544 - I Was Genderswapped and Reincarnated as a Villainess, but I’m Making this My Personal Yuri Game

**Chapter 544: "After the Concert Celebration"** "Great job, everyone!" "Great job!" Having completed the concert at the high school department, we felt a rush of liberation after descending from the stage. The three consecutive days of concerts starting Monday have finally come to an end today. "Oh, my fingers hurt so bad..." "My arms won't lift..." Everyone was concerned about their fingers, hands, and arms. Even I was feeling the pain in my fingers and arms. If I mentioned this to my mentor, she might scold me by saying, "You're not trained enough!" Nonetheless, performing continuously for nearly three hours over three days is enough to wear out anyone's fingers. Practicing intermittently, with breaks, is completely different from the non-stop, one-shot deal of a live performance. Although I mostly played the piano, which uses just the keys, by the end of the first concert day, the fingers of those playing string instruments had already started to blister. Even if instruments like the koto or guitar don't typically require plucking strings directly as much, the strain on the fingers is remarkable. Professional musicians who have dedicated many years to their instruments might cope, but the tender fingers of children like us, who only touch these instruments occasionally, can't possibly be so toughened. If my fingers hurt just from pounding piano keys, imagine the toll on those who used instruments demanding even more finger endurance. I want to help, but I'm also struggling with my own pain. It's surprising how taxing three days of concerts can be... "Sakuya, are you okay?" "Sakuya, you were on stage almost the whole time during the concert!" "Sakuya, if your hands hurt, your big sister will tend to all your needs!" Despite their own battered hands, everyone was worried about me too. Kaya offered to help, but her arms were probably more worn out than mine. Her fingers had peeled skin, almost like white blisters that would eventually burst, inflicting even more pain. "I was just hitting piano keys... It must be your fingers and arms that are truly exhausted." "Playing piano for two or three hours over three days and feeling nothing..." "Could it be that Sakuya is an android?" They were whispering amongst themselves. "Everyone did a great job. It was wonderful!" "Thank you, Mrs. Konoe." As we chatted in the waiting room, the Konoe mother came in. Her face was glowing with a seemingly hidden agenda. Whenever Mrs. Konoe approaches like this, it feels like she's plotting something not entirely good. "It's a shame... If you took up entertainment professionally, you'd undoubtedly be a hit... You all have such dazzling appearances, your music is superb, and your performances are flawless. Your songs and videos would sell out, and every ticket for your live shows and concerts would be snatched up..." "Mrs. Konoe, we signed with the Konoe Production under the agreement that we would not engage in such activities. Are you suggesting you'll break that contract?" "......" "......" I spoke directly and clearly to Mrs. Konoe. If I let this slide, we might actually be forced into entertainment activities. We did belong to Konoe Production, but under the promise that we wouldn't be compelled to perform. If that agreement were to be breached, measures would need to be taken on our end as well. I stared directly at Mrs. Konoe, conveying that determination. "Hehe... You're just as I expected... Not many would dare speak to me like this... Rest assured, I have no intention of forcing you into the entertainment business. Losing assets as valuable as you for petty earnings would be far more devastating." "Pardon?" Mrs. Konoe, who initially wore a stern expression, suddenly laughed and said something completely unexpected. Certainly, for the Konoe conglomerate, the amount a musician could earn is likely insignificant. Clash with the families of our group would represent a far greater loss than the small change from entertainment profits. "Besides, I'm a fan of yours. Indeed, I have a desire to share your talents with the world and let them know how amazing you are. But keeping it a secret is rather delightful in its own way." "I see..." I could understand Mrs. Konoe's perspective. For example, having a favorite idol or singer who becomes famous delights a fan. Yet, the desire to cherish a wonderful idol or singer, known only to oneself, is equally comprehensible. When an idol or singer becomes widely famous, they might feel distant to their initial fans. In some cases, performing in small venues with a dedicated fanbase is preferable to many when they were known only within close-knit circles. While wanting success for those you support, excessive fame can inadvertently create a sense of loneliness. "Now, let's go to the after-party!" "Huh...?" We all perked up at Mrs. Konoe's enthusiastic clap. An after-party? "It's customary to have an after-party after an event like this! There are no objections! I've already gotten permission from all your families, so everyone is going! Come along!" "What..." Typical of Mrs. Konoe, she'd already coordinated with our families. Indeed, the concept of having an after-party following an event is understandable. I had experienced such in my past life. However, is it customary for someone in Mrs. Konoe's position to be organizing this? Usually, such gatherings are organized by the staff who worked the event, but can children of noble families gather with a casual "Let's party after the concert"? "Hurry up, follow me, everyone!" "Okay..." Mrs. Konoe was really pushing forward aggressively... I anticipated this type of determination but not to this degree... Dressed and ready, we followed Mrs. Konoe to the after-party as instructed. --- The place we were taken to by bus was a Konoe-owned facility. Not a private home but a rented hall. Awaiting us there were... "Great job, Sakuya." "That was amazing! Papa was moved!" "Your hands must be in bad shape. Be sure to take care