In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 177

Higashino Yu looked at the two girls and said, "Shiori, aren't you being a bit too formal with yourself by saying that?"

Chun Shang Jinyi lowered her head and said softly, "That's right, that's right. Actually, I'm the one who should be thanking you. I'm sorry for interrupting your date." Although she was usually oblivious, after being a third wheel for so long, she finally realized how abrupt her request had been yesterday. Luckily, her roommate was easy to talk to; anyone else would never have agreed to her request.

"No, not at all," Higashino Yu and Uiharu Kazari answered in unison, then smiled at each other. Actually, the addition of Haruue Emi didn't bother them much; in fact, it made things even more lively.

"Let's go, let's go to the next stop!" Higashino said, and the three of them continued to move slowly through Academy City.

Chapter 212 Higashino Yuu has a harem of ten thousand men!

Leaving the lush botanical garden, the three strolled along the streets back to the Seventh School District.

The setting sun painted the sky a warm orange-red, and the surrounding noise gradually subsided, creating a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.

While Haruharu Shiori was still excitedly talking about the rare plants she had just seen, Haruhiko listened quietly with a faint smile on her face.

Just then, Higashino Yu casually asked, "Speaking of which, Haruka-kun, why did you suddenly transfer to Sakugawa Middle School? I don't think you've mentioned it in detail before."

Although Higashino knew perfectly well why Haruka Emi had come here, he couldn't possibly claim to have precognitive abilities.

That way, when Chun Shangjin takes the initiative to lift the branch and trip her, it will be natural for me to take her to see her childhood sweetheart.

Haruka Koi paused slightly, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia and barely perceptible sadness: "Actually... I came here hoping to find a friend. We haven't seen each other for a long time, and I only know that she's probably in Academy City."

"friend?"

Chu Chun Shiri immediately leaned closer with concern, as she hadn't heard Chun Shang Jin Yi mention it in the past two days.

"What's her name? Maybe we can find out for you! I know a lot of people, and I can even use my disciplinary committee privileges to investigate for you."

She enthusiastically offered the suggestion, while secretly giving Higashino Yu a knowing look.

Higashino Yu looked at Shiori's gaze with some confusion, but after a moment's thought, he seemed to understand, and suddenly felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

My girlfriend is just... how should I put it, she's way too considerate! She actually has the idea of ​​helping me out, it's so cute.

Chun Shang Jin Yi glanced gratefully at Chu Chun and said softly, "Her name is... Zhi Xian Fan Li."

"The branch gets caught in the mess first?"

Higashino Yu showed a hint of surprise at just the right moment, and pondered for a moment.

"This name... I feel like I vaguely remember it."

"Really?!"

Haruka Koi suddenly raised her head, her clear eyes instantly brightening. Overwhelmed with emotion, she grabbed Higashino Yu's arm.

"Senior! Do you really know? Please tell me!"

Her voice was filled with urgency and anticipation.

Higashino Yu felt the slight pressure on his arm and the girl's excitement, and smiled gently: "Yes, if I remember correctly, I do know a girl with that name. But..."

He paused, then saw that Chun Shang Jinyi immediately tensed up before continuing.

She is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

"Hospital?!"

Chun Shangjinyi's heart clenched instantly, her face filled with worry.

"Kiri...what's wrong with her? Is it serious?"

"don’t worry."

Higashino Yu's voice carried a reassuring strength as he patted the top of her head.

"There's nothing seriously wrong with her now; she just needs some rest to recover her strength. Now is the perfect time to visit her."

Haruhi immediately chimed in, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go see your friend now, Haruhi!"

"C-can it?"

Spring, wearing a collared robe, looks towards Dongye You.

"of course."

Higashino Yu nodded and naturally took out his phone.

"I'll contact them over there."

Soon after, the three arrived at a hospital that Higashino knew all too well.

At the door, a woman wearing a white coat, with dark circles under her eyes and a languid air, was already waiting there; it was Kiyama Harumi.

"Mr. Kiyama?!"

When Haruharu saw her, she blurted out in surprise.

"Shouldn't you be..."

After the last incident involving the fantasy master, Uiharu Kazari clearly remembered that Kiyama Harumi was arrested, and she even went to visit her afterwards.

Logically speaking, Kiyama Harumi, who committed such a crime, should not have been released from prison so quickly; he should have been imprisoned for at least a few years.

Higashino Yu gently patted Haru's shoulder and explained, "Ms. Kiyama's situation is rather special. She has been released on bail and is now taking care of these children, which is part of her atonement and continued research. Haru's friends are actually Kiyama's students."

Chu Chun Shili nodded as if she understood but not quite.

Kiyama Harumi didn't exchange many pleasantries. Her gaze fell on Haruue Emi, and her tone was calm but carried a subtle gentleness: "You must be Haruue Emi, the friend that Kizuna has been talking about."

"Yes, it is!"

Chun Shangjinyi nodded excitedly.

"Come with me, she just finished dinner."

Kiyama Haruo turned and led the way.

The group arrived outside a clean hospital room. Through the glass window in the door, they could see a girl with short brown hair sitting on the bed, quietly eating fruit.

Kiyama Haruka pushed open the door.

Zhi Xianfen raised her head in confusion, and when her gaze fell on Chun Shang Jinyi, her eyes widened instantly, and the small fork in her hand fell onto the plate with a "clatter," her face filled with disbelief.

"Jin...yi...?"

She murmured, her voice trembling.

"Kizuri!"

Chun Shang Jinyi could no longer hold back; her eyes instantly reddened, and she rushed inside excitedly.

The two long-separated friends immediately held each other's hands tightly and began to talk excitedly. The small ward was filled with the joy of their reunion and sobs.

