They all have hidden attributes!

"Are you clingy?"

Makoto Takahashi collected his thoughts and turned to meet her meaningful gaze: "It seems like we spend the least amount of time together, apart from work."

"What do you think about continuing like this, Mr. Cheng?" Tachimi asked with a smile.

"I actually want to spend more time alone with you."

Makoto Takahashi thought for a moment, then flipped his palm over and intertwined his fingers with hers: "I prefer leisurely times like before, such as going to an art exhibition or browsing a bookstore together."

Hearing his straightforward answer, Ritsuki smiled slightly:

“After the new semester starts, I will be in the third grade. My mother wants to hand over the household chores to you so that I can have an easier time before I graduate from university.”

"Isn't this great?" Takahashi Makoto was somewhat surprised by the extent of Kotoha's trust in him.

At this point, he no longer cares about the size of a conglomerate.

However...

Upon hearing Tachimi Yuki use the phrase "young lady" to modify a transition, Takahashi Makoto perked up; clearly, what followed was the important part.

"Even though we go to school together, it still feels a little inconvenient."

Tachibana Yuki tilted her head slightly and leaned closer, her short golden hair falling down: "I'll feel a little lonely if I can't sense Makoto's presence."

“That being said, we need to make time for it—” Takahashi Makoto instantly sensed her thoughts.

Last year, Tachikami Yuki repeatedly suggested that he move to the manor in the port area, but Takahashi Makoto never agreed.

Now, their feelings for each other are deepening.

Makoto Takahashi could understand that desire to spend more time with one's lover.

"Living in the port area is a bit inconvenient, it's a bit far from the academy."

He placed his hand to his lips and hesitated before slowly speaking, "If we want to live closer to school, the less time we spend commuting, the better. It will not only be easier, but we will also feel more at ease."

"Makoto, you just accepted my invitation to live together so easily?" Tachikami Yuki raised her hand to cover her pink lips and exclaimed in surprise.

Makoto Takahashi nodded, picked up his glass and took a sip: "I also want to stay by your side. Considering the future, living together is a necessary adjustment, but I'm the type who needs some private space."

There's a saying online that couples gradually see each other's lifestyle habits, money management, hygiene practices, and moral values ​​after living together.

Another reason that made Makoto Takahashi agree was that, as a skilled cat trainer, he couldn't let Maya Uesugi win him over so easily, otherwise it would be too embarrassing.

If we don't create some distance, we'll probably fall soon, right?

—Recalling the scene from last night, Makoto Takahashi's heart began to beat faster and faster again, and he cheered with joy.

Hearing him confirm his statement, Tachibana Yuki felt as if a wishful daydream had come true, and her heart was filled with happiness.

"I do like the location of Tsurumizawa, even though there aren't any particularly good houses there."

Tachikuni looked up with moist eyes, her eyes filled with joy and anticipation: "No matter how much time I spend with Makoto, I will never get tired of it."

Makoto Takahashi looked down and saw a happy smile on her pure face.

"I should be the one who feels happy, being greeted by you every day, being able to say goodnight before bed, and being able to start a journey together from home."

With that, Takahashi let out a satisfied sigh.

“I am truly pleased that you said that, Mr. Cheng.”

As if envisioning a bright future for the two of them, Tachibana Yuki felt her heart begin to burn with excitement: "I'll invite Sayo to celebrate our housewarming together then."

Makoto Takahashi's smile froze on his face, but he couldn't refuse.

After all, fairness favors everyone, and hopefully this will help ease the tension between Uesugi Maya and Tachimi Yuki.

......

Meanwhile, in Toyoshima Ward.

In the quiet apartment, only the washing machine hummed.

Wearing loungewear, Maya Uesugi sat at her desk in her bedroom, holding a pen, her gaze occasionally glancing at the smartphone placed beside her.

The screen remained dark, without any New Year's greetings.

The bank, the telecommunications company, the supermarket I frequent, etc., all sent messages on time last night, but there were no other messages.

This was the first time in so many years that she was free from the Uesugi family's interference, and she was happy about it.

But Nekoya Hina, Hanakawa Kaori, Tachimi Yuki, and Kashima Reiko didn't send any messages. Recalling how busy Takahashi Makoto was replying to messages last night, he still felt a little uneasy.

Not receiving a single New Year's greeting temporarily dampened her enthusiasm for writing.

This was unusual for Uesugi Maya, who had insisted on living independently of everyone, but now she cared about such things.

Immediately afterwards, she realized that Makoto Takahashi had indeed changed himself.

Or rather, he left an indelible mark on his life.

[Things that change and things that remain unchanged]

Maya Uesugi pulled herself out of her thoughts and wrote the new chapter title on a clean sheet of paper.

She didn't think she was wrong, still felt that Tachibana Yuki's evaluation of her as "stupid" was too biased, and would never take the initiative to wish her "older sister" a Happy New Year, but Takahashi Makoto was different.

