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

### Chapter 613: "Thanks to Chigaya" Yesterday was a bit rough but ultimately a good day. When you think about being able to enjoy an adult date with a beautiful college student, you can endure a little hardship. "Good morning, everyone." "Kyaa—it's Sakuya-sama!" "Good morning, Kujo-sama!" "Good morning, Kujo-sama!" Although my body still aches slightly from the increased training my mentor assigned me, I'm in high spirits. Having finished Moichi-ryu's morning practice, I arrive at the academy's rotary and enter through the entrance while greeting the other students as usual. "Oh... I just remembered, the results are posted today, aren't they?" As I enter the entrance, the results of last week's election are prominently displayed on the bulletin board. As planned, Mashisa Oshoji has been elected as the student council president. Considering how Namba Natsume was acting, it's no surprise that Oshoji was elected. If Natsume had won instead, I would be more concerned about the judgment of the other students. For the vice president position, only current student council members had run, and there are other positions won by current student council members. However, next to the list of winners, it's noted that these elections are void, and a re-election will take place. All current student council members are now expelled. This decision is irreversible. Because they attempted assault for self-centered reasons, Fujihana Academy must take strict measures. In a public school during mandatory education, you wouldn't be expelled even if you had a criminal record, but in a private school like this, such actions undoubtedly lead to expulsion. Even though I didn't press charges and thus they don't have a formal criminal record, the fact remains that students of the prestigious Fujihana Academy attempted such a thing; expulsion was inevitable. More than anything, even if they weren’t expelled, returning to school as if nothing happened would be impossible. Expelling them isn't just about revenge or punishment; if they returned unscathed, other students wouldn’t be satisfied. If they came back, it would cause significant trouble. Expulsion is not only a punishment but also a necessary measure to ensure their safety. Their life plans might be significantly disrupted, but that's a consequence they brought upon themselves—one could say it's self-inflicted. I hope they take this experience to reform themselves, but that's their decision to make. I sincerely hope they don’t give up and choose a righteous path even after leaving Fujihana Academy. "What's this...? Oh, there he is..." While contemplating the election results, I spot Natsume sneaking around in the hallway. Who’s he trying to hide from...? Is he avoiding the Ichijo faction because he ran in the election on their orders and lost? I don't know what’s on Natsume’s mind making him act so furtively, but as I thought over the weekend, I should push for him to run for the vice president again. If he wins the vice presidency, maybe the Ichijo family will be satisfied, and in the game "The Flower That Blooms in Love," Natsume also served as the student council vice president. It would be beneficial for him to have vice-presidential experience while still in the middle school division. The schedule for the re-election is quite tight, with only three days allowed. Today, Monday, candidacies open, and voting takes place on Wednesday. Normally, student council elections would span a week, but we don’t have that luxury now. Given that the cultural festival is approaching and we're in the planning stages, the expulsion of all current student council members is problematic. Even if the planning committee remains, the student council, which should lead the efforts, is non-functional. We must quickly establish the next student council so they can immediately step into operation, without any handover period. Even if Natsume fails as vice president, it wouldn't be a significant problem for me. The thought that the Ichijo family might be appeased and the similarity to the "The Flower That Blooms in Love” high school student council setup crossed my mind. Nonetheless, when you know someone, you naturally wish to support them. I'll talk to Natsume later and suggest he run for vice president. --- Upon arriving in the classroom and chatting with everyone, I am called out by Mashisa. Getting summoned so early in the morning isn't pleasant, but I have an idea of the purpose. Accepting the circumstances, I follow Mashisa down the morning hallway to a slightly distant spot. Reaching a corner, Mashisa quickly turns to face me and bows his head. "Thank you for your support in the election! Thanks to you, I was able to become the student council president!" "No, I didn't do much. That Oshoji-sama was elected is the result of a year's worth of diligent effort." I urge Mashisa to lift his head. Honestly, my support was probably more of a hindrance than help. Being the academy's pariah as a villainous lady and presumed adversary in the student council elections, my involvement likely had more negative effects. Despite losing last year's election, Mashisa had been sincerely putting in hard work. Though his final speech turned ridiculous, a major factor in his victory was that Natsume self-destructed. Nevertheless, Mashisa had garnered considerable support due to his voluntary activities throughout the year. Even without my intervention, he might have naturally become the student council president. "But that, too, was thanks to an idea from Kujo Sakuya. Had it been just me, I’d have been at a loss after losing last year. It was Kujo Sakuya who advised me to volunteer, make myself known, and gather support. All my achievements are because of Kujo Sakuya." "That's not true. No matter how brilliant an idea or advice might be, if the person carrying it out isn’t diligent, no support will be gained. It’s because Oshoji-sama took them seriously and worked hard that your volunteer activities bore fruit." No matter how excellent an idea or piece of advice is, if not taken sincerely, it won’t yield results. Mashisa dedicated himself to volunteer work. His efforts were recognized and supported, signifying that success lies in Mashisa’s commitment, not from my mere suggestions. "Hmm... Well, the moment Kujo Sakuya voiced support for me, my victory was sealed..." "What did you say?" "No… it's nothing." When Mashisa muttered something under his breath, I asked, but he simply chuckled and shook his head. Perhaps he said something he didn’t want me to hear. Thinking not to pry too much, I decided to let it slide. I am a man who knows how to read the air. "Nonetheless, the fact remains that Kujo Sakuya's help saved me. Please, just accept it." "Very well. I gratefully accept your thanks." There's no point in refusing here. If Masaki genuinely wants to express his