novelraw Page 21
Page 21
The atmosphere in the ward instantly became somewhat subtle. Almost subconsciously, Shiori Haru approached Higashino Yu's bedside, gently touching the back of his hand with her fingers. Her eyes held a hint of barely perceptible tension and curiosity as she looked at the four unfamiliar girls at the door.
Saten Ruiko raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her face. She casually linked her arm with Higashino Yu's arm, the one not receiving the IV drip. While the declaration of ownership wasn't overt, the intimacy was obvious. Her gaze towards the four of them held a scrutinizing look and a hint of inquisitive curiosity.
“We are his colleagues.”
Mugino Shizuri gave a faint reply, his gaze lingering on Mikoto for a few seconds before shifting away.
His gaze swept over everyone in the ward, finally settling on Higashino Yu.
"I heard you were hospitalized, so I came to visit."
Her tone was calm. But she was actually a little annoyed, after all, she had personally taken this guy home last night, and he ended up in the hospital the next day. She didn't even know how to complain about it.
"Here you go! A huge bag of snacks!"
Frenda cheered and stuffed the huge snack bag she was holding onto Higashino Yu's blanket.
"Surprise! Higashino! Patients need to eat more good food to replenish their energy!"
She approached with a grin, her gaze sweeping over Chuchun and Ruizi.
"Senior~ Who are these two adorable little sisters?"
She could tell that the two girls seemed to be the closest to Higashino in the room.
"They are my girlfriends, Uiharu Kazari and Saten Ruiko."
Higashino Yu explained naturally.
Given his abilities, it's reasonable for anyone to believe he has multiple girlfriends, and no one would find such an introduction strange.
Then he said to Haruharu and Ruiko.
"These are Mugino Shizuri, Frenda Seville, Kinuhata Saiai, and Takitsubo Riko. We are partners in a research project team."
He used a vague but reasonable explanation, since they were all in the shadows, and describing them as partners was not a problem.
"Hello, Mugino-senpai, Hello, Frenda-senpai, Hello, Kinuhata-senpai, Hello, Takitsubo-senpai."
Uiharu Shiori quickly and politely greeted them. Although she was a little confused about the term "research project team member" (when did her senior join?), seeing her senior's gentle smile, that doubt quickly dissipated, leaving only gratitude for the seniors' visit. She let go of his hand but remained standing next to Higashino Yu.
"Hello you guys!"
Saten Ruiko greeted him with a smile, releasing her arm from his, but still leaning towards Higashino Yu.
"I'm Saten Ruiko, and this is Uiharu Kazari. Thank you for visiting us, seniors!"
Her tone was cheerful, her eyes carrying the natural radar scan of a "girlfriend" when other girls appeared around her boyfriend, but the scan didn't seem to reveal anything particularly alarming. Her senior had called her a research partner, so she figured she was a research partner. She was more interested in the huge snack bag; it seemed to contain quite a few good things.
"A Certain Scientific Railgun of Tokiwadai, I know you."
Mugino Shizuri gave Mikoto a deep look, then looked at Hatsuharu and Ruiko, nodding slightly in response to their greetings.
For her to extend such a greeting was already a great favor to Higashino. Otherwise, given her impression of Mikoto, she wouldn't have been so polite.
Frenda responded enthusiastically, "Hello! Just call me Frenda! Wow, all the younger girls are so cute!"
Her gaze lingered particularly on Leizi.
Kinuhata Saiai walked to the bedside, looked at Higashino Yu's condition, and asked succinctly, "Does it hurt?"
Although brief, Higashino could sense her concern.
"It's okay, but I just can't seem to muster any strength."
Higashino smiled and said that this lingering effect should be resolved with a hearty meal.
Takitsubo carefully walked over and placed the thermos on the bedside table, her voice barely audible: "Higashino-kun... this is... some porridge I made, with some easily digestible ingredients..."
She kept her head down, looking somewhat uneasy.
"Thank you so much, Takitsubo-kun. You've gone to so much trouble."
