In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 112

"senior……"

Suddenly, Ruizi called out softly.

"Um?"

"Today...I'm so happy..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, as if she were about to fall asleep.

Higashino tilted his head slightly and could see that she had her eyes closed and a satisfied smile on her lips.

He was very happy on his date today. After all, no normal person would dislike going on a date with such a cute and clingy girlfriend.

When they arrived at Ruiko's apartment building, Higashino gently put her down: "We're here."

Ruiko, still groggy, rubbed her eyes and said, "Thank you, senpai..."

She suddenly stood on tiptoe, cupped Dongye's face in her hands, and kissed him before he could react.

A spicy, passionate kiss.

A few seconds later, tears welled up in her eyes as she stepped back: "This is my thank-you gift for today!"

After saying that, she turned and ran into the apartment, leaving Dongye standing there, touching his lips that still felt her burning heat.

"That girl, Ruiko, definitely did it on purpose."

Higashino smiled helplessly. This was the first time he had ever had such a passionate kiss, literally passionate.

Chapter 142 Continuing the Girl's Expectations

Saten Ruiko, carrying a bag full of dolls, hummed a cheerful tune as she pushed open the dormitory door.

That was a breakthrough for her. Although it wasn't her first kiss, it was the first time she had taken the initiative when she was alone with Higashino, and her senior really, really liked cheongsams; his hands had been quite restless just now.

The choice of "battle robe" was correct. Today, the senior's gaze was focused on her far more often than usual, completely captivating him!

"I'm back~!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the scene that came into view made her remain in the act of opening the door, staring blankly into the room.

At the beginning of spring, Shiori was standing in front of a full-length mirror in the center of the room, wearing an exquisite short dress.

It was a light pink dress, but compared to the dresses we usually wear in early spring, this one was much shorter, making us look as innocent as we were in early spring, but with a touch of sexiness.

Chu Chun turned slightly to the side, looking at herself in the mirror with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"Ah! Ruiko, welcome back!"

Upon hearing Ruiko's voice, Hatsuharu immediately turned her head.

She had actually noticed Ruiko and Higashino downstairs while she was upstairs. She secretly watched the whole thing before she couldn't wait to try on the new clothes. After all, Ruiko's success story was right in front of her, and she hoped to have a perfect date with her senior next time.

"Look at this dress... what do you think? Does it look good?"

She nervously tugged at her skirt, her feet fidgeting nervously.

She had never bought a short dress like this before. If it weren't for the fact that he complimented her at a barbecue party at Dongye's house a couple of days ago, saying, "Chuchun's legs are so beautiful. It's such a waste for her to wear such long dresses all the time," she wouldn't have made up her mind to pick this one out on a shopping website.

Leizi put down the bag, took a few steps forward, circled around Chuchun, and nodded from time to time.

She also thought the dress was cute for early spring, and that it would be easier to lift up than a long dress.

"Wow! It looks amazing! This dress is perfect for you in early spring! If your senior saw it, he would definitely stare at it for ages!"

"Really, really?"

Chu Chun felt even more embarrassed by the compliment and lowered her head. She actually thought it looked great too, but it was just too short; she felt like it would float away in the wind.

Moreover, if it were like when Ruiko was carried on her senpai's back, such a skirt would seem too embarrassing, as if it would be completely bypassed and go straight to her panties.

"This is...this is what I plan to wear on my next date with my senior..."

The sounds of early spring grew fainter, carrying a deep sense of shyness and anticipation.

She had actually wanted to go on a date with Higashino alone for a long time, and Higashino had indeed invited her. However, due to a lot of inexplicable events that had occurred in the past few days, she was completely busy during the day as a disciplinary committee member.

"Your senior will definitely be captivated by you!"

Lei Zi laughed and joked, then picked up the bag in her hand like she was showing off a treasure.

"Look! My loot! I caught this at the arcade today. You're really amazing, senior!"

