In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 71

"Kuroko?!" Mikoto exclaimed in surprise. Her body reacted faster than her brain. Sensing the sudden restraint and the familiar presence, she almost reflexively ducked down and then executed a nimble side spin!

"Whoa!" Shirai Kuroko let out a short scream after missing her target. She staggered forward two steps before regaining her balance due to the excessive force she had used.

"Kuroko! How many times have I told you not to suddenly pounce on me from behind! It's dangerous!" Mikoto steadied herself, looking at Kuroko with a mixture of anger and anxiety.

"Waaah... Onee-sama is so heartless..." Kuroko tried her best to look pitiful in order to gain Mikoto's attention, "But Onee-sama's dodging posture was still so graceful and full of power, Kuroko..."

The wronged expression lasted less than a second before Kuroko broke into a satisfied smile and chuckled.

"Stop! Stop it!" Mikoto quickly interrupted her self-indulgent reverie, rubbing her forehead in exasperation. "Don't always rush over like this! You're lucky today, you weren't electrocuted! You won't be so lucky next time."

If she hadn't been thinking about Higashino and reacted a little late, Kuroko would definitely have been electrocuted by her subconscious reaction.

"Ah, I actually like the whipping that my older sister loves too. I can accept anything that belongs to my older sister!"

Kuroko continued to make her perverted declarations without any restraint, but after getting a little closer to Mikoto, she noticed the bag in Mikoto's hand.

"Huh, did Onee-sama go shopping for new clothes today?" Kuroko stepped closer, looking at the bag with some curiosity, trying to see what kind of clothes Mikoto bought today. "What kind of clothes are they? Could it be that Onee-sama is finally willing to try a new style of dressing? Ah, I'm so touched!"

Although Mikoto is perfect in Kuroko's eyes, there's still a tiny flaw. Her usual outfits are too childish, especially her lingerie! It's all cute and Gekota-themed. Kuroko dreams of seeing Mikoto wear something sexy so she can... well, you know...

Mikoto noticed Kuroko's sudden change in expression and asked with some confusion, "Kuroko... you're not thinking about something weird again, are you?"

She knew Kuroko's expression all too well. Every time she fantasized about something weird, Kuroko would make that silly grin and drool, and then...

"Big sister, let me give you some advice too!" Kuroko suddenly moved closer to Mikoto, trying to snatch the bag from her hand.

Mikoto, who had anticipated this, easily dodged Kuroko's hand. However, Kuroko was not disappointed. Instead, she leaned in as if she had succeeded in her scheme.

Her small nose almost touched Mikoto's shoulder as she sniffed deeply. "Waaah, it really is Onee-sama's scent... Wait? This scent... something's not right..."

Mikoto was startled by Kuroko's sudden approach and sniffing action, and instinctively took a step back, reaching out to push Kuroko's face: "Hey! Kuroko! What are you doing! Stay away from me! Don't do such a perverted thing all of a sudden!"

However, Kuroko had already smelled a scent that was different from usual. It wasn't just the scent of her older sister, but also that of someone else! You can only pick up that scent through close contact or being in close proximity for a long time.

Kuroko's clinginess to Mikoto is partly due to this; she wants to leave her mark on Mikoto and keep other sluts away from her older sister.

"Big sister, have you... have you betrayed Kuroko...?"

She was struck as if by lightning, and took a step back, her body swaying precariously. Her eyes were wide open, and her face was filled with indescribable shock and... a sense of hurt from being betrayed by her girlfriend.

"Who betrayed you? No, there's nothing between us!" Mikoto retorted loudly. If outsiders heard her say this, they would definitely misunderstand her as that kind of strange girl.

"Big Sister!" Kuroko's voice suddenly rose, her tone certain, "You... smell like a man!"

And it felt very familiar, like... who was it again? Kuroko couldn't quite remember for a moment. For her, apart from her older sister's scent, which she had to remember, no one else mattered, and she wouldn't bother to remember anyone else.

