In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 34

Night fell quickly, and Higashino Yu's apartment was plunged into darkness.

He lay on his back on the bed, his hands behind his head, staring blankly at the crack in the ceiling.

To prevent things from getting worse, Higashino decisively used his ability to defuse the conflict between the two, and nothing particularly happened afterward. After all, it was unlikely that anything would happen between the three of them, right?

"Click."

The soft click of the door lock turning was especially clear in the quiet night.

Index?

Higashino looked over with some confusion.

The door hinges creaked softly, and a tall figure silently slid into the room. The newcomer was tall with a slender waist and long legs, dressed in a maid's outfit.

"Kanzaki?"

Higashino's voice changed slightly due to surprise.

Since Kanzaki had already left after dinner at Index's urging, she shouldn't have been in her house at all.

But then again, all the doors and windows were locked, so how did she get in during the day and now? Could it be that the female saint has some special door-opening technique?

"Yes, it's me..."

Kanzaki Kaori stood at the door, not wearing her ordinary maid outfit from the daytime, but an exquisitely crafted, almost sinful, fallen angel-style ensemble. Black lace clung to her stunning figure, the skirt swaying gently with her movements, and the decorative wings on her back made her appear exceptionally alluring.

This maid outfit is much bolder than the previous ones. If Index were to wear this during the day, she would probably feel even worse.

"What are you doing?"

"Master, Master."

Her voice was low, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

"I will fulfill the duties of a true maid."

Higashino's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Kanzaki's outfit perfectly blends holiness and depravity. The white lace at the neckline and cuffs accentuates her honey-colored skin, and the halo decorations on her back glow slightly in the darkness, making her seem like a true angel fallen to earth.

"The real responsibility...?"

Higashino propped himself up, looking at her helplessly, but his eyes revealed anticipation.

"Do you really know what a maid's duties are...?"

"I-Of course I know! I've already received the relevant information from Tsuchimikado! I will keep my promise!"

Tsuchimikado?

Oh, Touma's spy buddy, right? What kind of information did that guy give Kanzaki? It's just... amazing!

A slightly shy Kanzaki suddenly took a step forward.

"A professional maid should solve problems for her master."

As he got closer, Higashino noticed that she was carrying a small black toolbox.

"This is..."

"Massage tools".

Kanzaki placed the toolbox on the bed and then opened it.

"Please turn over, Master, Master."

Higashino's mind was a little dazed, but his body still honestly turned over and lay face down on the bed.

The mattress sank slightly as Kanzaki knelt beside him. A faint, delicate fragrance lingered in the air, a scent Kanzaki had never worn before; she seemed to have specially applied perfume for her maid duties.

As she approached, Higashino could feel her breath on the back of his neck, warm and moist.

"Relax."

Kanzaki's voice was right next to my ear.

"I'll start with the shoulders and neck."

Cool essential oil dripped onto his shoulder blade, causing Higashino to involuntarily flinch. The next second, Kanzaki's warm palm pressed against his skin, gently massaging his taut muscles.

"Well..."

Higashino let out a muffled groan. Kanzaki's technique was unexpectedly professional; her thumb slowly slid down along the muscles on both sides of the spine, precisely locating each sore spot.

"It's very stiff here."

Kanzaki's voice carried a hint of reproach.

"Your posture is not good."

Higashino wanted to say something, but Kanzaki's sudden increase in pressure made him swallow his words. Her knuckles circled along the edge of his shoulder blade, each press bringing a pleasant, aching soreness.

"The Pope knows massage? Even a real maid wouldn't have such amazing skills."

Higashino tried to ease Kanzaki's tension with a joke.

"Amakusa-style spiritual practice includes the body's meridians."

Kanzaki's voice was calm as still water, but Higashino could feel her fingertips were slightly hot.

"Relax, don't resist."

Her palm slid down his spine and stopped at his lower back. Higashino's breathing quickened involuntarily; he could feel Kanzaki's fingernails gently scraping against his skin, sending a slight shiver down his spine.

"Turn it over."

Kanzaki suddenly gave the order.

Without the slightest hesitation, Higashino obediently lay down on his back.

Under the moonlight, Kanzaki's face was close at hand, her eyes darting around, her lips slightly pursed in focus.

Even without the lights on, Higashino knew that her face was burning red.

"Close your eyes."

Kanzaki gave the command.

Higashino did as he was told. In the darkness, his other senses became more acute. Kanzaki's hair brushed against his chest, her fragrance became clearer, and there was that faint... bloody smell?

"You are hurt?"

Higashino suddenly opened his eyes.

Kanzaki paused for a moment, then resumed as usual: "It was just a minor injury. Continue."

Her fingers traced circles on Higashino's temples. Only then did Higashino notice a scabbed scar on the inside of her wrist, clearly from her earlier battle with Index.

"Let me treat you..."

"Quiet."

