In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 111

Higashino Yu followed casually, hands in his pockets, and said, "Speaking of which, I remember you said you were trying to control your weight recently. You ate so many sweets this morning; won't eating crepes for dinner be too much?"

In his small group of three—himself, Ruiko, and Haru—both girls had expressed their desire to lose weight.

Higashino didn't quite understand why the two of them, whose weights were perfectly normal and whose figures were far from fat, would want to lose weight just because they felt they had a little extra fat on their stomachs.

"Ugh, senior! Don't bring up a girl's weight on a date."

Ruiko rolled her eyes at Higashino and stuck out her tongue.

"Today's a rare date, we're definitely going to let loose a bit!"

As for whether I'll get heavier tomorrow, I'll leave that to my own worries tomorrow.

Moreover, she's not the type to gain weight easily, nor is she the legendary girl who can eat whatever she wants without gaining weight.

Eating a little more high-energy food won't have much of an impact. The last time we talked about losing weight in the group, it was actually to coincide with the beginning of spring.

When Chuchun weighed herself, she seemed to have gained a little weight. However, with Ruiko's sharp eyes, it seemed that Chuchun had grown a little in a certain place.

Higashino Yu chuckled. He understood Ruiko's thoughts. It was a rare date, and worrying too much would definitely spoil the fun.

After all, nobody wants to go on a date only to be rejected because their date says they can't eat this or that they'll gain weight.

If this situation actually occurs during a date, there's a high chance the other person doesn't really enjoy the date. After all, if they can't even compromise on something as small as this, the relationship is unlikely to be very good.

Her gaze swept over a Chinese ramen shop with red lanterns hanging on the street corner, and she suddenly stopped: "Rinko, how about we go eat there?"

"Um?"

Tears welled up as she turned around and followed his gaze.

"Ah! Chinese ramen?"

"There seems to be a special challenge there?"

Higashino pointed to the exaggerated signboard at the store entrance.

The spiciest ramen challenge in Academy City! Dare to take the plunge?

Such events are actually quite common in Academy City or Japan. Higashino even participated in a competitive eating contest before, but was eliminated in the first round.

That glutton had an incredibly large appetite; even a little foodie like Index couldn't compare.

Ruiko's interest was instantly piqued: "Extra spicy ramen?!"

She immediately forgot about the crepes and excitedly approached the signboard.

"Senior! Let's go eat this!"

Ruizi usually enjoys all sorts of urban legends and novel and exciting things, and she usually joins in on challenges like this when she comes across them.

She even won first place in a haunted house challenge, but as a result, she couldn't fall asleep that night because her mind was filled with terrifying images.

And then there was that dumpling-eating contest I participated in with Index last time, where we were eliminated in the first round.

If Index hadn't been so strong and won first place with a free meal, the cost of the dumplings would have been enough to make her feel bad for a while.

Higashino raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure? I heard the 'legendary spiciness' here is so intense it could make even water-type ability users breathe fire."

While it may be a bit of an exaggeration, it does prove that the spiciness of this ramen is absolutely extraordinary.

He wasn't quite sure how well Ruiko could handle spicy food, but Japanese people, who generally prefer milder flavors, don't usually have a high tolerance for spice, and Ruiko didn't seem like someone who could handle spicy food very well.

"And quite a few people even cried from the spiciness."

Upon hearing this, Ruizi became even more enthusiastic: "Then shouldn't we give it a try!"

She grabbed Dongye's arm and rushed into the store.

"Let's go, let's go!"

Inside the ramen shop.

The interior is decorated in a Chinese style, with mahogany tables and chairs adorned with lanterns, and the walls covered with photos and messages from various challengers. The most eye-catching feature is a huge notice:

"Whoever successfully challenges themselves to get the 'Hellfire Spicy' ramen will have their meal for free and will be awarded the title of 'Spicy King'!"

Ruiko was immediately drawn in as she entered: "Senpai! Look at this!"

She pointed at the notice, as excited as a child who had discovered a treasure.

"Let's take on this!"

She was actually quite envious of Index's victory last time, but unfortunately, her ability was limited. Her stomach couldn't hold that much food, and she just couldn't eat more, even though she had tried her best.

Before Higashino Yu could answer, the owner walked over with a smile: "Would you two like to try our signature spicy noodles?"

"want!"

Tears immediately raised her hand, full of confidence.

"I'm going to challenge myself to 'Hellfire Spicy'!"

The shop owner sized her up and kindly reminded her, "Young lady, this is really spicy; many strong men can't handle it."

Ruiko puffed out her chest defiantly: "I'm an esper! What's a little spiciness level?!"

Higashino chimed in, "Don't let her appearance fool you; she just easily dealt with the bank robbers."

Upon hearing this, the boss immediately became respectful: "I see! Please wait a moment, I'll go prepare it right away!"

Ruiko winked triumphantly at Higashino: "See! Even the boss was impressed by my aura!"

Higashino chuckled, "I hope you'll still be this energetic later."

Soon, two bowls of steaming ramen with an eerily dark red broth were served. Ruiko leaned closer to smell it, immediately coughing as if choked by the broth: "Cough cough...this...this smell..."

Without changing his expression, Higashino picked up his chopsticks: "What? Are you admitting defeat?"

