In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 118

Through the crack in the window, she saw Higashino Yu sitting behind his desk, a gentle smile on his face, talking to Hokaze Junko sitting opposite him. Hokaze Junko was sitting upright, and her expression seemed a little... nervous? But the overall atmosphere seemed very normal.

Hmm? Just a consultation?

Shokuhou was somewhat puzzled, but her "psychological manipulation" ability gave her an extraordinary insight into subtle facial expressions and body language. Junko's tense shoulders and slightly flushed cheeks still hinted at something unusual. Then, she saw Junko seem to say something, and Higashino's smile widened.

Hmm... what did that guy say? Why does Junko seem a little shy? Could he have said something embarrassing again?

Misaki thought to herself, although the scene looked normal, the subtle atmosphere made her feel uneasy. Especially Higashino's slightly mocking smile, which felt familiar yet... inexplicably unsettling.

What the hell is this guy doing?

She saw Higashino Yu stand up and seem to take something out of a drawer. Shokuhou looked closer and saw it was a small green Gekota plush toy?

Higashino smiled and handed the doll to Junko Hokkaido. Junko was taken aback for a moment, then her face lit up with surprise and shyness. She reached out and took the doll, carefully holding it in her arms, and bowed her head slightly as if to thank him.

That guy actually knew Runko liked those weird frogs? And Runko, what are you being so shy about?

Misaki frowned even more deeply.

This interaction... doesn't look like a typical doctor-patient relationship at all! But there's nothing wrong with it either!

Aside from the odd fact that he gave her a frog doll, the two of them sat and chatted normally, and then Higashino prescribed some medicine for Junko.

snort!

Misaki snorted inwardly.

What on earth did this guy say to Runzi?!

Just as she continued to observe, the conversation inside seemed to end. Junko Hokaze stood up, holding her Gekota plushie, and prepared to leave.

Misaki immediately took a few steps back and quickly slipped behind a pillar at the corner, perfectly concealing herself.

She watched as Junko Hokkaido, head bowed, cheeks flushed, clutching a green doll, rushed out of the infirmary with hurried, even panicked steps, and then ran quickly toward the dormitory building. Her back view clearly conveyed the feeling of fleeing in panic.

Moreover, his running posture was a little strange. Could it be that he injured his leg, which is why he made an appointment with Higashino to see a doctor?

But this reaction... is too strange, isn't it?

Misaki's doubts deepened. How could a routine medical consultation make the usually composed Junko blush like a ripe apple and run so fast?

Once Junko's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, Shokuhou emerged from her hiding place.

She straightened her skirt and chased after Junko Hokkaido in the direction she had left. She hadn't gone far when she "bumped into" Junko Hokkaido, who was holding Gekota and looking distracted, on the tree-lined path leading to the dormitory building.

"Oh dear~ Runzi!"

Misaki Shokuhou's voice is sweet and magnetic, carrying just the right amount of surprise.

Junko Hokaze looked up abruptly upon hearing the voice, and when she saw it was Misaki Shokuhou, her body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and a hint of panic flashed across her face.

"Ah! Your Majesty!"

Why is the Queen here? Shouldn't she be in the activity room having tea?

"Hmmmm~"

Misaki took a few steps closer and, seeing Junko become nervous because of her appearance, her smile deepened.

"I just saw you coming from the infirmary. Are you feeling unwell?"

Her tone was full of concern, but her eyes were carefully observing Junko's reaction.

"Uh...yes...I have a bit of a headache."

Junko Hokaze's eyes darted around, and she tried her best to keep her voice steady.

"It's nothing serious, you just need some rest."

"Headache? You definitely need to rest."

Misaki nodded, then changed the subject, asking seemingly casually.

"I think I just saw Dr. Higashino go to the infirmary... Did you make an appointment with him? There should be several school nurses in Tokiwadai, right?"

Her gaze, filled with inquiry, was fixed firmly on Junko's eyes.

Junko Hokaze's breath seemed to catch in her throat. She quickly lowered her head and stared at the Gekota doll in her arms, as if there was something on it that attracted all her attention: "Ah... it's, it's Dr. Higashino... mainly because... it seems like the other doctors are all busy? Yes, they're all busy."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a mumble.

Even Misaki couldn't bring herself to call her out on this lame excuse, since booking a doctor's appointment isn't about whether they're available or not. Why not just explain that other doctors had recently been booked?

