In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 172

"The children are awake, go and keep them company."

Higashino's voice was calm and even, as if he had only done something insignificant. He glanced at Kiyama Harumi, who was overwhelmed with excitement.

"I'll go get the doctor to come and check on you. I'll leave this to you."

Kiyama Haruo nodded frantically, tears still streaming down his face, all his words turning into grateful glances.

Higashino didn't linger and turned to leave the ward. The ward behind him was instantly filled with the children's calls, Kiyama Harumi's choked-up response, and an immense joy of surviving a catastrophe.

Higashino had only taken a few steps in the corridor.

"Dr. Higashino! Please wait a moment!"

Theristina's voice came from behind, tinged with urgency and a shock that had not yet completely subsided.

Higashino stopped and turned around, his face still showing the same calm and composed expression, as if he had expected her to follow him.

Theristina walked quickly to him, a smile returning to her face, but it was clearly stiff, and a complex light flickered in the depths of her eyes.

"As expected of the number one in Academy City, the one closest to a Level 6 Absolute Ability user."

Her tone carried a deliberate flattery.

"The power that Dr. Higashino displayed is truly breathtaking! This ability to instantly awaken someone from a deep coma is simply... a miracle!"

Even though I was mentally prepared on the way, I was still surprised by how easily Higashino could wake up the children.

After all, those children's coma had been a long time-consuming and intractable problem, but Higashino solved it in just a few seconds.

She leaned forward slightly, her face displaying an expression that mingled with fervor and ambition. Her voice was low and alluring: "Dr. Higashino, someone like you, standing at the pinnacle of ability users, deserves a top-tier research team to serve you, helping you unravel the ultimate mysteries of your abilities and reach that legendary level, Level 6! I believe that with my research capabilities and resources, I am perfectly capable of serving as your exclusive researcher! Together, we can definitely create something unprecedented..."

She had been paying attention to Higashino for quite some time. When Higashino first became a Level 5, she applied to the higher-ups to become Higashino's exclusive researcher, but she never received a reply agreeing to her request.

"Level 6?"

A playful smile curved Dongye's lips as he interrupted her carefully prepared persuasion. His gaze was sharp as a knife, seemingly able to pierce through Theristina's meticulously constructed facade.

"That kind of thing is a piece of cake for me."

His voice suddenly turned cold, carrying a knowing sarcasm, as he clearly uttered a name: "Theristina Kihara Leifrain."

The name struck Theristina's heart like a thunderbolt!

All the expressions on her face froze instantly; the carefully maintained elegance and enthusiasm shattered like ice being broken. The pupils behind her glasses contracted sharply, filled with utter shock and disbelief: "You…how do you know that name?!"

She deliberately hid this name and didn't mention it when she introduced herself.

Higashino took a step closer, an invisible pressure instantly enveloping Theristina. His eyes were cold and deep, as if he were watching his prey's final struggle: "Of course I know you. The granddaughter of that old bastard Kihara Gensei… I deliberately chose to walk because you've been having people spying on me since this afternoon… or rather, spying on Kiyama Harumi, right?"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Theristina's heart like a hammer blow.

When leaving the supermarket, Higashino sensed someone was watching them, but since the monitor didn't seem to take any further action, he didn't pay much attention. After leaving the villa, it seemed the monitor hadn't left, so Higashino didn't use his ability immediately but chose to walk, hoping to lure the person out. And as expected, Theristina, the big fish, appeared.

"I also know that the ability suppressors used by the Giant Spider organization, and the 'specially made' equipment that Tenjo Ayumu used to deal with me... were all provided by you, weren't they?"

Higashino's words revealed her deepest secret!

The color drained from Theristina's face instantly, replaced by a deathly pallor and a twisted, ferocious expression. The fear of having her identity and conspiracy completely exposed, along with her apprehension of Higashino's unfathomable abilities, instantly overwhelmed her reason.

Higashino was right. Ever since learning of the tree diagram designer's evaluation of Higashino, she had wanted to contact him. At that time, Higashino was only Level 4. This legendary man, the most likely to become an absolute esper, could be brought under her wing, and Kihara's long-cherished wish would be fulfilled. But unfortunately, that good-for-nothing Tenjo Ayumu obtained her equipment but disappeared without providing any useful information. This has left her uncertain about approaching Higashino until now, and her application to become an exclusive researcher has also failed. It wasn't until today, after her subordinate monitoring Kiyama Harumi discovered her contact with Higashino, that she used the pretext of investigation to make contact.

She couldn't understand how Dongye knew her identity and her secret plans. But since things had come to this, then...

"Sorry, you know too much!"

A fierce glint flashed in her eyes, and with a low growl, her body suddenly unleashed superhuman speed and power. Her right fist, whistling through the air, slammed into Dongye's temple! Simultaneously, her other hand pressed a small button—a specially made ability suppressor she carried with her. At such close range, she didn't need to nullify Dongye's ability; even a mere second of disruption would be enough to knock him unconscious instantly!