Higashino thanked him gently, and Takitsubo's cheeks flushed slightly.
Takitsubo, who was specifically targeted by Higashino's abilities, has a slightly higher favorability rating than the others.
When Haruharu Kazari saw the porridge Takitsubo brought, a subtle emotion flickered through her mind (Ah, someone's making porridge for senpai now...), but it was quickly soothed by senpai's words of thanks. Saten Ruiko chimed in with a grin, "Wow, Takitsubo-senpai is so thoughtful! Senpai is so lucky to have so many people caring about her!"
Her words were a double entendre, referring both to them and to themselves.
Mugino Shizuri pulled up a chair, crossed his long legs, and asked bluntly, "Hey, Higashino, what exactly happened? I heard you got yourself into this state while trying to save someone?"
Her tone carried the usual "How can you be so useless?" connotation.
Higashino Yu briefly explained the general course of events surrounding the Fantasy Beast Incident in School District 23.
"Humph."
Mugino gave a soft hum and said nothing more.
"That sounds dangerous!"
Frenda patted her chest.
"But Higashino, you're so lucky to have so many lovely girls caring about you~"
She glanced meaningfully at Mikoto, Haru, and Ruiko.
Kinuhata Saiai picked up the frog amulet that Higashino Yu had placed on his bedside table and looked at it: "This one is extremely poorly made."
Although it was a statement of fact, there was no derogatory tone in it.
Haru Shiori said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's...it's what I did...it wasn't very good..."
She looked at Higashino Yu with a hint of trepidation in her eyes, wondering if her senior would find it offensive.
"The sentiment is extremely important."
The silk banner put the amulet back in its place, saying briefly.
Yuya Higashino patted Haru's head at the opportune moment and said with a smile, "I like Haru very much."
Chu Chun's face immediately turned red, and her earlier unease vanished.
At that moment, Frenda's attention was drawn to the exquisite box of macarons: "Wow! These look so delicious! Can I have one? Just one!"
She clasped her hands together, looked at Higashino Yu with anticipation, and then at Mikoto.
Mikoto said with a hint of helplessness, "Please do as you wish."
Frenda cheered and immediately popped a pink macaron into her mouth. Saten Ruiko also became interested and joined Frenda in discussing which flavor was the best, quickly making the atmosphere lively. Haru quietly exchanged tips on making porridge with Takitsubo, who, though shy, responded earnestly. Mikoto and Kuroko watched from the side. Mugino Shizuri, though still sitting there with her arms crossed, softened her gaze slightly as she watched Frenda's antics.
Higashino Yu leaned against the headboard, watching this wonderful and harmonious scene before him. The sunlight was warm, the sweet scent of macarons mingled with the freshness of fruit, and the girls chattered away. His physical fatigue seemed to be dispelled by this lively scene. He picked up the thermos that Takitsubo had brought, unscrewed the lid, and a light, warm aroma of rice porridge wafted out.
“It looks amazing, Takitsubo.”
"Higashino Yuu said with a smile. Takitsubo Riko looked up, met his gaze, and gave him a faint, satisfied smile. Saten Ruiko also leaned in to smell it: "Mmm! It smells so good! Senpai, try some!"
Chapter 27 Unexpected Visitor
The four members of Item didn't stay long during their visit. Mugino Shizuri seemed a little uncomfortable with such a "warm" occasion. After confirming that Higashino Yu was alright and watching Frenda finish off half a box of macarons, she stood up.
"Alright, you seem to be fine, you should get some rest."
Mugino Shizuri picked up the trench coat draped over the back of the chair, her tone returning to its usual crispness.
"Don't embarrass yourself like that next time." These words sounded like a lecture, but combined with her special visit, they revealed an awkward kind of concern.
"Okay, thank you."
Higashino Yu smiled and replied, but in his heart he was thinking: It seems that the change in his perception of Mugino has worked well. At least she has begun to show concern for her teammates. Frenda's chances of survival are up.
"Hey, Mugino, wait a little longer!"