Upon hearing Kuroko's words, Mikoto tensed up instantly. "Wh...what man's smell! Kuroko, what nonsense are you spouting! How could I possibly smell like that!" she retorted instinctively, her voice lacking confidence due to her guilty conscience.

Damn it! I must have been standing too close to Higashino in the store! He was just chatting, why was he standing so close?!

Mikoto had no idea that she was the one who had taken the initiative to approach them during the conversation.

"Absolutely!" Kuroko said firmly, pressing on. "I've definitely smelled that scent before, and it was definitely from a boy."

Her analysis was terrifyingly accurate. "More importantly! When you answered Kuroko's question just now, your eyes were darting around! And you were blushing a little, which is definitely not normal!" Kuroko put her hands on her hips, looking aggressive. "Tell me! Which wild man were you having a secret rendezvous with inside just now, Big Sister?!"

"A...a secret meeting?!" Mikoto was so provoked by this word that she almost gave Kuroko an electric shock to teach her a lesson: you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. "Kuroko! What kind of nonsense are you thinking about all day long! I just...I just happened to run into an acquaintance while shopping for clothes and chatted with her for a bit!"

She tried to glare back fiercely, but Kuroko was completely unmoved. Instead, she felt that this older sister had a more girlish charm than her usual tomboyish self.

But this change was because of another person, and Kuroko felt that her heart was twisted with jealousy.

"An acquaintance? They chatted for a bit?" Kuroko narrowed her eyes, increasingly convinced that Mikoto was deliberately hiding something. "What kind of 'acquaintance' could make Onee-sama show that...that..." She seemed to be searching for the right adjective, "that kind of lovestruck girl expression?! Onee-sama, you even blushed! How close were you two?!"

"We weren't that close! And I didn't blush! It's... it's just too hot here!" Mikoto felt that no matter how she explained it, it seemed a bit forced. She was telling the truth, but the fact that they were so close and that she had blushed earlier was undeniable.

Frustrated, she scratched her hair, wanting nothing more than to get rid of Kuroko's harassment. "Alright, alright! Kuroko, aren't you supposed to be on patrol? Don't waste your time here!"

"Don't even think about changing the subject, Big Sister!" Kuroko teleported and instantly blocked Mikoto's way again, arms outstretched, as if to say, "Don't even think about leaving until you explain yourself."

"Who is that man?! That smell is familiar?! My sister doesn't know many men, but the ones I do know... Could it be Dr. Higashino? I knew he had designs on my sister! Sister, let me go! Kuroko will go get him right now..."

"Enough! Kuroko!" Mikoto finally lost her temper and interrupted Kuroko's subsequent remarks. "If you keep talking nonsense, I really won't be polite! Higashino and I just... just..." She hesitated. She couldn't very well say that he had just given her some advice on buying clothes, and then she was caught by two girls who suddenly appeared, causing her to run away in embarrassment, could she? That would be too embarrassing!

"Higashino?" Kuroko keenly caught the name Mikoto blurted out in her panic. "It really is Higashino Yu! I knew it was him! You just gave yourself away with a little blunder!"

Mikoto realized she had let something slip and blushed: "You...you misheard! I meant...I meant...I happened to run into a friend! Not Higashino!" Her explanation sounded even weaker.

"Just a chance encounter? But I heard the name 'Higashino' very clearly." Kuroko crossed her arms, watching Mikoto's flustered appearance with a leisurely air. "Onee-sama, please don't treat Kuroko like a fool. I remember every word, every action, and every moment of charm that Onee-sama exudes."

She took a step closer, exuding an air of pressure. "Big sister, please answer truthfully! Did you have a private encounter with Higashino Yu just now? Was it in this shopping mall? How long did it last? What exactly happened?"

Mikoto was overwhelmed by Kuroko's barrage of questions, especially the last one, "What exactly happened?", which made her both embarrassed and angry: "Kuroko! That's enough! You're a disciplinary committee member, not a security guard! I... I just bumped into him while shopping and chatted with him for a bit, is that so wrong?!"

"Does chatting require such close proximity? Shouldn't we maintain normal social distance?!" Kuroko pressed on relentlessly, completely disbelieving Mikoto's words.

