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

### Chapter 617: "It's Not That I Forgot" Honestly, the discussion with Konoe's mother yesterday felt like it shaved years off my life. In the end, it wasn't clear if she had relented or if she simply thought further dialogue was pointless, choosing to drop the conversation. But the eerie silence that followed felt ominous. If I know Konoe's mother, she wouldn't back down unless she was convinced. If she hasn't truly yielded, she might be plotting to eliminate the suspicious Natsume, who she thinks might be a spy. If I insist on protecting Natsume, she might even consider destroying me or the Kujo family in the process... "Sigh..." "Sayaka, aren't you enjoying our tea time together?" "Oh, no, it's not Ayame-sensei's fault. I'm sorry..." Today, I've skipped my Tsubomi Club lessons to visit a café with Ayame-sensei and the shop master. But my endless sighing and distracted demeanor must be off-putting to Ayame-sensei. After all, it's disheartening when the person you're having tea with seems disinterested and lost in their own thoughts. "Did something happen? I might not be much help, but I'm willing to listen." "That's right. Even if we can't offer a solution, just talking about it might make you feel better." "Even you, Master...? Thank you, Ayame-sensei, Master. Actually..." We were the only customers during tea time, so Master joined us at the table, offering such kind words. Both Master and Ayame-sensei are among the most experienced people I can talk to and consult with. Maybe if I just share a bit about the problem with Konoe's mother, they might give me some good advice. "I see..." "So, you and Konoe have different opinions on how to deal with a child from the Ichijo faction who might be a spy?" I didn't go into all the details, and since Master isn't familiar with the unspoken rules of nobility or its societal norms, he seemed a bit lost. However, Ayame-sensei seemed to have grasped the gist of it. "In summary, that's a fair way to put it." "You don't have any special feelings for the Namba family or Natsume, do you, Sayaka? In that case, why not leave it to Konoe?" Ayame-sensei's suggestion was spot on. If Natsume hadn't desperately pleaded with me back then, I likely would have done just that. I’ve always left such matters to my parents or Konoe’s mother, believing that it would be best resolved by the adults. But this time is different. "I've had no prior contact with the Namba family or Natsume-kun, and I hold no particular favor or grudge. Usually, I'd let my parents or Konoe handle it. But this time, Natsume-kun earnestly pleaded for my protection. Having accepted that responsibility, I can't simply hand him over to Konoe now." I hesitated but explained a little about how Natsume bowed his head and pleaded with me in an empty classroom. While talking about someone’s embarrassing actions behind their back isn't right, if I'm seeking genuine advice from the two, I have to provide all necessary details. "Oh, Sayaka... You really are too kind. There are plenty of nobles who would try to manipulate you with tears. And yet you choose to believe in this Natsume of Namba?" "I don't know if I can say I 'believe' in him, but since I assured Natsume-kun of his safety, unless he betrays me, I feel I must protect that promise." "Then you've already made your decision. Even if you're opposing someone like Konoe, you're determined not to back down – you just need to be prepared." "Exactly. I might not understand noble society well, but I agree with what the teacher said." "Indeed... Yes! You're right! Thank you, Ayame-sensei, Master!" Something about talking with them has lifted a weight off my chest. It's not like I found a concrete solution, but thanks to their support, I feel more determined and ready to face whatever comes. Experienced individuals truly are reliable. "It's alright, Sayaka." "Yes. If you ever need anything, you can always talk to us." "Really, thank you both." Having such dependable women is admirable. Kaya is slowly becoming a poised woman, but she’s still not quite at the 'reliable older sister' level. On the other hand, these two, with their life experiences, truly embody the grace of 'dependable adult women.' I could easily fall for such beautiful, reliable women! "By the way, Sayaka?" "Yes?" Wait a minute... Why does Ayame-sensei's expression seem... her face is smiling, but her eyes aren't? "The cultural festival is coming up, isn't it? I haven't received an invitation. Surely, you haven't forgotten, right?" "Eek!? N-n-no, of course I haven't forgotten!" Under Ayame-sensei's intense gaze, I manage to squeak out a reply. It's not a lie—I haven't forgotten. Invitations for the Tojika Academy cultural festival are tightly regulated. Given that the school is attended by wealthy and privileged children, precautions are taken to prevent any ill-intentions during events like cultural festivals, sports days, and so on. Guests must be registered in advance, and their identities are rigorously verified against their invitations. So it's not easy to just walk in with an invitation. Each student is limited in the number of guests they can invite, so to accommodate underclassmen's families and others, members of Sayaka's group must collaborate to carefully allocate any remaining slots among themselves. Naturally, each has people they’d like to invite, and only after those invitations are sorted can any leftover slots be used for others like Ayame-sensei and Master. Hence, I've made sure to coordinate with everyone to submit the necessary invitations. Therefore, there's