They all have hidden attributes!

Hanakawa Kaori shifted her body slightly to a more comfortable position, then raised her hand high and waved it at Uesugi Maya: "Okay."

Seeing her radiant smile, a smile that radiated genuine happiness, Uesugi Maya's expression turned completely cold.

After taking the photo, she turned around decisively and walked away alone.

Makoto Takahashi and Kaori Hanakawa exchanged glances, blinked, and quickly put her down before running after Maya Uesugi.

Has her personality become increasingly awkward lately?

Are all cats in the world like this, or is Hackie Nights just a bit strange?

"A-Ye, I just asked you if you wanted to strike a pose."

Makoto Takahashi's tone was somewhat innocent. Maya Uesugi slowed her pace to walk alongside him, pulling her coat tighter around herself: "It's too cold."

At that moment, Hanakawa Kaori caught up from behind.

"Sister Maya, you haven't shown me the photos yet."

Maya Uesugi casually handed her the phone, her beautiful eyes glancing coldly at Makoto Takahashi, and asked nonchalantly, "Aren't you spoiling her too much? Although Hanori is younger, she'll be starting school in a few months."

Hanakawa Kaori was quite displeased upon hearing this, but she didn't dare to directly oppose Uesugi Maya, as it was true that she had been secretly taking advantage of others all along.

Makoto Takahashi patted Hanakawa Kaori's head and said with a gentle smile, "I've always wanted a little sister."

His expression and eyes were devoid of any ulterior motives, which made Uesugi Maya feel slightly better, but she was still a little unhappy. She coldly reminded him:

“Even if they are siblings, you should be careful about the distance at this age. She is not a child.”

Hanakawa Hanori was a little angry, but dared not say anything, and lowered her head to kick the thin layer of snow on the road.

Makoto Takahashi turned his head and saw her depressed expression, asking softly, "What's wrong?"

"Hmm, snow is quite nice."

Hanakawa Kaori tilted her head back and carefully observed the falling snow: "It looks like even if it snows all night, there won't be much snow accumulation."

"If the snow falls too heavily, it will paralyze public transportation. I hope it doesn't snow too much," said Maya Uesugi.

"Sister Maya is too realistic."

"People can't survive on romance alone."

"It would be better to be a little more romantic," Hanakawa Kaori muttered softly, reaching out to tug at Takahashi Makoto's sleeve and pulling him forward, obediently playing the role of "younger sister."

Based on her understanding of Takahashi Makoto, Uesugi Maya's words carried a lot of weight in his heart. If she didn't behave herself, she would be doomed if she lost her "little sister" status.

But Hanakawa Kaori is an ambitious younger sister who will never stop striving.

As she walked into the streets of Ginza, she looked around at the shops on both sides. Across from the bar of her destination, the windows of a clothing store were still lit up.

"Sister Maya, shall we go for a walk?"

Hanakawa Kaori loosened Takahashi Makoto's sleeve, and with a playful, garden-like atmosphere, moved closer to Uesugi Maya: "That lace one is so pretty, it feels really good for Maya-nee, how about trying a different style once in a while?"

Maya Uesugi always wears clothes in similar styles, often buying the same style in different colors to match, pursuing comfort and quality. Makoto Takahashi has never seen her wear clothes with cute ruffles or lace.

The young lady does seem to really like dresses and similar styles.

Maya Uesugi glanced at the clothes in the shop window, showing no interest whatsoever.

Hanakawa Kaori pulled her a couple of steps away, then mysteriously tiptoed and whispered in her ear, "Maya-neechan, I'm helping you. Don't you want to know what your brother's interests are?"

She needed to prove her usefulness to prevent Uesugi Maya from whispering in her ear.

"Interest?" Uesugi Maya didn't think Takahashi Makoto would be interested in cross-dressing.

"Trying to cater to your brother's preferences will make your heart race."

Hanakawa Kaori lowered her voice, creating an atmosphere among the girls that made it impossible for Takahashi Makoto to approach her:

"Boys will be happy when girls put in the effort to make him wear the clothes he likes."

Uesugi Maya tried to understand this overly convoluted explanation, giving Hanakawa Kaori a suspicious look.

Hanakawa Kaori raised her youthful face, her crystal-clear purple eyes filled with sincerity.

Knowing that she had always been good at winning over Makoto Takahashi, Maya Uesugi decided to give it a try, since he seemed completely unmoved when she went shopping for autumn clothes with him.

Instead, they were more interested in researching eating snails.

"It's said online that most guys find it troublesome to accompany girls shopping," Uesugi Maya asked cautiously.

"My brother isn't the kind of person who's in a hurry. On the contrary, he likes to do nothing, as long as he's not left alone and doesn't talk."

After saying that, Hanakawa Kaori ran to Takahashi Makoto, who was calmly watching them from the side: "Brother, can you come with us to buy clothes?"

“Okay.” Takahashi Makoto and the two walked toward the clothing store together.

Upon entering the store, Uesugi Maya, prompted by Hanakawa Kaori's gaze, picked up two pieces of clothing and walked up to Takahashi Makoto, letting him choose.

Which of these two do you think suits me better?

