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

### Chapter 572: "Orderly Planning Required" Once we conducted the preliminary check for the attendees, it was finally time for the general admission to open. The process was designed so that those checked in advance could enter immediately at the opening, but having to arrive early for the pre-check and waiting around feels rather counterproductive. Ever since we were involved in running the Tanabata Festival, I've been pondering these issues but still can't find a good solution. Even professional theme parks, accustomed to handling their daily influx of visitors, haven't quite cracked this problem. It's not something an average kid would easily solve with a groundbreaking idea either. Today's program is detailed in the pamphlet. Lindou and Akitou's performance is scheduled first thing in the auditorium. For us, watching the performance is our top priority, so we head towards the auditorium. On the way, I spot Kaya walking from the direction of the lower school. She was planned to join us later today as well. "Ah! Sakuya! I've been wanting to see you!" "Good day, Kaya." Kaya was dressed in an elegant outfit but mentioned she had been to university this morning. Even during last year's festival, while the rest of us skipped classes to attend, Kaya uniquely chose to take the first-hour lecture before joining us. She always said she would appear at university before heading over here, despite the lecture not even being finished by this time. Though Kaya seems rather unpredictable and free-spirited, doing whatever she likes without restraint, I think she's actually quite conscientious at heart. Although her involvement with me might have deviated the game "The Flower that Blooms for Love" from its intended path, her core nature likely hasn't changed. In the gaming world, Kaya must have been a serious and exemplary sister figure. "Good day, Okemachi Sanjo. Sakuya, if we don't head out soon, we'll be late for Lindou's performance." "Oh, you're right. Well then, let's all proceed." Prompted by Satsuki, we make our way towards the auditorium. Though I can chat with Kaya as we walk, Lindou and Akitou's performance occurs strictly at this time. From our own experience, we know that an opening performance has a tight schedule. Spectators must rush upon entry to make it on time. It might seem beneficial to delay the start, but with limited slots available daily and many volunteers eager to perform, not everyone gets the opportunity, even with full utilization of the auditorium and gymnasium. To maximize slots, the schedule is condensed from morning onwards. "Come to think of it, since this year the small hall is complete, wouldn't it allow for more slots?" "According to the pamphlet, though, events are only using the auditorium and gymnasium?" Azami checked the pamphlet to clarify but it reaffirmed what I already knew from numerous reviews. It solely listed the auditorium and gymnasium for the events. "Well, Lindou's performance in the auditorium is definitely the first act, so let's confirm with them after watching." Agreeing earnestly with Satsuki, we hurried towards the auditorium. --- Upon arriving at the auditorium, the front row was surprisingly vacant. We weren't the first to enter, so I wondered if someone had merely reserved them, but that wasn't the case. After checking with those around and the staff, we were indeed allowed to take the front row seats. "It's good to have seats available in the front row." "No... there’s no one foolish enough to sit in the front row knowing Sakuya is here for this performance." "Huh?" Azami's statement flew over my head. Isn't it typical for good seats to fill up first, like the central spots in the front row? "Sakuya is so smart, yet..." "So innocent and pure, you might say..." "Truly a product of sheltered upbringing." "While that's part of Sakuya's charm..." "Still, it worries me that her innocence might lead her to be misled by ill-intentioned individuals." Once again, the group started whispering without me. I don't believe they're gossiping or pointing out my faults... Though I'd prefer to think so, might they truly be critiquing my shortcomings? It's hard not to suspect once the idea takes root. "Ah, Sakuya, there's a crease between your eyebrows." "Kaya..." Apparently, my face had morphed into quite a scowl, as Kaya placed her fingers on my furrowed brow, gently smoothing it. Perhaps I was tensing subconsciously. As the thought passed, the emcee began the introduction, signaling the start of the first act. "Presenting: The Rindo-eers!" The name 'Rindo-eers' took some getting used to, but by the second year, it’s quite fitting. Initially, I questioned the choice, but now it suits the group well. "Sakuya, your expression hasn't softened yet." "Oh, right..." Even as I watched Lindou's entrance, Kaya continued to caution me. While she stopped smoothing my brow, it was unfair to cast a tense look toward the underclassmen about to energetically perform. It's not their fault for whatever concerned expression I carried. "One, two, three..." Though last year's performance was hampered by lack of practice, this year was promising. I expected improvement, but their opening stunned me. They surpassed last year’s abilities by leaps and bounds. It's possible they'd advanced through practice sessions we shared before their debut performance. But their current skill transcends just participation. Surely, they've been secretly receiving instruction from Master Momochi, for such swift advancement couldn’t be otherwise explained. As for myself, I never excelled with musical instruments—perhaps due to a lack of talent—but these underclassmen either bear musical gifts or have an extraordinary tutor—or both. Their progress from last year to now is not just visually, but audibly impressive. Considering everyone has their own events and commitments, it's remarkable that the underclassmen managed to improve so dramatically. The students in our peer group also struggle to coordinate schedules, so it must have been just as hard for the younger students. Clearly, they put in an extraordinary amount of effort to come this far. While I pondered this, the performance ended in no time. The allotted time for each segment is fixed, allowing only