They all have hidden attributes!

"Heh." Uesugi Maya used a cold laugh to mask her complex emotions.

It's true that the Great God of the Nation governs marriage, but is there really no problem with this new era's concept of marriage through cultivation? They're certainly going against the grain.

As for Makoto Takahashi's shrine, she found it easier to accept after witnessing such a scene in Hokkaido, since Kotoha Tatsumi had given her a bearskin rug as a Christmas present.

"Aye, now you understand, right? I need you."

Makoto Takahashi met her gaze with clear eyes, his tone gentle: "If no one were watching me, I can hardly imagine what I would become. It didn't matter when I wasn't strong enough, but now—"

His tone gradually became more meaningful, and Uesugi Maya rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

If Makoto Takahashi proposed that Mieko Jingu exchange her body for her talent, would she agree?

So-called "gods," if they acted without restraint, could probably destroy human civilization with ease, and besides, I don't want to stray too far from them...

Entering the small room in silence, Uesugi Maya was lost in thought. Takahashi Seiichi stared at her without saying a word, not at all worried about getting an answer he didn't want.

Uesugi Maya isn't the type to break promises easily, so if she takes out that wish card... she'll most likely get scolded.

The silence didn't last long. Uesugi Maya raised her delicate face, her beautiful caramel-colored eyes looking at her with a cold gaze:

"I understand. I will keep a close eye on you to prevent you from going down the path of depravity."

"Then please."

"Please leave your current decadent life. An ordinary human being only needs one girlfriend."

"..."

Takahashi Makoto ignored her remarks, casually picked up his coffee, and changed the subject, saying, "Since you know I need you, let's forget about the bet."

"Heh." Uesugi Maya gave a disdainful look.

The meaning is self-evident; she is questioning.

Why must we lose?

If Makoto Takahashi wants her to win, he must have a way, even if it's cheating off the court.

Meeting Uesugi Maya's sharp gaze, Takahashi Makoto slowly swallowed another sip of coffee and said, "I saw Hina today. She's in the youth training group, and it's quite tough for her."

"so what?"

“She also lacks talent, but I didn’t give it to her, not because I was stingy.”

Makoto Takahashi's tone was extremely calm, so calm that Maya Uesugi realized she had lost her composure.

She took a deep breath and used the bitter coffee to calm herself down.

"The idea that the youth training group is hell and lacks talent will only create a fragile mind. Hina works much harder than the average person. She was just temporarily shocked by the defeat, so she used her talent as an excuse."

"I admit that hard work alone may not be enough to achieve your dreams, nor may it guarantee a reward, but no one will be unhappy because of their efforts."

"Hina may indeed be weaker than others, just an ordinary girl, but she has an indomitable spirit and one day she will be able to realize her dream through her own efforts."

After saying this with a smile, Takahashi Makoto then changed to a less confident voice and continued, "Of course, I don't know if my idea is correct. I'll leave it to you to keep an eye on Hina's situation, my partner of justice."

Hearing that he would ultimately have to rely on her, Uesugi Maya tossed her loose black hair over her shoulder, making a blatant expression of disdain to hide her excitement:

"Tsk, utterly useless."

At that moment, the phone screen on the table lit up.

Uesugi Maya glanced at the thank-you text message from Jingu Mieko and said coldly, "If you dare to steal my phone again, you're dead."

The implication is that as long as you apply, it's fine.

"Because Fujiwara is too hostile towards you, a righteous partner cannot afford to incur resentment."

Makoto Takahashi was already used to her cold looks, so he casually replied with a perfunctory remark and changed the subject, saying, "Actually, I was thinking today whether it would be unfair to the other players if we did this."

"What is your reason for helping her?" Uesugi Maya asked.

"Hina told you about the badminton club, right? You were following me around then."

"observe."

"Okay, observation. Anyway, I really held a grudge back then, about Hina."

Makoto Takahashi smiled at her, a look of reminiscence on his face: "This is also one of the reasons why I chose to date Sachi. I understand that she would never choose to abandon me."

In his heart, Li Jianxing had a perfect score in credibility; she had always kept the promises she made before they started dating.

"Ms. Jingu is well aware of the difficult goal and is willing to pay the price. In my opinion, there is no reason not to help her, even if it is not fair to others. But she did not abandon Fujiwara."

“Since you have a clear conscience, there’s no point in considering whether it’s fair. This world is inherently unfair.” Uesugi Maya’s words dispelled Takahashi Makoto’s concerns.

"Is this what you want to do?" she pressed.

"Yes, if the power of love cannot lead to a happy ending, then let's use supernatural powers to lend a hand. From now on, the investigation, the aid plan... all sorts of messy things will be left to you."

There is nothing that love cannot achieve; Makoto Takahashi wanted to use external forces to achieve this result.

"Tsk, good-for-nothing." Uesugi Maya crossed her arms and turned her delicate face aside to scold.

“It’s about time we headed to Kyoto.” Takahashi Makoto finished his coffee, stood up, and extended his hand to her.

