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

Kairika and Fuki were engrossed in idle chatter in their first-year classroom. Normally, given the recent commotion following the accident, one wouldn't expect to see them smiling and sharing light-hearted conversations. However, when you're around the age of a first-year middle school student, it's easy to momentarily forget recent troubles when you're with friends, losing yourself to the fun of chatting. But those carefree moments were soon interrupted. "May I speak with you for a moment, Inada Kairika, Matsumoto Fuki?" "Huh!? Kujou Sakuya-sama!?" Both Kairika and Fuki, so engrossed in their conversation, hadn't realized Kujou Sakuya had approached until she spoke. They were so caught up in their talk that her presence had completely escaped their notice. Many other students hadn't realized either. Those who did notice were silently wondering why someone of Kujou-sama’s stature would come to a place like this. It was only after hearing her beautiful voice that those who hadn’t noticed initially became aware. Suddenly, the entire classroom's attention focused on Kujou-sama, Kairika, and Fuki. "Ah, ah..." "What... what do you need from us?" Fuki, taking over for a visibly pale and trembling Kairika, replied to Kujou-sama. However, it was obviously related to the recent accident and their subsequent actions. "It's nothing much, really. Is your leg alright now, Inada-san?" Kujou-sama responded to Fuki's words with a smile that wasn’t quite smiling, glancing over at Kairika. "What!? Oh, um... it's still a bit painful..." Kairika hastily replied, but Kujou-sama's eyes clearly weren't smiling. As her gaze lingered on Kairika's leg, it wordlessly seemed to say, "I can see right through your lies." Though she didn’t explicitly say it, her expression made it unmistakably clear. "I see. I hope it heals soon. Today, I came because I wanted to talk to you both about some things. Would you mind speaking with me for a bit?" "...Alright." "......" All they could do was nod in agreement, their bodies shaking. There was no need to state what this 'talk' would be about. It was clear that Kujou-sama had seen through all their lies. Previously, they’d been approached in a certain manner, and today, she had finally come to discuss these matters. To Kairika and Fuki, it felt as if they were being sentenced to death. "Uh... could we possibly change the location later...?" "It’s fine to change the location. But that will be right now." "......" They had wanted to delay a bit, perhaps calling their mother for advice. However, the smileless smile of Kujou-sama decisively shut down their plan. She could see through their intentions. There was no room for tricky maneuvers. They were beginning to understand why Kujou Sakuya was dubbed the 'Perfect Empress.' Her grace as a lady was flawless. Perhaps that contributed, but it wasn't just that. She was referred to as the 'Perfect Empress' because she was utterly impeccable in every way. Her mannerisms were a model for all young ladies, her intellect surpassed most adults, and her insight was sharper than any detective's. Exceeding ordinary people in every possible way, she was a true extraordinary being, respected and feared even by adults as the 'Perfect Empress'. It was impossible for someone like them to deceive her with their shallow tricks. "I'll explain to the teachers so that you won't be marked late for the next class. There's no issue with having a conversation now. Is that acceptable?" "......yes." They had no choice but to comply. Kairika and Fuki resigned themselves to confessing everything. --- "Excuse me. Second-year, class three, Kujou Sakuya, with first-year Inada Kairika and Matsumoto Fuki, will be late for their next class." "Understood." "What!?" With a single statement upon entering the faculty room, Kujou-sama had teachers allowing their delay with surprising ease. For a regular student, claiming they’d be late would result in questions. Though if justified, teachers might overlook it, at least an explanation would be required. Yet here, without any reason given, it was accepted with just a word—truly unusual. "Shouldn’t an explanation for our lateness be necessary?" "An explanation? Why would such a thing be needed?" Kujou-sama tilted her head slightly to the side as if genuinely puzzled. She truly believed from the heart that when Kujou Sakuya declared she’d be late, no explanation was ever necessary. And the academy responded accordingly. This was the privilege of the lady of the Kujou family. For Kujou Sakuya-sama, no explanation nor justification was required for others. If Kujou Sakuya-sama said, "I will do this," then that's what happened, without question. They had misunderstood. They had underestimated the presence known as Kujou Sakuya-sama. Somehow, they had thought, despite her being Kujou-sama, she was still just a second-year student. But that was not the case. When Kujou-sama said "it will be so," even within the academy or among the noblest of adults, nothing could impede her will. This was the genuine power—an influence held only by a select few like Kujou Sakuya-sama. They hadn't comprehended this reality. They were about to be interrogated by such a person, and the mere thought made Kairika's legs ache as if they were truly hurting, even when they weren’t. --- "Now, shall we discuss things here?" "What!?" "He-here!?" The place Kujou-sama brought them to was a special building. It was a place comprising rooms so special that most people never set foot inside. And among those, they stood before an especially grandiose door. "This couldn’t be..." "It's the Gokukai Salon!?" The Gokukai... a special organization that Inada and Matsumoto families were unlikely to encounter in their lifetime, being among the lower-ranked households. Only those among the highest echelons of the Doujou families were permitted membership. It was a place where the elite gathered, the epitome of noble social circles—the Gokukai Salon. And