Makoto Takahashi glanced at the clothes; they were two shirts. One was a light blue shirt with lace trim on the cuffs, very much in the style of a young lady from a wealthy family. The other was made of white linen, exuding a calm yet bright atmosphere.

He met Uesugi Maya's gaze with a puzzled look for a moment, then said hesitantly, "To be honest, I don't think either of them suits you."

This isn't her usual style; it feels a bit strange.

Uesugi Maya put down the clothes, her cold gaze turning to Hanakawa Kaori, her ugly expression as if questioning her intentions.

Hanakawa Kaori looked distressed, unable to offer any explanation.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with her plan; it was just that Uesugi Maya herself didn't pay attention and randomly picked two outfits.

The atmosphere was a bit strange.

Makoto Takahashi pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized: "You haven't bought Christmas presents for Junko and Sachi yet? Buy them both."

These two shirts are indeed the style that the two of them usually wear.

Hearing him mention other people made Uesugi Maya even more displeased, and she immediately dismissed Hanakawa Kaori: "Can you go back to the academy by yourself?"

I'm going to stay at my brother's house tonight.

"Go now and take your clothes."

Uesugi Maya rudely drove him away. Hanakawa Kaori pouted her lips in grievance, turned away dejectedly, and muttered to herself:

"What? It's clearly because you're too stupid."

After she left, only the two of them remained.

Maya Uesugi's expression softened, and her cold aura dissipated in the warmth of the clothing store.

"Let's go to the bar across the street."

She pushed open the shop door and stepped out. A cold wind mixed with falling snow lifted her long black hair, which fell loosely onto Makoto Takahashi's face behind her, while the warm scent of cedarwood enveloped her.

Breathing in Maya Uesugi's scent, Makoto Takahashi asked curiously, "Why did you decide to come to a place like this?"

"Here's a Christmas present for you."

"Christmas presents? I don't like waitresses or other strange women."

"Is your barren head filled only with filthy thoughts? You're truly scum." Uesugi Maya said coldly.

Bars located in the Ginza district are naturally upscale.

Upon entering, you'll see a huge "U"-shaped counter with two attractive waitresses serving drinks. The innermost wall features a large glass panel offering a view of the kitchen area.

There's no dance floor, no DJ, and it's not like a typical quiet bar with dim lighting or even extra seats; it's more like a ryokan (traditional Japanese restaurant) in the Omakase style.

Inside the shop, three or four groups of customers were drinking and chatting quietly.

"Sit here."

Maya Uesugi pulled Makoto Takahashi to a seat deep inside the kitchen. They sat down on a high stool, and just as they untied their scarves, the waitress in charge of the "U"-shaped side brought them two glasses of water.

"Could you gentlemen please show us your identification?"

The legal drinking age in Japan is 20, and Makoto Takahashi and Maya Uesugi both appear to be well under that age.

"We don't drink alcohol, please order a beef pie, and coffee and canned Coke for drinks."

When Maya Uesugi ordered, the waitress immediately took out a can of Coke from under the counter.

"A Christmas present, is it just treating me to beef pies?" Makoto Takahashi pulled the metal tab and swallowed a mouthful of cola.

"Where is my Christmas present?" Maya Uesugi turned her face away to look at the kitchen through the glass window.

"I'll give it to you tomorrow."

I'll give it to you later.

"Sounds like I can look forward to it." Takahashi Makoto looked around aimlessly.

The store's interior is decorated in a retro style, giving it a feel of the 80s and 90s, but it's not cluttered at all. The crystal chandeliers overhead were once very popular.

On his side, three seats away, a couple was whispering, looking like they were about to kiss at any moment.

Further away were two girls, who looked like college or graduate students, chatting and drinking cocktails, their eyes occasionally glancing over.

Makoto Takahashi inadvertently made eye contact with a girl with long, wavy blonde hair, but felt that her bleached blonde hair was not as sophisticated as Yuki Tachimi's blonde hair. He then turned his gaze to the opposite side, where two men who looked like they had just finished working overtime had a gloomy expression.

Having to work overtime on Christmas Eve, how pitiful.

Just as I was feeling sorry for the two, the waitress brought out beef pies on a white porcelain plate with silver cutlery, making the dish look exquisite and sophisticated.

"Give me one." Uesugi Maya turned her head to look at him.

Makoto Takahashi picked up his knife and fork and cut into the crispy crust: "Why don't you order one for yourself?"

"I'm not hungry." Uesugi Maya's pink lips parted slightly, and Takahashi Makoto stuffed a piece of beef pie into her mouth.

As she savored the crispy texture and the rich sauce of the stewed beef, her expression gradually tightened.

"Is it not tasty?"

Makoto Takahashi took a bite himself, his expression strange: "It's delicious! Is there anything you're not happy about?"

"The stewed beef was simmered slowly over low heat, and the spices were fine."

Maya Uesugi frowned, looking troubled: "I didn't expect to start with the crust. It's hard to learn without seeing it in person."

Makoto Takahashi suddenly remembered that she had the "God Tongue," and his feelings became indescribable.

"The Christmas present you're talking about, you don't mean...?"