In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 181

"Ahem." He cleared his throat, forcefully inserting himself into the escalating "battlefield," his smile unchanged.

"Alright, alright, ladies, the fireworks festival is about to begin, and Ruiko and the others must be getting impatient."

He skillfully changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the four beautiful girls in yukatas before finally settling on the brightly lit area in the distance.

"Let's go."

As soon as the words were spoken, the four figures vanished, and the entrance to Tokiwadai School returned to silence.

Chapter 216 A Battleground Within the Fireworks Display?

Higashino Yu, Misaka Mikoto, Shirai Kuroko, Shokuhou Misaki, and Hokaze Junko suddenly appeared in a relatively secluded corner near the entrance to the fireworks festival.

In the distance, Haruharu Kazari was standing on tiptoe, looking this way, with Saten Ruiko, who was also wearing a yukata and looking around expectantly, and Haruka Emi, who was looking around as well.

Clearly, they were also keeping a close eye on Higashino and the others, who could appear at any moment.

"Yu! Over here!"

At the beginning of spring, Shiori spotted Higashino and his group first and excitedly waved her little hand.

"coming."

Higashino smiled and led Mikoto and the others into the crowd, heading towards Hatsuharu and the others.

Wow! It's Shokuhou-kun!

Saten Ruiko's eyes lit up when she saw Shokuhou, and she greeted her warmly. However, she was taken aback when she saw Junko, as it was also the first time she had met Junko.

"Who is this?"

"Good evening, Saten-kun, I'm Junko Hokaze."

Junko Hokaze responded with a smile.

Although it was her first time meeting Ruiko, she had learned about some people related to Higashino when Misaki Shokuhou asked her to investigate Higashino's information.

"Ah, hello, Hokkaido-kun!"

Ruiko greeted him politely.

Misaki Shokuhou nodded gracefully, her gaze sweeping over Ruiko before finally settling on Haruka Emi, who was standing next to Hatsuharu.

"Who is this……?"

Misaki Shokuhou tilted her head slightly, looking somewhat puzzled.

"Ah, let me introduce you!"

Haruharu Shiori immediately grabbed Haruhiko's wrist and pulled her forward a little.

"This is Haruka Emi, a transfer student and my and Ruiko's new friend! Haruka, this is Shokuhou Misaki-senpai, the Queen of Tokiwadai!"

"Hello, Senior Shih-Honeybee!"

Chun Shang Jin Yi bowed nervously, her voice soft and gentle.

"I am Chun Shang Jin Yi... Please take care of me."

She looked up and stared blankly into Misaki Shokuhou's distinctive eyes.

"Harusaka Jinyi? What a lovely name."

Misaki Shokuhou's eyes flickered slightly, filled with scrutiny and a hint of amusement. She naturally caught Haruka's favorable gaze as she looked at Higashino Yuuto.

She gracefully extended her finger and tapped her chin.

"Hmm...she seems like a very gentle child."

Her words seemed to have a hidden meaning, and her eyes glanced at Higashino Yu.

"Ah, thank you..."

Chun Shang Jinyi didn't understand the subtext; she simply felt shy from being praised.

"Alright, alright, everyone's here, let's go!"

Saten Ruiko, full of energy, interrupted the delicate atmosphere by grabbing Hatsuharu and Harukami Kou'i.

"Wait for Ruiko!"

In early spring, she was being led along, yet she didn't forget to look back.

"Yu-kun, hurry up and catch up!"

Higashino Yu's position was quite delicate; surrounded by the girls, he was like a king being fawned over, leaving many passersby dumbfounded.

To his left, Misaka Mikoto stood close by, watching Shokuhou Misaki warily to his right. The latter, however, was not to be outdone, clinging to Higashino Yu's right arm with a defiant smile on her face.

Shirai Kuroko stayed close to Mikoto, her gaze occasionally sweeping over Higashino Yu with a complicated expression.

Junko Hokaze walked a little behind Shokuhou, looking somewhat reserved, while Ruiko Saten led the way with Uiharu and Haruka Emi, excitedly pointing at the various stalls.

As the group moved along, Misaki Shokuhou suddenly turned to Higashino Yu and said, "Higashino-kun, that goldfish stand over there looks interesting. Can you come with me to play?"

She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, with a hint of coquetry, while giving Misaka Mikoto a provocative glance.

Mikoto's forehead immediately creased into a "well" shape: "Hey! Starry eyes! Yuta..."

"Oh my, Misaka-san, do you want to play too?"

Misaki Shokuhou feigned surprise.

"But the queue is very long, why don't you go somewhere else first?"

As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Higashino Yu's arm.

