In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 13

Downstairs, a group of girls dressed in sailor uniforms were walking by laughing and joking, holding cameras in their hands, seemingly preparing to record the first day of summer vacation.

"Summer vacation..."

Higashino looked at the vibrant and youthful students outside with a touch of emotion.

Tokiwadai's summer vacation lasts for two months, which means that his role as a school nurse is temporarily rendered useless.

He touched the smuggler in the pocket of his white coat. Item was unusually quiet, with no notifications to contact the newcomer. He was happy to have some peace and quiet.

Higashino wasn't in a hurry to make contact with them. After all, with his current strength, even if he made contact, he couldn't completely control them. However, slightly influencing some unimportant perceptions wouldn't be a problem.

Even with Flanda, who has no abilities, it might be easier to completely change her perception if given the opportunity to spend time alone with her than with Haruharu.

But there's no use thinking about these things now. I need to find something to do. It seems pointless to just stay idle like this.

Higashino leaned against the balcony railing, considering his next move.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.

"Since I have nothing to do, why don't I go check out that 'Imagine Killer'?"

Higashino narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "According to the timeline, Index should have already made contact with Touma Kamijou."

Although he certainly couldn't remember the entire timeline of the A Certain Magical Index storyline, he did remember some important parts from the early stages.

After changing into a clean hoodie, Higashino walked out of the dormitory building.

Although it was summer vacation, Tokiwadai campus was still bustling with activity, with students dragging suitcases to go home or groups of girls traveling together.

As Higashino walked, he tried to recall Touma Kamijou's address. He knew it was roughly in the 7th school district, but he couldn't quite remember which apartment building it was.

As he passed a convenience store, Higashino saw a familiar figure through the glass window: Yomi Kawa Aiho was picking something out of the shelves.

He hesitated for a moment, then decided not to go in and say hello. Asking her for Kamijou's address now would seem too obvious.

The streets of the Seventh School District were as intricate as a maze. After walking for about twenty minutes and asking several passersby for directions, Higashino finally found his target in a row of old apartments.

"This is it."

Higashino stood downstairs, looking up at a window upstairs. He remembered that in the original story, Index broke in through that window. But now, the curtains were drawn, the window frame was intact, and there were no signs of anything unusual.

Walking into the dimly lit hallway, Higashino began checking the room numbers floor by floor. When he reached the third floor, the elevator opened with a "ding," and a boy with spiky hair carrying shopping bags stepped out—it was none other than Touma Kamijou himself.

"Hey, isn't this Kamijou-kun?"

Higashino gave a friendly smile. "What a coincidence."

Kamijou was clearly taken aback to run into Higashino here, and paused for a moment before reacting: "You are... that kind gentleman from last time? What brings you here..."

"My name is Higashino Yu, and I am the health care doctor in Tokiwadai. You can just call me Higashino or Yu."

"Uh, okay, Dr. Higashino."

Higashino noticed that Kamijou's expression suddenly stiffened. Following his gaze, he saw that Kamijou was carrying several well-packaged magazines with the words "adult content" faintly visible on the cover.

"Ah, this..."

Kamijou's face flushed bright red instantly, and he frantically hid the magazine behind his back. "The convenience store made a mistake! I'll go return it right now!"

Higashino couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Relax, I'm not a disciplinary committee member here to check your character."

He gave him a knowing look; after all, he was a teenager, so it wasn't incomprehensible that he was reading these kinds of books. "I just happened to be passing by."

Kamijou scratched his spiky hair awkwardly, sweat already soaking his temples: "Um... it's so hot outside, would you like to come in and sit down?"

Just as Higashino was about to answer, a sudden idea struck him, and he feigned discomfort. He leaned against the wall, his brow furrowing slightly, "Oh dear, I guess I didn't sleep well yesterday; I'm suddenly feeling a little dizzy..."

"Higashino, are you alright?"

Kamijou quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"It's alright, I'll be fine after a rest." Dongye waved his hand, asking casually, "Is it convenient for me to come to your house? Will it disturb the other guests?"

"A guest?" Kamijou scratched his head, looking bewildered. "I live alone."

Nobody here? Where's Index?

