In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 168

Huang Quanchuan's mouth dropped open, his hand still frozen in mid-air, his eyes wide open, staring at Dongye in disbelief.

"You...you can even stop an earthquake?!"

Ironclad was utterly shocked, his eyes filled with incredible admiration and amazement as he looked at Higashino: "This...this is the power of the strongest Level 5? It's...it's amazing!"

Kiyama Harumi also suddenly raised his head, his usually indifferent eyes revealing shock for the first time.

How long has it been since the Fantasy Beast incident? She remembers it very clearly; Higashino barely managed to stop it with all his might, and then he even fainted.

But the power this young man is now displaying has far exceeded her previous understanding.

Stopping earthquakes? Is that something a human can do? This power...could he already be at Level 6?!

Higashino withdrew his gaze, picked up his chopsticks, and continued to cook meat as if nothing had happened, his tone carrying a sense of matter-of-fact indifference: "I am the strongest esper in Academy City, the one closest to 'understanding the will of heaven without being a god.' It wouldn't be difficult for an earthquake of this magnitude to stop."

A confident smile curved his lips.

"What a... monster."

Huang Quanchuan finally found his voice, shook his head with a sigh, and then complained somewhat irritably.

"But there have been too many earthquakes lately! It's so annoying! And they feel weird, not like normal earthquakes."

Ironclad also nodded in agreement: "Yes, Senior Huang Quanchuan is right. Recently, this kind of abnormal vibration phenomenon has been occurring frequently in the Seventh School District. The intensity is not high, but the frequency is very high, and... how should I put it, the vibration is very 'erratic' and the range is very concentrated."

Higashino Yu understood, but his face betrayed a perfectly timed look of confusion: "Oh? An unusual earthquake?"

"Ah."

Huang Quanchuan's expression turned serious.

“We’ve already noticed this within our security detail. This phenomenon has been temporarily termed ‘Poltergeist’ by our superiors. The specific cause is still under investigation, but we suspect it may be a localized spatial disturbance caused by some kind of malfunction or experimental accident.”

Upon hearing the word "Poltergeist," Harumi Kiyama's hand gripping her chopsticks tightened abruptly. She quickly lowered her head, using the act of picking up food to conceal the fleeting tension and panic in her eyes.

Higashino took in Kiyama Harumi's subtle reactions, but he said nothing.

He certainly knows the truth, but he can't say it.

The three women at the dinner table—Aiho Yomikawa, Tsuri Tetsuya, and Haruo Kiyama—have all had their perceptions subtly altered by his abilities. They now have absolute trust and closeness to him, do not question his words, and even instinctively lean towards him.

However, Higashino's abilities did not distort their personalities or stances.

Yomikawa and Tetsuzo are security guards; maintaining order and security in Academy City is their duty and belief ingrained in their very being.

If Higashino were to point out at this moment that Kiyama Haruo was the culprit behind the "chaotic openness," given their personalities, unless Higashino intervened, they would definitely arrest Kiyama Haruo on the spot.

This would only cause more trouble. Anyway, he planned to help the children wake up after dinner, and the chaotic opening incident should officially end tonight.

So, seemingly oblivious to Kiyama Harumi's odd behavior, he simply nodded in agreement with Yomikawa's words: "I see. 'Unregulated openness'... that sounds troublesome. Hopefully, the security personnel can find out the reason as soon as possible."

He skillfully avoided in-depth discussion, glossing over the topic.

"Yes, I hope it can be resolved soon, otherwise I won't be able to eat in peace."

Huang Quanchuan complained, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the delicious food bubbling in the pot.

"Come on, the meat's ready! Eat up, don't waste Higashino's amazing cooking!"

Ironclad also smiled again, putting the shock and the topic behind him.

Kiyama Harumi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his tense body relaxing slightly, though his hand holding the chopsticks remained somewhat stiff.

The four of them picked up their chopsticks again, and the steam from the hot pot rose once more, quietly concealing the brief unease at the table and the thoughts in their hearts.

