In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 60

Leizi couldn't help but chuckle, hands on her hips, commenting, "Pfft, Index, you look so cute! It's nice to change your style once in a while! But..." She leaned closer with a mischievous grin, "What kind of expression would Yuu have if she saw you dressed like this? Would she have a nosebleed?" This teasing immediately made Index's face turn even redder, like a ripe apple, and she hurriedly hid back in the fitting room.

In the end, Index didn't buy those fashionable clothes, to which Ruiko could only mutter softly, "What a pity!" She was really looking forward to seeing Higashino's expression when he saw Index in a miniskirt.

But Ruiko still insisted on buying her a white dress that was also on sale, saying, "Since we're already here, let's just buy one."

As the two strolled into the mall's atrium, a row of brightly colored claw machines immediately caught Index's attention. One machine in particular, overflowing with adorable, round cat plushies, held a striking blue kitten with big eyes that Index couldn't tear herself away from.

"Meow...a cat plushie!" Index's eyes froze instantly as she pressed against the glass display case. "Tears! That blue one is so cute!"

Seeing Index's longing eyes, and then at the undeniably cute little blue cat inside the machine, Ruizi patted her chest confidently: "No problem! Leave it to me! I'm the legendary 'Skirt-Lifting Master,' a mere claw machine... cough cough!" She almost let slip, quickly coughing twice to cover it up, "Watch me get it for you!"

Tears welled in her eyes as she inserted the coin, manipulated the joystick, and pressed the button with unwavering confidence. She took a deep breath, snapped the button, and the metal claw descended, wobbling as it grabbed the little blue cat's… head?!

See? It's so easy!

Then, to Index's expectant gaze, the metal claw suddenly loosened its grip when it reached its highest point... The doll instantly fell back down, a complete failure!

"Ah! I fell back down T﹏T!" Index sighed in disappointment.

"Damn it!" Master Leizi reluctantly tossed in another coin.

"That was just a mistake, this time it'll be fine!"

This time she aimed more carefully, moving the joystick cautiously, and with a click, pressed the button again. Her paw landed and firmly grasped the kitten's body! Rise... rise... almost to the hole!

The paw wiggled again! The kitten, playing with its idol, seemed to be mocking "this is all the master has to offer," and slipped down once more.

“Waaah… Tearful…” Index looked at Tearful pitifully, her big, watery eyes full of pleading.

"Damn it!" Ruiko's competitive spirit and protective instincts surged instantly. "Is this forcing me to use my ultimate move?!" She looked around to make sure there weren't many people nearby (especially no disciplinary committee members or patrolling security guards), took a deep breath, and whispered towards the claw machine: "Secret Technique - Skirt Lifting—"

"Hey! Ruiko! That's a machine!" Index thought Ruiko was confused and quickly reminded her that she was talking to the wrong person.

Tears of the Eye revealed a mysterious, mischievous smile: "Trust me! Watch closely!"

Instead of actually lifting the claw machine's "skirt," she ceremoniously and swiftly feinted a kick into the air! At the same time, she shouted out the name of her special move with powerful force: "—Gale!!"

The instant she cried out, she pressed the grab button! The metal claw descended with extraordinary decisiveness!

"Bang!"

The claws precisely gripped the little blue cat doll's waist! And as if injected with magical power, it rose steadily without the slightest wobbling! Then, amidst Index's gasp of surprise, it arrived above the retrieval opening.

"Plop!" The blue cat plush toy fell steadily into the retrieval slot!

"Success!" Ruiko cheered, stylishly wiping away imaginary beads of sweat from her nose. "See! This is the power of Ruiko's Claw Machine Secret Technique: Skirt Lifting Boost!"

In fact, Ruiko secretly used the ability that Higashino had helped her awaken. Although it was very weak, she was still able to barely lift the doll that was being held by the metal claw.

However, cheating by using one's abilities is definitely prohibited, and if discovered, one will certainly be criticized, educated, and fined.

However, Index was unaware of any of this and had no interest in any special techniques! She excitedly took out the soft, blue kitten doll from the retrieval slot, hugged it tightly, and rubbed it against it, saying, "Aww~ So soft~ So cute~ Thank you, Ruizi!"

Seeing Index smiling broadly as she hugged the cat plushie, Ruiko felt a great sense of accomplishment: "Alright, this big shopping spree was a complete success! It's about time, let's go see a movie!"

With a satisfied Index and her haul, she headed towards the movie theater.

