They all have hidden attributes!

Makoto Takahashi extended his other hand to Maya Uesugi, who glared at him with a sharp look of disdain, while placing her hand in his.

I went downstairs, and the driver was still working today.

"Happy New Year, Mr. Takahashi."

After she bowed and said this, Makoto Takahashi happily took out a thick red envelope from his pocket and handed it over: "Thank you for your hard work this year. Happy New Year."

Starting from Toshima Ward, the three of them took the Metropolitan Expressway and arrived at Senso-ji Temple about half an hour later.

Because wearing a kimono restricts one's stride, Makoto Takahashi led the two of them by the hand and walked slowly. Fortunately, there weren't many people at this time, so it didn't feel crowded.

The liveliest time at Senso-ji Temple is New Year's Eve.

In the cool morning air, there were quite a few people wearing kimonos, but the trio was undoubtedly the most eye-catching, especially Takahashi Makoto holding the hands of two people at the same time.

Fortunately, the band hadn't been active for so long that they weren't immediately recognized.

Upon arriving at the prayer hall, the three washed their hands and rinsed their mouths in turn, then put money into the offering box before beginning their New Year's prayers.

The two beautiful girls' worship gestures were excessively graceful; they closed their eyes and clasped their hands for more than twice as long as Makoto Takahashi, and their elegant bow after finishing clasping their hands was also captivating.

After their visit to the shrine, the three of them had no interest in drawing lots or fortune-telling, so they went to the bustling Nakamise-dori shopping street.

"What wishes did you make?" Makoto Takahashi asked the two people beside him as he strolled around.

"To be with Cheng for life."

Shiraishi Junka looked up at her, smiled gently, and said, "Also, I hope to continue living such a peaceful life."

"I'm healthy and have no illnesses or disasters. I'll handle everything else myself," Uesugi Maya replied coldly, her sidelong glance carrying a somewhat ambiguous meaning.

That's very much in line with her style.

After strolling around the shopping street for a while, Takahashi Makoto noticed that Uesugi Maya's pink lips moved slightly several times, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, and he was full of confusion.

"Ah Ye, this fussing and hesitating is not like you."

"Is it alright to visit the shrine in Tokyo?" A hint of worry was reflected in her caramel-colored eyes.

Makoto Takahashi thought carefully for a moment before recalling the lie he told in Hokkaido, and smiled happily: "It doesn't matter what kind of thing it was."

After saying that, he changed the subject: "Sweet wine or red bean soup, which would you like to drink?"

Both are drinks popular during the New Year period.

"I hate white, cloudy liquid."

Maya Uesugi frowned slightly, her expression somewhat subtle: "I don't like drinking sticky things either."

“Hmm... I’m fine with anything.” Shiraishi Junko stared intently at Takahashi Makoto and blinked.

Chapter 186 New Year's Shooting

The white sedan drove smoothly along the highway as its wheels rolled over the wet streets.

Makoto Takahashi sat in the car, enjoying the light aroma of red beans as he relaxed and sipped his sweet wine. Next to him, Junka Shiraishi sipped her red bean soup.

Enjoying the refreshing sweetness and lingering aftertaste of the rice, Makoto Takahashi couldn't help but let out a sigh of contentment and peace.

Turning her head to the other side, Uesugi Maya crossed her arms, her face as cold as ever, her gaze fixed on the snow-covered city outside the window.

"What are the plans for today?" Makoto Takahashi asked calmly.

"Wash bed sheets and blankets, write books."

"Aren't you going to pay New Year's respects to Aunt Lijian?"

"I've already sent an email. For holidays like New Year's, I can only speak on my own behalf. It would be more appropriate to go tomorrow."

As she spoke, Uesugi Maya turned her head and looked at her with a calm gaze, her voice gentle: "I guess you didn't prepare a New Year's gift for Aunt Tachimi. Go to my apartment to get it, and remember to bring plenty of red envelopes."

"Thank you?" Takahashi Makoto was indeed unprepared.

"It's just a little trick to make you unable to leave me." Uesugi Maya rarely smiled.

Meeting her subtly warm gaze, Takahashi Makoto felt a slight itch in his heart.

It felt as if a soft cat's paw was gently tapping on his heart, and he shrugged slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"What gift did you prepare for Aunt Lijian?"

“Something that makes her happy.” Uesugi Maya narrowed her caramel-colored eyes mysteriously.

"Is it alright if you help me win her over?"

"No matter what, she is an elder, and Aunt Lijian has always wanted to take you as her godson, not her son-in-law."

Rational, calm, intelligent, and with a clear purpose, Makoto Takahashi was secretly pleased to see that she hadn't become a love-struck fool who couldn't distinguish right from wrong after realizing her feelings.

“I told Aunt Lijian a long time ago that I would not marry into her family.”

While chatting with Uesugi Maya, Shiraishi Junka reached out her slender fingers and gently tugged at his sleeve, as if afraid of breaking the atmosphere.

Makoto Takahashi turned around and saw Junko Shiraishi hand him a paper cup of red bean soup. He naturally exchanged cups with her and brought the slightly sticky red bean soup to his lips.

“...Delicious.” Shiraishi Junka held the sweet wine in both hands, even the corners of her charming eyes curving into a smile.

Seeing the two naturally exchange drinks, Uesugi Maya frowned slightly, suddenly regretting her insistence on going home for coffee.