A hint of doubt arose in Higashino's mind, but he still followed Kamijou into the apartment. The one-bedroom apartment was surprisingly tidy. Apart from a few comic books and game discs piled up in the corner, there was almost no sign of the messiness that a high school boy living alone would have.

"Please, make yourself at home." Kamijou shoved the shopping bag into the closet with such speed it was as if he were destroying evidence. "Would you like something to drink? But all we have is barley tea and tap water..."

"Barley tea is fine."

Higashino looked around the room, his gaze unconsciously lingering near the window. According to the plot, the silver-haired nun should have been on the balcony by now, but the balcony was empty, the curtains were drawn, and there was no trace of Index being there.

Kamijou returned with two cups of barley tea and saw Higashino staring blankly out the window. He asked in confusion, "Higashino, what are you looking at?"

"It's nothing." Higashino took the cup, feigning surprise. "I just think... your house is tidier than I expected."

Kamijou smiled sheepishly: "We just did a thorough cleaning before summer vacation."

He turned on the TV, and the sound of sports news filled the silence.

"Speaking of which, why would Higashino come to a place like this?"

Higashino took a sip of barley tea, the bitter taste spreading across his tongue.

"I got lost while taking a walk," he made up an excuse. "Tokiwadai is on holiday, and I haven't been in Academy City for long, so I don't have any plans for summer vacation yet."

"I see." Kamijou seemed relieved, but then looked puzzled. "But it's quite unexpected that you know my name, Higashino."

Higashino overlooked this issue, after all, Touma Kamijou's name is quite well-known in the anime and manga community.

"After all, the staff complained to me after you left that day that something unbelievable always happens when you come to the store, so I just casually asked for your name."

Of course, the question about asking the shop assistant definitely didn't happen, but this reason did make Kamijou a little embarrassed.

"Haha..." Kamijou chuckled dryly, scratching his head, offering no rebuttal. He had indeed left his student ID at that store before; after all, it was the only place he passed on his way to and from school, and he only went there occasionally. "I-Is that so..."

"Does Kamijou-kun live alone?" Higashino asked casually.

“Yeah, there aren’t any other roommates.” Kamijou turned down the TV volume. “Is Higashino staying for lunch? It’s curry today…”

Higashino glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already 10:30 AM. According to the original story, Index should have appeared by now. Had something happened?

Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang.

"Coming!" Kamijou jumped up and ran to open the door.

Higashino held his breath, anticipating the appearance of the silver-haired nun. But only a bespectacled newspaper deliveryman stood at the door, handed over a stack of newspapers, and hurried away. The feeling of dashed expectations sank into his stomach like a stone.

Indeed, Index would never make her entrance by ringing the doorbell...

The entire morning slipped by amidst boring television programs. Higashino, feigning dizziness, lay down on the sofa Kamijou had vacated. He squinted, peering through his eyelashes at every corner of the room. Reference books were neatly arranged on the desk, a game console sat on the bedside table—everything was ordinary and unremarkable.

At lunchtime, the curry that Kamijou made was unexpectedly delicious. While eating, Higashino tentatively asked, "Any plans for summer vacation? Like... will you meet any special people?"

"Someone special?" Kamijou pondered, chewing on his spoon. "Tomorrow I'm going to the swimming pool with Tsuchimikado and the others..." He suddenly slapped his forehead. "Ah! I almost forgot to buy sunscreen!"

There was no silver-haired nun, no A Certain Magical Index, not even the slightest sign of something unusual. He began to wonder if he had remembered the timeline wrong.

At 3 p.m., a sudden downpour hit the Seventh School District. Large raindrops pounded against the windows.

Higashino stood by the window, watching the rainwater meander and twist into a river on the glass.

"What strange weather," Kamijou muttered, gazing out the window.

“Yes,” Higashino replied thoughtfully. “It’s been raining almost every day in Academy City lately.”

Including the night Kihara Ayaki came to see him, yesterday when he first met Kamijou, and today, it has been raining for three consecutive days.

By the time Higashino left the apartment after dinner, he still hadn't seen Index.

Higashino Yu stood downstairs at the apartment building in the rain.

He looked up at the ordinary window on the third floor, but there was still no sign of anything unusual.

