A Lesson and Preparations to Leave

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, never expecting Origami to see these things from her future memories.

"So you taught Mukuro Hoshimiya to cling to me, to wear strange clothes, and to call me 'My Lord'?"

"Yes, they're all things you like. Also, the term 'My Lord' is what she's always called."

"Thank you so much."

Origami tilted its head, and its white rabbit ears tilted slightly as well.

"You're welcome. Analyzing your behavior patterns, you slow down your speech around Yoshino, proactively offer food to Natsumi Kyouno, and spend a lot of time eating with Tohka Yatogami. You seem to have more patience with clingy, caring types. So I think you'd like Mukuro Hoshimiya to be a little more clingy."

Higashino Makoto took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

"Who else did you teach? Besides Mukuro Hoshimiya?"

"No, because my memories only lasted a short time, and there wasn't enough time."

Higashino Makoto's lips twitched slightly as he rubbed his temples.

Origami, do you remember why I came here?

"I remember, so I'm ready to give myself to you."

"So what are you doing now?"

"Confessing the facts of the crime."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, at her expressionless face, at the lingering redness at the base of her ears.

Even Origami masters get shy?

He reached out, pinched her chin, and lifted her face.

Her eyes met his; she remained calm, but her pupils dilated slightly, indicating some tension.

"Is it you who taught Xiao Liu all that nonsense?"

"Yes, I taught him."

"Why?"

Origami blinked.

"From my future memories, I learned that my dear really liked this kind of thing, didn't she? She even complained that Liu'er was too innocent and not good at playing with slightly excessive things, hoping that she would occasionally turn into a bad girl. It's a pity that I didn't have enough time to awaken my memories, otherwise I could have taught Yuzuru Yamai and the others."

Higashino Makoto's fingers tightened slightly. So, it was all his fault after all?

No, he himself should like the clean and pure Liu'er very much.

I always feel like you're lying to me.

"Well, just pretend I'm lying."

Origami reached out, grabbed his hand, and removed it from her chin.

Then she took his hand and placed it on her chest.

The bunny girl outfit was made of thin fabric; you could feel the warmth underneath—soft, warm, and your heartbeat traveled through your skin, quick and rapid.

"So, darling, please punish me."

Higashino Makoto looked at his hands, then at her face.

Her expression remained blank, but her eyes shone like two ignited stars.

"Then I won't be polite."

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, then stood up and walked towards the bedroom, pulling on the chain.

Origami followed behind him, her high heels clicking on the floor.

That night, Higashino Makoto experienced a completely different feeling.

Origami is not as gentle as Shiori Itsuka, not as straightforward as Mana, and not as shy as Kotori Itsuka.

She came prepared. Every movement was meticulously calculated, and every reaction was perfectly timed.

She knew when to approach and when to back away, when to speak up and when to remain silent, and when to comply and when to resist.

This was a unique kind of temptation, but it also made Higashino Makoto feel a little heartache.

She underestimated herself.

Origami.

"Um."

You don't need to do that.

"How?"

"You can be a little more willful."

Origami looked up at his face.

"You don't like it?"

It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I feel a little sorry for it.

Origami remained silent for a moment, tilted her head, and still maintained a blank expression.

I should be happy, right?

"You do not know?"

"Not really, it's just that I always feel that would make it lose its own unique characteristics."

"Feature?"

"Um."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, at those calm eyes.

"Fine, whatever makes you happy."

Origami remained silent for a long time.

"Good."

She then pushed Higashino Makoto down and kissed him...

The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.

Higashino Makoto lay on the bed, Origami lay beside him.

The rabbit ear headband was tossed on the bedside table, the collar was still there, and the chain was tangled in the bedpost.

The white bunny girl outfit was thrown on the floor, its short tail lying forlornly beside it.

Origami.

"Um."

"That collar, did you put it on yourself?"

"Um."

Higashino Makoto imagined that scene.

Origami stood in front of the mirror, put the collar around her neck, fastened the clasp, then put on a bunny girl outfit, wore bunny ears, held the other end of the chain in her hand, and sat on the sofa waiting for him to come.

How long have you been waiting?

Three hours.

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"Aren't you afraid I won't come?"

"You will come. Mukuro Hoshimiya will tell you that I taught you. Once you know, you will definitely come looking for me."

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

Are you so sure?

"It's confirmed. Because you're a very controlling and possessive person, you'll come no matter what."

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment, but had no reason to refute it.

"You seem to know me quite well."

"I've been studying you for a long time. Ever since the day I gained the memories of the future."

"What have you discovered?"

Origami turned her head and looked at him.

"You're a good person."

That's it?

"You're a lecherous person."

Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.

Are you praising me or insulting me?

"I'm praising you."

She nestled into his arms and closed her eyes.

Higashino Makoto looked down at the white head.

Origami's hair is white and very short, only reaching her shoulders.

But it's very soft, and it tickles my chin.

The next afternoon, Higashino Makoto came out of Origami's house. Standing at the door, the sunlight shone on his face, warm and pleasant.

Origami stood inside the door, wearing a white shirt and a black skirt. She no longer had a collar around her neck, but there was still a faint red mark on her skin.

Origami.

"Um."

"Don't teach those things anymore."

Origami looked at his face but didn't ask why.

"Good."

Higashino Makoto turned around and walked down the steps. Behind him came the sound of Origami, very soft but very clear.

"Higashino."

He stopped walking, but didn't turn around.

"Those words weren't made up; you really said them. In the dream's future, you did complain that Mukuro Hoshimiya was too innocent."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment, feeling a bit of a headache.

"That is indeed my problem."

Even if there was no malice, it seems that some things shouldn't have been said.

Higashino Makoto doesn't quite understand why his future self would dislike Liu'er for being too innocent.

That's unlikely, isn't it?

The pure and innocent Liu'er was clearly the type I liked.

So, is there something wrong with the memories that Mio Takamiya gave them?

After thinking for a moment, I realized that perhaps because I hadn't actually spent much time with them, Mio's impression of me was skewed, which could lead to an inaccurate prediction of the future.

Higashino Makoto looked at his palm.

Ten seeds, ten sprouts.

He clenched his fist, feeling the growing power within him.

All ten elements have been activated, and Royal Capital are growing.

Unsurprisingly, his own strength had increased further.

Next, I'll meet with Mio, and then I'll have to figure out how to change the flow of time in each world.

And aren't the guardians a little worried too?

I need to go back to Novas Etier.