In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 117

Junko, however, showed no reaction to Higashino's gaze and couldn't understand what he was trying to say. She just stared at him blankly, waiting for him to continue.

"but……"

He abruptly changed the subject, revealing a smile familiar to Junko Hokaze—the kind of smile that seemed to come from someone who had done something wrong.

"If Shokuhou-kun herself has any feelings for me, then... well, I guess there's nothing I can do about it. After all, charm is something you can't stop, right?"

"what?!"

Junko Homikaze's heart, which had just settled down, jumped again, and she tightened her grip on Gekota.

Looking at Dongye's matter-of-fact yet somewhat narcissistic expression, she wanted to retort, but then she remembered the Queen's recent unusually sweet demeanor and frequent visits to his villa... Could it be that the Queen really...? She stammered, her face scrunched up, completely at a loss for words.

"This...this..."

The topic returned to its starting point, but this time there was no coercion, and Higashino's statement was ambiguous, leaving her doubts unresolved to this day.

"Alright, that concludes today's 'consultation' session."

Higashino stopped teasing her and straightened up.

"Take your frog and go home. Remember what I said, if you pretend to be sick again next time, the punishment won't be so gentle."

Junko Hokkaido, feeling like she'd been granted a pardon, hugged her frog plushie and bowed deeply to Higashino: "Yes! I understand! Thank you, Dr. Higashino!"

After saying that, she hugged her new baby frog and turned to escape from this place that had taken her from hell to heaven and then to unbearable shame and indignation.

As for the true nature of the relationship between Higashino and the Queen, it's probably, possibly, somewhat ambiguous, given how things have been discussed...

Just as her hand was about to touch the doorknob—

"Oh!"

Without warning, Junko slipped! She let out a short cry of surprise, lost her balance, and fell forward while still clutching her Gekota plushie!

"careful!"

Higashino's voice rang out at just the right moment, carrying a perfectly timed hint of "surprise" and "concern." He swayed, his movements incredibly fast, as if he had anticipated her fall, and instantly appeared directly in front of her, arms outstretched as if to catch her.

However, this "catching" process was full of dramatic coincidences, or rather, it was an "accident" carefully designed by someone.

The force of the tackle, combined with Higashino's "meeting" motion, instantly reduced the distance between the two to zero!

"Well!"

Junko felt her lips crash heavily against something warm and soft.

It was Higashino's mouth, feigned surprise, that opened wide! The distinct sensation and warmth of the touch exploded in her mind! This...this...this was a real...kiss?!

What made her mind go blank and her soul leave her body was that, driven by the instinct to fall, her free hand (the hand holding the frog was stiffly guarding her chest) subconsciously reached forward and grabbed wildly, trying to grab anything she could use to steady herself.

"Pfft!"

That frantic hand grabbed something squarely.

That's about the future that this world will ultimately head towards.

Now it's Higashino's turn to be embarrassed!

Although he had planned the beginning of the matter perfectly, the unexpected turn of events made things extremely difficult for him.

Higashino felt that he had strengthened one of Junko Hokaze's perceptions, while weakening another.

Don't let Junko Hokkaido's gentle and shy appearance fool you; she's a genuine superhuman. She can influence Higashino's future with just a flick of her finger.

Time seems to have frozen.

Junko Hokkaido froze in Higashino's arms. The Gekota plushie that was blocking her way fell to the ground the moment it touched the future, and her free hand pressed directly against Higashino's chest.

Higashino's left hand firmly supported her slender waist, preventing her from falling even more awkwardly, while his other hand happened to be placed in a place where she could rest comfortably.

He looked down at the petrified girl in his arms, at her cheeks that had instantly turned bright red, almost steaming.

Oh, sorry Fanfeng, it seems the punishment needs to be changed.

Higashino chuckled inwardly, a flash of silver light passing through the depths of his eyes.

Higashino, being petty and narrow-minded, certainly wouldn't let her faking illness and deception end with just a little teasing.

However, Higashino had only intended to teach her a small lesson, but his future was already in her hands. If he let her go like this, wouldn't he lose face?

How can a man's future be in a woman's hands?!