gratitude, I should accept it quietly. With our conversation concluded, I head back to class. I can instruct Natsume on running for vice president later. Time is limited now, so we can have a more leisurely discussion during lunch break. --- After eating, during lunch break, I sought out Natsume to discuss his candidacy for the vice-presidential election. If I openly endorsed or supported Natsume, the Ichijo family might find it suspicious. I can encourage him to run, but unlike Masaki, I can't openly support his campaign. I can cast my vote for him, but he’ll have to handle the election challenge on his own. "Can I have a moment, Namba-kun?" "Y-yes!" Upon arriving at the first-year, second group’s classroom, I found Natsume and called out to him. He followed me to a vacant classroom, and I got straight to the point. "Namba Natsume... as I mentioned last week, I need your cooperation." "Wh-what is it?" Natsume seemed tense, his eyes darting as he adopted a strained grimace. Perhaps he thinks I'm about to burden him with a troublesome task. However, suggesting his candidacy for vice president is also a gesture for the Ichijo family. Although he lost the presidency, the vice presidency should still sufficiently extend their influence in the student council. The student council is essentially a plaything, with no real power differential between the president and vice president. Meetings use majority votes, so nothing is decided solely by the president, making it more effective to send multiple people for various positions, securing a majority of council posts. Supporting just one president candidate is meaningless. "You should run for the vice president position in the re-election." "—! ...Understood." Natsume reacted unusually suspiciously, appearing shocked before averting his gaze and nodding. I can't fathom why he seems so startled and resigned. The Nishikawa Natsume in the game wasn’t this serious a character. He was supposed to be a more frivolous, carefree persona, making the somber figure before me now feel unexpectedly different. Of course, I, having a different core, must acknowledge that the Sakuya-sama group’s children have substantially differed from their in-game personalities. Since most supporting characters weren’t depicted in detail, it's hard to pinpoint the degree of change, but at least the group here in reality doesn’t engage in bullying the protagonist like in the game. The princes have changed considerably, too, likely altering their life trajectories. Thinking about that, it stands to reason Natsume might have lived a different life, altering his personality and stance. Perhaps he should be seen not as the game’s flighty character but as a young individual in reality. "You don’t have to pressure yourself too much. It’s not a big deal if you lose. If the Ichijo family's goal is to expand their influence on the student council, then though you narrowly missed becoming president, becoming vice president might still allow recovery." "Is it... for my sake...?" "...? Honestly, it doesn't matter to me whether Natsume-kun wins or loses the vice presidency. I only suggested it might relieve unnecessary pressure on the Namba family from the Ichijo family if you do become vice president." "—! Kujo-sama... for my sake..." Natsume bowed his head thoroughly. Did I say something wrong? Or maybe, he misunderstood my intentions as merely a gauge of the Ichijo family's disposition, worrying that if they don’t relent, the Kujo family might abandon him and work towards reconciliation with Ichijo instead. "This is Namba Natsume! I vow to do my utmost!" "Oh, is that so? Then, please do your best..." With sudden vigor, Natsume looked up with a surprisingly determined expression. Perhaps I did say something inappropriate. Surely, I consider that it would be good if the Ichijo family’s harassment of Natsume ceased with his vice presidential candidacy. Regardless, if he loses or if their pressure doesn’t cease, I will still protect Natsume as promised. I should convey that assurance. "Well then, I’ll take my leave! I must start preparations immediately!" "Oh! Wait a second..." But before I could say more, Natsume swiftly left the vacant classroom. Resigning myself to the situation, I decided to return to my own classroom. --- Although the re-election for student council members is happening, the cultural festival plans remain unchanged. The afternoon classes are scheduled for festival preparations. "Sakuya-sama, what should we do in this situation?" "Ah... For this, you should..." "Sakuya-sama, could you also teach us over here?" "One moment, please. I’ll come over next." "Kujo-sama." "Sakuya-sama!" Each team tasked with product crafting apparently has a leader, yet everyone seems to come only to me for advice. I’m not assigned to a specific product but rather involved in all. While I can share methods and ideas, handling questions from every team simultaneously is overly demanding. "Hey, hey, you guys! Sakuya-sama is involved in making all the products, so first, ask another member of your team if you have questions! Right, Sakuya-sama?" "That’s right... It would help if you could sort out basic things or matters that the team can handle on their own within the team first." Azami-chan came to my aid, and I gladly accepted his help. Simple queries or questions that team members can resolve would allow for more personalized guidance. I’m too busy to delve into detail with each and every inquiry. "After all, their real goal is just to get closer to Sakuya-sama..." "Exactly. Sakuya-chan, you’re always so thorough in your responses. Those kids are just looking for an excuse to talk to you." "Ahaha..." Satsuki-chan joined and stated the same, but I doubt there are many peculiar kids who actually want to talk to me, seen as the villainess everyone avoids. "Wow! Sakuya-sama! This is amazing!" "It's so cute!" "Is it? Hearing that makes me think this approach is working." Azami-chan and Satsuki-chan praised the work I did with silver clay. It's all thanks to spending time with Chigaya yesterday, exploring little accessory and novelty shops in the city. Drawing inspiration from the creativity of others is also essential. If these items are sold at boutiques, they’re probably fashionable designs and popular among the girls. "So, Sakuya-sama! How should we handle this in this situation?" "Azami... you really..." "Now, now, Satsuki-chan... Azami-chan, how about something like this?" "Wow! It's wonderful!" I continued sharing the ideas I came up with at the accessory shop with Azami-chan. My creativity for making crafts was greatly stimulated, leading to a flow of ideas. Perhaps Chigaya knew we were preparing for the cultural festival and took me into the city for exactly this reason. Thanks to Chigaya, I was brimming with inspiration and shared numerous ideas with everyone today, creating a variety of new trinkets and accessories.