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

Chapter 579: "Ibuki Awakens" Today was the day of the Konoe family party, and Ibuki was getting ready to pick up his fiancée and partner, Sakuya. However, he was fidgety and couldn't calm down. "Hey, Ibuki. What's up with you? You're kind of restless." "Oh, Mizuki." As Ibuki continued to fidget, Mizuki approached him. Despite the fact that the party was to be held at a different venue, here he was, at the Konoe estate. However, Ibuki showed no signs of surprise at seeing him. Mizuki Hirohata had always somehow been around the Konoe estate or near Ibuki. It wasn't uncommon for him to show up at the house or to bump into him while out, even though Ibuki had no memory of inviting him. Having grown up surrounded by his family's staff and bodyguards, it seemed perfectly normal to Ibuki to always have someone around. "Nah, you shouldn't say 'oh' when your big brother is offering to give you advice. So, what's bothering you?" "……" Mizuki's words caused Ibuki to pause and think. Indeed, consulting with Mizuki, an experienced playboy, might be fruitful. However, Mizuki had also proclaimed himself a candidate for Sakuya's fiancé, technically making them rivals for her hand. Seeking romantic advice from a rival seemed questionable. "Ah... well, it's about a friend of mine..." "Yeah?" Ibuki cleared his throat and began to speak as if it were someone else's story. Seeing Ibuki's suspicious behavior, Mizuki tilted his head slightly but listened attentively. "My friend is getting along with his fiancée but the relationship isn't progressing. Meanwhile, there are other men courting her, so he's troubled. He asked me for advice on what to do in such situations. What do you think?" "Ah, I see." Listening to Ibuki, Mizuki nodded with an understanding smile. Seeing this, Ibuki blushed and raised his voice indignantly. "It's about my friend, okay!" "I get it, I get it... Hmm, let's see... I think girls generally expect guys to take the lead. So, if it were me, I'd compliment her, gently scoop her hair aside, lift her chin... and then kiss her, maybe?" "A k-kiss?! No way! I can't do something like that!" For a moment, Ibuki imagined Mizuki scooping Sakuya's hair aside, lifting her chin, and kissing her. He frowned and grabbed Mizuki by the shirtfront. Mizuki, however, remained unfazed, instead tauntingly smiling and teasing him further. "Oh? But this is about your friend, right? Why are you getting so worked up? I only said that girls wait for that kind of thing from guys." "Grr...!" Taunted by Mizuki's grin, Ibuki released his grip on Mizuki's shirtfront. However, considering Sakuya was the subject of this conversation and that Mizuki declared himself as a potential fiancé, he would inevitably do such things with her. The mere thought of it incited the urge to thrash Mizuki right then and there. Yet, Mizuki was like Ibuki's martial arts instructor, and he had never beaten him. Trying to hit him carelessly would only result in a counterattack. Moreover, he couldn't justify striking someone simply because he didn't like them, especially when nothing has happened yet. Ibuki had learned at least that much from past experiences, primarily thanks to Sakuya's guidance. "Enough! I'm off to pick up my fiancée!" "Okay, see you later." Leaving the still grinning Mizuki behind, Ibuki decided to head out to pick up Sakuya. Despite Sakuya technically not being his fiancée, neither of them cared to correct the misconception. As he saw Ibuki off, still somewhat displeased, Mizuki murmured softly. "Do your best, Ibuki." With a slight smile, Mizuki turned on his heel and walked away. Mizuki’s advice wasn't entirely off the mark. Sometimes, girls do wait for the guy to take the lead. However, that only applies when the girl feels at least some fondness towards the guy. Trying the same approach with someone who doesn't like him could easily be seen as molestation or worse. Ibuki—and even Mizuki, who gave the advice—had overlooked this fact, believing firmly that such a thing could never happen. For the daughter of the Kuyu family, marrying someone from at least a Shichita family, preferably a Gohoku family, would be the norm. Among their generation, there were many sons from these esteemed families. Sakuya, they assumed, should naturally have some degree of affection for Ibuki or Enju. Neither had considered the possibility of being thoroughly disliked. As long as they failed to realize this and changed their approach accordingly, their misguided assumptions of being liked would only lead to further estrangement. Yet the idea that anyone might dislike the heir of the Konoe family seemed utterly inconceivable to both Ibuki and Mizuki, leaving them to spin their wheels in ignorance. ～～～～～～～ "Hey! Sakuya! You look great in that dress!" "Good evening, Lord Konoe." Sakuya appeared dressed in a vibrant red dress as Ibuki arrived at the Kuyu estate to pick her up. To him, wearing such a striking, passionate gown meant she must favor him greatly. When Ibuki complimented her dress, Sakuya responded with a bright smile. Ibuki felt convinced she had feelings for him. If he hesitated, Mizuki might swoop in and make a move. Determined to prevent that at all costs, Ibuki silently steeled himself with resolve. "Sakuya! You look beautiful in that dress!" "Uh, thank you?" After the two boarded the car, Ibuki sat right next to Sakuya as it set off. Usually, he'd keep a bit of distance, but hesitation might lead to Mizuki stealing her away. Summoning his courage, he boldly sat close enough to brush against her arm. When he praised her beauty in the dress again, Sakuya smiled warmly. This was his chance. Even though they were sitting so close, she didn't show any signs of discomfort. Just as Mizuki had said, perhaps she was waiting for him to take the lead. In that case, there was only one thing left to do! "Sakuya, you smell nice... Is it perfume?" Sitting next to Sakuya, Ibuki caught a whiff of a delightful fragrance, allowing his true feelings to surface more easily than his usual stoic demeanor of "I have no interest in women." "I-I don't usually wear much perfume..." "Is that so? Then this must be your natural scent." He leaned closer, subtly lifting a strand of Sakuya's hair. The intoxicating aroma seemed to awaken a mischievous side within him. "K-K-Konoe-sama... Isn't it a bit too much for 'just a classmate' to act this way towards an unmarried girl?" Sakuya blushed a charming red, expressing her embarrassment. Despite both knowing deep down that they were more than classmates, she maintained the pretense of propriety, perhaps reflecting the conflicting nature of a woman's heart. Understanding this, Ibuki nodded and whispered soothingly to her. "We're practically a couple, Sakuya. What’s wrong with a husband acting like this with his wife? Look at me." “――ッ!!!