However, her fist stopped abruptly, as if it had struck an invisible, indestructible wall, just inches away from Higashino's temple! Theristina felt her arm, no, her entire body, being held firmly in place by an irresistible force, unable to move even a finger! Her face was filled with horror and despair, and she could only stare helplessly at Higashino Yu's cold, silver-gray eyes.

"Foolish! It's the same old trick again. Can't you come up with something new?"

Higashino's voice was filled with undisguised contempt. He simply couldn't understand why these researchers were so confident that a mere ability suppressor would be effective against him. Even when he had just been promoted, a large ability suppressor could only have a slight effect on him; now, this thing's impact was probably like removing a single drop of water from the ocean.

He slowly raised his right hand, his index finger gently touching Therese's brow.

"Since you've chosen to attack me..."

Higashino's voice was as still as a deep well.

"Then spend the rest of your life paying the price for this foolishness."

The instant her fingertips touched the skin between her brows, Theristina felt as if her brain had been plunged into a massive, icy silver vortex! An unimaginably powerful will ruthlessly invaded the depths of her consciousness, utterly shattering and reshaping her original perceptions, memories, emotions, ambitions... everything!

Rebellion? The thought was crushed the moment it arose. Fear? Instantly replaced by a strange, absolute sense of trust. Ambition? Covered by a purer, more fervent sense of belonging and obedience. Who was she? Theristina Kihara Leverain? No, that name, that identity, those twisted ambitions… all crumbled like sandcastles in the silver torrent. A new, absolute core command was etched into the deepest recesses of her soul, replacing all that had been:

Absolutely loyal to Master Higashino Yu. Dedicate everything to serving Master Higashino Yu. Master Higashino Yu's will is above all else.

The silver light slowly faded from Dongye's pupils. The power that had been binding her body also vanished. Theristina swayed slightly, but quickly regained her balance. The ferocity, horror, and ambition on her face disappeared, replaced by an almost holy calm and an indescribable piety. She slowly and deeply lowered her head, her posture humble to the point of being almost invisible, her voice clear and steady, carrying a heartfelt submission:

"Owner."

Higashino withdrew his finger, looked at the completely transformed "Theristina," and nodded in satisfaction. He had wanted to control her since the moment he saw her; otherwise, if he let this woman act freely, she might cause some trouble one day.

He reached out and gently patted her shoulder, as if caressing a newly acquired, handy tool.

"very good."

The familiar, slightly playful smile reappeared on Higashino's lips.

"What you just mentioned about becoming my personal researcher..."

Theristina immediately raised her head, her eyes gleaming with fervent light, as if bestowed with supreme glory: "Yes! Master! Theristina will do everything in her power to unravel the mysteries of 'Cognitive Reconstruction' for you, paving the way for you to ascend to Level 6! Mar's resources and connections will also serve you entirely!"

Her tone was full of fervor.

"Um."

Higashino nodded slightly.

"Then apply again. You know the procedures yourself. I'll get back to the council leadership with my decision later."

Although it's completely useless, it's not bad to swindle some funding. Besides, Academy City actually sent him quite a few researcher profiles to choose from, but he just hadn't responded. This time, arranging for this slave, who has completely become one of his own, to be his personal researcher can be considered as settling one matter.

"Yes, Master! I'll apply shortly!"

There was no hesitation on Theristina's part; she immediately agreed, her eyes filled with pure obedience and joy.

"Master, is there anything you need Theristina to do for you right now? Make a cup of black tea? Or…?"

"No need."

Higashino waved his hand, his gaze drifting towards the ward, where the lively, energetic sounds of children waking up could still be heard.

"Go do what you need to do. I'll call you when we leave the hospital."

As for calling her after leaving the hospital, it's because this kind of bad woman can't be let off so easily; she has to be severely punished.

"Yes, Master."

Theristina bowed deeply again, then, like a most dutiful servant, quietly and silently stepped back a few paces, turned around, and disappeared at the end of the corridor with steady and respectful steps.

Higashino stood there, looking in the direction Theristina had disappeared, then turned back to look at the hospital room door from which laughter had come, a meaningful smile on his face. A new "exclusive researcher" with powerful research capabilities and resources, a Kihara clan completely under his control—it seemed... not bad.

He straightened his collar, put on a gentle and harmless smile again, and walked towards Dr. Guatai's duty room, as if everything that had just happened was just an insignificant little episode in the corridor late at night.

Chapter 206 Springtime Robes

In the student dormitory.

After a busy afternoon helping a transfer student who was also her new roommate, Chu Chun finally had some free time.

She sat cross-legged on the edge of her dormitory bed, engrossed in flipping through a photo album.

The warm yellow light of the desk lamp enveloped her, illuminating the bright sunlight, the azure sea, and herself in a swimsuit, almost completely clinging to Higashino Yu's arm, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.

The other picture shows her and Ruiko, one on each side, kissing Higashino's cheeks at the same time.

Turn the page again, and there are some other photos. There are group photos taken in various places in Tokiwadai during the day, photos from the party at my senior's house last time, and photos from the first date I went on with Ruiko and my senior.

