They all have hidden attributes!

The store was playing "NIGHT DANCER," a song released by the band. Takahashi Makoto was a little unaccustomed to hearing Hanakawa Kaori's voice in a place like this, and his expression was subtle.

Shiraishi Junko clung to his arm, her mind completely elsewhere than on shopping.

Maya Uesugi crossed her arms and walked a step away from Makoto Takahashi on the other side, her face expressionless, occasionally glancing sideways at the two who were behaving intimately.

It's probably impossible for the two of them to celebrate the holiday together.

She couldn't quite articulate what exactly she was challenging, but a hardline attitude would only lead to nothing. Adopting a fragile and vulnerable expression and posture would merely be a waste of her credibility.

Unless, Shiraishi Junko voluntarily withdraws... A cruel glint flashed in Uesugi Maya's beautiful caramel-colored eyes.

In the war of love, any strategy is permitted.

Although she disliked Tachibana Yuki, she had to admit that there was some truth to that statement.

After browsing through several shops and buying a few Christmas gifts, Shiraishi Junka's charming face flushed, and her voice became tired.

"Cheng, I'm a little tired."

She was in poor physical condition, and Makoto Takahashi knew this very well. He raised his wrist to look at the watch face, then turned to Maya Uesugi and suggested, "How about we go have lunch first? I think there's Wagyu beef yakiniku on the 12th floor."

“Okay.” Uesugi Maya turned and walked towards the elevator decisively.

After arriving at the Wagyu yakiniku restaurant, sitting down, and ordering, she looked up at Makoto Takahashi with a sharp gaze:

"There is a popular dessert shop on the B1 level, specializing in cream puffs made with Hokkaido milk."

“We just went on a school trip to Hokkaido,” Makoto Takahashi said, looking reluctant.

Although the places accessible by elevator in the mall are not far, he had just sat down and didn't want to go through the hassle.

"I want to talk to her alone about her plans for the New Year and Lunar New Year's Eve."

Maya Uesugi spoke frankly, and Makoto Takahashi reluctantly got up to buy her cream puffs, leaving her with the words, "Don't bully her."

After he left, only Maya Uesugi and Junka Shiraishi remained in the secluded seat, sitting across the table from each other, their eyes meeting.

Maya Uesugi maintained a defensive posture with her arms crossed, her eyes cold, and slowly spoke: "Personally, I think..."

Before she could even utter the words she had prepared, Shiraishi Junka gently shook her head and interrupted in a soft voice, "I will not accept any suggestions from Uesugi-san."

The air froze instantly, and the tense atmosphere made the waitress standing not far away break out in a cold sweat.

Shiraishi Junka picked up her water glass, moistened her lips, and asked softly, "Uesugi-kun, you have a very high level of literary knowledge. You're very impressive."

There was no flattery or praise in his words; he was simply stating his opinion.

"What are you trying to say?" Uesugi Maya asked, frowning.

"Perhaps you can understand my longing."

Shiraishi Junka gave a warm smile and said to ease the atmosphere, "I ask for nothing more than to be bathed in sunshine."

The romantic yet slightly languid way of putting it made Uesugi Maya feel her satisfaction with her current situation.

Simple and pure, yet unshakable.

Their conversation abruptly ended, until Makoto Takahashi returned with the desserts and started a new topic, at which point the waitress in charge of grilling the meat dared to approach.

After lunch, the three continued shopping for Christmas items.

Maya Uesugi remained silent throughout, her face showing deep thought. When Makoto Takahashi tried to speak to her, he only received an impatient look.

"Aye, how about I buy this for you as a Christmas present?"

As they passed a jewelry store, Makoto Takahashi pointed to a necklace in the outer display case. Maya Uesugi glanced at it and gave it a blatant look of disgust.

"I don't want your Christmas presents anymore."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, her head aching, her eyes filled with despair: "This style is just as outdated as your taste."

“It’s clearly a classic that never goes out of style, like the white camellia.”

Takahashi Makoto retorted, but Uesugi Maya was not in the mood. She pressed the corners of her mouth into a "he" shape and remained silent, only staring at him with indifferent eyes.

"How did your plans go on New Year's Eve?" Takahashi Makoto, feeling awkward, changed the subject.

"I'll think about it and give you an answer in a few days."

After saying that, Maya Uesugi suddenly took her shopping bag from his hand and walked towards the mall exit: "I'm going back to my apartment first."

Watching her tall figure hurry away, Makoto Takahashi turned back to look at Junka Shiraishi and said with a wry smile, "Looks like I'll be having dinner at your and Reiko's place tonight."

"Reiko said my cooking skills have improved very quickly," Shiraishi Junka said with a smile.

After buying gifts, yarn, and fabric, the two took a taxi back to Roppongi.

The apartment is located on the top floor, with one unit per floor. It is not only very spacious, but also offers a direct view of the Tokyo nightscape through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Around Christmas, Roppongi, illuminated by colorful lights against the backdrop of the orange-red Tokyo Tower, offers arguably the most romantic night view in the world.

