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

Mid-October, on a weekend... Yasuko Konoe was sipping tea as she awaited the arrival of a certain guest. "Madam, Sakuya Kujou's car has arrived," announced a trusted house member. "I see. Thank you. I'll be right there," Yasuko replied and got up. Today was a day for training Yamabuki, her second son. Thanks to some skillful negotiations, Yasuko managed to appoint Sakuya as Yamabuki's tutor for a small price. For the Konoe family and Yasuko, this was a fortunate deal, requiring only a trivial concession to secure Sakuya's involvement. Ibuki, however, was unable to win over Sakuya. The Kujou family would hardly decline a marriage proposal from the Konoe family if pressed. In a household defined by factions and family lines, opposing the main family's command was unthinkable. Especially when a potential connection with the main family was at stake—any house would leap at the chance for such an alliance. Yet, as the Kujou family belonged to a rival faction and Sakuya was a daughter of their main family line, it wasn't feasible for the Konoe family to unilaterally enforce such a marriage. The ideal scenario would have been for Yasuko's eldest son, Ibuki, to captivate Sakuya, prompting her to propose marriage herself. But that was not in the cards anymore. Clearly, the possibility of Ibuki appealing to Sakuya was non-existent, and no matter the talk of noble duty or the interests of both families and factions, Sakuya would not yield. Within the Kujou faction itself, numerous suitable marriage partners and advantageous trysts for the Kujou family existed. Should a marriage between the illustrious Konoe and Kujou lines transpire, it would become a historical event. Yet, from Sakuya's perspective, plenty of beneficial options were available beyond that. Even a marriage between Ibuki and Sakura of the Nijo family, who held a similar status, would not pose any issues outwardly. The Kujou family's connection with the Nijo family remained crucial. Though the dynamics between noble families and factions wouldn't change, sending their beloved daughter to strengthen the ties would afford ample benefits. It was the Konoe family after Sakuya. Pursuing her without cornering her wasn't going to change the fact that the power rested with her. "If only I could raise Yamabuki under her care since childhood, maybe..." Yasuko squinted. There isn't a person who wouldn't develop feelings towards someone they raised from infancy. It didn’t have to be romantic; whether it was parental or familial love, any kind of sentiment towards Yamabuki could be leveraged to encourage Sakuya to marry into the Konoe family. "And if again, we fail to secure her affection... haha!" Most women are soft toward children. Whether it's maternal instincts or an innate drive for the survival of future generations, women tend to be considerably gentle towards kids, even if they're not their own. By her observations, Sakuya had a particularly soft spot for babies. But regardless, there was no guarantee that this strategy would secure Sakuya for the Konoe family. Yasuko Konoe wasn’t one to leave things to chance. If the outcome was uncertain, she would do whatever necessary to ensure certainty. Should Sakuya develop feelings for Yamabuki and marry into the Konoe household, all the better. If not, regardless of the methods required, Yasuko was resolved to claim her. Yes, even if it meant dismantling the Kujou family. Facing the Kujou family head-on would not be wise. But the desire for Sakuya outweighed such risks! Even if destroying the Kujou family resulted in significant damage to the Konoe house, the reward would far surpass the cost. Yet strategically, tackling such a formidable opponent directly wasn't her intention. Through clandestine machinations and subtle maneuvers, the aim was to inflict considerable harm on the Kujou family until they had no choice but to relinquish Sakuya. With that, she could be obtained. While immediate pressure on the Kujou family wasn't on the agenda, preparations were indeed necessary. Dealing with a target as significant as the Kujou clan required commensurate readiness and resolve, which required slow, deliberate groundwork. However, Yasuko preferred to secure Sakuya through peaceful means if possible. Conflict with the Kujou family presented considerable risks for the Konoe house as well. Most importantly, it would diminish the reward gained by acquiring Sakuya. Although Sakuya was a valuable asset on her own, her connection to the Kujou family further enhanced her worth. A way to procure Sakuya—ideally peacefully. But should that prove impossible, Yasuko was committed to obtaining her by any means. While committing herself to such preparatory tactics, Yasuko maintained her usual cheerful demeanor as she welcomed Sakuya. "Welcome, Sakuya. Thank you for coming." "Good day, Lady Konoe," Sakuya responded with a pleasant smile and a nod, revealing the superficial nature of that smile. Many sought closeness with Yasuko Konoe. Over the years, she had dealt with countless sycophants and flatterers seeking to ingratiate themselves with her. However, Sakuya's face stood apart from those opportunists. Sakuya