In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 174

Theristina glanced at Higashino cautiously and asked softly, "Master, may I leave now?"

"Go."

Dongye nodded, not trying to stop her. He had other things to do, and there was no point in keeping her around.

"Remember to submit your application."

"Yes, Master."

Theristina immediately stood up, gave a respectful bow, picked up her briefcase, and left the villa with slightly hurried but still elegant steps.

Higashino checked the time; there was still some time before their date.

Last night, on his way home, he received a date invitation from Chu Chun. Having already been thinking about it for a while, he accepted without hesitation.

He picked up his phone and dialed Kiyama Haruo's number.

"Hello, Dr. Higashino."

Kiyama Haruo's monotone voice came through the background, which seemed somewhat noisy.

How are the children?

Higashino got straight to the point. Although he was confident that the children he had awakened would be fine, he wanted to address any potential exceptions as soon as possible.

After all, he is not an omnipotent god, and he cannot be confident in being all-powerful.

"Vital signs are stable, and the patient is conscious. Doctor Mingtu has conducted a thorough examination, and even the muscle atrophy caused by prolonged bed rest is slowly recovering, and there are no issues with the nerve damage..."

Kiyama Harumi paused for a moment, his voice seemingly carrying a hint of disbelief.

Such a miracle made her wonder if Higashino had become an absolute ability user without anyone knowing.

"...virtually no abnormal residue could be detected. They only need some time to recover and return to normal life. Dr. Higashino, this is simply..."

"Miracle?"

Higashino chuckled softly, interrupting her reflections.

"That only addresses the root cause of the problem. What about the branches that are causing the problem?"

"She is fine and her mood is stable after waking up."

Kiyama replied.

"That's good. You can discuss the follow-up rehabilitation plan with Dr. Mingtu. If you need any resources, just contact Theristina. She's one of us now," Dongye instructed.

“Your people… I understand.” Kiyama Harumi replied. Although she didn’t quite understand how the woman who had planned to investigate her yesterday had inexplicably become Higashino’s person, her trust in Higashino prevented her from asking any further questions.

"Okay, remember to contact me if you have any problems later. Don't go around causing trouble on your own." Dongye knew all too well how capable this woman was at creating trouble, but her abilities were undeniable. If it weren't for having Theristina as a substitute, having her as his personal researcher wouldn't be bad at all.

Although his researchers were just trying to scam funding and their work didn't actually contribute to his abilities.

"Um……"

After hanging up the phone, Dongye tidied his clothes in a cheerful mood and left the villa.

By addressing the potential risks of "disorderly openness" in advance, winning over Theristina of the Kihara clan, and ensuring the safety of Kiyama Harumi's students, everything was progressing in a positive direction.

He arrived at the agreed-upon shopping mall entrance and saw Chu Chun standing by the fountain in the distance, looking down as if checking her phone.

However, to his surprise, there was a petite, short-haired girl standing next to Chuchun, and the two were talking about something.

The girl looked somewhat familiar... and she even had a cognitive anchor... but I shouldn't have seen this girl before, right?

But this feeling... does it mean they've seen my picture? It really works! I was just planning to give it a try...

However, this image, combined with the fact that Haru and Ruiko went back to help yesterday...

It really is her, Chun Shang Jin Yi!

But this is a date, why bring a third wheel in early spring?!

Higashino approached, somewhat speechless, but still wearing a gentle smile: "Sorry, Haru, I'm late."

"Senior!" At first, Haru looked up and a bright, sweet smile instantly bloomed on her face. "It's alright, I just arrived a little while ago too."

She jogged a few steps to meet them, then, as if suddenly remembering her companion, she tugged at Haruue's sleeve somewhat shyly and introduced them, "Ah, senior, this is the new transfer student I mentioned to you yesterday, Haruue. Haruue, this is... this is Higashino-senpai."

Haruka Koi curiously raised her head, her large, dark eyes looking at Higashino.

