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

### Chapter 574: "Somehow Keeping the Streak" Despite having to leave occasionally for his duties as an organizer, Rindou spent the afternoon exploring various events with everyone. However, he felt that the decoration contest had reached a plateau. In the early days, there were many new ideas and techniques, but recently it had become more about repeating what was done in previous years. Every class seemed to be doing the same thing, merely sticking with the usual. If that were the case, Rindou questioned the point of forcibly conducting a decoration contest. The first decoration contest was held during the initial elementary school festival. It aimed to ensure that every student, unsure of what to do, could participate in some way. As a result, students grew accustomed to the Tanabata Festival, actively enjoying it in subsequent years. However, the decoration contest had devolved into an uninspired repeat of "what we did last year." Rindou thought it might be better to retire the contest if it was only being held for tradition's sake, and instead use that time for something new. "You can't just do that!" "That's right, Sakuya! This is a tradition you've established!" "Well... isn't every class just doing the same thing over and over? Aren't the students involved in the decorations merely repeating last year's plays?" Rindou and Akikiri, among others, strongly opposed Rindou's suggestion to discontinue the contest. Despite their emphasis on tradition, he believed it wasn't necessary to cling to such things when the contest's role had become stagnant and routine. It might be more beneficial to invest that time in something new and innovative. "Come on, Sakuya. During Christmas, people decorate trees, and on Tanabata, they decorate bamboo, right? Even if the contest is canceled, the bamboo will still be decorated. So it makes more sense to participate and enjoy it together." "True..." Even Kaya found herself defending the decoration contest. While her words made sense, even if the contest were to be canceled, bamboo decoration would continue. Hence, retaining the contest might provide motivation and purpose. "But let's get going to the gymnasium! The Orihime and Hikoboshi contest is about to start!" "Right... let's head over." With Azami urging everyone along, they made their way to the gymnasium. Traditionally, the Orihime and Hikoboshi contest kicked off in the early afternoon, but this year it started later. Perhaps, the girls were reluctant to participate immediately after lunch. Rindou understood that sentiment all too well. No matter how hard one tries, a full stomach immediately after eating can't be circumvented. It's an inescapable fate for any beautiful girl, making it undesirable to wear form-fitting clothes or participate in a contest at such a time. Although the Orihime costume was relatively loose-fitting, there's always the possibility of changing into a more fitted costume for presentations or performances. Although Rindou recalled swinging a naginata in an Orihime costume... In any case, for a beauty contest like this, having it immediately after lunch wouldn't be particularly appreciated from a girl's perspective. Perhaps that's why they scheduled the contest a bit later in the afternoon this year. "So here we are! The Orihime and Hikoboshi contest! Who will shine as this year's Orihime and Hikoboshi? Will Rindou Kuga retain his title, or will a new heroine emerge? While it's likely that Rindou will win, let's keep an eye on the other competitors too. And as for Hikoboshi? Honestly, we don't care about any of those guys just to appease the politically correct!" Whoa... Who is this hyperactive emcee? For a moment, I thought it was An. The voice was different, so it wasn't her, but this irreverent and humorous mic display reminded me of her. The candor was borderline reckless. "Rindou is probably the top contender in the current elementary department, wouldn't you say?" "I'm not so sure. We may have graduated, but there could be strong candidates among the underclassmen we don't know about." "I hope Akikiri and the others will give their best too." "At Touka Academy, family background is significant... underground families probably have it tough." While seated in the audience, predictions about the contest's outcome started circulating, but like the emcee, they mostly leaned towards Rindou maintaining his streak. As Yuzuriha mentioned, they were unaware of the current state of the elementary department. Unknown students might have risen in prominence, and Rindou's victory wasn't necessarily a guarantee. "As for Hikoboshi..." "No one cares." "Uh, right..." Having realized no one broached the topic, I tried asking about Hikoboshi only to be outright shut down. It seemed that no one present had any interest in boys. Surely, no cool guy would be able to make middle schoolers like us swoon over elementary kids. The general lack of interest in boys resulted in a response similar to the emcee's. "However, with last year's reigning champion, Sakura, having graduated, the Hikoboshi contest may be unpredictable..." "Thank you, but Sakura wished to compete as Orihime! Isn't it odd that she can't?" "—?! S-Sakura!?" A voice suddenly chimed in from behind, startiling me. I turned to find Sakura herself. Though we were skipping classes to attend, it wasn't entirely unexpected for Sakura to be here. In hindsight, it made sense, but an abrupt greeting was startling nonetheless. It also seemed unlikely that Sakura had a close relationship with any of the juniors here, making her presence a bit surprising. "Hello, Sakuya!" "Oh, uh, hello, Sakura." The others didn't seem surprised by Sakura's sudden appearance and quickly resumed speculating about the contest. Was I the only one caught off guard? "Now, let's begin! Entry number one!" With the Orihime and Hikoboshi contest underway, the audience quieted down. The spotlight was on the participants on stage, not us. It's essential not to overshadow the real stars of the event. Several participants, some familiar, others less so, took the stage in the Orihime and Hikoboshi contest. These children, far removed from the professional entertainers, showcased their talents, sang, and danced in endearing performances that concluded quickly. "And now for the results! In third place for the Orihime contest—Ms. Kiyooka Rii!" "Ooooh!" The emcee moved briskly through the presentation, as time was limited. The results were quickly tallied using mark sheets fed through a machine, promptly displayed on the electronic board on stage, and meticulously edited to be projected on the large screen. Compared to the time when Kaya and her friends