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

To use the bookmark feature, please log in. I think I've managed to convey a sense of our future goals or some sort of direction to everyone. I also successfully asked An to investigate Sakamoto Sudachi, as I intended from the beginning. Everything seems smooth... or so I wish. As I've realized with this issue, no matter how friendly we children are at the academy, it fundamentally remains a matter among children who have no real authority or decision-making power. Even if Azami-chan and I are on good terms, there's no guarantee that the Tokudaiji faction will cooperate with the Kujo faction simply because of that. It's irrelevant how Azami-chan and I get along, as we lack the power to move households or, even more so, entire factions. While I could perhaps give instructions or orders to children from homes associated with the Kujo faction at Tohka Academy, if I said something unreasonable, their parents might complain to mine. However, as long as it's within the scope of what children can do at the academy, those children are likely told to heed the words of the Kujo heiress. But that's ultimately just a story among children, and a few words from me can't shift the entire household of the opposing child. Regardless of being the daughter of the Kujo family, if it's something children can dismiss as whims or demands, no substantial assistance will be rendered. Significant matters are discussed and decided upon by those who hold actual authority and decision-making power, such as heads of households. When spoken by a child, especially a girl, such statements are often dismissed with, "Then shall we consult with the head of the Kujo family?" and ignored. Even within my faction, it's like this, so it's unreasonable to think I could influence the households of children from other factions. Despite referring to it as the Sakuya Ojou-sama group, it's basically a story confined to children within the academy's limited environment. The moment we step outside the academy, we each become the heiress of our respective homes, and I cannot exert influence over their family matters. I'm not trying to control everyone or make them listen to me, but under the current system, the so-called Sakuya Ojou-sama group is essentially a meaningless gathering. What I really want is a system where, if, for instance, the Shindo family plans something dubious, it should be reported to the Konoe family, the head of the faction, so it can handle and rectify the wrongdoing appropriately. However, if members of one's own faction were caught doing something wrong and were reprimanded by members of another faction, they can’t simply nod and comply. Admitting the fault of their faction would be embarrassing, and if pointed out by a rival faction, they can't remain silent and obey. As a result, even when a family's wrongdoing is known, they rebel against the accusing rival faction, the bad family remains unpunished, and disputes only escalate. Consequently, it has become normal for other families to ignore and turn a blind eye to issues within other factions to avoid such complications. Unless we find a way to break this vicious cycle, there will never be improvements. Even if there were a method to do so, it's not immediately apparent. If such a method existed, our predecessors would have already put it into practice. "Umm... Ummm..." I roll around on the bed, mulling over these thoughts, but no bright ideas come to mind. If it were that easy, there wouldn't be a problem. I understand it's not something that can be resolved so simply... but what can be done...? "Stare." "Umm..." "Stareee." "..." "Stareeee." As I roll around on the bed, kicking my feet in frustration, I notice Momiji watching me intently from the foot of the bed. She likely worries seeing me troubled. I've failed as a mistress if I'm causing Momiji concern too. "Momi..." "Today's Sakuya-sama's pink underwear is cute." "...What?" "Oh!" Just as I begin to speak to Momiji, she blurts out those words. Momiji quickly covers her mouth, realizing what she said. Well, it's Momiji and Yuzu who prepare my underwear and sometimes help me change, so it's no surprise they know precisely what I'm wearing today. "Momiji, you were the one who prepared and chose them for me. You also help with my morning dressing." "Oh, yes! That's right! I was just trying to recall what Sakuya-sama wore today so I could choose your underwear for tomorrow!" "I see. Thank you for always thinking things through and selecting for me, Momiji. Your help is invaluable." I lack the sense to select women's undergarments myself. Even though I've been an Ojou-sama for several years, I leave everything in Momiji's hands. If asked to handle this on my own now, I would have no idea where to start. I think I'm genuinely enjoying a sheltered life as an Ojou-sama. Of course, in terms of ordinary everyday life experience, I've plenty of it from my past life. I could live by myself just fine as a man, or a regular living, without needing Momiji's assistance. However, I have no clue about how to live the life of an Ojou-sama, and because of my ignorance, I've left it all to Momiji and the maids. It's impossible for me to suddenly live like an Ojou-sama independently, choosing and wearing clothes or difficult-to-wear dresses on my own. I can manage wearing traditional Japanese garments, though... Thanks to Momiji's support, I manage to live as an Ojou-sama. She's always considering things like not repeating similar patterns, designs, or colors, which would overwhelm me. I have nothing but gratitude for Momiji's assistance. "(Sakuya-sama wears loose hems, often generously showing her underwear, and despite my HENTAI-like actions, she innocently thanks me...) Sakuya-sama is an angel!" "Huh...?" Momiji? What just happened? If I were an angel, then all the kids in our group would be grand angels. And for Momiji, Ayame-sensei, Kaya-san, and the older ones, they must be goddesses. To be surrounded by everyone so lovely, cute, and