They all have hidden attributes!

"I will prepare a return gift carefully." Takahashi Makoto couldn't help but chuckle.

Hanakawa Kaori's gaze lingered between the two of them. She tilted her head and asked, "Am I getting in the way? Would it be better if we went out for another walk?"

“No need, we’ll go to a love hotel this afternoon.” Kashima Reiko placed the tools in front of Hanakawa Kaori, her attitude calm.

"A love hotel?" Makoto Takahashi blinked in confusion.

"This creates a more Valentine's Day atmosphere."

"That's true. Is there any movie you'd like to see recently?"

"Hmm... I'll look for spoilers this afternoon."

"I want to go too... Ouch, that hurts!" Hanakawa Kaori interrupted their conversation and was chopped on the head with a chop to the head.

She covered her head with her hands and glared at him with a reproachful look. Takahashi Makoto put on a helpless expression and asked with a headache, "Do you want to go to the movies or to a love hotel?"

"All!"

Hanakawa Kaori spoke with inexplicable confidence, and Takahashi Makoto curled his lips speechlessly, too lazy to pay attention to her: "I'll make lunch."

"Yin Cai asked for leave this afternoon and will come after training."

Hanakawa Kaori followed behind him, and Kashima Reiko reached out and grabbed the back of her collar, pulling her back to his side: "Now I'll start teaching you how to make chocolate."

"How could this be?" Hanakawa Kaori said, her face full of indignation.

I hadn't been in the kitchen long when the doorbell rang.

"I'll go open the door." Takahashi Makoto handed the stew pot to Kashima Reiko and headed straight for the entrance.

As I opened the door, Hina Nekoya's cheerful smile came into view.

"Yo, Haruna."

Makoto Takahashi raised his hand to greet her, and Hina Nekoya blinked, her smile gradually turning awkward: "Makoto?"

Am I strange to be here?

"No, it's not surprising, but..."

Hina Nekoya blushed as she thought about making chocolate under the watchful eyes of the person in question: "Well, that's what I was saying. Anyway, sorry to bother you."

She shoved the souvenir she was carrying into Makoto Takahashi's hands, kicked off her shoes, and hurriedly went to ask Reiko Kashima what was going on.

This isn't what we agreed on!

Chapter 218 This isn't the badminton club!

The apartment in Roppongi has two stoves in the kitchen, both of which are induction cooktops.

Kashima Reiko is using one of the chocolates to melt cocoa, while Nekoya Hina and Hanakawa Kaori are learning from her. Takahashi Makoto is using another one to cook, and the four of them are crammed into the semi-open kitchen.

The sound of the exhaust fan and the pattering rain outside the window created a dim atmosphere unique to rainy days.

"You scared me, Lengzi. Next time, please make things clear beforehand."

When Nekoya Hina heard that Takahashi Makoto would be going out in the afternoon, she breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest lightly. While whispering with Kashima Reiko, she would occasionally glance over with a mysterious look.

Making handmade chocolates in front of the person in question is far too embarrassing for a young girl in the prime of her life.

"Yin Cai, you're just too nervous."

Hanakawa Kaori stared intently at the melting cocoa, lowering her voice as well: "Reiko-nee, all we have to do next is pour the chocolate into the mold, right?"

"Inject?" Kashima Reiko seemed to find the wording a bit strange.

"Wait, isn't that wrong?"

"Hmm, that sounds a bit strange."

"By the way, Hanori, lend me your shoujo manga."

"No."

While listening to the three chatting, Makoto Takahashi efficiently began cooking.

Amidst the rhythmic chopping sounds, the soft cabbage leaves are transformed into thin shreds, which are then soaked in cold water. Ginger and scallions are then sliced ​​into fine, thin pieces.

The pork belly in the pot rendered its fat, and the rich aroma spread through the air.

After preparing the braised pork with ginger, Takahashi Makoto started cooking miso soup. He took out fresh corn, cut it into chunks, and said to Hanakawa Kaori, "Kaori, go and wake Junko up for lunch."

"Good~"

Hanakawa Kaori ran to the bedroom and returned only after he had made the salad: "Reporting, sir, mission accomplished. Junko-nee has gone to take a shower."

"Here's a skewer of beef as a reward." Makoto Takahashi picked up a homemade pineapple beef skewer from the plate and handed it to Hanakawa Kaori, who stood on tiptoe and took a big bite.

Today's lunch consisted of fairly home-style dishes.

Aside from the miso soup, which was made with corn and butter to suit Shiraishi Junko's taste, the beef skewers, stir-fried meat with ginger, and vegetable salad were all quite ordinary.

"Listening to my brother chopping vegetables and cooking in the kitchen gives me an incredible sense of everyday life."

As Hanakawa Kaori helped carry the dishes to the restaurant, she followed behind Takahashi Makoto, staring at the beef skewers on the plate and said, "It's like eating beef all the time, but the first time I'm eating it with pineapple, I still really like it."

"Wouldn't a beef and pineapple pizza be delicious?" Takahashi Makoto suddenly had a whimsical idea.

