They all have hidden attributes!

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Nekoya Hina repeated suspiciously twice, waving her hand before returning to her seat.

The two seats were separated only by an aisle, and her behavior today was a bit too strange.

Could it be those insignificant bits of knowledge from yesterday...?

Makoto Takahashi realized what was happening and scrutinized Hina Nekoya with a critical eye. Perhaps because of the hot weather, the collar of her white school uniform shirt was not properly fastened, and her black tie was also a bit loose, giving her a more unruly and handsome look.

"Hina, you didn't—"

"Shh!"

Haruna Nekoya, feeling guilty, made a shushing gesture, her ears turning red, and looked around: "I only bought it out of curiosity, but the rental apartment is rather basic. I remember that Makoto's apartment has a TV."

So, all you were planning was to study at home? That's ridiculous.

Makoto Takahashi adopted a serious expression and firmly refused: "Hina, I will not agree."

"Why?! I spent 3000 yen!"

"So expensive."

"Yes, so—"

"No, even for you, this is too outrageous."

Until the morning meeting started and Supervisor Chihaya walked into the classroom, Nekoya Hina kept trying to persuade him to agree, but Takahashi Makoto held firm to his bottom line and refused to back down.

He knew very well that his weakness was beauty, and it was the hot summer. Moreover, the fact that Nekoya Hina was so unguarded was even more irresistible than Tachimi Yuki's seduction.

If something unexpected happens and a serious mistake is made, it would be terrible.

But Nekoya Hina clearly didn't know how dangerous this was. During her lunch break, she eagerly went to buy drinks, trying to bribe Takahashi Makoto to agree.

Sunlight streams through the glass, illuminating the elevated walkway, while the tireless chirping of cicadas creates a unique summer atmosphere.

"Acheng, please!"

Hina Nekoya bowed deeply, offering a glass of iced cola with both hands, her chestnut hair gleaming softly: "I'm so curious, come watch with me! Once is enough!"

"How many more times do you want?"

Makoto Takahashi took the iced cola, pulled the metal tab, and seeing her standing up straight with an expectant look in her eyes, he found a compromise:

"I'll send you a file from the cloud tonight, just enough to satisfy your curiosity. It's a CD, and we'll go return it together after school."

3000 yen is not a small amount, especially since Nekoya Haruna needs to work every week. She should save money wherever possible. As long as the package is unopened and there is an invoice, getting a refund is quite easy.

"That's fantastic, Acheng!"

Hina Nekoya gave him a thumbs up with a bright smile, which made Makoto Takahashi sigh speechlessly: "You can just watch this kind of thing secretly by yourself. Don't look so eager."

After saying that, he took a bite of the pork floss bread, chewing on the salty taste, and suddenly remembered that Uesugi Maya also had a hidden [pure] attribute.

It's not unlocked, I guess you just have to realize it yourself?

Looking at the lush green cedar forest in the courtyard, Makoto Takahashi casually asked, "Did you bring the CDs you bought?"

"In the desk drawer."

"Can I borrow it for a moment?"

"Huh? But once it's opened, it can't be refunded, right?"

Nekoya Hina blurted out, then agreed, "No problem, do you want it now?"

"Give it to me now, I'll return it to you later." Takahashi Makoto strode towards the teaching building, preparing to go to the Light Music Club during his lunch break.

Thinking that Uesugi Maya was now his neighbor, he asked, "Speaking of which, if neighbors move in, wouldn't it be better to prepare a gift and visit them?"

"Oh, usually it's the newly moved-in neighbors who bring gifts when they visit, right?"

Hina Nekoya took a bite of her yakisoba bread and said in a somewhat uncertain tone, "But we should at least get to know each other. I'm not very good at etiquette."

Considering that Uesugi Maya is not the type to actively build good relationships with her neighbors, and that she usually takes good care of herself, Takahashi Makoto decides to take the initiative this time.

However, what gift to give is also a problem. He has no idea what Uesugi Maya likes, and he should also consider what gift to give Tachimi Yuki in return.

Because there was no air conditioning in the classroom, no one stayed inside to eat lunch. Nekoya Haruna generously took out a CD in a plastic box and handed it to Takahashi Makoto. It was about [Convenience Store Thief].

In recent years, the industry has experienced a renaissance, but after going around in circles, it has returned to ancient themes. Makoto Takahashi does not wish to comment on this.

Holding a plastic box with a photo of a female convenience store employee in green and white checkered pattern on the cover, I left the classroom and went to the light music club office. As I pushed open the door, a cool breeze from the air conditioner hit me.

Inside the "L"-shaped classroom, a beautiful girl with long, straight black hair sat by the window, reading a book while eating a hearty lunchbox, with an alcohol lamp burning in a Belgian kettle next to her.

Good afternoon, Uesugi-kun.

Makoto Takahashi closed the door behind him, stopped beside her, and looked at the familiar Belgian pitcher: "You bought the Belgian pitcher from the coffee shop?"

"It's mine."

Uesugi Maya answered concisely, put down her chopsticks, pulled a tissue from her desk drawer to wipe her mouth, and looked up at me: "What is it?"

