They all have hidden attributes!

"I think either way is fine, let's ask Aya for her opinion."

No sooner had Takahashi Makoto finished speaking than Uesugi Maya's cold voice drifted from the kitchen doorway: "What's your opinion?"

He turned his head and looked over, saying indifferently, "The Uesugi family's proposal to award me the National Honor Award feels like they have ulterior motives."

"I suggest you accept it. This award is very prestigious and will do you no harm."

Uesugi Maya stopped abruptly, looking down at Tachimi Yuki with displeasure.

"Why isn't the refrigerator door completely closed? I've said it many times. Also, wash the knives after use and put them back in their place."

Even if the relationship is repaired, some minor frictions are inevitable when living together.

Similar examples include hair in the bathroom drain, water stains in the sink, air conditioner temperature, and television volume... all of these require time to adjust to.

"Why?" Tachimi Yuki asked lazily.

Maya Uesugi took a deep breath, and despite her restraint, her tone still carried a hint of anger: "Are you asking me?"

This is a minor matter, and there's no need to set specific rules. It will resolve itself naturally given enough time.

Makoto Takahashi interrupted their conversation, changing the subject and asking, "Yo, didn't you just say you had something to discuss with me?"

Yes, about the band.

Uesugi Maya turned her face away, her eyes softening instantly, showing no trace of her previous anger: "I need a little time. Would you like something to drink? A cola?"

"Don't bother, I'll just have black tea." Takahashi Makoto took Tachimi Yuki's cup directly.

For some reason, Uesugi Maya, with her hands on her skirt, sat down directly next to him and said, "Then I'll have black tea today too."

As she spoke, she used the tea set on the coffee table to pour herself a cup of black tea.

An elegant and delicate fragrance spread through the air. Surprised, Tachibana Yuki looked past Takahashi Makoto and straight at Uesugi Maya, trying to read her thoughts.

Makoto Takahashi was also surprised, and his attention was focused on Maya Uesugi: "I thought you hated black tea."

"No, I just prefer coffee in my spare time."

"What's special about today?"

"I'd like to know more about your tastes."

Maya Uesugi took a sip of black tea, then tossed her long black hair over her shoulder, revealing her delicate profile, small, exquisite ears, and slender, snow-white neck.

She was still wearing the white shirt of her school uniform, and two buttons on the collar had been undone at some point. From Makoto Takahashi's perspective, the color of her underwear and the shadow cast by her collarbone were vaguely visible.

"But I'd better avoid alcohol; I get drunk very easily, even with just a little bit."

Upon hearing these suggestive words, a deep sense of doubt appeared in Shiki's azure eyes.

She instinctively sensed that Uesugi Maya was acting a bit deliberately today, but she couldn't be sure yet.

After all, she's from "Hell Girl," why would she learn such manipulative tactics to please men?

"Let's observe for a while longer," Li Jianxing thought to himself.

As expected, Makoto Takahashi fell for the trick and immediately thought that if he went drinking with Maya Uesugi, he could get a cute version of Hakiya.

Seeing Takahashi Makoto's wavering eyes, Tachibana Yuki reached out and pressed his hand against his chest, leaning closer: "That's unexpected, Saya. But you just said something important? I guess it's about the band."

"You already knew about my problem: as the lead singer, I couldn't bring myself to speak."

Maya Uesugi put down her teacup, subtly turning slightly towards Makoto Takahashi, and placed her hand on the back of his hand: "I think you arranged it this way because you have a solution."

Although she had a cold expression, her body language created an atmosphere where she would only open her heart to you.

Even without smiling, she is so beautiful that it's impossible to look away.

Makoto Takahashi gazed into Maya Uesugi's beautiful caramel-colored eyes, finding them so deep and captivating that he felt as if he were being completely drawn into them.

Isn't this the look in their eyes when they were learning Latin dance together?

The two locked eyes, and an atmosphere of love slowly spread between them.

Yuki Tatsumi was adept at creating a conducive atmosphere, and when she sensed that Maya Uesugi was creating an atmosphere that repelled her, her feelings were inevitably complicated.

Seriously, Xiaoye, is she trying to play a power struggle with me?

ridiculous.

She put her hand on Makoto Takahashi's shoulder and asked with a smile, "Makoto-kun, it won't do if the lead singer can't sing."

"I know, but there's no good way to do it."

Makoto Takahashi snapped out of his daze and stood up from the sofa: "I believe Yoru can overcome this. If you want to find a solution, ignore the audience, ignore the cheers, just be yourself."

He remembered what Supervisor Chihaya had said about girls' scheming during the morning meeting, and decided to escape immediately, otherwise it would definitely turn into a place of trouble.

I'm going out.

"Be careful on the road."

Yuki Tachibana waved goodbye to Makoto Takahashi, then turned to Uesugi Maya with a fake smile, encouraging her: "Well, Maya, you have to do your best for Makoto-kun's birthday."

"Your bass playing is far inferior to his; you'd better not slack off when you get home tonight," Uesugi Maya said pointedly.

