In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 24

Thump... rustling...

This was followed by the sound of fabric rubbing against the railing and a slight struggle.

With a question in mind, Dongye walked over and suddenly pulled open the curtains.

Chapter 33 This is definitely the Hanged Man's conspiracy!

On the balcony, a petite figure was lying there. Her long silver hair swayed gently in the night breeze. The girl was only wearing a pure white nun's robe, an outfit that made Higashino's lips twitch involuntarily.

How could Higashino not recognize that familiar silver hair and that familiar nun's habit?

Index: Forbidden Books!

"I'm so hungry..."

The girl raised her head, her cute big eyes looking pitifully at Higashino.

Her voice was so weak it sounded like she might die at any moment, but what she said almost made Higashino burst out laughing.

As expected of Index, her first words upon meeting him were, "I'm so hungry!"

"What's going on with you?"

The silver-haired nun Index struggled to sit up, her monastic robes covered in dust. She staggered forward a couple of steps, then suddenly grabbed Higashino's leg.

"Give me...something to eat..."

Her voice was choked with sobs, and her eyes were brimming with tears.

If an uninformed passerby saw this scene, they would probably think that Higashino had committed some inhumane atrocity against the girl.

"I haven't eaten for... three days..."

Higashino looked down at the girl clinging to his leg like a stray cat, unsure how to react.

According to the original story, Index should have appeared on Touma's balcony long ago. She waited at Touma's place all day but did not appear. Why did she appear on her own balcony a few days later?

This coincidence is definitely not normal; it must be a conspiracy by the Hanged Man!

If it weren't for the Hanged Man's arrangement, Higashino would never have imagined that such a coincidence could happen in the world.

Please...

Index's stomach rumbled loudly.

"Anything will do...even expired bread..."

Higashino sighed and bent down to help the girl up.

Putting aside the conspiracies and schemes for now, although Index is a problem, he's not the kind of person who would stand by and watch someone die.

Of course, this is definitely related to the fact that Index is a beautiful girl.

"Come in with me first."

Higashino helped the swaying girl into the living room.

"There are just some leftovers."

Index's eyes lit up instantly.

After settling down at the table, Higashino heated up the remaining dishes and brought them to the table.

If I remember correctly, Index has a foodie side.

Index, who had been waiting patiently, let out a sound that was somewhere between a sob and a cheer when she saw the food that Higashino brought over.

"This...and this...can I eat all of them?"

She pointed at the dishes, her eyes shining, and drool dripping from the corners of her mouth.

"Don't be shy, go ahead and eat. I'll go get you a glass of juice."

After finishing speaking, Higashino turned and went to the kitchen to get some juice.

When he returned with the cup, the sight before him stunned him.

Index was devouring food at a terrifying speed. Her cheeks were bulging like a hamster's as she stuffed scallops and sushi into her mouth with both hands, her lips smeared with cream and sauce.

What's even more outrageous is her eating style, which is very similar to Goku from Dragon Ball, and her speed is also quite astonishing.

"Eat slowly, be careful not to choke."

Higashino placed the juice in front of her.

Nobody's going to take it from you.

Index mumbled something, then grabbed the glass and downed the juice in one gulp. The green liquid trickled down her chin and neck, looking surprisingly tempting.

"Want more?"

Higashino asked, while secretly glancing at the legendary "Index of Forbidden Books".

Consistent with the original description, Index looks to be only fourteen or fifteen years old. Dressed as a member of the Moving Church, she is basically not in much danger; at most, she will just go hungry, like she is now.

Index nodded vigorously, dust falling from her silver hair with the movement. She suddenly sneezed, then continued to eat intently.

Feeling that it might not be enough for Index, Higashino went back to the kitchen and took out the porridge that Teacher Xiaomeng had left over from the refrigerator. Although it looked strange, it was still quite nutritious.

As he heated it in the microwave, his thoughts drifted further afield. What did Index's appearance signify? What was Aleister's true intention? What would the future hold for Touma Kamijou? More importantly...

Ding--

The microwave's beeping interrupted his thoughts. Higashino returned to the living room with a steaming bowl of porridge and found that Index had already finished all the food on the table and was now staring longingly at the plate in his hand.