"Big sister, your reaction is very unusual. I have reason to suspect that you encountered some form of... harassment? or coercion in front of Dr. Higashino?"

She paused deliberately, observing Mikoto's reaction. "For the safety of my sister, and to fulfill my duties as a disciplinary committee member, I believe it is necessary to retrieve the surveillance footage from the shop and the surrounding area for a detailed investigation! And to immediately summon Higashino for questioning!"

"No way!" Mikoto refused almost without hesitation. How could she go to the trouble of checking the surveillance footage for such a trivial matter? It was just a normal chat, and Kuroko was acting just as inexplicably as that silver-haired brat from before!

"Why not? Is Big Sister protecting him?" Kuroko's eyes sharpened.

"I didn't! He didn't harass me!" Mikoto was exhausted from explaining. "Kuroko! Mind your own business! My affairs are none of your concern!"

"Protecting the safety of the students in Academy City, especially protecting Onee-sama from harassment by bad doctors, is my important duty as a member of the Disciplinary Committee!" Kuroko declared righteously, but her words were filled with jealousy towards Higashino. How dare he contact Onee-sama behind Kuroko's back! He deserves to be punished by heaven! And he already has Hatsuharu and Ruiko, yet he still wants to date her! Kuroko will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen!

"My sister's resistance to the investigation only makes me more certain that there's more to the story! It seems we must take action immediately..."

"Ugh! So annoying! You idiot Kuroko! Whatever!" Mikoto was too tired to explain anymore. She was exhausted. Let it all end! Leaving Kuroko standing there raging, Mikoto walked past her and headed towards the dormitory.

"Big Sister! Wait!!" Kuroko didn't care about Higashino anymore and quickly chased after Mikoto in the direction she had gone. As for investigating Higashino, it was just to get information out of him; no one would take it seriously, right?

On her way back, the scene of their conversation kept replaying in her mind: her challenge to a duel with that bastard, which was rejected.

While Mikoto and Higashino were waiting in line to pay, they suddenly remembered something they had overheard earlier: "Speaking of which... I heard from Kuroko yesterday that you and Kofuku-senpai took down an organization of abilityless people together?"

Upon hearing this, Higashino raised an eyebrow, seemingly a little surprised that Kuroko would tell her this, then smiled and said, "Well, sort of. I just happened to run into her and took care of it."

Mikoto's gaze fell on Higashino. It had been a while since the two had fought side by side. Back then, Higashino was still Level 4, and his abilities were somewhat unique: "Your abilities seem... well suited for combat. Rather than being described as mental, I think they're more like conceptual abilities."

"Oh, maybe..." Higashino wasn't surprised. Anyone who had actually seen him use his abilities wouldn't believe they were mental. Even if mental influence could affect reality to such an extent, it was far too outrageous. As for those who actually believed the information about him that Academy City publicly had come knocking on their door, Higashino would show them just how profound the despair brought about by information asymmetry could be.

She paused, then suddenly remembered something she had wanted to do for a long time. "Hey, Higashino, now that you're Level 5, how about we go to the training grounds in District 7 for a duel?"

Seeing her sudden surge of fighting spirit, Higashino Yu chuckled and shook his head. "I'm afraid not today, Misaka-san. I promised to go shopping with them." He pointed to a lingerie store not far away. "Some other time."

"Tch...boring." Mikoto pouted and muttered under her breath. The little flame of fighting spirit that had just ignited in her heart was extinguished by the words "accompanying someone shopping," and she inexplicably became a little annoyed again.

"Accompanying someone shopping..." The duel was rejected without mercy! The reason for the rejection was still accompanying another girl! To buy underwear! Then, those two guys immediately caught them, called them nasty nicknames, and scrutinized them with Himegami Akisa's all-seeing gaze, forcing them to flee in panic! Finally, they were attacked by Kuroko, who was waiting on the road, and he wouldn't let go of their "manly scent"!

"Everything's going wrong! Today's been absolutely unlucky!!!" Mikoto's frustration and embarrassment reached their peak as she walked back home!

