They all have hidden attributes!

Uesugi Maya didn't click her tongue, but flicked her long black hair over her shoulder: "I guessed it. You're that kind of person. If you could make the world peaceful with just a little effort, you would definitely do it."

Find the good in the worst people and things, and try to make things better, even if it has nothing to do with you.

Makoto Takahashi's emphasis on harmony and understanding is something that neither Maya Uesugi nor Yuki Tatsumi can comprehend, yet they don't dislike him; on the contrary, they find him strongly attractive.

"Would you like to join, Kashima-senpai?" Takahashi Makoto asked with a friendly smile.

Faced with his sincere invitation, Kashima Reiko looked away and wandered among the surrounding vendors, searching for an escape route.

"Do you think this is appropriate?" Uesugi Maya asked coldly.

"What's wrong with that? Kashima-senpai likes it, and he's experienced. Besides, if you want to beat Tachimi-senpai, isn't finding the former band's drummer the best choice?"

Makoto Takahashi successfully persuaded her, and Maya Uesugi stopped objecting, but Reiko Kashima herself remained silent.

"Is Kashima-senpai having any difficulties?"

When Takahashi Makoto pressed for an answer, Uesugi Maya replied tentatively, "It probably requires Tatsumi's permission. Are you confident you can persuade her?"

It sounds like it requires administrator privileges, Makoto Takahashi thought to himself, glancing up at the darkening sky.

“If Kashima-senpai doesn’t mind playing in a band with us, I can try to talk to Tachimi-senpai.”

He doesn't want to make false promises to others or put pressure on himself if he's not confident he can do something, so he speaks very conservatively.

In Kashima Reiko's eyes, Takahashi Makoto offered her no protection whatsoever, only instilling fear.

For Kashima Reiko, who grew up in the orderly environment of the Tachimi family, being down-to-earth is more important than being smart, responsibility is more reliable than enthusiasm, and promises must be kept.

Therefore, what she fears most is the unknown, the sudden changes in her life that are beyond her control, and the lack of any security.

For example, now that she has been suddenly abandoned by Tachimi Yuki, she doesn't know what she should do. At this time, she receives an invitation without any promises, which only makes Kashima Reiko feel helpless.

"It's about time to go to the coffee shop," Maya Uesugi said suddenly, breaking the awkward silence.

The sky had unknowingly turned a bluish-purple hue, and the crowds on both sides of the Meguro River had become even more congested. Staying any longer would surely make the noisy festival atmosphere unbearable.

"Let's buy some drinks and juice one last time."

Knowing better than to bother Kashima Reiko any longer, Takahashi Makoto bought a can of Coke and black tea from a vending machine in Nakameguro Park, and chatted with Uesugi Maya as they went to the coffee shop she had booked in advance.

The coffee shop located on Yamate Avenue by the Meguro River is the largest coffee shop Makoto Takahashi has ever seen, with four floors and each floor being at least 400 square meters.

The minimalist modern decor, paired with solid wood tables and chairs, creates a simple and natural atmosphere.

Under bright lights, the coffee roaster was running, and transparent pipes were conveying coffee beans. Inside the glass window, the exquisitely shaped bread looked very appetizing.

The coffee shop was open as usual today, and it was packed with people because of the summer festival. However, Uesugi Maya took the two of them directly to the rooftop terrace, which was not only empty, but also had a clear view of the entire Motokurakawa River.

Because Maya Uesugi has a psychological obsession with cleanliness, a brand new white camping chair was placed on the terrace, and a simple black tent was pitched behind the table between the two chairs to create a sense of atmosphere.

Makoto Takahashi placed the snacks he had bought on the table, sat down in the chair in the middle, opened the fried noodle box, and inserted disposable chopsticks into it.

"Having this terrace all to yourself isn't something money can buy, is it?"

"It's free because I'm a bestselling author, and you're a genius-turned-painter." Uesugi Maya rolled her eyes as if she could read his mind.

