In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 22

"This...this is...for your senior!"

After saying that, before Higashino Yu could react, he grabbed Saten Ruiko, who was secretly laughing to herself, and ran away.

Higashino opened his palm to reveal a newly made amulet embroidered with daisies. He recalled what Haru had just said about it being "only for seniors," and a warm feeling welled up inside him.

The ward finally fell completely quiet. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, bathing the room in a warm golden light.

Higashino Yu finished the last mouthful of warm porridge and sighed contentedly. A wave of physical exhaustion washed over him, but his spirits were lifted by the girls' visit. Just as he was about to lie down for a short rest, a polite and restrained knock came at the door.

"Please come in."

Higashino Yu was somewhat puzzled.

The door was gently pushed open. Misaki Shokuhou stood in the doorway, her long, honey-colored curls shimmering in the setting sun, her star-like golden eyes carrying her usual inquisitiveness and elegance. She wore her Tokiwadai school uniform and held a bouquet of white lilies.

Good evening, Dr. Higashino.

The visitor was none other than the renowned Queen of Tokiwadai, Misaki Shokuhou, with a perfect smile on her face.

“A representative from Tokiwadai has come to visit.”

She walked in gracefully, and the fragrance of lilies filled the air.

"Shokuhou-kun? Thank you, and thank you everyone at the school."

Higashino Yu responded politely, but alarm bells were ringing in his mind: Why would this person with the ability to control minds suddenly come to visit?

This was the first time he had met Misaki Shokuhou since he transmigrated. He hadn't gone to her invitation last time, since her abilities were still a bit troublesome for him. He had originally planned to wait until he was stronger before meeting her again, but unexpectedly, she came to visit him today.

Misaki Shokuhou elegantly placed the bouquet on the bedside table, alongside a fruit basket, macarons, a thermos, and a daisy amulet.

"I heard that Dr. Higashino's performance was quite outstanding."

Misaki Shokuhou's voice was as sweet as honey, yet it carried a hint of probing.

"It was truly impressive to be able to team up with Misaka-san to fight that monster."

Higashino Yu felt a chill run down his spine, but remained outwardly calm: "I was just doing my best to help the students. By the way, Shokuhou-san and Misaka-san seem to be quite familiar with each other?"

Shokuhou's lips curled up slightly: "We do...have some history."

She gracefully adjusted her gloves.

"However, today's visit is just a routine one. I hope Dr. Higashino recovers soon."

Her tone was nonchalant, but Higashino Yu keenly noticed that the remote control between her fingers was turning slightly—she was testing his abilities! Higashino immediately strengthened his mental defenses while pretending to be nonchalant.

"Shokuhou-kun, have you been under a lot of pressure lately?"

This wasn't something Higashino made up to change the subject; he genuinely observed symptoms in Misaki Shokuhou that only people under a lot of stress would exhibit.

"Stress? Doctor, you must be joking..."

Misaki Shokuhou frowned.

"I am the Queen of Tokiwadai, how could I possibly..."

"I'm a psychologist, you know. When normal people are under a lot of stress, they..."

"That's enough, I'll take my leave now."

Misaki Shokuhou interrupted Higashino, nodded slightly, and turned to leave with a composed gait. At the door, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and added, "By the way, Dr. Higashino, after you recover, perhaps we can... have a good chat. I'm very interested in your 'cognitive reconstruction' abilities."

Chapter 28 Misaki Shokuhou's Investigation

The July afternoon was sweltering. Tokiwadai Middle School was deserted, almost devoid of people. The long summer vacation had only just begun, and most students were either home or out in other parts of Academy City.

Back at school, Misaki Shokuhou sat alone on a white bench under the shade of a tree on the side of the main building. She had changed out of her school uniform from the one she wore to the hospital and put on a light beige dress. Her long, golden hair was casually draped over her shoulders, shining brightly in the sunlight.

"Pressure? He's just a mere health care doctor, yet he acts like he knows me so well..."

At first, I was just curious about the doctor who had previously refused my invitation, but now it's more than just curiosity.

She habitually held the star-patterned parasol in her hand, idly swaying it, her gaze fixed on her phone screen. A new message had just popped up, its title concise: "Target: Higashino Yu. Basic profile updated. Level 4 (Cognitive Restructuring). Onboarding anomaly."

"Heh." Shokuhou let out a soft hum from her nose, the corners of her mouth habitually curving into a slightly cloying smile, but upon closer inspection, there was no smile in her star-shaped pupils, but rather a hint of scrutiny.