Chapter 202 Poker Game and Lingerie Show

The steaming hot pot dispelled the evening chill and gradually melted away the brief tension brought about by the "chaotic and unregulated opening" topic.

Aiho Yomikawa picked up a piping hot slice of fatty beef, dipped it in sauce, and stuffed it into her mouth. She exhaled a satisfied breath, then, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up and she looked at Higashino.

"Hey, Higashino."

She tapped the rim of her beer glass with her chopsticks, making a crisp sound.

"Eating hot pot without some drinks just feels like something's missing! Do you have any alcohol here? Beer will do!"

Higashino slapped his forehead, a look of sudden realization on his face: "Ah! Sorry, I completely forgot about that!"

Since arriving in Academy City, he has spent most of his time eating with girls like Haru and Ruiko, and their drinks are usually juice, cola, or tea.

Today I'm having dinner with three older sisters, so having some drinks is only natural.

"Wait, I'll go get it."

He got up and walked to the refrigerator on one side of the kitchen, opening the cabinet door. Although Higashino didn't usually drink alcohol, the thoughtful Himekami still bought some and stored it in the refrigerator after moving in, just in case.

He grabbed a dozen cans of chilled beer, returned to the table, and slammed them down on the floor.

"Here, plenty."

Higashino smiled and sat back down.

Huang Quanchuan cheered and eagerly grabbed a can, popping the tab open. A little foam instantly gushed out. Without a care, she tilted her head back and took a big gulp, letting out a satisfying "Ha!"

"Awesome! This is what a adults' gathering should be like! You're so stingy, I thought you were reluctant to give us any drinks!"

Iron-clad Li also smiled and picked up a can, taking small sips.

"I think Higashino-kun doesn't usually drink, does he?"

"Yes, Tie Zhuang is right, I don't usually drink much."

Actually, he has a pretty good alcohol tolerance, but he drinks very little since he started working.

After all, his profession required him to stay alert at all times, and any mistake caused by drinking would be a serious problem. Since transmigrating, he rarely ate alone, except for the occasional meal with various beautiful girls, so the opportunities to drink were even fewer.

"But since it's a rare get-together, I should at least have a drink with you all today."

Higashino remembered that the last time he drank was when Mugino and the others welcomed him, a newcomer, and he had some beer. It had been a month since then.

Kiyama Haruo glanced at the beer cans, then at Higashino who had started drinking, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, he silently picked up a can, took a small sip, and was immediately startled by the slightly bitter taste, causing him to furrow his brow slightly. However, he quickly regained his expressionless demeanor.

After a few sips of ice-cold beer, the atmosphere became more relaxed and casual.

As Higashino looked at the three adult women before him, each with a distinct style yet undeniably charming, a thought suddenly popped into his head. A barely perceptible smirk played on his lips as he cleared his throat.

"Hey, just drinking like this is no fun."

He shook the beer can in his hand.

"How about we play a game?"

Huang Quanchuan immediately narrowed his eyes warily: "Hmm? What mischief are you up to now? You're not planning to get us drunk and then do something wicked, are you?"

Despite saying that, there was a hint of eager excitement in her eyes.

"how could be."

Higashino looked completely innocent.

"Just trying to liven things up. The rules are simple: we play cards, each person gets two cards, and we compare the card values. The person with the highest card wins, and the other three lose..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping over the three women's faces.

"You must choose one of the following three options to complete the task."

He held up one finger: "First, drink a beer."

He raised the second one: "Second, take off a piece of clothing."

Finally, he raised the third one, his smile becoming meaningful: "The third one... is to accept any punishment proposed by the winner, and you must complete it."

"puff!"

Ironclad almost spat out the mouthful of beer she had just drunk. She quickly covered her mouth, her face instantly turning bright red.

"Take...take off your clothes?! Higashino-kun! You were definitely up to no good!"

She glared at Dongye in embarrassment and anger, her voice rising several decibels.

It's summer now, and they're all dressed very lightly.