After watching the heartwarming animal movie, Index and Ruiko, clutching their belongings (Index is a blue kitten, and Ruiko is carrying the bag of new clothes for her), discussed why the Ultraman in the movie was so cruel, killing so many adorable monster girls in just two hours. That person was truly wise, actually helping Nishina Karen defeat Taro.

"Mikazuki is so cute!" Index exclaimed sincerely. "I really want to touch her horns..."

Ruiko thought for a moment. She couldn't touch the monster girl, but small animals were still an option: "How about this! Before we go home, how about we go for a walk in the park? There are often pigeons and squirrels in the school park next door, and if we're lucky, we might even encounter some stray cats that aren't afraid of people! I think I still have some leftover bread from this morning in my bag; we can feed the pigeons!"

Index immediately agreed to the suggestion: "Really? That's great! Ruizi understands me best!" She hugged her kitten plushie, her little face full of anticipation.

The park attached to the Seventh School District is shaded by green trees, and there aren't many people around in the evening. As soon as Index stepped into the quiet tree-lined path, she felt like a little elf who had returned to the embrace of nature, happily wandering around.

She quickly found her target: several gray pigeons cooing and strolling leisurely on the grass. "Come here, little ones!" Index carefully crouched down, took some breadcrumbs from the small bag Ruizi had handed her, and gently scattered them on the ground. The pigeons initially retreated a few steps warily, then slowly approached, tempted by the food, and tentatively began to peck at it. Watching their fluffy heads nod little by little, Index's eyes crinkled into crescents with happiness.

Meanwhile, Ruiko was busy and having a great time, her phone camera never leaving Index. "Click!" A profile shot of the silver-haired nun carefully feeding the pigeons. "Click!" The moment Index's eyes widened in surprise as the pigeons approached. "Click!" She and the kitten plush toy in her arms "together" looked down at the pigeons (Ruiko had cleverly positioned the toy). "Perfect! So heartwarming!" Ruiko exclaimed, looking at the photos on her phone. "I have to send these to my senior, make him so envious he'll be begging for mercy, hehe! Hmm, I'll send one to Haru too, it's such a shame she couldn't come today because of overtime!"

They were really lucky. Just as they were about to leave, a calico cat, black, white, and brown, that looked very young, meowed and nimbly jumped out of the bushes, sitting down in the middle of the path and curiously looking at them. "Wow! It's a calico cat!" Index was so excited she almost jumped up, but she remembered to speak softly, afraid of disturbing the little cutie.

She slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, packaged dried fish that she hadn't finished eating from the dessert shop! "Good kitty~ Here, have this." Index crouched down and gently placed the dried fish a few steps away from the cat. The calico cat twitched its nose, observed warily for a few seconds, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation. It gracefully walked over, picked up the dried fish, and purred contentedly.

As Index watched the calico cat leisurely savor its "offerings," a blissful smile of satisfaction spread across her face. Meanwhile, Ruiko busied herself taking photos from every angle, capturing this "sacred meeting between the feline and the food-loving nun."

The sun had completely sunk below the horizon, and the park's warm-colored streetlights illuminated the scene. The two set off on their way home in cheerful spirits. However, they hadn't walked far when their stomachs began to protest, grumbling about not having eaten all afternoon.

As they passed by the familiar commercial street near their home, the unusually bustling scene outside a restaurant called "Genki Gyoza" caught Ruiko's attention. "Huh? There are so many people there! Index, look!" Ruiko pulled Index through the crowd, and there stood a huge billboard at the restaurant entrance: "The First 'Genki! Big Eater Challenge' is in full swing! Eat the giant 'Genki Emperor Gyoza' (containing 50 plump dumplings!) within ten minutes, and your entire table will get a free meal and a 50000 yen cash prize! If you fail the challenge, you only need to pay the original price of the dumplings! Registration is now open! Brave warriors, assemble!"

The huge poster featured a mountain of steaming dumplings that looked incredibly tempting. "Wow! Dumplings! Yu made these this morning, they were so delicious!" Index's stomach rumbled in agreement. She also noticed the "Free + Bonus" sign, and her mind instantly conjured up images of herself earning money and being praised and patted on the head by Higashino. "Raiko! 50000 yen!"

Looking at the terrifying mountain of dumplings, Ruizi felt a little apprehensive. She knew her own limitations perfectly well. But seeing Index's eager eyes, she felt it would be a shame to miss out. She steeled herself and made a decision: "Index, want to take the challenge? It's free and there's a prize! You eat, and I'll cheer you on! I believe in your abilities!"

