In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 66

"Body, soul, and spirit all belong to Higashino!?" Index was shocked. She hadn't expected Higashino to have this kind of relationship with this strange woman. "Yu!"

"Index!" Higashino Yu raised his voice and placed his hand on her shoulder. If he didn't explain properly, the kitten's jealousy wouldn't subside anytime soon.

After all, being able to accept the harem and being jealous are not mutually exclusive. Haven't you seen how the concubines in palace dramas scheme against each other every day to win the emperor's favor?

"A very dangerous thing happened at Misawa Juku today..."

As he recounted the battle and how Himegami Akisa had been imprisoned by the Misawa Academy, Index's hostility towards her dissipated. Instead, she became worried about Higashino, questioning him about why he hadn't told her about such a dangerous thing.

Xiao Meng looked completely bewildered. What Dongye was saying was just like in the story; she had never heard of magic before.

Not quite understanding, she simply slipped into the kitchen to continue cooking; let the young people handle their own affairs.

As the oldest person present, Xiaomeng felt that she was very considerate.

After comforting Index for a while, Higashino continued talking about what happened next.

"...So Himegami will be living here from now on, and it's also a good opportunity to ask her to keep you company when I'm not around."

After finishing talking about Himegami Akisa, Higashino looked at Takitsubo.

"As for Takitsubo, she's family too."

Index understood what Higashino meant. Since they were family, their relationship was definitely the same as that of Ruiko and the others—that of Higashino's girlfriends.

Her feelings instantly became complicated. Now that things had come to this, there was no point in being jealous anymore.

Xiao Meng brought out a steaming stew pot at just the right moment, and the rich aroma of cream instantly filled the entire living room: "Dinner's ready! Today's special stew has double the cheese!"

She stood on tiptoe, held the plate up to Index, and waved it in front of her. "If you don't eat, the teacher will eat yours too."

Xiaomeng thoughtfully helped Dongye attract Index's attention. Dongye gave her a grateful look, and Xiaomeng proudly puffed out her thin chest.

Index's stomach rumbled at just the right moment. She swallowed instinctively, but stubbornly turned her head away: "Unless Yu agrees to three conditions, I won't be angry."

She wasn't actually angry at first, just a little jealous. She was more upset to hear that Higashino was fighting those dangerous alchemists again.

"Okay, okay..." Higashino agreed without hesitation.

"First, you must accompany me shopping whenever you have time; second, you must tell me if anything dangerous happens; third..."

“Third!” Index suddenly turned around and pointed at Himegami Akisa, “This person wants to sign the ‘Higashino Family Women's Residence Agreement’ with me!”

"What the hell is that?!"

Of course, there was no final agreement; Index simply took Himegami Akisa to a small room for a "private talk." What they talked about remains unknown, but when Index pulled Himegami Akisa out, their relationship seemed to have grown closer.

Although Himegami Akisa remained expressionless, Higashino felt that the way she looked at him was a little strange.

Soon, thanks to Xiaomeng's efforts, the dining table in the living room was packed full. Her specially made stew, which exuded a rich aroma of milk and the sweet and sour smell of tomatoes, became the centerpiece of the table. The tender vegetables and meat chunks were wrapped in a thick cheese sauce, making it look incredibly appetizing.

"Come on in! Don't be shy!" Xiaomeng acted as if she were the owner of the room, warmly greeting the 'guest'. "Index-chan, this is yours! Be careful, it's hot."

"Mmm! It smells so good!"

Himegami Akisa silently picked up the bowl and quietly and orderly served rice to everyone.

"Th...thank you," Takitsubo Riko whispered her thanks. The atmosphere was wonderful, and she really enjoyed it.

She was actually a little envious of Himegami Akisa for being able to move in and then spend time with Higashino. She wanted that too.

Although the room was already full after the addition of this girl, she didn't mind squeezing in with the other two girls, and even Higashino wouldn't be out of the question...

