In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 79

Although Japanese cuisine is somewhat bland and doesn't really suit his taste, he's gotten used to it after studying abroad for so many years.

Mikoto was initially a little reserved, eating her food in small bites, her eyes occasionally darting away from Higashino's smiling gaze.

After all, this was her first time dining alone with a boy in a restaurant, and her feelings for him were somewhat complicated, so Mikoto was still a little uncomfortable.

But after a few bites of hot food, the physical fatigue was relieved, and the mood relaxed as well.

To ease Mikoto's mood, Higashino always tried to find topics she wouldn't object to, from the occasional school trivia she mentioned to the many incidents she handled outside of school, and even chatted about the new Gekota merchandise she "casually" glanced at on the street, catering to her interests.

"That limited edition experimental Gekota is apparently a pre-order bonus for a collaboration with a game that will be released early next month."

Higashino gently poked at the tofu in the pot with his chopsticks and started talking about what he had seen on the way.

Although he wasn't particularly interested in Gekota, he still looked into the latest information about Gekota in order to chat with Mikoto about topics she liked.

Surely no one really thinks that dating a girl is something you just pick randomly, right? No matter which street or which shop, Higashino has carefully chosen them all.

The pork cutlet rice and desserts at this restaurant are both flavors that Mikoto likes. Otherwise, given her taste, she might not have chosen Japanese cuisine, which is relatively light. Wouldn't Chinese food be more appealing?

Mikoto's eyes suddenly lit up: "Really?"

He then realized he had been too excited, so he cleared his throat and pretended to be calm.

"...I just think the design is quite unique, I don't really care about that kind of thing."

But her slightly faster pace of eating and the gleam in her eyes betrayed her; she was all too easy to understand.

"Yes, the design is indeed quite unique."

Higashino couldn't help but chuckle at her insincere expression.

Any transmigrator who has read the original work would know her fondness for Gekota, which is a powerful weapon for Misaka Mikoto.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and concealed his smile.

The coolness from the air conditioning, the gentle conversations of the surrounding guests, the clinking of bowls and plates, the delightful aroma of food, and the lively, even slightly adorable, appearance of the girl across from me after letting her guard down—all these elements intertwine to create an enchanting everyday symphony.

That's it!

Higashino put down his teacup. His expression remained unchanged, and he leaned back in his chair, relaxed.

But in a dimension unseen by anyone, deep within the core of his spirit, his power was drawn forth all at once.

His "cognitive reconstruction" unfolded without reservation!

If previous interference was like gently plucking a string, then this time it's like directly altering the score!

It is about using the pen to outline new laws for the world itself!

Corresponding to his Level designation, reality is reconstructed.

There was no warning, no light, and no visible ripples.

Everything happens behind the scenes of perception, and no one can perceive it.

Higashino's gaze became more focused and profound.

He looked at Mikoto, at the blush rising from her cheeks from the heat of the food, at her eyes squinting with satisfaction as she ate, and at her adorable, unguarded appearance with a bit of sauce on her lips.

This gaze became the anchor point, the fulcrum for manipulating the rules.

His intentions no longer merely touched upon the individual's spirit, but were like an invisible giant hand, with undeniable power, instantly penetrating and rewriting the "logic of reality" surrounding the two of them.

The concept has been re-anchored: Misaka Mikoto = Higashino Yuuki's girlfriend.

The logic of existence has been replaced: their current posture, conversation, and intimate atmosphere are all "perfectly natural." Any thought that doubts this relationship is absurd, contrary to reality, and impossible.

The world's memory is being revised: like a drop of ink falling into the flowing river of time, the past, though brief, is given a deeper and more distant "fact." That's how it should be.

This is a thorough, real-world coverage! It has even reached the level seen in early spring!

It should be noted that the initial modification to the cognitive strength of early spring was not very high. It only slightly affected the cognition of those involved, and many people had very vague memories. It had no effect on powerful beings.

Later, after Higashino became a Level 5, he gradually used his abilities to influence everyone connected to Hatsuharu, thus achieving complete cognitive influence over all those involved, leaving no one with any doubts.