Despite her petite stature, Index has an astonishing appetite. Hearing Ruiko's suggestion, Index didn't hesitate at all, her eyes instantly blazing with fighting spirit: "Yes! Leave it to me! Yuu once said that wasting food is shameful! I definitely won't waste it! I'll eat it all!" She solemnly handed the cat plush toy to Ruiko, and amidst the curious gazes of the surrounding diners, she raised her hand with unwavering confidence: "I! Index! Want to take the challenge!"

Seeing such a cute girl participating in the competition, the surrounding customers gathered around, and many cheered her on. Soon, Index was seated at a table piled high with steaming "Emperor Dumplings," the timer beside her ticking. Her opponents were a rather burly man and a woman about the size of a sumo wrestler. The owner gave the order: "Begin!"

Ruiko immediately cheered and waved her arms, "Go Index! For the free dinner! For the bonus! Ganbatte!" Index instantly switched into "serious eating mode." Her movements were lightning fast; her small chopsticks precisely picked up plump, white dumplings and put them directly into her small mouth. With almost no chewing, a dumpling was gone! Then another! And another! Index's cheeks puffed up and flattened at a steady pace, and the dumplings in front of her disappeared rapidly.

The two challengers beside her started at a pace no slower than Index, but before they were even halfway through, their speed noticeably slowed, sweat beaded on their foreheads, and expressions of pain began to appear on their faces. These dumplings were significantly larger than those in ordinary shops; most people would be full after eating about ten. "My God…is her…is her stomach a black hole?" the onlookers exclaimed in disbelief. Index's eating speed didn't decrease at all; sharp-eyed passersby even noticed that her stomach didn't change at all, as if the food she ate had traveled to another dimension.

Ruizi excitedly recorded the video on her phone while loudly counting: "...38! 39! 40! Go Index! Only ten left! You're the best! You'll win!" When the last round dumpling disappeared into Index's little mouth, the timer showed exactly 9 minutes and 45 seconds! The two challengers next to her, one with seven or eight left, and the burly man even clutched his stomach and announced that he was giving up the challenge.

"Time's up! Challenge successful! Congratulations to this little girl!" The boss's voice was filled with shock and excitement, and the crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause and whistles! Index put down her chopsticks, patted her slightly changed belly with satisfaction, and then gave Ruiko a satisfied smile: "Ruiko! I did it! 50000 yen!" Hehe, when I get home, Yu will definitely praise me, I've earned 50000 yen.

Tears rushed over and gave her a big hug: "Ahhh! Index, you're amazing! You're like a 'Super Saiyan'! Let's take a picture! A hero's triumphant return!" She excitedly captured the glorious moment with her camera as Index held the prize money envelope, the large "free meal voucher," and the small trophy symbolizing the champion.

As they returned home, the two girls, laden with their spoils, finally arrived at Higashino Yu's apartment building. It was past eight o'clock in the evening, and the city lights were just coming on. Opening the door, they found the apartment completely dark.

"Huh? Yu hasn't come back yet?" Index put down the doll in her arms, her tone tinged with disappointment.

Ruiko turned on the light and looked at the empty living room: "Looks like senpai's date is going to be quite 'long'..."

She remembered that her senior had said he would be back in the afternoon. But her senior was so powerful, he probably wouldn't encounter any danger. He was probably just being pestered by that girl to have dinner with him again.

"Your senior should be back soon, I'll call and ask later. Take the money, Index! But I'm heading back now, the dorm's closing soon~ Goodnight!"

Although I want to stay with Index and wait for our senior to return, there's nowhere to rest if we don't leave soon. As for staying here... ah, I'm not ready yet! At least we should let our senior meet our parents first!

"Goodnight, Ruizi! I had a super fun day! Thank you!" Index saw Ruizi to the door.

However, seeing Ruiko's sudden change in expression after leaving, her little head was filled with questions. "Is Ruiko... too tired?"

No one answered her question. After Ruiko's figure disappeared into the corridor, Index also quietly closed the door.

The apartment, which had been bustling all afternoon, suddenly fell silent, and Index's mood sank again as she looked at the empty room.

She wandered aimlessly around the living room for a few moments, then sat back down on the sofa, lost in thought. "Liar Yu... the 'treatment' was supposed to take this long..." she complained, pouting.

Bored, she lay down and rolled around like a salted fish. Feeling a bit bland in her mouth, she couldn't help but get up and take a pudding from the refrigerator, slowly scooping it out with a small spoon. The sweetness made her feel a little better.

But halfway through her meal, she put the pudding down again. The quiet room made her very uncomfortable, and the delicious pudding didn't taste so good anymore. She muttered softly, "Yu... when are you finally coming back..."

