They all have hidden attributes!

Isn't the young lady being too tolerant?

From Tachimi Yuki's perspective, it shouldn't be so easy.

Thinking to himself, Makoto Takahashi ignored the looks from the others who wanted him to stay, politely said goodbye, and returned to the villa.

I'll probably only get an answer to my question about Rinmi Sachi when I go house hunting tomorrow.

Back at the villa, the four were still playing cards. Uesugi Maya refused to go into the kitchen, so Takahashi Makoto had to cook lunch by himself.

Nekoya Hina, who didn't understand mahjong, watched the game from the sidelines. When she saw him walk into the kitchen, she followed him in.

"Acheng, this is the first time I've heard that you can cook."

Seeing Takahashi Makoto tie on his apron with such practiced ease, she made no attempt to hide her surprise: "What are you making for lunch, noodle soup or something?"

"Tacos, beef and pork porridge, or noodle soup if you'd like."

Makoto Takahashi picked up a piece of fresh beef, placed it on the cutting board, and skillfully cut it into pieces with his powerful body control.

Watching his knife skills, which were so fluid they left afterimages, Hina Nekoya slowly opened her mouth wide.

Makoto Takahashi glanced back at her and explained, "I've only been learning for a short time, otherwise I would have let you try it before."

"Am I really an idiot?"

Hina Nekoya fell into self-doubt, her face showing despair: "I tried to learn to cook before, but my feminine charm was almost zero."

"Be confident, Hina. It's okay to remove the [almost]."

Hearing this, even though she knew Takahashi Makoto was just joking, she still completely deflated.

His handsome face subtly revealed a listless expression.

Sensing the change in atmosphere, Makoto Takahashi immediately changed the subject.

"Is Yamanashi fun?" he asked while preparing the ingredients.

"It's more bustling than my hometown, since it's close to Tokyo. I think it's a lot of fun."

Nekoya Hina took two steps back, leaned against the wall, and listlessly looked up at the ceiling: "A-Cheng, you know me, I always lack my own opinion at crucial moments."

"Well, then what?"

"Sometimes I don't even know what to have for dinner, let alone such an important life event."

"What major life event?" Makoto Takahashi asked casually.

Hina Nekoya, who had been prepared in advance, blurted out the answer.

"in love."

A burning gaze came from behind him, spreading across his back like a scorching flame. Takahashi Makoto's hand, which was cutting vegetables, froze in mid-air, speechless for a moment.

A silent visit; the kitchen, devoid of the sound of chopping vegetables, was eerily quiet.

Hina Nekoya stared intently at his retreating figure, subtly probing, "Makoto, I'm very sure of my feelings, but you've met my parents."

As Hanakawa Kaori said, Nekoya Hina wasn't without thoughts.

Her most important, most worrying, and biggest consideration was how to explain her choice to her parents, which was also the biggest obstacle on her path forward.

Makoto Takahashi was certain that if he made a decision now, or even just gave her a little courage, Hina Nekoya would run to him without hesitation.

But life is not as simple as "what to eat for dinner".

Just as he wouldn't decide how Hanakawa Kaori should face her mother, he won't decide the course of Nekoya Hina's life either.

"Yina, not this time."

Makoto Takahashi took the tomatoes that had been soaking in the pool and shook off the water droplets: "You can take your time to think about it. In any case, we are friends, and I will not refuse to help you if you need anything."

Whether to remain friends or keep it a secret from her parents, whether to lie, deceive, or be honest, she must make her own choice.

Without sufficient awareness, taking on responsibility without authorization and adding burdens to oneself will surely cause great dissatisfaction to Uesugi Maya and Tatsumi Yuki.

Now that things have come to this, Makoto Takahashi finds it difficult to make decisions on his own and must consider their feelings.

"I see." Nekoya Hina lowered her head, her chestnut eyes staring at the ground, a hint of disappointment in them.

With this answer, she couldn't even be sure if Makoto Takahashi liked her or had any feelings for her at all; it was too cunning.

Makoto Takahashi silently prepared lunch. Considering that it might exacerbate Haruna Nekoya's sense of urgency, he decided to keep the move a secret for a few days and let her postpone it.

"No matter what you choose, I will support you, as always."

"Ah-Cheng, you're too cunning." Before Nekoya Hina could even feel down, her mood quickly lifted.

Turning around and seeing her frank and cheerful smile, Makoto Takahashi deftly chopped the tomatoes into pieces.

"It's so easy to understand," he thought to himself, then changed the subject and chatted with Nekoya Hina.

Li Jianxing was busy entertaining friends and didn't have time to go back to the villa for lunch.

When Makoto Takahashi and Haruna Nekoya brought the dishes to the table, the other four people were already seated.

The first thing presented to them was slow-cooked beef.

The rich broth is filled with large chunks of braised beef brisket and small pieces of beef ribs, with diced onions and tomatoes floating on the surface.

Unable to contain her eagerness, Hanakawa Kaori picked up a tender, fall-off-the-bone beef rib with her bare hands and put it into her mouth.

The flavor is rich yet not greasy at all, and a silent murmur escapes from pink lips.

