They all have hidden attributes!

He unwrapped the bread, took a bite, and asked as he ate, "When we first met, you talked about things like a shared destiny. What else do you understand about my band?"

"I did say that, but in the end you prefer money, don't you?"

Maya Uesugi's calm and collected remarks left no room for argument.

Under her sharp gaze, Makoto Takahashi ate his breakfast as he walked along the street toward the tram station, feeling somewhat undecided.

If it were just a playful band in the rehearsal room and clubhouse, he naturally wouldn't care about the members or the atmosphere. But Uesugi Maya is clearly serious about being in a band, so how should he explain his opinion to her?

Chapter 13: Is she just an NPC?

The streetcar traversed the streets in the sunlight, and a dozen minutes later, Makoto Takahashi and Maya Uesugi got off at Waseda Station.

Because of her obsessive-compulsive disorder, she remained standing in the carriage the entire time, allowing Makoto Takahashi to admire the beautiful curves outlined by her black over-the-knee stockings and the glimpse of her fair skin through the black fabric.

When they arrived in Tsurumizawa, it was still early before the time they had agreed to meet with Kashima Reiko, so the two went to a nearby shopping street.

Because there are many schools nearby, including the famous Waseda University, the shopping street has a full range of facilities, including cafes, karaoke, cinemas, and more.

Pushing open the door to a painting supply store called [Shiraishi], the dazzling array of brushes and paints was overwhelming. Makoto Takahashi looked around, completely unsure which items were oil painting supplies.

Judging from his expression, Maya Uesugi knew that Makoto Takahashi was a complete novice who wasn't even a beginner, but as long as he could learn bass well, there was no need to care about these trivial matters.

"I'll send you the information about the art exhibition now. As for the Impressionist paintings... never mind, you probably wouldn't understand."

She picked up a shopping basket and carefully selected the best wooden oil paintbrushes and paints, her captivating demeanor completely ignoring the prices:

"You'd better hand it over to me by tomorrow night. Send me a text message and I'll arrange for someone to come and pick it up."

There was clearly not enough time to prepare an oil painting for an entry, but she didn't think Makoto Takahashi was serious and that a perfunctory job would suffice.

He's only participating for fun, so he'll probably be eliminated in the preliminary rounds.

Because these new talent exhibitions have no entry requirements, there are far too many low-quality works submitted as a substitute, and some art colleges even have all their art departments submitting their work.

Most of the works never even reach the judges, and even the "consolation prizes" are highly valuable.

Maya Uesugi didn't despise or look down on him; rather, she truly understood how cruel the art world was, especially in a place like Japan where seniority matters and so-called artistic families exist.

Influenced by this mindset, she quickly bought all the necessary items for Takahashi Makoto's painting, from easel to palette, and then paid the bill decisively.

After stuffing a bunch of art supplies into Makoto Takahashi's arms, Maya Uesugi led him back the way they came. When they arrived at the gate of Tsurumizawa, Kashima-senpai had not yet arrived.

"I can't keep you company. If you need anything, come to the kendo club or text me. If you don't have enough money to buy a bass, or can't decide what kind of instrument to buy, I'll go to the music store with you later."

After saying this, Uesugi Maya turned and walked into the academy without waiting for Takahashi Makoto's reply, leaving without looking back.

Her back view was also perfect, with her long black hair flowing with luster and her light skirt swaying with youthful energy, but Takahashi Makoto only felt complicated feelings.

No matter how you look at it, Uesugi Maya is just too unconventional.

Perhaps she is indeed very talented, but this troublesome personality—

Playing in a band with Uesugi Maya, if he ignores everything, he'll definitely run into big trouble in the end, especially since he doesn't want to abandon Nekoya Hina.

"When I meet Kashima-senpai later, I'll try to find out a little about her past," Takahashi Makoto thought to himself.

Unfortunately, the original plan to trigger three assist cards through [Play] has failed two-thirds of the way so far.

Hina Nekoya is avoiding Maya Uesugi, who has no interest in having fun and can only look forward to going out with Kashima-senpai.

Perhaps if the two of them travel alone, they might discover her hidden talents.

Makoto Takahashi stood in front of the academy gate, pondering the system. At 9 o'clock sharp, Reiko Kashima got out of the taxi parked in front of her.

She was still wearing a white and green color-blocked long-sleeved tracksuit today, and apart from not carrying a sports backpack, she looked exactly the same as when she came to the archery club.

When Kashima Reiko approached, Takahashi Makoto politely waved and greeted her: "Good morning, Kashima-senpai, nice to meet you today."

"Mm." She nodded, raised her delicate chin, and pointed in the direction of the shopping street.

So Makoto Takahashi, carrying his art supplies, walked back to the shopping street he had left not long ago, with Reiko Kashima standing a person's distance away as they rode side by side.

As Hina Nekoya shared, she is indeed a rather dull person, with no obvious expressions and not fond of talking.

You should know that Uesugi Maya just likes to have a cold face and doesn't like to smile, but she is not expressionless. Kashima Reiko is completely different, which reminds Takahashi Makoto of the name of her assistance card.

[Human-Machine NPC]

If we compare reality to a dating game, is Kashima-senpai really just an NPC who provides information or hands over tasks?

They walked into a musical instrument store and, guided by the staff, went to the area where basses were displayed.