Crackling sounds filled the air as a powerful electric current erupted from her, instantly striking several innocent roadside trees nearby. Leaves scorched, branches snapped, and even the streetlights short-circuited and started smoking, drawing astonished glances from a few pedestrians in the distance. It seemed likely the area would experience a power outage tonight.

"Ah! Big sister! Don't damage public property! This is against the rules!" Kuroko's anxious voice rang out, and she instantly appeared near Mikoto, looking around helplessly.

Mikoto snapped out of her daze, feeling even more stares directed at her, her face burning with embarrassment. She glared fiercely at Kuroko, who was perched high on the streetlight: "Shut up! It's all your fault!"

She didn't linger, not even glancing at Hei Zi again. She slightly changed direction and rushed into a less crowded alleyway perpendicular to the main road. As long as she shook off Hei Zi, that was all that mattered! Otherwise, he'd be asking her all sorts of questions again!

"Waaah... Big sister actually dislikes me..." Kuroko's aggrieved voice came from behind, "But! The more she acts like this, the more it proves there's a problem! The more Big sister avoids the issue, the more it confirms my suspicions! Higashino Yu... a chance encounter... I don't believe in that kind of thing!"

Kuroko's eyes narrowed, her brain racing. Her older sister's unusual behavior, the aura of Higashino emanating from her, their chance encounter at the mall... 'Mall, clothes!' Considering her older sister's shopping bags, and her reluctance to reveal more details and what she bought...

A clear logical chain formed in Kuroko's mind! "Onee-sama, I know!" Kuroko shouted in disbelief, "Onee-sama, you didn't actually go on a date with Higashino, did you?!"

Mikoto nearly stumbled. Damn it! Kuroko, what the hell do you know?! This is completely wrong!

"More importantly!" Kuroko's voice relentlessly pursued, like a haunting ghost, "Onee-sama, you didn't want to show me your new clothes, could it actually be sexy lingerie?! This also explains why you smell like him, Onee-sama? You must have had quite a while and quite close 'interaction' with him! And this interaction was him helping you change your lingerie! Is this the real reason why you blushed, your heart raced, your body smelled of him, and you were hiding something from Kuroko?!"

Kuroko, as if possessed by Sherlock Holmes, rattled off a whole bunch of analyses. But the more she talked, the sadder she felt. It seemed like her sister had really been stolen away?

"Shut up, you idiot Kuroko!!!" Mikoto couldn't stand Kuroko's nonsensical reasoning anymore. He even dared to think about helping her change her underwear. It was simply absurd!

"Big sister, I... um, uh..." Before she could finish speaking, a bolt of lightning struck from the sky, bringing the world back to silence. The black mole collapsed, and the surrounding power system was finally completely destroyed! The surrounding residents joyfully welcomed a summer night without air conditioning—a cause for celebration!

Chapter 94 Mingya, My Name is Yu Ling Mingya

The daytime hustle and bustle completely subsided as night fell. After having dinner outside, the group returned to their apartment.

Exhausted from shopping, Index fell asleep early, clutching the reindeer doll she had brought back from London.

Himegami Akisa also went back to her room to rest after taking a bath. She rarely goes shopping and was so tired after walking all day that her calves felt a little weak.

Higashino Yu took a shower, dispelling some of the day's fatigue. Wearing loose pajamas, he sat at his desk, casually flipping through his usual notebooks.

The notebook had already been affected by his abilities; everyone else except him could only see an ordinary diary.

It records some of the people and things he encountered after arriving in Academy City, as well as some plans for the future.

Time quietly slipped towards midnight.

An indescribable sense of unease suddenly arose in the room.

Higashino's fingers, which were turning the pages of the book, paused, and his brows furrowed slightly. The alert he had set in his room had not been triggered. It was a cognitive trap that would only be activated when someone with ill intentions approached the room, causing confusion for enemies, but it would not react to anyone without malicious intent.

Is it just my imagination? Or...?

He slowly raised his head, his sharp gaze sweeping across every corner of the room. Bookshelves, wardrobe, bed... everything was as usual. But the feeling of being watched grew clearer and clearer.