She gets choked up by the smell, it seems that when it comes to spicy food, Leizi isn't as tough as she seems.

No way!

Ruizi immediately picked up her chopsticks and took a deep breath.

"I'm starting!"

Leizi picked up a mouthful of noodles with her chopsticks and carefully put it into her mouth.

"...Seems alright?"

She blinked, a victorious smile just appearing on her face, but her first impression wasn't that it was particularly spicy.

But the aftereffects kicked in quickly, and Ruiko, who had just swallowed the ramen, paused...

"Wow! It's so spicy!"

Her face flushed instantly, as if it were on fire, and tears were about to stream down her face.

"Water! Water!"

Higashino, prepared, calmly handed over the chilled milk. Ruiko grabbed it and gulped down several mouthfuls before catching her breath: "This...this isn't spicy enough for a human to handle!"

The boss laughed heartily, "This is just the beginning!"

Higashino ate his bowl slowly and deliberately, his expression unchanged: "It is indeed quite spicy."

Ruiko's eyes widened: "Senior, you're actually alright?!"

"I'm used to it."

Higashino shrugged. Although this ramen looks spicy, it's not actually as spicy as you might imagine.

Of course, the main reason is that his bowl of noodles is slightly different from Leizi's.

"Are you going to admit defeat?"

Higashino took another bite; the spiciness was just right, and he could still enjoy the deliciousness of the ramen.

"no way!"

Tears were spurred on, and she picked up her chopsticks again.

"I'm going to be the 'Queen of Hotness'! I'm determined to take that title!"

This time she was smarter; she first took a big gulp of milk, then quickly stuffed a mouthful of noodles into her mouth.

"Ugh...!"

Her face turned even redder, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she still forced herself to swallow it.

"Ha...ha...so spicy...but so good!"

Higashino couldn't help but laugh as he watched her stick out her tongue from the spiciness but still try to hold on.

It's really funny how Ruiko tries to act calm, and she looks so cute sweating and teary-eyed from the spiciness.

"Would you like to take a break?"

"No, no need!"

Tears stubbornly shook her head and picked up another mouthful of noodles.

"I can still eat!"

This time she choked, coughing with tears in her eyes, "Cough cough... Sen-senpai... This is way too spicy..."

Higashino Yu quickly handed her another glass of milk and gently patted her back: "Eat slowly."

After catching her breath, Ruiko suddenly stared at Higashino's bowl: "Wait! Senpai, why doesn't your face look as red?"

Higashino Yu remained unfazed: "You've mistaken me."

Tears welled up in her eyes, then suddenly snatched his chopsticks and took a bite: "...Mildly spicy?!"

Higashino finally couldn't help but laugh out loud: "We've been found out."

"You're too cunning, senior!"

Lei Zi slammed her hand on the table angrily, making a face that said, "I'm very angry."

"They actually lowered the difficulty level secretly!"

No wonder she ate such spicy food while her senior remained unfazed; it turns out they were eating completely different things.

"This is a legitimate way for me to mitigate risk."

Being able to eat spicy food is one thing, but the level of spiciness required for this challenge is far beyond what normal ramen should be like. He still wants to enjoy the deliciousness of ramen properly.

"How about I carry you back on my back later?"

Tears welled up in her eyes: "Carry me? Why?"

Higashino pointed to the half-eaten bowl of "hellishly spicy" ramen in front of her: "At this rate, do you think you'll still be able to walk on your own after you finish this?"

Ruiko: "..."

She really wanted to say that being spicy from eating ramen didn't actually affect her walking, but she understood what her senior meant. He clearly wanted to carry her, yet he was making up this excuse. He was really not being honest.

"Hmph, don't underestimate me, senior! I'll definitely finish it all and show you!"

In the end, the confident Leizi didn't complete the challenge, but she did manage to eat half a bowl, which amazed the owner: "Young lady, you're the girl I've ever seen who can eat the spiciest food!"

Even though her lips were swollen from the spiciness, Ruiko still proudly raised her chin: "Of course!"

It was late when they left the ramen shop. Ruiko clung to Higashino's arm, her steps unsteady. "Senpai... I feel... a little lightheaded..."

She felt that her senior might have forgotten something and that it was necessary to give him a hint.

Seeing her deliberately acting like she'd had too much to drink, Dongye couldn't help but chuckle: "I told you you couldn't handle this level of spiciness, yet you forced yourself to eat so much."

Ruiko suddenly stopped, looked up at him, her eyes wet with tears: "Senpai...carry me."

Higashino Yu raised an eyebrow: "Ugh, I feel like I'm completely out of energy right now... I need some special strength to regain my stamina."

"Um……"

Tears playfully shook his arm, her soft parts constantly making intimate contact with Higashino's arm.

"Carry me on your back~"

Higashino nodded. Ruiko really knows what she's doing. Acting cute and giving out fan service can definitely help guys regain their strength!

He turned and squatted down: "Get on."

Ruiko happily climbed onto his back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her cheek against his shoulder: "Senpai's shoulder...it feels so good..."

Higashino carried her on his back, walking slowly home. A gentle night breeze caressed his face, and strands of Ruizi's hair brushed against his cheek, carrying the faint scent of perfume she had specially worn that day.