In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 29

Mikoto and Kuroko's gazes, like searchlights, landed precisely on the only remaining "existence" on the bed—a clump of silver hair wrapped in blankets, fast asleep.

"...Hey, Higashino." Mikoto's voice carried a hint of disbelief. "Who's that person in bed...?"

Saten Ruiko's gaze darted back and forth between the bed and Higashino Yu, filled with obvious curiosity and inquiry.

At this critical moment, the silver-haired girl on the bed uttered a soft murmur, her long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her emerald green eyes. Index blinked in confusion, seemingly not yet fully awake from the effects of the sleeping pills, when suddenly four unfamiliar girl faces with different expressions appeared in her field of vision.

“…Hmm?” She made a confused nasal sound, instinctively turning her head to look for a familiar figure, and saw Higashino Yu standing frozen at the door, his expression almost petrified.

"Yu?"

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze. The four girls' gazes instantly focused on Higashino Yu, awaiting an explanation.

Higashino Yu's mind raced, countless excuses and reasons flashing through his head! In desperation, he almost mobilized his remaining strength to quickly plant a "rational" perception in everyone's minds, and hurriedly winked at Index, lowering his voice to speak in a volume only she could hear: "Index, cover your identity! Say she's my distant cousin! Please!"

Index's eyes instantly shifted from innocent confusion to a mixture of alertness and excitement, like that of a small animal. She seemed to understand, but trusting Higashino Yu, she sat up, wrapped herself in the blanket, looked at the girls at the door, and tried her best to imitate her cousin's mannerisms as she spoke:

"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Index, from a Puritan convent in England, and I'm Yu's...distant cousin!"

She nodded seriously, and the earnest imitation, combined with her fluffy, messy silver hair and sleepy eyes, was surprisingly... kind of cute?

Almost simultaneously, under the subtle influence of cognitive modification, a vague but "reasonable" fragment of a story instantly filled the gaps in the four people's logical cognition.

Oh, so this foreign girl is Higashino-senpai's distant cousin from overseas, whom he almost never mentioned. She came to Academy City to stay with him temporarily for some reason. This suddenly revealed identity instantly made sense to them, and all the doubts were covered up and weakened.

"Eh? She's your cousin, senior?" Haru was the first to accept it, her face showing understanding and a hint of realization. "I see! No wonder a girl answered the phone earlier, saying that you were sick."

"Huh? A distant cousin?" Ruiko blinked, carefully examining Index's delicate, doll-like face and peculiar clothing. Although a corner of her heart felt that "it's a bit strange for Higashino-senpai to say the word 'cousin'", she thought that Higashino had only been in Academy City for a short time, so it seemed normal for him to have a cousin from outside.

"No wonder silver hair is so beautiful... Wait! Senior, you're so unfair! You have such a cute cousin, why didn't you introduce us to her sooner!"

She immediately waved to Index in a friendly manner: "Hello Index-chan! I'm Saten Ruiko!"

“…England?” Mikoto raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on Index for a moment. Her nun’s habit was quite conspicuous. She seemed to want to say something, but the established fact that she was “distant cousin” had already taken root in her heart, and her doubts eventually turned into concern for Higashino.

"Forget it. Hey, you idiot Higashino, your cousin doesn't look much better than you."

She looked at Index's dark circles under her eyes and her slightly pale face.

"Tsk, 'cousin'? She seems naive and easily fooled." Kuroko muttered under his breath, his sarcastic instincts still kicking in. "But this cousin's way of taking care of her is really... unique."

Her gaze swept over the hemp rope on the ground and the open nursing manual.

Having successfully weathered the first crisis, Higashino Yu breathed a sigh of relief, but looking at the mess in the room, his headache hadn't lessened, and he even thought that the use of his ability was getting worse.

Mikoto clearly wasn't going to let this go: "Alright, Higashino, and you too, distant cousin, can anyone explain how this house turned into a landfill? Especially that ceiling?"

She pointed to the charred hole.

"Well..."

Higashino's mind raced again. Although it was caused by Stiyl's wildly flying flames, he certainly couldn't tell the truth.

It's not a good choice to be honest with them about the magic side; it will only cause the girls more trouble.

"It might be... a minor explosion caused by an aging gas pipe? Yesterday I was trying to cook something in the kitchen when suddenly there was a 'bang'... Luckily it only broke a hole, and I was unharmed..."

He tried to sound like a victim who had narrowly escaped death.

"A gas explosion?!"

In early spring, Leizi and Heizi all cried out in alarm.

Mikoto sighed, rubbing her forehead: "Your safety awareness... never mind, it's a blessing that no one is hurt."

She was clearly speechless at this absurd explanation, but she didn't pursue it any further.

"I'm really fed up with you two patients... Everyone, let's help these two 'disabled people' clean up the mess first!"

She rolled up sleeves that weren't actually there, demonstrating the decisive action of Tokiwadai's ace.

