They all have hidden attributes!

"I'm sorry, there was a problem with my wording."

Maya Uesugi sighed and reorganized her thoughts: "I recently learned a lot of dating tips online, including many tricks that ranked high in the [most annoying scheming] polls, but I didn't benefit much from them. Do you have any experience you can teach me?"

Uesugi Maya was very polite, and Shiraishi Jun didn't feel offended at all. She taught her very well.

"You can show your darker side. I'll tell Cheng-kun that when he's not around, I really enjoy smelling his clothes, and also..."

Maya Uesugi diligently took notes in her mind.

She had to admit that Makoto Takahashi hadn't lied to her; after optimizing her interpersonal relationships, learning shrewdness from Junko Shiraishi was far more efficient than searching online.

The bitter aroma of coffee slowly spread through the air.

After sharing her experiences, Shiraishi Junka held the coffee Uesugi Maya handed her with both hands, watching the rain intently. After a while, she suddenly asked Uesugi Maya:

"May I ask you for advice?"

“Okay.” Uesugi Maya readily agreed.

"Cheng wanted to set up an exhibition area for me at his art exhibition. I was afraid of affecting his reputation, and I was also worried about letting him down."

Like all geniuses of his time, Shiraishi Junka's fame was completely overshadowed by Takahashi Makoto's brilliance.

She didn't care about her reputation or how much her paintings were worth; she was simply torn between being obedient and considering his best interests.

—In all media reports, Makoto Takahashi is still a flawless genius.

If Shiraishi Junka were to participate in his art exhibition, there would likely be rumors, or even negative stories about his love life.

"You're just asking for trouble. I suggest you listen to his arrangements."

Uesugi Maya looked away, lowered her head and opened the book she hadn't finished reading at the student council, and said reasonably, "He must have considered things more thoroughly than you, and Tachibana and Reiko have no objections, that's enough."

Shiraishi Junka gently blew away the steam from her coffee, deciding to abandon her thought: "That makes a lot of sense, thank you."

"No, it's nothing, I should be thanking you." Uesugi Maya's attention was completely off the book in her hands.

Having learned enough from Shiraishi Junka, she began to think about how to optimize her relationship with Tachimi Yuki to ensure the smooth publication of her new book and ultimately win the victory.

Chapter 231 Casual Chat in the Rain (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Acheng, Sister Xing said there's beef for lunch today!"

The crisp sound came at the same time as the school bell.

The white curtains were drawn up, raindrops streamed down the glass, the sky was gloomy and gray, and Nekoya Hina's voice was the complete opposite, bright and cheerful.

Makoto Takahashi tucked the open book off his desk, stood up, and looked at someone with a sleepy, languid gaze: "The weather's awful. Let's go to the student council for lunch."

The two walked together toward the back door of the classroom. As they passed Hanakawa Kaori's seat, she took out a purple folding umbrella from the desk drawer and followed them.

The purple clown pendant eventually ended up hanging on the handle of the folding umbrella.

"Brother, look! Isn't this color great?"

Hanakawa Kaori tossed her long hair on the right side of her twin tails, showing Takahashi Makoto the "photovoltaic purple" highlights hidden inside: "Isn't it rock and roll? Right, right?"

"Rock and roll is such a convenient thing."

Makoto Takahashi yawned and said, his gaze shifting to Hina Nekoya's chestnut-brown hair: "Did you go to the Tachimi main family last night?"

"Yes, Hana insisted on getting her hair done. Makoto, let me tell you, I met the Governor of Tokyo yesterday, as well as many other celebrities."

Nekoya Hina looked on with a puzzled expression, while Hanakawa Kaori didn't seem to care. The latter often went to the Tachimi family home to accompany Tachimi Kotoha for meals and tea, replacing Takahashi Makoto.

Speaking of which, Hanakawa Kaori is really good at pleasing elders. Not only Tachimi Kotoha, but also Kashima Maki likes her very much.

After going downstairs and changing out of their indoor shoes, Makoto Takahashi and Haruna Nekoya took two transparent umbrellas from the public umbrella stand, opened them, and walked out of the school building.

Hanakawa Kaori, wearing a purple folding umbrella, walked between the two.

"Brother, can Maya sing it now?"

She gave Uesugi Maya a lot of advice about singing, both in terms of technique and mindset.

"Let's move forward steadily, at least I'm not so nervous when I sing for you."

Makoto Takahashi sighed, his tone becoming heavy as if he had absorbed a lot of moisture: "Last night, when Yoru was singing in the bathroom, Sachi heard it, and I felt like she backed down again."

"That doesn't sound very optimistic," Hanakawa Kaori said with a worried expression.

"If there's really no other way, you'll have to step in. The minimum goal is to get Sachi involved in the performance."

Makoto Takahashi hadn't forgotten his original purpose. Seeing Hanakawa Kaori raise her finger in an "OK" gesture, he turned his gaze to Nekoya Hina:

Has A-Ye contacted you recently?

"Yes, there is, but it's a bit strange."

Nekoya Hina awkwardly shook her head and frankly said:

"I thought it was okay if we didn't contact each other normally, but Maya sends me Line messages every day at the same time, and we don't have anything to talk about. It feels like I've subscribed to the weather forecast."

"Although it's a group message, Maya-nee has been trying to maintain good relationships lately, so I'll reply with an emoji." Hanakawa Kaori obviously also received the weather forecast.

"Are you getting along well?" Makoto Takahashi asked Haruna Nekoya.

"It's alright. Actually, Maya and I get along quite well. Apart from when we first met, we haven't had any arguments or anything like that."