Kairika and Fuki found themselves standing in its halls, unable to process the magnitude of it all. "Indeed, it is. Here, we won't be disturbed, and no voices will escape. Additionally, there's tea and snacks, allowing us to relax and enjoy our conversation," explained Kujou-sama. What was she suggesting? Just being able to glimpse this salon from the outside would be a once-in-a-lifetime boast for most. Surely someone from a lesser family like theirs shouldn't be allowed inside such an esteemed location. "Please, come in." "Eek!" "Ah...!" Invited by Kujou-sama, they couldn't simply refuse to enter. Resolute as they were to move forward, their bodies refused to cooperate, paralyzed with tension. As they finally mustered a step, they found the carpet incredibly plush and soft beneath their feet. With cautious, tentative steps, they managed to enter the salon. At that moment... "No need to worry; during this time, no one else will come." "No one else... being alone with Kujou-sama... gurgle, gurgle..." As Kujou-sama reassured them with a sly smile, Kairika's nerves reached their peak, and she fainted, frothing at the mouth. Being somewhere isolated and facing Kujou-sama for questioning was too much to bear. "Kairika! Get a grip! Don't leave me alone like this!" Seeing Kairika collapse, Fuki panicked. If Kairika dropped out, Fuki would indeed be left alone with Kujou-sama. How wonderful it would be if she, too, could faint. But it seemed fainting was not an option for Fuki. "Before reviving her, let's move her to the sofa. Up we go!" "Wha-!? Can you really carry a person so easily!?" "Hmm?" "...Huh?" Kujou-sama effortlessly hoisted the unconscious Kairika, an astonishing sight for someone so elegant. Fuki, supporting Kairika, had nearly stumbled from her weight, yet here Kujou-sama carried her without effort. "It's quite easy. Fuki-chan, you'll learn with practice. Oh, before I forget, may I call you Fuki-chan?" "Oh, uh... yes..." This time Kujou-sama offered a genuine smile. Until now, her smiles seemed devoid of warmth, infused with pressure, but this one felt sincere, and Fuki found herself disarmed by it. In a shockingly fluid motion, Kujou-sama settled Kairika onto the sofa, then reached behind to place a hand gently on her back. "Here we go!" "Gasp! Huh? Where am I...?" "Kairika!" At whatever Kujou-sama did, Kairika immediately revived. Was there really a method to awaken an unconscious person so swiftly? Fuki didn't understand, but she was relieved not to face Kujou-sama alone. "Huh!? This place... it wasn't a dream! The sofa is soft! The carpet is soft! The paintings are impressive!" Waking up, Kairika looked around, recalling where they were. This was the Gokukai Salon. Everything—from the carpet to the sofa to the table—was of a luxury neither Kairika nor Fuki had ever encountered. Even the artworks adorning the walls were famous pieces, known even to those uninterested in art, suggesting their incredible value. "Let’s calm ourselves with some tea first. Please sit and wait." "Huh?" "Oh..." With that, Kujou-sama began preparing tea herself. It was overwhelming to think of receiving tea brewed personally by her, but voicing such thoughts felt terrifying, leaving them silent, simply watching her actions. "Here you go." "Thank you..." "Th-thank you..." Cautiously, they sipped the tea prepared by Kujou-sama. Though anxiety might have dulled their senses, the tea's exceptional taste was undeniable. It wasn't solely due to high-quality leaves; the preparation itself was impeccable. "These tea treats pair excellently with the tea." "Thank you." "Mmm!? This is!?" The simple cheese tart served alongside seemed underwhelming amidst luxury, yet its taste, combined with the tea's aroma and subtle bitterness, was exquisite. Mastery over tea, both choice and method, shone through in the harmonious pairing. At the underground tea gatherings that Kairika and Fuki frequented, serving the finest goods often sufficed to win attention, with little concern for genuine flavor. Not so here. Even a simple cheese tart could be authentic if paired thoughtfully with the tea. Compared to Kujou-sama's expertise, the gatherings they were accustomed to seemed crude. The same tea leaves and sweets could yield entirely different experiences based on their preparation and pairing. Kujou-sama understood this distinction. "Even such a simple cheese tart can taste so delicious with the right pairing!" Fuki couldn't help commenting, prompting a warm smile from Kujou-sama as she set her cup down and continued. "Yes, indeed. This cheese tart is about 30,000 yen each, but paired with the right tea, it serves well as a complement." "……Wait, what?" Frozen in place, Kairika and Fuki alternated glances between the cheese tart in their hands and Kujou-sama. "Did you say... 30,000 yen?" "Yes, it's a limited edition tart from Creole." "The limited edition cheese tart from Creole!?" The patisserie 'Creole' was famed enough to produce goods that even nobles might struggle to obtain despite queuing from morning. Here, such items were abundant. "Gokukai is in exclusive contracts with several patisseries, allowing us to enjoy various limited offerings daily." "Ha ha..." "......" Their minds reeled, overwhelmed by the realization of the extraordinary world they’d stepped into. For Kujou-sama, such statements were made as if they were nothing out of the ordinary. It was astonishing. For a regular noble, no amount of wealth or groveling would secure an exclusive contract with a prestigious brand. Yet, when it's announced as exclusive to Gokukai, acclaimed patisseries readily acquiesce. The idea of a daily rotation of these limited-edition delights was utterly beyond belief. And yet, Kujou-sama spoke of these details without even a hint of arrogance or pride—her words were delivered as simple facts. This is Gokukai. This is the power of the Gokukou family. Even before their conversation began, Kairika and Fuki were already exhausted by the staggering reality they faced.