In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 106

Last night, Higashino only confessed to her, but now Mugino is actually planning to make them all fall for him. It's more outrageous than I ever dreamed.

She never dared to dream that Mugino would say such a thing!

Takitsubo Riko was also surprised by Mugino's bold statement, her face flushed, but her thoughts were different from the other two.

After all, she was one of Higashino's official girlfriends, so Mugino's statement was tantamount to calling a minotaur to his face.

However, this description of a "mino" doesn't seem quite right, since Higashino is special, and Mugino probably meant to join Higashino's family.

However, given Mugino's personality, Takitsubo still found such a declaration quite fantastical.

This is their powerful and proud leader of the secret service "Tem"!

"ha--?!"

Frenda's scream was the first to break the silence; she almost jumped up and pointed at Mugino.

"Wait, wait, wait! Mugino?! What... what did you just say?! 'Take down Higashino'? 'The four of us together'?! Are you really sick with a fever and your brain is fried?! Or were you switched with someone while we were out on a mission?! This doesn't sound like something you would say at all!"

Frenda didn't understand, but she was deeply shocked.

Kinuhata Saiai also snapped out of her daze, put down her drink can, her brows furrowed, and her tone was more confused than ever before: "So~ unbelievable. Mugino, why...why did you say that? Higashino...we...what do you mean by 'take him down'?"

She felt that perhaps she had misunderstood, and that Mugino's words might have contained other meanings.

Mugino Shizuri's face instantly flushed crimson, from her neck to her ears. Being stared at and questioned like this by Frenda and Kinuhata, she was overwhelmed by immense shame.

Enraged, she kicked a nearby cardboard box, sending it flying. She tried to mask her embarrassment with anger: "Idiots! Don't you understand?! After what happened at the pool party yesterday… you don't really think that bastard Higashino will let you off the hook, do you?! Do you think you can marry anyone else in the future?! Instead of passively waiting to be…'punished' one by one by him, let's take the initiative! Let's do it the 'Tem' way!"

She practically shouted the last sentence, but her eyes flickered, and she couldn't look directly at her companions' faces, which were filled with expressions of "seeing a ghost."

The phrase "passively waiting to be 'punished' one by one" reminded Frenda and Kinuhata of the "all-person punishment game" that had left everyone feeling utterly ashamed and indignant by the pool yesterday.

Frenda blushed immediately, and Kinuhachi also looked away somewhat awkwardly.

Moreover, Mugino's question, "Do you think you can marry someone else in the future?!" made them realize that it seemed to be true.

It doesn't seem like a bad idea if the object is Higashino. After all, Higashino is the designated harem man of Academy City. It's not illegal for him to have many women, and others won't look at them strangely.

But it's still outrageous, in every sense of the word!

It wouldn't be out of the question if Higashino were to pursue them, but it would be too difficult for them to take the initiative.

Dead silence.

It was a silence so profound that even breathing seemed to freeze.

Only Takitsubo managed to maintain some composure, given her significant lead. Mugino's statement was a bombshell for her, but she still supported her teammates joining in.

After all, there are too many competitors, and it would be great to have a few more familiar teammates as allies. She can't say that she has no desire for the 'number one' position.

Moreover, Higashino's combat power is indeed too strong. She felt that if it weren't for Higashino's enhanced abilities, she probably wouldn't have lasted more than two rounds. The addition of these companions will definitely help to share a lot of the firepower.

Especially given how strong Mugino is, and how much Higashino likes to target her, she's perfect as a meat shield to absorb firepower.

Mugino Shizuri sensed the silence and decided to add some more shocking information. She slammed her hand on the sofa armrest:

"W-What's wrong?! You guys are usually so talkative, why are you all silent now! Have you all forgotten what happened at the pool yesterday?!"

She practically screamed it out, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly, her ears burning red.

"You! Especially you, Kinuhata! You, Frenda! You were... you were... done to by him! You don't really think you can just let it go like this?! That bastard won't let two beautiful girls like you get away with it!"

The continued mention of "yesterday's pool incident" and "punishment" was as if some invisible switch had been triggered.

Frenda's face flushed even redder than when Mugino yelled at her. She instinctively shifted her body slightly, as if avoiding a non-existent touch, letting out a whimper of embarrassment and annoyance: "Ugh! Mugino! You...you were too loud! Don't mention that! That...that pervert!"

Although he was criticizing Higashino, his confidence had clearly diminished considerably.

Peach was wantonly played with, and her lip was even bitten. Lady Frenda had never suffered such humiliation.

If she weren't such a kind-hearted person who would accept defeat, she would have definitely given Dongye a bomb yesterday and scared him to tears!

A very faint blush also swept across Kinuhata Saiai's face.

What Mugino said... is indeed true. Although her punishment yesterday was relatively light, it was just a light tap and a little rubbing on her back...

That's nothing!

How could a girl easily let go after being treated like that!

If she didn't care, she wouldn't have had that dream last night!

