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

# Chapter 625: "The Café was a Big Disaster" We entered the café, devoid of anyone other than the staff. At this point, I could only have a bad premonition. I suggested to everyone that we should turn back, but they argued that since it was so empty, we should check it out. So, we entered the café. "Here is the menu." "Thank you." As we took our seats, we were handed menus. Most of the items were marked as sold out. The only things left were several types of tea and handmade cookies. After everyone ordered tea, the underclassmen wanted to order cookies, which I hurriedly stopped. "I want to eat cookies!" "Me too!" "Then four cookies, please..." "Wait!" "Huh?" I raised my voice suddenly, startling them. Everyone looked at me, but there was no time to hesitate. If we ignored this, it would surely end in disaster. My instincts told me I had to avoid a catastrophe at all costs. "We're going to have a meal afterward, right? Let's order just one plate of cookies and share with whoever wants it." Akikiri and the others were about to order one each, but that wouldn't do. The fact that only the handmade cookies were left unsold on this menu tells a story. A shop with no customers, where items bought from other stores are sold out, but the handmade cookies remain... This situation is dangerous. "Alright..." "Then, one drink for everyone and a single plate of cookies." "Understood." The student acting as the server, from class 2-1, seemed relieved as he went to place the order. His expression—was it because he was relieved they sold something, or that we reduced the order? In the midst of an indescribable tension, we waited for our tea and cookies. While the others chatted leisurely, I was too tense for that. "Thank you for waiting." Before long, tea and a plate of cookies were brought before us. The time between when we ordered and when it came out was suspiciously short. Even without taking a sip, I knew this was something off. Yet, everyone lifted their cups, seemingly unaware. "Yay! Cookies!" "Let's eat!" Akikiri and the others stretched out their hands to the plate in front of them, munching on cookies. Everyone else raised their cups to their lips. I decided to take a cautious sip as well. "Ugh!" "Huh!?" "..." With varied reactions, everyone lowered their cups. Even Akikiri and the others, who had been reaching for the cookies so eagerly, returned them to the plate silently. "This explains why there are no customers..." "Now I understand why only the items bought from outside are sold out." "......" Akikiri and the others were completely silent. It felt somewhat tragic... to see them like this. Curse you, Konoe Ibuki! I will never forgive you! "The speed with which the drinks came was unnaturally fast." "I agree..." The tea leaves listed on the menu were supposedly good quality. But the way it was brewed left much to be desired, utterly killing any redeeming qualities in the tea. It felt like I was sipping muddy water. "Let me try a cookie as well." "Oh! Sakuya! You might want to reconsider..." Though Akikiri and the others seemed concerned, I took a handmade cookie and bit into it anyway. What unfolded was the powdery taste of raw flour and a raw smell, along with a gritty texture from overly coarse sugar. This wasn't a cookie. It was like having raw flour in your mouth with a raw smell. And the sugar—I know some confections deliberately leave sugar grains gritty for texture. But those are meant to be an accent, not like munching on sand. Cookies are relatively easy to make among confections. Baking requires adhering strictly to amounts and steps. Even if you slack somewhat on cookies, or get the quantities wrong, they shouldn't turn out disastrously... in theory. But this cookie was unacceptably bad. It wasn't even a cookie. What was going on here? Both the tea and the cookies were inexplicably terrible, beyond what could be chalked up to being untalented or making mistakes. Even in class 2-1, surely there were at least one or two students skilled in cooking or knowledgeable about tea and confections. Could they really make such a colossal failure, even if most students were sheltered? There should be someone able to guide them to at least create something passable, yet there's none. "Kujo Sakuya... you came too, huh..." "Oshikōji... and Namba, too..." While we sat there, reeling, Masaki and Natsume arrived. I understood Masaki being part of this class, but Natsume’s presence was uncertain. "We are on patrol as part of the student council and the cultural festival executive committee. I've been helping Natsume with his tasks." "Oh, I see." Masaki noticed my puzzled expression and offered a simple explanation. It seems Masaki has been looking out for Natsume. Although I doubt the Ichijo faction would do anything to Natsume overtly, having Masaki around would likely make it even harder for them to act. "The café run by class 2-1 fell apart due to Konoe Ibuki's forceful orders. Only those who followed his orders stayed. The management, the service—it's all handled by them alone, making it not fit for consumption." "I see..." If that's the case, it makes sense why there are fewer staff. I initially thought that since the café was empty, fewer staff were needed, but that didn't add up. The number of staff and break times should have been decided beforehand. Even with fewer customers than expected, staffing arrangements and breaks should follow the initial plan. Apparently, even after the commotion I got involved in with class 1, Ibuki continued to