As night deepened, the streets of Shinjuku remained like tireless youths, brightly lit, with the noise spreading along the cold wind to the windows of apartments on the top floors of high-rise buildings.

Hina Nekoya sat alone in the bathtub, hugging her knees, desperately trying to suppress the urge to scream.

Although it was my own idea, what exactly did I say?

[A date like the one with senior student]

Doesn't that show that you're actively trying to do something?

Remembering that she had said such a thing, Hina Nekoya couldn't help but put her mouth into the hot water, letting the shame "glug" and "glug" out into the water.

However, he didn't refuse, is that...?

"Sister Haruna, good news! You don't have to worry about your future anymore!"

Hanakawa Kaori ran to the bathroom door, banging on it excitedly and shouting, "With the 15-point system, we're going to form a new B team. The faster-paced games are perfect for you!"

Does that mean we'll be having a date soon?

Thinking of this, Nekoya Hina's face turned bright red instantly, like a boiled octopus.

"Hina-nee, are you dizzy from soaking?" Hanakawa Kaori, who hadn't received a reply from outside the door, asked in a worried tone.

"No, gulp... cough cough, no!"

Despite feeling dizzy, Nekoya Hina stood up, leaning against the wall: "When is the audition?"

"Starting next week, joining Team B will guarantee a university recommendation, and I won't have to worry about my future anymore!"

Hanakawa Kaori opened the bathroom door from the outside, poked her head in, and checked on Nekoya Hina's condition: "Hina-nee, your stamina is a weakness, right? Want to sign up?"

"Help me register." Nekoya Hina answered without hesitation, her heart burning with fierce determination, even her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

A girl in love is invincible.

Chapter 207 Kyoto, Victory or Defeat, and Streetcars

A crowd gathered in front of Tokyo Station, where bodyguards in black suits exuding a menacing aura surrounded the eldest daughter of the Tatsumi family.

"Chengjun, the 'Placement Play' game doesn't get high ratings here, you know?"

Yuki stood in front of the station, her golden hair shimmering under the lights. Her fitted sweater and thick winter coat accentuated her bust, and she smiled sweetly.

"Unclean," Uesugi Maya commented coldly.

Yuki Tachibana stepped forward and hugged Makoto Takahashi's arm, pressing her body close to him. She looked Maya Uesugi up and down with a puzzled expression: "Saya, you want to come too?"

"I am the guardian," Uesugi Maya stated calmly.

Upon hearing her statement, Makoto Takahashi's lips twitched slightly, but he couldn't easily refute her because he didn't want to explain things clearly to Yuki Tachimi.

"What new Play is this?"

Tachibana Yuki raised her face, revealing a troubled expression. Meeting her perplexed gaze, Takahashi Makoto coughed lightly and cleared his throat seriously:

"The train is about to depart, let's go inside."

"You'll have to explain properly later." Tachikami waved the bodyguard away, considerately refraining from asking any further questions.

Based on Makoto Takahashi's understanding of her, this matter is essentially over.

My girlfriend is truly an angel.

The three of them were traveling in the first-class carriage of the [Nozomi] train. The journey from Tokyo to Kyoto took only about two hours, and they arrived in Kyoto in the blink of an eye.

Stepping out of Kyoto Station, a gentle breeze greets you.

Compared to Tokyo, Kyoto has enjoyed warm and pleasant weather these past few days.

Spring always comes exceptionally early in Kyoto.

Tachibana Yuki, arm in arm with Takahashi Makoto, strolled through the streets of Kyoto, her light, cheerful voice conveying a sense of joy.

"The hotel has been booked, and the kimono for Kyoyuzen will be delivered tomorrow morning, just in time to wear it at the archery tournament."

"No, come stay at my place tonight."

Walking on the other side of Makoto Takahashi with his arms crossed, Maya Uesugi bluntly rejected her arrangement: "Since there's an important match tomorrow, you should get some rest tonight."

The reasons sounded plausible, but Tatsumi Yuki still adopted a strategy of ignoring them.

"Cheng-kun, I originally wanted to compete with you, but the thought of being separated makes me feel terrible, so it's better to stay together."

Even if they can't compete together, they don't want to be separated. With her feelings expressed to this extent, Makoto Takahashi certainly couldn't ignore them.

"Aya, your house isn't tidied up yet, is it? It's already this late." He raised his wrist to signal to Uesugi Maya.

It's late at night, so it's more convenient to go to the hotel.

Uesugi Maya remained silent with her delicate face, while Tachibana Yuki smiled happily and walked on: "Speaking of Kyoto, I think of matcha. Hanaori even asked me to bring her matcha soft serve."

"Didn't you bully her a few days ago?" Takahashi Makoto asked.

"Because no prior application was made, which is very important. I'm very lenient with good kids."

As she spoke, Tachibana Yuki looked past him and turned to Uesugi Maya: "Bad kids don't get rewards."

"What else is there in Kyoto?" Makoto Takahashi changed the subject.