But on the surface, he wore a helpless expression that seemed to say it was "purely an accident," and even carried a perfectly appropriate sense of embarrassment.

"Cough cough... Are you alright, Fanfeng-kun?"

His voice trembled slightly as he tried to remain calm, as if he too was startled by the unexpected turn of events.

"It's all because the floor was too slippery. I'm glad you didn't fall."

She kept her head down, unable to utter a single word. Overwhelmed by shame, she just wanted to disappear from this planet immediately, forever!

She didn't want to affect the future of the man in front of her. Her initial plan was just to find out about his specific relationship with the Queen, but later she planned to prevent a certain possible future between him and the Queen.

But why did it turn out like this?! Runzi wanted to cry but had no tears, and forgot to pull her hand back, leaving it there.

"But you can't let your offense against me get away with it so easily now, like you did before."

"Dr. Higashino, I'm so sorry... I... I didn't mean to..."

Seeing her extremely ashamed appearance, Higashino Yu knew that the revised understanding he had given her, which made her feel so guilty that she would accept any punishment, had taken effect.

As long as Higashino speaks up, even the most unreasonable request will be considered reasonable and normal by Junko Hokaze.

Even if she tells others about the punishment, they will think it's justified.

The level of absurdity of his current abilities is completely different from what it was before. When he first completely altered Hatsuharu's perception, although it slightly affected the perception of those involved, there was still a sense of disharmony.

But now it's completely different. No matter how outrageous the developments are, no one will question them or find them strange.

For example, if he were to change Shirai Kuroko's perception to that he is someone no one wants to mess with, then no one, including Kuroko herself, would think there's a problem.

"Now that you've already decided to interfere in its future, you can't just stand by and watch what happens next!"

Hearing Higashino's words, Junko's face turned even redder. She didn't know why she had subconsciously grabbed him just now.

But it's normal for people to grasp at the closest and most prominent lifeline in times of crisis!

If that's the case, then Higashino's self-centered and outspoken ideas are impure; otherwise, why would he act that way?

However, men rarely reflect on their mistakes, and Higashino was no exception. He did have that thought, but at the time he didn't actually intend to do anything about it.

As for why she was chosen as a typical example, it would be strange if Junko, who had been teased like that and was acting like she was being picked at will, didn't react.

But an accident is an accident, and since an accident has happened, it must be dealt with.

Firefighters always arrive at the scene as soon as possible to put out a fire. Now that a fire has started, of course we need to put it out quickly, otherwise the fire will become very dangerous if it gets serious.

Moreover, the accident just now might have been a revelation from God, telling him not to hesitate so much. If he was going to punish someone, he should punish them to the end. Hesitation is not like him.

Although he doesn't believe in God, it's not wrong to take out his faith when he needs it.

"Is it possible, Junko?"

"Um... I... I don't have experience helping others adjust their future plans, but... but I will try my best."

As soon as he finished speaking, he altered the flow of time in the entire room. He felt that if there wasn't enough time, he might not be able to solve the problem properly. Some things required a long time to understand and resolve.

Junko Hokaze's innocence and her figure are two complete opposites. After all, girls with her figure are generally the older sister type, the kind who know a lot.

But Junko is like a novice; she says she wants to help Higashino adjust his future plans, but in the end, Higashino has to take the initiative to guide and help her.

Junko has a very gentle personality. Even when Higashino rudely interrupted her several times, she didn't get angry. Instead, she felt guilty for her own lack of ability and that she needed the person she was helping to teach her in return.

After several rounds of exchanges and learning, Junko Hokaze, realizing her own shortcomings, gave up; she just couldn't learn it well no matter what she did.

In the future, these kinds of things really should be decided by the boys themselves. Once the girls get involved, things will develop in unpredictable directions.

In the end, having no other choice, she could only tearfully apologize to Higashino, expressing her uselessness and her determination to try harder next time.

Having received Junko's perfect answer, Higashino did not pursue her earlier rudeness and forgave her for her unreasonable interference in his future.

After everything was over, Dongye kindly helped her tidy her unbuttoned collar and slightly messy hair, and personally opened the door for her, his tone calm as he said, "This time I forgive your previous deception and rudeness. Go back and get some rest."

