They all have hidden attributes!

Tuesday afternoon's two classes were on home economics, which is the foundation of home economics. Since Tachimi Yuki was sleeping soundly, Takahashi Makoto simply stayed behind to keep her company.

Before the bell rang to signal the end of the second period in the afternoon, Kashima Reiko woke the two of them up.

After waking up, Tachikami recalled her conversation with Takahashi Makoto before falling asleep. She angrily kicked him twice before straightening her wrinkled uniform and returning to the student council president's office.

"Reiko, black tea." She called out to Kashima Reiko.

Takahashi Sei had just woken up from his afternoon nap, his head still a little groggy. Watching the two figures leave, he yawned innocently.

It seems the young lady doesn't like me today?

Then go join the light music club for club activities.

He left the student council and returned to the classroom of Class 1-C as the bell rang. He saw Nekoya Hina and Hanakawa Kaori still sitting on either side of the same desk in a "V" shape.

"Yin Cai, something's not right here."

Despite being a lower-grade student, Hanakawa Kaori pointed at the test paper with her pencil and explained to Nekoya Hina in a serious tone, "The kanji for [ホショウ] here should be written as [保寬], not [保寬]."

"The 'certificate' in 'guarantee' means to be responsible, and the 'barrier' in 'protection' means to protect."

Hearing this, Hina Nekoya clutched her head in exasperation, shaking it from side to side, trying to shake off the knowledge she had just absorbed: "Who would understand any of this? Isn't there an easier way to memorize it?"

"Yin Cai, if you don't even understand this, no one can guarantee your future."

Even if you say that, I still don't know which Chinese character to write.

Hina Nekoya is an idiot.

Makoto Takahashi had long known that her grades had been fluctuating around the passing mark, but he never expected that she would be even worse than Hanakawa Kaori.

They're both badminton prodigies, aren't they?

Thinking to himself, Takahashi Makoto walked to his seat and asked the two of them, "Didn't you go to class this afternoon?"

"Ah, brother, Hina-nee is an idiot."

Hanakawa Kaori pouted cutely and looked over with a troubled expression: "Before class this afternoon, Supervisor Chihaya distributed the exam syllabus. As it turns out, Haruna-nee didn't study at all during the summer vacation, so we're having a study session during home economics class."

"Acheng, save me."

Hina Nekoya clasped her hands together, looking pitiful: "If I fail, I won't be able to participate in club activities before the midterm exams."

"Why don't you just let Hanaori tutor you?" Takahashi Makoto picked up the materials on his desk, glanced at them, and saw that they were all from the previous semester.

"I can't explain it to Hina-nee," said Hanakawa Kaori, puffing out her cheeks like a hamster.

"I don't understand Chinese characters at all," Hina Nekoya said dejectedly, slumping onto the table.

If you don't understand Chinese characters, then there's nothing you can do.

Takahashi Makoto dared to claim that he had surpassed Uesugi Maya to become the top student in the entire school, his confidence stemming from the system's numerical values; he had absolutely no experience with teaching and learning methods.

He took out the light novel he hadn't finished reading from his desk drawer, turned to look at the two of them, thought for a moment, and asked Nekoya Hina:

"I think I do have a way to help you. Would you like to come to my house tonight?"

"May I?"

Hina Nekoya sat up straight instantly, her chestnut eyes casting a slightly surprised look: "Won't Tachimi-senpai have a problem with that? Makoto's reputation will suffer, won't it?"

Regarding her unrequited love, although she didn't want to give up, she couldn't think of any good solutions.

After all, Makoto Takahashi is dating Yuki Tachimi, and Hina Nekoya is even trying to restrain herself from physical contact that she used to take for granted, let alone find an opportunity to get closer to her emotionally. Being too proactive would inevitably be suspected of seduction.

The situation would be completely different if Makoto Takahashi took the initiative to invite him.

Although agreeing to it was somewhat ill-considered, the nature of the matter is completely different.

"It's just a learning session, don't worry about it."

Makoto Takahashi calmly shook his head, and Kaori Hanakawa immediately raised her hand high: "I also want to visit my brother's house, is that alright?"

"Let's come together."

Makoto Takahashi pinched her youthful face and strode out of the classroom: "I'm going to the light music club first, see you later."

"Great!"

Hanakawa Kaori smiled happily, and Nekoya Hina breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as "little sister" is around, she can escape moral condemnation and continue to get along with Takahashi Makoto naturally. Isn't that great?

It's been a long time since I visited Acheng's apartment, so I need to make some preparations beforehand; I can't waste this opportunity!

Thinking of this, Hina Nekoya immediately put away her Chinese language test paper, tucked it into her math textbook, stood up, and said, "Hanaori, let's go buy souvenirs now!"

Hearing her enthusiastic speech, Hanakawa Kaori blinked in confusion: "Hina-nee, there's still badminton club training next, right?"

"Then the study session—"

"Of course we'll go after training and dinner. My brother didn't invite us to dinner, so please be mindful of your manners."

Faced with her reprimand, Nekoya Hina slumped her head and sat back down in her chair, saying weakly, "Fine."