"Give."

Higashino placed the porridge in front of her.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Index didn't mind the color of the porridge at all. She eagerly scooped up a large spoonful and put it in her mouth, only to stick out her tongue in pain from the heat. But she still managed to swallow the food, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's so delicious..."

She muttered to herself, then scooped out another spoonful, this time remembering to blow on it.

"This is the best thing I've ever eaten..."

Higashino sat opposite her, quietly watching her wolf down her food.

"Your name is Index, right?"

Higashino suddenly asked.

Index's spoon stopped in mid-air, and she tilted her head in confusion: "How did you know?"

"That's a secret."

Higashino shrugged, adopting a mysterious and inscrutable expression.

"You look like a nun... what are you doing in Academy City?"

Index glanced at her clothes instinctively, her expression turning complicated. She lowered her head, her silver hair falling to obscure her face: "This is... church attire..."

Before she could finish speaking, her stomach let out another loud protest. Index blushed and continued eating her porridge.

Higashino got up to make tea, giving the girl some private space. When he returned with the teacup, Index had already finished the whole plate of porridge and was now rubbing her belly contentedly, like a satisfied cat.

"Thank you..."

She said softly, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

"You are a good person."

Higashino almost choked on his tea. He got friend-zoned way too fast!

"My name is Higashino Yu."

He pushed the teacup toward Index.

"You can stay here temporarily, until..."

He suddenly stopped talking.

He also sensed someone approaching.

"Oh no..."

Index's face turned deathly pale instantly.

"They've found me..."

Higashino immediately realized: "Someone from the magic side?"

He knew it must be Kanzaki or Stiyl chasing after them.

Index glanced at him in surprise, but there was no time to explain. She struggled to her feet, dust settling from her monastic robes. "I have to go... I can't be a burden to you..."

"Don't be silly."

Higashino grabbed her arm.

"Where can you run to in your current state?"

A strong gust of wind suddenly blew in from outside the window, making the curtains flutter loudly.

Index's body began to tremble, her eyes filled with terror: "They're the ones who've been hunting me down..."

Higashino frowned.

With my current strength, dealing with Stiyl shouldn't be a problem, but dealing with Kanzaki would be a bit tricky. I don't know if my abilities can affect a Saint.

In short, let's avoid direct confrontation first, and then figure out how to solve the problem later.

"listen to me!"

He grabbed Index's shoulder.

“I can help you.”

Index shook her head, her silver hair swaying with her: "No...you'll get involved...this is a matter for the magic side..."

A smile played on Higashino's lips: "Unfortunately, I'm the kind of person who loves to meddle in other people's business, especially things involving pretty girls."

He pulled Index onto the balcony, where the night breeze, carrying the heat of summer, rushed towards them. In the distance, a dark figure was approaching at an alarming speed. It was a tall woman wearing a long black trench coat, wielding a Japanese sword over two meters long, and flying towards them as if stepping on air.

"She's very strong..."

Index's voice trembled.

Higashino narrowed his eyes, a silver ripple appearing deep within his pupils. His cognitive reconstruction abilities surged within him, and he gently grasped Index's icy hand.

“Don’t be afraid.”

he whispered.

"Let's play a little trick."

As Kanzaki Kaori's blade sliced ​​through the night sky and was about to reach the balcony, Higashino Yu murmured:

"Cognitive Reconstruction: This place is empty."

The world stood still for a moment.

Kanzaki Kaori landed on the balcony, the tip of her sword lightly touching the ground. Her sharp gaze swept across the empty apartment, her brow furrowed.

"strangeness..."

she muttered.

"I clearly sensed it here..."

Her gaze even passed right through Higashino Yu and Index, who were standing in the center of the balcony, as if they didn't exist at all.

Index's eyes widened in surprise, and just as she was about to speak, Higashino Yu gently covered her mouth. Kanzaki Kaori stood on the balcony for a few more minutes, then clicked her tongue in resentment and leaped into the night sky.

Only after the figure completely disappeared from sight did Higashino Yu release Index and let out a long sigh of relief. Blood dripped from his chin, leaving a few small red marks on the floor.

"Who...who exactly are you?"

Index's voice was filled with awe.

Why can't Kanzaki see us?