Just then, a crisp knock sounded at the door!

Index's face instantly brightened, and she ran barefoot to the door, her voice more cheerful than ever before, "You're finally back! Ruiko and I today..."

She flung open the door, and the sound stopped abruptly.

Standing at the door was Uiharu Shiori, who had just finished working overtime. She should have left work long ago, but Higashino had asked her to stay at the branch office for a while longer. "Oh, it's Uiharu..." Index was a little disappointed that it wasn't Yu who had returned, but she was curious why Uiharu was here so late.

"Sorry, I'm not a senior." Haru scratched her head awkwardly and handed the bag in her hand to Index with a smile.

Index took the convenience store shopping bag from Chuchun and glanced down to see several bags of potato chips in different flavors and a few beautifully packaged chocolates inside. Her previously somewhat dull emerald eyes instantly lit up: "Wow! Potato chips and chocolates! Thank you, Chuchun!"

"You're welcome. I just passed by a convenience store and thought you might be hungry, so I just bought some." Shiori Haru looked at Index's radiant glow thanks to the snacks and smiled gently in return.

"But Senpai still hasn't gotten home yet." After all, she hadn't received a reply after sending the investigation information to Senpai, so she wasn't sure if he had finished dealing with the matter. But she figured it wouldn't be too long, right? Senpai was one of only eight Level 5 users in Academy City! Haru had carefully reviewed the information on the people she had investigated for Senpai earlier; they were just a group of Level 5 users. Senpai would definitely defeat them in no time, just like those heroes in the movies.

"Hmm...yeah." At this, Index's smile, which had just turned up, fell slightly again. She hugged the shopping bag to her chest and stepped aside to let Haru into the house. "Haru, why are you here so late? Are you working overtime this late?" She wasn't sure how long the disciplinary committee usually worked, but it didn't seem like she could expect a student to work overtime so late.

As Chu Chun entered the house, she closed the door behind her and changed into slippers. She rubbed her slightly sore shoulders; she'd spent most of the day working overtime in the office, sitting for too long. "Yeah, there was a lot of work today… but my senior just asked me to urgently look up some information…" She hesitated slightly, not wanting Index to worry, "After finishing the investigation, I was a bit concerned about the results, so I thought I'd stop by and ask him about the details."

"He said he was going to 'treat someone,' but he hasn't come back yet!" Index pouted, her tone slightly resentful. "He must have been pestered by that girl to have dinner with him again! Liar Yu!" She hugged her bag of snacks, looking like a puffed-up little pufferfish.

Seeing Index's childish complaints, Haru couldn't help but chuckle. She looked at the potato chips and chocolates Index was holding, the conspicuous bag of new clothes on the sofa, and the cute blue cat doll, and asked curiously, "By the way, you and Ruiko seemed to have a good shopping trip today. Did you have fun?" Ruiko had sent her a few photos, but some things are clearer when told by the person in question.

"Mmm! I'm so happy!" Index's attention was immediately diverted by this. She put the snack bag on the coffee table and eagerly picked up the little blue cat plush toy to show Haru. "Ruiko helped me catch it! We also went to see a movie, fed the pigeons, and met a little calico cat that ate the dried fish I gave it! And what's more!" She proudly displayed the small trophy symbolizing the champion, "I won 50,000 yen in the competition! It was on the way back!"

"Fifty thousand yen?!" Uiharu Kazari's eyes widened in surprise. "Index, you're amazing! What kind of competition is it?"

"It was a competitive eating contest! I ate so many dumplings!" Index proudly puffed out her chest, then a little embarrassedly patted her stomach, "Although I seem a little hungry again now..."

Looking at Index's adorable appearance and then at the snacks on the coffee table, Chu Chun suggested, "Well... how about we eat something together? We don't know when Senpai will be back anyway, so let's eat while we wait for him?"

"Okay, okay!" Index responded happily immediately, quickly tearing open a bag of potato chips. "Eat some too, Haru! The tomato flavor that Ruiko bought is super delicious!" She picked up a chip and handed it to Haru.

"Thank you, Index." Shiori Haru smiled as she took the potato chips and sat down next to Index.

The two squeezed onto the sofa, crunching away on potato chips and sharing chocolate. Index excitedly told Haru about the fun they had at shopping that day, including Ruiko's embarrassment when she tried on a miniskirt for her, Ruiko's "secret technique" when they were playing the claw machine, and the shocked expression on the dumpling shop owner's face.

The living room was once again filled with lively sounds and the aroma of food, temporarily dispelling the previous quiet and disappointment. They shared snacks and chatted excitedly, waiting for the person who hadn't returned yet.

