They all have hidden attributes!

"Impressionism, oil painting, theme is [Spring]. I will send you a text message with specific requirements."

Uesugi Maya couldn't wait to end the topic. She crossed her hands in front of her face, gently rubbing her fingertips, and asked in a cold voice, "Is there anything else? If not, I'll explain the band's future plans."

"I want to quit," said Hina Nekoya, raising her hand.

"Okay, shall we both leave the club?"

Seeing that Uesugi Maya didn't care at all, she gritted her teeth, glanced at Takahashi Makoto, and continued eating potato chips: "Never mind, forget I said anything."

Is there anything else?

Maya Uesugi asked Makoto Takahashi, who shook his head, then coughed lightly and took out a notebook from her desk and opened it:

"Tomorrow I'll start tidying up the clubroom to create a convenient environment for practice. Starting next week, I'd like you to come to the clubroom every night to practice bass. Is that alright?"

"You're cleaning up the office all by yourself?"

Makoto Takahashi looked around. The club activity room wasn't very big, but if there was only one person, the workload would definitely be considerable.

"You can ask if you need anything." Uesugi Maya picked up a black pen, ready to take notes.

It's worth mentioning that she consistently used "you" instead of "you all," showing she didn't care about Nekoya Hina at all.

“I think we need an air conditioner, and the light music club should have activities like drinking tea, that would create a more band-like atmosphere,” Makoto Takahashi suggested earnestly.

"Want some tea?" Uesugi Maya asked, as if confirming.

Seeing Takahashi Makoto nod, she wrote it down in her notebook and continued talking about the band's arrangements:

"I plan to start formal band activities during the summer vacation. I hope you can set aside enough time. Before summer vacation, you should focus on practicing. I will start learning music theory and be responsible for preparing original songs. You just need to practice until you are good enough for performances..."

The plan is very comprehensive, with both short-term and long-term goals clearly defined. The only problem is that it seems there's no screen time for Nekoya Hina.

After Uesugi Maya finished explaining, Takahashi Makoto asked her, "Where's Hina?"

"Whatever, I'll hire a professional drummer to help you. Let's continue with the cultural festival in September..."

It sounds like he's an indispensable part of this band's plan to perform at the Tokyo Dome within a year.

Looking at Maya Uesugi's serious expression, Makoto Takahashi was unsure how to describe her style.

After a moment of contemplation, he coughed lightly, interrupting Uesugi Maya's explanation.

When she gave him an inquiring look, Takahashi Makoto asked:

"Uesugi-kun, I don't know why you value me so much, but you should respect my opinion, right?"

Uesugi Maya did not deny it, but gestured for him to continue.

"How about we go buy musical instruments together tomorrow? It might help with your plans."

After hearing Takahashi Makoto's words, she rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment, then looked up at him with eyes full of concern for the vulnerable, and nodded in agreement.

"Understood, I will go with you."

Judging from her expression, she didn't understand anything at all.

Chapter 12 Trying to Play the Friend

Maya Uesugi's briefing lasted for more than half an hour. Finally, she asked Makoto Takahashi to open the files on his laptop desktop to see the renderings of the renovated office space.

The 3D software rendering was excellent. Upon learning that the design was completed by Maya Uesugi alone, Makoto Takahashi sincerely admired her personal abilities.

No wonder he dares to say he doesn't depend on anyone.

"However, our community office doesn't have that much space, does it?"

He always felt that the office space in the design drawings was much more spacious than the space he was in now: "And there was no space for practice, it felt like there wasn't enough room to set up the drum set."

"This is only the first floor."

"There's a second floor?"

"of course."

After Maya Uesugi gave her approval, Makoto Takahashi looked around the "L"-shaped office building again, but he didn't see any stairs or windows leading to the rooftop from the ceiling.

You'll understand next week.

"Okay, I'll take the laptop home."

Makoto Takahashi put away his laptop, took the laptop bag from Maya Uesugi, stuffed it inside, and slung it over his shoulder.

Hina Nekoya, who had been quietly listening in, quickly stuffed several bags of snacks into her backpack, intending to take them home to eat.

"Are they disbanding?" she asked lazily.

"You can leave now."

Maya Uesugi nodded, then added to Makoto Takahashi, "I'll come see you tomorrow morning."

"See you tomorrow."

Makoto Takahashi waved goodbye to her and followed Hina Nekoya out of the Light Music Club.

Because it was too late, the two of them didn't go to the archery club today. Instead, they left the school and had dinner together at a fast food restaurant near the academy.

Back at his apartment that evening, Makoto Takahashi lay on the sofa with his laptop, watching a video meticulously edited by Maya Uesugi, and felt a strange sense of regret.

At the same time, I was filled with curiosity and a desire to explore her story.

