In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 61

Index instantly perked up. Although she had eaten quite a bit today, and had just finished off a lot of chips and chocolate with Haru, her little tummy could still hold: "...What is it?"

"Three Black Forest cakes, plus a melon bun and a strawberry daifuku."

The two girls exchanged a glance and simultaneously reached out to snatch the paper bag.

"I'll forgive you for now~" Index couldn't wait to open the package.

"Oh, right! Look, Yu!" Index seemed to suddenly remember something important. Forgetting about her cake, she excitedly jumped off the sofa, ran to the coffee table, picked up the small trophy symbolizing the champion, and then hugged the blue cat plush toy on the sofa, presenting it to Higashino like a treasure. "This is the cat plush toy that Ruiko helped me catch! Isn't it cute! And this!" She pointed to the bag of clothes on the coffee table, "Ruiko bought me a new dress!"

Finally, Index pulled the envelope containing five crisp 10,000 yuan bills from her pocket and solemnly handed it to Higashino: "This! This is the prize money I won in the eating contest today! It's 50000 yuan! It's all yours!"

Higashino looked at Index, who was holding a doll, a trophy, and an envelope in her arms like a child waiting for praise, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

"Wow! Index is so amazing!" He took the envelope and ruffled Index's hair. "Not only did she catch the doll and win the trophy, but she also earned so much money on her own! That's fantastic! As expected of my Index!"

"Hehe~" Index immediately cheered up after receiving the praise, throwing all her grievances and unhappiness to the winds. She hugged the kitten plushie and rubbed against it, her smile bright.

As Chu Chun took a small bite of her melon bun, she couldn't help but smile at the scene.

At that moment, Haru suddenly remembered something, looked up, and asked with a hint of curiosity and suspicion, "Senpai, who was the person you treated today? Was it also the young lady from Tokiwadai?"

Higashino scratched his head: "Ah, this time it's not Tokiwadai, it's a girl named Kihara Awaki. Today we're treating her mental illness..."

"Mental illness?!" Chu Chun exclaimed skeptically. "Senior is definitely lying! What kind of treatment requires such close contact?!"

Upon hearing this, Index immediately put down the cake, glaring angrily at Higashino: "Yu is a big liar! Double death penalty! Bite again!"

Although she said "bite again," Index only symbolically moved closer to Higashino's other shoulder and gently ground her teeth, still vividly remembering the pain from before.

Early Spring sighed, took out a disinfectant cotton ball from the first-aid kit (though she hadn't bitten it open, she still symbolically wiped it), and gave an angelic smile: "Seriously, senpai... you already have so many girls around you..."

She paused, then said the most terrifying thing in the gentlest tone: "If you're not satisfied, it'd be easier to just cut it off~"

"Don't say such scary things while laughing!"

"It's all because my senior is too fond of flirting," Chu Chun explained while wiping. "As long as there's no more 'tools' for the crime, there won't be any more philanderers... Now my senior is giving me less and less time!"

Hey, this isn't your character design, Chuchun! Your persona has collapsed! Could it be that my abilities have some side effects I'm unaware of?!

Looking at the two girls chatting happily, Dongye suddenly had a brilliant idea: "How about hot pot tonight? I bought A5 Wagyu beef."

"Long live!" x2

Attention successfully diverted, plan in progress!

Soon, a portable induction cooker was set up on the low table in the living room.

The Wagyu beef was neatly arranged on an ice platter, alongside fresh vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and udon noodles—all ingredients that Higashino always keeps in the refrigerator.

In early spring, after cooking a slice of Wagyu beef in hot pot, he put it in his mouth and nodded with a satisfied expression.

However, she couldn't help but yawn a little after eating for a short while.

"What's wrong, Chuchun? Are you sleepy?" Dongye noticed her movements.

Chu Chun quickly waved her hand, a little embarrassed: "Ah, no, it's nothing. It's just that I've been sitting in the office organizing documents for too long today, and I feel even more tired than when I'm on patrol... and it's so late now..."