"Understood!" Chu Chun responded immediately.

"Time for spring cleaning!" Ruizi exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Although it is my duty to help my older sister with chores, well..." Kuroko felt a little strange thinking that her older sister had asked her to help because of a boy, who was also a friend of Haru and Ruiko.

For the rest of the time, Higashino and Index had absolutely nothing to do.

In early spring, she gently and carefully handled the medicines and care products scattered on the ground, and carefully wiped the stained pages of the care manual dry with a tissue and clipped them back together.

"You have to roll the bandage like this so it won't come undone... Make sure you read the label on the medicine bottle carefully... Ah, this should be kept in a dry place..."

As she tidied up, she muttered the key points of care to herself, as if she were performing some kind of sacred tidying ritual.

Ruiko showed her energetic and "unconventional" side, mainly responsible for cleaning the floor and putting small items back in their place.

"Heave-ho! Here we go!" Ruiko swept away a large amount of trash with a broom and dustpan, her movements large and sweeping yet with a strange sense of rhythm, showing no disgust for Higashino Yu's charred and unidentified mushy remains.

"My cousin is really... hardworking, haha! Although the result was rather disastrous!" She didn't forget to turn around and give Index, who was sitting on the bed watching and seemed a little lost, a bright smile.

Mikoto used her electromagnetic induction abilities to precisely locate and extract some metal fragments and small screws that had rolled into a corner, preventing others from being cut. Seeing the equally appalling state of the kitchen, she couldn't resist starting to clean it herself.

"How...how have you two survived until now?"

Shirai Kuroko transforms into a meticulous supervisor and "high-altitude worker," whose spatial mobility allows her to easily handle dust from high places and ashes falling from the edges of holes in the ceiling.

“These marks don’t look like they were caused internally at all…tsk tsk tsk, the nursing records are practically an abstract painting…hey, Saten, can you hand me the bucket?”

Her movements were precise and swift, and she didn't hold back in criticizing every irrationality in the place.

"Big sister! Be careful of the oil stains over there! Let Kuroko help you!"

Forced back into bed to "recuperate," Higashino Yu looked at the bustling yet orderly scene before him, then at Index wrapped in a blanket beside him, her big eyes blinking curiously as she watched everything, seemingly wanting to help but unsure how to start. He felt a surge of gratitude and a strange warmth in his heart.

The chaotic scene was cleaned up at an astonishing speed thanks to the girls' combined efforts. After the main clutter and stains were mostly removed, Mikoto and Ruiko took over the kitchen and quickly made use of the basic ingredients in the refrigerator (Ruiko had volunteered to go and "replenish supplies" earlier).

Before long, a fragrant aroma began to waft from the kitchen—the light yet comforting scent of rice porridge and simple side dishes, a stark contrast to the previous stench of burnt food, medicinal smells, and awful green sap.

Finally, a decent meal was served. Mikoto's white porridge was soft and fragrant, and Ruiko's side dishes were refreshing and appetizing. Both Higashino, who had already enjoyed a "nutritious meal" upon waking, and Index, who hadn't eaten yet, felt their stomachs calling out with longing, and their eyes lit up.

Watching everyone enjoy the simple yet delicious food, the atmosphere gradually became relaxed and harmonious. Index was curious and happy as she tried these unfamiliar delicacies, and Higashino Yuuya could finally relax.

"Phew... finally done." Chu Chun looked at the newly renovated room and breathed a sigh of relief.

Although there's still a hole to fix, this is the best we can do right now. As long as it doesn't rain, it can still be used for a while.

While clearing away the dishes, Ruiko sighed, "I really do need everyone's help!"

Mikoto then turned her gaze back to the conspicuous hole in the ceiling: "Everything else is fine, but this hole..."

"Leave it to me." Higashino Yu took a deep breath, feeling much stronger again. He focused his mind and pointed at the hole in the ceiling.

An unseen force quietly spread. Under the curious gazes of the crowd, the edges of the damaged hole slowly "grew" as if time had reversed; the missing materials appeared out of thin air, extended, and mended, and the charred marks quickly faded, restoring the original color. In just over ten seconds, a brand-new, perfectly intact ceiling appeared before everyone's eyes, as if the hole had never existed.

"Wow! That's amazing!" Saten Ruiko exclaimed immediately.

"Senior's abilities are so convenient! They can attack, defend, heal, and recover from injuries. Hypnotizing people for three seconds and making me... cough cough... is practically cheating!"

Shirai Kuroko narrowed her eyes: "Every time I see it, I feel it's unbelievable... The influence of mental abilities on the physical level can reach this level... Even Shokuhou, who is at Level 5, can't do that."

Misaka Mikoto nodded slightly in agreement: "Indeed, it's a bit too outrageous. Could it be that your ability is actually some kind of material reconstruction rather than a mental ability?"