The changes made to Mikoto this time have reached the level of changes made to Hatsuharu's perception.

It directly modifies the default values ​​from a more fundamental level, from each person's cognitive habits of "facts".

Like the rising and setting of the sun and moon, like water flowing downhill, like an apple falling to the ground, in the minds of everyone in Academy City, at this moment and in the future, "Misaka Mikoto will become Higashino Haruka's girlfriend" has become a "setting" that is as unquestionable, without reason, and as natural as the law of universal gravitation.

The power surged through him instantly, and the slight feeling of mental fatigue vanished in an instant, suppressed by Higashino's powerful control.

This revision of Mikoto's 'reality' has been more costly than anticipated, and even for Higashino now, it's not something he can ignore.

But it's all worth it.

Everyone in Academy City except for the upside-down man and the 'angel' who have been observing them will be affected.

The process was so fast that it didn't even take a blink of an eye.

The conversations in the restaurant continued, and the soft background music remained soothing. Nothing had changed, but the most important foundation had been rebuilt.

Mikoto was completely oblivious. She simply felt that her feelings for Higashino were more...reassuring?

All the previous concerns vanished without a trace; matters of intimacy, friends, boyfriends, and so on were all forgotten.

At this moment, she looked at Dongye, and his eyes carried a power that made her heart beat slightly faster, yet also inexplicably reassured her.

It was as if a certain uncertainty that had been hanging over my heart had disappeared, and a strange sense of certainty filled my heart.

Sitting together like this in such a warm restaurant, chatting and eating... this should be their daily routine, and it should always have been like this.

Just then, a somewhat familiar-looking waiter came over and refilled their teacups.

"Would you two like to order anything else?"

The waiter's gaze swept naturally across the table, and then he casually added to Higashino in the most ordinary tone.

"Or, how about recommending our dessert to your girlfriend today? The strawberry parfait is very popular with young girls."

girlfriend……?

If it were Misaka Mikoto from ten seconds ago, hearing those three words would have made her extremely embarrassed and angry, and she would have shouted back: "Who, who is his girlfriend!"

She looked up at the waiter. The waiter had a kind, warm smile on his face and clear, natural eyes.

A blush crept onto her cheeks, a natural reaction from her body.

However, deep down, I didn't feel the slightest urge to refute it.

She subconsciously pursed her lips, a hint of shyness and a wavering denial in her voice, and lowered her gaze slightly, muttering softly, "...No, that's not it."

Her voice was soft, with a hint of coquettish reproach; it was less a denial and more a shy attempt to cover up her embarrassment.

The waiter, after hearing her soft rebuttal, maintained his polite smile.

She didn't think much of the customer's rebuttal; it was obvious that their relationship was just waiting for the boy to confess his feelings before it naturally progressed.

However, since the girl was too shy to answer, she would definitely need to find a boy to boost her sales. So she naturally turned to Higashino Yu and waited for his response.

Looking at Mikoto's natural shyness and her utterly unconvincing rebuttal, Higashino silently gave himself a thumbs up for his abilities. No matter how many times, he felt that this ability was simply too unreasonable.

"She's a little shy."

Higashino explained to the waiter, then turned to Mikoto and asked:

"How about a strawberry parfait? Or is there something else you prefer?"

Mikoto felt her heart beating even faster, and her cheeks burning hot.

He admitted it?! That's an admission, right...? No...it doesn't seem like it...he was just saying I'm shy? ...I really am shy! ...And the strawberry parfait...

A mix of emotions churned within her, plunging Mikoto into unprecedented turmoil.

"...How about... a strawberry parfait?"

She finally gave in and said in a low voice.

Since it was Higashino's suggestion, she didn't want to deny it, and the flavor Higashino ordered was indeed her favorite.

"it is good."

Higashino nodded in satisfaction and said to the waiter.

"Then I'll have a strawberry parfait."

The waiter smiled, agreed, and left. Mikoto lowered her head, gently poking at the remaining grains of rice in her bowl with her spoon.