In particular, the moment when the three of them kissed at the same time in the restaurant was not actually photographed.

But before she left the day before yesterday, her senior snapped his fingers and conjured it up. He said he used his ability to extract scenes from his memories. Although she didn't quite understand the principle, she could only say that he was truly worthy of being her senior, and incredibly amazing.

The senior colleague specifically mentioned that this photo was a rare and precious memory for the three of them. She wholeheartedly agreed, as these photos were indeed precious memories for her.

"senior……"

She murmured softly, looking at Higashino's profile in the photo with a doting smile. A sweet warmth spread through her heart, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

Although she had a great time visiting the summer festival with her senior today, she felt a little regretful because she missed her senior's date invitation in the afternoon.

But it's alright! She has no other plans for tomorrow, and everything is fine with the disciplinary committee!

A date! I absolutely have to ask my senior out!

"Wow..."

The bathroom door was opened, and a pinkish-white figure emerged, enveloped in rising steam.

Chun Shang Jin Yi, with her short, smooth hair still dripping wet, was only wrapped in a plain-colored bath towel, the corner barely covering her upper thighs. She haphazardly dried her neck with the towel, her voice soft and sweet: "Chu Chun, I'm done washing, you can go wash now."

"Ah good!"

As if waking from a dream, Chu Chun hurriedly closed the photo album and casually placed it in the middle of the bed. She stood up, turned her back to Chun Shang, and began to deftly take off her school uniform jacket and pleated skirt, revealing a cute light pink bra underneath.

The girl's slender yet graceful shoulders and back were exposed under the light, revealing her petite and exquisite curves.

"Wow……"

Chun Shangjin paused in her act of drying her hair, her eyes filled with undisguised envy as she looked at Chu Chun.

"In early spring, your skin... is so beautiful, like milk, so white and glowing."

Her voice was soft, giving the impression that she was easy to bully.

As Chu Chun bent down to grab her change of clothes, she smiled a little embarrassedly upon hearing this. She quickly grabbed her pajamas, hugged them to her chest, turned around, and waved her hands, saying, "No, no! Chun Shang, your skin is amazing! It's so smooth and moisturized, it looks so silky!"

She mustered her courage, reached out her finger, and gently poked Chun Shangjin's cheeks, which were still damp with moisture and flushed with a healthy blush.

"Eh?!"

Harusaka Jinyi was taken aback by this sudden "attack," then giggled and reached out to tickle Harusaka's waist: "Ouch! It tickles! Harusaka, you ambushed me!"

"Hahaha! Stop, stop it! It tickles so much, Haru!"

Chu Chun was also ticklish, and immediately curled up into a ball, laughing and begging for mercy. The two girls, wrapped in bath towels and wearing only underwear, instantly started making a ruckus by the small dormitory bed, their cheerful laughter and pleas for mercy filling the entire room. It wasn't until Chu Chun was laughing so hard she almost choked that Chun Shang finally stopped, still not quite satisfied.

"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore. Go take a shower!"

Chun Shang Jin Yi smiled and nudged her.

Panting, Chu Chun clutched her pajamas and rushed into the still steamy bathroom as if fleeing.

The room fell silent.

Chun Shang Jinyi sat down on the edge of the bed, picked up the hair dryer, and the buzzing sound of the air quickly filled the air. After drying her smooth short hair, her gaze involuntarily fell on the photo album with one corner open in the center of the bed.

When I closed it in early spring, it seemed I hadn't pressed it down tightly enough, and a brightly colored corner of it was showing.

What photo could have captivated Chu Chun so much, making her smile so sweetly? Curiosity, like a kitten's claws, gently scratched at her heart.

She couldn't help but reach out and carefully flip through the entire photo album.

The first photo that caught her eye made her hold her breath for a moment.

On the azure beach, Chu Chun, dressed in a swimsuit, stood close to a tall, handsome, and slender black-haired boy with a refreshing smile. Her arms were intimately wrapped around his, and her cheek was almost pressed against his shoulder.

The boy tilted his head slightly to look at Chuchun, his eyes so tender they could melt tears, and in the background, you could see the figure of Saten Ruiko.

"Wow..."

Chun Shang Jinyi gasped softly, instinctively covering her mouth, her eyes widening even further.

"Early spring... How daring! Getting so close to a boy..."

The intimacy in the photo almost leaped off the page. Her fair cheeks began to flush slightly, but her fingers honestly turned to the next page.

The next page, still set against a beach backdrop, presents an even more striking image—Haru and Saten Ruiko, one on each side, simultaneously tilt their heads back and press their lips to the handsome boy's cheek! The boy, sandwiched in the middle, smiles with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence. The smiles of all three are dazzlingly bright.

"what?!"

Haruka Koi was completely stunned, her gaze falling on Saten Ruiko's bright smiling face in the photo.

"Saten-san... is she being so close to this man too? They're both wearing swimsuits... and even together..."