She glanced at the wall clock; it was almost ten o'clock. "The dorm curfew has already passed. I'm sure the dorm supervisor will scold me when I get back..."

“Then don’t go back.” Higashino replied naturally, picking up a few slices of Wagyu beef with serving chopsticks and putting them into the boiling soup. “Just rest here tonight. Index’s room is big enough, you two can sleep together.”

In early spring, she suddenly remembered some comics she had secretly read with her classmates. She was especially nervous when she heard the first half of the sentence, but thankfully, the rest of the sentence dispelled her fantasies.

She gave a soft "hmm," which was taken as agreement. After all, it was really late, and she was exhausted and didn't want to walk any further.

And I can even rest at my senior's house. Not counting my 'cousin' Index, I'm the first girl to stay at my senior's house, hehe!

"Yay! Spring will sleep with me!" Index happily picked up her chopsticks upon hearing this.

"Stop talking, the meat's ready!" Higashino scooped up the blanched Wagyu beef slices and placed them in Index and Haru's bowls respectively. "Index, this is for you. Haru, this is for you, eat more, you've worked hard today."

"Wow! Thank you, Yu!" Index immediately buried herself in her work, her eyes squinting with happiness.

"Thank you, senior..." Chu Chun whispered her thanks, feeling a warm glow in her heart as she looked at the beautifully marbled, fragrant slices of meat in her bowl.

Higashino himself barely ate anything, spending most of his time taking care of the two girls. He skillfully cooked the meat and vegetables, quickly scooping them out when they were done and dividing them equally between the two girls.

"Mmm...this tofu is so delicious! It's soaked up all the broth!" Index exclaimed with satisfaction, but accidentally got some sauce on her lips.

"Little kitten." Higashino chuckled, picked up a napkin, and gently wiped the stain from Index's mouth. Index just gave a mumbled "hmm" and continued to focus on the food in her bowl.

"Eat slowly, Chuchun, be careful it's hot." Dongye added some perfectly cooked vegetables to Chuchun's bowl.

"Hmm, senior, you should eat too..." Chu Chun blew on a piece of hot shiitake mushroom and put it in her mouth, but a little bit of the soup accidentally splashed onto her chin.

"You got it too." Higashino noticed with his sharp eyes and pulled out a new tissue.

"Ah! I'll do it myself..." Haru blushed, but she didn't dodge and obediently waited for Higashino's next move.

Soon, a tissue was gently placed on her chin. Feeling the soft touch of the tissue and the breath of Higashino so close to her, her heart began to race involuntarily.

"Is it...is it done, senior..." Chu Chun's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, her head was a little dizzy.

Even though we've been dating for so long and kissed more than once, she still can't help but feel shy every time we do something intimate.

"Hmm, it's clean now." Dongye withdrew his hand and continued to add vegetables to the pot. "Eat more udon noodles, they'll fill you up."

Two hours later, the three of them, full and satisfied, collapsed on the living room carpet. Index, clutching her pregnant belly that had finally grown after a day of feeding, rolled around, saying, "Yu... rub it..."

In early spring, she was also sleepy and unconsciously leaned on Dongye's shoulder: "Senior... you must reply next time, everyone will be worried..." Her eyelids were so heavy that she could hardly keep them open, and the warmth and fatigue after eating well came over her like a tide.

Higashino gently stroked the two girls' hair and nodded.

"Okay, okay, I'll definitely do it next time..."

Index, half-asleep, mumbled, "I want to go play with Yu..."

In early spring, still half asleep, he mumbled, "Senior, you can't do this kind of thing..."

Higashino smiled helplessly, looking at the two who were almost asleep, especially Haru, who was leaning almost entirely on him, and said softly, "Alright, you two lazy cats, it's time to sleep."

He carefully helped Index up and said to her, "Index, can you walk back to your room by yourself?"

"Um...yes..." Index rubbed her eyes, stood up groggily, and staggered towards her room.