"Twenty years old? Male? Public health physician in Tokiwadai?" Her finger slid across the screen, opening the attached resume document.

"Graduated from university at seventeen, and a PhD in the University of Tokyo's medical school at nineteen? Tsk..." She let out a soft, ambiguous sigh. "Even in a place like Academy City, this resume is 'perfect'..."

“Your Majesty.” A steady voice came from behind. Junko Hokaze was walking towards them through the empty courtyard. Even though it was summer vacation, she was wearing Tokiwadai’s summer casual clothes, but even so, it couldn’t hide her figure, which was far beyond that of girls her age.

She held a sleek tablet in her hand, her steps unhurried. Approaching, she bowed slightly and respectfully handed over the tablet. "I have completed the preliminary data summary you requested."

Shokuhou lazily reached for the tablet, her fingers swiping across the screen, quickly scanning the text and charts. "Efficiency deserves praise, Junko." Without looking up, her voice carried its usual languid tone. "So, besides this dazzling resume, what... um... is there anything particularly noteworthy about our 'genius' Dr. Higashino, who parachuted in with the aura of a genius?"

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Runzi nodded and spoke clearly, “Based on the publicly available records that we can currently access within our authorized scope, as well as the retrospective analysis of public surveillance footage from some non-core areas, we can confirm the following: The target, Higashino Yu, is registered as 20 years old. He is registered as a ‘Original Stone’ ability user, with the ability name ‘Cognitive Reconstruction,’ and his official ability rating is Level 4. He officially joined our school’s health room as a school doctor on the 19th of this month, the day before summer vacation officially began.”

Runzi paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts for something more crucial: "However, the most significant anomaly lies in his onboarding process. All the usual personnel checks, background investigations, and most importantly—the school rules' strict requirement that 'health teachers must be women over 25 years of age'—were completely bypassed. His employment was granted by a special approval directly from the chairman's office; the procedures were…extremely simple and efficient."

"Oh?" Shokuhou was somewhat surprised that it was arranged personally by that high and mighty chairman. "The chairman personally arranged... personally gave the green light?" She finally raised her eyes and looked at Junko, the playful smile on her lips deepening, her starry eyes sparkling with undisguised interest.

"This is really... very interesting. A doctor whose resume is as clean as a freshly opened A4 sheet of paper, but whose background is so mysterious that it required the chairman's personal 'favor' to get him in... is probably much more complicated than we think."

“An identity that appeared out of nowhere… a position directly approved by the chairman… and yesterday’s ‘battle’…” she murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was as if she were talking to the air, but deep within her star-shaped pupils burned a pure and intense flame of curiosity, like a cat that had discovered a new toy.

“The most crucial thing, and the thing that concerns me the most…” she recalled the result of secretly using her ability when they met, “or today in the hospital room… the fact that my ‘mental control’… was completely ineffective against you…”

She gently closed the tablet, raised her head, and gazed across the empty courtyard and the scorching sunlight towards the distant hospital. "Higashino Yu..." Misaki Shokuhou parted her red lips slightly and clearly uttered the name, her tongue seemingly savoring a unique and novel candy composed of "mystery," "abnormality," and "immunity."

"This long and boring summer vacation... let me get to know you, my mysterious doctor. Let me see how many interesting 'little secrets' you have hidden."

Chapter 29 Welcome Banquet After Discharge

Two days later, Higashino Yu stood in front of the apartment.

The smell of disinfectant was a thing of the past; the gentle fragrance of lilies brought by early spring had overshadowed the lingering scent of medicine. She carefully tucked a bouquet of lilies, still glistening with morning dew, into his arms, her voice barely a whisper as she looked down at the medication list: "The doctor said… taking vitamin C supplements daily is very important for wound healing." She paused, her ears turning slightly red, "Um… a change of clothes for Higashino-senpai…"

"Here it is~!" Saten Ruiko's energetic voice boomed from the corner of the stairs. She rushed up, proudly waving the paper bag in her hand: "Ta-da! I even prepared senpai's 'personal gear'! Guaranteed to be pure cotton and breathable!" She deliberately shook the bag, her eyes gleaming with mischief. During his hospital stay, Haruharu delivered beautifully plated bento boxes every day, while Ruiko was responsible for purchasing fruits, magazines, and even personal items. This meticulous care stirred a strange warmth in Higashino's heart, and he was also glad that he had chosen Haruharu as his first target—her thoughtfulness far exceeded his expectations. And Ruiko's carefree and lively personality made the time in the hospital room less unbearable.