Unfortunately, she didn't have a suitable reason. If she explained it to Higashino, he might not refuse, but the other 'seniors' would definitely have objections, after all, it's about first come, first served.

As a newbie who came later, it's better to stay relatively unknown and not stand out too much, otherwise I might get targeted. But being a little closer shouldn't be a problem, right?

Takitsubo looked at the particularly thick layer of cheese in her bowl, then glanced at Higashino next to her, and carefully scooped most of the cheese into Higashino's bowl with a spoon.

"Oh my, Takitsubo-chan is so concerned about Higashino-kun." Komoe noticed this and covered her mouth with a soft laugh.

"N-no! I just...don't eat cheese much..." Takitsubo's face turned bright red instantly.

"Dongye-kun~ Eat more! You're still growing!" Xiaomeng said to Dongye with a smile, her tone full of "elderly manner," but to everyone present, she seemed to be the one who needed to grow the most.

"Yoo!" Index looked up, her mouth full of food, and asked indistinctly, "You got into a fight outside today, are you hurt anywhere?"

"No, it's very easy." Higashino quickly swallowed the food in his mouth. "I'm just a little hungry."

Although I didn't faint and be hospitalized like before, this battle was probably the most exhausting one I've ever been in Academy City.

Despite his seemingly smooth battle, he actually possesses a significant intelligence advantage because he is fully aware of Aureos's abilities. The fight will definitely not be easy for him.

Higashino still highly approves of the Golden Great Evolution Technique, a seemingly bug-like ability.

He looked down and saw the cheese that Takitsubo had given him, which was almost overflowing. He then saw Index pick out the carrot cubes from her bowl and put them into his bowl ("Here you go! It's nutritious!"). Looking across at the other side, Himegami Akisa also picked up a piece of meat and put it into his bowl.

His bowl was piled high with food.

Compared to the battle with Aureolus... the girls' 'battlefield' is definitely more complex and unpredictable. I really can't handle that much...

As Higashino watched Index and Moe scrambling for the stew, then looked at Takitsubo, who was blushing a little after Moe pointed it out, and then at Himegami, who was eating quietly but occasionally glancing at him, a strange warmth filled his heart.

He scooped up a spoonful of the cheesy stew, put it in his mouth, and the rich aroma and slightly hot texture were incredibly satisfying.

As expected, this kind of cozy daily life is what he likes; he really doesn't want to do anything like fighting.

Chapter 85 The Werewolf Game in the Afternoon

The table was a mess of cups and plates; the dishes that Xiaomeng had painstakingly prepared had been completely devoured.

"Ah, I'm so full!" Xiaomeng stretched and leaned back comfortably on the sofa. "What should I do next? I bought a new jigsaw puzzle."

Higashino Yu was clearing the table when he heard this and looked up at the wall clock. It was only 1:30 in the afternoon, and there was still a long time before dinner.

Having a rare opportunity to relax at home and with no reason to go out, he planned to rest at home in the afternoon.

His gaze swept over the girls in the living room: Index was helping to carry the plates to the kitchen; Himegami Akisa was quietly cleaning up the floor that had been stained during the meal; and Takitsubo Riko was obediently helping to clear the table.

"A jigsaw puzzle..." Higashino put the last washed dish aside, wiped the water off his hands, and said, "How about we play something more exciting?"

"A game?" Index put down the plates she had just cleared and asked with great interest, "Is it one of those knightly duels?"

Higashino couldn't help but chuckle and ruffle her hair. Index didn't know much about games.

Or rather, before the two met, her memories were filled with nothing but being chased and running away. "It's not that complicated. It's a modern board game called Werewolf."

"Werewolf...killing?" Index tilted her head, looking as confused as a lost little animal. "Does it summon a real werewolf? I remember that people on the science side can't use magic, right? Do I need to do it...?"

“It’s not a real werewolf game.” After washing the last plate, Dongye took a box out of the living room drawer. “It’s just a role-playing game where everyone draws a different role and then tries to figure out who the ‘werewolf’ is through their speeches and deductions.”