While Takahashi Makoto appeared to be listening to the shop assistant's explanation, he was actually secretly observing Kashima Reiko's every move, trying to find out her hidden personality.

Noticing that he had been observing her, Kashima Reiko said to the shop assistant with a blank expression, "I'm an experienced person."

"I see. Please let me know if you need any help."

After the shop assistant politely left, Kashima-senpai's emerald-like eyes stared straight at her: "Speak your mind."

Of course, Makoto Takahashi couldn't directly ask her, "What are your hidden attributes?" After thinking about it carefully, the two of them didn't have much to talk about.

He decided to inquire about Uesugi Maya.

"Have Kashima-senpai and Uesugi-kun known each other for a long time?"

"More than 10 years."

They could be described as childhood sweethearts.

"You should know her very well, right?"

"Unfamiliar."

"But you two used to play in a band together, right?" Makoto Takahashi pressed.

Kashima Reiko nodded, then picked up a black bass and handed it to him: "Yamaha TRBX304, suitable for beginners."

That being said, this was the first time Makoto Takahashi had ever touched an electric bass. Seeing that it only cost 10 yen, he planned to take a picture and ask Maya Uesugi for her opinion.

Then I remembered I didn't have her Line account, so I could only edit the sign information into a text message and send it.

"Senior, did Uesugi-kun always keep to himself like he does now?" Takahashi asked.

“Hmm.” Kashima Reiko nodded, saying in a completely emotionless tone, “Lacks empathy, lacks teamwork, sharp and indifferent, very troublesome.”

It's quite interesting to hear [the human-machine interface] say that others are indifferent.

However, Kashima-senpai is indeed more humane than Uesugi Maya. She even helps her friend ask for advice on overcoming the problem of shooting arrows too quickly. Just as Takahashi Makoto was thinking this, he received a reply from Uesugi Maya.

[Can]

He put away his phone, picked up his electric bass, and walked to the cashier: "I'll buy this guitar."

"Okay." Kashima Reiko nodded and quickly started discussing the price and free gifts with the shop assistant.

After paying, Takahashi Seiichi left the music store carrying a bag full of painting supplies in one hand, replacement strings and other supplies in the other, and a music bag on his back.

"Senior, does your band with Uesugi have any other members?" he asked casually as they walked down the shopping street.

“President…” Kashima Reiko paused noticeably.

"The student council president? I heard that Uesugi and she have a terrible relationship."

"Oh no."

Her words stirred up Makoto Takahashi's curiosity once again, as gossip is human nature.

Just as she was about to ask further questions, Kashima Reiko's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, quickly said goodbye to Takahashi Makoto, and walked away while answering the phone.

[Young Miss]

Makoto Takahashi heard this address.

Chapter 14, Fourth Assistance Card

Putting the band aside for now, and not becoming true friends with Uesugi Maya probably won't cause any real loss, Takahashi Makoto has a more urgent matter at hand.

Kashima-senpai left immediately, so what about today's [fun] plans?

Unlike [Training], if you choose [Play], you won't get any attribute bonuses even if you do something alone, unless you trigger an assistance card.

He didn't want to waste his time today, but Kashima-senpai was obviously very busy, so he could only consider hanging out with Uesugi Maya or Nekoya Hina.

As long as you treat someone to a meal, it's easy to get Haruna Nekoya to go out; this is a guaranteed income.

Now is the time to strive for more gains, so let's go to the kendo club and find Uesugi Maya first.

Having made up his mind, Makoto Takahashi stepped into the gates of Tsurumizawa for the first time on a weekend, walking through the courtyard through the shadows cast by the cedar trees on the concrete road.

So people come to the college on weekends too.

As he passed the playground, he saw a group of girls jogging, and the sound of an unknown musical instrument could be heard coming from the building where the student council was located not far away, which seemed to be the wind band practicing.

As July approaches, various clubs and organizations are busy preparing for various competitions and selections, making people secretly look forward to summer.

Like the brass band club, the kendo club is located in the student council building.

This is a three-story building with red tiles and white walls. Half of the first floor is allocated to the Kendo Club and the other half to the Wind Instrument Club. The second floor houses the meeting room and the Piano Club, while the third floor belongs to the Student Council.

Upon entering the main gate, the stairs are directly opposite. Makoto Takahashi turns left in the lobby and pushes open the door to the kendo club's practice area.

In the empty wooden space, only Uesugi Maya was present.

She wore a white kendo uniform, held a bamboo sword, and practiced the same footwork and thrusting motion repeatedly. Her beautiful caramel-colored eyes were sharp, her movements were meticulous, and her spirit was impeccable.

Makoto Takahashi closed the door behind him, placed the shopping bag he was carrying against the wall, then took off his violin case and asked her, "Are you going to participate in the Jade Dragon Flag competition at the end of next month?"

"Yes."

A cold voice and the sound of a bamboo sword cutting through the air rang out at the same time.

"Individual competition?" Takahashi asked.

"Speak your mind." Uesugi Maya stopped her sudden movement, stopped walking, and turned to face him.

"Okay, I wanted to ask about the band. Tokyo Dome, are you serious?"

"Of course, do you think my plan is unrealistic?"

Seeing her face turn cold, Takahashi Makoto raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, his eyes somewhat unsure: "Plans can't keep up with changes."

He doesn't consider himself a genius to have become a professional bassist within a year, let alone perform at the Tokyo Dome.