"S-Saten-kun!" Haru's face flushed instantly, and she blurted out a name she hadn't used in a long time in her panic. Since the three of them established their relationship, she had started calling him "Raiko" along with Higashino. Although she didn't understand why Higashino still insisted on calling her "Haru" instead of "Kari," she didn't press him for an answer. Just as she was stammering, trying to explain that "there was absolutely no other meaning," crisp footsteps came from the end of the corridor.

Misaka Mikoto's figure gradually came into view in the morning light, her amber eyes beneath her brown bangs carrying an awkward scrutiny. She slammed the exquisitely packaged gift box she was carrying onto the entryway, the condensation from the cool air beading on the counter. "Hmph!" She turned her head, her ears turning slightly red as her gaze swept over the open paper bag held by Ruiko. "What are you looking at! Protein intake is very important during recovery... This is premium Wagyu beef! I didn't buy it on purpose, it just didn't fit in my dorm fridge!" Her voice trailed off, almost becoming a mutter. Higashino chuckled inwardly—he knew this tsundere script all too well.

"Big Sister—!!" Shirai Kuroko teleported in, grabbing Mikoto's waist and rubbing her cheek against her shoulder, while giving Higashino a provocative look. She felt that her big sister had been paying too much attention to this legitimate harem man these past two days, and danger signals were flashing everywhere.

"Zi la——!"

"Ughhhh!" Mikoto delivered a precise electric shock, knocking Kuroko to the ground, wisps of smoke rising from her lips: "I told you not to suddenly hug me!"

Higashino shook his head helplessly and reached out to push open the apartment door.

Bang! The "Happy Recovery" balloon hanging in the entryway suddenly exploded. Amidst the scattering of ribbons, Mugino Shizuri leaned lazily against the doorframe, the green light lingering on her fingertips. Frenda, who was burying miniature toy bombs in the ribbons, froze in mid-air, her golden twin tails bristling like startled cat fur—Higashino always felt this hairstyle was ominous. Takitsubo Riko weakly reminded her from the sofa, "Frenda... that's super dangerous..." Kinuhata Saiai, chewing bubblegum, scanned the entire room with deadpan eyes: "What a lively welcome party. More troublesome than doing a mission."

"Surprise! Mugino~!" Frenda shoved the bomb back in a flash, replaced it with a pull-tab firecracker, and splattered paper scraps all over everyone: "Ta-da~ Frenda's special discharge gift pack! Safe and festive!" She blinked, trying to get away with her cuteness. After all, Higashino had strictly ordered her to conceal her identity as a member of the Dark Guard.

At that moment, Aiho Yomikawa appeared carrying groceries. Looking at the diverse group of girls crowding the entryway (and Kuroko, who was smoking on the ground), she frowned and said, "Your place is quite lively!"

"Haha, everyone is very enthusiastic." Higashino took the plastic bag and quietly activated his cognitive correction to erase the abnormal traces of Mugino and the others.

"Now that everyone's here~" Ruiko clapped her hands, breaking the silence, "Let's start the cooking competition! To celebrate Senpai's discharge from the hospital!" She dragged Haru into the kitchen: "Haru, come quick! You're best at tamagoyaki!" Mugino scoffed and followed with her arms crossed: "Tsk, troublesome. Kinuhata, Frenda, don't let the brat outdo you." Frenda bounced around, grabbing the stove: "Frenda's going to make a super~ delicious curry bomb... ah, I mean, curry rice!"

Higashino stared at the cramped apartment that had instantly erupted into chaos—Mikoto was glaring at Mugino in the kitchen, and Komoe-sensei was squeezing in on tiptoe while holding a clay pot—an ominous premonition loomed over him.

"Higashino-kun~ I brought some special nutritious porridge! It's super effective for restoring energy!" Tsukuyomi Komoe finally squeezed in front of him, holding up a clay pot that was way too big for her. As the lid was lifted slightly, a strange smell of herbs and burnt protein wafted out, and grotesque ingredients resembling dried lizards floated in the thick purple broth. Cold sweat trickled down Higashino's back: He clearly remembered that Komoe was a good cook, so why did everything she made for him always look like a magic potion experiment? He silently took a half step back, forcing a weak smile: "Um... everyone, my wound suddenly hurts... and I'm dizzy... I might need to go back to the hospital for a few more days of observation..."