Saturday, October 6.

At 7:20 a.m., Makoto Takahashi, who had not set an alarm for his phone, was awakened by the noisy ringtone and reached for his phone on the pillow with his eyes still closed.

The call connected, and I heard Uesugi Maya's cool voice in my ear.

"Good morning, Takahashi-kun. I'm downstairs at your apartment building. How long shall I have to wait for you?"

"15 minutes."

Do you need me to buy you breakfast?

"Thank you."

After hanging up the phone, Makoto Takahashi lay in bed for about ten seconds before sitting up and rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Opening the window, the sky revealed a long-lost azure blue. The clear skies during the rainy season were exceptionally bright, as if possessing a magical power to soothe the soul.

Today, there was no need to wear the school uniform. Makoto Takahashi took out a simple white T-shirt and black casual pants from the closet, washed up, selected the [Entertainment] option, and then picked up his phone to deal with messages.

I received a message from Haruna Nekoya.

[Nekoya-Nekoya: Acheng! I still can't stand her!]

[Nekoya-Nekoya: Last night I got angrier and angrier the more I thought about it. She doesn't even treat me like a member!]

[Nekoya-Nekoya: And listen to me, I just don't have a reason to play badminton right now, it's not that I'm giving up halfway.]

[Nekoya-Nekoya: Her statement was so annoying]

[Nekoya-Nekoya: So I won't be with you today. Is Acheng okay on his own? If it really comes down to it, I can secretly follow him.]

[Nekoya-Nekoya: In short, I don't want to see her.]

[Nekoya-Nekoya: I've already told Kashima-senpai, you and Kashima-senpai can meet at the academy gate at 9 o'clock.]

[Takahashi: There shouldn't be any problems. I'll contact you again if there's an emergency.]

[Takahashi: But don't you need to buy a drum set?]

The message was instantly marked as read, and Nekoya Hina replied immediately.

[Nekoya-Nekoya: I asked Kashima-senpai to help me choose. Acheng, please note down the shops and styles. We'll go try them on together next time.]

[Takahashi: OK]

It seems she's really angry. Nekoya Hina never held grudges before, let alone let one grudge linger overnight.

As Makoto Takahashi took the elevator downstairs and stepped out of the apartment building, a refreshing breeze greeted him.

He looked up in the direction the wind was blowing from, at the sun-drenched street, where Uesugi Maya stood in the shade cast by the roadside trees, looking down at a book.

Her long, smooth black hair swayed gently in the breeze, revealing the delicate outline of her ears. Her exquisite face was expressionless, except for the occasional ripples in her beautiful caramel-colored eyes.

The white long-sleeved shirt has a simple style that looks similar to a school uniform. It is paired with a black high-waisted skirt that reaches a beautiful curve at the top and the hem is knee-length. A black and white checkered belt cinches the waist, making the wearer look exceptionally slender.

Bathed in the bright, pale golden sunlight, the beautiful girl quietly reading a book looked absolutely lovely.

When Makoto Takahashi snapped out of his daze at her breathtaking beauty, he was already just a few steps away from Maya Uesugi.

Good morning, Uesugi-kun.

"morning."

Uesugi Maya responded coldly, closed the book in her hand, put it into the black tote bag slung over her shoulder, and then took out a bag of pork floss bread and a bottle of milk and handed them over: "Your breakfast."

The bread and milk are from a nearby convenience store, which is Makoto Takahashi's usual breakfast on school days.

It's clear she's trying very hard to play the role of a friend, but unfortunately, for Uesugi Maya, she isn't her friend.

Wait a minute, are my expectations too high?

Makoto Takahashi tried a different approach and suddenly felt that the weather was exceptionally nice today.

"What's the schedule for today?" Uesugi Maya asked in a cold voice.

"Buy art supplies, then meet up with Kashima-senpai, and go buy a bass together."

Takahashi Makoto took the breakfast she handed him, opened a bottle of milk, and swallowed a mouthful: "Do you need my help with setting up the club office?"

“No need, I can manage on my own.” Uesugi Maya’s tone suddenly turned cold, sounding rather unapproachable.

After a pause, she suddenly asked, "Do you really want me to meet with Kashima Reiko?"

"I originally wanted you to get to know Hina better, but she's started to dislike you." Makoto Takahashi has decided to give up getting involved in other complicated relationships involving Maya Uesugi.

"In that case, after I buy your art supplies, I won't keep you company."

Does she think she just needs someone to foot the bill?

Makoto Takahashi clicked his tongue in annoyance. Even though he knew that Maya Uesugi's care for him was for some purpose, he still felt a little uncomfortable.

In her eyes, Hina Nekoya is probably just an essential accessory for her, right?

"You don't care about Hina at all?"