"Why don't you just quit the badminton club?" Hanakawa Kaori suggested.

"No, I can't let my senior down!"

Nekoya Hina instantly regained her energy, raising her clenched fist to encourage herself: "I promised to lead them to the national tournament and win the championship."

"Yin Cai's emotions are fluctuating a bit too much."

Hanakawa Kaori stood up, moved her chair back to her seat, and kindly reminded her, "You can't beat Sachi-nee like this. Junka-nee is much stronger."

"Go to the badminton club first, and I'll leave dinner to you." Nekoya Hina said, as if she hadn't heard, and quickly packed her bag.

"Hina-nee is very good at running away."

"Mind your own business."

"He doesn't have much of his own opinion."

"You're so annoying."

"Your brother is very popular, you know," Hanakawa Kaori said with a mischievous smile.

The two chatted as they walked out of the classroom, their voices quickly drowned out by the noise of the students returning from the home economics classroom and the general commotion after school.

After leaving Class 1-C, Makoto Takahashi, carrying a light novel, walked through the elevated corridor on the third floor and arrived at the special building.

All the clubs were preparing for the cultural festival and visiting days, and the archery club was no exception. He had no intention of joining in the fun and went straight to the light music club on the 5th floor.

Pushing open the door to the community office, I was greeted by a scene that was all too familiar.

Inside the "L"-shaped classroom, four desks were pushed together. Uesugi Maya sat quietly by the window reading a book, her long, straight black hair fluttering slightly in the cool air from the air conditioner.

Hearing the door open, she turned her head to look over, her caramel-colored eyes gleaming with calm and composure, as if time had instantly rewound to early summer in June.

For some reason, I felt inexplicably at ease.

Makoto Takahashi walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down directly opposite Maya Uesugi: "Do you have time after dinner? I'd like to invite you to a study session."

Uesugi Maya is serious and has good grades, making her an indispensable member of study groups.

"A cat house?" she asked indifferently.

"how do you know?"

"Guess."

"I'll have her prepare a friend's allowance for you."

Upon hearing Takahashi Makoto's words, Uesugi Maya raised her face and glanced at him, coldly refusing, "Since you're my friend, there's no need."

"Are you used to eating alone at noon?" Makoto Takahashi asked curiously.

During the recent summer vacation, Maya Uesugi hadn't eaten lunch alone for a long time.

"Shiraishi will come; it seems she's trying to curry favor with me after learning you weren't here."

She turned a page in her book, glancing down at the clearly printed words: "Boring. She'll probably give up in a few days."

Maya Uesugi is used to erecting high walls to separate herself from others; even within the band, only Makoto Takahashi can cross those boundaries.

"You didn't bully Junko, did you?" Takahashi Makoto asked worriedly.

"There's a limit to being a womanizer, you scum."

Am I a womanizer?

"Heh." Uesugi Maya sneered disdainfully.

After staying in the light music club until the end of the school day, the two left school together as usual, went to the family supermarket to buy groceries, took the streetcar back to their apartment, and had dinner at the Uesugi family's house.

While Uesugi Maya was preparing the meal, Takahashi Makoto sat on the balcony watching the sunset, and with the gentle breeze, an enticing aroma wafted from the kitchen.

After dinner, the two went to Takahashi's house.

When the doorbell rang, Maya Uesugi was sitting on the sofa making coffee. On the coffee table, besides a Belgian coffee pot, there were stacks of disposable paper cups.

—Specially prepared for Nekoya Hina.

Thinking of the unpalatable taste of bitter coffee, Makoto Takahashi felt genuinely saddened by his good friend's fate.

However, in order for her to pass the exam and continue participating in the badminton club's activities, there was no other way; these were necessary sacrifices.

Hopefully, Hina Nekoya will pass the test after undergoing Maya Uesugi's special training.

As Takahashi Makoto thought to himself, he walked to the entrance, opened the door, and saw Nekoya Hina and Hanakawa Kaori standing side by side in the hallway.

The former was still wearing a long-sleeved tracksuit, while the latter had changed into casual clothes, a wide-cut purple printed T-shirt paired with loose white shorts, making her look exceptionally petite.

"Acheng, I brought you pizza and fried chicken."

Hina Nekoya picked up the bag in her hand and gave a bright smile: "Hanaori bought you a can of cola, right?"

"Didn't you have dinner?" Takahashi Makoto took the bags from the two of them and stepped aside to make room for them to enter.

"Yin Cai has such a good appetite, saying that this is what makes the study group atmosphere."

Hanakawa Kaori looked concerned as she stepped into the entryway, taking off her shoes as she said, "Excuse me."

Compared to the quirky Nekoya Hina, she is younger, petite, has a youthful and cute appearance, and a lively personality, yet she plays the role of a "mother".

"Hina-nee, when you visit someone's house, you should put your shoes out properly," Hanakawa Kaori said, turning around to instruct Nekoya Hina behind her.

"What does it matter? A-Cheng won't mind." Nekoya Hina walked past Hanakawa Kaori without paying any attention and went into the living room.