Seeing this heartwarming scene, Higashino Yu, Uiharu Kazari, and Kiyama Harumi tacitly left the room and gently closed the door.

"I'll go check on the other children's meals."

Kiyama Harumi said something simple, then lazily turned and left.

Only Higashino Yuu and Uiharu Kazari remained in the corridor. Higashino Yuu turned his head and looked at the girl beside him with a half-smile: "Kazari."

"Hmm? What's wrong, Yu-kun?"

Shiori Haru was still happy about the reunion she had just witnessed.

"You today..."

Higashino Yu deliberately drew out his words, leaned close to her ear, and whispered.

"Something's not right with her behavior. Ever since the dessert shop, she's been pushing Haruka-san so enthusiastically towards me?"

Haruharu's face flushed red instantly, her eyes darting left and right, waving her hands helplessly: "N-nothing like that! Yu-kun, you're mistaken! I just... I just think Haru is cute and want to take care of her a little more! It's you, Senpai, who's just being a pervert and overthinking things!"

"Oh? I'm a lecher?"

Higashino Yu raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

She actually dared to say she was a lecherous person. Although it's true, slandering her boyfriend will come at a price.

Moreover, because of the third wheel on today's date, he didn't have a chance to get too close to Shiori, and Higashino Yu had been wanting to tease her for a long time.

"Then I'll show you how lustful I can be."

After saying that, he stretched out his arm and easily pulled Chu Chun Shiri closer, trapping her between the wall and himself.

Before Haruharu could react, he had already lowered his head and kissed her lips, which were slightly parted in surprise.

"Well……!"

Shiori Hatsuharu struggled symbolically for a moment, but quickly became immersed in the sudden kiss, her arms unconsciously wrapping around Higashino Yu's neck.

After a while, Higashino Yu reluctantly released her. Uiharu Kazari, her cheeks flushed and breathless, playfully punched his chest in embarrassment and annoyance: "Yu, you big pervert! This is a hospital corridor!"

Higashino Yu simply smiled and ruffled her hair. The two sat on a bench in the corridor for a while, calming their racing hearts.

At that moment, the ward door was gently pushed open, and Chun Shang Jinyi walked out, her face still flushed with excitement and a satisfied smile.

"Haru, aren't you going to chat a little longer?"

Chu Chun Shiri stood up and asked.

Haruka Eni shook her head, her voice soft: "No need, Banri needs more rest, she's already asleep. Kiyama-sensei said we can come see her more often in the future."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Higashino Yu, her eyes filled with immense gratitude.

She walked up to Higashino Yu and bowed deeply and solemnly: "Higashino-senpai, thank you so much! Kiyama-sensei told me that you saved Kizuna and the others and gave them a chance to recover... Thank you!"

Her voice choked with emotion.

After straightening up, perhaps overwhelmed with emotion, she suddenly stepped forward, excitedly hugged Higashino Yu, and then tiptoed to quickly kiss him on the cheek!

After doing all this, she seemed to realize what she had done, and she took a step back abruptly, her face turning bright red instantly. She stammered helplessly, "I-I'm sorry! Higashino-senpai! I-I was too excited...I'm really so sorry!"

She glanced nervously at Uiharu Kazari beside her, as if afraid she would be angry. After all, her actions just now were no less than Ntr's in front of her; it was too much.

Shiori Haru blinked in surprise, then smiled helplessly and waved her hand: "It's okay, Jinyi. Anyway, this guy often kisses other girls in front of us at home, so we're used to it."

Her tone was slightly teasing, showing no sign of anger.

If she cared about such things, she probably would have been furious back at the villa, where there were so many people. It would have been even more outrageous to take photos a few days in advance.

"Eh? Really?"

Haruka Koi was stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief as she looked at Higashino Yu.

Uiharu Kazari sighed and stated in a factual tone, "Yeah, just the day before yesterday, during the photoshoot, this guy kissed me and several other girls at the same time..."

Recalling that absurd and shameful scene, her face flushed again.

Haruka Koi was completely stunned. Her mouth gaped open, and after a long while, she murmured, "...As expected of the legendary 'legal harem man' with tens of thousands of girlfriends... He's really, really amazing..."

Higashino Yu: "???"

A legal harem man? There's such an urban legend? When did I get that title? And what's with the "tens of thousands of girlfriends" thing? Who started this rumor?!

Higashino Yu maintained a smile on his face, but in his heart he kept cursing the rumor-mongers and vowed to find out who spread the information if he had the chance.

As the sun completely sank below the horizon and the city lights began to twinkle, the three of them left the hospital with mixed feelings.

Harusaka Jinyi found a close friend, and a huge weight was lifted from her heart. Her gratitude and budding affection for Higashino Yu deepened.

Shiori Haru felt that her "assistance" seemed to be quite effective, but it seemed that more effort was needed.

Meanwhile, Higashino Yu began to ponder the urban legend that had suddenly surfaced and caught his attention—who had spread the rumor?

Chapter 213 The milk-filled popsicle that Ruizi ate tasted a little strange!

Leaving the hospital, Shiori looked up at the sky. The orange-red sunset had faded, and night was beginning to fall, dotted with a few early stars.

"Ah! Right, Yu-kun!"

Suddenly remembering something, Shiori Haru excitedly grabbed Higashino Yu's sleeve.

"I almost forgot! There's a huge fireworks display in District 7 tonight! Would you like to go watch it with me, senior?"

Higashino Yu, of course, knew there was a fireworks display tonight, and replied with a laugh, "Of course I'm going! It's a rare opportunity, I don't want to miss it. Besides..."

His gaze swept over Chu Chun and Chun Shang Jin Yi, and a hopeful smile appeared on his face.