He remained true to his inner sense of "justice," even if that justice was a virtue that the world might not recognize. He persisted in his values, which inspired him.

Just as I was thinking this, my phone vibrated twice.

Maya Uesugi put down her pen, slowly picked up her phone, and thought about how to mock Makoto Takahashi.

He must have been bored at Lijian's house and wanted to chat with me.

—The reason I have this preconceived notion is because even Nekoya Hina and Hanakawa Kaori don't usually send messages to chat.

To Maya Uesugi's surprise, it wasn't a message from Line, but a text message, and it was a New Year's greeting from an unknown number.

Her gaze swept across the vibrant screen and landed on the signature. She jumped from her chair to the floor as if she had sprung up, her expression of surprise a far cry from her usual calm demeanor.

how come?

Maya Uesugi swallowed hard, pacing back and forth in the room, somewhat at a loss.

It must be Makoto Takahashi. As always, his sharp insight is almost annoying, utterly superfluous, but...

Even receiving their New Year's greetings meant nothing to him; he was always like that, trying to find meaning in mundane things.

After calming herself down with deep breaths, Maya Uesugi made up her mind, dialed the number that had sent the text message, and put the phone to her ear.

After the call was connected, a gentle voice came through the receiver.

"Young Miss, it's been a long time."

The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, sounding gentle and steady.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

"Aunt Shizuko." A dignified and serene face appeared in Uesugi Maya's mind.

With a joyful heart and a calm tone, she said, "Happy New Year to you too. How have you been these past few years?"

"After I stepped down from my position, I returned to the countryside near Kyoto. It's amazing that your boyfriend was able to find me. When I first met the people he sent, I thought it was a scam."

"Yes, did that idiot cause you any trouble?"

Uesugi Maya's voice conveyed a sense of helplessness. Aoki Shizuko paused briefly on the other end of the phone before saying in a gentle voice, "You've finally found your own happiness."

Upon hearing this, Maya Uesugi felt her tear ducts suddenly become extremely sensitive.

Tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her delicate cheeks.

"It is my honor to see you find your place."

Aoki Shizuko spoke calmly, her attitude distant, yet one could tell she was happy about it: "Ms. Maya has never been properly seen since the beginning, so it's only natural that she would be disappointed in others."

Unable to rely on anyone, I have to bear many things alone, and no matter how hard or painful it is, I can't find anyone to confide in.

Crystal-clear tears dripped onto the floor. Uesugi Maya stopped crying, straightened her back, and cleared her throat forcefully.

"Thank you for your concern, he is a very good person."

"Since you say so, I'm not so worried anymore."

Knowing Uesugi Maya's personality, even though she maintained a polite attitude, Aoki Shizuko didn't hide her concern for her: "Have you won him over through his stomach?"

"Yes, we've got it completely under control."

Maya Uesugi wiped away her tears and answered without hesitation, "He considers my feelings and respects them even if he doesn't understand them. He makes me feel calm and warm inside. He is...someone I can rely on."

"Oh, that's wonderful. I'm so glad you have someone you can completely open up to."

Receiving genuine New Year's greetings and wishes for a happy future after a long absence, Uesugi Maya sat back at her desk in a good mood after hanging up the phone and began writing a new chapter.

......

In the afternoon, the main house of the Li family was still bustling with activity.

For Shiraishi Junka, attending such a noisy occasion was undoubtedly too mentally taxing, especially since sitting upright for so long was physically exhausting, and she soon looked tired.

After obtaining permission from Tatsumi's mother, Takahashi Makoto bid farewell to the guests and left with Tatsumi Yuki and Shiraishi Junka.

"I'm sorry, Makoto."

After passing through the corridor and leaving the mansion, Shiraishi Junko lowered her eyes somewhat dejectedly: "This doesn't seem right."

"It's alright, Cheng-kun didn't plan to stay there for too long anyway."

Tachibana looked at her with gentle eyes and smiled tenderly, saying, "He went to great lengths to prepare a birthday party for you, so just get some rest."

Because Makoto Takahashi agreed to live together, Yuki Tachimi has been in a good mood all day.

Feeling her care and understanding, Shiraishi Junka's unease gradually dissipated.

"Take a nap first, and once you're rested, you're not allowed to run away tonight," Takahashi Makoto said.

"Um... I'll try my best." Shiraishi Junka nodded shyly, returning a grateful look to Tatami Yuki.

Back at Tachimi Yuki's detached villa, Shiraishi Junko borrowed Kashima Reiko's room to rest. She was indeed exhausted and fell into a deep sleep as soon as she closed her eyes.

Makoto Takahashi helped tuck the blanket in, quietly closed the door, and went with Yuki Tachimi to the small kitchen in the villa.

All the ingredients have been prepared.

Flour, butter, icing, butter knife, oven... all the utensils and ingredients for making cakes are arranged on the clean marble countertop.