In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 159

Although she had thought about this many times in private and had thought about many names for her future child, she had never thought that she would kiss Higashino in public in front of so many people under such circumstances!

"Higashi... Higashino-kun..."

Gu Fa's face instantly turned red, and he subconsciously took a step back.

The thought of kissing reminded her of the battle a few hours earlier, and her legs couldn't help but feel weak again.

"S-senpai...isn't doing this a bit too much...?"

In early spring, she remembered the punishment from last time... That senior guy really does have a mischievous streak when it comes to playing pranks on everyone.

"Wow!"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but then her face flushed red, afraid that others would notice her unusual reaction.

"This request is way too...too direct, senior!"

Pao Fu Wanbin and Wan Nei Juanbao gripped each other's hands tightly, their cheeks flushed, at a loss for what to do.

Although I had already had in-depth discussions with Higashino at school, I still felt a little embarrassed in front of so many people.

However, just as this extreme shame and instinctive resistance were about to erupt.

An invisible, gentle yet incredibly powerful force quietly swept through everyone's consciousness.

Although Higashino was confident that if he used his ability to strongly insist, everyone would most likely agree. But just in case, he decided to use his ability to reduce their resistance and shame for a while.

As if a cool stream had washed away my chaotic thoughts, the intense resistance and the feeling of "this is outrageous" melted and softened as quickly as thin ice under the scorching sun.

Instead, there is a subtle, guided “understanding” and “acceptance”.

'Ah…that seems…to make some sense? After all, he's the victor…'

'Just a kiss...it doesn't seem...completely unacceptable? As punishment for the game...'

'Anyway, it was his request...and everyone does it...it's not a big deal.'

'……All right. '

That deep-seated understanding stemming from their sense of power—that "Higashino is the winner, so whatever he does is normal"—came into play at this moment. This made what would be considered an extremely "scummy" request by ordinary people seem "shameful, but not entirely impossible" to the girls, and "since it's a rule, let's abide by it."

The will to resist receded like the tide, leaving only a deep sense of shyness.

"Hmph... Hmph! You got off easy!"

Mikoto was the first to "take action." She suppressed her shame, her face flushed, and quickly walked up to Higashino. She stood on tiptoe and, with lightning speed, pecked him on the lips. Then she immediately stepped back, crossed her arms, and turned her face away, but the color from her neck to her ears betrayed her.

Right now, Mikoto just wants to dig a hole and bury herself in it; it's just too embarrassing.

"sister!"

Kuroko stared intently at the spot where Mikoto had kissed her, but quickly concealed her gaze, adopting a sorrowful expression.

"Oh ho ho... Since it's Higashino-kun's request... I'll reluctantly oblige..."

After the wedding, Mitsuko was the second to step forward and gently kissed Higashino on the other cheek, leaving a faint, sweet scent.

Every time, it was Higashino who took the initiative. It was a rare opportunity for her to kiss him on her own initiative. Even without the influence of her power, she wouldn't actually refuse.

Putting aside her shyness, Mitsuko felt that this was actually quite good; at least she could kiss Higashino openly in front of everyone.

"..."

Kofumi took a deep breath, lowered her head, and quickly moved closer, touching Higashino's chin very lightly before retreating to Mitsuko's side.

Her thoughts were somewhat similar to Mitsuko's, but she still felt a little embarrassed being watched like this by her juniors.

"Early spring, it's our turn..."

Ruiko, pulling along the still-paralyzed Haru, walked over with a grin. Ruiko generously kissed Higashino on the forehead: "Hehe, the victor's reward, Senpai is such a pervert!"

In early spring, Ruiko gently nudged her with her eyes closed, lightly brushing her lips against Higashino's, before immediately retreating behind Ruiko.

"Wan Bin... Juan Bao..."

Pao Fu Wanbin and Wan Nei Juanbao glanced at each other, their faces turning bright red, but they still held hands and stepped forward together.