exhibited no intent of ingratiating herself with Yasuko or bowing to her will. She maintained a certain distance, displaying just the minimum degree of courtesy expected. "It's not the place for standing conversations. Shall we go to the room?" "Certainly." Her expression remained calm and collected as she subtly acquiesced to Yasuko's suggestion. Even daughters from the upper echelons of the Five Northern Families would exhibit some level of nervousness before Yasuko. Yet only Sakuya Kujou approached her with such composure. Perhaps today, however, the serene mask she wore might falter. The thrill of that anticipation coursed through Yasuko. Yet, concealing any trace of this inner excitement, Yasuko guided Sakuya to the room reserved for private discussions. Sakuya had been led to this room several times before; it was a special chamber reserved only for critical and trustworthy company. As they settled into the room, enjoying tea and a moment's respite, Yasuko made her move. "By the way, Sakuya, you seem to have taken quite an interest in the student council recently. And there's word of you backing the Ichijou faction's lesser family?" Ibuki, too, had voiced such sentiments. In his case, it seemed fueled by simple jealousy over Masaki Osakouji and Natsume Namba, whom Sakuya had supported. However, this topic carried a different weight in the dialogue between Yasuko and Sakuya. Presently, within the Five Northern Families, a rift existed: the Ichijou house versus the other four. This divide stemmed from the Ichijou family initiating actions against the Kujou family, contradicting noble customs, rules, and implicit agreements. Consequently, the remaining four families had joined forces, adopting a stringent stance against the Ichijou house and its factions. Though a complete exclusion or direct confrontation was avoided, the prevailing perception was a coalition of four families opposing the Ichijou household, positioning the Ichijou faction at a disadvantage. The public believed Yasuko Konoe and Yoriko Kujou spearheaded this consolidation... but that wasn't the case. The catalyst for this adversarial structure was a rule-breaking assault by the Ichijou faction on Sakuya Kujou. Sakuya's deft maneuvering in response resulted in the solidarity of the remaining four families. In reality, the orchestration was jointly managed by Yasuko, Yoriko, and Sakuya. However, within this four-family alliance—a situation akin to a coalition—Sakuya Kujou, a central figure in its creation and leadership, suddenly began to shelter an enemy subsidiary family. For the alliance, this was a grave concern that could not be ignored. Depending on how events unfolded, Sakuya risked being branded a traitor, threatening the very stability of the coalition. "I merely accepted a request to lend my support with election speeches from Lord Osakouji, nothing more. As for Natsume Namba, he sought aid due to his challenging circumstances, so I offered assistance," Sakuya responded with a composed smile, unperturbed by Yasuko Konoe's intimidating pressure. Rarely does anyone maintain composure when glared at by the matron of the Konoe house, the leader of the Five Northern Families. Yasuko herself reached Sakuya's stature only in her thirties. Even now, she felt nervous around individuals of Sakuya's grandparents' generation. Yet, here was a mere second-year middle school student exhibiting such poise. Sakuya had reached a maturity that the lauded matron Yasuko only approached in her thirties—a fact that startled many as this serene young girl remained unmoved by the imposing presence of the one revered as a noble society leader. (I want her! No matter the cost, no matter the means or sacrifices made!) "As for Natsume Namba... can he be trusted? Sakuya, your invitation to him could fracture the existing alliance of our four families." While Ibuki and Kaede expressed jealousy over Sakuya's special treatment of Masaki and Natsume, Yasuko contemplated on a broader scale. The situation with the Namba family was under thorough observation and analysis. Natsume indeed found himself in a precarious position, seeking Sakuya's aid by forsaking Ichijou. However, the question remained whether this was genuine truth and if he could indeed be trusted. Previously, the Ichijou faction had failed to crack the four-family coalition. Any direct conflicts would clearly favor one side, already apparent as the Ichijou faction struggled to gain supremacy. Their strategy hinged on undermining the alliance. Yet, the coalition remained solid, denying Ichijou any opportunity to weaken it. This presented a calculated risk for Sakuya's actions. Under normal circumstances, suspicion would be warranted. Welcoming Natsume as a potential Ichijou spy would be foolish, especially with the invitation coming from a central figure in the coalition. Such action would drive an irreparable rift within the alliance. The conventional approach to opponents involves thorough elimination, defeating them completely to force submission. If the Namba family displayed dubious actions, it would be more prudent to dismantle them. Even as an enemy subsidiary, eliminating their strength would benefit the situation. By capitalizing