He saw this thing when he went to a convenience store to buy groceries, and he felt a bit nostalgic, so he bought it, but he never had a chance to play with it.

Himegami Akisa swept the floor clean and walked over silently. "I've played it before, it's a really fun game," she said calmly, though her expression revealed her interest. "I played it by myself at cram school."

Well, playing alone is quite pathetic! But then again, Misawa Academy initially imprisoned her, making it impossible for her to play with the other students. Even after Aureos took over Misawa Academy, she was only allowed to move freely within the barrier; how could she possibly have the opportunity to play with the other students?

"I've played it too!" Xiaomeng raised her hand excitedly. "I played it at a teachers' social gathering before, but everyone said I wasn't very good at it!"

Higashino doesn't know why Xiaomeng participated in the matchmaking event, but it probably didn't lead to anything. Xiaomeng is very cute, but he'd probably feel guilty if he actually dated her, right?

Takitsubo Riko nodded slightly. "We (Item)... sometimes play when we're bored." She seemed to have thought of something happy and couldn't help but smile, "Mugino is always the first one to be voted out..."

No wonder Takitsubo couldn't hold back her laughter; Mugino's expression must have been quite something when she wasn't eliminated at lightning speed.

Higashino was surprised that Mugino Shizuri, who seemed so strong, was so bad at playing Werewolf. However, this game really has nothing to do with skill; acting skills are still very important.

Index looked left and right, her little face scrunched up, clearly unhappy that she was the only one who didn't know the rules. "This isn't fair!" she puffed out her cheeks like an angry pufferfish. "Yu has to explain it from the beginning!"

She was confident that she could fully understand the rules once she heard them. It was just a game; it couldn't possibly be harder to remember than a magic book!

"Alright, alright." Dongye walked to the living room carpet, sat cross-legged, and spread the cards out on the coffee table. "First, we need a judge to preside over the game. The others will randomly draw identity cards, dividing into the good guys and the werewolves..."

As the rules were explained, Index's expression gradually changed from confusion to focus, and finally to incredulous shock.

"Wait!" she suddenly interrupted Higashino. "Can a prophet really examine a person every night? That's not scientific! Even the most advanced divination techniques require complex rituals and materials!"

"This is just a game setting; it has nothing to do with real magic," Higashino said with a helpless smile.

Xiao Meng secretly covered her mouth and laughed. Now she was at least certain that Index was a chuunibyou girl who had watched too many magical girl anime. She had seen too many kids like that.

She understood what Higashino had told her earlier, which was like a story; it must have been fabricated to give his girlfriend (Himegami Akisa) a plausible reason to live together.

Higashino-kun is really wicked. Luckily, the teacher is clever. I can't be easily fooled by him in the future, otherwise Huang Quan will call me an idiot again!

"Then why can't a witch use two potions at the same time?" Index continued to ask, gesturing with her little hand in the air. "I read in a book that a skilled witch can use both the antidote and the poison in one hand!"

Himegami Akisa interjected expressionlessly: "Reality is different from the book; balance needs to be maintained in the game."

"That's right, that's right!" Xiaomeng raised her hand like a primary school student. "Just like how I can drink three cartons of milk, but in the game I can only drink one!"

Dongye listened to Xiaomeng's explanation speechlessly. What does Werewolf have to do with milk? Or are the versions we played different?

Higashino decided to skip the details and play a game to demonstrate for Index. "Anyway, let's try it out first. I'll be the judge, and the four of you will draw identity cards."

Four cards were placed face down on the coffee table. Index carefully picked one up; she was a little nervous playing this game for the first time, afraid that she would perform poorly and affect everyone else's game.

Himegami Akisa simply flipped over her cards, glanced at them expressionlessly, and then closed them again. The advantage of a blank expression was obvious in this situation; it was difficult for others to determine her identity from her facial expressions.

Takitsubo seemed a little nervous upon seeing her identity, though she quickly calmed down. Komoe, on the other hand, was very excited after seeing her card. Their identities should be relatively easy to guess as the game progresses.