"Hmm, is it possible to bake pizza at home?"

"There's a fireplace in Tsurumizawa's house, you can try it."

"Maya-neechan has been so stingy lately. Even though Sachi-neechan agreed, she still won't let me go out for a free meal." Hanakawa Kaori pouted unhappily.

A feeling of loneliness cast a shadow over her youthful face.

For Hanakawa Kaori, the band was like a family. Even though she became close to Tachimi Yuki and Nekoya Hina, the band remained special to her.

That's why she likes to visit Roppongi and stick close to Makoto Takahashi.

Kashima Reiko and Shiraishi Junka both liked her very much, but Uesugi Maya, who was once the "head" of the band, became increasingly resistant to her presence.

"Why can't we be real family?" Hanakawa Kaori had just asked when a wet breath embraced her from behind.

Smelling the rich scent of rose-scented shower gel, Makoto Takahashi placed the dishes on the table and turned to look at Junka Shiraishi, who had just finished showering. Her beautiful, smooth skin, covered by her loungewear, had a faint pink tinge.

"You must believe in honesty," she said softly.

"Sister Chunke, it's so heavy."

"Hanaori is too young. I'll teach you properly this afternoon."

"What, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Hanakawa Kaori shook her head, shook off Shiraishi Junka, hid behind Takahashi Makoto, and reached out to hug his waist: "I have my brother, that's enough. Hina-nee needs more instruction."

They're probably talking about chocolate, right?

Makoto Takahashi patted Hanakawa Kaori on the head, and after she let go, he stepped out of the restaurant and said to Junka Shiraishi, "Have a seat first, I'll go get some miso soup."

"Hmm," Shiraishi Junko replied lazily.

Once all the dishes were on the table, the five of them sat around under the cool white fluorescent lights of the restaurant, eating and chatting.

The conversation naturally revolved around the college.

"Sister Chunke, you won't be coming to the academy much starting next week, right?"

Hanakawa Kaori reached out and snatched a skewer of pineapple beef from Takahashi Makoto, who was sitting directly opposite her, with a sullen expression: "Before the graduation ceremony, third-year students only need to attend on a designated day?"

The third-year students have finished their coursework and everyone has their own plans, such as taking exams or finding employment. They generally won't waste time in the college.

For Hanakawa Kaori, the most direct feeling is that the academy has lost an important family member.

"I will go."

Shiraishi Junko picked up the miso soup with her fair hands, took a small sip, and smiled happily: "I want to get closer to Makoto, so I'll go on field trips. The band's album isn't finished yet either."

"That's great! Just call me if you need me to run any errands." Hanakawa Kaori's eyes lit up.

"After the graduation ceremony, there will be the entrance exams for first and second graders. Is Haruna okay?" Makoto Takahashi asked casually.

Kashima Reiko remained silent, her blue eyes casting a worried glance at Nekoya Hina.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Even if I repeat a grade, I'm still a member of the national team!" Hina Nekoya shouted indignantly.

"Yin Cai, it's so noisy."

Hanakawa Kaori used her chopsticks to pick out some bell peppers from the salad and handed them to Takahashi Makoto, reminding him meaningfully, "The promotion exam covers the entire school year, you know. If you repeat a grade, you won't be able to be in the same class as your brother, right? It would be so embarrassing if you were in the same class as me."

When she said the second half of her sentence, her tone rose slightly, revealing a hint of anticipation.

As for what to expect, everyone present knew perfectly well.

"No, I've been reviewing too."

Nekoya Hina took a big bite of beef, swallowed it with a can of beer, and then solemnly cleared her throat.

She asked Kashima Reiko somewhat shyly, "Reiko, will you be very busy in your third year?"

"No." Kashima Reiko met Nekoya Hina's gaze with a calm expression.

"Well, actually, didn't I take over as the head of the badminton club? I also promised my seniors that I would definitely lead everyone to win the national championship."

Hina Nekoya looked away and turned to Hanakawa Kaori, smiling sheepishly as she said, "But the other side is also important. I didn't say I'd abandon the badminton club. Well, there might be times when I can't take care of it."

Although the badminton club has coaches, a club president who can unite the team is also very important.

Even though she noticed she had become significantly stronger, Hina Nekoya did not give up. She continued her daily training without any slackening and also focused on balancing her club activities and professional career.

"Sure, I'll come and offer guidance when I have time."

Seeing that Kashima Reiko nodded in agreement without hesitation, Takahashi Makoto gave Nekoya Hina a look, indicating that she could rest assured: "I will take care of things for you regarding the activities."

"Then I want to go too, to the badminton club."

Hanakawa Kaori snatched a skewer of pineapple beef from Nekoya Hina, proudly raising her face: "I'm going to be the villainous demon king and humiliate them severely, just like Maya-neechan did in the kendo club."

As soon as he finished speaking, a system panel popped up in front of him.

[Received a new assistance card]

[Perception: The Girls of the Badminton Club]

[Barren: When an assist card is loaded and attributes are boosted, random members receive the same attribute boost.]