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

Ahhhhh~~~! No, no! Ahhhhh~~~! "Sakuya-sama... if you keep writhing around on the bed like that, your hem will..." "Ugh~~~..." Momi crouched down by the foot of the bed and warned her. I had been rolling around on the bed thinking about what was coming next, but stopped when Momi scolded me. Indeed, my current behavior might not have been befitting of a young lady. Momi let out several sighs of "Haa... Haa..." perhaps because my actions were too undignified for someone of the Kujo family. But I want her to understand how I feel. Today, I have to go to the Konoe family and act as Yamabuki's tutor... This Thursday, the results of the student council election re-election were posted, and the atmosphere became tense when I got tangled up with Ibuki and Enju at the Gokitoukai salon. That day, I ended up leaving quickly by myself, but today won’t be so simple. Dealing with Ibuki or Enju is one thing, but today I have to face Konoe Yasuko. She's not someone who can be easily influenced or swayed by words. If I'm not careful around her, I'll end up being taken advantage of. "Sakuya-sama... if we don't leave soon, we'll be late." "Fai..." Usually, I act ahead of time with confidence, but today my feet feel heavy. Even though I know we might be late if we don't leave now, I can't bring myself to move quickly. I'd rather just stay in bed... But I can't keep saying that, so I resolve myself and get up from the bed. Since I'm already dressed, I just put the finishing touches on my appearance before leaving the room and getting in the car. ~~~~~~ As the car sways on the way to the Konoe residence, I consider today’s situation. Konoe Yasuko will undoubtedly bring up Natsume. It's impossible for her not to. Natsume begged me for forgiveness and protection to the point of rubbing his forehead on the floor. Believing there was no lie in his plea, I decided to protect him and ensure his safety. However, to others, Natsume is seen only as an enemy from the Ichijo faction. An Ichijo faction member attempting to switch sides at this moment would be seen as a spy. Whether Natsume is really a spy or genuinely intends to switch allegiances doesn't matter. In aristocratic society, those who switch sides at such a convenient moment aren't trusted. Even if they're accepted, they're likely to be given impossible tasks, run ragged, and eventually used up, or sent to the front lines to be worn down and crushed. Moreover... if Konoe Yasuko–of such a pivotal position in the aristocratic society–views someone as suspicious, she would likely take the approach of 'crushing all suspicious individuals.' She's always done so and it's not necessarily wrong. Whether Natsume is a spy or truly wishes to switch allegiances doesn't matter. At this critical juncture, anyone who approaches is deemed suspicious, and Konoe Yasuko's way is to crush such individuals and prevent them from causing any harm. If the Namba family crumbles, it weakens the Ichijo faction and opens up opportunities to expand influence where the Namba family once was. It’s a rational and decisive method, although it's a harsh one. I haven’t navigated the stringent world of aristocracy for years. In my past life, I was just an ordinary person, and in this life, I’ve been raised like a sheltered princess in the highest-ranking Kujo family. If someone accused me of just saying pretty words from a place of safety, I couldn't rebut. But... I can't agree to abandoning Natsume, who bowed down in fear, with the sentiment of 'Regardless of what the Namba family might plan, just crush them entirely to resolve everything'. I don’t blindly trust Natsume, and I remain cautious, suspecting there might be ulterior motives. That much would be true for both me and Konoe Yasuko. However, I won’t follow Konoe Yasuko's method of 'crushing all suspicious individuals.' I'll do things my way. Convincing Konoe Yasuko is necessary for that, yet it’s easier said than done. "Haaa~~~..." I really don't want to... It feels heavy... I don't want to meet Konoe Yasuko... "Sakuya-sama, I've heard Namba Natsume is managing well in dorm life," Momi spoke up, sensing my mood. "Momi..." Momi truly understands me well. She kindly offers assistance, encouragement, and even anticipates my needs. I can never thank Momi enough. The Namba family has long aspired to advance to the central stage. They've been waiting to be recognized as central nobles rather than local ones. It seems they also have ambitions of potentially becoming part of the esteemed Dōjō families. However, climbing the noble ranks is not something that happens overnight. Even if one generation achieves advancement, it doesn't elevate the family’s status immediately. It requires multiple generations to rise for the family's rank to truly increase. The Namba family surely understands this; the current head’s ascension won't necessarily promote the Namba family to the Dōjō ranks. Only records of greater status and accolades would remain. Yet, they still aspire to join the ranks of the central nobles and the esteemed Dōjō families. To be ready for any call to the central stage, the Namba family maintains a residence nearby, extending that ambition to the education setting, as Natsume originally commuted from this secondary Namba residence to the academy. But by defying Ichijo’s orders and failing to win the student council presidency, he’s now a target both for the Ichijo faction and his own Namba family. I promised to protect Natsume, thus securing a room for him in the Fuji dormitory to hide him away. While Ichijo’s faction and the Namba family know he’s there, it's not an issue. If someone known to reside in a fixed location suddenly vanishes, it would create more of a commotion, so staying visible in such a conspicuous place is more effective for warding off threats. Natsume is under the protection of Kujo family guards, and the dormitory consistently remains vigilant of his safety. At this point, no one can abruptly resort to force without consequence. If I could just convince Konoe Yasuko... With the current coalescence of the four families excluding Ichijo, protecting Natsume is easier, but failure to persuade Konoe Yasuko in today’s meeting risks losing both the Konoe and Takatsukasa factions’ support for Natsume’s protection. Worse still, they might even act preemptively, thinking 'We should eliminate any potential threats'. Meeting Konoe Yasuko is daunting, but if I want to uphold the promise I made to Natsume regarding his safety, I have no choice but to convince her. There’s no time to act like a child complaining of a stomachache to avoid school. "Thank you, Momi... I need to do what I must." "Sakuya-sama..." Momi clasped her hands, watching me. I wish she wouldn't look at me with those sparkling eyes, when all I want is to run away—it only makes my conscience ache more... ~~~~~~ "Welcome, Sakuya-chan. Thank you for coming." "Good day, Konoe-sama." Wow! She's definitely angry! She’s clearly intimidating me! Upon arriving at the Konoe residence and being guided to the entrance, Konoe Yasuko greeted me. Although she's smiling, the pressure emanating from her is overwhelming, making it clear she's furious. "Standing and talking here seems absurd, so shall we head to a room?" "Yes." The exchange is typical, but the aura Konoe Yasuko projects doesn't hide her displeasure. It's as if she's deliberately communicating, 'I'm not happy; I'm angry'. "By the way, Sakuya-chan, it seems you've taken quite an interest in the student council lately? And I've heard you've even supported someone from the underground Ichijo faction?" As we settled in the usual room and I took a sip of tea, she posed the question. She was referring to Masaki and Natsume, hinting yet direct enough to feel like a hard pitch. "Being asked for electoral cooperation and campaign speeches by Oshikoji-sama, I simply did what was requested. As for Natsume-kun, standing in a difficult position, he asked for help, so I lent my assistance." I told the truth. I simply helped Masaki when asked, and with Natsume, he pleaded for my help, so I sought a way to assist. I hold no particular interest in the student council and didn’t proactively get involved with either. Ibuki might have informed them otherwise, so I wanted to be truthful and clear. "But regarding Natsume-kun... can he truly be trusted? The person you've taken in might disrupt the current four-family alliance, you know?" "—!" Konoe Yasuko’s intensity grew, her piercing stare and the dominating aura palpable. She clearly thinks, 'Dispose of any suspicious former enemies'. She wants me to do the same. But... "What is trust?" "...Eh?" I asked, looking at the teacup I placed down, avoiding direct eye contact with her as much as possible. "How can one earn trust? By serving loyally without betrayal for years? By offering some kind of token or pledge? By swearing before witnesses?" I understood her suspicion towards Natsume as a potential spy. If I weren't in the position I am, or if I hadn't witnessed Natsume groveling fearfully, I might have suspected him too. But he had no intention of deceit or ingratiation at that time. I can confidently swear to this, having witnessed it firsthand. From a self-protection standpoint, yes, he sought to ally with me. But at that time, Natsume was a young boy, abandoned by both his faction and family, turning to me in desperation. It wasn’t an act or falsehood. Of course, even if he sincerely felt like that at the time, there’s always a risk he might change his allegiance if pressured by the Ichijo faction or his family. Approaching as a spy wasn't likely, but he could revert after joining us and become one incidentally. But endless possibilities exist if we start listing them. What does Konoe Yasuko mean by 'trust’? How does it translate to 'trustworthy'? Even a longstanding loyal vassal might suddenly turn. One might betray, regardless of compelled obedience through assets or secrets. Even sworn oaths under public eye might shatter. If pointed out, anyone could betray under certain conditions. What clearly defines 'trustworthy'? I’m not defying or challenging Konoe Yasuko! If she deems Natsume untrustworthy, I just want clarity on what constitutes 'trust' to earn it. If they provide the criteria, I will ensure Natsume meets them. No intention to oppose at all! Please provide guidance on achieving this ‘trust’. If confiscating Namba family’s assets is needed, so be it. Drafting a pledge? Will do. Acquiring damaging secrets? Absolutely. Please, guide this lost lamb. Someone with my inexperience would never defy Konoe Yasuko-sama! "Yes... indeed... So it is..." Konoe Yasuko seemed to tremble slightly... Oh? Is this bad? Is she angry—thinking ‘How dare you defy me!’ or something? ...However, even if she demands to ‘crush Natsume’ or to ‘hand him over’, I will refuse. I promised to ensure his safety. Even if she disagrees, I won’t abandon him. "I understand your perspective, Sakuya-chan. ...Hehe. Let's head to Yamabuki's place then." Suddenly, Konoe Yasuko’s expression softened and she said this. What does she mean by understanding my perspective? Even I lack a clear understanding of 'my perspective', yet she claims to grasp it better than I do? "Yes." Since Konoe Yasuko conceded, there’s no need to revisit the subject from my side. Whether she resigned or plans something behind the scenes after deeming any overt means futile is unclear. But one thing is for certain: so long as Natsume doesn’t betray me, I won’t abandon him. Thus, I must remain vigilant over his safety from now on. Support with Likes Support is temporarily unavailable Let's give points to encourage the author! To rate, please log in. * To write feedback, log in first. ▲ Return to top of the page Send via X (formally Twitter) or LINE Send via Twitter LINE +Note+ Unless specifically stated otherwise, all works published are purely fictitious and bear no relation to real persons, groups, etc. Unless specified, the copyrights of published works belong to the author (except for some works). Unauthorized copying beyond citation by anyone other than the author is prohibited, and acts of infringement will be a violation of copyright law. This work is link-free. Feel free to link (share or introduce) it. This work is compatible with PC. It automatically identifies if you're on a smartphone or PC and displays the appropriate page. The estimated reading time assumes a reading speed of 500 characters per minute. Use this as a guide. 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