In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 160

"To be honest, Mikoto, I woke up this morning with a very rare and difficult-to-treat illness."

"Difficult, complicated illness?"

Mikoto was taken aback, and looking at his exaggerated performance, a bad feeling rose in her heart.

"Yes."

Higashino lowered his hand and looked at Mikoto with an incredibly "sincere" gaze.

"This illness is called 'I can't find the infirmary without my girlfriend' syndrome. Symptoms include dizziness and complete loss of direction. Only seeing a specific person, namely you, dressed in a maid outfit, can provide some relief. Right now, I feel like the direction of the infirmary has become a complete mess in my head..."

To make the performance more realistic, Higashino also made a pained expression by frowning.

"Wh...what nonsense!"

Mikoto was so angry she almost jumped up, wanting to punch her silly boyfriend.

"How could such a disease exist in the world! You perverted doctor! You're talking nonsense again!"

"Oh dear, doctors can't always heal themselves, so it's normal to get some strange illnesses, right?"

Higashino smiled and shrugged.

"And look, my symptoms are quite severe right now, and I urgently need to go to the infirmary for 'treatment.' As Tokiwadai's excellent maid, and my dear girlfriend, shouldn't you fulfill your duty and take this 'patient' there?"

Mikoto was both angry and ashamed at his shameless behavior. Curious glances were already falling on them, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.

But... looking at his smiling face, she just couldn't bring herself to refuse.

She glared at him fiercely, and said helplessly, "...Come, come with me! Just this once! If you dare to pretend to be sick again, I'll electrocute you. What kind of doctor pretends to be sick?!"

"Yes, my dear maid."

Higashino readily agreed and proudly followed Mikoto, who was leading the way in a huff.

The corridor leading to the infirmary was much quieter. Mikoto walked quickly, afraid of being seen being intimate with someone.

Finally arriving at the door with the "Health Room" sign, Mikoto stopped with a sigh of relief.

"arrive!"

She said irritably and turned to leave.

"Go inside by yourself! I still have to attend to other guests!"

"Wait, Mikoto."

Higashino called out to her.

Mikoto turned around warily: "What? The infirmary is right in front of you. Your 'illness' should be cured by now, right?"

Higashino took a step closer, a gentle yet playful smile on his face, his voice lowered slightly: "You're almost recovered. But... as is customary, before recovery or at the moment of parting, shouldn't there be some... um, a ritual to express blessings or encouragement? For example..."

He pointed to his lips, his eyes conveying a strong sense of suggestion.

Mikoto's face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato, and her nervous mind felt like it was about to shut down.

What is this guy thinking?! This isn't a private room where there are no outsiders.

"You...don't even think about it! This is a corridor! People could walk by at any time!"

She looked around frantically, and the corridor was indeed empty, with only the faint sounds of a festival coming from afar.

"Look, nobody's here, no one will see us."

Higashino's voice was seductive.

"It's just a 'farewell kiss,' right? A maid's services should include making the customer happy, shouldn't they? Besides..."

He moved closer and deliberately blew a breath onto Mikoto's sensitive neck.

"We're a perfectly legitimate boyfriend and girlfriend, right?"

Mikoto's heart was touched by his last words, and her defenses completely crumbled.

She really wanted to say, how could maid service possibly include such requirements!

But seeing the expectant look in Higashino's eyes, she bit her lower lip, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally, as if she had made a great decision, quickly stood on tiptoe, closed her eyes, and moved towards Higashino's cheek with a clear goal.

If they're alone, that's fine; but she's already quite used to being all lovey-dovey.

However, she was still a little reserved in public, especially since this was her school. If the dormitory supervisor or a teacher saw her, she might be publicly criticized.

A kiss on the cheek! This was the limit she could tolerate in such a public place! Quick and easy!

She definitely didn't want to repeat yesterday's public kissing at school! Those were moments when everyone was relatively familiar with each other, but if it were seen in front of unfamiliar classmates, Mikoto didn't know if she could handle it without fainting.

Just as her soft lips were about to touch his cheek, a triumphant smile appeared on Dongye's lips, and his head turned slightly at an almost imperceptible angle.

"Chirp."

A soft, clear sound rang out in the quiet corridor.

The expected touch on the cheek didn't come; instead, two warm, soft lips carrying the other's unique scent...!

Mikoto's eyes widened suddenly, her gaze conveying the message, "You big idiot!"

Because she knew that what she was kissing... was Higashino's lips!

"Waaah!"

A short gasp was stuck in her throat. Mikoto jerked back as if she had been burned, covering her mouth with both hands. Her face turned so red it was almost bleeding, and it seemed as if steam was rising from her head.

She glared at the bastard in front of her, who was grinning like a cat that had just stolen some fish, filled with shame and indignation.

"Dongye Yu! You... you pervert! You lecherous freak! You super idiot!!!"

She was so angry that she was trembling all over, incoherent, and tears were welling up in her eyes.

No longer caring about her maid image and duties, Mikoto stomped her foot and turned around, running with all her might towards the other end of the corridor, as if a raging flood was behind her.

"Mikoto! Wait for me!"

Higashino watched his girlfriend flee in disarray, then licked his lips contentedly, savoring the unexpectedly soft touch.

Yes, the plan works perfectly, just like before, the same old recipe.

Mikoto's excessive shyness is just too adorable; Higashino simply can't resist teasing her.

Mikoto covered her face and ran frantically, her heart still pounding. The unexpected kiss had left her mind a complete mess. She nearly bumped into someone as she rounded a corner.

"Big sister!"

Shirai Kuroko looked at Mikoto with surprise; her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were slightly red, and she was clearly not in good condition.

"What's wrong? Why is your face so red? Did someone bully you?"

Kuroko instantly switched into her sister-protecting maniac mode, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"N-nothing!"