Then, Higashino looked down at Haru, who was leaning on his shoulder and whose breathing had become even and deep. He carefully picked her up and carried her in his arms.

Chu Chun just unconsciously snuggled against him, trying to find a more comfortable position, showing no signs of waking up.

Higashino carried her into Index's room, carefully placed Haruhi on the made-up bed, and covered Index, who had already climbed into bed herself, with a blanket.

Looking at the peaceful faces of the two girls sleeping soundly in the soft blankets, Dongye tucked them in, turned off the room light, and quietly left.

Chapter 78: The earnest early spring makes one want to bully others!

The next morning, Higashino Yu walked to the kitchen with a yawn, intending to make breakfast as usual.

But it seems he doesn't need to lift a finger today; his lovely girlfriend is already busy in the kitchen.

She was facing away from the door, intently working on the things on the cutting board. Upon closer inspection, Dongye couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Early spring is... um... probably making dumplings? There are several "works" of different shapes on the cutting board. Some have the filling sticking out, and some have the pinched parts bursting open like little skirts. They are obviously the work of beginners.

Actually, Chu Chun's cooking skills are quite good, but it's clear that dumplings, which originated from Xia Kingdom, are not her forte. This is probably her first time making dumplings. The dough is quite good, but her wrapping technique is problematic.

Higashino quietly walked up behind her, admiring the sight of Chu Chun struggling to make dumplings, but after watching for a while, he couldn't resist anymore.

The clumsy early spring is just so adorable.

"Early spring~"

"Whoa!" Chu Chun was indeed startled, her shoulders hunched, and she instinctively turned around.

But Higashino was faster. He naturally reached over Haru's shoulders and out to her sides, gently covering her small hands that were struggling with dough and filling. His chest was almost pressed against her back, making it look like he was hugging the girl from behind.

"Huh... Sen-senpai?!" Haruhi's body froze instantly, and she almost dropped the dumpling she was holding.

"Yes, it's me." Dongye nodded, intending to give this dumpling-making novice some pointers. "Early spring, making dumplings isn't like this, you know? Let me teach you how."

He remained in that position and began to teach Chuchun step by step. "Come on, bend your fingers like this, like this... gently pinch the edges together, fold them little by little... yes, like this, apply even pressure."

As Chu Chun felt the familiar warmth and breath behind her, she relaxed with a sense of relief, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "How is it? I feel a little better than before?"

"Yes, that's right! But why do you want to make dumplings today?" Dongye asked softly as he taught her how to make them.

"Because Index kept saying last night that the dumplings she ate this afternoon were very delicious, but Yu's dumplings were still the best," Haru said, sounding a little smug.

"I thought I should give it a try. I had watched videos of making dumplings before, but... I still needed a senior to save the day."

She was a little disappointed. She had planned to get up a little earlier to surprise her senior, but she overestimated her skills. Her brain told her she had already learned it, but her hands had completely failed.

"This isn't exactly a mess; it's actually quite good." Higashino chuckled, looking at the creation that had finally taken shape under his guidance—not perfect, but at least resembling a dumpling. "For Hatsuharu to achieve this level on her first attempt is already fantastic."

Even in the Xia Kingdom, many people struggle to even make the dough for their first attempt at making dumplings, let alone wrap them properly. Even if the dough is just a tiny bit too thick.

However, having a rare moment alone with Haru, Higashino had a mischievous thought. He lowered his head slightly and brought his lips close to her earlobe, saying, "Besides... you look so cute when you're being serious."

"Ah..." Chu Chun shrank her neck sensitively and let out a soft exclamation, "Senior... don't be silly, we're still making dumplings."

Although her heart was racing, Chu Chun held back. She was too weak to be so easily embarrassed whenever her seniors teased her. This time, she had to hold on!

Higashino's gaze fell on her small, now bright red earlobes. He knew that while Haru might appear calm on the surface, she was actually panicking and would immediately revert to her true colors with the slightest provocation.