"Hmph! Who wants to be with you!"

Mikoto turned her head away angrily, but she didn't let go of Higashino Yu's left arm.

"sister……"

Kuroko sighed helplessly as she watched Mikoto get angry.

"puff……"

Higashino Yu watched the two bickering and couldn't help but laugh out loud, reaching out to ruffle their hair one by one.

"Alright, alright, you can play whatever you want, I'm all in."

He looked at the vibrant and energetic girls in front of him.

"It seems our Captain Tear has already set a goal."

Sure enough, Saten Ruiko had already pulled Hatsuharu and Haruka Emi to a huge "water balloon fishing" stall.

Rows of colorful water balloons float in the shallow pool, and participants need to use specially made, extremely fragile paper hooks to fish for them.

"Yu-kun! Misaka-senpai! Shirai-kun! Come and try this!"

Tears welled up as she waved excitedly.

The crowd gathered around. Looking at the paper hook as thin as a cicada's wing and the bulging water balloon, Haruharu Kazari said with some concern, "This looks really difficult... Won't the paper hook break in no time?"

"It's the challenges that make it fun!"

Saten Ruiko was eager to try.

"Mmm! This looks interesting!"

Chun Shang Jinyi also opened her eyes wide, full of curiosity.

Misaki Shokuhou looked at the game and slightly pursed her lips. She'd much rather catch goldfish than play this game.

She tugged at Higashino Yu's sleeve: "Higashino-kun, shall we go scoop up goldfish instead? That looks more suitable for me."

Actually, she just felt that catching goldfish wouldn't require much physical strength, making it much easier, and since everyone else was playing other games, it would be even better for her and Higashino to be alone together.

"goldfish!"

Chu Chun Shiri's eyes lit up instantly.

"Go catch goldfish! Yu-kun, I want to go catch goldfish too!"

"Big sister, we..."

Kuroko looked at Mikoto. She wasn't interested in fishing for water balloons, but she would play along if Mikoto wanted to.

Misaka Mikoto glanced at the water balloon stall, then at the goldfish stall, and finally her gaze settled on Higashino Yu. She snorted, "I'll play with the water balloon! Kuroko, we're on the same team!"

She didn't want to play the same game as Misaki Shokuhou, even if Higashino was there.

"Yes, dear sister!"

The haters responded immediately.

"That……"

Higashino Yu looked at Hofu Junko.

"What does Runzi want to play?"

Junko Hokaze blushed, surprised that Higashino would ask her so directly, and whispered, "I...I'm fine with anything, whatever everyone says..."

"How about this."

Higashino Yu made the decision.

"In early spring, Misaki and Shokuhou went goldfish catching with me. Mikoto, Kuroko, Ruiko, and Haruka played with water balloons. Junko..."

He looked at Runzi.

"Would you like to play with the water balloons with them first? Or would you like to browse other stalls?"

"Let's go catching goldfish with Her Majesty."

"Hanfeng Junko immediately said. She wasn't very familiar with the others and preferred to stay with Higashino and Shokuhou."

"Okay! It's settled!"

Saten Ruiko happily pulled Haruue Emi to pay for the paper hooks.

"Chun Shang, keep it up! Let's see who catches the most!"

Just as Misaki had predicted, there was a queue of moderate length in front of the goldfish stand.

Higashino Yu appeared with the two beautiful girls, Hatsuharu and Shokuhou, instantly attracting a lot of attention.

When it was their turn, the boss handed them three paper nets as thin as cicada wings.

"Look at me!"

In early spring, Shiri mustered her courage and carefully lowered the paper net into the water, aiming it at a beautiful red and white goldfish. However, the moment the net touched the edge of the water, it tore with a "plop."

"what!"

Chu Chun let out a small gasp of surprise, her face falling. She stared sullenly at the hole and fell silent.

"Pfft."

Misaki Shokuhou covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"Looks like it takes a little skill, Haruharu."

She gracefully bent down, carefully searching for her target. Her movements were impeccable. However, the moment the paper net entered the water, it seemed to be gently brushed by the tail of a playful little fish, and it tore instantly.

"Well……"

Misaki's smile froze for a moment.

"It seems that even Her Majesty's skills need improvement."

Higashino Yu chuckled and teased, handing his paper net to the somewhat dejected Shokuhou.

"Try mine?"

Shokuhou snorted, took it, and tried again, but failed once more.

She angrily shoved the tattered net back at Higashino Yu: "This paper net is of such poor quality! It's a complete rip-off!"

Higashino Yu smiled and shook his head, then picked up the last paper net.

He now has perfect control over his body; catching the goldfish is a piece of cake for him.