They all have hidden attributes!

"When you invited me to form a band, I didn't refuse."

Uesugi Maya took a deep breath to calm herself down and opened her dusty grudge notebook: "Where were you when I needed you?"

"There was no refusal, but it was of no use anyway."

Unable to contain her anger, Tachibana Yuki frowned deeply: "Speaking of which, you were able to form a band entirely thanks to my boyfriend. You could have had any guitarist, right?"

"I invited him to form a band first, and then you showed up and got in the way."

"You only know about Cheng-kun because I went to participate in the archery tournament, right?"

......

The two started arguing about the past. Takahashi Makoto, who wanted to gather information, curled his lip and could only write down all the information at once, planning to analyze it slowly after they finished arguing.

When the train arrived in Arashiyama, Maya Uesugi's cell phone rang in her bag. Without thinking, she hung up and got off the train first, amidst a blizzard-like atmosphere.

"I've said it before, Arashiyama is full of tourists."

Next to the historic buildings, numerous specialty shops stand side by side, and tour buses stretch endlessly, with tourists taking selfies everywhere.

"This is my date with Cheng-kun. If you don't like it here, you can go back to your own home."

Tachimi Yuki, arm in arm with Takahashi Makoto, followed Uesugi Maya out of the car: "Makoto-kun, shall we go to Sagano first?"

"Let's go, Aya."

As they passed by Uesugi Maya, Takahashi Makoto grabbed her hand without a word, his attitude firm: "Let's go to Sagano."

Chapter 208 Tofu Soup, Bamboo Grove Path, Kamo River

It is as pure white as fresh snow.

Pure white and flawless, with delicate texture, it sways softly before your eyes.

Makoto Takahashi reached for the soft white flesh and put it in his mouth. The stimulation he felt as an adult reminded him of the first time he experienced that touch.

"It's so hot."

"It tastes pretty good, doesn't it?" Tachimi Yuki, who was sitting next to him, handed him some ice water and asked with a smile.

“It’s delicious and tender.” Makoto Takahashi nodded.

For lunch, the three of them chose a tofu hot pot meal near Tenryu-ji Temple. The legendary Beijing tofu was even better than they had heard.

"I never imagined that tofu could taste so rich and sweet," he exclaimed involuntarily.

"Because it's a Zen temple, the monks eat vegetarian food, and tofu is the most important source of protein. History has made tofu delicious."

Seizing the opportunity, Tachibana Yuki scooped up the tofu that was beginning to sway slightly in the hot pot and placed it in Takahashi Makoto's bowl, giving him no chance to do so:

"Don't overheat the tofu soup, or it will harden. The perfect temperature to enjoy its soft and springy texture right now."

The rising steam created a delicious filter, and her swaying kimono with its flowing sleeves not only exuded charm but also stirred a sense of pleasure and ease in Takahashi Makoto's heart.

My girlfriend is truly an angel.

"Here, please use it~"

Yuki Tachibana scooped up the filling from the secret recipe with a wooden spoon, put it into another bowl of tofu, and handed it over: "You can't buy tofu of this quality in Tokyo. It's also related to the excellent groundwater in Kyoto."

"Tokyo tofu does taste a bit cheap compared to yufu tofu."

Makoto Takahashi savored the smooth tofu with relish, while the beautiful woman in a kimono served him attentively; the scene could only be described as erotic and stimulating.

The delicious flavor permeates the whole body, dispelling the chill of late winter.

Uesugi Maya sat upright opposite the two, eating her lunch in silence, too lazy to even look up at their display of affection.

After lunch, the three of them bypassed Tenryu-ji Temple and continued their journey towards Sagano.

The number of tourists was much less than near Togetsukyo Bridge, and the road was wider. Maya Uesugi tried to shake off Makoto Takahashi's hand, but it was held firmly by her.

She only found a chance to break free when she arrived at Nonomiya Shrine.

They broke free?

Maya Uesugi raised her eyes and saw Yuki Tatsumi holding Makoto Takahashi's arm as they walked to the shrine. A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her, with bitterness and loneliness churning back and forth.

"Chengjun, this is the place to pray for good luck in love and for having children."

Rimi Yuki was in high spirits, but her tone was firm: "Come over quickly, as long as you touch this [turtle stone], your wishes will come true this year."

"Fortunately, no matter how you look at it, this year has gone by too fast."

Takahashi Makoto obediently placed his hand on the stone, while Tachibana Yuki, like a primary school student, laughed and said something willful:

"I won't be that greedy. This year, I just need to grow my hair long and then go to the government office together to get the marriage registration form."

Of course it's a lie; the young lady has far-reaching ambitions.

As Takahashi Makoto closed his eyes, he saw Shiki intently stroking the tortoise-shaped stone, earnestly praying for a child.

After the two finished their prayers, Uesugi Maya waited for Takahashi Makoto to come over, handed him her hand, and then they headed towards the mountain.

