They all have hidden attributes!

In the sun-drenched living room, Tachibana Yuki remained expressionless, while Uesugi Maya coldly observed her, as if looking at a beautiful mask embodying the essence of art.

Maya Uesugi wasn't entirely unaware of Tachimi Yuki's feelings.

However, speaking while trying to guess what the other person is thinking is not in Uesugi Maya's nature. Besides, doing so also involves an element of luck. Only when both sides open their hearts to each other can the relationship be maintained.

so......

Maya Uesugi slightly averted her gaze and said softly with her usual calm expression, "Actually, I'm quite a dark person."

Upon hearing the unusual words, Ritsuki blinked repeatedly, no longer appearing so tense.

"I'm very jealous and vengeful. Sometimes I wonder if I really like him."

Uesugi Maya bent down to get the tea set, pouring herself some black tea as she said, "To be honest, I sometimes have my doubts now."

"Doubting your own feelings?" Tachikami Yuki completely failed to understand her feelings.

“Yes, this is a secret I’ve always kept. I’ve never told him. In Makoto’s opinion, this should be considered as [being able to reflect on one’s own actions in strange situations].” At this point, Uesugi Maya paused slightly and swallowed a mouthful of black tea to moisten her throat.

Hiding outside the living room door, Makoto Takahashi used a fork to pick up a piece of mango, threw it into his mouth, and listened while eating.

"I think this way because I have always admired you. For a long time, I have been struggling between independence and admiration."

"So I wanted to defeat you. That was the initial thought when I approached him. Now, I'm actually afraid that I still think that way."

"Sister, I might just like your boyfriend."

Uesugi Maya had lost to Tatsumi Yuki countless times, so it was only natural that she would have psychological trauma. However, she never showed any related traits, and Takahashi Seiya believed that she was not a psychologically dark person.

But Maya Uesugi is too rational, to the point that she doubts where her feelings really come from.

To others, this seems very illogical.

"Yosuga, I believe you're not that kind of wicked woman, and I think Makoto wouldn't doubt you either." Tachimi Yuki looked troubled.

Makoto Takahashi ate another piece of mango and nodded where the two of them couldn't see.

"I have to confirm it myself, so even if I get rejected and get hurt, it's okay, as long as I know that my feelings are genuine."

Maya Uesugi placed her hand on her chest, raised her beautiful caramel-colored eyes, and said in a stern tone: "This relationship, like everyone else's, will cause hurt, joy, sorrow, or butterflies in your stomach."

As she spoke, she took a deep breath and, with a sudden, sharp edge, pierced the truth: "Your protection is nothing more than an obstacle to me right now."

Li Jianxing remained silent, her fingertips unconsciously caressing the sparkling sapphire ring.

An incurable silence enveloped the surroundings, while the brilliant sunlight illuminated the fragrant aroma of the black tea, giving the tea in the teaware a golden sheen.

Makoto Takahashi swallowed the mango in his mouth and was about to walk into the living room when Yuki Tachimi glanced at him, trying to stop him, and slowly spoke:

"It's been a long time since you've spoken to me from the heart, Xiaoye."

“You’ve never told me this since Uncle Tatsumi passed away,” Uesugi Maya retorted sharply.

"After all, I am the heir of the Tatsumi family."

"Can't I have my own reasons?"

"..."

Yuki Tatsumi was momentarily speechless, while Maya Uesugi's expressionless face revealed a hint of displeasure: "It's pointless to talk about these things now."

"That's true, but it won't happen again. As long as Mr. Cheng is here, that's enough."

Yuki smiled and said in a light, airy tone, "I know this might make you uncomfortable, Yoru. You'll have to have heart-to-heart talks with your older sister more often from now on."

"..."

Uesugi Maya immediately turned cold, and locked her heart away: "There's no need for that. My sincerity is enough."

"But Cheng-kun is my boyfriend."

"So what?"

"How can you talk to your sister like that?" Tachibana Yuki was a little unhappy, but her eyes showed that she couldn't do anything about it.

Makoto Takahashi walked into the living room at the opportune moment and placed a half-eaten slice of mango on the center of the coffee table: "Are you done chatting? This mango is quite delicious."

Uesugi Maya glanced at the mango, now only scraps and pieces, and gave it a blatant look of disdain. "You're just giving us the leftovers?" she asked irritably.

"You guys?" Takahashi Makoto feigned surprise.

"Alright, Cheng-kun, we should go on our date now."

Yuki Tachimi stood up from the sofa and straightened her skirt slightly: "Saya, come along too. The news said that the cherry blossoms in Tokyo are in full bloom."

"How about going to Sakuragaoka-cho in Shibuya? Let's go to the cake shop I just mentioned," Makoto Takahashi suggested.

“You just said that cream puffs are hard to eat,” Maya Uesugi questioned.

"That's top-tier compared to me, even in Tokyo."

As Makoto Takahashi walked alongside the two, he clearly sensed that the distance between their hearts had narrowed considerably.

The only thing separating the two from becoming true sisters is probably sharing joys and sorrows.

Just as she was thinking this, Uesugi Maya suddenly turned around and looked at her: "What lewd things are you thinking about?"

"Really?" Takahashi Makoto asked with an innocent expression.

Yukio Tachibana guessed what he was thinking, but chose to indulge him, and even changed the subject for Makoto Takahashi to attract Maya Uesugi's attention: "Makoto-kun, why don't you contact the publisher?"

"Okay, I'll call them now." Takahashi Makoto took out his phone from his pocket and made a call as he walked out with the two of them.

When I arrived at the cake shop, Ms. Sakai was already waiting in a quiet corner seat.

