They all have hidden attributes!

"Yes, I heard you."

Kashima Reiko used a slotted spoon to scoop out the fried eggs from the oil pan and said nonchalantly, "I was very satisfied a few days ago, and my back is still very sore now."

"whispering sound."

Maya Uesugi let out a disdainful sound from between her white teeth, frowning as she said, "I haven't bought any autumn clothes yet, so it won't take up too much time."

"okay."

"Do you know what he likes? I'm planning to give him a return gift."

"Light novels".

Kashima Reiko gave the standard answer, causing Uesugi Maya to rub her temples in exasperation.

After the three of them had breakfast together, Makoto Takahashi went out alone. He had arranged to meet Hina Nekoya at Shinjuku Station to go out together today.

On a cool autumn day, the Docomo signal tower in Yoyogi stands tall beneath a vast, clear sky.

As I walked out of the station passage on the east side of JR Shinjuku Station, the noisy street was filled with all sorts of people. Just as I was about to take out my phone, a cheerful voice drifted over to me.

"Acheng, over here!"

The lively tone put him in a good mood. Makoto Takahashi turned his head to look in the direction the voice came from. There was a girl with a bright smile, her chestnut-brown ponytail swaying in the sunlight.

A white shirt, a khaki knit sweater, and flared pants—at first glance, it's a very neat outfit, but thanks to the sneakers and overall style, it exudes a cheerful and refreshing feel.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," said Makoto Takahashi.

"It's okay, it's okay. Acheng has been very busy lately. I'm happy as long as he has time."

As soon as they met, Hina Nekoya raised her hand and put it on his shoulder without hesitation. Judging from her expression, her action was completely thoughtless.

Fortunately, the wind is cool this season and the sun is not as intense as in summer, otherwise it would definitely be very hot and humid.

"Let's go, Cheng. Rina-senpai gave me a lot of game tokens. Let's go to the arcade first. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

Nekoya Hina used her index and middle fingers to pull an arcade membership card out of her pocket, held it up in front of him, and smiled smugly.

“The bookstore,” Makoto Takahashi answered without hesitation.

"Okay, how about we go for barbecue for lunch, and then wander around in the afternoon, or maybe go see a movie?"

"I don't care. Don't we have training today?"

"Oh, Coach Shirakawa resigned. I heard he's going abroad to train prodigies. Maybe it's because of Amamiya-senpai? Anyway, the academy is contacting new coaches, so we'll be taking a break for now..."

While gossiping, Nekoya Hina suddenly realized something was wrong.

The most important task today is to gather intelligence. If I keep talking like before, I'll definitely fall behind again.

She immediately changed the subject, asking Takahashi Makoto in a gossipy tone, "Makoto, you've been on leave for several days, haven't you?"

"I sold a painting while sketching in Izu," Makoto Takahashi replied instinctively, only realizing his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth.

Have I become so estranged from Haruna Nekoya?

The two used to be inseparable best friends, but now they instinctively brush off the truth.

"Really? That's amazing!"

Nekoya Hina praised him generously, and Takahashi Makoto turned to look at her with a troubled expression. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to keep it a secret for the time being.

"Did I miss anything after the cultural festival ended?" he asked casually.

"Nothing important, oh, the sports festival, at the end of this month."

"Where's Haruna? It's been so long since I've heard you talk about yourself."

"Me—"

Hina Nekoya's smile instantly turned awkward. After taking back her arcade membership card, she sheepishly raised her hand and scratched her head.

"Me? Um, I failed my math makeup exam, and I have to retake it next week. Hanaori is already tutoring me!"

The last sentence was emphasized, suggesting that she herself knew it was embarrassing.

"Now is not the time to go to the arcade, is it?" Makoto Takahashi sighed helplessly.

"What does it matter? We'll definitely pass this time!"

Hina Nekoya patted his shoulder forcefully to reassure him, then changed the subject, nudging Makoto Takahashi with her shoulder:

"Besides, Ah Cheng certainly wouldn't just stand by and watch someone die, right?"

"Go find Maya for tutoring."

"I wasn't talking about the exam!"

"You don't expect me to support you after graduation, do you?"

"Great idea!"

"..." Takahashi Makoto's lips twitched speechlessly.

In a cheerful atmosphere, the two entered the arcade. Behind them, a streak of purple hair flashed into a nearby lingerie shop.