Higashino watched her dazed, confused, and shy appearance silently.

Now that the cognitive modification has been perfectly completed, only the last step remains. After all, she is just a future girlfriend, so confessing my feelings and making her a part of the present is a necessary step.

A pink parfait was served in an elegant glass, the bright red strawberry on top resembling the girl's cheek. He personally handed her the spoon containing the parfait.

"Try it?"

Mikoto looked up and met his deep eyes, which seemed to absorb all light.

She hesitated for a moment, but under the invisible guidance deep within her heart, she eventually opened her mouth obediently and took the spoonful of icy sweetness that was offered to her.

A sweet and sour taste filled her mouth, perfectly mirroring her chaotic yet unusually obedient mood.

The cool sweetness melted on her tongue, and Mikoto felt her cheeks burning, but that strange sense of "naturalness" made her just lower her head slightly and poke at the remaining parfait with her spoon.

"Misaka."

Looking at Mikoto at this moment, Higashino realized it was time to fill in the last missing piece.

Mikoto subconsciously looked up and met his deep gaze. His eyes were so focused that it seemed as if she were the only person left in the world.

"Be my girlfriend."

Higashino's confession was without any preamble or fancy words; he simply spoke it directly and naturally, as if stating a fact that was about to happen.

Mikoto's heart skipped a beat, then calmed down with incredible speed.

Instead of the expected shock or panic, a strange sense of certainty rose from the bottom of my heart, as if he wasn't making a request, but something that should have happened naturally.

The lingering thought, "Is this how it should always be?" has now found its perfect answer.

"Ah."

She responded almost without hesitation, her voice soft but unusually firm.

The blush on her cheeks deepened, just like the strawberries in the strawberry parfait in front of her, vibrant and luscious. But her eyes no longer darted away; instead, they held a sense of "finally so" understanding and a hint of sweetness.

She even nodded slightly, as if confirming her answer.

Higashino didn't press further with "Really?" or express surprise. He had already expected this answer, after all, it was a script he had written himself.

"very good."

He reached out, his fingertips brushing naturally across her slightly flushed cheek, gently wiping away a bit of cream that remained on the corner of her mouth.

Mikoto's body tensed slightly, but she didn't push him away nervously as usual.

Unlike before, they were now officially in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. Such intimate gestures only made her feel a little shy, but she couldn't feel any resistance in her heart.

She even felt that it would be better if Higashino's hand could stay for a little longer.

"So……"

Higashino withdrew his hand, a smile on his face, his tone relaxed, yet carrying an unspoken intimacy.

"Nice to meet you from now on, my 'A Certain Scientific Railgun' girlfriend."

"Idiot! Don't use that kind of term!"

Mikoto finally couldn't help but protest softly, her face turning even redder. She snatched her parfait cup, scooped out a large spoonful, and stuffed it into her mouth, trying to use the coolness to block out the sweetness and shyness that made her heart race.

But the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her acceptance of the girlfriend's identity.

A windowless building, with life support equipment.

Inside the enormous test tube, Aleister Crowley is suspended in the liquid, his upside-down posture remaining unchanged.

Before him, countless floating light screens were refreshing the data stream at a speed that exceeded the limits of human vision. On one of the screens, the real-time footage of the cozy family restaurant in the Seventh School District was clearly displayed. Higashino held a spoonful of strawberries to Misaka Mikoto's lips. The girl's mouth was slightly open, and her eyes were filled with happiness.

The air distorted slightly, and Aiwass silently appeared in Aleister's "vision".

"The coverage of the cognitive network has exceeded 10% of the total area of ​​Academy City."

Aiwass's voice rang directly in Aleister's consciousness.

"The intensity of interference has increased exponentially, already possessing a regional reality anchoring effect. The cognitive and existential logic of the target individual 'Misaka Mikoto' has been profoundly rewritten, logically consistent, and difficult to shake. Does this level of 'contamination' not require intervention?"

In the test tube, Aleister's lips seemed to twitch slightly upwards, forming an arc that was impossible to decipher as either a smile or mockery. His thoughts responded calmly and without wavering: