In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 165

He knew, of course, that unless he used his abilities, Mikoto would find it difficult to agree to the request given her personality.

But he still said it, otherwise, given Mikoto's almost overflowing nervousness, Higashino doubted whether she would get stage fright when she went on stage.

But judging from how loudly she shouted just now, her tension must have dissipated a bit.

Soon, the rustling sound of fabric rubbing against each other came from the cubicle, unconsciously reminding Dongye of his earlier suggestion.

Although he only said that to distract Mikoto, if she actually agreed, Higashino wouldn't mind actually helping her. After all, he's really good at undressing...

However, the silence didn't last long. A frantic tugging sound came from inside, followed by Mikoto's frustrated yet pleading voice through the door: "...Um...Yu...could...you do me a favor?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Higashino raised an eyebrow.

"The zipper... seems to be stuck... I can't reach it myself..."

Her voice was filled with embarrassment. Dongye could imagine the awkwardness on her face as she tried to reach behind her but couldn't touch the zipper.

A hint of surprise flashed in Dongye's eyes; he hadn't expected such a low-probability event to actually happen.

This time he didn't use his abilities to cause trouble; it was all a coincidence.

"Hey, I'm coming in now."

He pushed open the door and went in. He saw Mikoto with her back to him, her hands stretched out behind her back, the zipper of her dress stuck in the middle, revealing a section of fair and smooth skin, making him feel an irresistible urge to reach out and taste it.

Her cheeks were flushed with anxiety, and there seemed to be fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

"do not move."

Higashino walked behind her, gently pinched the stuck zipper teeth with his fingers, and stabilized both sides with his other hand, gently and skillfully lifting and pulling.

"Shoot."

With a soft click, the zipper slid smoothly to the top.

"All right."

Higashino smoothed out the wrinkles on her shoulders, and looking at the girl in the mirror, dressed in a pure white dress and as elegant as a swan, he sincerely exclaimed, "Yes, as expected of my Mikoto, you are very beautiful."

Mikoto looked in the mirror, and the tension seemed to have been lessened by this little incident, but when she thought about going on stage, that invisible pressure quietly returned.

Just then, without warning, Dongye bent down, put one hand under her knees and the other hand around her back, easily lifting her up in his arms!

"ah!"

Caught off guard, Mikoto gasped in surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"What are you doing! Put me down right now! Someone will see us!"

She looked towards the dressing room door in a panic, terrified that someone would barge in and see her being carried like a princess—that would be incredibly embarrassing!

Higashino didn't say anything, but simply held her and walked straight out of the dressing room, heading towards the corridor leading to the lobby.

"Higashino Yu! Put me down! Do you hear me?!"

Mikoto struggled futilely in his arms, her cheeks burning as if they were about to smoke. She could almost imagine how people outside would point and whisper if they saw this.

She was being held like a child... How embarrassing!

Mikoto buried her face deep in Higashino's chest, ostrich-like, avoiding his imagined gaze, her heart pounding wildly.

However, the expected gasps and whispers did not materialize. People came and went in the corridor—their classmates, visitors from other schools, busy staff… Everyone seemed to ignore them, preoccupied with their own affairs, not even casting a curious glance their way.

Mikoto carefully raised her head and was surprised to find a subtle and mysterious silver light flowing deep in Higashino's eyes.

She understood instantly! Higashino must have used his ability to make everyone ignore the two of them!

Higashino carried her, as if taking a leisurely stroll, through the noisy hall.

They swaggered past Kuroko, who was excitedly describing to Haru, Ruiko, and Kofun how amazing her upcoming performance would be.

"My sister's violin solo! It's heavenly music that will cleanse your soul! I'm ready to experience it with all my heart!"

Kuroko was waving her arms, her twin tails swaying excitedly.

Haru's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes! Mikoto-senpai will definitely be fine! She's so amazing!"

Ruiko added with a grin, "Exactly! Although she's usually carefree, Mikoto is super cool when she gets serious!"

Kofu also nodded in agreement: "Misaka-san is indeed a very amazing person. If it were her, she would definitely bring a different kind of performance to everyone."

Mitsuko, who was gracefully fanning herself with a folding fan, was chatting with Wannai and Paofu after her marriage.

"Hehehe! Misaka-san's performance will surely add the most dazzling touch to this summer festival! I'm really looking forward to it!"

Photon spoke with certainty.

Wannai Kinu nodded gently: "Yes, I heard that she amazed a lot of people during the rehearsal."

Pao Fuwanbin chimed in softly, "Yeah, as expected of our Tokiwadai ace, I'm really looking forward to the performance later."

Listening to her friends' enthusiastic, expectant, or rational conversations, and feeling their unreserved trust and appreciation, Mikoto's initial nervousness and shame quietly melted away like snow during this peculiar "invisible" journey.

It turned out that everyone believed in her and had high hopes for her. This realization completely relaxed her tense nerves.

Higashino held her in his arms, as if he had really just taken her for a walk, and after going around in circles, they quietly returned to the empty corner of the backstage area.

He gently put her down. When her feet touched the ground, Mikoto was still a little dazed, the blush on her cheeks had not completely faded, but her eyes had already regained their usual clarity.

Higashino cupped her cheeks in his hands, his deep eyes fixed on her with a triumphant smile: "How is it? The pressure is relieved, isn't it?"

Mikoto snapped out of her daze and immediately clenched her little fist in dissatisfaction, giving his chest a light tap: "How can you relieve someone's stress like that! Hugging and..."

She couldn't finish her sentence.

Higashino lowered his head and captured her lips directly.

It's happening again!

Although it wasn't the first time she had been ambushed by Higashino, Mikoto's mind went blank the moment she made contact, and she could only passively endure the sudden attack.

As always, Higashino's hands and the nimble little snake were very restless, but this time Mikoto did not resist at all, and even cooperated with him to get even closer.

Consider it payment for relieving my stress this time. With that thought, Mikoto fully immersed herself in this verbal battle, attempting to regain the dignity of a Level 5 esper and defeat Higashino.

After a long while, Higashino reluctantly released her, a satisfied smile on his face: "Now, are you relieved of all the pressure?"

He's a professional at helping young girls relieve stress, something Misaki Shokuhou can attest to, and even more so, Junko can attest to its effectiveness.

Mikoto was panting, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, and her eyes glistening with tears.

She glared at him, both embarrassed and annoyed, and was about to retort when she realized... wait? The heavy pressure that had been weighing on her heart had truly vanished without a trace! In its place was an indescribable ease and... a secret sweetness?

“You…you…”

Mikoto was speechless, and in the end she just punched him again, but the force was so light that it was no different from whining.

"...What a complete idiot!"

Higashino laughed heartily and ruffled her hair: "Go on, my electrifying princess, let them hear what the real 'Railgun' is!"

"Um..."

Nodding, Mikoto turned around and picked up the violin that was placed to the side.

When Mikoto appeared on stage in the center, holding a violin and dressed in a pure white gown, the audience fell silent instantly.

She took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping across the audience—the expectant looks of her friends, and Higashino's encouraging and smiling eyes. Her nervousness subsided, replaced by a clear, calm peace and a focused dedication to delivering a perfect performance.

The bow was gracefully placed on the strings.

The first note flowed out, clear and melodious, instantly captivating everyone's attention. Then, the melody flowed like a gentle stream, sometimes soothing like moonlight pouring down, sometimes soaring like thunder rolling.

She poured her understanding of music, her gratitude to her friends, and her complex feelings for a certain fool onto the strings without reservation.

Fingers dance across the strings, each note full and powerful, carrying a penetrating force.

She played a highly challenging classical piece, displaying brilliant technique and rich emotion.

The audience members, whether they understood music or not, were deeply captivated by the vibrant performance.

Kuroko covered her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears of excitement; Haru clapped enthusiastically, her face flushed with excitement; Ruiko couldn't help but whistle, earning a helpless glance from Kofumi Miyuki beside her; after marriage, Mitsuko gracefully tapped her palm with her folding fan, her eyes full of admiration; Wannai and Awafuki exchanged a smile, both happy for Mikoto's perfection.

As the last note trembled and faded in the air, a brief silence fell over the entire venue, followed by thunderous applause that lasted for a long time!

Mikoto lowered her bow, bowed slightly, and wore a confident and satisfied smile. She had succeeded! A near-perfect performance!

After stepping off the stage, he was immediately surrounded by excited friends.

"Big sister! This is amazing! It's heavenly music!"

Hei Zi was the first to rush forward, so excited that he was incoherent.

"Mikoto-senpai! You're amazing! So cool!"

Chuchun and Leizi each took her arm on either side.

"Oh ho ho ho! Misaka-san, your piano playing is quite good!"

After the wedding, Mitsuko covered her mouth with a folding fan and laughed.

"A truly outstanding performance, Misaka-san." Kinuho Wannai and Manbin Awafuki also offered their sincere congratulations.

"Misaka-san, your performance was very moving."

Even Gu Fameiwei rarely showed a gentle smile.

Surrounded by the enthusiasm of her friends, Mikoto's face beamed with a bright smile, her previous nervousness replaced by the joy of success.

At that moment, Higashino walked through the crowd and stood before her. His face held undisguised approval and tenderness, and his voice reached her ears clearly:

"Mikoto, your performance was absolutely wonderful."

Looking into his eyes that reflected her image, and feeling the sincerity in his words, Misaka Mikoto felt as if her heart was enveloped in warmth.

She smiled happily, her smile as bright and beautiful as the most dazzling summer sun.

At the same time, deep down, she also felt a sweet sense of speechlessness and reproach towards her boyfriend who helped her relieve stress in such an "outrageous" way.

"Thank you, Yu!"

Chapter 200, Infirmary.Jpg?

The hustle and bustle of the Tokiwadai Summer Festival gradually subsided like the receding tide after the various performances.

Inside the infirmary, Higashino was organizing the afternoon's medical records, the setting sun streaming in through the window casting a warm orange-red hue on the table.

After Mikoto's performance, Higashino returned to the infirmary to continue working. Having already shown his three girlfriends around the campus, he decided to dedicate the rest of his time to work.

By deliberately controlling the scope of his abilities, he successfully finished watching all the students who had lined up again before leaving get off work, thus ending his day's work.

"Dong dong."

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Please come in."

"I said without looking up," Higashino said.

The door was pushed open, and Chuchun and Ruizi walked in hand in hand.

"Senior, we're leaving now!"

Leizi announced with a grin.

"I had a really satisfying day exploring the school. Tokiwadai truly lives up to its reputation!"

"Uh-huh!"

Chu Chun nodded vigorously, and the little flower on her head swayed gently with her movement.

"Thank you so much for letting us visit, we are really happy!"

She looked at Higashino with bright, sparkling eyes, a hint of reluctance in them.

Higashino put down his pen, a gentle smile appearing on his face: "Is it just the two of you?"

Higashino glanced behind them, but there was no sign of Mikoto or any other girls.

After Higashino returned to work, the girls seemed to resume their group raids on various stalls, but Higashino had no idea what the specifics were.

"Are you looking at Misaka-senpai? Or Mitsuko and the others? Unfortunately, as Tokiwadai students, we all have to clean up and handle some follow-up matters... Or perhaps..."