They all have hidden attributes!

"Because of malice?" Uesugi Maya pressed.

Shiraishi Junka thought for a moment, then shook her head: "It's probably because I'm from Tokyo, so it's unusual for me."

"Then you're far too fragile," Uesugi Maya criticized mercilessly.

"Yeah, I don't like being the center of attention; it feels like it wears down my soul."

Shiraishi Junka gazed at the wall of the student council president's office, shadows playing in her wine-red eyes: "The self and the work exist in the world, and if they are too dazzling, there will be criticism."

In society, whatever you do, you will inevitably face criticism from others; it's impossible to gain everyone's approval.

For example, being very opinionated can be seen as independent by those who like it, while those who don't may criticize it for being unsociable. There are many similar examples.

If one is not careful, one will be overwhelmed by unfriendly voices and become depressed all day long.

Junko Shiraishi's choice is to escape; as long as she escapes to a brighter light, she can live a peaceful life.

"When one's work is damaged and one's self is criticized, it is equivalent to a wound to the soul, which is unbearable."

Upon hearing this, Uesugi Maya rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, her gaze gradually deepening.

She just criticized Shiraishi Junka for being weak because she doesn't approve of "escaping," and Uesugi Maya herself is unable to speak out because of shame for the same reason.

—Afraid of “wearing down one’s soul”.

Seeing her own reflection in Shiraishi Junka, Uesugi Maya naturally began to reflect on herself, trying to kill the vulnerability hidden in her heart.

Time seems to absorb moisture and become heavy, making it feel like it's passing very slowly.

When the bell rang to signal the end of the first class, Maya Uesugi suddenly stood up from the sofa and stared straight at Makoto Takahashi: "Help me."

"Help you with what?" Takahashi Makoto looked up, a puzzled expression on his face.

"I thought I was already indifferent enough to other people's opinions."

"I also think you're independent enough."

“That’s only because it doesn’t involve my true feelings,” Uesugi Maya asserted.

Makoto Takahashi was silent for a few seconds, then tentatively asked, "Have you never searched for yourself? Your last book, especially after winning the award, must have generated a lot of different opinions online, right?"

"No, the royalties have already proven my achievements."

Maya Uesugi's theory did indeed sound reasonable. Makoto Takahashi finished the rest of his coffee in one gulp, picked up his book, and got up to leave.

"Chunke, let me go with you to paint. The rainy scenery is nice today."

“Okay.” Shiraishi Junka tossed aside the tablet computer in her hand.

"I suggest you do some research yourself, especially on the announcement of the Yomiuri Literature Prize. It will definitely help you overcome your sensitive nature quickly."

After speaking to Maya Uesugi, Makoto Takahashi grabbed Junka Shiraishi's hand and quickly fled the student council president's office.

Even if some criticisms are completely unreasonable, the more unreasonable they are, the angrier they are to see.

Maya Uesugi's breath value will be the highest in history, so it would be wiser to take Junko Shiraishi and stay far away.

However, Makoto Takahashi didn't go too far, lest Maya Uesugi couldn't find him.

The wind band department is located downstairs from the student council building; the entire floor belongs to the wind band department.

After the national competition ended, the brass band stopped all activities and practiced until the new students enrolled in April, leaving the rooms empty.

Makoto Takahashi opened the door to the large classroom, walked to the window, and was met with a blurry rain scene.

"Should I have suggested that you organize an art exhibition together? There will definitely be a lot of rumors and gossip about it."

"It's okay as long as I'm with Cheng."

Junko Shiraishi set up her easel, took out paints from a box, and spoke in a languid voice as if she didn't care about anything:

"You're the one who gets criticized more, while I've actually gained some fame. Thinking about it that way, I seem a bit despicable."

"No, I don't think so at all."

Makoto Takahashi turned back to look at her with a calm and gentle gaze, and said with a smile, "Being able to prevent your heart from breaking is also one of the reasons for my existence."

Shiraishi Junko stared at him blankly, speechless for a long time.

Listening to the sound of rain enveloping the world, a tsunami-like surge of love welled up in my heart, as intense as the desire to see him when I destroyed my own painting.

Driven by her emotions, she withdrew her gaze, steadily picked up her paintbrush, and began to depict vibrant colors on the pristine white canvas.

The rain, which had lasted all day, finally stopped when the bell rang for the end of the last class in the afternoon.

A few minutes after school ended, Shiraishi Junka's phone beeped with a text message notification.

"Cheng, help me take a look." She was concentrating intently on her painting, her gaze never leaving the canvas.

Makoto Takahashi took the phone, entered the password to unlock the screen, and a text message popped up at the top from Maya Uesugi:

“A-Ye said that if you like gardening, you can plant it where I live now. The courtyard is completely empty now, so you can do whatever you like.”

After a moment's thought, he added, "But Aye is a pragmatist, so it would be best to grow something edible."

“Yes, I will go,” Shiraishi Junka readily agreed.

Makoto Takahashi put down his phone, looked at the canvas, and was deeply impressed by the stunning quality of the finished work: "I'm going upstairs to check on Yoru. Reiko will pick you up later. See you tomorrow."

