They all have hidden attributes!

The background noise was a bit loud, probably coming from an editorial office or something similar, where people could be heard shouting from time to time.

"Ms. Sakai, I'm Takahashi. We met this morning, do you remember me?"

Makoto Takahashi used very polite language. There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, and the noisy background noise cooled down instantly as if it had been poured into ice water.

"Yes, I wonder what brings you here on your call?"

Ms. Sakai not only switched to honorifics, but her voice also became tense, giving off an eerie feeling.

"Ms. Sakai, if it's convenient, let's meet and talk. It's at the Owl Cafe in Harajuku. Please bring the manuscript from this morning as well."

"Yes, please wait a moment."

After hanging up the phone, Makoto Takahashi had a general idea of ​​the truth.

The other person's behavior clearly indicated that they knew him. If the two had no connection, how could an editor, who is usually so busy that he is overwhelmed, possibly agree to meet so easily?

“Reiko, I don’t remember the Tachimi family owning a publishing company.”

He turned to look at his side, where the waiter had already brought over an owl, and Kashima Reiko was staring at it.

"The Lijian family controls most of the shipping, and the printing industry relies entirely on imports for the raw materials it needs."

As she spoke, she reached out her finger and tentatively poked the owl: "Contacting other publishers will likely yield the same result."

The angels are up to no good; the answer is obvious.

Makoto Takahashi rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He was finding the situation rather troublesome.

From the perspective of the Tatsumi family, he cannot express a different opinion from Tatsumi Yuki.

Internally, as Tachimi Yuki's boyfriend, if he were to force her to allow Uesugi Maya's new book to be released, although Tachimi Yuki would agree, their relationship might worsen.

It's already very bad.

Uesugi Maya couldn't possibly be unaware that it was Tatsumi Yuki who was behind it all.

She called not to confide in anyone or to seek comfort, but to inform Takahashi Makoto that Tachimi Yuki had struck first.

What kind of counterattack Uesugi Maya will launch next is entirely up to Tatsumi Yuki.

“The young lady wouldn’t bother her for no reason. Let’s find out the cause of the problem first.”

Kashima Reiko spread her arms wide like an owl's wings, as if studying its body structure: "Then assess the situation, come up with different solutions, predict the outcome, and finally take action."

The owls here are very friendly to people; one tilted its head as if it understood her theory.

"It's a date, let's not talk about this kind of thing."

Looking into her calm, lake-like blue eyes, Makoto Takahashi changed the subject, asking, "What kind of return gift do you want for White Day?"

"I don't really want anything, I'm fine as I am."

Kashima Reiko opened the snack package, poured it into a special plate, pushed it in front of the owl, and stared at it intently.

"I'm happy to be able to help you."

"So, it's okay to meet Aya during our date?"

"Yeah, we're friends anyway."

"What are your thoughts on Xing's attitude?"

"Based on my understanding of the young lady, once she does something this cruel, she won't stop easily."

“Cruel?” Takahashi asked.

"Because creation is born from what constitutes the self, it requires delving into the depths of the heart, digging out gems from thousands of grains of sand, and then sculpting and polishing them."

Kashima Reiko spoke calmly, yet her voice unusually carried a sense of strength.

"The fact that a work that has been painstakingly completed cannot be published is such a heavy blow that it can break the hearts of many people."

Her statement was not biased towards Tachimi Yuki at all; in fact, it even carried a hint of condemnation that "this should not have been done."

Makoto Takahashi turned his gaze from her docile face to the owl eating, and remarked, "It sounds like even if I asked, Sachi wouldn't tell me the reason."

"I still don't understand Miss Kashima enough." Kashima Reiko's eyes were dim.

“Telling me this has already been a great help,” Makoto Takahashi said reassuringly.

After finishing its snack, the owl flapped its wings and flew away, landing on the shoulder of a waiter not far away.

Another waiter came to clean up and served drinks to the two of them.

Before she had even finished her black tea, Ms. Sakai arrived at the coffee shop.

After she sat down on the sofa across the table, Makoto Takahashi waved to the waiter: "Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Sakai. The coffee is on me."

"Thank you."

Ms. Sakai nodded to him and said to the waiter, "Caramel latte, thank you."

He speaks very politely, and his manners and actions also give people a very courteous feeling.

Makoto Takahashi rested his elbows on the table, his fingers interlaced in front of his eyes, and gazed at her with gentle eyes: "Ms. Sakai, may I have the manuscript?"

"Ah, I'm sorry, Mr. Takahashi, the manuscript has been handed over to the department head. I'm just an editor."

"You know me."

"After all, you are a world-class painter. It's an honor to have coffee with you." Ms. Sakai revealed a sleazy, adult smile.

Takahashi Seiya didn't want to make things difficult for her; he just wanted to get as much useful information as possible.