The plot has gone off track... Index hasn't appeared. What does that mean?

He took out his phone, and the date on the screen clearly showed July 20th. According to his memory, today should be the day that silver-haired nun barged into Touma Kamijou's life.

But Index didn't actually appear, and he didn't think he had misremembered the time.

"It seems the butterfly effect is coming faster than expected..." Higashino chuckled, putting his phone back in his pocket. "A puzzle with the answer is certainly perfect..." he murmured to the rain. "But the unknown game is more interesting, isn't it?"

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. A new message popped up on the screen:

[From: Saten Ruiko]

Higashino-sensei~ Are you free tomorrow? I'm making plans with Haru to go to the newly opened aquarium! (≧▽≦)

Chapter 17 A Summer Date

On July 21, the second day of summer vacation, the sun was as thick as melting honey, and the air was filled with the scorching smell of asphalt roads melting in the sun.

Higashino Yu stood in front of the Central Cinema in the 7th School District. In his left hand, he held two strawberry milkshakes, the water droplets condensed on the glass sliding down his fingers; in his right hand, he carried a paper bag containing freshly baked crepes, the aroma of cream mixed with the summer heat wafting towards him.

"Senior Higashino!"

A crisp shout came from behind. When Higashino turned around, Uiharu Kazari was jogging across the zebra crossing, her bangs under the floral headband damp with sweat and clinging to her smooth forehead. Behind her followed Saten Ruiko, who unusually had her long black hair tied into a high ponytail today, the ends bouncing merrily with each step.

"Sorry I'm five minutes late!"

Chu Chun stopped panting in front of Dongye, clasping her hands together in apology.

"Raiko insisted on trying on three outfits before going out... and even changed into a new look."

Leizi covered Chuchun's mouth from behind, and said angrily, "It was Chuchun who spent twenty minutes agonizing over the headband outfit!"

She was wearing a light blue dress today, and the hem of the dress billowed with her movements, revealing her fair and slender legs to Dongye.

Higashino smiled and handed them the strawberry milkshakes: "Summer mornings should be spent leisurely."

He deliberately raised his arm.

"Especially when I'm on a date with two lovely girls."

In early spring, I received the milkshake with a bit of shyness and didn't dare to put my arm around it like that.

Ruiko casually took Higashino's other arm: "You look really handsome today, senpai! Is that a new shirt?"

I saw it when I passed by the mall yesterday.

Higashino let Ruiko grope his body, and the scent of orange blossoms wafting from her hair made him feel somewhat complicated.

He hadn't expected the girl to be even bolder than he'd imagined.

"I bought it thinking, 'This would be nice to wear on a date with Ruiko.'"

Chu Chun suddenly coughed lightly: "Um... the movie starts in twenty minutes, shall we go buy some popcorn first?"

Her gaze darted between Ruiko and Higashino, like a fawn hesitating whether to approach.

Higashino winked knowingly: "Of course we'll buy it, and the largest size available."

He naturally took Chu Chun's hand. At a time like this, if a man doesn't take the initiative, he might as well go home and sleep.

"I remember Chu Chun liked caramel flavor, right?"

"Huh? How did you know, senior...?"

Chu Chun opened her eyes wide in surprise, then lowered her head shyly.

"Ah, it must be what we talked about last time..."

Ruiko tiptoed close to Higashino's ear, her warm breath tickling his earlobe: "Hatsuharu has been looking forward to this date since yesterday, she even changed into a new lace nightgown."

"Tears!"

Her startled scream in early spring drew curious glances from passersby. She immediately covered her mouth, her ear tips turning bright red, and even her neck was tinged with a faint pink.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, she patted her tears in annoyance.

Ruiko wasn't idle either, and retaliated with a counterattack. And so, the two girls on either side of Higashino began to playfully fight, giving Higashino a true taste of what happy troubles are.

Inside the movie theater lobby.

Completely different from the heat outside, the air conditioning was on full blast. Ruiko sneezed and unconsciously moved closer to Higashino.

Higashino took off his shirt jacket and draped it over her shoulders: "Be careful not to catch a cold."

"what about me?"

Chu Chun muttered to herself, then was startled by her own boldness and hurriedly covered half of her face with her milkshake cup.