Kinuhata Saiai was experiencing this for the first time, and she was genuinely distressed by the thought of something being "super~annoying," which was even more shocking than anything depicted in a movie.

Silence fell over the living room once again, but this silence was different from the shock that followed.

Mugino's words were like a key, opening a Pandora's box of shared experiences that they were unwilling to delve into, bringing to the surface some vague and deliberately ignored emotions.

Regardless of their individual thoughts, being presented so openly forces them to seriously consider them.

Looking at Frenda's flushed face, Kinuhata's silent profile, and Takitsubo's indifferent expression, Mugino felt the anger in his heart subside slightly, but it was replaced by another indescribable feeling.

She didn't yell anymore, but simply swept her gaze over each of them, with an almost stubborn and weary persistence, her voice lowering slightly:

"So, that's what I'll say... Does anyone have a problem with that?"

No one answered immediately.

Frenda shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting around, before finally muttering under her breath, "...Who wants to join your weird declaration...so dishonest..."

It sounds like a complaint, but there's no clear objection.

Kinuhata preferred to sit silently. She didn't look at Mugino or anyone else. After a long while, she let out a low sigh and said in a resigned yet self-deprecating tone, "...So~ troublesome... It's indescribable..."

This is not a rejection either.

"I have no objection..."

Takitsubo's explicit agreement relieved Mugino slightly, after all, she was the only official girlfriend among everyone present, and Mugino didn't know how she would handle the situation if she had objected.

Mugino leaned back on the sofa, looking at the strange yet tacit silence before her, and her tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly.

Neither Kinuki nor Frenda refused, so he had finally dragged them into this mess as well.

Even if Higashino gives me some strange orders in the future, it won't seem too unusual, right?

This is also one of Mugino's truest thoughts...

Chapter 135 Saten Ruiko, I'm formally extending a date invitation to you!

After leaving the props base, Higashino took out his phone, found Ruiko's number, and dialed it. His next date, of course, was our lovely and charming Saten Ruiko.

Soon the ringtone coming through the receiver was a trendy electronic sound.

"Hey? Higashino-senpai!"

The call was answered almost immediately after only two rings, and Saten Ruiko's voice was filled with undisguised excitement.

She had been looking forward to this for a long time—a date alone with her senior, something even Haru hadn't had the chance to do yet. Of course, this was also because Haru was busy with her disciplinary committee work during the summer vacation. Higashino had asked in their small group chat when he had some free time, and it turned out that Haru was busy these days, while Ruiko was free today, which led to the date they had arranged.

"Senior! Have you finished your work? Or have you gotten involved in some inexplicable incident and ended up in the hospital again?"

Higashino Yu's lips twitched involuntarily. It was true that he had been hospitalized a little more frequently recently, but did that mean he was hospitalized just because he made a phone call in advance?

"Of course not, you still remember our agreement, right?"

"I remember! Of course I remember!" The voice on the other end of the phone instantly rose in pitch, brimming with obvious excitement. "But didn't we agree to meet in the afternoon? I was worried something might have changed when you called so early."

So you think there's a very high chance I'll have an accident and be hospitalized?

Hearing Lei Zi's excited voice on the other end of the phone, Dongye really wanted to loudly criticize her unreliable idea. He wasn't some kind of innate, miraculous body capable of being hospitalized frequently!

"Where are you? I'm coming right now! Immediately! Right now!"

"The same old place, the place where we first met."

Higashino gave the location, which was the place where they first went deep into "negotiating terms." At that time, Ruiko even said that she was willing to do anything to gain the ability. As a result, under the influence of Higashino's ability and her own choice, Ruiko became the second girlfriend.

"Roger that! Wait a moment! I'll be there soon!"

The call was abruptly ended, as if delaying even a second would be a sin. Dongye put away his phone and headed towards the agreed-upon location.

It didn't take long for him to arrive at the agreed location. As soon as he sat down on the bench, a fragrant figure rushed over and threw herself into his arms.

"Senior Higashino—!"

Saten Ruiko's voice was filled with the panting of running and a deep joy. Her arms were tightly wrapped around his waist, and her long black hair brushed against his chin, tickling him. The pleasant scent quickly filled Higashino's nostrils, making him feel much more relaxed.

"Hehe, you asked me out alone today, senior, it's not just to help me improve my abilities, is it?"

Her eyes sparkled, filled with undisguised anticipation as she looked up at him.

Since they started dating, Ruiko hasn't had a single chance to go on a date with Higashino alone. Of course, it's the same with Haru. Their senior is perfect in every way: he's got the average looks of a typical reader, a stable job, and a great personality, except for being a little lecherous. He's gentle and considerate, and incredibly skilled at fighting. Just the other day, Haru told her that Higashino defeated the strongest esper in Academy City in a one-on-one fight. But he's incredibly busy, always occupied with various things, and never has time to spend with them.

"Besides, it's rare for you to have time, senior. Even if you say you don't have time this time, I won't let you leave easily!"

Ruiko decided that unless Higashino had a special reason, she would keep pestering him all day, using both her hands and feet if she didn't have enough. In short, she would just keep pestering him relentlessly.