a few pieces to be played. As the music ceased and silence filled the auditorium, I found myself spontaneously standing and applauding. I stood there clapping, the sole person doing so in an otherwise quiet audience. Maybe it was inappropriate, but it happened without conscious thought. And then... Azami, Satsuki, and Kaya—all my friends—stood up to applaud too. Gradually, others joined in, until the hall echoed with a thunderous ovation. Even the staff applauded enthusiastically. Lindou, Akitou, Ri, Yokan, Suiren... All of them, you did wonderfully. They recovered from last year's bitter memories, gave it their all, and achieved such success. Truly remarkable. I wonder if I was ever this dedicated when I was in my fifth year. Could I have been this committed to something? Everyone is truly amazing—not just the underclassmen, but the classmates and seniors as well. These ladies are genuinely striving for something with their whole hearts. It’s a stark contrast to someone like me, who merely plays the part of an affluent lady. Truly, they’re incredible. --- With the morning performance by the Rindo-eers concluded, we regroup with the underclassmen, eager to enjoy the Tanabata Festival together. "Kaya, big sister!" "Suiren... You made quite a few mistakes. If you're going to try, do it properly." As we meet back with Lindou and the others, Suiren rushed over in a flurry, securing the spot beside Kaya by pushing me aside. Even though the other side of Kaya was free, or she could easily stand opposite us, she insisted on claiming that spot. I fail to grasp why she needed to shove me out of the way. "Then, next time have Kaya big sister teach me one-on-one!" Suiren clung to Kaya with a purring demeanor, almost like a cat seeking affection. It was undeniably a request for pampering, embodying the very essence of a coaxing tone. "Suiren, I can't play any of the instruments you're handling. If you want lessons, go to Master Momochi." Kaya's words were factual yet so blunt… and maybe a bit harsh. Suiren knows that well enough; she just wants to be alone with Kaya. Yet, Kaya deflects with reason, suggesting Suiren get lessons from the master. It feels unreasonable. "Then how about practice sessions with just Kaya, Kujou, and Suiren?" "That sounds perfect! Let’s do that! What do you think, Sakuya?" "Kaya..." Honestly, I don't have much confidence in the instruments Suiren played. I was drilled extensively by the master as a contingency plan for the concert. They made me learn enough to perform as a backup, but there’s a vast difference between scraping by and being proficient. My skills lean towards the former, a stopgap measure. "Then let’s all practice together again! Right, Sakuya?" "Um..." Azami's suggestion put everyone at a loss for words. Last year, we dedicated a year to concert practice, forcefully squeezing time around other obligations. Expecting the same this year seems implausible to manage; without the backing of houses like the Konoe's, it’s unlikely we'd have gotten by even last year. "Instead of that, Sakuya, let's hit the street stalls?" "Oh, Akitou!" "Hehehe!" Thanks to Akitou's suggestion, we all started to move. The Tanabata Festival had only just begun, and it was still early in the day—not quite lunch yet. Akitou was eager to head to the stalls already; such a foodie… "Sakuya, let’s share some grilled squid!" "Huh?! Well... I suppose..." Akitou's first craving was for grilled squid. It could be confusing since "grilled squid" might conjure images of a Kansai-style crepe with squid. Here, it was simply grilled squid on its own. I'm not particularly adverse to grilled squid. It's a familiar taste, reminiscent of when I indulged in it in a past life. However, it’s quite tricky for a lady to manage. If seated with cutlery, it might be fine, but strolling around a festival eating such food can be a bit unbecoming. And it risks causing a mess. The sauce or glaze on such food is dark and prone to drips. Many might have stained their clothes with the likes of squid, takoyaki, or yakisoba. And the image of a refined lady biting into squid on a stick... is quite the conundrum. "There you go, Sakuya! Akitou doesn't want any more, so have it all!" "Oh... well, thank you..." Akitou's notion of sharing was far from even—leaving me with most of it. Instead of eating from the top down, they had nibbled from the side, leaving the triangular head untouched, perhaps deeming it difficult. Though anatomically inaccurate, referring to the triangle as the head and the round part as the body seemed apt for explanation's sake. Delving into academic definitions seemed overly pedantic. Carefully endeavoring to maintain decorum while consuming the leftover grilled squid... "Sakuya, I brought back yakitori! Let's split it!" "Uh?!" Still managing the remnants of the squid, Akitou promptly arrived with the next item. Again, yakitori—a food to be handled with care due to its saucy nature. While typical of food stalls and festival booths, it posed challenges… "Akitou doesn't want it anymore! Here you go! Off to the next stall!" "Wait a moment! Akitou! Wait!" Before I could halt Akitou, they dashed off, eagerly ordering food from various stalls. Their pattern continued, indulging slightly before passing the rest to me. By the time Akitou had made rounds of the typical fare—takoyaki, yakisoba, grilled corn, and whatnot—I had to call on the group’s help to polish off the rest. It left us all too full to even consider lunch at the cafeteria later, skipping it altogether. Like to Support Support is currently unavailable Show your support for the author by donating points! To rate, please log in. * To write a comment, please log in ▲ Return to Top of Page Share via X (formerly Twitter) or LINE Send via Twitter LINE +Note+ All works without specific disclaimers are purely fictional and bear no relation to real persons or organizations. Unless stated otherwise, the copyright of the works published here belongs to the author (with some exceptions). Unauthorized reproduction beyond quoted citations by anyone other than the author is prohibited and constitutes a violation of copyright law. This work is free to link. Feel free to link (introduce) it. This work is compatible with PCs. 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