You could tell from her voice that she was still angry; her coldness carried a sense of estrangement, as if the two of them had returned to the distance they had when Makoto Takahashi first joined the Light Music Club.

"Do you know what this is?" Makoto Takahashi handed the plastic box to Maya Uesugi and asked in a mysterious low voice.

"Movie DVD?"

What movie?

"Takahashi-kun, are you blind? Or can't you read?"

She snatched the plastic box, pointed to the name on it, and shoved it in front of Takahashi Makoto's eyes: "If you can't read, go find a Japanese language teacher. I can also help you find connections to audit classes at an elementary school."

"I wanted to ask if you know the content of the movie."

Hearing this, Uesugi Maya's patience completely ran out. She gritted her teeth and slammed the plastic box on the table with a "bang": "Can't you open it yourself? How would I know if I haven't looked at it?"

Maya Uesugi's reaction indicated that she didn't know what type of movie it was, but the system offered no clues.

There's even worse news: she's completely lost it now.

Makoto Takahashi thought for a moment, then pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Maya Uesugi, facing the icy aura emanating from her, and calmly asked:

"Is there any gift you'd like? After all, you've taken good care of me, and we'll be neighbors in the future, so I'd like to show my appreciation in a small way."

"unnecessary."

Maya Uesugi threw the plastic box back and said irritably, "If you tidy up the things you brought home last night and don't waste too much of my time, you'll be a big help."

"I was just about to discuss what happened last night with you."

Makoto Takahashi briefly recounted what had happened with Reiko Kashima and Yuki Tatsumi last night, and then asked, "Regarding the return gift, I'd like to hear your opinion. Does Tatsumi-senpai have any favorite items?"

Uesugi Maya sat upright in the chair, motionless, but her stiff expression gradually softened.

She could tell that Makoto Takahashi's tone was natural, and he probably hadn't hidden any details or important things. Sincerity was the most important thing Uesugi Maya valued in interpersonal relationships.

With a "click," the alcohol lamp went out, and the coffee in the Belgian kettle began to flow back.

“She’ll like anything, even cheap jewelry that she just bought randomly.”

Maya Uesugi took the white porcelain cup and filled it with hot coffee: "I don't recommend that you focus on values; what she needs more is affection."

"I understand. How are your preparations for the archery competition going?"

So-so.

"How about coming to the archery club tonight?"

Seeing her take a sip of coffee and frown in thought, Makoto Takahashi continued, "I want to check your level, since we're on the same side."

"Heh." Uesugi Maya sneered, her meaning unclear.

The atmosphere in the office, which had just eased, froze again. Takahashi Makoto decided to take a long-term view and retreat for the time being, at least until she had completely calmed down before considering unlocking the hidden attribute.

"See you at the archery club after school. I'm off now."

He stood up to leave, when Uesugi Maya spoke up: "Wait, post this on the first floor of the special building, the shoe cabinet in the teaching building, and the bulletin board in the atrium."

Makoto Takahashi accepted the beautifully printed poster; it was a recruitment notice for a keyboardist by the band NiceFold.

"You should have given it to me yesterday. Mountain and Wild Musical Instruments can also put up recruitment posters."

"You're right, please go again today."

Maya Uesugi, with a slight smile, took a stack of posters from her desk drawer, placed them on the table, and pushed them towards her: "The task of posting the posters is yours. I'll send you the recommended locations later."

"Why don't you go by yourself?" Takahashi Makoto asked unhappily.

Maya Uesugi's pink lips moved slightly, but no sound came out, as if she had something she was embarrassed to say.

Makoto Takahashi looked at her suspiciously, but Maya Uesugi turned her face away to look at the scenery outside the window, with an expression that nothing had happened, and refused to explain why.

It seems that she was angry at noon today not only because of herself, but also for other more important reasons.

Chapter 53 Haki Night's Injury

Makoto Takahashi had a fairly good understanding of Maya Uesugi's personality. To put it simply, this troublesome guy was as awkward as a stray cat.

When she is in trouble, because she adheres to the belief of "not relying on anyone", she will never ask for help, and she will not want others to meddle in her affairs.

If she could put up the posters herself, she would never dump the chores on me.

Judging from Uesugi Maya's current behavior, she clearly has something she can't say.

"What happened?" Takahashi Makoto stood up, walked around to her side, and observed her carefully.

He couldn't pretend he knew nothing when he didn't understand the situation, partly due to his curiosity.

“None of your business.” Uesugi Maya elegantly picked up her coffee, brought it to her lips, and glanced at him with a cold look.

At that moment, Makoto Takahashi noticed that under the pieced-together desks, one of her leather shoes was half off, and the two ankles were of slightly different thicknesses.

"Hey, you're not completely immobile now, are you?" he asked, squatting down and smiling knowingly.

"Annoying men are absolutely rotten."

"I know you like to show off in weird places, but why don't you go to the infirmary?"

"..."

Maya Uesugi did not answer, but Makoto Takahashi could probably guess the reason.

This guy has many advantages, such as self-discipline, cooking skills, intelligence, and proficiency in both academics and martial arts, but he also has some very troublesome disadvantages, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder related to cleanliness.