Huang Quanchuan was wearing a sports vest and sports shorts; Tie Zai was wearing a simple short-sleeved shirt and a knee-length skirt; Mushan Chunsheng was still wearing a white lab coat, over which was an ordinary T-shirt and trousers. Whoever took off their clothes meant that they would soon become very "open".

Huang Quanchuan wasn't embarrassed at all. Instead, he put his hands on his hips and pointed at Dongye with a "I knew it" expression: "I knew it! You're a real schemer! Trying to take advantage of me with this kind of game, huh?"

Kiyama Harumi stared at Higashino for a moment, then calmly said, "The rules are simple and clear. They're acceptable."

She didn't see anything wrong with the rules; drinking normally was indeed a bit boring. As for taking off her clothes, she didn't care at all. She was already feeling a bit hot, and even if Higashino hadn't said anything, she was actually planning to take some off to cool off.

As for the last point about any requirement, that is somewhat concerning...

"Hey, Dr. Kiyama, why are you taking his side?"

Ironclad was even more anxious. She couldn't understand why Kiyama Harumi was so calm. Putting aside the choice of drinking, the subsequent act of taking off his clothes and making any demands seemed rather improper.

"Humph."

Looking at Kiyama Harumi's nonchalant attitude and then at Higashino's "if you're scared, so be it" expression, Huang Quanchuan's competitive spirit was aroused.

"Let's play! Who's afraid of who! But Dongye, don't think you'll be the winner! Don't cry when I make you take your pants off and walk your manhood around!"

She slammed her hand on the table with a grand and heroic air.

Seeing that Huang Quanchuan and Kiyama Harumi had both agreed, Tie Zhuangzui thought that Higashino was someone he should trust. Even if... even if he lost, it seemed that there was nothing he couldn't accept in front of him.

This sense of trust lessened her inner resistance considerably. Her face flushed, and she said with a hint of helplessness, "Well... okay then..."

"Great! That's awesome!"

Higashino smiled broadly and magically produced a brand-new deck of cards from his pocket.

"Then, the game begins!"

first round.

Higashino dealt the cards. He glanced at his own cards, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Cards revealed: Higashino has a pair of Queens, Yomi K and 9, Tetsuya Tsuri has a Jack and 7, and Kiyama Haruo has a 10 and 4.

"Oh dear, you flatter me."

Higashino smiled and laid out his cards.

"Tsk!"

Huang Quanchuan clicked his tongue in displeasure.

Ironclad Satsuri and Kiyama Harumi silently looked at their small cards.

"Come on, three beauties, shall we choose?"

Higashino leaned back in his chair with an air of nonchalance, his gaze sweeping over the three of them without any attempt to conceal it.

Huang Quanchuan and Tie Zhuangzhui did not hesitate to choose the first option, and each picked up their beer glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

Kiyama Harumi calmly stood up, and under the slightly surprised gazes of the other two women, took off her white lab coat, folded it neatly, and placed it on the chair next to her. Underneath, she wore an ordinary white short-sleeved T-shirt.

Huang Quanchuan and Tie Zhuangzhui exchanged a glance and both felt there was no problem. After all, it looked hot to eat hot pot in a white coat in the middle of summer, so it was normal to take it off.

Continue with the second game.

Higashino continued to shuffle and deal the cards.

Cards revealed: Higashino J and K, Huangquanchuan Q and 10, Tiezhuang Zhuili 9 and 8, Kiyama Haruo 7 and 5.

"Sorry, it's me again."

Higashino's smile grew even brighter.

Huang Quanchuan: "..."

Ironworks: "..."

The two chose to drink again, and after downing a glass of ice-cold beer, they felt a little bloated.

Kiyama Harumi stood up again, and calmly took off his white short-sleeved T-shirt under the increasingly wide eyes of Yomikawa and Tetsuzo Sakuri!

Inside was a simple white bra that covered her slightly thin upper body.

"Hey, hey, hey! Dr. Kiyama!"

Huang Quanchuan couldn't hold back any longer.