After discussing the future for so long, even Junko Hokaze, who usually has good physical strength, was a little tired.

However, she is much stronger than the previous Takitsubo. Even though Higashino did not enhance her physical fitness or restore her stamina, Junko Hokaze is still able to maintain a normal state.

Hearing Higashino's words was like receiving a pardon to her.

After giving a soft "hmm," Junko didn't dare to look at Yuuko Higashino again. She picked up the Gekota plushie that had been sitting on the ground for a while and dashed out of the infirmary. Her speed was so fast that she even created a gust of wind. The door slammed against the frame with a "bang" before slowly closing.

A series of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing fainter and fainter before disappearing completely.

The infirmary room returned to quiet.

Higashino walked to the window and looked outside.

There was no one there.

But Higashino had already noticed that someone had been spying on him for quite some time.

What do you see, little honeybee?

He turned around, his gaze falling on the spot where Junko had fallen, and he recalled the scene of the two of them working together to discuss the future.

Now, Xiao Runzi should remember that faking illness in front of me and trying to replace the Queen both come at a price.

Chapter 149: People are doing things inside, while Shokuhou is watching from outside!

Inside a private lounge in Tokiwadai.

Misaki Shokuhou was leisurely enjoying her morning tea here, just like always.

Thinking back to the Misaka Sisters I saw at Higashino's house before and the news I saw yesterday that Higashino became number one.

Such a big event meant that, apart from Higashino himself finding out relatively late, most people knew about it that very day. After all, such explosive news spreads very quickly on a campus.

Higashino had already become a prominent figure due to his rapid rise to eighth place, and with the assessment of his potential by Academy City, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was Academy City's most dazzling rising star.

Not to mention Shokuhou, who has been paying close attention to news about Higashino lately. She knew about the news as soon as it came out, and she had some suspicions when she saw the Misaka Sisters at Higashino's new house last time.

Thinking about the guy who's been bothering her in her dreams lately, Shokuhou couldn't help but smile as she looked out the window at the scenery.

Just then, a familiar figure came into her view. Purple curly hair, wearing the Tokiwadai school uniform, it was Junko Hokaze, the second-in-command of the faction.

Shokuhou raised an eyebrow slightly, noticing the direction Junko was walking in...

It looks like the school health room?

Is Runzi feeling unwell? She seemed fine just now. Could it be a headache again...?

Runzi was drinking tea with her in this room just ten minutes ago, but she didn't stay long, saying she had some things to take care of and then left.

At the time, Shokuhou didn't think there was any problem, because Junko actually handled a lot of things in the faction, and Shokuhou herself was basically a hands-off manager.

Shokuhou stood up and walked closer to the window, her gaze following Junko's retreating figure.

Hmm... I'll go check on her. Hopefully, it's nothing serious. Honestly, Runzi, if you're sick, just say so. Why did you have to sneak off to the infirmary?

After seeing Junko actually go into the infirmary, Shokuhou also left the room and walked in that direction.

Her best friend and top subordinate was sick, so as a queen, she definitely had to go and check on her.

However, as Misaki approached the infirmary, she stopped in her tracks. An unexpected figure had appeared outside.

Yu Higashino!

Huh? Junko's appointment today... is with Higashino?

There is definitely more than one school doctor at Tokiwadai; there are five doctors in total. They take turns working during the week, and during holidays, they make appointments. The doctors who make appointments will usually come to the school, since they are on paid leave and there is no reason to refuse a student's appointment.

A question instantly arose in Shokuhou's mind. There was more than one health care provider in Tokiwadai; why would Junko specifically book him? Was it a coincidence?

Shokuhou felt this was no coincidence. Although the faction hadn't discovered that she had secretly gone out for treatment with Higashino last time, Shokuhou knew that Junko was secretly investigating the matter.

After all, the other members of the faction could not refuse the Queen's questioning, and a little inquiry would expose all of Runzi's private actions.

However, she didn't care too much about it and just let things take their course. If she tried to hide it, it would only make the other members of the faction more curious.

After watching Higashino enter, Shokuhou quietly circled around to the side of the infirmary, approached stealthily, and peered inside through the window.

Hmph, let me see what you're talking about.