Chapter 30 Being fed by so many beautiful girls is also a kind of trouble.

The kitchen was bustling with activity. Although there were occasional minor mishaps, overall, the girls' culinary skills far exceeded Higashino Yu's expectations. The air was filled with various enticing aromas, weaving together a delicious symphony.

Shiori Haruharu was undoubtedly the most reliable presence in the kitchen. Wearing a clean apron, her movements were crisp and efficient, each action executed with practiced skill. On the counter in front of her, glistening sushi rolls were neatly arranged, each grain of rice distinct, wrapping tender sashimi, crisp cucumber, and crab sticks. Beside her, in an elegant bento box, delicate pink cherry blossom rice balls, golden-brown and fragrant tamagoyaki, and vibrant green broccoli garnished the space—a harmonious and pleasing sight. She was preparing to place the last rice ball she had just made.

"Early Spring~ Can I borrow a little bit of salad dressing?" Saten Ruiko rushed past Early Spring, carrying a plate of freshly mixed fruit salad. Bright red strawberries, kiwis, and oranges were piled high in the glass bowl, drizzled with honey yogurt dressing, looking refreshing and appetizing. Ruiko was always full of creativity; she even carved two lifelike little rabbits out of apple peels and placed them on top as decorations.

"Mmm! Saten's salad looks delicious!" Frenda leaned in, her eyes shining. She was also carrying a tray with delicate little cream puffs, each topped with fluffy cream flowers and garnished with fresh blueberries. "I'm super good at desserts! Everyone can try my delicious cream puffs later!" She proudly shook her head. Originally, she wanted to offer Higashino her favorite canned mackerel, but Takitsubo stopped her, saying that homemade dishes were more sincere.

On the other side, Misaka Mikoto was carefully preparing the premium Wagyu beef steak. She meticulously patted the surface of the steak dry with kitchen paper towels, then sprinkled it with sea salt and black peppercorns. "Hmm, temperature... is important," she muttered to herself, trying to recall the cooking videos she had watched. "It needs high heat to lock in the juices..." However, when she placed the steak into the sizzling pan, a loud "sizzle" accompanied by splattering oil made her gasp slightly, reflexively leaning back and almost tripping.

"Onee-sama! Let Kuroko help you!" Shirai Kuroko teleported to Mikoto's side like a ghost, already holding a spatula, her eyes gleaming as she stared at the steak (or rather, at the opportunity to help Mikoto). Mikoto was startled: "Kuroko! You can't use teleportation in the kitchen! It's dangerous... Ah!" Before she could finish speaking, Kuroko, in her overly eager attempt to flip the steak, made a large movement, and her elbow "accidentally" knocked over the bowl of sauce that Hatsuharu had just prepared to marinate the meat!

*Splash!* Dark sauce instantly splattered all over Mikoto's steak, and worse, a few drops splashed directly onto her pristine white shirt cuffs! "Kuro! Ko!" Mikoto's voice rose sharply, accompanied by a series of crackling sounds. "Ah, oh, I'm so sorry, Onee-sama! Kuroko will help you change right away! Let Kuroko clean you up with her tongue... oh no, with a wet wipe!" Kuroko frantically tried to wipe Mikoto's cuffs and steak with tissues. "I-Idiot! Don't touch that steak!" Mikoto blushed and dodged Kuroko's "rescue," creating a chaotic scene.

On the other side of the relatively quiet cooking counter, Mugino Shizuri maintained a cold expression throughout, but her movements as she handled the ingredients were exceptionally efficient. However, she was still somewhat concerned about what was happening on the other side, glancing over frequently, especially when she noticed Mikoto's predicament, and couldn't help but laugh. The ingredients she brought were all fresh scallops and prawns flown in from the air. She slowly and methodically pan-fried the scallops in butter, controlling the heat perfectly; the edges of the scallop meat were a perfect caramel color, while the center was tender and juicy, the aroma so rich it was impossible to ignore. Kinuhata Saiai stood beside her, silently acting as her helper, occasionally handing her the necessary seasonings or plates. Takitsubo Riko, on the other hand, huddled in a corner chair, holding a cup of hot water, watching everyone busy themselves with a bit of boredom. She wanted to help, but there was no room for her in the kitchen; being a little slower, she could only be a spectator.