"Close your eyes when it gets dark," Higashino said, feigning seriousness, which made Index giggle. "Werewolf, open your eyes."

With a rustling sound, Takitsubo Riko and Himegami Akisa opened their eyes simultaneously and glanced at each other. However, both of them maintained their expressions perfectly, making it impossible to determine whether they were both werewolves.

"Werewolves, please confirm your companions and then choose your target to kill." Higashino suppressed a laugh as he watched the two men react identically, staring at each other as if they were communicating via telepathy.

The two "werewolfs" exchanged a silent conversation for a moment. Takitsubo pointed at Ms. Komoe, while Himegami pointed at Higashino. Ultimately, they reached a consensus and chose...

"Werewolf, please close your eyes; Witch, please open your eyes."

Xiao Meng opened her eyes. "Actually, I'm a witch!" she said cheerfully. "Last night, the one who died was..." She looked at Dongye's pointing finger, then suddenly her eyes widened. "Ah! It was myself!"

Higashino nodded and made a gesture indicating whether to use the antidote. Teacher Komoe tilted her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly gave a mischievous smile and shook her head vigorously.

"Witch, close your eyes; prophet, open your eyes."

Index opened her eyes eagerly. "I'm a prophet!" she announced loudly, then, as if realizing something, covered her mouth. "Uh... what should I do?"

Higashino made a "shh" gesture, indicating that she should choose the person to check. Index's gaze shifted between the three, finally pointing to Himegami Akisa.

Higashino gave a thumbs up, indicating that Himekami was a werewolf. Index's eyes lit up instantly, like a cat spotting its prey.

"It's dawn. Everyone, please open your eyes." Higashino announced in a somber tone, "Last night, our respected teacher, Tsukuyomi Komoe, was murdered."

"Eh—?!" Xiaomeng exaggeratedly clutched her chest, staggered, and fell onto the sofa. "Teacher...Teacher doesn't want to die...There are still unfinished wishes...I also want to get married...have a baby..." Her "last words" were interrupted by her own laughter before she could finish.

Index jumped up immediately, her long silver hair tracing an arc in the air: "I am the Seer! I discovered Himegami's whereabouts! She is definitely a werewolf!"

Himegami Akisa calmly tossed her long black hair: "Where's the evidence?"

"Huh?" Index was stunned. "Yu just now clearly..."

"You can't use the judge's words as evidence in the game~" Xiaomeng's "ghost" floated over to remind you.

Takitsubo coughed softly. "I...I don't think Index is lying..." Her voice trailed off, almost becoming a soliloquy, "And Himekami-kun...has always been very suspicious..."

Himegami Akisa looked at Takitsubo expressionlessly: "You stepped on me, you're a wolf."

"No...no!" Takitsubo waved her hands frantically.

Higashino watched the chaotic debate with great interest until Index angrily declared, "Never mind! I propose we vote for Himekami!"

The vote was three to one, with Himegami Akisa, Takitsubo Riko, and Komoe-sensei's "ghosts" all voting for Index.

"Huh?! Why?!" Index stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Himegami Akisa calmly flipped over her identity card; she was indeed a werewolf. "You're too noisy."

Teacher Xiaomeng explained with a grin, "Because in the game, the seer is often the first one to be killed."

Takitsubo Riko lowered her head in shame: "I'm sorry... I... I made a mistake..."

In the second night, the remaining werewolf Himegami Akisa killed the judge, Higashino, without hesitation, forcing the game to end prematurely.

"That's not fair!" Index protested angrily. "Himekami cheated!"

Himegami Akisa tilted her head: "Can't we kill the judge?"

"Ah, this..."

Higashino chuckled and ruffled Index's messy silver hair. "Actually, it's generally not allowed, but it's not impossible under special rules. My bad for not explaining the rules clearly enough. Let's play something simpler next time."

There are actually no fixed rules for this game, since there are all sorts of ways to play it privately, and each way has its own fun.