He thought for a moment, then smiled and spoke in a calm tone: "Ms. Sakai, I heard that the new book from this morning has been rejected, is that true?"

"Yes."

Ms. Sakai took the coffee from the waiter, thanked him again, placed it in front of her, and hid her hands under the table where Takahashi Makoto couldn't see them.

She quickly organized her thoughts and spoke clearly:

"Maya's new book is somewhat different from what we expected. We thought it would be like her previous book, with gloomy and straightforward content, but it turned out to be a splendid and romantic novel."

"Is that the only reason?" Takahashi Makoto asked.

"The minister told me that our publishing schedule is fully booked until next year, so..."

Ms. Sakai smiled awkwardly, shifting the blame to her superior. Makoto Takahashi was certain that if he went to each of the department heads, executives, presidents, and directors one by one, he would eventually find Yuki Tachimi.

“Ms. Sakai, I don’t like your words. It’s like denying Yoru’s growth over the past year.”

Makoto Takahashi tapped the table lightly with his fingers, interrupting Ms. Sakai's speech: "Regardless of the content, thanks to the reputation of the Yomiuri Literature Prize and the Kawabata Yasunari Literature Prize, this book will sell well."

Ms. Sakai looked up and saw his cold gaze. She nervously gripped her trousers at the knees with both hands: "Yes, and I also believe in Maya-sensei's talent."

"Have you finished reading the content, Ms. Sakai?"

"not yet."

"That shouldn't be the case. Even if it's to be submitted to a superior, as an editor, one should read it first."

With her lie exposed, Ms. Sakai's mental fortitude finally reached its limit. She swallowed a large mouthful of coffee, bowed her head, and apologized.

"The manuscript was taken away as soon as I got back to the company. I only read a few pages on the tram, but it was a very attractive work."

Upon hearing this, Makoto Takahashi and Reiko Kashima turned to look at each other, seeing the same thought reflected in each other's eyes.

—The manuscript is in the hands of Tachibana Yuki.

"Is there anything you can tell me about the manuscript, Ms. Sakai?"

Makoto Takahashi turned to look at Ms. Sakai and adopted a friendly attitude: "Please rest assured, this matter will not involve you in any way afterward."

"I personally think the most important thing is the title page. Ms. Maya only wrote one sentence: 'Dedicated to my beloved M.'"

Upon hearing this, both Makoto Takahashi and Reiko Kashima fell silent.

Although Makoto Takahashi receives many love letters in his shoe locker at the academy every day, and Reiko Kashima disposes of them on time, a whole book of love letters still seems exceptionally precious.

Knowing the purpose of Takahashi Makoto and Uesugi Maya's outing, it's only natural that Tachibana Yuki would pay attention to Uesugi Maya's new book.

Seeing that Maya Uesugi wrote an entire book of "love letters" to her boyfriend, it's not surprising that it was banned from publication.

"I understand. Thank you for making this special trip."

Kashima Reiko habitually got up to see the guests off. Ms. Sakai breathed a sigh of relief, said goodbye to the two, and quickly left the cafe.

"Regarding Aya, I'll probe Sachi's attitude tomorrow."

Makoto Takahashi leaned forward and put his arm around Reiko Kashima's slender waist: "If Sachi is adamant, I'll have to ask you for help, right? It'll probably be quite troublesome, and I'll need a professional maid to assist me in every way."

“Okay.” Kashima Reiko nodded calmly, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.

"Can this dispute be used to turn them into true sisters?"

"The chances are slim."

The two sat in the coffee shop for a while, and when the rain subsided, they went downstairs together to browse clothing stores.

The date didn't end until dinner time.

The two went to the restaurant they had booked in Minato Ward to meet up with Shiraishi Junka. They saw Nekoya Hina with her in the distance, but did not see Hanakawa Kaori.

"You knew Hina was there too?" Takahashi Makoto asked.

"I have a surprise for you."

Kashima Reiko linked her arm with his and said in a nonchalant tone, "Tonight's theme is maids, Master."

"Hiss—" Takahashi Makoto clutched his chest, feeling as if his heart had been struck.

"I will take on the responsibility of my senior and teach diligently," Kashima Reiko declared coldly.

"Don't do that, really, it's too cute to be fair, Ryoko."

"Well."

"...Please be sure to take responsibility."

"Understood, Master." Kashima Reiko's attitude was calm, but her tone revealed a slight smile.

The dinner menu had been decided when the reservation was made. The four of us sat around a gleaming white tablecloth, with the dazzling Tokyo night view outside the window. The waiters, who were in charge of pouring drinks, moved around without making a sound.

It was Nekoya Haruna's first time visiting such a quiet and upscale restaurant, and she was a little embarrassed to make a fuss.

Seeing her fidgeting, Makoto Takahashi had an amused expression on his face.