With a macaron still stuffed in her mouth, Frenda mumbled incoherently.
"It's very lively here at Higashino!"
And there was lots of delicious food, and everyone was so nice to talk to. She loved it.
"Let's go, Frenda."
Kinuhata Saiai also stood up and casually pulled Frenda away from the bedside.
"The patient needs plenty of rest."
"Okay, okay."
Frenda reluctantly put down the last macaron in her hand and waved to Higashino Yu and the others in the ward.
"Bye-bye, Higashino! Get well soon! And to all my lovely little sisters, see you next time!"
She winked playfully and deliberately blew a kiss to Chuchun and Ruizi.
Takitsubo Riko quickly stood up and whispered, "Dr. Higashino, please rest well... drink the porridge while it's hot."
"Yes, thank you, Takitsubo. I will finish it." Higashino Yu nodded earnestly.
The Item quartet arrived suddenly and left just as abruptly. Mugino Shizuri was the first to leave the room, followed by Frenda, who skipped along, still discussing with Kinuhata which flavor of macaron was the best. Takitsubo Riko brought up the rear, glancing back at Higashino Yuu one last time before gently closing the door.
The ward suddenly became much quieter.
"Phew..." Saten Ruiko let out an exaggerated sigh, then poked Higashino Yu's arm with a grin.
"Senior~ Your 'research group' members are really... so unique! Senior Frenda is so interesting! But..."
She winked mischievously, her smile carrying a certain meaning.
"That Takitsubo-senpai seems to care about you a lot, doesn't she? She even made porridge for you."
Higashino Yu silently thought to himself: Of course it's different. That day, my abilities took special care of her. But on the surface, he just smiled gently: "Takitsubo has always been very thoughtful."
Uiharu Shiori nodded, a gentle smile on her face: "Yes, Mugino-senpai seems a bit serious, but she seems like a very nice person. She came all the way to see you, senpai. Frenda-senpai is very lively, Kinuhata-senpai speaks so coolly, and Takitsubo-senpai is really gentle and considerate."
Her initial, subtle feelings about Takitori cooking porridge had completely dissipated, leaving only gratitude for the care shown to her seniors. If they called her a research partner, then they were a trustworthy partner, without any room for doubt.
Misaka Mikoto thought to herself, "Hmm, they do seem to be a few kind-hearted people."
Shirai Kuroko crossed her arms: "Hmph! Onee-sama, you can't judge a book by its cover! That Mugino Shizuri is obviously no good! And that blonde, so frivolous! Dr. Higashino, you'd better stay away from them!"
She was still bothered by Frenda's "kiss".
"Kuroko!"
Mikoto helplessly stopped her.
Higashino Yu chuckled and said to Haru and Ruiko, "They just have very distinct personalities. It's really heartwarming that they came to see me this time."
He picked up the thermos, scooped a spoonful of porridge, and put it in his mouth.
"Mmm, it tastes great, very refreshing."
He praised it sincerely.
Seeing that Higashino Yu had started drinking the porridge, Uiharu Kazari and Saten Ruiko also prepared to say goodbye.
"Senior, please get some rest. We'll head back now."
As early spring began to unfold.
"Yes, yes, senior, please rest and recover. We'll come to see you again tomorrow!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she patted her chest to assure him, then smiled.
"But you're really popular, even the cool Mugino-senpai came."
Her tone carried a hint of pride, as if she were saying, "Look how popular my senior is."
Mikoto also stood up: "We should go too. Dr. Higashino, remember to take your medicine on time and don't overwork yourself."
She glanced at Kuroko.
"Heizi, let's go."
"Yes, Big Sister!"
Kuroko immediately agreed, and before leaving, she glared at Higashino Yu.
After seeing Mikoto and Kuroko off, Haru and Ruiko also reached the door.
"senior."
Suddenly, Shiori Haru turned around, jogged back, took a small thing out of her pocket, quickly stuffed it into Higashino Yu's hand, and said with a blush.