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

Chapter 581: "The People Who Help" The Konoe family's party truly has an overwhelming number of guests. Fortunately, the task of greeting guests after the party begins is divided among the Konoe couple and Ibuki, which lightens the burden. However, all greetings before the entrance must be handled by us. While the greetings are shorter, the number is still overwhelming. "Sakuya, are you tired?" "No... I'm fine..." Physically, I'm not tired. Mentally, I'm quite exhausted, but that's not a reason to refuse greetings. If I handle things poorly, the Kugo family and its faction could be criticized. Carrying the weight of the faction means my actions could trouble everyone involved. That's why I must discipline myself carefully. As the greetings continued, the rotary area became a bit noisy. When a break in the greetings allowed me to look over, a group was approaching us. At the forefront of this group, a girl with twin tails walked confidently. The sight of so many girls following her really suited the term "queen." This queen-like entourage stopped in front of me. "Good evening, Sakuya-nee-sama!" "Good evening, Kujou-sama." "Sakuya-nee-chan, good evening... Oh! Good evening!" "Good evening, everyone." The children from the elementary department gathered, led by Rindou. I tilt my head in confusion. As I recall, children of the lower-ranked houses aren't always invited to the Konoe family's parties. The children of the Rindou family from the Seven Pure Houses, as well as Rei and Shakan from the Dojo family, are always invited, but usually not the others. Yet, today, everyone has gathered. "Weren't some of the children from the lower-ranked families not invited?" "Yes, but these children are my followers and Sakuya-nee-sama's protégés! Isn't it rude of the Konoe family not to invite such children? So I decided to bring them all! Isn't that right, Konoesama?" "Oh... uh... wait! That's not allowed! It's up to the host to choose the guests. You can't just..." "Oh? Is that so? But these are the children Sakuya-nee-sama cherishes. You're saying the Konoe family would neglect them? That would surely sour Sakuya-nee-sama's opinion of you!" "What?! No, that's..." Wow, this girl is impressive! Rindou isn't intimidated by Ibuki or the Konoe family; she boldly stands her ground. Despite only being a fifth-grader, she has such poise and quick thinking—truly befitting a daughter of the Seven Pure Houses! If I were her peer or younger, I'd find myself admiring her with admiration. "Well then, I'll take these children to the Dojo family area under mine and Sakuya-nee-sama's responsibility." "..." Leaving Ibuki, who seemed conflicted, behind, Rindou guided the children into the venue. Despite similar exchanges at the entrance or reception for those without invitations, they managed to push through. Rindou... you've become so admirable. Not long ago, I thought of you as a bit of a cheeky child, but now you’re such a reliable leader. Maybe it's due to taking on the responsibilities as President of the Gokita Society that developed her sense of responsibility and initiative there. Still, wasn't I somehow implicated in that responsibility? Rindou claimed they were "Sakuya-nee-sama's protégés" and managed to get them in, which ultimately makes it my responsibility, doesn't it? Well, that's fine, I guess? I had strictly adhered to the Konoe family's rules and manners, never considering questioning it. Even if friends weren't invited, I accepted it as the norm. But Rindou shattered my rigid thinking by taking responsibility herself for children who weren't invited. I would have simply delegated decisions to the organizer and acted within that framework. But Rindou overturned that norm and ensured no child was excluded, even if it meant facing criticism for lacking manners or slighting the host. Rindou is truly remarkable for acting with such resolve. "Ibuki-kun, Sakuya." "Brother..." "Oh? Where's Ibuki?" "Good evening, Hirohata-sama." While seeing Rindou and the children off, my brother and Mizuki arrived. Even in college, these two still hang out together. Don’t they have other friends? Or are they in such a close, intertwined relationship? Yoshimoto x Mizuki... Some might squeal in delight over such a pairing. "Don't worry about it. Konoesama was merely outargued by a fifth-grader." "Oh?" My brother and Mizuki tilted their heads, not quite grasping my words. Of course—they hadn't witnessed the event. There's no need to explain further, so I let the topic drift away. "I thought maybe Sakuya-chan rejected Ibuki’s attempts to hold her hand or steal a kiss." "...What?" Why would he say that out loud? Wait a minute—you! Were you the one who put those stupid ideas into Ibuki's head? This rat! Do you know how much terror I had to endure because of that?! So, it was Mizuki’s fault. Which means I owe him payback, right? How about awakening the ultimate truth of love with Yoshimoto x Mizuki? Think they'd go for that? "Sakuya, you're not thinking anything troublesome, are you?" "No, not at all?" My brother approaches with a smile that isn't quite a smile. I'm not scheming anything irresponsible, just considering letting Mizuki experience true love. Frankly, he should thank me for that noble notion. "Whatever you're plotting, don't do it, okay?" "...Understood." "Promise?" "Yes." I had planned to give some half-hearted, superficial response, but my brother pressed me further. Well, it's not like he truly loves Mizuki, and having Mizuki discover the 'true love' and become clingy would likely just be a nuisance to him. Perhaps I'll set aside the idea of making Yoshimoto x Mizuki the story of true love for now. "See you later, Sakuya." "Yes. Good evening, Hirohata-sama." After whispering something to Ibuki, Mizuki headed into the venue, and my brother followed. So, after all, they seem to be on good terms. Does this mean they're destined for their true love...? "Sakuya? Remember, you mustn't act on whatever you were plotting earlier, alright?" "Yes, of course. I wasn't thinking of anything bad, nor will I do anything." My brother paused and turned back unexpectedly with that remark. Even without such insistence, I wasn't planning anything malicious... --- After finishing the greetings outside, I took a small