The moment her gaze met Higashino's, she felt as if her heart had been gently bumped by something, and it inexplicably began to beat faster, her cheeks also becoming slightly hot.

An indescribable feeling, both familiar and strange, welled up from the bottom of her heart, making her somewhat flustered.

"Y-hello, Higashino-senpai..." Haruka An'i's voice was soft and sweet as she quickly extended her hand. "I'm Haruka An'i. Nice to meet you..."

"Hello, Haruka-san, I'm Higashino Yu." Higashino smiled and extended his hand, gently grasping her slender, soft palm.

That's right, that's the familiar voice! Chun Shang Jin Yi... I wonder if it would be interesting to have her debut and sing "Renai Circulation".

Haruka Koi, whose hand was being held, felt an even stronger flutter in her heart.

The handshake lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity to her, and her palms even became slightly sweaty.

After letting go, she nervously put her hands behind her back and secretly rubbed them against the hem of her clothes.

Is this... what it feels like to be smitten? Could it be that I've fallen for my boyfriend at first sight? No, this isn't right, how could I have such thoughts!

But, the object of her affections is a harem man from urban legends, so it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with that, right? This thought made her even more flustered, and her face turned even redder.

Higashino looked at Haruka Emi, who was inexplicably thrown into chaos, with a strange expression, then turned his gaze to Hatsuharu, with a hint of inquiry and barely perceptible amusement.

This girl brought a "third wheel" to her date. I wonder if that's what she was thinking, or... if she had some other idea?

It seems our planned romantic getaway for two is off, and we'll just have to go shopping as a trio today.

Chu Chun keenly caught the question in Higashino's eyes, and smiled awkwardly, her eyes darting away.

She had indeed been coaxed and pleaded with by Chun Shang Jinyi's curious nature last night before finally agreeing, and now she felt extremely embarrassed.

To avoid truly angering her senior, Hatsuharu steeled herself, mustered a rare courage, tiptoed, and swiftly planted a gentle kiss on Higashino's lips, whispering, "Senior... I'm sorry." Her voice even carried a hint of coquettishness, a tone she rarely used.

"Wow!" Haruka Koi, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but exclaim softly when she saw this scene. Her mouth was slightly open, and her eyes were full of gossip and curiosity.

In early spring... normally so shy, early spring actually kissed Higashino-senpai so boldly in public!

Higashino paused for a moment, then looked at Chuchun's blushing cheeks and her bright, slightly apprehensive eyes, and couldn't help but chuckle.

He hadn't really meant to blame her; he just found it a bit unexpected and amusing. He reached out and ruffled the little flower ornament on Haru's head, his tone indulgent: "Alright, I'm not angry. You must have promised Haru to show her around Academy City, so let's go."

Higashino gave Hatsuharu an excuse, which made Hatsuharu feel relieved but also more guilty.

His gaze swept over Chun Shang Jin Yi's face, which was both curious and somewhat bewildered, and a thought flashed through his mind.

In the original story, she came to the 7th District in search of Izumi Kizuna, which triggered the subsequent events.

Now that Zhi Xian has been revived, she is recuperating in the hospital... It seems I should find some time to take this curious little one to the hospital to meet her childhood sweetheart.

He has already set the course of fate in his hands; those predetermined plots are now merely scripts he can manipulate at will.

"Let's go." Higashino's smile was gentle, with an air of complete control. "I'll show you around today."

Chu Chun felt relieved and happily took Dongye's arm.

As Chun Shang Jinyi watched the two of them being affectionate, the inexplicable flutter in her heart had not yet subsided. With a hint of envy that she herself was unaware of, she silently followed behind them.

Chapter 208 The Three-Person 'Date' in Progress

Central Park in District 7 was bathed in the bright morning sunlight.

On the tree-lined path, Higashino naturally held Haru's small hand with his left, while Haru's right hand was tightly held by Haruue's clasped hand.