on Ichijou's swift discarding of allied families, it became feasible to progressively dismantle the faction until it inherently collapsed. Incorporating Natsume, potentially a spy, before ensuring he wasn't a threat, was unreasonable. Crushing potential adversaries, even if tempted to bolster numbers by welcoming them, decreased strategic risk. Even if Natsume genuinely wished to defect or was indeed a spy, obliterating him achieved the same result. The Namba family and Natsume might have followed orders unwillingly, possibly never wanting to oppose the coalition earnestly. Yet such considerations were inconsequential. Decisions wouldn't cater to adversary circumstances. Enemies had to be obliterated. Suspects were to be dismantled. With one faction gone, the pie's remainder would expand the influence of one's own. An eternal battle fought over diminishing resources, the Namba household wasn't any more unfortunate than others. Dismaying occupation of poor leadership was a general lament. Should a ruling power crumble, so would its dependents. Such is the noble and bureaucratic hierarchical society. "What is trust, I wonder?" "...What?" Sakuya, lightly setting down her teacup, muttered while gazing at it, prompting an unexpected halt from Yasuko. Prepared for various arguments and having devised potential retorts, Yasuko found herself thrown off by the unforeseen question, rendering even herself momentarily speechless. "How can one earn trust? By serving loyally over the years? By presenting tributes? By swearing an oath in someone's presence?" "......—!?" Locking eyes as she gradually looked up, Yasuko Konoe—esteemed as a mighty figure—found herself stunned. A mere gaze from Sakuya induced a retreat impulse. An astonishing maturity for a second-year middle school girl. Faced with allure and resolute clarity of speech challenging her understanding, Yasuko struggled to comprehend the significance of Sakuya’s words. "Indeed... yes... that's true," she chuckled, endeavoring to smile despite cold sweat. The nature of trust... wasn't it Yasuko herself who deciphered it most intimately? A betrayer might not reveal themselves despite years of loyalty. Longevity alone doesn't guarantee immutable trust. Merely restraining someone via conditions, controlling assets or secrets, too, doesn't assure reliability. While blind trust is naive without guarantees, placing one in bondage doesn’t automatically render them trustworthy. Sealing a secret pact among witnesses does not solidify trust either. Those intent on betrayal wouldn't be swayed by signatures or by the presence of witnesses. If 'trustworthiness' can't be defined, how then can 'untrustworthiness' be concluded? Yasuko’s inquiry about Natsume Namba’s trustworthiness was misguided and irrelevant. Sakuya’s actions and thoughts transcended such simplistic dimensions. 'Trust' offered by others should never be 'trusted.' Countless sycophants stretched out toward Lady Yasuko’s stature, offering years of dedication, tributes, and public declarations of support. Yet how many among them could truly be deemed trustworthy? Yasuko understood all too well. Such people would flock in droves, and they were precisely the kind who were "untrustworthy." A true leader is not someone who "trusts others." Instead, it's someone who "makes others trust them." Even if someone was originally an enemy, they should become captivated, guided to act in accordance with the leader's wishes. It wasn’t about believing the "trust" that sycophants offered when they cozied up to those in power. It was about commanding their allegiance, having them pledge loyalty and act as desired. That is the duty of a leader, the talent and charisma one must possess. "I understand your perspective, Sakuya. Now, shall we head over to Yamabuki?" Yasuko suggested with a knowing smile. "Yes," Sakuya replied. Though Natsume Namba might be a double agent, and the skeptical solution might be to crush him entirely, that approach was flawed. Sakuya seemed to assert, "I will make anyone bow down and follow me." Even if Natsume was a double spy, Sakuya believed she could win him over, making him devoted to her cause. That was her stance. (What an intimidating prospect... truly extraordinary.) Yasuko couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. If Sakuya ever became an enemy, how formidable would she be? If Yasuko's machinations to claim Sakuya forced her to antagonize the Kujou family, this extraordinary young woman could become an adversary, a notion both terrifying and thrilling. Thus far, Yasuko had executed only games she was guaranteed to win. Her interest lay in victory, not the challenge of competition. Yet, she couldn't deny growing weary of these predictable, mundane games. The possibility of an uncertain outcome lit a fire in her heart, unknowingly stirring excitement within. Having been tense as if to intimidate Sakuya, Yasuko finally relaxed her expression and guided Sakuya toward the children's room where Yamabuki waited. The formidable Konoe Yasuko's looming presence seemed to have had little effect on the monster-like young girl. As Sakuya slightly softened her own expression, nodding, she rose, and together they departed the room.