of them later." "My brother, my father, my mother!" Our families had gathered at the venue. We hadn't heard anything about an after-party, yet it seemed like everyone’s parents and siblings were well-informed and had arrived. Not every single family member of ours was present, but quite a few had shown up. "Thank you for your hard work on the concert! Thanks to all of you, it was a huge success!" Mrs. Konoe initiated her speech abruptly, and after the toast, the celebration began, resembling more of a party than a typical after-party. I imagined a more casual, laid-back gathering like those in my past life, but this was much closer to a formal party. "Great job, Sakuya!" "Huh!? Ayame-sensei?" I had thought only family members of those who performed were here, yet Ayame-sensei appeared. Most attendees were the family members of the performers, and not even all of the Konoe family were present, just Mrs. Konoe. Yet, there was Ayame-sensei, greeting me with a bright smile after I had stepped away from talking with my parents. "The concert was absolutely splendid." "Oh? Ayame-sensei, you attended the concert as well?" Despite it being a concert, there were no tickets sold, nor were outsiders invited. In the past, when we rented a hall, we distributed tickets, and non-acquaintances came. This time, only those within the academy circle were supposed to be allowed... "Yes. After hearing about it at the Tsubomi Club, I asked Mrs. Konoe to pull some strings for me." Oh no... She asked that Konoe mother for help? Who knows what she might demand in return... It's impressive she could even make such a request to Mrs. Konoe. I wouldn’t have dared to ask her to let me attend a concert. "The first day, you were a bit stiff! By the second day, the stiffness was gone, but you seemed troubled by sore fingers and arms, altering your performance slightly. Today, despite the fatigue, your determination to give it your all was palpable!" "Um, thank you? ...Wait, does this mean you were present all three days, Ayame-sensei?" I almost let it slip by, but something about what she said struck me. Her phrasing suggested she might have attended every concert across middle school, high school, and so on... "Of course! I listened to the entirety of each day! Oh! I even watched some of the rehearsals before the main performances!" "Oh... Is that so..." Wow... Today's Ayame-sensei is a bit intimidating... Considering she spent her entire afternoons at these concerts over three straight days, is she not neglecting her duties at Tsubomi Club? She might be risking her membership at this rate. "I secretly attended the concerts, and my appearance here at the after-party is part of the surprise!" "That... Certainly was a surprise..." In various ways... "What on earth are you doing, Ayame!" "What? It's none of your business, Momiji." "Urgh!" "Hiss!" As Ayame-sensei and I conversed, Momiji came over and stood between us, engaging in an animal-like stare-off with Ayame-sensei. These two really seem quite close. Despite always being at my side, lacking personal time to form friendships, I'm glad Momiji has found a good friend. "Sakuya, forget about those two and come chat with your big sis over here?" "Kaya..." While Ayame-sensei and Momiji sparred verbally, Kaya approached from behind, suggesting I join her elsewhere. Not wanting to resist too strongly, I allowed Kaya to lightly tug me along, but... "Hold it, Kaya! Are you trying to sneak away?" "Indeed. And to touch Sakuya so much... You deserve a thousand deaths." "You two can continue your petty squabble. I'm going to enjoy some time with Sakuya." "What did you say?" "Shall we fight?" Kaya, Ayame-sensei, and Momiji started bickering amongst themselves. At this point, there's nothing I could do to stop them. Only a chosen individual can put an end to their quarrel, and I am not that person. "Come on, Sakuya, this way." "Ah, thanks, Satsuki." As I pondered what to do about the bickering trio, Satsuki came to my aid. Grateful for her help, I moved away from the brawl with her assistance. "Sakuya, the food here is delicious!" "Oh! Sakuya, long time no see!" "Sakuya-sis! It was fun, right!" "Everyone..." Accompanied by Satsuki, I joined another table where our group had gathered. Apparently, I was the only one not there. "We thought, being a concert's after-party, it would be nice if all the band members could gather," Satsuki explained. "So Momiji-san went to bring you over, but..." "Oh..." So Kaya came over, got caught by Ayame-sensei and Momiji, and a dispute ensued... It's all too familiar, almost laughably so. "Sakuya! As the leader, please lead us in a toast!" "Huh... Well..." I wasn't accustomed to making speeches upfront like Mrs. Konoe. Without preparation, coming up with something to say spontaneously wasn't easy. But since I had to make a toast, I decided to dive right in. "First of all, everyone, thank you for your hard work at the concert. Over these three days, we faced many challenges... but I am truly glad to have performed with all of you. Initially, I had my doubts and fears about playing in front of such a crowd... but spending almost a year practicing with you all has truly paid off in these last three days. While I can't say, 'Let's do this again!'..." "My!" "Hehe!" Everyone laughed as I slipped in a small joke. "I'm genuinely happy to have created such wonderful memories with everyone. That is my honest feeling. And... from now on, let's continue to make even more memories together, with everyone present. That is my wish." "Sakuya..." "Sakuya, indeed..." Everyone became a bit introspective. Indeed, public speaking isn't my forte. It might be easy to regurgitate superficial niceties, but that's not what I want to say. I ended up conveying exactly what I honestly feel. While it might not make for an eloquent speech, this is who I am... "Well then, everyone, well done today... Cheers!" "Cheers!" We clinked our glasses, unsure how many times we had toasted already today, and the surprise party for our after-concert celebration continued into the night.