Chapter 54 part 1 – Formation of the Inner Circle Begins

This April has been extremely busy.

Mornings are for elementary school, and afternoons are filled with various lessons.
Evenings and holidays are for duties as a member of the zaibatsu family or as the “Dreaming Miko.”

There’s no time to play or act spoiled like a stereotypical villainess.

Even though my mind is that of my past life and I don’t need childish play, my child’s body is under a lot of stress.
That’s precisely why my time as an elementary schooler is my healing time.

Since I study subjects beyond elementary level and take aristocratic lessons in the afternoon at the mansion, the time from morning until lunch is my recreation time, practically equal to a full break.

It’s a little sad to say, but that’s the reality.

However, the first half of April comes with two big events.
One is my birthday—the birthday party.

The other is the entrance of new students.
That’s right, Youko-chan and Koushiro-kun also successfully skipped grades and entered the first grade.

Meanwhile, the world hasn’t experienced the “Showa Financial Crisis” like in the history of my past life.
No bills with blank backs are being printed either.

Things are also calming down on the continent.
Though the Kuomintang is basically self-destructing, with the north, Zhang Zuolin is starting to get cocky—it’s not really something I need to involve myself with.

So I’m going to enjoy being a child to the fullest. 

No, I want to enjoy it. 

Seriously.

But faced with the paradise right in front of me, all kinds of worries start to feel trivial.

“C-c-c-cute beyond words!!”

“Thank you, Reiko-chan!”

“Wait, you already saw the outfit during the fitting, didn’t you?”

“Gentarou, you idiot. Not understanding the value of this moment, in this place—that’s stupidity cubed.”

“Setting aside just how much of an idiot Gentarou is, I totally agree with Reiko. You look lovely, Youko. And once again, congratulations on starting school!”

“Thank you, Onii-sama. But you’ve already said that more than ten times.”

“It’s something worth celebrating, so it’s fine to say it as many times as you want. Congratulations, Youko-chan!”

As I chimed in, Ryuichi-kun nodded repeatedly like I’d voiced his exact thoughts.
When it comes to Youko-chan, I feel like there’s a soul connection between me and Ryuichi-kun.

“Thank you, Reiko-chan.”

“Umm, I’m here too, you know?”

“Yes, of course, you’re super adorable too, Koushiro-kun. Like a real angel. No—more than an angel. Honestly, I wish you could stay just like that forever.”

“Ahahaha, I think that might be a little impossible.”

Even though it was a perfectly wonderful suggestion on my part, not even Koshiro-kun can win against time. 

What a shame.

“…You guys are really close.”

As the children of the Ootori family played together in what was essentially my personal harem, one outsider had slipped into the group.
So while I hugged Youko-chan and rubbed our cheeks together, I gave him a sideways glare.

“And why, exactly, is Yamazaki-sama here?”

“The younger siblings of my close schoolmates are enrolling. Isn’t it natural to come and celebrate? But Koushiro, why the Ootori school? Wasn’t Gakushuin an option?”

After flashing me a smug look, he quickly turned to Koushiro-kun with a slightly more considerate expression.
As expected, he wasn’t just an arrogant guy—he had the subtle presence of someone used to being in a leadership role.

“Yeah. I’m leaving the annoying stuff to my brother, and I’m going to focus on music and painting.”

“I see. If it’s your own choice, make sure you live with no regrets.”

“Yeah. I love it, so I’ll be fine.”

I don’t dislike Katsujirou-kun’s obviously arrogant way of speaking, but the way the naturally honest Koshiro-kun answered him made him seem like someone destined for greatness, too.

Just as we’d been discussing, Koshiro-kun had enrolled at Ootori Academy as well.

With that, Gakushuuin had the Yamazaki heir, Katsujirou-kun, and Ootori’s Gentarou-kun and Ryuichi-kun.
Meanwhile, Ootori Academy now had me, Youko-chan, and Koshiro-kun—three on each side.

However, once we reach middle school, the genders are separated, so I’ll only be spending five years with Koshiro-kun.
Still, I’m really happy to be able to share my school life—my healing time—with people I’m comfortable around.

Among the Gakushuuin group, I would still get to spend time with the Ootori kids during afternoon lessons at the estate, but I probably wouldn’t get to see Katsujirou-kun very often.

Thinking that, the words naturally came out of my mouth.

“Hey, Katsujirou-kun. I’m having a birthday party on the 11th—want to come?”

“A birthday party? That was originally a Christian custom, wasn’t it?”

“You’re well-informed. But you know, having a birthday party really has nothing to do with religion. It’s only natural—we’re celebrating the day you were born, after all.”

“Yeah, you’re right, Reiko. I’d love to attend. So, are there any customs I should know about?”

After thinking over my words for a few seconds, Katsujirou-kun broke into a dazzling smile.
My heart skipped a beat without warning.

I tried to answer without letting it show, but I probably started talking a bit fast.

“The one being celebrated prepares for the birthday party. Come with an empty stomach. Those who are invited need to bring a birthday gift. And, if possible, dress up a bit.”

“Understood. But it wouldn’t be proper to just receive your invitation. I’ll host a birthday party of my own eventually, and I expect all of you to attend.”

“With pleasure!”

As expected from the all-around perfect arrogant-type character—he understood everything without needing to be told.

(If I can just invite one more person, I think I’ll have recreated the scene from the game…)

So I was thinking, right at the beginning of the new school year.

“Okay, quiet down. Now, I’m going to introduce a new friend who will become everyone’s classmate. Please come in.”

When the homeroom teacher said that, a boy entered the classroom.

His outfit was the same as mine—or rather, the same as the Ootori boys’.
Since I picked out the uniforms for everyone, it seems those connected to the Ootori family were also provided with them, so this boy is also planned to serve the Ootori family.

And I already knew this boy.
He was Suzumiya Teruo, whom I had met last year when he sneaked into the venue at the garden party.

He still didn’t say much beyond introducing himself when asked by the teacher, keeping his silent character. 

But he was clearly more intellectual now.

Last year, he had been a child who hadn’t received any education at all, but during this past year it seemed he had been properly educated somewhere.
His movements and gestures, like the way he walked, were refined.

(He’s becoming more and more exactly like the character from the game. Well, that’s only natural since it’s the same person.)

While watching Teruo’s profile, I thought this, but today’s session ended quickly.
After all, today was the opening ceremony. 

Classes start tomorrow.

So I wanted to leave quickly, but as a Villainess—or rather, a countess’s daughter—I couldn’t just do that.

Just as Teruo transferred in, the children who are candidates for my “close entourage” were scheduled to come over and “greet” me.

Still, until age ten, the number is limited because only the children who will serve directly under Shizu—the top “executive” among the “close entourage”—are planned to serve me.