical enhancement, no other abilities. So, what's the stake?"

Runzi bit her lower lip, determined: "If you win, I'll not only wear that dress, but tonight... tonight I'll be completely at your beck and call! But if you lose!"

Her cheeks flushed even more, but her tone became even more resolute.

"You're going to listen to me tonight! You'll do whatever I tell you to do!"

She, Junko Hokaze, was not the kind of woman who would just accept whatever came her way. Tonight, she was determined to change her image in Higashino's mind!

My recent behavior has been so unlike her!

"make a deal."

Higashino agreed without hesitation, even feeling that such an unexpected turn of events made things even more perfect.

Runzi will choose to show a more authentic version of herself, which is an emotion beyond cognitive modification.

What someone said makes a lot of sense: the quickest way to reach a woman's heart is... well, you know...

Even though it was only that one time they talked about the future in the infirmary, the change in their feelings definitely exceeded his initial expectations.

Emotions are such a strange thing; there's no need to set them to a maximum value of 100, because that would be completely illusory.

But if you just raise it to 60, then the part about the shared experience that was raised won't be fake. This is something he confirmed through his date with Haruhi.

So even if the influence of the ability disappears one day, will the favorability decrease from 100 to 40, or will there be a more interesting change?

Higashino had no idea. After all, feelings aren't something you can simply add or subtract from numbers; the answer won't be revealed until the very moment arrives.

Actually, he had secretly explored the effect of his abilities on affection levels while on a date with Ruiko, probably because his relationship with Ruiko was already somewhat special, and Ruiko didn't show any change at the time.

However, the worst-case scenario is that his ability is removed. He won't worry about it unnecessarily. His greatest happiness right now is to enjoy every day with the beautiful girls!

"I hope Junko-chan won't regret it later. Let's go, the sports field outside is big enough."

Actually, this condition is advantageous to him regardless of winning or losing. Even if he deliberately loses and lets Runzi take the initiative, it would definitely be a very good experience.

"I'll do my best!"

Runzi's voice was firm and earnest!

The evening breeze carried a slight chill to the empty sports field. The two stood facing each other.

Runzi took a deep breath, and her eyes instantly sharpened.

"So……"

With a low shout, an invisible current surged through her body, and a faint light seemed to flow beneath her skin. Her aura instantly surged, and her purple pupils changed color slightly due to her focus and increased power.

"Take the move!"

She moved! Her speed was astonishing, like a purple lightning bolt rushing straight at Dongye! The wind from her fist howled, aiming straight for Dongye's face.

Higashino stood still, his expression unchanged. As agreed, he wouldn't use his ability to perform any fancy maneuvers; he would merely use it to slightly enhance his physical body.

Normally, his physical attributes have already been perfectly modified to the limit that can be achieved, and he only needs to improve them slightly in battle to be strong enough.

As for why not make your body perfect to an invincible degree all at once? The answer is, of course, that's impossible.

He's not God, so he can't grant everyone's wishes yet. Besides, even God isn't omnipotent; otherwise, there wouldn't be any other gods. If a god said, "Death to all gods except me!" then there would only be one god left in the world...

Even a near-invincible being like a demon god has things it can't do; otherwise, there wouldn't be any plot developments for the main characters in anime!

The danger level of Runko on the other side is roughly the same as when she wants to pet a cat and then scratches its kitten with her claws.

He is practically no threat at all; even if Junko were to impose more demanding conditions, he would still have no chance of defeating her.

Although she thought it might be okay to pretend to endure it, Junko insisted that she would give it her all, as deliberately losing would be the real humiliation.

Besides, Higashino didn't really want to lose either; to hell with defeat!

Just as Runzi's fist was about to strike, he dodged the thunderous blow with a seemingly casual yet perfectly executed sidestep.

"Hmm, not bad."

Higashino nodded in a commentary-like manner, then shifted his feet lightly, easily dodging Junko's follow-up whip kick.

"Cut the nonsense!"

Runzi let out a sharp cry, and her attack intensified. Punches, kicks, elbows, knees—all sorts of fighting techniques were unleashed without reservation, like a raging storm!

Her fighting style was on full display at this moment.

Contrary to her elegant and beautiful appearance, her fighting style is full of primal, wild explosive power! Her attacks are wide-ranging and relentless, each strike carrying the momentum to utterly destroy her opponent!

Higashino was like a leaf swaying in a storm, seemingly in great danger, yet always managing to avoid Junko's strongest attack points by the slightest margin, occasionally parrying lightly with a dull thud.

He deliberately suppressed his strength and speed, maintaining the illusion of a "fair match" to guide Junko's offensive.

Xiao Runzi needs to vent her emotions. If he were to directly and instantly defeat her, then his agreement to fight her would be meaningless except for gaining the spoils of victory.

"What's wrong? Is this the power of the number one? Yu-kun, putting aside those strange abilities, is this all you've got?"

Junko didn't realize that Higashino was holding back. Instead, she became more and more excited as the evenly matched physical clashes continued, and her long-lost passion boiled within her.

Higashino's perfectly timed "resistance" gave her a thrilling feeling of meeting her match, and the destructive impulse that had been suppressed under her rationality began to stir.

"Oh? Junko-chan seems very happy?"

While calmly dodging a sharp chop, Higashino chuckled.

"However, your attack... seems to be holding back something? That impulse to smash through any obstacle in front of you without regard for anything?"

Junko paused slightly. Higashino's words were like a key, precisely inserted into the lock of her heart. That wild desire that she considered "unladylike" and "needing to be controlled" was directly pointed out by Higashino.

"Don't hold back!"

Higashino deliberately made his voice seductive, wanting to see the most authentic and wildest Junko.

"Unleash your inner destructive urges! Let me see Junko Hokaze's true form! I'm very strong, so don't worry about hurting me!"

That last sentence completely ignited the fuse!

"Ahhhh——!"

Runzi let out a long-suppressed growl, her pupils becoming even deeper and sharper! The shackles binding her heart shattered at that moment! She held nothing back, and her speed and power surged to a new level!

She has completely let go of her inner constraints and is determined to give it her all.

Boom! A punch was thrown, and the air exploded violently! The ground beneath her feet cracked due to the recoil! The attack completely lost its rhythm, leaving only a pure outpouring of power, each strike carrying a madness that could destroy everything! Her outer garment burned rapidly under the powerful electric current, the edges even beginning to carbonize and turn black, vaguely revealing the cute frog pattern inside.

But this scene created a striking contrast with her current ferocious demeanor!

"now it's right!"

A hint of admiration flashed in Higashino's eyes, but he still handled the situation with ease.

He simply quickened his pace slightly, easily dodging Runzi's even more ferocious attacks. However, the occasional parries still allowed him to clearly sense Runzi's changes.

Junko's power at this moment has indeed reached the threshold of Level 5! Such tremendous force, if it were an ordinary Level 4 ability user, such as Kinuhata... it would probably be difficult to withstand even a single blow, right?