They all have hidden attributes!

Tachibana Yuki gave a cute, nasal "Mmm," and Takahashi Makoto stroked her head, slowly saying, "Dr. Alexander spent the rest of his life hating the Afram brothers..."

By the time I got back to Tokyo, it was already completely dark.

Yuki Tachimi had been listening to Makoto Takahashi's stories and hadn't fallen asleep. As soon as the black sedan drove into the gate of the Tachimi family home, she sat up and straightened the wrinkles in her dress.

Once the car came to a stop in front of the detached villa, Makoto Takahashi got out first, walked around to the other side, and opened the car door for her.

"Sure, you can start joining the light music club next week."

“Sure,” Tachikami Yuki readily agreed without asking why.

“I’ve almost finished learning the piano. Besides the song I’m sending you for Christmas, I’ve written a few new songs, enough to make an album.”

Hearing Makoto Takahashi say this, she frowned slightly, looking troubled: "Even if the band has a beginning and an end, I won't let Sayo's new book be released."

"That has nothing to do with it. By the way, what was the name of your band before?" Makoto Takahashi asked.

"NoName, I never expected to be able to do a live performance."

When she said this, Tachimi Yuki's tone was slightly low. Having known her for a long time, Takahashi Makoto instantly caught the barely perceptible regret in her voice.

"No name?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"The name is NoName."

Tachikami carefully straightened his collar, making sure the hickey she had left was conspicuous enough: "Alright, go find Saya now, and remember to bring me chocolate tomorrow morning."

"See you tomorrow." Makoto Takahashi waved goodbye to her and got into a car to head to Toshima Ward.

Yuki stood still, her gaze following the car's red taillights as they disappeared into the distance, a gentle, almost melting smile on her face.

Back in his apartment building in Toshima Ward, Makoto Takahashi took the elevator upstairs with practiced ease, arrived at the Uesugi family's door, and rang the doorbell.

Less than a minute later, Maya Uesugi appeared from behind the door. The cool white fluorescent light in the entryway emitted a soft glow, illuminating her soft, long black hair and delicate, fair face.

A simple, elegant black shirt paired with loose-fitting black straight-leg pants exudes a cold and aloof atmosphere, completely devoid of any Valentine's Day sweetness.

Seeing her cold and unsmiling expression, Takahashi Makoto swallowed nervously, feeling a little guilty: "Am I late?"

"..." Uesugi Maya silently stuffed the paper bag into his arms, raised her hand to touch her burning earlobe, and used coldness to cover up her shyness.

Makoto Takahashi glanced down at the bag; inside was a rose-colored gift box wrapped with a gold ribbon.

chocolate.

Handmade chocolates.

Maya Uesugi gave chocolates for the first time in her life.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation from the unusual atmosphere, Makoto Takahashi suddenly understood that if he didn't perform well, he probably wouldn't get permission to stay at Maya Uesugi's apartment tonight.

The more nervous or concerned she is, the less likely she is to give a normal hand gesture. She deliberately keeps a cold face, which is very much in line with Haki Night's style.

With these thoughts in mind, Makoto Takahashi took out the gift box from the paper bag and slowly unwrapped it: "Yo, nice to meet you at the Light Music Club tomorrow, let's form a new band."

"Tsk." Uesugi Maya's click of her tongue was her attitude.

"Also, NiceFold should hold a live event."

As Makoto Takahashi spoke, he opened the gift box, revealing pre-packaged chocolates with candied orange slices soaking in them.

The vibrant orange contrasts beautifully with the glossy dark chocolate color, making it look incredibly delicious.

"Considering that you said you don't like sweet things, I also prepared a white chocolate and lemon version."

Maya Uesugi withdrew her attention, brushed aside her long, black hair that was draped over her shoulder, and showed a hint of tension in her beautiful caramel-colored eyes.

Makoto Takahashi gazed at the exquisite handmade chocolates, then looked up at her and gave her a knowing smile: "I demand today's lap pillow."

That was an agreement made several months ago, but the two of them rarely mentioned it.

Uesugi Maya's attitude softened instantly, and she stepped aside to make way for the entrance. As Takahashi Makoto passed her, he smiled smugly and said:

"Besides, no matter how you look at it, Valentine's Day chocolates only taste good when someone feeds them to you, right?"

"Vulgar." Uesugi Maya glared at him impatiently with a fierce look.

Chapter 222 Valentine's Day Night

Upon entering the restaurant, Makoto Takahashi and Maya Uesugi sat down side by side. The Western-style dinner was simple yet exquisite, with the main course being a steak sprinkled with black pepper.

Come to think of it, it seems like it's been a long time since I sat down to eat with Hagiwara.

It's a feeling I haven't had in a long time.

There was no chance at the academy, but at their new home, Tachimi Yuki naturally took the seat next to her, leaving Uesugi Maya to sit across from her at the dining table.

Makoto Takahashi turned to look at her; her long, black hair was smooth and flowing, and her profile was breathtakingly beautiful.

The fact that the two of them were together, as always, brought him immense peace.