beautiful, I'm truly blessed in this life. -------------------------------- On this weekend's Saturday, I've come to the Konoe estate. The reason goes without saying. It's the first day of repaying my cooperation request to Mother Konoe the previous week... my debut as an educator for Konoe Yamabuki. In truth, even as an educator, there's nothing specific to teach. Yamabuki is still an infant, barely over a year old, and teaching doesn't mean instructing things like math or language. Being appointed as an educator at this stage is merely nominal, and Konoe Mother’s real objective isn't to have me genuinely educate Yamabuki. So then, what's the real purpose? It seems to be an attempt to incorporate me, the daughter of the Kujo family, into the Konoe family to assert dominance over the Kujo family, or to advertise the Konoe family's superiority to other factions. In an old-fashioned sense, it's akin to taking a hostage. If I'm not truly educating, it's not like I can skip my visits to the Konoe residence altogether. Despite being in name only, as an educator, I must show up regularly to some degree. Thus, today marks my first day as Yamabuki's educator... "My, my! Welcome, Sakuya-chan! Come on, come in!" "Uh, greetings, Konoe-sama." As the so-called hostage, I was welcomed into the house by a beaming Konoe Mother. Perhaps it's inevitable that she smiles, having figuratively captured the Kujo heiress alive, but I wonder if she shouldn't maintain a facade of propriety at least. Since I'm the one being ensnared, I say nothing despite knowing Konoe Mother is reveling in her perceived triumph over the Kujo family. But if it were anyone else, who knows what might be said? Maybe she thinks it's okay since it's me, but I still believe she should maintain some decorum. "Now then, let's head over to see Yamabuki!" "Okay..." When told this, I can't refuse. Coming in the capacity of Yamabuki's educator, it would make no sense to refuse to go see her. "Yamabuki! Sakuya-chan has come to see you!" "Aa! Aa!" "Adorable~~!" As we approached, Yamabuki, lying in the crib, flailed her arms and legs while making sounds. She seemed delighted to sense someone nearby. That sight was irresistibly cute, sparking a desire to caress her cheeks. Of course, I couldn't do such a thing in front of Konoe Mother, nor would I handle a baby roughly. But she truly looked that cute. "Would you like to hold her, Sakuya-chan?" "Huh!? But I don't know the first thing about handling an infant..." Konoe Mother's suggestion froze me. Infants are incredibly delicate creatures. Even a slightly odd way of holding them could cause a disability or even death... "Haha! Sakuya-chan, you're being melodramatic. She's already able to hold her head up, you know! She won't be easily harmed." "Is that so...?" Konoe Mother chuckled, but such confidence likely comes from someone who’s learned how to care for babies and has raised many. An absolute novice like me, inexperienced in handling infants, would surely mess things up. "I've heard of situations where fathers lift infants with their hands under the armpits, unintentionally fracturing their ribs, or cases of shaken baby syndrome from simple play..." I recall hearing stories of fathers lifting babies by placing their hands under the armpits and inadvertently breaking their ribs. There were also stories of babies developing shaken baby syndrome from being lightly rocked or lifted playfully. As a beginner, wouldn't it be dangerous for me to hold a baby? "Fufufu! That's only if an adult male uses his full strength, right? A second-year middle school girl like you won't cause such harm." "Hmm..." Really? I still worry that if I squeezed too tight, I might crush something more critical than ribs... "Well, it's fine. If you’re afraid of lifting her, I’ll hand her to you, so at least learn how to hold her. Her head's supported now, so it's not as critical, but in case of a younger, unsupported child..." With gestures, Konoe Mother demonstrated a simple horizontal hold, supporting the head with the arm. This way, I could hold even a baby whose head wasn't yet stable. She realized how nervous I was and suggested I get used to it with Yamabuki, whose neck was already stable. "Alright, Sakuya-chan, give it a try." "Y-yes..." Fearing I might accidentally use too much force when lifting from the bed, I let Konoe Mother hand her to me. Following the instructions, I supported Yamabuki’s body with mine entirely. "Aa! Aa!" "Look, you did it, Sakuya-chan. Yamabuki seems happy too." "Wow... so cute..." As she reached her hands out and laughed, she was very small. Her hands, which repeatedly tapped my face, felt tiny—a delicate hand small enough to seem like it would break if I gripped it. "Good for you, Yamabuki, having Sakuya-chan hold you." "Aua... Aua... Auyah! Auyah!" "What...?" "My, my... Yamabuki, have you already learned Sakuya-chan's name? You're so clever." "What? No way... Is she really calling my name?" "Auyah! Auyah! Aa! Aa!" She laughed as if understanding us, calling my name repeatedly. I couldn’t understand my own feelings clearly but noticed tears welled up in my eyes. "Oh dear, Sakuya-chan." "Ugh... hehe. Yamabuki-chan, you're amazing." Feeling a bit embarrassed being seen like this by Konoe Mother... yet, I had no other way of expressing this surge of emotion. Somehow, I couldn't stop the tears from forming. "Auyah! Mama! Aa! Aa!" Holding Yamabuki, who laughed while calling for both me and Konoe Mother, I found myself, once adverse to babies in my past life, starting to think babies were adorable. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ To use the bookmark feature, please log in. This work is free to link. Feel free to link (introduce) it as you please. This work is optimized for smartphones. It automatically detects whether you are using a smartphone or a computer and displays the appropriate page. The estimated reading time is based on a reading speed of 500 characters per minute. 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