Their eyes met in the air, sparking an electric reaction.

Chapter 226 He's so adorable when he's being willful!

"Xiao Cheng, are you really not staying?"

A drunken Kashima Maki cast a sticky glance at him: "If you think Reiko's room is too cramped, you can share a room with Maki."

A scent mingled with the smell of alcohol wafted over, and Makoto Takahashi looked helpless.

"Aunt Maki, please act like a mature and dignified adult."

This woman is really annoying when she's drunk.

Just as she was thinking this, Maki Kashima slumped onto the dining table, completely shrinking back: "Ugh, Makoto is so cruel, that [troublesome] look in his eyes..."

Makoto Takahashi's lips twitched slightly, unable to think of a way to break free from the tense atmosphere.

Seeing his troubled expression, Kashima Reiko stood up: "I will take care of Maki. It's almost time."

Makoto Takahashi raised his wrist and glanced at the watch. It was a little past 10 p.m. He had spent a long time drinking with Maki Kashima, who was on a rare day off, after dinner.

Because she was sleepy, and because Makoto Takahashi said he had to go home tonight, Junko Shiraishi had already gone upstairs to rest.

"Then I'll be going now."

Makoto Takahashi stood up, and Reiko Kashima followed him out of the restaurant and into the entryway. She picked up the coat hanging on the hanger and helped Makoto Takahashi put it on.

"Be careful on the road," Kashima Reiko whispered.

"I'll go to Roppongi again this weekend." Makoto Takahashi gave her a gentle hug, put on his shoes, said goodbye, and left the Kashima residence.

Night had fallen, and the dim streetlights cast blurry shadows.

As he got into the back seat of the black sedan waiting by the roadside and headed towards Shinjuku, Makoto Takahashi opened Line to reply to a message.

Uesugi Maya was still awake. He took the opportunity to report on his schedule, but mainly chatted with Hanakawa Kaori. He could feel her excitement even through the phone screen.

It seems like it's the first time he's going on a date with Hanakawa Kaori alone, so it's only natural that she'd be looking forward to it, Makoto Takahashi thought to himself.

As the vehicle entered Shinjuku, the street scene outside the window became increasingly bustling, with the sound of passing trains coming from afar, and a vibrant scene of tireless activity under the neon lights.

As soon as I got off the bus in front of the apartment building, I saw Hanakawa Kaori running towards me.

"Good evening, brother."

Wearing a purple T-shirt, a black studded jacket, and black cargo pants, with her long hair flowing down and a few striking purple highlights, she looked every bit the tireless band girl.

A bright smile graced her youthful face. Takahashi Makoto caught Hanakawa Kaori as she lunged at him, half-jokingly saying:

Good evening. I have a feeling something's amiss.

"Hey, it's okay, brother, just don't be sneaky."

Hanakawa Kaori's eyes lit up, and her face became even more excited: "As long as I walk into the love hotel openly, no one will ask any questions."

"I meant Shinjuku at night, what are you talking about?"

"I don't believe it. My brother definitely has feelings for me."

"Yes, yes, I love tablets the most."

Makoto Takahashi gave a perfunctory reply, and Hanakawa Kaori pouted angrily: "I'm not like that, feel it if you don't believe me."

As she spoke, she grabbed Takahashi Makoto's hand and pulled him towards her.

Makoto Takahashi sighed, raised his hand and tapped Hanakawa Kaori on the head: "Alright, to the aquarium, get in the car."

"Tch." Hanakawa Kaori turned her face away in a huff.

Makoto Takahashi picked her up, put her in the car, and then got in himself before instructing the driver to take him to the aquarium.

The difference between an aquarium that operates at night and a regular aquarium is that it doesn't have various performances.

Nevertheless, thanks to its mysterious and dimly lit environment, the subtle atmosphere inside the aquarium, and the secluded corners that no one pays attention to, it remains a popular dating spot, with tickets even more expensive than during the day.

After buying their tickets at the entrance, Makoto Takahashi and Kaori Hanakawa walked into the aquarium side by side.

"Has my brother been to the aquarium before?" Hanakawa Kaori asked.

"I've been here once before, in Hokkaido. Speaking of which, there's an aquarium in Sapporo that's open late at night. I originally wanted to go with Aya, but we ran into a bear on the way, so we didn't make it."

"I was the one who provided the information to my brother, but he never expected it to be me, sob sob." Hanakawa Kaori used fake crying.

The girl's tears were incredibly powerful, and Makoto Takahashi's defenses were weakened.

"I'll take you bear hunting next time," he conceded.

"Great!"

Hanakawa Kaori wiped away her tears, hugged Takahashi Makoto's arm, and a sly smile bloomed on her lips: "I knew my brother liked me the most."

Aquariums are all very similar in structure.

After passing through the short passage, the first thing that catches the eye is a large water tank.

The lights illuminated the beautiful, deep blue underwater world, and the cool sensation felt like a cleansing of the soul.

"Wow! So many fish, so many different kinds of fish, just like the ones I saw online."