This is clearly saying "I'm lying"!

Junko's acting is so strange. Could it be that she also likes that guy Higashino?!

Shokuhou was startled by her own thought. She had witnessed the whole thing, and the two hadn't done anything unusual. Besides, Junko shouldn't have had any contact with Higashino, so how could this be...?

But Junko just received a gift, and she was so shy about it, and she even lied to me. Thinking about it like this, I feel more and more uneasy. Could it be that Junko really has some different feelings for Higashino?

The more she thought about it, the more something seemed off. Shokuhou deliberately put on a gossipy expression of great interest: "Oh? Junko, you wouldn't happen to... have a crush on that newly promoted 'first' Dr. Higashino, would you?"

"No, no!"

Junko Hokaze hurriedly denied it, but the memory of being punished earlier kept flashing through her mind.

Thinking of this, her eyes wandered around involuntarily, and she dared not look into Misaki's eyes at all.

After all, she had already guessed most of the relationship between Higashino and Shokuhou, but she had just done that with Higashino. Although it was just a reasonable punishment, she still felt like she had betrayed the Queen.

"Your Majesty, please don't joke around! I... I just went to see a doctor! I really just went to see a doctor!"

She was so excited that she even stuttered a little.

Seeing Junko's unusually intense reaction, Misaki Shokuhou felt even more suspicious.

She thought that Junko might have a crush on Higashino, and that the frog might be something she asked Higashino to buy for her, so she would have an excuse to get close to him.

What exactly does Runzi see in that lecherous doctor?

Shokuhou's heart was filled with a subtle displeasure that she herself was unaware of.

Junko's reaction, which seemed to imply something was amiss, made Shokuhou unable to believe her words at all, but she didn't want to use her ability to force Junko to tell the truth.

It seems necessary to find him to confirm it in person, and the second treatment should start soon; that guy has been delaying it for so long!

Having made her decision, Shokuhou decided to let Junko off the hook, since she couldn't get any more information from her for the time being anyway.

A perfect smile returned to her face, and she gently patted Runzi's shoulder: "Okay, okay, don't get excited, it was just a joke. If you're not feeling well, go back and get some rest. Don't worry about the faction's affairs today."

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

As if granted a pardon, Junko Hokaze picked up Guatai and fled as if escaping.

Misaki Shokuhou stood there, watching Junko's hurried figure disappear into the distance until she vanished from sight.

She took her phone out of her uniform pocket and sent a message to Higashino.

Chapter 150: The Great Dating Interference Operation is About to Begin!

Misaka Mikoto is in a great mood today. Last night she learned that a certain store was selling a limited edition Gekota shirt, so she went to queue up early this morning and successfully bought the limited edition Gekota shirt she had been longing for.

She was planning to go back and dress up nicely to admire the outfit, and take a selfie to show off on the forum, since it was a limited edition of only one hundred, and many other people who also liked Gekota hadn't gotten one.

On her way back to school, her gaze inadvertently caught sight of a familiar figure across the street.

It's Higashino Yu.

Not far from the Tokiwadai gate, he was leaning against a large tree, seemingly waiting for someone.

Mikoto paused, a subtle sense of joy welling up inside her.

Why is this guy showing up at the school gate today? I don't think there's any school event that requires the school doctor to come back, right?

Or did someone schedule him to come to the school for a medical appointment today? But shouldn't he be in the infirmary if he needs to see a doctor? Why is he here?

Could it be that Yu came here to see... her?

But how did he know I would be returning to school from outside? Did he secretly have someone find out where I was...?

Could it be that Kuroko leaked it to him?

No, wait! Kuroko is so hostile towards Yu (jealous). After losing in the pool and being punished last time, Kuroko went back to the dorm and stayed in bed alone for a long time, saying a lot of unpleasant things in a huff. He's even been shouting things like "Higashino Yu, I will never let you get away with this" every night recently.

There was no reason for Kuroko to help Yu. Mikoto didn't want to admit it, but Kuroko definitely saw Yu as a rival in love, which made her both amused and exasperated.

"So, you really did come to see me..."

But you came to see me without even sending a message. Are you trying to surprise me?

The thought made her ears burn slightly, and she subconsciously wanted to wave and greet them.

However, just as he raised his arm halfway, his movement suddenly froze.