Since Makoto Takahashi started painting oil paintings, he has used almost all of his earnings to buy this apartment.

Sitting on the soft sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, he made up his mind to enjoy the night view here on Christmas Eve.

Sunday, August 20.

buzz-

The phone is ringing.

Makoto Takahashi closed his eyes, reached for his phone on the pillow, answered the call by muscle memory, and lazily replied.

"I'm here."

He rolled over and hugged her warm, soft body, placing his phone to his ear.

After a long silence, he opened his sleepy eyes, looked at the screen through the glaring light, and confirmed that the call was not a hallucination.

[Caller: Aye]

Just as he was about to hang up the phone and check his text messages and Line, a cool, unhurried voice drifted over, making Takahashi Makoto think he was still dreaming.

I want to see you.

It was definitely Uesugi Maya's voice; her indifferent attitude was genuine.

Makoto Takahashi sat up in bed, his mind now fully awake.

It's not a dream.

Although the reason is unknown, Maya Uesugi never answers the phone and refuses to communicate by phone.

"Where are you?" Takahashi Makoto asked.

“Ikebukuro, Junkudo Bookstore, do you have time for breakfast?”

After hanging up the phone, his gaze drifted through the slightly parted white linen curtains of the bedroom, landing on the dazzling, shimmering blue sky outside the glass.

It was a beautiful morning, with the sweet scent of roses and the fresh aroma of citrus mingling in the bedroom, and even the warm air filling the lungs felt ambiguous.

Kashima Reiko was nowhere to be seen beside him, while Shiraishi Junka was still curled up in bed, her peaceful sleeping face like Sleeping Beauty in a fairy tale, making one want to give her a loving kiss.

Makoto Takahashi threw back the covers and took out a freshly washed white sweater, black trousers, black socks, and a black and white houndstooth wool scarf from the closet.

This is his bedroom in the apartment, but it's no different from the living room and kitchen, which are common areas.

Apartments in Toshima Ward seem destined to become public spaces as well.

After tidying her clothes in front of the mirror, Kashima Reiko left a note explaining her whereabouts: she was going to accompany the young lady to work today.

Makoto Takahashi skipped breakfast, left a note for Junka Shiraishi, locked the door, and left the apartment.

Going downstairs, breathing in the wintery breeze, Makoto Takahashi hailed a taxi to Ikebukuro, dealing with various messages on his phone along the way.

Uesugi Maya did not send any messages today.

Hanakawa Kaori and Nekoya Hina gave him time to watch the game.

As usual, the young lady sent over her schedule, something she had done even before they started dating.

As the year draws to a close, there are still many things to handle regarding the division of the family business, including numerous work-related emails.

Considering that Tatsumi Yuki probably wouldn't have time to play Go today, Takahashi Makoto decided to go to the Keio Arena in Tokyo to watch the badminton matches live.

He got off the bus in front of Junkudo Bookstore and called Uesugi Maya.

"I'm here, where are you?"

"The coffee shop on the 4th floor."

"You actually answered the phone."

Takahashi Makoto's words were full of surprise, and Uesugi Maya, as if feeling ashamed, suddenly turned cold: "After all, it's you."

She sounded dismissive, but her stubbornness was especially endearing today.

Makoto Takahashi hung up the phone, walked into the bookstore, and went straight to the coffee shop on the 4th floor.

Maya Uesugi sat alone on the sofa, bringing the slowly cooling coffee to her lips. Her neat, long black hair slid down her shoulders, and her elegant posture made her appear calm and composed.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment.

Makoto Takahashi glanced at her coat spread on the sofa, took off his scarf, and sat down across the round wooden table from her: "Order."

The waitress came over with the menu, and he ordered a mixed sandwich and black tea.

"Have you read the book I gave you?"

Uesugi Maya swallowed a sip of coffee, and as if anticipating his forgetfulness, coldly reminded him: "The Little Prince."

"Not yet, why are you suddenly bringing this up?" Takahashi Makoto replied curtly.

In his view, gifts are meant to be collected, and the bass that Yuki Tachimi customized has always been in its case.

"I hope you can talk to me about literature and learn tango together."

Maya Uesugi reached out and pushed the unopened hardcover book that was on the table in front of him, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a honey-colored light under the lamp:

"In return, I can go to your apartment with Shiraishi Junka on New Year's Eve."

Last night, she thought deeply and reflected on herself throughout the night, and finally came up with this solution.

Only by deepening the communication between the two people and achieving spiritual resonance can one possibly sway his stance towards oneself.

“If you’re willing to do some other things with me, I’m not afraid to make some other compromises.”

Maya Uesugi took another sip of coffee, looking at the surprise, confusion, and happiness in Makoto Takahashi's eyes. Not knowing what expression she should have, she simply kept her face tense.