cause a ruckus and act selfishly. Tired of his antics, parts of class 1 have boycotted the festival, with those left behind severely divided. The ones remaining are primarily students from families that can't oppose Ibuki. Ibuki took control of the budget distribution, decorations, and products, deciding everything unilaterally. The budget seemed to have been largely spent on superficial decorations, which were somewhat elaborate. Items bought as snacks ran out due to scarcity, while their tea and handmade goods were unappealing, leading to all the purchased items selling out rapidly. Guests who came to save face for Ibuki quickly caught wind of the situation. They avoided the tea and handmade goods, buying only the pre-purchased snacks. Naturally, with only the bad tea and handmade products left, once everyone who wanted to appease Ibuki made their rounds, no one came to the shop anymore. That's why it's so empty now. "Even so, you'd think they could produce something a bit more reasonable." Even if they can't brew the perfect cup of tea, children who are accustomed to fine tastes and have learned how to brew should not make it this bad. Cookies too—how could they fail at what is usually an easy handmade treat? "That's only natural, Sakuya-sama! Those left are ones who don't know the real thing!" "Shion..." Shion had arrived, following Masaki outside. Apparently, he had rushed over when he heard we had come to the shop. If only Shion had been helping, things might have been different. Though he might seem spoiled, Shion understands genuine quality. Raised in the affluent Hagiwara family, his eyes are accustomed to true value. Under Shion's guidance, the tea would have been better. But the remaining staff seemed to think they only needed to pour hot water. "Out of the way! Hey! Sakuya! You came to see me, didn't you? Were you waiting for me?" On top of it all, Ibuki arrived at an inopportune moment. He shooed away Masaki and Shion, who were standing by the entrance, as he entered the kitchen. "Konoe-sama, this is simply unacceptable. If you're at the helm, you should be instructing them properly!" "I don't care! It's their fault they can't do it! It's not my fault! Sakuya, even you're saying this?" Ibuki said that and slammed the door as he left. This is hopeless... His attitude completely intimidated the other students in class one. Perhaps they can't oppose him due to household and factional concerns, but it's all the same. If the master and other leaders are off track, it's the duty of followers to advise them correctly. "Shall we leave now?" "Yes." "......" And so, we exited the café run by class 2-1. The atmosphere was terrible. Akikiri and the others were still silent... Really, we should offer some advice or mediate, perhaps. But it's not our responsibility. Class 2-1 needs to talk things out independently. We as outsiders shouldn't meddle. "Shall we grab something from the food stalls?" "—! Akikiri wants takoyaki!" "I want okonomiyaki!" "Um... um... I want to try everything!" It seems Akikiri and the others have finally bounced back. I don't want to see them as they were just moments ago. Those cookies must have been a shock. I want a palate cleanser myself. The tea was terrible too. They seemed to think that buying high-grade tea leaves and fancy snacks was enough. Our class succeeded last year because our group chose quality goods, and did everything properly, from storage to preparation to serving customers. Making good tea takes more than just pouring hot water. It's about highlighting the tea's best qualities through careful brewing. I believe we've developed stronger bonds thanks to events like these. Yet, like class 2-1, such events can also lead to conflicts and worsen class divisions. I forgot about that. I assumed everyone would get along through school events because things went well for us. Even in my previous life during middle and high school, school events could either bring people together or cause rifts. I had forgotten that... "We must be careful not to end up like that ourselves." "Yes." "As long as Sakuya-chan is leading us, we'll be fine!" The situation with class 1 made me reflect—it was like a lesson in what not to do. The conflict among Ibuki, Masaki, and Shion is quite serious. If left alone, it could become genuinely dangerous. Yet, I question whether I should intervene in class 1's affairs. "For now, let's just enjoy ourselves, Sakuya-sama!" "That's right, Sakuya-chan. Just forget about that fool. Keep your eyes on me." "Truly, the Konoe family's brat is hopeless for bothering Sakuya-anesama so." Azami, Chigaya, and Rindou urged me to let it go. Yet, as a fellow member of our grade, I can't just leave it be. Rindou likely manages her year, and Sakura manages the first-years. It's supposed to be Ibuki's job to manage our year, but given his condition, it's impossible. If I step in too much and end up clashing with Ibuki more, it might lead to disaster. But at the same time, leaving it like this feels wrong. Besides, Shion might be in danger. If Shion and Ibuki clash, Shion could suffer. I have to do something for him... "Sakuya-anesama! Akikiri wants to eat that!" "Alright. Let's go." Akikiri pointed to a yakitori stall. It smelled delectable. Why do yakitori stands always seem so appetizing? It must be the enticing aroma. Though I hope to address the conflict between Ibuki, Masaki, and Shion, for now, let's enjoy the cultural festival. With that thought, we went around the stalls for food and spent the afternoon enjoying the festival's various class displays.