Almost simultaneously, the two of them gently kissed Higashino on both cheeks before immediately pulling away.

In the end, only Shirai Kuroko remained.

"Kuroko?"

Higashino looked at her with a mischievous smile.

"Woo..."

Hei Zi froze, feeling so ashamed he almost evaporated on the spot under everyone's gaze.

She shuffled over hesitantly, her eyes darting around, muttering, "It's...it's just fulfilling an obligation! Kuroko didn't do it willingly! You have to believe me, big sister!"

She quickly tiptoed, closed her eyes, and, as if completing some arduous task, pressed her lips against Higashino's with extreme speed and force!

This is the place where my older sister kissed me; it carries her scent and Higashino-kun's...

After feeling deeply for a while, Kuroko finally realized that everyone was still watching. In an instant, he teleported behind Mikoto, grabbed Mikoto's bathrobe tightly, and hid himself, only revealing the top of his bright red head.

Even though they had already done it, he still fantasized about being with his older sister. But fantasies are just fantasies. Kissing Higashino in front of so many people, including his older sister, was still too exciting!

"..."

After a short silence.

"Higashino Yu!!!"

Mikoto was the first to erupt. Her anger, which had been temporarily suppressed by her ability, was completely ignited when Higashino's anger was somewhat relieved after Kuroko kissed him.

"You perverted doctor with a head full of lewd thoughts! You bastard who came up with this shameful game!"

She rushed towards Higashino in shame and anger!

"Exactly! Unforgivable! How could you let everyone... let everyone kiss you!"

Kuroko immediately peeked out from behind Mikoto, sharing the same hatred, and activated her spatial teleportation, instantly appearing to Higashino's side and delivering a standard jumping kick (targeting Higashino's butt)!

"Hehehe! Although the kiss was Higashino-kun's request, the shame of the game must be washed away! Accept the punishment of heaven!"

After getting married, Mitsuko also joined the "punishment" ranks.

"Senior is too cunning! I want to punish him too!"

Leizi rushed forward with a grin, her target aimed directly at Higashino's waist.

"Higashino-kun... please... please stop! Even if it's you, it's still too much to ask everyone to kiss you!"

Gu Fa blushed and symbolically joined the chase, playfully wrestling with the others.

"S-senpai..."

Chu Chun hesitated for a moment, but seeing everyone's aggressive demeanor, she muttered "That's too much" and followed them into the fray.

Watching the chaotic chase, Pao Fu Wanbin and Wan Nei Juanbao exchanged a smile, shook their heads helplessly, and did not join the attack.

The two of them just wanted to calm down, and there were just too many people around Higashino, making it impossible to squeeze in.

However, if their relationship with Higashino becomes known to everyone after this public kiss, it should be more acceptable, right?

Higashino laughed heartily, nimbly dodging left and right as the girls chased him with shame and anger, shouting as he ran:

"Hey! A bet's a bet! That's the winner's right!"

"Mikoto! Be careful of the electric current, don't electrocute your own people!"

"Hey, if you kick my butt again, I'll have to pay double next time!"

"Photon, your punches actually hurt!"

"Tears! Don't scratch there! Hahahaha!"

"Haru-chan, you've gone bad too!"

"Gufa, go easy on me, or you'll pay me back double next time!"

"Wannei, Paofu, if you keep bullying me like this and don't fight back, I'll bully you again next time!"

Laughter and playful banter instantly replaced the previous tension and shyness, filling the entire meeting point.

The girls chased after the "culprit," turning the shame of the swimsuit battle royale and the frustration of being eliminated into playful antics.

The sashes of the bathrobes fluttered as they ran, and the girls' attacks actually brought Higashino more benefits, but no one cared about that anymore.

Today, amidst the vibrant, carefree sounds of youthful energy, the event came to a close.

Chapter 195 Summer Festival Begins

The following day, in the sweltering summer heat, the usually heavily guarded gates of Tokiwadai Girls' Junior High School were unusually wide open to the outside world, bringing the quiet summer campus back to life.