A familiar figure ran up to Dongye and stopped beside him.

It was a girl she didn't get along with, Misaki Shokuhou!

What made Mikoto's pupils shrink even more was that Shokuhou reached out and affectionately took Higashino Yu's arm, as if she were leaning her entire weight on him.

The two stood very close, and Shokuhou even turned her head slightly to say something to Higashino Yu, which made him give a helpless smile.

"!!!"

Mikoto felt as if her heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and a sour feeling burst in her chest.

This guy! When did he get so close to that starry-eyed girl?! They're even...holding hands?! So intimate?!

They weren't that close at the pool last time, could it be that the one with the starry eyes is a masochist? After being punished by Higashino, she's now throwing herself at him?

Although she didn't mind that Higashino had several girlfriends, after all, she was a newcomer and had no right to express dissatisfaction, the fact that he was being affectionate with other girls in her own territory (Tokiwadai) still made her a little unhappy.

Moreover, she and Misaki Shokuhou don't get along well. Their relationship at school isn't exactly tense, but it's definitely not friendly either. If they hadn't all been at Higashino's house last time, they definitely wouldn't have acted so harmoniously.

It was a miracle they didn't start arguing; they were giving Higashino a lot of face. And because I was probably in a particularly good mood that day, I didn't seem to have any of my usual negative emotions. (This was influenced by Higashino's abilities, which was explained at the time.)

Damn it... How many girlfriends does Yu have to have before he's satisfied? Aren't we enough for him?!

Mikoto bit her lower lip, her eyes fixed on Higashino and Shokuhou across the street.

That direction isn't on campus...

Mikoto quickly ruled out the possibility that Shokuhou had made an appointment for Higashino to come to the school clinic. So, the two of them walking so intimately together towards the school gate, Mikoto couldn't think of any other possibility besides a date.

No! We can't just let this go! We need to see what they're up to!

Having made up her mind, Mikoto took a deep breath, suppressed the surging jealousy in her heart, and quickly hid behind a thick stone pillar next to the school gate.

She peeked out, like a wary kitten, observing the movements of the two people opposite her. She saw Higashino say something to Shokuhou, and then the two turned and walked slowly along the sidewalk towards the shopping street.

Mikoto immediately emerged from behind the stone pillar, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far. Using the roadside greenery and pedestrians as cover, she quietly followed them. She deliberately slowed her steps, her gaze fixed on the two figures standing close together ahead, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

After following for about two blocks, Mikoto was intently staring ahead when she suddenly sensed a furtive figure lurking behind the bushes beside her. A thought struck her, and she cautiously moved closer.

Sure enough! Behind another cluster of lush green plants, a purple-haired girl wearing a Tokiwadai school uniform was nervously peeking out, her eyes also closely following the backs of Higashino and Shokuhou.

She was holding her phone, seemingly taking pictures secretly? That focused yet slightly anxious expression was none other than Junko Hokaze!

What's she doing here? And why is she following me?

Mikoto's doubts deepened. Thinking of Shokuhou and Higashino's intimate actions, a thought flashed through her mind.

Are members of the Shokuhou faction also spying on Higashino? Is it because Shokuhou is getting too close to him?

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Shokuhou Misaki is the leader of a faction, and it's impossible for the faction members not to care about something as important as her having a boyfriend. It's also understandable that Hokaze Junko, Shokuhou Misaki's right-hand woman, would personally follow her.

Mikoto held her breath, approached silently, and then reached out and gently patted Junko's shoulder.

"ah--!"

Junko Hokaze was so startled that she almost jumped up on the spot, letting out a short scream, and her phone nearly flew out of her hand.

She turned around abruptly, and when she saw that it was Misaka Mikoto, her eyes widened instantly, her face drained of color, and then quickly flushed red, filled with the terror of being caught doing something wrong.

"Misaka-san?! You... how could you..."

Runko was very nervous, not because she was discovered to be following him, but because she and Higashino had done *that* in the infirmary not long ago.

The person in front of her was rumored to be one of Tono Yu's ambiguous relationships. Although it had not been confirmed, being suddenly patted like this gave her the feeling of being caught cheating by the wife, making her subconsciously nervous.

"Sh-!"

Mikoto immediately put her index finger to her lips to signal her to be quiet, while glancing warily at Higashino and Shokuhou in the distance. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that they didn't seem to have noticed the commotion.