The three walked side by side, creating a somewhat unique scene.

A tall, handsome boy, a petite and adorable disciplinary committee member on the left, and a slender, short-haired girl with a curious expression on her right.

This combination attracted the attention of many passersby who were exercising or taking a walk in the morning. Their gazes were filled with curiosity, speculation, and even a little jealousy.

However, the three, lost in their own thoughts, paid no attention to this. Haruharu smiled sweetly, leaning slightly towards Higashino, feeling the warmth of his hand. Haruka Emi, on the other hand, seemed very excited, her large eyes constantly darting around, gently shaking Haruharu's hand.

"Early spring, early spring."

Chun Shangjinyi turned her head and looked at Chuchun with curious eyes.

How did you and Higashino-senpai meet?

Upon hearing this, Chu Chun blushed slightly, glanced at Higashino, and seeing that he didn't object, replied softly, "Um...it's been almost five months. We met at the library outside Academy City."

"Eh?!"

Chun Shang Jinyi opened her eyes wide in surprise.

"Outside Academy City? That's impressive! Isn't it quite troublesome for students from Academy City to go outside?"

She was somewhat surprised, since strict access control was common sense. Under normal circumstances, it was very troublesome for ordinary students like them to go out.

"Well... I had some things to take care of at the time."

In early spring, he gave a vague reply without elaborating.

Chun Shang Jinyi nodded as if she understood, then turned her curious gaze to Dongye, looking him up and down: "So, Dongye-senpai, how old are you this year?"

Although I think Hatsuharu and this senior Higashino are a good match, he should be a few years older than Hatsuharu, after all, he's so tall.

Higashino was amused by her and asked with a smile, "Oh? How old do I look to you?"

Chun Shang Jin Yi tilted her head, trying hard to think, her dark short hair swaying gently with her movements.

"Um……"

In her opinion, although Higashino was quite tall, his still somewhat immature face made him look like a high school student.

She pondered for a moment, then gestured with her finger.

"16 years old? You look quite young."

Higashino couldn't help but laugh out loud: "16? Do I look that young?"

"Wait, something's not right? But I felt it should be about the same!"

Chun Shangjinyi explained earnestly.

"Although the senior is very tall, he doesn't seem that old."

She added, as if recalling an interesting example.

"And you know what? Back in my school in District 19, there was a senior who was only 15 years old, but he had a full beard and looked much older than his age. He wasn't much shorter than you, senior!"

This brings us to the unique delinquents of Academy City. Although they are all high school students or even junior high school students, some of them do look rather 'mature'.

"puff……"

Chu Chun, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Higashino sighed and rubbed his forehead, "This... he really looks older than his age."

He didn't find it strange at all. After all, even someone like Teacher Xiaomeng exists, so it's not surprising that she looks older than her age.

The image of Tsukuyomi Komoe's legally cute loli face flashed into his mind.

"Me? I'm 20 years old."

Higashino finally revealed the answer.

"Wow!"

Chun Shang Jinyi exclaimed in surprise, her mouth agape in disbelief.

"20 years old?! You look so young, you don't look it at all!"

Her tone was full of surprise. After all, in her eyes, apart from his height, this senior's face didn't look like that of a 20-year-old at all.

Higashino was both amused and exasperated: "Hey, 20 years old isn't that old, is it? Using 'young' to describe it seems a bit strange, doesn't it?"

He felt defeated by the logic of this naturally naive girl.

However, if Haruhi saw what she looked like when she first arrived in Academy City, she wouldn't think she was 'young' anymore. After all, she looked like a mature 'uncle' with her unshaven beard back then.

However, since becoming a public health doctor in Tokiwadai, he no longer needed to grow a beard or deliberately make himself appear more mature.

Chun Shang Jinyi seemed to realize that there was something wrong with what she said, and stuck out her little tongue in embarrassment.

"but."