Higashino couldn't help but internally rant: This isn't some simple mental ability at all! Even though Aleister packaged it with the name and form of 'cognitive reconstruction,' its essence is probably conceptual rewriting and world reconstruction! Your understanding of power (magical science) is far too limited!

But he could only maintain a slightly tired smile: "Haha...maybe it's because I'm a special raw stone. Anyway, as long as it can be repaired."

Chu Chun was completely captivated by the convenience of the ability, her eyes sparkling: "Senior's ability is so useful! It feels like it can solve any problem!"

At this moment, Index let out a small, satisfied yawn. The effects of the sleeping pills seemed not to have completely worn off, and the comfort of being full made her feel sleepy again.

She rubbed her eyes and naturally shrank closer to Higashino Yu. This intimate little gesture made Mikoto, who happened to be looking in their direction, pause for a moment, but she quickly looked away as if nothing had happened, focusing on the bowl and chopsticks in front of her.

She herself probably didn't even notice that tiny, subtle change.

Looking at the girls who were full and sitting together, and the little nun leaning against him, half asleep, Higashino Yu couldn't help but smile faintly and genuinely.

The chaotic crisis eventually turned into a messy yet incredibly heartwarming household chores assistance operation, and it ended with a peaceful dinner after the chaos.

The banquet that concluded Chapter 40 and the two visitors

The sky outside the window was dyed a warm orange-red by the setting sun, announcing the end of the hospital visit "party".

The living room, which had been somewhat messy and chaotic due to dinner, had been tidied up by the girls' amazing efficiency, leaving only a faint smell of cleaning agents and food in the air.

"Phew—finally all done!"

Ruiko stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the tidy living room with a sense of accomplishment, and then winked at Higashino.

"Senior, if there's another explosion next time, we won't be responsible for you, okay?"

"Yes...yes! Senior and Index need to rest well!"

In early spring, Shili carried the sorted garbage bags, her little face flushed, and her tone was serious.

"We'll bring some easily digestible food over tomorrow."

Her gaze fell gently on Index, who was pecking at rice like a sleepy chick on the sofa.

"I know, I know~"

Ruiko grinned and took Hina's hand, then suddenly leaned close to Higashino, lowered her voice, and earnestly warned, "But senpai! Even though Index-chan is as cute as an angel, you have to remember 'gentlemanly conduct'! If you do anything you shouldn't..."

She deliberately shook her little fist.

"Chu Chun and I will form a 'judgment legion'! Let this dishonest boyfriend experience the wrath of his girlfriends!"

"Tears!"

Chu Chun's face instantly turned bright red, and she whispered in agreement, "Um... Senior should be a gentleman..."

Looking at the two "girlfriends" in front of him, whose expressions differed but whose concern was the same, Higashino Yu felt a warmth flow through his heart, and his smile was gentle and open. He ruffled their hair one by one: "Am I really that unreliable in your hearts? What she needs right now is a peaceful rest, and so do I."

The frank look in his eyes made both Haru and Ruiko smile with relief.

At that moment, Mikoto walked over and said, "It's getting late."

Her gaze swept naturally over Higashino Yu and Index, finally settling on Higashino. Her voice was much softer than usual, carrying unmistakable concern: "Higashino... take good care of her, and take care of yourself too."

That phrase, "Take care of yourself," is both light and heavy.

"Yes, thank you for today, Misaka."

Higashino nodded solemnly in response.

"Heizi, let's go."

Mikoto called out to Shirai Kuroko, who was deep in thought beside her.

"Yes, Big Sister!"

Shirai Kuroko responded promptly, deftly opening the door for everyone. Then, turning to Higashino, she said a brief farewell: "Dr. Higashino, we'll take our leave now. Please take care."

"Goodbye, senior!"

Goodnight, Index!

Early spring and tears also bid farewell one after another.

The door closed gently behind me, shutting out the footsteps and voices outside.

The room fell silent instantly, with only the faint rhythm of the city outside the window and Index's even, soft breathing coming from the sofa.

"call----"

Higashino let out a long, deep sigh, as if a huge burden had been lifted, and collapsed onto the sofa.

A throbbing pain from mental exhaustion shot through his temples. He closed his eyes and pressed his knuckles firmly against his forehead.

"Higashino..."

A soft, sleepy voice sounded. Index had somehow moved to the sofa, hugged her doll, and sat down next to him, her little head resting on the armrest, her eyes so sleepy they could barely open.

"Yu, I'm so sleepy."

Higashino Yu opened his eyes, looking at her pure yet dreamy face, his eyes gentle as water: "Yes, you've had a hard time these past two days, you should get some rest too."

"Um……"

Index let out a big, cute yawn.

"Ah... I'm going to sleep now, goodnight..."

Before she finished speaking, her small body tilted to the side, her head resting directly on Higashino Yu's arm, and she completely entered a light sleep, her breathing becoming long and even.