Higashino had a new idea.

"Hey, Haru, you know what? When you get serious, you look so cute that you just want to tease you."

Then, in early spring when she was completely unprepared, he gently nibbled at her soft earlobe with his teeth, his tongue lightly brushing against her skin.

"—This, this won't work, ah!?" As if struck in a vital spot, Chu Chun's whole body went limp, and she collapsed directly into his arms.

Higashino tightened his arms around her, and with his other hand lifted her chin, making her turn her head slightly to the side.

He lowered his head and pressed his lips against her soft flesh before she could react.

"Ugh... um..." Chu Chun's protest was silenced, and she instinctively placed her hands on the stove.

When Chu Chun was almost out of breath, Dongye reluctantly let go of her, commenting with satisfaction, "Hmm, you've improved since last time."

During their last date, Chu Chun was completely passive and didn't respond at all, but this time, Xiao She Tou actually dared to launch a counterattack.

Chu Chun gasped for breath, feeling like she had failed miserably this time.

She had clearly decided not to act so shy, to be strong, and to be as bold as Ruiko, but her undone efforts were easily thwarted by that awful senior!

She turned around, punched Higashino in the chest, and said angrily, "Senpai... idiot... H!"

Higashino made a gesture as if he was about to continue, which immediately startled Haru, who turned around and continued making dumplings. In a good mood, Higashino didn't tease her any further and continued to teach her step by step, just like before.

With the "master's" personal guidance, wrapping the remaining dumplings went much more smoothly. Although they still couldn't match Higashino's skills, at least they all looked presentable, with no risk of them falling apart.

As soon as the cooked dumplings were served, Index practically rushed out of the room drawn by the aroma, staring excitedly at the dumplings on the table: "Wow! Dumplings! Did you make them in early spring? That's amazing!"

"Yes...yes, Index, try it." Haru was a little embarrassed and secretly glanced at Higashino.

Luckily, Index only woke up now, otherwise it would have been quite embarrassing if she had seen herself in that state.

"Mmm! Delicious!" Index picked up one, blew on it, and popped it into her mouth, her eyes squinting with satisfaction. Although the skin was a little thick and the filling was a bit bland, it wasn't a problem at all for Index, who wasn't a picky eater.

Besides, this is the first batch of dumplings I made in early spring, so the taste is already quite good.

Index's support brought a happy smile to Chu Chun's face; the praise for her early morning efforts was the best reward.

Breakfast was quickly finished as everyone enjoyed their meal. After clearing away the dishes, Haruyuki checked the time: "Senior, Index, I have to go to the branch."

"Okay, be careful on the road." Higashino nodded.

As Chu Chun walked to the entrance, changed her shoes, hesitated for a moment, then nervously walked back. Under Higashino's surprised gaze, she tiptoed and quickly kissed him on the lips before turning and leaving abruptly: "Goodbye, senpai!"

Looking at the closed door, Higashino touched his lips and chuckled. It was quite a breakthrough to get the usually shy Haru to take the initiative.

In the living room, Index was comfortably nestled on the sofa watching TV, clutching her newly acquired blue kitten plush toy, unaware of what was happening at the door. Otherwise, she might have also demanded that Higashino treat her fairly.

Higashino walked over and sat down next to her.

A lively variety show was playing on TV, and Index was giggling as she watched. Higashino's gaze fell on her focused profile, and he thought about how he had often left her alone at home lately because of various things, or left her with Haru or Ruiko.

However, it's not good to keep bothering them, and school will start sooner or later. It's not good to leave her alone at home all the time.

We'll talk about what happens after school starts. If I can find someone to stay home with her during the summer vacation, I'll feel more at ease.

After all, although Higashino was on vacation, he was usually quite busy with one thing or another. It seemed that since coming to Academy City, he hadn't had a proper rest except when he was hospitalized.

Moreover, although Index doesn't say it, she actually gets lonely when she's home alone.