She handed the bag to Chu Chun.

Chu Chun curiously peeked inside at the several cute dolls, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes. She also wanted to catch the dolls with her seniors and wished she could just quit her job.

"That was great... Ruiko, you had a lot of fun today, didn't you? A date with your senpai alone..."

Unfortunately, her sense of responsibility wouldn't allow her to do that; she was still quite stubborn about it.

"Ok!"

Leizi nodded vigorously, her face beaming with an undisguised smile of happiness.

"I'm so happy! It feels like a dream! And, my senior helped me become a true Level 2 Ability User! It's permanent!"

She couldn't help but emphasize this huge surprise again.

Seeing Leizi's excited expression in early spring, Chuchun was genuinely happy for her.

Ruiko wasn't very clear about the deal between her and Higashino, but she did know that Higashino helped Ruiko gain her powers. After all, Ruiko had experimented with her powers in her room for a long time that night, and on that same day, Ruiko became her second girlfriend, and the two went from being good friends to being best friends.

Thinking of this, Chuchun puffed out her cheeks slightly and muttered softly with a hint of grievance, "I'm clearly... I'm supposed to be Senpai's 'Number One Girlfriend'... but you, the 'Number Two Girlfriend,' went on a date with him alone first, went out to play, and even caught so many plush toys..."

She poked Leizi's arm with her index finger, her little mouth pouting, looking like a wronged child.

Looking at Haru's adorable face, Ruiko couldn't help but laugh out loud. She reached out and gently rubbed Haru's soft little cheeks: "Oh, Haru, don't be jealous! It's just that you've been so busy with your disciplinary committee work lately!"

Ruizi didn't really care who went first or last, but since Chuchun didn't have time, she couldn't be blamed for leaving first.

Chu Chun sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly, her envy turning into a touch of disappointment: "Yeah... there have been so many strange incidents and crimes lately during summer vacation, it feels like there's always work to do... I really want to go on a date with my senior alone, like today, without anyone bothering us..."

She imagined that scene, her eyes filled with longing.

"There will definitely be an opportunity!"

Leizi sat on the bed, pulled Chuchun to sit beside her, and hugged Chuchun's arm to comfort her.

"It'll be fine once this busy period is over! Then I'll have your senior arrange an even better date for you to make up for it!"

She patted her chest and assured him.

"Ok!"

Encouraged by Leizi's words, Chuchun roused herself and nodded vigorously. Then, her gaze fell on Leizi's cheongsam.

"Tears, you..."

In early spring, she reached out her finger and gently poked Leizi's bare arm.

"How dare she! Wearing such 'revealing' clothes on a date!"

Anyway, she felt that she absolutely could not wear this to a date, since the cheongsam felt out of place on her.

"There's no exposure! This is fashion! It's Xia Guofeng! Senior likes it!"

Lei Zi straightened her chest, her face full of pride.

"is it?"

Chu Chun winked mischievously and suddenly slipped her hand inside the slit on the side of her tear-stained cheongsam!

Before Ruiko could react and exclaim in surprise, Haruharu's hand had already landed on her chest through her thin underwear, and mischievously gave it a light squeeze.

"Ah! Chuchun! What are you doing!"

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly; this early spring was so strange.

Although she seemed no different from usual just now, she was definitely provoked by her date with Higashino. Otherwise, the shy Haru wouldn't have done that. It would have been more like Ruiko.

"Hmm...it feels so good, Ruizi is developing really well."

As she savored the soft, supple touch, Chu Chun commented earnestly. She was extremely envious of Ruiko's development; although they were the same age, Ruiko's growth far surpassed hers.

"No wonder the senior liked you so much, and even carried you back on his back..."

She meant something.

Tears welled up with embarrassment and panic. She pushed away Chuchun's hand and said, "Chuchun! Stop fooling around! It was because I was so overwhelmed by the spiciness that you carried me on your back!"