～～～～～っ!” Ibuki shocked himself with his boldness. The sweet aroma swirling around him made him feel capable of anything. Sweeping Sakuya’s hair aside, he gently lifted her chin up. Sakuya, her face flushed, began trembling like a delicate fawn—adoring yet tender. 'Go on, Ibuki! Kiss her!' A little devil inside urged him on. 'No, Ibuki. You need to hear what she feels first. It’s important to have her consent.' Another part, more angelic, calmly advised from within. 'Quiet! Mizuki said it—she's waiting for the kiss! Do it! Once it's done, you win!' 'What nonsense! If a noble young lady were to spread such rumors about being kissed, it could ruin her prospects forever!' 'Which is precisely why you should make her yours now!' The angel fell silent to this devilish logic, only to suddenly— 'Do it! Go ahead!' "(Go!)" The voices of his inner devil, angel, and his own resolution converged into one unified decision. By kissing her, Sakuya would undoubtedly become his, taking her off the table for both Enju and Mizuki. One kiss—victory was assured! "Oh? Ah..." Though these thoughts only raced through Ibuki's mind for a mere moment, a sudden gust of wind made him dizzy and darkness enveloped his vision as he collapsed on the spot. ～～～～～～～ "Huh? Where am I...? What happened to me?" Upon waking, Ibuki shook his slightly woozy head and sat up. It seemed like he had been resting against the car seat. "We're almost at the party venue, Lord Konoe." "Ah... right... But, how come I'm..." A voice from beside him brought him out of his daze. It was Sakuya, sitting a little distance away. They were in the car, on their way to the party,—and she was sitting beside him. Gradually, the fog lifted as he recalled how they ended up like this. He had gone to the Kuyu estate to pick up Sakuya, got into the car, and then... It seemed like things had been going well between them, but the details were fuzzy. He couldn't quite remember what had happened or why he fell asleep. "Look! We've arrived. You were going to escort me, right?" "Oh, uh, yes. Indeed... Come on, Sakuya! Take my hand!" The car had already reached the venue they often used for parties. He couldn’t be the kind of man who only moved when a lady pointed it out. Hurriedly, Ibuki exited the car and offered Sakuya his hand. Ibuki frequently referred to himself in the somewhat arrogant "oresama" style. Yet he had overheard some girls talking—they described his manner of speech as "idiotic" behind his back. Although they politely addressed him as "Lord Konoe" or "Ibuki-sama" to his face, they secretly mocked his self-referential style. Having learned this, Ibuki tried not to use "oresama" in public as much. Yet, among family and close friends like Enju and Mizuki, he often slipped back into using it. It hadn’t fundamentally changed, so he sometimes spoke that way unconsciously. Presently, Ibuki's conversation style was a mix of "ore" and "oresama." But that didn’t matter, not with Sakuya. Even if she heard it, he didn’t mind. After all, she was to become his wife. In front of her, there was no need to put on a facade. He wanted her to see the real him, to know him, and embrace that truth. Yet... "Sakuya-chan! So glad you could make it! Yamabuki has been eagerly waiting for you!" "Good evening, Lord Konoe. ……… Yamabuki-chan! It’s your big sister Sakuya!" “Awoo! Akya!” "Oh my! You’re recognizing your big sister already!" At the venue entrance, his mother, Yasuko, stood holding his brother, Yamabuki, as they awaited their arrival. Usually, she’d be busy with last-minute preparations, but evidently, she had been waiting for them today. But most strikingly, Sakuya was beaming an adorably sweet smile at Yamabuki, one Ibuki had never witnessed before. It was an expression so sweet, some might even call it sloppy. It was quite unlike anything he'd seen. "Hey! Sakuya! What’s going on?! You don't show that face to me, yet—could it be... you’re involved with Yamabuki?!" "…Sigh. Lord Konoe, do you even know what you're saying about an infant? Please refrain from such ridiculous and distasteful speculations." Calmly, Sakuya's face turned expressionless, her gaze as cold as if she were staring at filth, sharply reprimanding Ibuki. No opportunity for reconciliation could be found in her words or demeanor—an utter rejection. (Oh… Sakuya's gaze, as if looking at garbage…) Ibuki shuddered. A thrilling chill ran down his spine. Oh, how he longed for more disdain. More derision. He yearned to be trampled upon. Countless had flattered the heir of the Konoe family. To his face, they wore smiles and acted subserviently. Yet Sakuya alone, in her equal footing, met his eyes disdainfully. Even Enju, though of the Gohoku family like the Takatsukasa branch, was inferior to the Konoe main house in terms of lineage and household standing. Sakuya Kujo, however, was one of the few equals in intelligence, agility, and family status. Sakuya, not like others, never fawned over Ibuki. (Oh, please, Queen! Scorn me more, insult me more, step on me!) Ibuki, who had always been in a position to have others flatter him, had finally opened a new door. --- To the Previous Chapter Table of Contents To the Next Chapter Add to Bookmarks You must log in to use the bookmark feature. Support with Likes Currently unavailable Support the author by giving points! 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