While we were considering the topic, Maya Uesugi picked up a knife and fork and began cutting her steak: "Yamashita is sunny too, isn't it?"

"Yes, when we were riding our bikes around, Xing even carried your new book for me."

"Tsk, what a terrible woman. What do you think?"

"It's such a shame that it can't be released," Makoto Takahashi said frankly, expressing his thoughts.

Regardless of his understanding of literature or the actual quality of that new book, as long as it's related to Maya Uesugi, it would be a shame if it didn't sweep all the world's awards.

"Xing seems a little afraid of you, so the publication may have to be postponed."

As he spoke, he used a fork to pick up a fried shrimp, put it in his mouth, and kept his gaze on Uesugi Maya.

The steak has already been cut into 53 pieces. Isn't that too small?

Just as she was thinking this, Uesugi Maya suddenly stopped wielding her knife and asked coldly, "Judging from your tone, you don't seem to understand why Sachi coerces me into calling her 'older sister' every day, and why she's targeting my new book?"

"Should I know?" Makoto Takahashi asked, feigning a thoughtful expression.

Uesugi Maya's lips curled into a wicked smile, and her sidelong glance sent a chill down his spine.

"Tell me about it." Makoto Takahashi forked a piece of fried chicken and dipped it in the yogurt mint sauce.

Uesugi Maya raised her hand to gather her black hair, putting it on the shoulder furthest from his, exposing her flawless white nape to the air.

"After living together for so long, she must have realized that you like me more."

She nonchalantly cut the steak again, her tone indifferent: "Can you imagine life without me?"

"I can't imagine life without them."

"I later considered that I could not expel them, as long as you could love only me."

From Uesugi Maya's cold words, Takahashi Makoto inexplicably detected a hint of doting affection.

"Spare me, I swore to Xing today that I will not associate with any other women."

He picked up the water glass beside him, swallowed a mouthful of calm thoughts, and said, "Besides, why do you think this will convince me?"

"You enjoy searching for meaning, and I suppose you also enjoy contemplating the meaning of your own existence."

"so?"

"You, who now protect love in the name of the gods, believe that your very existence has meaning, which is why you built that shrine. Am I right?"

Maya Uesugi calmly asked a question, and Makoto Takahashi put down his water glass and took another bite of fried chicken.

The two had spent so much time together, almost inseparable, that they couldn't imagine life without each other, and they knew each other best.

"You only told this secret to one person, right?" Uesugi Maya confirmed in a calm voice.

The steak was indeed cut a bit too long, it was over 80 pieces.

Takahashi Makoto dodged her side attack and continued eating his fried chicken nuggets: "This yogurt mint sauce tastes so familiar, where did you steal the recipe from?"

"Tch." Uesugi Maya let out a disdainful sound from between her white teeth as she ate her steak with a fork, her face full of contempt.

"Ah Ye, I'm serious, your new book will definitely be published, so please stop relentlessly attacking me like this."

Makoto Takahashi swallowed the food in his mouth, shrugged, and said in a relaxed tone, "The thought that you yourself are so embarrassed makes me think you're ridiculously cute, which is really bad for my heart."

"Shut up."

Uesugi Maya kicked him from the side while glaring at him.

Makoto Takahashi had to admit that if Maya Uesugi's fighting ability hadn't only lasted for 3 minutes, he probably really wouldn't have been able to resist the charm of Hell Girl.

After dinner, Makoto Takahashi went to take a shower first. When he came out, Maya Uesugi had just finished tidying up the dining room and kitchen and went into the bathroom.

On Valentine's Day night, the neon lights of Tokyo were blurred and ambiguous.

In the steamy bathroom, Maya Uesugi unbuttoned her shirt, the warm, damp feeling staining her pale skin.

Tachimi Yuki is already strengthening her defenses, and Hanakawa Kaori is also tipping her off.

Although Kashima Reiko and Nekoya Hina are his friends, when it comes to their love life, they will inevitably stand on opposite sides.

Everything seems unchanged; I remain isolated and helpless.

So, what will happen tonight?

Can he still control himself?

Thinking about this, my body tensed up slightly.

Maya Uesugi took off her clothes, sighed softly, a subtle mix of fear and anticipation shattering her heavy thoughts like a drilling machine breaking through rock strata.

Using such things to calculate is not a positive response to feelings at all.

This feeling must not be tainted.

Should we be more proactive?

Before she could even think things through, Maya Uesugi, driven by her emotions, put on her pajamas and returned to her bedroom.

The door was ajar, and Takahashi Makoto was sitting at her desk, holding a fountain pen and writing earnestly, looking somewhat troubled.

Maya Uesugi walked over quietly, and when she smelled the warm scent of cedarwood, Makoto Takahashi knew she was approaching.

"Aya, did I tell you my birthday?"

"No, I checked the records." Uesugi Maya's clear and pleasant voice drifted over, like a gentle breeze brushing against my cheek.

Makoto Takahashi raised his gaze and looked back at her. Although it was a simple two-piece nightgown, it was inexplicably touching.