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

The day after submitting his candidacy for the student council election, Nanba Natsume found himself in a predicament, clutching his head in disbelief. "Why... why is Kujou-sama supporting Oshikoji? There's no way I can win against that..." The Nanba family had always maintained a prominent position among the regional branch families. While there were others that matched or surpassed them, the Nanba family considered themselves adept at navigating this complex landscape. This competence likely contributed to Natsume being directed by the Ichijou Family, immediately upon entering Fujihana Academy as an outsider, to run for student council president. His parents rejoiced at the command from the Ichijou Family, seeing it as an opportunity that could potentially pave the way to central recognition or even entry into the distinguished Doujou Family. Natsume himself harbored no particular ambition for such advancement, understanding all too well that in the rigidly hierarchized noble society, the birth of a new Doujou Family was nothing short of impossible. It's been ages since the last household ascended to the Doujou Family. In the largely unchanging world of noble status, the creation of a new Doujou Family was a near-impossibility. Even in a hypothetical scenario where such a chance arose, it wouldn't be a family like the Nanba, with no backing or influence within the Fujiwara Southern Family's lineage. Should an opportunity arise against all odds, it would more likely favor a prominent family's branch or a revived household with historical significance. His parents' perspective was a fantastical dream, out of touch with reality. Yet, given the directive from the Ichijou Family and his parents, he felt compelled to comply... Natsume was well aware that the Nanba family's promotion to the Doujou Family was a fantasy. Still, when a directive from the head family came, compliance was the only option. Why the Ichijou Family now aimed to place someone on the student council was beyond him. His role was simply to contest and win the election as instructed, something he had believed he could follow through with until yesterday... However, upon arriving at school the next day, he discovered that Oshikoji Masaki had entered the race for student council president, backed by Kujou Sakuya. Kujou Sakuya held unrivaled dominion over Fujihana Academy, which had earned her overwhelming popular support. Most noble households were entirely at her beck and call, and even the outsiders, who typically distrusted the nobles or the controlling Gokuhokukai, were utterly smitten by her. Even the freshmen had already fallen under Kujou's influence, viewing opposition to him as tantamount to declaring war on the entire academy. In contrast, Natsume, despite his family's prominence among regional branch families, was merely an outsider. His connections with the internal students and nobility were weak. Attempting to curry favor with the other outsiders by distancing himself from Kujou Sakuya was a lost cause, as their allegiance was obvious. The Ichijou Family and his parents insisted on his election as student council president. But Kujou Sakuya supporting another candidate destroyed all hope of victory; likely, more than 95% of votes would go to Oshikoji. Serious campaigning would offer zero chance of winning, and opposing Kujou Sakuya on such terms would ensure his ruin post-election. Surviving in this academy without Kujou Sakuya's approval was impossible, yet withdrawal wasn't an option after submitting his candidacy. Defying the Ichijou Family and his parents was out of the question. "Why did it come to this...?" He muttered, grappling with his dilemma. Had he not merely run for the student council, blissfully unaware, this bizarre situation could have been avoided. "......" Struggling for a means to survive, Natsume racked his brain like never before, desperately searching for a solution. Finally, he conceived a plan. "This is it! This is the only way!" Withdrawing his candidacy would still leave his name fresh in Kujou's memory. Even if this withdrawal spared him Kujou's wrath, the Ichijou Family and his parents would not forgive him for disobedience or cowardice. Hence, Natsume devised a strategy to escape this predicament. He quickly set his plan in motion, and over a week unfolded in the blink of an eye. --- The following week, on Friday... was the election day for the student council officers. Following the final speeches during the all-school assembly, voting would commence. There, according to his plan, Natsume delivered his speech. “Hey everyone! I’m Natsume Nanba from Year One, Class Two! I’m throwing my hat in the ring for student council president, so wish me luck!” With every ounce of levity, he played his part perfectly. Inside, his heart pounded, his face pale, nearly faint from nervousness. Yet, he executed his plan. He needed Kujou Sakuya to view his attempt as comical, unserious, and non-competitive. This was critical for his strategy to show he did not intend to oppose them sincerely. At least now, Kujou would see Natsume's candidacy as a jest. It was his maximal effort to signal, “I’m not really your opponent here.” But merely jesting and losing this election wouldn’t satisfy the Ichijou Family or his parents. This demand was to win at all costs. A farcical speech leading to defeat would surely incur their ire, and his parents might sacrifice him to safeguard the family. Not merely was his message to Kujou important; survival depended on his post-election tactics. The real challenge lay ahead. (What is this horror!?) What unfolded left him stunned. He had intended simply to return to his classroom, but here in the auditorium unfolded a grandiose scene: exposing and arresting the current student council's mysterious plot, spearheaded by the Kujou Family's operatives... The Ichijou Family, for undermining the Nijo faction, had been lending financial assistance to the struggling Inada Family, aiming to deploy them as pawns. They had previously offered financial backing, and when the Inada daughter was injured in a fall, Ichijou-aligned lawyers swooped in swiftly. Using further aid as bait, they persuaded the Inada Family to rally familiar regional families and stage a protest at Fujihana Academy, intending to incite turmoil. Commanding Natsume to run for student council president was one phase of this scheme. Unaware of other Ichijou maneuvers or the council's plot unraveling, Natsume could