As Nekoya Hina repeatedly picked out her clothes to go out in the morning, Hanakawa Kaori sensed something was wrong. She followed her all the way and waited with her at Shinjuku Station for a long time before finally seizing the opportunity.

Hina Nekoya was completely unaware that she was being followed, and she and Makoto Takahashi were having a fun motorcycle race at the arcade.

The arcade lights flickered, and Nekoya Hina subtly probed.

"Speaking of which, A-Cheng."

She twisted the accelerator hard, staring intently at the game screen: "Isn't there a school trip in October? What are you planning to do then?"

"What?" Makoto Takahashi drove his motorcycle and easily overtook Haruna Nekoya.

“Tachimi-senpai is a second-year student. Aren’t she and Reiko both in Group A? Uesugi is in the first-year Group A.” She overtook him from the inside.

We'll talk about it later.

"Anyway, we're definitely going to be together."

"..."

Makoto Takahashi didn't reply, and Hina Nekoya immediately sensed something was wrong. She turned around and loudly questioned, "Hey! Makoto, you're not going to abandon us, are you?"

Fortunately, the arcade was noisy, so no one heard anyone condemning the scumbag.

"perhaps."

"I'll beat you up."

"Probably not?"

Taking advantage of her inattention, Makoto Takahashi drove across the finish line in one go, jumped out of the car, and said, "Probably not."

"Damn it!" Nekoya Hina pounced on him viciously from behind.

"Don't worry, Hina is also very important to me."

"What do you mean by '[also important]'?"

"It's complicated. By the way, why don't you take advantage of your school trip to go home?"

"Oh, you can go back for the New Year, that's fine too."

The two played in the arcade for a long time, and before they knew it, it was lunchtime. So they decided to have barbecue first and then go to the bookstore in the afternoon.

As soon as she stepped out of the arcade, Nekoya Hina's smile froze on her face.

Bright sunlight streamed down the street. Hanakawa Kaori walked out of the lingerie store across the street, saw the two of them, and waved to them from afar.

“Let’s go together, Hanaori,” Makoto Takahashi suggested.

"Haha, okay." Nekoya Hina nodded stiffly as she watched the petite figure running towards her.

Damn it!

Ah Cheng knows very few people, yet he bumped into them here. Tokyo must be too small!

Thankfully, it wasn't Senior Inachi.

Thinking of this, Nekoya Hina felt a little more relaxed. Compared to the others, Hanakawa Hanori was nothing to fear.

"Brother, I miss you so much!"

Hanakawa Kaori, carrying a paper bag, rushed straight into Takahashi Makoto's arms. Seeing this, Nekoya Hina's eyes widened in surprise.

"It's only been a few days since we last met."

Makoto Takahashi patted Hanakawa Kaori's head. She wasn't wearing pigtails today; her loose hair felt smooth to the touch, and a strand of purple flowed with a rebellious hue in the sunlight.

"Because in the last few days, my former classmates have been contacting me, asking what kind of girls my brother likes."

Hanakawa Kaori made no attempt to greet Nekoya Hina, instead raising her youthful face to meet Takahashi Makoto's gaze, blinking her bright purple eyes, and speaking to herself:

"I replied that the person I liked was my type, and then they all said I was cunning and scheming."

"Sounds like there's trouble?" Makoto Takahashi asked.

Seeing the worry and concern in his eyes, Hanakawa Kaori shook her head and continued, "Uesugi-nee said that people who ask me this kind of question won't get into Tsurumi Sawa, so don't worry."

"Don't listen to Maya too much." Takahashi Makoto suddenly felt a headache coming on.

"No, no, I won't."

Hanakawa Kaori held up the bag in her hand to show him, smoothly transitioning to the next topic: "I bought new underwear, this time it's a front-closure style. Did you know, brother? Girls' underwear needs to be changed regularly."

"You don't need to tell me about this."

"Hehe, don't you want to see, brother?"

"It's completely unnecessary if it's just underwear."

"Oh—I see!"

......

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between the two, Hina Nekoya suddenly felt a little jealous.

She leaned closer to Hanakawa Kaori, forcing a smile as she asked, "Kaori, what are you doing here?"

“Buying underwear,” Hanakawa Kaori said matter-of-factly.

"I see. Are we going back now?"