“Okay.” Makoto Takahashi shrugged, picked up some fried noodles with his chopsticks, and stuffed them into his mouth.

The sauce is made with plenty of ingredients, has a savory and fragrant aroma, a rich and mellow flavor, and is especially delicious.

Maya Uesugi sat down in the chair next to him and opened the book she had been holding.

Makoto Takahashi originally thought that Reiko Kashima would bring a chair over to sit down herself, or simply not stay with the two of them. Instead, she sat in the makeshift tent, with food placed in front of her, and curled up with her knees drawn up to her chest, looking weak and helpless.

Makoto Takahashi swallowed the food in his mouth, not wanting to see her too lonely, and couldn't help but strike up a conversation: "Kashima-senpai, would you like a cola or bottled black tea?"

"water."

"I didn't buy water."

Just then, a waiter from the coffee shop brought over an exquisite cake, and Kashima Reiko said to her, "Please give me a pot of water, thank you."

Compared to the undemanding Kashima-senpai, Uesugi Maya is much more troublesome.

Seeing that the table that had been prepared was full of snacks, the waiter moved another table to the other side of her before bringing the coffee. The exquisitely designed Belgian coffee pot occupied half of the round table.

Maya Uesugi put down her book and skillfully began operating the hand grinder, which made a "clunking" sound.

"Is it good?"

Makoto Takahashi was very interested when he first saw the Belgian teapot and looked at her with a curious gaze.

"Be patient, I'll treat you to a drink."

Under his gaze, Maya Uesugi poured the ground coffee powder into the glass pot, tightened the lid with her slender, fair fingers, and lit the alcohol lamp with a match.

A pale blue flame with an orange-yellow top ignited.

Chapter 40 Floating, Justice, and Fireworks

A gentle breeze from the night sky caressed my body, carrying the bitter aroma of coffee.

Makoto Takahashi sat on a camping chair, leaning forward, his gaze passing over Maya Uesugi, who was reading a book, and landing on the golden water tank in the Belgian kettle, which was gradually rising.

Heated by an alcohol lamp, the sealed water jug ​​gradually rises as water leaks into the coffee pot through the tubing.

With a "snap," the gravity ball on the balance bar fell, automatically turning off the alcohol lamp. The extracted coffee liquid flowed back into the water tank due to the siphon principle.

Compared to pour-over coffee, the biggest advantages of the Belgian coffee maker are its stability and aesthetic appeal.

Maya Uesugi raised her slender, fair fingers and opened the small, golden valve on the water tank. Coffee flowed into the white porcelain cup, filling the air with its aroma.

"I recommend pairing it with honey waffles."

She handed over the coffee with an elegant and composed demeanor, her appearance dignified. Paired with a black shirt and a high-waisted white long skirt, and illuminated by the warm yellow light from the terrace and her long black hair, she possessed a captivating allure.

After placing the white porcelain cup on the table between the two, Uesugi Maya handed over the waffle as well. Takahashi Makoto wanted to wait until it cooled down a bit before drinking, so he used a bamboo skewer to pick up a takoyaki and put it in his mouth.

"Senior Kashima, would you like some coffee?" he asked Kashima Reiko.

She left the snacks she bought outside the tent, showing no signs of eating them.

Kashima Reiko hugged her knees and shook her head, her gaze fixed on the long line of people along the Meguro River below the terrace. The vibrant colors of the festival were an endless summer scene.

Her weak, pitiful, and helpless appearance was so endearing that it was impossible not to care. Takahashi Makoto looked at her, showing no interest in enjoying the fireworks festival whatsoever.

That's probably just the atmosphere.

Maya Uesugi is already aloof, and with the addition of Reiko Kashima, the place they are in seems to be the complete opposite of the bustling street below.

"Senior, did you always pretend to be someone who was easy to get along with when dealing with other people?"

