They all have hidden attributes!

"Isn't this kind of thing semi-automatic?" Takahashi Makoto said, pointing to the Belgian pitcher.

"The coarseness of the coffee powder and the amount of water will affect the taste."

As she explained, Maya Uesugi reached out from her overly long sleeves to catch the coffee with her cup.

As she bent forward, the fabric draped down due to gravity, creating gaps between her and her body, revealing her fair and translucent skin through the neckline.

Emphasizing fullness, the fabric drapes down, revealing a dazzlingly white area that is usually hidden from view and only seen for the first time, creating a deep shadow.

She usually dresses very conservatively and never exposes her skin. Seeing her beautiful presence when she was completely unprepared, Takahashi Seiichi couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment.

"Scum." Uesugi Maya raised her hand to protect her collar.

Hearing the reprimand, Takahashi Makoto looked up and met her gaze, asking defiantly, "Is this entrapment?"

"Ha, pests."

Uesugi Maya picked up her coffee with her other hand and took an elegant sip: "I didn't expect you to use the same shower gel and shampoo as Tatemi. You like her that much?"

"How did you know the style she was using?" Makoto Takahashi asked in return.

"She never changed it."

"I didn't notice, I just felt that there was never a shortage of shower gel at home, probably because Lengzi would replenish it in time."

"Try my shower gel on New Year's Eve too."

Uesugi Maya tossed her long, fluffy black hair and turned to look at the street scene outside the window: "If you break the contract at the last minute, you're dead."

The bathroom is a very private place, and taking a bath involves not wearing clothes.

In this delicate atmosphere, the mention of the ambiguous agreement made Makoto Takahashi suddenly feel a little guilty.

It is common knowledge that a man's rationality is thinner than toilet paper; it can be blown away with the slightest provocation.

So, wouldn't it be better to give the young lady a heads-up beforehand?

I always felt that if I kept it from her, and something unexpected happened, my life next year, or even the future, would be miserable.

The truth is, there's simply no way to speak.

Makoto Takahashi took a sip of his coffee with milk and changed the subject, asking, "Where should we start with the cleaning?"

"Move the large furniture like the sofa, coffee table, and refrigerator out of the way. I'll clean it up, and then you can move them back in," Uesugi Maya replied.

"It sounds like it'll keep you busy all afternoon."

"Don't want to participate?"

No, not at all.

"Return before lunch on New Year's Eve."

"it is good."

After a short rest, the two resumed cleaning.

It was already dark when both apartments were completely cleaned.

Makoto Takahashi returned to the Kashima family home, pondering how to buy a sapphire for the young lady and the matter of painting, looking forward to the New Year.

On December 29th, Nekoya Hina and Hanakawa Kaori began moving, preparing to spend the New Year together in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Makoto Takahashi and Reiko Kashima went to help out. He had lunch with Yuki Tachimi, and in the afternoon, he went to Latin dance class with Maya Uesugi before going back to the Kashima house for dinner.

On December 30th, it snowed lightly in Tokyo.

Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was the girl in his arms, her layered black hair undulating like waves, exuding a fresh citrus scent.

Kashima Reiko lay obediently in Takahashi Makoto's arms, her beautiful, emerald-like eyes looking over.

Since moving into Jiyugaoka, although she is still woken up by her biological clock, she no longer sneaks away like before.

After waking up, Kashima Reiko would usually shift a few times in Takahashi Makoto's arms to find a comfortable position, waiting for him to wake up so they could get out of bed together.

Good morning, Cheng.

"Good morning." Makoto Takahashi hugged her in the warm bed, enjoying the soft, warm, and refreshing scent, his eyelids involuntarily becoming heavy.

Noticing that his breathing was gradually becoming steady, and that he looked like he was about to fall asleep, Kashima Reiko gently patted his back: "It's time to get up."

"This is the unique magic of a warm winter bed; I'll sleep a little longer."

"Maki has already prepared breakfast. Hurry up and get up."

"Is it okay if you don't eat?" Takahashi Makoto rubbed his cheek against hers.

If it were Li Jianxing, she would definitely tolerate his coquettishness with a somewhat helpless attitude.

Kashima Reiko, however, would not spoil him unreasonably; once a plan was made, she would switch to strict mode without hesitation.

They're practically like a lifestyle watchdog.

"You'll be late, get up."

Kashima Reiko slipped out of Takahashi Makoto's arms and expressionlessly pulled back the covers: "Go wash your face and wake up."

Feeling the chill, Makoto Takahashi had no choice but to sit up, pick up his phone from beside his pillow, and check his messages.