"so."

As Makoto Takahashi gazed at the rain, his thoughts drifted to Maya Uesugi and Junka Shiraishi in the student council president's office, a hint of worry creeping into his mind.

I wonder how the two of them are getting along.

The college environment forces people of the same age into the same place, so it's normal for some people to not get along with each other, and that has nothing to do with right or wrong.

Avoiding unnecessary contact with people you don't get along with is also part of building good interpersonal relationships.

Therefore, Makoto Takahashi did not want to force Maya Uesugi, but... if she can't get along with everyone, it must be her problem.

He wasn't the type to act on wishful thinking. If Uesugi Maya had interpersonal relationships that couldn't be improved, it would be better to find another way.

During their conversation, the three of them turned from the courtyard into the tree-lined path leading to the student council.

Beneath the gloomy sky covered by gray clouds, Makoto Takahashi's gaze suddenly stopped. At the entrance to the parking lot, there was a head of bright blonde hair.

Kashima Reiko, holding a black umbrella, escorted Tachimi Yuki out of the parking lot, where Takahashi Makoto, walking at a slightly faster pace, met up with the two at the gate.

Kashima Reiko reached out and took the umbrella he had put away.

"Chengjun, what book are you holding?"

Yuki's gaze was drawn to the book cover in Makoto Takahashi's hand. She reached out her hand, and Makoto took her hand in turn, raising the book in his other hand.

Have you read "Shunkinsho"?

"No, what about?"

"Twisted love, sadomasochism."

The two walked up the stairs together. Jian Lijian's eyes lit up slightly, looking quite interested. Takahashi Makoto succinctly summarized:

"The female protagonist's name is Chunqin, a wealthy blind female musician. Her servant, Sasuke, who is three or four years older than her, is assigned to take care of her..."

When I'm with Tachibana Yuki, time always seems to fly by.

Before they could even exchange a few words, they had already arrived at the heavy wooden door of the student council president's office.

Makoto Takahashi had no choice but to skip over a portion of the content and jump straight to the climax of the story:

"After Harukoto was disfigured, in order to prevent her from feeling inferior in front of him, Sasuke blinded himself and stayed with her in the dark world forever."

"It's really deformed, but I don't hate it."

As Tachimi Yuki spoke, she pushed open the door and entered the student council president's office: "I didn't expect Makoto to read this kind of book. I thought you only liked light novels and the literary works recommended by Sayo."

"I don't really like the kind of literature that Aya likes; these love stories are more to my liking," Makoto Takahashi said frankly.

Upon hearing this, Tachibana Yuki glanced at the sofa set on the balcony and revealed a malicious smile: "Saya, did you hear that? Makoto-kun thinks you're not a good match for him."

Uesugi Maya was having coffee with Shiraishi Junka, and responded to Tachimi Yuki's provocation with a disdainful look:

"Differences in literary taste don't prove anything. Moral issues are more important in deciding whether to associate with someone. To generalize and sow discord, a woman with your wicked character is even less suitable for him."

"Makoto, am I really that bad?" Tachimi Yuki took Takahashi Makoto's arm and led him to the sofa.

“No, you are an angel.” Makoto Takahashi said with a sincere expression.

"I mean, my brother feels so pitiful, living under the same roof as Maya-nee and Sachi-nee."

Hanakawa Kaori suddenly interrupted, and Uesugi Maya and Tachimi Yuki both turned to look at her; the former was cold and piercing, while the latter harbored danger.

A heavy sense of oppression washed over her, and Hanakawa Kaori quickly covered her mouth with both hands.

Taking advantage of her stirring up hatred between Uesugi Maya and Tachimi Yuki, Takahashi Makoto seized the opportunity to change the subject: "Alright, Hanaori is still a child. Sit down and have lunch. Hina said there's beef today?"

Not only does Nekoya Hina love beef dishes, but he also enjoys beef dishes.

Kashima Reiko and Nekoya Hina placed the lunch boxes on the coffee table together, introducing them as follows: "The main dishes are sirloin steak and chuck, served with mushroom dishes."

The whole-cut steak, grilled over charcoal, exudes a rich aroma.

Makoto Takahashi pulled Yuki Tatsumi to sit down on the sofa, while Junka Shiraishi squeezed over from the other side to distribute the cutlery.

The seven people sat around the coffee table, chatting and enjoying their lunch; the scene looked quite lively.

A short while later, the topic shifted to tomorrow's graduation ceremony.

"Miss Chunke, will you be going on stage as a student representative tomorrow?" Hanakawa Kaori asked.

Shiraishi Junko ate her mushrooms slowly and deliberately, gently shaking her head. Takahashi Makoto explained on her behalf, "Junka doesn't like being the center of attention."

"What about you, brother? Are you going to go up on stage to read the farewell speech?" Hanakawa Kaori asked.

“I don’t like to be in the limelight either,” Makoto Takahashi said.

"Maya-nee?" Hanakawa Kaori turned to Uesugi Maya with a curious look.

She enrolled at Tsurumizawa early and never experienced a high school graduation ceremony, so she is very interested in tomorrow's graduation ceremony.

"Wouldn't Sayo feel ashamed? I don't really want to go on stage either, so I've left all these matters to the chairman," Tachimi Yuki replied for Uesugi Maya.

"That would be so boring! The chairman is the most slowpoke ever."

Nekoya Hina swallowed the food in her mouth, took a sip of her own sports drink, and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "We're going on holiday after the graduation ceremony tomorrow, even a few minutes earlier would be nice."