Makoto Takahashi suddenly remembered that Hina Nekoya had said that Reiko Kashima was a member of the "appearance association," and used this as a starting point: "For example, in the badminton club, we use the persona of a member of the 'appearance association.'"

Kashima Reiko nodded and explained briefly, "Because everyone in the badminton club is obsessed with looks."

"Is Haruna also?" Takahashi Makoto asked.

She didn't answer, and the conversation stalled.

Takahashi Makoto reluctantly changed the subject; if he didn't change the atmosphere, his memory of watching a fireworks festival with a girl for the first time in his life would be far too terrible.

The atmosphere was dull and utterly unpleasant.

If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have definitely asked Nekoya Hina to come along. She's great at livening up the atmosphere, and she'll be happy as long as you buy enough food.

"Does the senior really not want to play in a band with us, or is there some other concern?"

Makoto Takahashi ate another takoyaki and stared intently at Reiko Kashima's expression, trying to find the answer in her eyes, when a helpless sigh drifted from his side.

"Your communication efficiency is simply unbearable."

Maya Uesugi rubbed her temples, looking troubled, and elegantly swallowed a sip of coffee before turning her head to meet Makoto Takahashi's gaze.

"Takahashi, not everyone loves the meaning of life as much as you do; some people love life itself more."

As expected of a female writer, her words leave people completely bewildered.

Makoto Takahashi swallowed the food in his mouth, frowning somewhat unconvinced: "Am I not as good at communication as you?"

"I really hate repeating the same thing over and over."

Maya Uesugi glanced at him dismissively, put down her coffee cup, and picked up a waffle with her fork: "I just don't have an interest in socializing, not a lack of social skills."

"Prove it to me." Takahashi Makoto raised his hand, gesturing for her to communicate with Kashima Reiko.

Under his gaze, Maya Uesugi dipped a waffle in honey and whispered to Reiko Kashima, "Kashima-senpai, you don't really need to worry about the security issue."

"As long as Takahashi-san asks, Ritsuki will never refuse. He will only take the opportunity to make some reasonable requests, and Takahashi-san's personality will definitely allow him to fulfill them."

"If there are any other unexpected problems, I will supervise him to resolve them all."

"In my opinion, there is no risk for you to agree to join the band now."

Hearing Uesugi Maya say this, Kashima Reiko straightened her knees, slowly turned her head to meet her gaze: "What guarantee do you have?"

If she can avoid unknown risks, she will certainly want to do things she likes.

“Answer her, Takahashi-san,” Maya Uesugi threw the question at her directly.

Makoto Takahashi blinked and raised his hand to his cheek: "Use your personality? Wait, I didn't say I would definitely fulfill what I called not an unreasonable request, did I?"

"Believe me, you will definitely do it when the time comes. Your values ​​are, in a sense, very righteous."

Seeing Uesugi Maya's confident expression, he asked with some skepticism, "Really?"

"You're more of a considerate person than a gentle one."

Maya Uesugi took a bite of the honey-dipped, overly sweet waffle, swallowed it under his gaze, and then continued:

"You are the kind of person who is fine as long as you resolve your emotions, so you often take care of other people's feelings, like now. So it's not an exaggeration to call you a righteous person."

Hearing her usual indifferent tone, Takahashi Makoto felt a rare warmth rise in his heart.

Perhaps it's because the cloudless sky is perfect for watching fireworks, there are delicious snacks, the evening breeze carries the festive atmosphere, and there are people who understand you.

Maya Uesugi took another sip of her coffee and continued, "Kashima-senpai is different from you. She's someone who doesn't show emotions once she's solved the problem."

Makoto Takahashi turned around and saw Reiko Kashima nodding in agreement with her statement, and he also picked up his coffee and took a sip.

The warm liquid bursts with bitterness on the tip of the tongue, followed by a slightly sour nutty aroma.

"so bitter."

He subconsciously complained, "Why wasn't there sugar?"