break, touched up my makeup, and quickly headed to the venue. In most other households, children would typically handle the opening greetings, but at the Konoe family's party, it's the Konoe mother who starts them. This makes it clear who really runs the Konoe family. "Until now, Ibuki and Sakuya-chan have dealt with the greetings in the lower-ranked section, but now that you're in middle school, it's time you handle the greetings here." "Alright!" "...Yes." Once the party's opening remarks concluded, the Konoe mother addressed us. I was prepared for this in advance, so it wasn't a surprise, but it's still cumbersome. The greetings in the lower-ranked area are much easier. No matter how affiliated with the Konoe faction, it's rare for those from lower-ranked families to show disrespect towards me. Therefore, those greetings are straightforward, requiring little effort on my part. In contrast, greeting in this main hall, where the Dojo family is present, presents numerous challenges. Each conversation requires careful attention, and there are those who act pompous or try to elicit a mistake from me. One careless word could indelibly tarnish one's reputation, making it crucial never to show any vulnerability. This process is vastly different from receiving greetings from the lower houses. "And Ibuki, being unreliable as he is, Sakuya-chan, do ensure you cover for him." "Huh?" That's not my concern... My responsibility is not to get blamed and to avoid causing any faults within the Kujou faction. I can't afford to clean up after Ibuki as well. And honestly, isn’t he your son? Isn’t it rather inappropriate to ask a total stranger to cover for him? "Worry not, Sakuya! Leave everything to me!" "......" Ibuki pounded his chest with pride, and both Konoe mother and I pierced him with our gazes. Yet he obliviously remained ignorant of our scrutiny. In that moment, I felt a rare sense of solidarity with the Konoe mother. "That's the situation, so please take care of things." "Sigh... Yes..." Since I've already been chosen as his partner, escape isn't an option. Therefore, as a partner, I can at least fulfill my basic duties. Otherwise, it would trouble the Kujou family and the faction. "So, shall we, Konoesama?" "Let's go!" Ibuki extended his elbow, compelling me to take it. There was no need to clasp onto his arm, though—I could simply place my hand lightly at the furthest distance. "Oh Ibuki-kun, you've grown so much!" "Yeah!" And this was the first thing he said to my parents… My head began to throb. For the Konoe family’s son to greet the head of the Kujou family with "Yeah!" is utterly inappropriate. "Sakuya, make sure to keep Ibuki in check." "Yes, Mother..." As my father chatted with Ibuki, my mother whispered to me discreetly behind her fan. If Ibuki acted foolishly while we were partners, it would reflect poorly on me and the Kujou family. Hence, we can't afford to pair up with an unsuitable partner, and managing Ibuki will be my task for today. "Good evening, Sakuya-san. You've become even more beautiful lately." "Good evening, Nobuko-sama. Thank you. You haven't changed either..." After greeting my parents, it was the Takatsukasa couple's turn. Nobuko-sama is usually a quiet beauty, but somehow, she always seems intimidating—a living image of the fearsome beauty archetype. "Sakuya-chan, listen to this—our Sakura has been buying nothing but girls' clothes again, what a hassle!" "Good evening, Eiko-sama. In these times, Sakura's perspective is increasingly supported, it seems." "Isn't it wonderful, Sakuya onee-sama? Wouldn't you be happier if I were more adorable?" Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me. I'm not interested in men. Even if someone might perfectly look like a girl on the outside, if there's an elephant in the middle, they're outside my interest. How pretty or cute they are, or how awkward they appear, doesn't concern me at all. Though greeting the Gokita family brings a bit of tension, it's manageable since we're familiar with each other. They wouldn't go so far as to say the wrong things, allowing for exchanges of formal pleasantries. Still, one must be particularly cautious with families aligned with the Konoe or Ichijou factions. Even in seemingly trivial conversation, there's no telling what trap might be laid. Just exchanging greetings in such a setting demands nerve. "Sakuyasama, your dress today is exquisite. I apologize for Azami's matching color." "Not at all, Tokudaiji-sama. It feels delightful to match with Azami-chan." "Thank you so much, Sakuyasama! Azami is quite thrilled!" As we moved to greet the Seven Pure Houses, the Tokudaiji, Kuga, and Hirohata families approached me with friendly, humble conversation. It was enough to make me feel as if I were the more esteemed one. Being treated this way since a young age, it's easy to see how Ibuki was spoiled. It would indeed mislead any child. Even ministerial families like the Naka-In and Oogimachisanjo take a slightly deferential tone. With the superior families behaving this way, it discourages lower-ranked families from acting arrogantly. Persistently showing arrogance would mean antagonizing every family that had greeted me thus far. It seems today's party has seen me aided by heads of other families. Perhaps someone orchestrated the higher-ranked families' precedents to prevent lower-ranked ones from acting improperly. Or maybe they just followed the lead of the higher-ranked ones. Either way, the respect given by the upper-tier families made things easier for me. I'm truly fortunate to have supportive people around me. Following the protocol set by the upper-tier families, the lower-ranking families couldn't dare to act indifferently, especially with the keen eyes of the higher families observing. Thus, for the first time, Ibuki and I received greetings together from these prominent families without any issues. We managed to navigate the situation smoothly. --- Back to Top Like and Support Support is temporarily unavailable. To give feedback, please log in. *Please note* Unless otherwise stated, all works published are fictional and are not related to actual individuals or organizations. The copyrights for the published works belong to the author unless otherwise noted. 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