Sometimes, going with the flow of the festive atmosphere isn't necessarily a bad thing.

After keeping the new lesson in mind, she continued the previous topic: "What did Aunt Lijian say?"

"This is probably what makes Japan different from the rest of the world. They care more about surnames than bloodlines. As long as the child has a surname, that's fine."

Makoto Takahashi swallowed a mouthful of red bean soup and spread his hands indifferently: "I agree. I care more about bloodlines. Anyway, Takahashi is the most common surname in Japan."

“I understand, so in Aunt Tatsumi’s opinion, it’s okay for you two to break up.” Uesugi Maya nodded thoughtfully.

Although he didn't quite understand what she had figured out, Makoto Takahashi really didn't have any intention of breaking up with Yuki Tachimi.

The young lady is beautiful, gentle, considerate... her virtues are countless, and most importantly, she is very tolerant. Why break up?

There is no reason.

"Maya...you're such a hassle," Shiraishi Junka said to Uesugi Maya, continuing to sip her sweet sake.

"Heh." Uesugi Maya turned her sharp gaze away, sneering disdainfully.

Before she could launch her attack, Makoto Takahashi reached out and handed her a paper cup: "Would you like some red bean soup? It's too sweet, I don't like it."

Uesugi Maya took the red bean soup and took a sip: "The seasoning is too rough. I'll cook it for you next time."

"Okay." Takahashi Makoto reached out to put his arm around her slender waist, but before he could touch her, he was stomped on hard.

Seeing the glare from Uesugi Maya that seemed to say "[You won't even let me talk about her]", Takahashi Makoto pretended not to notice and changed the subject, asking, "So what kind of gift did you prepare for Aunt Tatsumi?"

"Like me, black tea."

"Same as you."

"We'll continue with Latin dance class tomorrow afternoon," Uesugi Maya said, having learned to change the subject.

Back at their apartment, carrying New Year's gifts, Makoto Takahashi and Junka Shiraishi head to the Tachimi family home.

The streets of Chiyoda Ward are decorated with traditional Japanese style, emphasizing the New Year atmosphere against the backdrop of snow.

"Are we celebrating your birthday at Tatsumi's house today?" Shiraishi Junka asked softly.

The topic of birthdays was brought up for no apparent reason. Takahashi looked at her with a puzzled expression, only to see that her usually gentle expression had become somewhat awkward, and a slight unease spread in her wine-red eyes.

"new year."

“Why worry? What’s the conflict between New Year’s and your birthday? If you don’t like the Tachimi family, we can go back to Roppongi,” Makoto Takahashi said.

"I'm not feeling inferior, it's just that I don't feel anything real."

Shiraishi Junka leaned gently against his upper arm, her gaze following the Japanese-style decorations on the street: "I usually don't celebrate birthdays, since it's New Year's."

Birthdays are something to celebrate.

Knowing that she was somewhat timid and shy, Makoto Takahashi cleared his throat seriously and said, "Even if it's just for my own pleasure, I still want to celebrate your birthday."

"What's the reason you absolutely have to do it?" Shiraishi Junka asked, raising her face.

“I want you to truly feel that you are loved, that someone wants you to be happy, and that they are grateful for your birth.”

Makoto Takahashi looked into her eyes, pulling Junka Shiraishi out of her negative emotions: "Your birthday is a very special day for me."

“…Special.” Shiraishi Junka murmured softly.

"Thank you for coming into this world and meeting me. I am grateful for your birth."

Takahashi Makoto pinched her cheek without hesitation, gently pulling open her exquisitely smooth cheek: "This is much more important than the New Year, so we must celebrate."

"Hmm... whatever you say." The unease in Shiraishi Junka's eyes gradually disappeared, leaving only happiness.

She snuggled closer, as if being pampered, feeling the weight and soft touch against him. Makoto Takahashi glanced down and saw that Junka Shiraishi's expression had returned to warmth and tenderness.

He didn't want to be the one who only enjoyed love.

We must give them more and as much love as possible in return; this feeling is genuine.

"Actually, it's my fault. I should have just spent today with you on your birthday."

After Takahashi Makoto said that, Shiraishi Junka stared at him intently, her delicate and charming face showing a mixture of surprise, fear, and disbelief.

She observed Takahashi Makoto's expression and, after confirming that this was his true thought, slowly shook her head: "We've agreed, Makoto doesn't need to say he loves me, just liking me is enough."

"Let's celebrate gently then."

"Mmm." Shiraishi Junka pursed her red lips tightly.

As they were talking, the vehicle drove into the gate of the Ritsumi family's residence and stopped in front of the mansion.

The two got out of the car together and, guided by a servant, walked through a long corridor to the door of a Japanese-style room.

Makoto Takahashi was already used to the beautiful girls around him; Tsurumi Sawa was full of beauties. Even so, when he opened the sliding door, his heart was still struck by the beauty of Yuki Tachimi.

The Japanese-style room was quiet and peaceful. Bright sunlight streamed in through the paper windows, outlining a sensual silhouette and casting equally captivating shadows on the tatami mats.

The air was filled with the elegant aroma of black tea, as well as the familiar, delicate fragrance of flowers.

Wearing a magnificent and elegant white and gold kimono, Tachimi Yuki sat gracefully at the tea table, her shimmering golden short hair contrasting against her snow-white skin.

Her clear, deep blue eyes and luscious red lips complement each other perfectly, giving her a beautiful yet innocent look.