Mikoto quickly lowered her hand, trying to remain calm, but her voice sounded unusually soft.

"It's just... a bit hot! Yeah, there are too many people at the Summer Festival! Kuroko, what are you doing here?"

"Ah, Kuroko was just about to come looking for you!"

Kuroko's attention was somewhat diverted.

"Saten and Hatsuharu are here! They said they accepted Higashino's invitation to the Summer Festival! They're waiting for you in the lobby! Honestly, I invited them too, but they didn't mention it at all. I guess boyfriends are the most important thing after all!"

"Rain and Haru are here too?"

Mikoto breathed a slight sigh of relief; at least there was some good news to distract her from the embarrassment and anger she had just felt.

"Yes! Sister, please go quickly!"

As Kuroko spoke, she habitually opened her arms and was about to pounce on Mikoto.

"Kuroko wants to be with her sister too..."

"Crack!"

A familiar blue lightning bolt flashed, accompanied by Kuroko's scream of "Awooo!" She was frozen in mid-air, her hair standing on end and her body emitting blue smoke.

"I told you not to suddenly pounce on me! You idiot, Kuroko!"

Mikoto blushed and withdrew the arc of electricity from her fingertips. The embarrassment and annoyance that Higashino had just stirred up seemed to have found a safe outlet.

As expected, haters are still quite useful; at least they're good for venting emotions.

"Big sister... that's so mean... Kuroko was just trying to express her love..."

Hei Zi maintained his comical pose, complaining with a wronged expression.

Just as the master and servant were bickering in their usual chaotic moment, Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari followed the commotion and came over.

"Wow! Misaka-senpai! Kuroko! Are you guys... putting on a special performance for the Summer Festival?"

Ruiko looked at Kuroko, whose appearance was strangely distorted by the electric shock, and Mikoto, who looked embarrassed and indignant, and couldn't help but laugh and tease her.

And after yesterday, Ruiko and Uiharu unknowingly changed their usual way of addressing her as Misaka-senpai.

Haru was completely captivated by the sight before her, her eyes shining as she gazed at Mikoto's maid outfit: "Mikoto-senpai's maid outfit is so cute! As expected of Tokiwadai!"

She excitedly flipped through the Midsummer Festival guidebook in her hand.

"Ah! The pool party seems to have started. It looks like Paofu and Wannai are putting on a show! There's also a dessert-making demonstration in the home economics class! And a flower show by the gardening club! And...and..."

Chu Chun's fingers flew across the various locations in the manual, her voice growing louder with excitement.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she sighed, "Hey, Chuchun, didn't you order all the places?"

Haruharu suddenly raised her head, her face radiating an unprecedented determination. She clenched her fists: "Ruiko! Today, I've released my limiter! To live up to Higashino-senpai's invitation, and to witness the depth of Tokiwadai, I'm determined to visit every single attraction! Not one! I've long wanted to know about the daily lives of these young ladies!"

Early spring filled Tokiwadai with anticipation. It was a rare opportunity to openly and legitimately come and explore the place, and she was determined to see everything there today.

"Uh... okay, it's good to be motivated."

Tears were taken aback by her imposing manner and shrugged.

Kuroko struggled to regain her mobility, rubbing her numb limbs: "Onee-sama, then we'll take them..."

"Shirai-kun!"

A clear voice interrupted her. Tsuchimikado Maika from the Ryouran Home Economics School pushed a food cart and walked over with a friendly smile.

"Sorry to bother you, but the kitchen is at a crucial stage in preparing lunch. I need you to go over and check the process and ingredient list, Shirai-kun. There are a few steps that require your personal oversight."

As one of the designated staff members for this summer festival, Kuroko couldn't shirk these logistical tasks.

She sighed helplessly, "Alright... Tsuchimikado-san, I'll go right now."

She turned to Mikoto and the two visitors with an apologetic smile: "Sorry, Onee-sama, Saten-san, Uiharu-san, I have to take care of something first. Let Onee-sama show you around!"

Mikoto nodded: "Okay, you can go ahead and get busy, Kuroko."

She was actually relieved. It was better for her to stay with Ruiko and Hatsuharu than to have what happened between her and Higashino discovered in front of Kuroko.

Watching Kuroko hurriedly leave with Maika, Mikoto turned to Ruiko and Uiharu: "Well then, we'll..."

"Mikoto-senpai!"

Haru suddenly spoke, interrupting Mikoto. Her bright eyes blinked, a hint of curiosity and anticipation on her face.

"Before we begin our 'extreme challenge'...shouldn't we go say hello first? After all, we were invited by Higashino-senpai. He should be...on duty in the infirmary right now, right?"

She pointed to the location of the health room in the guidebook, revealing a serious expression that said, "I am very polite."

As her girlfriend, she naturally wanted to see what her boyfriend was like at work.

Although we gathered at the infirmary yesterday, it was just a gathering; her senior wasn't actually working. She was also curious about what her senior was like at work; she'd heard that men who worked seriously were very handsome.

Ruiko nodded in agreement. As her second girlfriend, she was also curious about what her boyfriend looked like working in the infirmary.

Based on his senior's personality, Ruiko felt that he might do something strange during the treatment.

Mikoto, the third girlfriend, had just started to feel the blush on her face fade when she heard the words "infirmary," and her cheeks instantly felt warm again.

The image of the kiss outside the infirmary just now resurfaced in her mind. Fortunately, Ruiko and Haru were chatting enthusiastically and didn't notice her strange behavior, which relieved her slightly.

"Um, okay, then I'll take you there."

Nodding, Mikoto quickly turned around so the two couldn't see her expression for the time being, and walked towards the infirmary again.

Chapter 196 Are all the young ladies of Tokiwadai so delicate?