"Hmm." Shiraishi Junko rarely displayed such a cold and aloof demeanor in front of him.

Leaving the large classroom of the brass band, walking through the corridor, and turning the corner of the stairs, I happened to run into Hanakawa Kaori, who was coming upstairs.

"Brother, is Sister Zhenye here?" she asked impatiently.

"I might not be in a good mood right now because of my position in the student council."

Makoto Takahashi was reminding Hanakawa Kaori to be careful with her words and actions, because if she offended Uesugi Maya, he might not be able to protect her today.

Hanakawa Kaori didn't care at all, only concerned with her own date plan: "Then let's go to the maid cafe today. If it fails, I'll still have time to think of other ways."

"Are you really going to compete with Sachi for White Day?" Makoto Takahashi asked, giving him a knowing look.

"Can't I? Sister Xing already agreed. She cares a lot about her reputation. I'll save my troubles for later."

Hanakawa Kaori does indeed possess a kind of reckless beauty. Takahashi Makoto felt that she probably knew he would spoil her, but there was nothing he could do; that's just the kind of creature his younger sister was.

The two went upstairs together and arrived at the door of the student council president's office.

With a bright and cheerful smile, Hanakawa Kaori pushed open the door with both hands: "Maya-nee, shall we go...?"

A cheerful atmosphere rushed into the room, followed by a biting chill. Hanakawa Kaori shivered involuntarily and immediately hid behind Takahashi Makoto, trembling.

Makoto Takahashi swallowed hard and reached out to protect her.

A thick shadow shrouded the student council president's office, the temperature so cold it felt heavy. Uesugi Maya raised her face, looking over with her three-white eyes, giving off a chilling sense of dread.

"Aya, are you... alright?" Takahashi Makoto was ready to lead Hanakawa Kaori to retreat at any time.

"Tsk, a bunch of scum, blind nobodies, actually saying that the Japanese literary scene is declining."

Uesugi Maya took several deep breaths to calm herself, her body still radiating a murderous aura that swept across the surroundings.

"I must admit that these foolish remarks are more infuriating than those of so-called professors in the Faculty of Arts or famous writers."

Hearing her say that, Makoto Takahashi relaxed and pulled Hanakawa Kaori out from behind him: "It sounds like you've overcome it."

Uesugi Maya's mind was stronger than he had imagined; in just one class period, she had already endured a long night that many ordinary people could not.

"Yes, where did she just say she was going?" Uesugi Maya asked coldly, glancing sharply at Hanakawa Kaori.

“A maid café,” Makoto Takahashi answered instead.

"Okay, let's go. I'm actually feeling like swearing."

Maya Uesugi strode over with brisk steps. Judging from her imposing aura, the maid café staff were likely to have a rough time today, and Hanakawa Kaori would probably fail to achieve her goal.

This is Takahashi Makoto's second misjudgment today.

—Don't underestimate maid cafes; they don't understand the ability to create an atmosphere that even social terrorists would be afraid of.

The store chosen by Hanakawa Kaori is located in Akihabara's electronics district.

Following the map navigation, I turned into a small alley. The entire building was a maid café, giving it a crowded feel.

Upon arriving at the 7th floor by elevator, the moment the elevator doors opened, Makoto Takahashi unwittingly stumbled into the space of a maid café, one of the symbols of Japanese subculture, without even having time to be nervous.

"welcome!"

She's more of an idol than a maid.

A black-haired girl in a cute dress jogged out, blocked the three of them, and adorably held up her finger, asking, "Excuse me, are there three of you?"

Makoto Takahashi nodded solemnly.

"Thank you."

For some reason, Miss Idol clapped her hands and smiled brightly, then picked up the display board placed next to her:

"The master, who is under 18, is unable to enter the country because of his/her [cuteness power] is too strong. Is the master over 18 years old?"

Upon hearing the term "moe power," Makoto Takahashi had a bad feeling.

Before she could even ask, Hanakawa Kaori, as if afraid of being denied entry, blurted out, "Yes, 18 years and older."

"Thank you very much. Now, please follow me to your seat."

As the idol spoke, she backed away to lead the three into the store, her deliberately cute tone and words sounding sickeningly sweet.

"Three masters have logged in~" Miss Idol shouted.

"Welcome home~" the idol girls shouted in unison.

Makoto Takahashi turned to observe Maya Uesugi's expression. She still had a cold face, but it didn't look like she wanted to curse on the way there.

If he wasn't mistaken, he was probably somewhat wavering?

Hakiye, are you so embarrassed that you want to run away?

While thinking to himself, Makoto Takahashi tried his best to keep a straight face. From the moment he stepped out of the elevator, he was so embarrassed that he wanted to run away.

There were only three tables of customers in the store, all the waiters were dressed as idols, and the tables and chairs were cheap products, but for some reason the chairs were made in a pink and dreamy style.

After taking off his coat and handing it to Maya Uesugi, he sat down, and the idol hostess brought him a tray, surprisingly kneeling to serve him.

"Master, my apologies~"

After arranging the water glasses, she took out a two-dimensional style display board: "First, we'll serve you [Magic Water]. What if you drink too much~"