Compared to her unease during our last meeting, Ms. Sakai was radiant and beaming with joy today.

After ordering cake, black tea, and coffee, Makoto Takahashi carried the tray and accompanied Maya Uesugi and Yuki Tatsumi to the round table. Ms. Sakai quickly stood up and greeted them respectfully.

"Ms. Sakai, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

After a few polite exchanges, Takahashi Makoto cut to the chase and asked, "How long will it take to release the new book?"

"Please rest assured, our company will prepare as quickly as possible, and it will be released in just one month. The department head has decided on an initial print run of 10 copies." Ms. Sakai spoke quickly and clearly.

Even for famous bestselling authors, the first print run of a new book is usually only tens of thousands of copies, and most authors' new books only have a few thousand copies in the first edition.

With an initial print run of 10 copies, Maya Uesugi is poised to join the ranks of Japan's most prominent bestselling authors.

Publishers are always cautious in their considerations. Even with the announcement of the Kawabata Yasunari Literary Prize in April, the initial print run was only 100,000 copies, which is still a phenomenal work for a top-tier author.

Ms. Sakai and the publishing house she represents are both very confident in Maya Uesugi's new book.

Maya Uesugi frowned, her eyes devoid of any joy.

"Maya-sensei, please rest assured that once the initial print run of 10 copies is sold out, we will immediately reprint it. The publisher also has strategic considerations." Ms. Sakai thought that Uesugi Maya was dissatisfied with the royalties.

The "guaranteed print run" system in the Japanese publishing industry means that publishers are required to pay royalties to authors based on the first print run. Apart from established and popular authors, such as those who have been long-time nominees for the Nobel Prize in Literature, there are very few cases where the first print run exceeds 10 copies.

“A month is too slow. Can it be released as soon as possible?” Uesugi Maya looked up and asked seriously.

"The launch of a new book requires preparation. Professor Maya, you are not an outsider. The launch of a new book requires the cooperation of various departments, and there is a literary award in April."

Faced with Ms. Sakai's persuasion, Maya Uesugi calmly replied, "Even if it's only 5000 copies, please release it as soon as possible. If the market response is good, we can print another 100,000 copies in April."

The only loss is that the royalties she receives will be significantly reduced.

Maya Uesugi considers herself a patient person, but April is just too late.

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Ms. Sakai immediately stood up and adopted a serious tone: "I understand what you mean. I will go back to the company now and prepare. Please wait for my good news."

"Thank you for your hard work." Uesugi Maya was unusually polite.

Ms. Sakai bid farewell to the three of them and left in a hurry.

Yuki Tachimi, who had been sitting next to me eating opera cake, put down her spoon, her deep blue eyes filled with doubt: "Saya, why can't we wait until April?"

Makoto Takahashi also looked at Maya Uesugi with a puzzled expression. She picked up her coffee with her slender, white fingers and said firmly, "That's fine."

“Speaking of which, Aya still can’t sing in public. Sachi, do you have any ideas?” Takahashi Makoto took over the conversation, turning to look at Tachimi Sachi’s profile.

If possible, he certainly wouldn't want Uesugi Maya to be absent.

Tachibana Yuki took an elegant and graceful sip of black tea and asked lightly, "What's the obstacle?"

Makoto Takahashi explained the reasons in a concise and easy-to-understand way, as well as Maya Uesugi's psychological barriers.

After a moment of contemplation, Tachibana Yuki suddenly clapped her hands to draw their attention, then smiled sweetly and said, "Saya, Makoto, let's go perform on the street. I've never done it before."

"Now?" A look of surprise appeared in Uesugi Maya's eyes.

"Yes, Chengjun, send someone to deliver musical instruments and equipment. Isn't the weather nice today?"

Seeing the hesitation on Uesugi Maya's face, Tachimi Yuki chuckled and said, "Maya, don't you want to perform with your sister? It's okay, with my Makoto-kun here, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Maya Uesugi withdrew her gaze from Yuki Tachimi and turned to meet Makoto Takahashi's gentle black eyes. The unease that had filled her heart gradually dissipated.

Chapter 239 Three People Traveling Together

Cherry blossoms fluttered along the roadside, while white clouds trailed in the bright blue sky.

Two black minivans parked on the side of the road attracted the attention of pedestrians.

Today is White Day, and it's also Sunday. Many couples who came to Shibuya to shop stopped here. Considering the grand occasion after Makoto Takahashi announced the news later, the bodyguards of the Tachimi family maintained order with stern faces.

Makoto Takahashi skillfully set up the electric piano, put in large batteries, and chatted with Reiko Kashima, who was tuning the drum kit next to him, while he adjusted it.

"Are we really going to post an update? A lot of people will definitely come, and Aye is already very shy."

The suggestion to post the update came after Kashima Reiko arrived. After all, she was the drummer and an original member of NoName, so it was only right and proper to ask her to join in the street performances.

"It's White Valentine's Day that we want to give back to your fans. The sales of your merchandise alone could buy a chocolate factory."

Kashima Reiko finished setting up the drum kit, looked up at me, and unconsciously touched her earlobe, the pure gold stud gleaming:

"I've studied professional books on marketing and public relations; this is about maximizing effectiveness."

It sounds like she's no longer content with being a young lady's attendant and Makoto Takahashi's agent in the art world; she's also planning to develop into a band manager.

"Alright, since you put it that way."

Makoto Takahashi reached out and took the phone from Reiko Kashima. The screen displayed his personal channel, which had 3 million subscribers.

"It's a long way from surpassing the President of the United States," he muttered.

"Because I've been running it all along, if you're willing to post updates about your life and private photos, you have a good chance of surpassing the President of the United States within a year."