Just as he was about to get up and investigate, something unexpected happened.

In the center of the room, just two or three steps from the desk, a blurry outline slowly rose from the bottom of the water, its figure gradually becoming clearer.

The first thing that catches the eye is a striking white. It is an unusually large, ancient-style white burial garment. The collar of the garment is very high, almost covering the neck, and the wide sleeves hang down, concealing the hands.

Next was the peculiar heart-shaped crown. It hovered about an inch above the visitor's head, made of neither gold nor jade, and had a translucent, dark red hue that resembled solidified flames.

Then, Higashino Yu saw her figure clearly.

She was tall, but her slightly hunched posture, or perhaps a long-standing habit of curling up, exuded an inescapable gloom and inferiority complex. Even through the loose burial shroud, one could vaguely glimpse the full curves beneath.

Her eyes were fixed on Higashino Yu with a blank, confused and inquisitive gaze.

She stood there quietly and abruptly in the center of the room, emanating a cold, chilling aura. Several clusters of eerie blue, will-o'-the-wisps floated silently around her.

Higashino's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart pounded in his chest.

A ghost?! Am I seeing a ghost in the middle of the night? And this ghost must have floated up from downstairs, right? Could it be that a ghost has been living downstairs all along?

The thought flashed through my mind like lightning.

He subconsciously tensed his body, his mind highly focused, a fleeting blue light flashing deep within his eyes, ready to activate his ability at any moment to deal with unknown threats.

However, immediately after that moment of shock, another thought emerged clearly, like a lighthouse breaking through the fog.

Wait… this image… white burial clothes, a heart-shaped crown, a tall, hunchbacked ghost girl… it looks familiar, I'm sure I've seen her before, but who is it…?

From the depths of his memory, information about a character who appeared later in "A Certain Magical Index" was quickly retrieved.

Spirit Master Netherworld!

The ghost girl from the original story who could only be perceived by ordinary people through a special device called an "incense burner"! How did she end up here?

Moreover... she didn't have the dragonfly-shaped "incense burner" drone described in the original work, nor did it emit the low-frequency waves and smells that could induce hallucinations.

Logically, without those tools, ordinary people shouldn't be able to see her at all, right? So why was I able to see her...?

After thinking about it, Higashino quickly understood and realized a possibility.

Ghosts, in a sense, are also a special kind of "cognitive existence"—a special phenomenon formed based on the spirit, soul, or some kind of residual information. His ability, perhaps to some extent, is a natural capacity to "see" and "understand" this non-physical form of existence!

He observed the ghostly girl before him without making a sound. She seemed confused as well, her empty eyes filled with a hint of bewilderment, as if she didn't understand why this human could "see" her so clearly, and why she didn't scream and run away in fear like an ordinary person.

This had never happened before; for the first time in a long time, she had encountered someone who had seen her while she was wandering around Academy City.

The air in the room seemed to freeze. The two stared at each other, neither saying a word, just looking at each other.

Higashino looked at the other person, pondering how to deal with this sudden intruder.

Regardless of why she appeared, it seems she can be used to my advantage. If I can thoroughly understand her existence, my abilities should be able to become even stronger.

Last time at Misawa Academy, on his way to find Aureos, he did not give up trying to decipher the barrier, and he successfully deciphered it before the guards arrived, after defeating Aureos.

Although it didn't help in the battle at the time, my abilities did improve somewhat. In Werewolf, the phase aspect incorporated some of the understanding brought by the barrier.

By analyzing her existence, one might gain a deeper understanding of the essence of the world. Similarly, understanding and analyzing various scientific abilities should accomplish the same thing; it's just a matter of how much one can improve upon them.

Moreover, it seems like you could recruit someone to guard your home. Even with your own security measures, having a mascot with some fighting ability wouldn't be bad. After all, Index and Himegami Akisa's combat power is practically negligible.

Moreover, Ghost is quite good at being a scout and gathering information in the shadows. As long as we bring her this way, it will definitely be a win-win situation.