"Oh? Is that really all?" Haru gave her a "I don't believe you" look. She had seen it clearly just now, and she had never heard of anyone getting dizzy from eating spicy food. Her eyes glanced at Ruiko's lips, and she pointed meaningfully: "Ruiko, your lips... seem a little swollen, don't you think? Were you kissing your senior too intensely just now?"

Ruiko's face instantly turned as red as a boiled shrimp, and she subconsciously covered her mouth with her hand: "N-no, it's not! It's...it's because the ramen I just ate was too spicy! Yes! It's so spicy it made my mouth swell up!" She hurriedly made an excuse, unaware that Haru had already watched the whole thing from upstairs.

Haru leaned closer, examined Ruiko's lips closely, and then gave a knowing yet mischievous smile: "Ruiko, lying isn't good for a child. I know my senior's habits very well; when he kisses, he's the kind who kisses very forcefully..." That night when she left, her lips had changed slightly, and Ruiko, who was waiting outside, teased her about it. Now she was going to get her revenge for being teased back then.

"And I saw it all from behind the window downstairs! When your senior was carrying you, his hands... weren't behaving properly, he kept rubbing your butt! And you were hugging his neck, swaying your body, wasn't that a response too?" As she spoke, she gestured with her hands, pinching as if testing the feel of the handle.

"Ah—! Haru! You! You saw everything?!" Ruiko was utterly mortified, collapsing onto the bed and burying her face in the pillow, letting out muffled groans. Because most passersby had ignored her today, she had completely forgotten the possibility that their intimate behavior downstairs might have been seen. If the dorm supervisor or other classmates had seen them, she might be in trouble on the forum tomorrow. No! Maybe even tonight. However, she didn't know that the effects of Higashino's ability hadn't disappeared before he left. The reason Haruko noticed was because Higashino's ability wasn't targeting her, but only those who were strangers to him.

Seeing Ruizi blushing so much, Chuchun laughed even harder, climbed onto the bed, and poked her waist: "Shy, aren't you? That's what you get for pinching my butt earlier!"

Lei Zi suddenly raised her head, her face still flushed, but her mind was already plotting how to get revenge on her best friend. "Hmph! It's all because of that new dress you tried on in early spring! It looks very ladylike, but it's actually quite sexy, isn't it! Especially..." She suddenly reached out, and a gust of wind blew by, lifting up early spring's skirt.

"Oh! Ruiko, you're so cunning!" Haru exclaimed, instinctively bringing her legs together. She had been on guard when she saw Ruiko reach out, but Ruiko cheated by using her ability, catching her off guard and exposing her once again.

"Hmph, you're no worse than me, Chuchun, especially with these panties!" Leizi pointed at the cute white panties under Chuchun's skirt and said with a grin, "They're so sexy! If you saw them, you'd definitely want to rub them too!" As she spoke, she took advantage of Chuchun's moment of covering her skirt and quickly reached out to gently pinch Chuchun's small, perky buttocks.

"Waaaah! Ruiko! You're so mean!" Haru immediately jumped away, tightly covering her skirt and bottom with both hands, staring nervously at Ruiko. "It's all because of Senpai's influence!" If Senpai hadn't liked this type, she wouldn't have thought of buying these things.

"Oh, let me take a closer look at this style!" With that, Ruizi pounced on him, and Chuchun retaliated just as fiercely. The two girls rolled around on the bed laughing and tickling each other, and soon the dormitory was filled with the sounds of girls' playful laughter and frolicking.

After playing around for a while, the two of them lay side by side, both slightly out of breath. Haru turned to her side, looking at Ruiko with a hint of confusion and anticipation in her eyes: "Ruiko..."

"Ok?"

"You know... why does he... only call you 'Raiko' now, but not me..." Haru's voice lowered, tinged with a hint of grievance, "He still calls me 'Haru'? We're clearly... clearly we're both 'girlfriends'."