Kanzaki pressed his thumb against his lips.

"The maid's work does not require the master's concern."

Her tone was firm, but the force in her fingertips was incredibly gentle.

Higashino unconsciously relaxed, letting Kanzaki's fingers roam over his face, from his temples to his cheekbones and jawline, each spot receiving just the right amount of caress.

"Now, step on my back."

Kanzaki suddenly stood up.

Before Dongye could react, the mattress sank again. A pair of jade-like feet encased in black stockings gently stepped onto his back, the arch of the foot perfectly conforming to the curve of his spine.

"Holy crap...!"

Higashino's voice was stuck in his throat.

Kanzaki's weight was precisely controlled, applying enough pressure without causing pain. Her toes deftly found every muscle knot, and her heels slid slowly along her shoulder blades.

"breathe."

Kanzaki's voice came from above, carrying a hint of barely perceptible laughter.

"You're too nervous."

Higashino then realized he had been holding his breath the whole time. He slowly exhaled, feeling the strange sensation of Kanzaki's feet moving across his back. The black stockings were smoother than he had imagined, and each movement brought a subtle friction.

Who wouldn't be nervous in this situation? And it's not just about being nervous!

"I must say, you are quite professional as a maid, but do you really understand the duties of a maid?"

Higashino was pondering why Kanzaki would go to such lengths, given that he had only implanted the understanding that he had to fully fulfill the agreement to prevent Kanzaki from going back on her word.

"There might be things you can't do~"

Kanzaki paused for a moment: "A maid's duty is to satisfy her master's needs."

Her toes gently rubbed against a taut muscle.

"And what you need now is this, a professional massage."

Higashino couldn't refute it. His muscles had indeed been a bit tired lately, and what Kanzaki was doing was what he needed to do. But did she understand what he had just said?

To be fair, Kanzaki's massage technique was indeed impeccable. Every bit of pressure was just right, and every press precisely targeted the points of fatigue. With her movements, the tension in my body did gradually dissipate.

The next day, the sound of the door closing softly was particularly clear in the quiet morning.

Outside the window, the first rays of morning light quietly climbed onto the windowsill.

Chapter 48, Eighth Level 5

At 9:30 a.m. on July 28, in Higashino Yu's apartment.

Higashino Yu opened his eyes, rubbing his throbbing temples. The bed beside him still bore the marks of their struggle; a patch of the sheet was missing, and Kanzaki Kaori was nowhere to be seen. On the pillow lay a note, its handwriting sharp and forceful:

"Forget about this incident. I'm taking the maid outfit."

Higashino's lips curled up slightly. The events of last night and breakfast were still fresh in his mind. If he hadn't been worried that Index would wake up soon, he wouldn't have let Kanzaki leave so easily.

But forgetting her is impossible, absolutely impossible! I'm really looking forward to seeing her again; I want to tease her again!

He reached for his phone on the bedside table, and the screen lit up, displaying twelve unread notifications simultaneously. At the top was an official message highlighted in red:

[Urgent Notice from the Academy City Board of Directors: Mr. Higashino Yu, your ability "Cognitive Reconstruction" has been assessed by the Special Ability Assessment Committee and confirmed as Level 5, currently ranking eighth. Please complete the ability test and registration procedures at the Ability Development Bureau of the Seventh School District before 12:00 today.]

Higashino's sleepiness vanished instantly. He sat up abruptly, the sheet slipping down to reveal several red marks on his shoulder—scratches left by Shinrai during their passionate encounter, still throbbing with pain.

Level 5? When was that assessment given? I haven't taken any official tests recently...

The sound of the television automatically turning on from the living room interrupted his thoughts. Higashino put on his bathrobe and stepped out of the bedroom, only to find the television playing breaking news on a loop.

"Special report: Academy City has confirmed the birth of its eighth Level 5. Higashino Yu, the school nurse at Tokiwadai Middle School, formerly a Level 4 'Cognitive Reconstruction' ability user, has officially been promoted to Level 5, the eighth..."

The scene switches to a blurry surveillance video showing him unleashing his ability domain while battling a fantastical beast in School District 23. The video has clearly been edited, emphasizing the moment he erases the exploding doll.

"According to inside sources, after its evolution, Higashino Yu's ability can reconstruct the laws of physics within a 200-meter radius for up to one minute..."

Higashino looked at these messages with a somewhat speechless expression.

Was it deliberately leaked by Aleister? Where did he get this data? It's completely inaccurate!

My phone suddenly vibrated, and Mugino Shizuri's name popped up.

"Hey, Mugino."

"Higashino."

Mugino's voice carried the languidness of someone just waking up, with the sound of a coffee machine running in the background.

"You saw the news?"

"Watching it now."

Higashino stared at his own image on the television.

"I just found out too."

The sound of papers turning over came from the other end of the phone.

"I just received a notification from the council."