Tsukuyomi Komoe, standing on tiptoe, finally managed to place the enormous clay pot on the stove. "The nutritious porridge is here! This time it's an improved version!" she exclaimed confidently, lifting the lid. Although the broth was still a pale purple, with what appeared to be goji berries and dried longan floating on top, the indescribable odor had noticeably lessened, replaced by a sweet, herbal scent.

"Alright, alright!" Aiho Yomikawa stood at the kitchen doorway, clapping her hands. "Is the food almost ready? Some of the dishes will get cold if we don't eat soon. Higashino..." She turned to look at Higashino Yu, who was squeezed into the living room and practically doing nothing, and gave him a bright smile. "You, the injured soldier, will be in charge of the most important task today—tasting!" As soon as she said this, the kitchen fell silent for half a second, and then all eyes suddenly focused on Higashino.

"Ah...yes! Leave it to me!" Higashino immediately sat up straight, feeling a great responsibility on his shoulders, while also secretly looking forward to it. Haruharu was the first to bring over her bento box, a slightly shy, expectant smile on her face. "Higashino-senpai, please try some?" Higashino picked up a thick omelet; it was soft and sweet, perfectly cooked; the sushi rice was chewy, and the ingredients were fresh. "Very delicious! Haruharu's cooking is as perfect as ever!" Haruharu happily lowered her head, her smile sweet.

Ruizi immediately squeezed over. "Come on, senior, try my energy salad! Guaranteed to give you a boost of energy!" Refreshing fruit paired with a slightly sweet yogurt dressing, and an adorable apple bunny. "Sweet and sour, very much in Ruizi's style! The bunny is cute too!" Ruizi proudly flashed a V-sign. Not to be outdone, Frenda practically hopped over, presenting the largest cream puff as if it were a treasure. "Delicious cream puff! Frenda's creations are always top-notch!" The puff's outer layer was crispy, the cream light and not greasy, and the bursting blueberry juice added flavor. "Hmm, the cream is very smooth, the sweetness is just right, I really am amazing." Frenda proudly puffed out her chest, but unfortunately, the curve was a bit disappointing. However, the taste was indeed good, no wonder she was so confident.

It was Mikoto's turn. The steak, unfortunately stained with sauce, was placed in front of Higashino. She still wore a hint of annoyance at her stained cuffs and a slight lack of confidence in her handling, but her eyes held anticipation. Higashino carefully cut off a piece. It must be said, the quality of the premium Wagyu beef was excellent, perfectly cooked medium-rare, with an enticing pink interior and abundant juices; the sauce unexpectedly added a touch of flavor. "The texture of the meat is fantastic, very juicy, and the flavors are perfectly blended!" Mikoto visibly relaxed, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips: "Hmph...it's alright, just a quick fix."

Mugino Shizuri merely nodded in acknowledgment. Kinuhata silently placed a pan-fried scallop and a peeled prawn on a small plate and presented them to Higashino. The prawn meat was springy and sweet, the scallop perfectly cooked, with a perfect balance of smoky and tender flavors. Seasoned only with simple salt and black pepper, it brought out the natural taste of the ingredients to their fullest. "...This is amazing." Higashino exclaimed sincerely, never expecting that Mugino, a genuine young lady from a wealthy family, would have such excellent cooking skills. "The scallop is tender and juicy, and the sweetness of the prawn is fully brought out. Mugino's skills...are truly impressive." Mugino gave a soft hum, picked up her coffee cup, and took a sip, but there seemed to be a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

Xiaomeng also ladled out a small bowl of her "special nutritious porridge," looking at Dongye with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. "Try it, I really improved it this time!" Dongye scooped up a spoonful and blew on it. Although it looked like a culinary disaster, it was far better than the tamagoyaki she made the first time they met. It seemed she was just not good at making tamagoyaki. The taste was a delicate aroma of rice and the sweetness of herbs (mainly goji berries and longan), cooked to a perfect soft and chewy texture. "Mmm! It's very fragrant and warms the stomach. It really makes a big difference! Thank you so much, Teacher Xiaomeng!" Xiaomeng was so happy she almost jumped for joy.

"Higashino-kun~ Please try my... uh... heartfelt treat too!" Shirai Kuroko, not wanting to be left out, handed over a small plate containing two rather plain (even slightly wilted) pieces of grilled fish, seemingly scraps secretly taken from Haruharu's bento and reheated. "This is Kuroko's... concern for Dr. Higashino's injury!" Mikoto sighed, rubbing her forehead, feeling embarrassed by her junior's performance. Despite having decent cooking skills, she'd managed to fob him off with something like this. Higashino forced a bite. Hmm... just ordinary grilled fish (Haruharu's creation, not bad). "Hmm... thank you for your concern, Kuroko. It tastes like Haruharu." He responded subtly, earning a slightly embarrassed eye roll from Kuroko.