The annual grand festival, the Midsummer Festival, is in full swing.

Misaka Mikoto stood in a corner of the foyer decorated with ribbons and flowers, feeling a subtle discomfort from the black and white maid outfit she was wearing.

The flowing skirt, the intricate lace trim, and the slightly comical headdress... all of this made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

She tugged at the apron strap, her gaze sweeping over the bustling crowd of visitors, muttering to herself that the school actually required all students to wear this maid outfit, wondering who came up with the idea.

Fortunately, most people at school were in the same situation, so she didn't feel too embarrassed because she didn't stand out.

Just then, a familiar figure walked through the crowd and headed straight for her.

It's Higashino Yu.

The new public health doctor of Tokiwadai, the strongest esper in Academy City, and also her boyfriend... the one who makes her heart race and her cheeks burn whenever she thinks about him.

After all, she always gets taken advantage of when she's with this guy, which is really hard for her to handle.

After the "Battle Royale" ended yesterday, everyone's swimsuits changed back to normal once they left the space created by Higashino.

However, it was getting late, so after everyone changed their clothes, they went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Higashino used his ability to send everyone back home one by one.

As for making demands of Higashino, that matter had long been forgotten after the fight.

However, even after another night, the shock of yesterday's public kiss has not completely dissipated.

Last night was a rare night when Kuroko didn't sneak up on her or harass her, which made her feel relieved but also a little unaccustomed to it.

Even when Kuroko was punished by Yu at the villa last time, she didn't do this... probably because that time it was just a spanking?

Mikoto didn't think too deeply about it, only assuming that Kuroko was probably too shocked by the kiss...

But she actually kissed Yu's lips... There was no requirement to kiss him in any particular spot, what was Kuroko thinking? And she said some strange things in her dream last night, could she be...?

Due to work requirements, Higashino, who was wearing a white coat today, noticed Mikoto, who seemed to be spacing out, as he approached.

"Yo, Mikoto."

Higashino's eyes lit up. He walked up to Mikoto and stood there, his gaze sweeping over her without any attempt to hide it.

This was the first time he had ever seen Mikoto in a maid outfit. This kind of maid outfit was definitely much more conservative than the one Kanzaki wore before, but it suited Mikoto surprisingly well.

After dropping the girls off at home yesterday, he quickly went to rest.

Don't be fooled by how easily he generated that phase; he had a fierce battle with Kronzun the night before last, and he maintained that phase for such a long time yesterday. Even without fighting, the energy expenditure was not small.

He didn't reach the level of a demon god. Even if he was no less powerful than a demon god in terms of quality, the difference in quantity was still significant.

After a night's rest, he was fully recovered. Moreover, perhaps due to the contract, the power of Kronzun had been analyzed more quickly, and he could clearly feel that his abilities had reached a new level.

Although he had actually been getting stronger every day since resonating with the grimoire in Index's mind, the speed of improvement from actively analyzing the unknown and powerful forces was indeed different.

Whether it's the Golden Grand Evolution Technique, Accelerator's abilities, the Misaka Network, or the power of demons, analyzing these things has greatly accelerated his improvement.

In high spirits, Higashino came to school early this morning to work overtime. After all, he had been assigned a formal job and wouldn't skip work.

He still maintains a high level of professional ethics even when he's paid to do a job.

"This maid outfit...surprisingly suits you well, it's quite cute."

Mikoto's face flushed red instantly when Higashino suddenly appeared and interrupted her train of thought, feeling as if all the blood in her body rushed to her head.

She instinctively tried to pull her skirt down to block Higashino's view, and retorted defiantly, "Hmph! Mind your own business! It's the rule! You...aren't you supposed to be on duty in the infirmary? What are you doing here?"

"Ah, this."

Higashino sighed dramatically, covered his forehead with one hand, and pretended to be weak.