no way I've forgotten them. I simply forgot to hand the tickets to Ayame-sensei and the Master despite having them on me already... "Sayaka-sama, I've brought the invitation tickets." "M-Momiji!?" As I struggled with my predicament, Momiji suddenly appeared. That's odd... This café has a doorbell. If she had come in through the door, the bell should have rung. Yet, Momiji appeared without any sound, and it was almost as if she had timed her entrance perfectly, holding a bundle of invitations. "Here you go, Sayaka-sama." "Eh? Oh, um... Ahem... Ayame-sensei, Master, I'm sorry for the delay. Here are the invitations for the festival." With a confident gesture, Momiji handed over the bundle of invitations, which I then passed to Ayame-sensei and the Master. I have no clue how Momiji managed to show up at just the right moment, but I'm grateful for it nonetheless. "Thank you, Sayaka." "I'm looking forward to it." Both of them seemed delighted to receive the invitations. Things had gotten delayed due to various issues with the student council and interactions with Ibuki and Konoe's mother. If these were party invitations, handing them out at this point would have been considered too late. "But why is Momiji here of all places?" Despite their initial joy, Ayame-sensei quickly directed a sharp look at Momiji. They don't have a particularly bad relationship, but there’s certainly some tension between them. What’s happening here? "She might be thinking I interrupted her time with Sayaka-sama, but that’s not the issue. I need to speak with her." Yet, Momiji maintained her calm demeanor as she spoke, prompting Ayame-sensei to adjust her expression and move aside to talk privately with Momiji. In the quiet café with no other customers, they whispered at a distance. "...Kaya is... If this continues, Kaya will..." "What!?" "Shh!... That’s why we should also..." "Right... We'll cooperate..." Their conversation was just out of earshot, and eavesdropping would be improper. I should chat with the Master and wait for them to return. "Master, our class, Year 2, Class 3, will be selling handmade trinkets and accessories, so please come and have a look." "Oh my! Handmade by Sayaka and the others? I’ll definitely stop by." The Master expressed interest, and we discussed the event. However, when I tried to explain the products in detail, he insisted on keeping them a surprise, saying it’s more fun to explore without knowing what to expect. "Sayaka's handmade items!? I must buy some! Will I be able to tell which ones she made?" "Ah, Ayame-sensei! Are you finished already?" As I chatted with the Master, Ayame-sensei returned, but Momiji was nowhere to be seen. It seems her purpose was to deliver the invitations and speak with Ayame-sensei. Knowing when to retreat discreetly after completing her tasks is indeed a necessary skill for a maid or butler. Although suddenly appearing and disappearing without warning her master feels a bit unsettling... "Yes, Momiji and I talked. By the way, can we choose which handmade items to buy? Can we tell which ones Sayaka made?" "Um... well, that's the plan." We plan to display both unlabelled products and those specifically marked with their creator. So, while my items might be among the random selection, buying the labeled ones ensures you're getting something I made. "We plan to have a mix of undisclosed and labeled items." "Ah, like last year's cookies." "Yes, you can think of it that way. While the details aren't finalized, it will likely be similar. Although minor changes might occur, the overall structure will remain." With last year's cookies, we managed the request privately, providing specific products when asked. However, placing products on display freely invites guests to browse and pick them up, which can result in disarray. We haven't yet finalized how to clearly identify the makers or manage the retail display of these items. I’ve been focused on creating products rather than organizing the sale, but if no clear plan emerges soon, I may need to step in. "As long as I can buy something Sayaka made, that's enough for me." "Oh? Aren’t you going to buy something from the other kids, too, Sensei? I plan to support them all." "Master..." Hidaka-san truly exudes a motherly kindness. It's clear she cherishes everyone in the group. Normally, given the rank differences, even among parents, it would be frowned upon for someone from a lesser family to show such affection to the nobility's daughters. Yet, the girls in our group wouldn't be upset with Hidaka-san’s affection—in fact, they’d likely be delighted. Such kindness isn't typical among daughters of distinguished families like those of the Doujou rank. But our group of girls is genuine—they don't act haughty or belittle others due to family standing. They've all grown into such kind-hearted individuals, which makes me hopeful we can avoid any undesirable outcomes. "The cultural festival... I'm already excited!" "What are you getting excited for, Sensei? Right, Sayaka?" "Hehe, indeed!" I'm sure Ayame-sensei was trying to lift my spirits with her light-hearted joke. Truly, I'm grateful to have such a wonderful teacher. This work is free to share! Feel free to link (or introduce) it to others. The site supports PCs and will automatically detect whether you're on a smartphone or PC, displaying the appropriate page. The estimated reading time of this work is calculated assuming a reading speed of 500 characters per minute. Use this as a guideline. --- Author’s Page Report a Typo ▲Back to Top Visit "Shousetsuka ni Narou" and "Let's Read Novels!" for more. Search Information提供