Just as Higashino Yu was immersed in the variety of delicious food, marveling at how wonderful this "tasting perk" was, Ruiko suddenly brought over a glass of an unidentified liquid mixed with various colored fruit juices, a mischievous smile on her face: "Ta-da~! Spring Special Love Energy Drink Upgrade! It contains my salad dressing essence, Frenda's cream puffs, and a little bit of Little Moe Teacher's secret nutritional essence! Higashino-senpai~ please drink it all down for your recovery!" Under the light, the liquid presented an indescribable, fantastical color, a mixture of all the ingredients' hues.

Chu Chun's face turned pale: "Rai, Rui! You can't drink that!" Frenda covered her face: "Ah! Frenda's cream!" Teacher Xiaomeng panicked as well: "People, people's nutritional essence is medicine, you can't just add it randomly!" Looking at the "super mixed energy drink" that was emitting a suspicious smell, and then looking at the dangerous and excited light flashing in Rui's eyes, Higashino Yu, who was just immersed in happiness, instantly had a bead of cold sweat slide down his forehead.

Chapter 31 The Invisible Shura Field

The commotion in the kitchen finally subsided, but Higashino still didn't drink the terrifying "super energy drink" that Ruiko was drinking.

"Tears, this is really... bad for your health..."

As Chu Chun spoke, she firmly stopped Ruizi's 'poisoning' attempt.

As she watched the water being carefully and decisively poured into the sink, Chu Chun breathed a sigh of relief, a smile of relief spreading across her face.

With everyone's cooperation, more than twenty dishes of various shapes and sizes, from the exquisite sushi bento boxes that looked like works of art in early spring, to the colorful fruit salad by Ruiko, and the tempting butter scallops by Mugino, finally filled the long table that had been temporarily pieced together.

The last rays of the setting sun, like the gentlest filter, streamed through the window and gently brushed against Takitsubo Riho's drooping eyelashes.

The listless girl, who had been looking rather dull from the start, was placed in the most comfortable corner of the dining table, where she huddled like a small, frightened animal.

She was already very weak, and today she also had her period. She didn't plan to go out at all if she didn't want to attend Higashino's discharge welcome party.

Before her sat a small bowl of unspiced porridge, prepared especially for her in early spring. It exuded a simple and warm aroma of rice. In this culinary battlefield, which can be described as a "hundred schools of thought contending" and even has a bit of an "arms race" feel to it, this bowl of white porridge was as simple as a quiet oasis in the desert.

However, not all dishes are so "friendly".

Mikoto's grilled fish still had some suspicious blue-green electrostatic fluorescence on its surface, and even with a faint residual current, one or two fish scales stubbornly stood upright; Kuroko, on the other hand, used spatial teleportation to successfully seize the seat to Misaka Mikoto's left in the seat-grabbing battle, and was now looking at Higashino with a provocative and smug look.

On the other side, Saten Ruiko was smiling as she forcefully "fed" a freshly made, steaming hot takoyaki into Hinaharu's slightly open mouth, which was filled with astonishment: "Ah~ Hinaharu, you've worked hard! Try my takoyaki! It's super~ bouncy!"

In early spring, I was caught off guard by the heat and my eyes welled up with tears. But I couldn't bear to refuse the warmth of the tears, so I could only take small sips and chew, looking both pitiful and cute.

"Raise a glass!!"

Frenda suddenly jumped excitedly onto the chair, her blonde twin ponytails swaying in the air, making Higashino feel an urge to reach out and tug at them.

However, considering that doing so in this situation would likely prevent me from guaranteeing my safety given my current abilities, I am not sure I could do so.

But I'll definitely try it when I have the chance in the future!

Frenda raised the glass full of grape juice high, the large movement causing the purplish-red juice to spill out, precisely staining the cuff of Mugino Shizuri's new coat that she had specially worn that day.

"Celebrating the newcomer's rebirth!"

"Noisy!"

Mugino's face instantly darkened to a depths that could drip water, and her eyes were so cold they could freeze a person to death.

"You've dirtied my clothes... Have you thought about how you're going to apologize?"

"Mugino, don't be angry. Frenda didn't mean it."