Ruiko paused for a moment, realizing she hadn't considered this question. She blinked and thought about it seriously. "Hmm... well... I didn't notice either. Maybe it's a habit? Or maybe he thinks 'Hatsuharu' is a nice and cute nickname and doesn't need to be changed?" Seeing Hatsuharu's expectant yet slightly disappointed expression, she smiled and suggested, "Next time you go on a date with your senior, you can ask him! Maybe he'll change the way he addresses you!" After all, in Japan, boyfriends and girlfriends address each other by their first names to show intimacy, and calling each other "senpai" is actually a special nickname, something only she and Hatsuharu use.

Chu Chun's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes! I must ask next time!" She imagined the scene of Higashino Yu calling Shiori in an affectionate voice, and a sweet anticipation rose in her heart.

"Alright!" Ruizi sat up, stretched, and showed off her beautiful curves. "I'm all sweaty, I'm going to take a shower!" She jumped off the bed, grabbed her change of clothes, and then looked at Hatsuharu, who was still lying on the bed, with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Hatsuharu, want to shower together? I can scrub your back! And..." She deliberately dragged out her words, winking mischievously, "I can also check if you've 'grown' lately, you know? Didn't you say you've gained weight recently?"

"No!" Chu Chun immediately shook her head like a rattle-drum, grabbed the Pikachu plushie next to her and hugged it tightly to her chest, as if it were a shield against wolves. "Absolutely not! Ruiko, you big pervert!" She buried her face in the plushie in embarrassment. She could see through Ruiko's little trick. She just wanted to take the opportunity to tease her.

"Oh, what's there to be shy about! We're best friends!" Ruiko deliberately made a lunge motion.

"Help! Senior, help me! Ruizi is going to molest me!" Chuchun huddled on the bed, clutching her doll, making exaggerated cries for help, but her eyes were full of laughter.

Tears were amused by her appearance and burst into laughter. She gave up her "attack," waved her hand, and said, "Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore. I'm going to take a shower! I look forward to your 'growth report' next time!" She hummed a song and walked into the bathroom in a cheerful mood.

Hearing the sound of water coming from the bathroom, Haru sat up, clutching her doll. Looking at herself in the mirror, wearing her new dress, she couldn't help but smile. "Senpai…will you like me like this next time we meet?" She gently touched the spot where Ruiko had pinched her, her heart filled with anticipation for their upcoming date alone.

Chapter 143 Police officers uncover the kidnapping plan!

After parting ways with Ruiko, Higashino walked alone on the somewhat deserted road home.

Before that, however, he needed to go to a nearby dessert shop to buy some desserts to take back. He had completely forgotten about what he had promised Index that morning during their date.

Fortunately, there was a nice shop just across the park, so he didn't have to linger for long. Higashino deliberately changed direction and headed in that direction.

However, as he walked along the park path, he caught a glimpse of a figure sitting on a bench in the corner, and it seemed very familiar.

Upon closer inspection, he saw that the woman was wearing a gothic-style black nurse's dress. She had her head slightly lowered, her pink hair falling down, and her expression was obscured.

"This person is..."

Higashino's steps barely faltered; he had already recognized the girl in front of him, as such distinctive attire was not commonly seen.

Higashino deviated slightly from his original path, walked to the other end of the bench, and sat down about one person's distance away.

Now that he'd run into her, Higashino certainly wasn't going to just walk away. This girl's experience was quite pitiful, and how could the kind-hearted, model citizen Mr. Higashino sit idly by?

A confused young girl needs a kind person like him to guide her.

His arrival clearly disturbed her concentration. The girl abruptly raised her head, her eyes widening with alarm at being suddenly interrupted, and instantly locked onto Higashino Yu.

Higashino didn't look at her immediately, but tilted his head slightly, as if feeling the evening breeze, and said in a calm, casual tone: "The park is more comfortable at night when there are fewer people, and the air is quieter."