Hanakawa Kaori sent photos of two train tickets to Yamanashi, as well as a photo of her and Nekoya Hina. The two seemed to be on even better terms than before.

After all, they swallowed the bitter pill of failure together.

After washing my face and changing my clothes, I went downstairs with Kashima Reiko to have breakfast.

Kashima's breakfast is very plentiful, including tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), grilled salmon with asparagus, several pre-prepared side dishes, miso soup, and rice.

After breakfast, Kashima Reiko brought out a suit jacket and tie.

"I have an appointment with the young lady today, so dress formally."

She walked up to Makoto Takahashi and wrapped the tie around his neck with swift, precise movements.

"The seller of the sapphire has been found. He is a collector who is willing to part with it but will not accept money. He wants your painting."

In addition to being a lifestyle watchdog and girlfriend, Kashima Reiko also served as an assistant and secretary.

Do you think this is appropriate?

Makoto Takahashi didn't understand these things, but he trusted Reiko Kashima's judgment.

"Perfect. It's a brooch that sold for nearly $600 million at auction, and it has a rich history. Miss will like it."

Did the other party specify a particular painting?

"No."

"If you agree, I will give you a piece of blue that is even more valuable."

"it is good."

Kashima Reiko carefully straightened his collar, took two steps back, and nodded in satisfaction: "Very handsome."

I'm going out.

"Be careful on the road."

With her instructions, Makoto Takahashi stepped out of the room, breathing in the refreshing winter air, and onto the street.

It was very cold today, with snowflakes falling from the gray sky. Fortunately, Kashima Reiko had arranged her schedule in advance, and the car sent by the Tatsumi family was parked on the side of the road.

It feels like it's not just the Uesugi family; people could become useless anywhere.

With a bittersweet feeling, Makoto Takahashi got into his car and headed to the Tachimi family home.

Chapter 183 New Year Preparations

"what is this?"

Upon entering the detached villa and seeing the gift box on the table, Makoto Takahashi curiously bent down and picked it up: "Chocolate, liqueur filling, imported goods, where did they come from?"

"It was a gift from a junior in the student council. You came at just the right time; I was just about to eat it." Yukimasa Tachimi lay on his side on the sofa, watching a movie on his laptop.

In the warm indoor space, she wore only a thin slip dress, her elegant golden hair perfectly complementing the snowflakes fluttering outside the window.

As Makoto Takahashi unpacked the package, he walked over. Yuki Tachibana sat up straight and, after he sat down, snuggled up to him without saying a word.

The warm, soft, and delicate floral fragrance, along with the weight of the entire person pressing down on Makoto Takahashi, was not heavy, but it was very emotional.

"I didn't expect you to accept it." He took out a chocolate and held it to Tachimi Yuki's lips.

"I still think highly of her. She has good abilities and personality. After graduation, we can arrange for her to do an internship at the company to gain experience."

Yuki ate the chocolate, then suddenly pressed the space bar to pause the movie, and reached out to stroke his upper arm.

Seeing her pat her arm lightly with her fingertips with a serious expression, then tap it harder, Takahashi looked puzzled and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Hmm~ It's harder than I expected."

Yuki Tachibana ran her fingers along the contours of the muscles and tendons, her azure eyes showing a hint of distress: "It's a little uncomfortable to use as a pillow, and I don't want the cushions blocking our way. What should I do?"

"Let's skip the movie and go see the sea together, okay?"

Makoto Takahashi held her palm with his fingers, confirming the smooth and soft touch: "A collector in Europe is willing to sell his sapphire brooch, and I plan to paint a picture of the sea in exchange."

“I don’t want the brooch.” Tachimi Yuki slipped her other hand under his shirt and stroked his abdominal muscles, squinting her eyes comfortably.

"I'll change it into a ring style after I get it."

"It looks quite cold outside."

A soft smile crept across Miyuki's lips as Makoto Takahashi lifted her chin with his hand and leaned down to kiss her moist pink lips.

During a break in the kiss, Tachibana Yuki pushed against his chest with her hands to support herself, looking up at him from above:

"I don't really want to go out today. Play chess with me instead."

"I still owe you a painting."

"Never mind, just remember this."

The young lady was in a good mood today, so Makoto Takahashi fed her another chocolate, went upstairs to get the expensive custom-made chess set, and brewed a pot of black tea along the way.

After setting the table, the two of them remained seated on the same side of the sofa.

Yuki Tachibana sat crosswise on the sofa, stretched out her legs, and placed them on Makoto Takahashi's lap, chatting with him while playing chess.