Index would occasionally glance towards the door, but the anxiety from before was gone from her face. Instead, she looked satisfied with sharing her joy with her friend and looked forward to "showing off" her spoils to Yu later.

If Chapter 77 isn't satisfactory, it's easier to just cut it out.

About half an hour later.

Higashino Yu finally returned to the front of his apartment. The moment he pushed open the door, two figures rushed out of the living room at the same time.

"Yu! You haven't come home all day!" Index bumped right into his arms.

Almost simultaneously, Uiharu Kazari grabbed his arm from the other side: "Senpai! Did you get into trouble while you were investigating the 'Giant Spider'?"

Higashino was sandwiched between two girls, one in each arm, and led them into the room.

Just as he was about to speak, Index's nose suddenly twitched slightly.

"It smells like strange women!" She looked up abruptly, her eyes wide. "And there are two of them! One smells like violet perfume, and the other... wait? Milk...?"

Chu Chun curiously leaned closer and sniffed: "Wait, this smell... I feel like I've smelled it somewhere before? A faint scent of milk mixed with shower gel... Ah, I remember now, it's the scent of Senior Gu Fa!"

Wait a minute, why is your nose so sensitive in early spring? Are you two puppies with such keen senses of smell?

"That's right!" Higashino readily admitted. The investigation with Yoshimi Kofune was serious business, nothing to hide. They'd receive news tomorrow in early spring. As for their intimate interactions, there was no need to report it; it wasn't anything important, right? "Today, Yoshimi Kofune and I investigated the giant spider—"

"What about the other one?!" Index clung to his chest like a koala, puffing out her cheeks as she demanded, "And why are there two?!"

Suddenly remembering something, Chu Chun let go of his hand and took a step back: "Ah! This must be the 'patient' that you treated today, senior?"

"Yes, that's right, it's her, me and..."

"I'll bite you!" Index opened her mouth and bit Higashino's shoulder without waiting for an explanation!

Click! The familiar scene unfolded once again.

“Oooooh! That hurts!”

Index felt like she had bitten into a hard rock; her teeth were trembling and going numb. She pitifully covered her mouth, whimpering, "Ugh... Yu, did you use your power again?! It's so hard! My teeth... my teeth are going to fall out..."

Seeing Index's pitiful appearance, with tears welling up in her eyes from the pain, Higashino smiled speechlessly.

"Idiot, I told you last time, biting is a bad habit that you have to break! You still tried this time, you really won't listen to advice." He gently pried Index's small hand away from her mouth. "Let me see, you're not really hurt, are you?"

Thank goodness! If Higashino hadn't known that Index liked to bite, and hadn't given himself a preemptive buff, he would have been the one who felt the pain just now.

He didn't really like being bitten, especially since Index's little fangs looked quite powerful.

Index pouted, her big eyes welling up with tears, "Waaah... It's all Yu's fault! You smell like another woman!"

Although I was happy to go shopping with Ruiko today, I was most looking forward to going with Yu.

Chu Chun also put her hands on her hips and joined in denouncing Higashino: "Senior deserves it! He clearly promised to let us know in advance if there were any dangerous operations! But he didn't reply to any of our messages."

She continued her accusations, "And they didn't even send a message to let me know they were coming back so late."

“Early Spring is right!” Index immediately found an ally, temporarily forgetting her toothache, and nodded vigorously in protest, “Yu clearly said she would be back this afternoon, but when Ruiko and I got home, she was nowhere to be seen!”

The two girls formed a united front, staring at Higashino with condemning eyes.

"I was wrong!" Higashino quickly raised his hands in surrender, his tone sincere.

"First of all, it was my oversight today. I forgot to let you know I was safe, which made Chuchun worry and kept Index waiting. I'm really sorry." He looked at Chuchun with gentle eyes. "Chuchun, you worked so late today and still made a special trip over here. Thank you for taking care of Index." As he spoke, he reached out and gently ruffled Chuchun's hair.

The sudden pat on the head and a thank you instantly dissipated the bravado that Haru had just mustered, and she nodded somewhat shyly: "Um... I'm glad you know, senpai... Please remember next time..."

"Yes, I'll definitely remember!" Higashino Yu assured her, then turned to Index, who was still looking aggrieved, "As an apology, I brought some dessert..."

He handed the two paper bags he had been carrying since he came in to the two of them.

I had anticipated Index would be angry, so I bought her treats beforehand as a way of bribing her. However, the arrival of early spring was unexpected, but fortunately, she was quite easy to appease.