“Then, let’s form groups of 4 to 5 people and have a discussion session.”

In politics class, when the old teacher announced this, the classroom became noisy.

Shinonome Yukari held herself back from calling out to Houjou Noa and instead watched the situation around them.

“Toudou, let’s team up!”

Kurosaki Ren was the first to stand up.

With her bleached hair and disheveled uniform, she stood out even among classmates.

Her group was always loud, surrounded by flashy members like Himura Ririka and Aoyama Haruka.

Yukari saw this and sighed inwardly.

Recently, Kurosaki Ren’s group had been actively approaching Toudou Mizuki.

Since the incident in the changing room, they seemed to have taken advantage of Gobai Miya’s misstep, gaining momentum.

“Um… if it’s okay with you, would you like to join us…”

Even the previously quiet group began moving.

As April neared its end, everyone started showing signs of anxiety.

Yukari glanced at Noa’s expression.

Noa remained seated, quietly observing the situation. If this were the old Noa, she would have spoken up immediately.

“Mizuki-kun, our group has an opening too. What do you think?”

Houjou Noa finally spoke hesitantly.

At first glance, Noa seemed her usual self, but there was no confidence in her eyes.

Mizuki smiled slightly, looking troubled, and shook his head.

“Um… sorry. This time I’ll be with Nene-chan’s group.”

The group Mizuki chose was Kaminari Nene’s from the adjacent seat.

Ever since she’d been selected to assist him with gene donation, the places Mizuki belonged to had gradually become fixed.

“Otonashi-san, would you like to join too?”

Alongside Kaminari Nene, Aihara Yura, and Minaki Suzu, Otonashi Nagi, who had recently been isolated, was also added to the group.

By now, most of the class’s group divisions and rankings were nearly complete.

Houjou Noa gave up and returned to her seat.

Yukari watched this with an expressionless face.

Houjou Noa had weakened.

This trend had begun after meeting Toudou Mizuki, but it worsened further after learning about Gobai Miya’s misstep.

The momentum of building the largest faction in just three days since enrollment was already gone, and she was losing her advantageous position.

“Then, Yukari, Miya, Sanae, Ayano, and I will be a group. Everyone else can pair up as they like.”

Noa’s instructions were delivered flatly.

While moving desks, Yukari glanced around.

Gobai Miya and Sakura Sanae looked dejected.

For the first time, these women who had been heavily relied upon among the retainers had made a clear mistake.

Especially Kisaragi Hiyori, who was suspected to be the main culprit, had been distancing herself from Noa for the past few days. When searching for her, she was found in another group with an irritated expression.

“Then, let’s just pair up like we normally do.”

Noa lacked her usual energy.

The discussion topic was “On the Orderly Rationality of British Imperial Colonial Policies.”

Within the group, they split into pro and con factions and began debating.

While observing Noa’s face, Yukari expressed her opinion.

But Noa’s response was weak. She only nodded.

Miya and Sanae also lacked their usual brilliance.

A bad atmosphere lingered over the entire group.

The cause was clear. There was a feeling that if left unchecked, things would spiral out of control.

When class ended and lunch break began, Yukari decided to advise Noa.

She waited for a moment when they could be alone and invited her to the courtyard.

While spreading out their bento on an empty bench, Yukari carefully started speaking.

“May I make a suggestion?”

“Sure. What is it?”

Yukari took a deep breath.

“It’s about Toudou Mizuki.”

“…Go on.”

“Toudou Mizuki… isn’t a man for the Eighteen Families. He only likes commoner children like Kaminari Nene and Otonashi Nagi. Instead of forcing him, shouldn’t we look for another man outside?”

Noa paused her chopsticks.

After a brief silence, she slowly replied.

“That’s true. I think your analysis is accurate. He doesn’t seem interested in family status.”

“Then…”

Yukari felt hope but froze at Noa’s next words.

“So what exactly is the point of finding a man suited for the Eighteen Founding Houses?”

“Eh?”

Taken aback by this unexpected response, Yukari was speechless.

Noa’s intention was unclear.

“What do you mean… ‘what exactly is the point’?”

“You find a man suitable for the Eighteen Founding Houses, seduce him, and marry him? And then what?”

“…”

“Maybe you’ll manage to carry on the Houjou lineage safely. And then what?”

“…Noa-sama.”

That empty expression Noa showed from time to time was right there before her eyes.

Yukari’s chest tightened.

“There are so few things I’m allowed to decide for myself. So… can’t I at least choose the man I like?”

As Noa said that, her eyes drifted into the distance.

Her refined profile looked just like a doll’s.

Choosing her words carefully, Yukari spoke in a gentle, cautious tone.

“Lately, Noa-sama… you haven’t seemed like yourself. It feels like you’re forcing yourself.”

“Like myself?”

Noa’s expression vanished.

“You’re speaking as if you know the real me.”

There was no inflection in her voice.

Sensing the dangerous shift in the atmosphere, Yukari closed her mouth.

“Like me…? You mean the usual me? The confident, androgynous daughter of the Eighteen Founding Houses?”

“…”

“I only act that way because that’s what people expect. There’s no such thing as ‘the real Houjou Noa’ to begin with.”

“…Noa-sama, please calm yourself. The way you are right now—that is who you are.”

“I’m not attached to how I look now. I just let everyone use me to project their little dreams about men through me.”

Then Noa’s eyes shifted toward Yukari.

They were cold.

“You’re the same. The moment I try to look even a little more feminine for Mizuki-kun, you openly hate it. You’re just using me as a substitute for a man.”

“I-I…!”

The words led nowhere.

She couldn’t say no.

Noa, uninterested, turned her gaze forward again.

“Uniting the daughters of the retainers, inheriting the Houjou leadership, earning National Party membership to become a First-Class Citizen, commanding the Kantō Army, and passing it on to the next generation—that’s what I exist for.”

Her eyes no longer reflected anything.

There was no room for Yukari to say anything.

“Everything’s already decided. Anyone could fill that role. There’s no reason it has to be me.”

With that, Noa stood up.

Her expression, her movements, even the straightness of her back—none of it resembled the Houjou Noa Yukari knew.

“I really hate this.”

Muttering those words, Noa walked away.

Yukari could do nothing but watch her retreating figure.