only watch the punitive operations and be stricken with terror. Natsume had seen Kujou Sakuya numerous times before. Even from a distance, he had always thought of him as a graceful and beautiful young lady, sheltered within the protection of the Kujou Family. However, deep down, he had somewhat underestimated him as just a pampered girl. Yet, what he witnessed was entirely different. It was something far more formidable. The girl he had perceived as a laidback, sheltered lady was now sharply dismantling the student council officers’ arguments, meticulously preparing evidence, and having an entourage of black-suited guards ready to handle everything smoothly. Normally, one might assume she had a brilliant advisor, but that wasn't the case. The arguments she used to outwit the student council officers were undoubtedly her own, thought up on the spot. She wasn't merely reading from a prepared script. She anticipated every move, prepared accordingly, and mustered proof to turn the situation to her advantage. Predicting opponents' actions, placing the necessary personnel strategically, and resolving the matter brilliantly in front of witnesses—today's display surely convinced the students of Kujou Sakuya's mental acuity and prowess. Had Natsume not been a direct participant, he would have surely applauded as well. (I’m supposed to negotiate with someone like that from here on…) Natsume shivered. Kujou Sakuya was neither a mere sheltered girl nor an ignorant, arrogant lady. The eyes with which she regarded the student council members being taken away were already those of a ruler. He began to understand why she was called the "Flawless Empress." Yet, to survive, Natsume had no choice but to negotiate with Kujou Sakuya afterward. Should it fail, he would be crushed by the Ichijou Family, his parents, or Kujou herself. Having come this far, with the decision stark between whom to oppose and whom to ally with for survival, Natsume had made up his mind. Thus, he had acted accordingly till now. (I can do this… I can do this…) Assuring himself with those words, Natsume left the auditorium, avoiding the sight of the student council officers being taken away. --- After returning to the classroom and completing the voting, Natsume immediately contacted Kujou Sakuya. He was granted an audience after school and waited anxiously, the day’s lessons flying over his head, leaving him with a stomachache of nerves until finally, it was after school. "What is it you wish to discuss with me, Nanba Natsume-kun?" “—” Upon entering the designated empty classroom, he was greeted immediately by Kujou Sakuya, who concealed her mouth behind a fan. Her expression was unreadable behind the fan, yet her piercing gaze was intensely intimidating, a clear indication of anger. "Your anger is entirely justified, Kujou-sama. But please hear me out!" Desperately, Natsume explained his situation. He candidly shared that running for the student council election was an instruction from the Ichijou Family and that opposing Kujou was never his intention. Since learning about Oshikoji Masaki's candidacy, backed by Kujou, he had refrained from active campaigning to avoid opposition. He stressed the nonsensical nature of his final speech was merely to signal Kujou that he did not intend to oppose him sincerely. Frantically, he pleaded for this understanding. "Even if you did so, won't you now receive rebuke from the Ichijou Family and your parents?" "—! Y-yes..." Lowering his head, Natsume acknowledged Sakuya's cold words from her elevated chair. Kneeling there, he was acutely aware of her elegant feet in his peripheral vision but knew he must not dare gaze upon them directly, as it could cost him dearly. “Avoiding conflict with me may result in the Nanba family’s extinction should you be discarded by your faction’s leader. As a noble family, wouldn’t they preserve the house even if it means discarding you?” “Yes, the Ichijou Family and my parents certainly would…” Returning defeated would only bring about severe repercussions from the Ichijou Family and his parents. There was no doubt. Escaping conflict with Sakuya meant nothing if betrayed by his master and family. His decision to oppose the Ichijou Family and parents in favor of staying in Kujou's good graces wasn’t made lightly but merely severing ties offered little solace. "Kujou Sakuya-sama! Please, I implore you, use me as your pawn! I possess some knowledge of the Ichijou Family's internal workings! I vow to be of service to you! I beg you!" With his forehead scraping the floor, Natsume pleaded. This was his only viable means of survival. Remaining an obedient pawn for the Ichijou Family promised no future. His candidacy in an unwinnable election foreshadowed his inevitable elimination. So what option remained? The answer was clear: back the winning side. Remaining with his family's sinking ship promised no future. Having seen Kujou’s prowess firsthand, Natsume understood neither the Ichijou nor his own family could outmatch her. It was better to seek Kujou Sakuya’s patronage now rather than perish with the Ichijou Family. This choice promised no ease—a future as Kujou Sakuya’s spy, her subordinate, possibly engaging in grueling tasks. Nonetheless, it surpassed the fate accompanying a sinking vessel—survival meant aligning with the victor. “……” “…” The silence as Kujou Sakuya peered down upon Natsume was terrifying; her gaze revealed nothing of her thoughts, as he feared execution on the spot. Yet, enduring that pregnant silence, he sensed a subtle softening of Sakuya's expression. “Very well. I accept. I, Kujou Sakuya, will guarantee your safety. But in return, you must work diligently, understood?” “Y-yes! Leave it to me!" Raising his head, Natsume futilely lamented how the chair cast shadow over a crucial view, speculating what paradise might lie beyond, yearning yet resisting the urge to look, fearful of detection. "You will start working promptly next week." “…Eh?” His mind blank at Sakuya's final words, no explanation was given before they parted. Yet, come the following week, the meaning became clear. With the current student council officers mostly aligned with the Kujou Family taken away, and several offices vacant, a reelection occurred for positions including vice president. Backing Kujou’s tactics, Natsume successfully ran for vice president, securing victory under Sakuya’s guidance. Support with a Like Not accepting currently Support the author by giving points! 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