organized such events, it seemed they were now allocating significantly more budget, resulting in a much more elaborate presentation. While money isn’t everything, investing in equipment made for an impressive show. "In second place... Ms. Kou Tokui Akikiri!" "Whoaaaa!" The announcement of the second place caused a ripple of excitement throughout the venue. "And in first place, as expected—Kuga Rindou!" "Wow!" The first-place winner followed immediately after the second. While one might expect this emcee to draw it out more, since all the likely contenders had already presented, there was no point in delaying the announcement of the winner. The quick revelation served a purpose: there was a surprise factor involved. "Rindou and Akikiri... There's almost no difference in their vote counts." "It was a tight race, huh!" Indeed, as Azami pointed out, there was barely a vote difference between first-place Rindou and second-place Akikiri. They both stood out, having pulled ahead significantly from third-place Rii. "Even with backing from the upper echelons, to have such a close contest with Rindou..." "It was somewhat unexpected." Kaya and Tsubaki were unusually conversational. Although they generally chatted with each other, Tsubaki often deferred to Kaya. This time, their exchange seemed noticeably organic. "It's likely due to Rii's commendable performance," Satsuki noted. Satsuki's explanation prompted a slight head tilt. "Both Rindou and Rii are known for their sassy personas. They are both bold and brash, appealing to similar audience segments, which probably split the vote." "I see?" Akikiri's slightly quirky charm garnered support from those who appreciate that type. Comparatively, the assertive, bold persona appealing to another segment saw their votes split between Rindou and Rii. This division enabled Akikiri to outshine expectations. "Well, it’s great to see our students among the top ranks." "Yes… although it's not something I'd openly celebrate." Renge echoed a sentiment many shared; our students were undeniably adorable. It was unfortunate they often faced undeserved evaluation due to their family backgrounds. But this contest reflected significant support, suggesting that current elementary students were valuing contestants beyond family status. An encouraging trend. Internal students, too, often face judgment based on family status, yet there’s less evidence of such biases now, especially in elementary school. The diminishing of this mindset could lead to fewer conflicts with external students as they progress through higher education. Undoubtedly, a positive development. "By the way, did anyone catch who was chosen as Hikoboshi?" "No." "No one was really interested..." "I didn't hear." Though the Orihime results were prominently displayed on the screen to the end, the Hikoboshi announcement seemed fleeting—the emcee's quick verbal mention was the sole revelation, with no subsequent indications anywhere. My own interest in Hikoboshi was minimal, yet the poor treatment of his announcement struck me as curious. --- Following the Orihime and Hikoboshi contest, other activities unfolded, along with the announcement of the decoration contest results. The bamboo was ceremoniously burned. As we shared our joy over the day's festivities, elementary students stayed back for cleanup while the rest of us headed home. Once home, I relaxed in the comfort of my own room. "Phew... It was hot today..." At the Tanabata Festival, we spent a lot of time outdoors. Although shades were provided somewhat, with food stalls positioned outside, it got exceedingly warm. Even at home, with the air conditioning, the heat lingered for a while. "Gulp..." I eyed the bladeless fan in the room, pondering. Though typically fans would have blades, this bladeless fan intrigued me. Yet amidst the intrigue, a more pressing temptation emerged. What if... using the fan to cool under my skirt? A scene from my past life flashed back—the image of a girl cooling herself by placing a fan under her skirt. The resulting sensation from merely fanning oneself with one's hand had been exhilarating. Were I to direct the delightful cool air from this fan to an intimate spot... "Just for a moment..." Swayed as if by some unseen force, I found myself inching toward the bladeless fan. Lifting my skirt, I allowed the air to envelop that secret place. "Oh—!? Ah... ahhhhhh—!" This... this feels incredible! "Sakuya-sama, I've come to assist with—" "Ah." "Ah..." Caught red-handed with my skirt lifted and the fan directly beneath it, Momiji appeared. Our eyes met, her gaze lowering to the unconventional scene before her. Clearly, she could see what was transpiring. If I didn't speak up, she might label me a skirt-flipping weirdo! "S-Sakuya-sama's skirt... undergarments... Whoooosh!" "M-Momiji!?" Momiji's expression wavered between confusion and mischief before she collapsed, nose bleeding. Possibly overheated from today's events, witnessing my antics might have overwhelmed her. Regardless, ensuring Momiji's well-being took precedence. After stuffing her nose with tissues, I hoisted her over to her room. While unnecessary movement might pose a risk, cooling her off in a calm environment was the best course of action if it was mere dizziness. Once in her room and laid on her bed, I carefully removed the tissues. I couldn't tell if the bleeding had stopped, but laying her flat might cause a nasal obstruction. I positioned her on her side, ensuring not to press too much on her nose. After completing what seemed to be the necessary procedures, I decided to call for someone and stepped out of the room. Just then, I heard a rustling sound as Momiji began to stir. It appeared she had regained consciousness. I had left to find help, but hearing her awake, I paused to call out, only to be met with an unexpected exclamation from inside the room. "Huh!? Sakuya-sama’s skirt, oh no! And a glimpse of her underwear!" What on earth is Momiji talking about? Are those really the first words she speaks upon waking? So, her skirt was indeed fluttering, revealing her underwear... While it felt nice, such reckless behavior was foolish. "Wait, what!? Again!? Is this a dream again? If it's a dream, why can't it show just a bit further!? If only... if only you would let me see a little more each time... I must go back to sleep to continue it!" With that, Momiji pulled the covers over herself and lay back down on the bed. I, who had been peering through the slightly ajar door to check on her, quietly stepped away. If she believed it to be a dream, then that was fortuitous. Hoping she would continue to believe it was just a dream, I quietly returned to my room, pretending nothing had happened.