Climbing up the hillside, we arrived at the north gate of Tenryu-ji Temple. Continuing upwards, a moving journey came into view.

The Path of the Bamboo Forest.

The intense afternoon sun was completely blocked by the bamboo forest stretching to the left and right, forming an archway of bamboo that made the air and light appear emerald green.

Stepping into Sagano's premier scenic spot, it was as if Uesugi Maya's gentle voice could be heard echoing in her ears again.

That was before a school field trip in elementary school, at the Lijian family's house.

"When you go on a spring outing, hold hands tightly and don't let go."

Kotoha held their hands together, and the younger Kotoha turned to look at her younger sister and nodded emphatically: "Yes, Mother, I will protect Saya."

"Really?" Maya Uesugi asked.

"Yes, Xiaoye is my most important little sister, and I will never abandon you."

With a serious expression, Tachimiya Yuki patted her head and turned to Uesugi Maya, saying, "Saya too, you can't let go of your older sister's hand."

“I…” Uesugi Maya vaguely realized that the clasped hands had another meaning.

She raised her other hand, held up her little finger, and said cautiously, "Pinky promise."

"Okay, it's a date then."

Yuki readily linked pinkies with her, her smile sweet: "Saya will always be my little sister, and I will too..."

......

"I can't remember," Uesugi Maya rubbed her temples, her head aching.

A few days before their spring outing, the two made many promises to each other. She placed the most trust in Tachibana Yuki, but all of those promises vanished along this bamboo forest path.

On the day of the spring outing, only once, I felt I heard Tachibana Yuki call out "[Saya]".

Looking back at the equally moving scenery, I see Yuki and I surrounded by them, lagging far behind.

She wasn't holding hands with him, but was surrounded by flowers and applause, just as she had been since birth.

The two had opposite fates: one was pampered and loved, while the other was unpopular.

Seeing that scene naturally made me feel lonely, so I didn't talk to her and walked the bamboo forest path alone.

I don't need my sister; I can manage on my own.

From that day on, Uesugi Maya developed a strong competitive spirit against Tatami Yuki, and many things happened afterward, making her increasingly anxious to defeat her.

In May, at the National Archery Tournament, Tachimi Yuki, whom he had been unable to defeat, began to pursue another figure.

At the time, Maya Uesugi couldn't understand it, but she also found hope in defeating her.

"Aya, Aya."

With her shoulders shaking repeatedly, Uesugi Maya opened her eyes and glared fiercely at the side beside her: "Go to hell."

"what?"

Makoto Takahashi pointed to himself, paused for a moment, then reached out and pinched the back of her neck: "Get off at your side. Sachi is asleep. I'll carry her back to her room."

Maya Uesugi opened the car door and realized that they had already returned to the hotel.

Turning around, Makoto Takahashi climbed out of the car, went around to the other side, and carried Yuki Tachimi out of his car in a princess carry.

"Luckily, she has the habit of taking a nap. We were very tired from hiking today, so we'll head back to Tokyo after she wakes up," Makoto Takahashi said as he walked into the hotel.

"Does it make any sense?" Uesugi Maya asked coldly.

I was supposed to participate in the archery tournament at Sanjusangendo, but in the end I only went to Sagano to enjoy the scenery.

Tangfu is delicious, but he could eat it anytime he wanted, yet he left a stain on his archery career with a "disqualification for forfeiting the match."

"Ah Ye, in my opinion, whether it's the band, friendship, or the people and bonds around you, they are much more important than this kind of thing."

Makoto Takahashi answered her question without hesitation, then turned to look at Maya Uesugi's delicate face with gentle eyes: "Let's go for a walk together later."

"walk?"

"Since we're in Kyoto, we should at least go see the Kamo River. Don't you want to come with me?"

"Troublesome." Uesugi Maya turned her face away.

Back in the hotel room, Makoto Takahashi placed Yuki Tachibana on the bed, took off his kimono, and went to bed to keep the young lady company while she took a nap.

The touch of a high-quality kimono is even softer than tofu soup, and you can't help but be immersed in its soft and delicate aroma.

When I woke up, the sky was filled with the orange glow of the sunset.

Yuki Tachibana rested her head on one hand, lying on her side on the bed, her azure eyes casting a gentle gaze.

"I made plans with Aya to go for a walk along the Kamo River. Will you wait for us a little while?" Takahashi Makoto asked sleepily.

"all right."

Seeing that the young lady seemed to be in a good mood after waking up, he sat up and asked, "Your shogi skills are pretty average, aren't they? What if you lose to Aya?"

"If I lose, does that mean I'm no longer your girlfriend?" Tachimi Yuki tilted her head and made a cute expression, her golden hair cutting through the glow of the setting sun.

"Are you comfortable with me living with A-Ye?"

"I've always distrusted you as neighbors, but what good has it done?"