Higashino Yu was slightly knocked back by her bump, but quickly regained his balance and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder, enjoying the soft touch and youthful energy in his arms. He looked down, meeting her expectant eyes, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips: "Well, we have time today, so a date is a must, of course, but..."

Higashino paused deliberately, then reached out and gently pinched her little nose.

"Let's get down to business first."

Ruiko's cheeks puffed out, then blossomed into a bright, sweet smile that made you want to take a bite. She tightened her arms around him: "That...that's not important!"

She buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled and slightly coquettish.

"Just being able to see you, and hug you like this, makes me so happy! I'm even happier than having Level 5 abilities!"

Her heartbeat, swift and strong, traveled through the thin fabric of her clothes, conveying her most direct joy. For her now, the obsession with improving her abilities wasn't as strong as it had been initially. While she certainly found abilities cool, spending more time with her seniors was more important.

Higashino's heartstrings were gently plucked by her straightforward words. He could clearly "feel" that Ruiko wasn't just being polite. In his cognitive network, the desire for "ability improvement" was now overshadowed by a purer, warmer sense of satisfaction from "being with Higashino." This sincerity seemed so precious.

He raised his hand and gently ruffled her black hair, his gesture carrying a rare tenderness: "Nonsense. Of course I remember how much you wanted to become a true ability user."

After all, Higashino was deeply impressed by the line "I'll pay any price!" If this kind of development were put into a doujinshi, Ruiko would probably be taken to the woods for a crazy attack on the spot.

“Every time you see someone use their abilities… your eyes light up, Ruiko. I still remember how happy you were when I first gave you your abilities.”

Ruiko stiffened slightly, looked up, and a hint of embarrassment at being seen through flashed in her eyes, but more than that, she felt touched by being understood. She hadn't expected Higashino Yu to remember even these tiny details so clearly.

"And this is the bridge that connects us..."

Higashino gazed into her eyes, and a dazzling silver light quietly emerged deep within her pupils.

"I will keep my promise and make you a true power user."

He gently cupped her face in his hands, carefully feeling her soft, supple cheeks.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and as she looked into those silvery, vertical pupils, her heart skipped a beat. She instinctively closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling, expecting a kiss like any other.

However, the expected kiss did not fall.

“After this, our contract will be eternal.”

Higashino slowly moved his palm to Ruiko's forehead and activated his ability at the same time.

Reality Editor: Target, Saten Ruiko, Aim Diffusion Field Core Structure Permanent Optimization.

This was no longer a temporary overlay or distortion of cognition, but a deeper, more fundamental interference. His ability directly impacted the "personal reality" framework within Ruiko's body, the foundation of her superpowers. Judgment based on personal qualities became a joke; Higashino completely rewrote this fact, freeing Ruiko from her previously judged value and granting her new possibilities.

Ruiko felt a strange warm current flow from between her eyebrows, instantly spreading to her limbs and bones. It felt strange, somewhat like the feeling when Higashino bullied her, but with some differences. She felt as if her body and mind were relaxed, and it was as if some kind of switch in her body had been turned on, making her mind clear and unobstructed.

"Well……"

She unconsciously hummed softly, her body tensing and relaxing slightly. She could "feel" that the "flow" within her body, which was originally weak, fleeting, and required deliberate concentration to barely move, was becoming solid and smooth, as if a blocked river channel had been instantly cleared, and the trickling stream had become a clearer and more controllable creek.

Higashino's hand left her brow. The silver light in his eyes slowly faded, returning to a deep amber hue, carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness. Permanently modifying 'personal reality' was more difficult than expected, consuming about thirty times the energy of temporarily boosting Takitsubo's abilities last time. If his strength hadn't been constantly improving, he wouldn't have been able to appear so relaxed just now.

"Try it?"

He said softly that he also wanted to see if the girl he had personally strengthened had truly been changed by him. According to Academy City's 'Character Assessment,' Ruiko now had the potential to become a Level 5. But Higashino wasn't going to directly elevate her to that level; to become that strong, Ruiko herself would need to develop that potential.

Leizi slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still somewhat dazed. She took a deep breath and tried, as she had done countless times before, to concentrate on "drawing" the invisible, faint air currents around her.

It's different now! Completely different now! With a thought, without even needing to hold your breath and concentrate as before, an abandoned advertising flyer in the corner of the pavilion was lifted up by an invisible hand and floated steadily about half a meter off the ground! It no longer trembled or tilted, but hovered steadily in the air as if it were attracted by a magnet.

Tears welled in her eyes as she stared in disbelief at the suspended piece of paper. This wasn't an illusion! She could clearly "feel" the invisible force supporting the paper; it was no longer blurry or uncontrollable, but rather like an extended arm, subtly adjusting its direction according to her will. Following her intention, the paper began to trace simple arcs in the air, even spinning.

"I...I can control it now?"

Ruiko's voice trembled with ecstatic joy. She looked sharply at Higashino, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.