The flavors of black pepper, lemon juice, hawthorn, and tomato envelop the tongue, leaving a pleasant sensation in the throat.

"I'm completely being played by my brother." Hanakawa Kaori tilted her head and gave a decadent smile, then immediately put on a serious expression and focused on the beef.

"The taco crust is made of pure cornmeal, without any wheat flour. Try it."

Makoto Takahashi placed the separately served tortillas, chicken filling, salsa, and guacamole in the center of the table and said to Junka Shiraishi, "The salsa is spicy, you might not like it."

"Hmm." Shiraishi Junko reached out and picked up a thin tortilla to assemble a taco.

Maya Uesugi served herself a bowl of the most elaborate borsoch, and used a spoon to put the finely shredded pork and lettuce into her mouth.

The shredded pork, soaked in broth, slids down your throat, while the shredded lettuce releases its unique aroma. The rich flavor and intense taste instantly overwhelm your senses.

One must exercise restraint to suppress the urge to greedily indulge.

Maya Uesugi calmly pulled out a napkin to wipe her mouth, then looked up at Makoto Takahashi with a suspicious gaze:

"It's a miracle that a kitchen idiot can make delicious Mexican food in just a few days."

“She is exceptionally talented, and Maki is the head chef of the Ritsumei family.”

Makoto Takahashi pulled out a chair and sat down, giving her a suggestive smile: "Can we discuss this now? It should suit your taste."

"One person, one day." Uesugi Maya's gaze swept over the group in turn.

Hanakawa Hanori, sweating profusely, devoured the delicious food, while Nekoya Hina, looking as if she was giving it her all, finished off a bowl of beef in the blink of an eye.

Shiraishi Junka and Kashima Reiko were restrained in their actions and did not seem as greedy as the two, but they were also eating lunch without caring about others, completely immersed in the delicious food.

Considering their performance, Uesugi Maya felt a sense of crisis.

"And you must promise me that you won't bring anyone home without my permission." She didn't want her house to be crowded with people who wanted to freeload every day.

Looking at the cautious-looking Uesugi Maya, Takahashi Makoto decided to take some time to learn how to make desserts and coffee: "I agree, we still have a lot to discuss."

"..." Uesugi Maya frowned.

"Aya, from now on we should get along well." Takahashi Makoto emphasized "we" in his voice, his eyes carrying a meaningful look.

Maya Uesugi casually looked away and focused on eating.

Latin dance classes will continue starting today.

After lunch, Makoto Takahashi and Maya Uesugi left the Tachimi family home together and headed to the hotel for their dance class.

All afternoon, Maya Uesugi had a cold expression and barely spoke to anyone, looking preoccupied.

Because Uesugi Maya always reflects on herself in strange ways, Takahashi Makoto finds it hard to understand her thoughts, so he simply lets it go, thinking that she will definitely tell him when she figures it out.

Before sunset, Kashima Reiko arrived at the hotel with a gift bag. After the dance class, the three of them returned to their apartment in Toshima Ward.

Makoto Takahashi escorted Maya Uesugi into the apartment building, stopping in front of the elevator.

"We'll pick you up tomorrow morning to see the house, and you can start preparing to move in tonight."

What are your plans regarding the houses here?

Maya Uesugi stepped into the elevator and turned to face him: "Rental, or for sale?"

"To keep as a souvenir?" Takahashi Makoto asked tentatively.

He intends to preserve it exactly as it is, since it holds many fond memories.

"madness."

Maya Uesugi gave him a disdainful look, but did not object, and her tall and beautiful figure slowly disappeared behind the elevator door.

Makoto Takahashi turned and walked out of the apartment building, casually saying to Reiko Kashima beside him, "You can't imagine how stubborn Maya is. She'll definitely sneak back to clean after she moves out."

"You're moving?" Kashima Reiko was unaware that he was moving.

"Yes, we'll move to the vicinity of Tsurumizawa, together with me, Sachi, and Maya."

Makoto Takahashi turned to look at her obedient face, and reached out to take her hand:

"Don't worry, I'll still go to Roppongi two days a week, once they get along better... Let me think, the manor in the port area seems pretty big? Sachi seems to like it there."

“It’s very big, it will be very deserted if there are few people.” Kashima Reiko nodded, confirming in a tone devoid of any emotion.

Seeing that her emerald eyes were calm and showed no sign of resentment, Takahashi Makoto asked with relief:

"Hanaori and Hina seem to live in Shinjuku too? You should know the address. What's it like there?"

“I’ll tell you if you’re unhappy. You’re being overly nervous, even though I know it’s because you care.” Kashima Reiko’s voice trailed off.

Makoto Takahashi squeezed her soft hand and replied in a firm tone, "You are all important to me, and I will favor each and every one of you."

This is the ideal path he has found. For Kashima Reiko, being "seen" is undoubtedly a way to take care of her feelings.

What Hina Nekoya needs is "support," not having decisions made for her; otherwise, it would be disrespectful. Makoto Takahashi is well aware of this.

As they got into the car heading to Hanakawa & Nekoya's house, Makoto Takahashi continued their previous conversation.

"So, how's the apartment they rented?"