Chapter Seven: An Idiot’s Suspicion (Part I)

This is Hououin Ayaka.

It’s been a year since I suddenly remembered my previous life and realized that I’ve become the villainess in an otome game.

When I first remembered my memories, there were many issues to think about, but now I’m competing with Kaname with our studies. I’m doing whatever I can to be hailed as a ‘genius’.

That means that it’s time for the flag to be set.

“Isn’t she totally different from the Hououin Ayaka we know… what happened to her a year ago?”

“…Even though she’s only eleven years old, it doesn’t make sense… what happened to that girl…?”

“She has been a completely different person for a year now… honestly, I still can’t believe it.”

It’s finally time for people to whisper behind my back with eyes mixed with awe and praise.

So, I would like to see how the Hououin family employees, who looked up to me and listened to me with open arms, feel about me.

“–Ayaka-sama, you’ve become quite excellent in your studies… Though you’re still the same in your day-to-day life… I really have to thank Ryudoji-sama.”

“Oh, Ayaka-sama has grown up not only in terms of studying! Recently, she has been educated and has been able to act like the princess of the Hououin family when in public! I was moved to tears when I heard that Ayaka-sama had a party the other day… Well, she still found it difficult to keep at it longer than an hour.”

“I’m more impressed than anything else by the fact that Ryudoji-sama is patient with Miss Ayaka without making a fuss. For us, adults who have known Ayaka-sama since she was born, we may think that what she’s lacking is also cute. But for Ryudoji-sama, who is still a child himself, has undertaken the task of educating her… Sometimes he gets angry, but still never runs away. I also can’t treat him like a kid, I’m afraid we’re on an equal footing.”

“Anyway, I’m really glad that Ryudoji-sama/Kaname-sama/Kaname-chan came to the Hououin house.”

…From the top, that was the butler (aged sixty-three, with perfectly styled grey hair), a maid (aged twenty-seven, with a loli face), and the gardener (aged thirty-nine, an uncle with unshaven, wild stubble). This was the conversation we had over tea.

I don’t understand…! I don’t understand it at all!

There is so much to be evaluated…!

“–That’s what’s happened. That’s when I finally realized it.” With a loving face, I smiled like the Virgin Mary, while Kaname had a grim expression on his face.

“…What kind of game are you playing now, Ayaka?”

…Haha, you don’t seem to like it. But it’s no use looking at me like that. Because I finally discovered your secret.

Oh, maybe he noticed that I knew, and his expression turned into a displeased one.

It’s okay, Kaname. I won’t do anything wrong just because I know your secret… I’m wondering if you’ll let me use it to rule over Oudou Academy as Empress-sama.

“…Well, I made some tea for you, so please drink it, relax, and listen.”

“No, you didn’t. That’s the tea made by the maid.”

“…What she did! What she did was also my achievement! What the Hououin family servant did is also my achievement!”

“What’s with your logic…”

Even with the look of amazement on his face, he drank the tea properly. It seems that Kaname is steadily behaving more and more like my dog. It’s a very good thing.

…Hmmm. Do you like the top-class sedative that I had the maid carefully put in? Relax now and tell me the truth, alright? You’re going to reveal the secret, aren’t yu? I opened my mouth as I finished drinking mine.

“I… I’ve noticed your secret, Kaname.”

Come to think of it, it was fishy from the very beginning. Where in the world could you see a 10-year-old studying high school-level subjects calmly? It’s strange to be able to teach me so well, no matter how much of a ‘hero’ correction you have.

What’s more, he’s highly rated than me, who flourished as the genius Empress-sama. However, all of that is understandable under one assumption.

“…Kaname. You’re my friend, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m sure it’s a disappointment to be considered as a friend by you.”

You’re already making a mistake! You’re saying you’re aware of it~ Smiling, I pointed my finger at Kaname and proclaimed loudly, “Kaname… No, Ryudoji Kaname. You’re the same as me, aren’t you?!”

“Kaname must have been a Japanese high schooler who also knew about “The Prisoner of the Miniature Garden.” and that you struggled in improving your previous unhappy circumstances, that’s why you were steadily reforming your antisocial personality and that also explains all the unnatural things that you can do.”

Come on, tell me the truth! Confess and cooperate with my, or rather Empress-sama’s, plan! To rule over Oudou Academy…!

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