That afternoon, we arrived at the newly purchased Western-style mansion that would become our new home.

After finishing the interview at the café, we came straight here with the twins in tow.

Surrounded by dense trees, the red-brick mansion continued to radiate a heavy, oppressive presence today as well.

“…Too big.”

The hoodie-wearing older sister, Yū, muttered listlessly the moment she got out of the car.

“…Just walking from the entrance to my room burns calories. I want a Segway in the hallway.”

“It’ll be good exercise for you.”

“…No. I don’t want to move.”

Still hunched over, Yū carefully scanned the exterior walls and the placement of the surveillance cameras.

Despite her complaints, her eyes seemed to be evaluating the building’s sturdiness as a defensive stronghold.

In contrast was her younger brother, Ai.

“Wow… it’s huge!”

His eyes sparkled as he looked up at the mansion, his frilled skirt swaying.

“So many windows and floors, it really feels worth cleaning! I could enjoy wiping floors all day with just a rag!”

“Haha, that’s reassuring.”

Smiling wryly at their contrasting reactions, I pushed open the heavy iron door.

* * *

First came a tour of the mansion and confirmation of each person’s ‘domain’.

The first place I showed them was the basement.

It was a vast former wine cellar with exposed concrete walls.

“…This place is good.”

Yū stepped into the dim space and nodded with satisfaction.

“I’ll make this the server room. I’ll block intrusions, both physical and electronic. I’ll make my master’s privacy impregnable.”

She already seemed to be drawing layouts for equipment placement and cooling systems in her head.

It would likely double as Hibiki’s writing room as well, but given that both of them were the reclusive type, they’d probably manage just fine.

Next was the kitchen on the first floor.

This would be my battlefield, along with Ai’s.

“I’ll handle the cooking.”

I said this while looking over the old kitchen, which was scheduled to be renovated into a state-of-the-art one.

“But we’re short on hands otherwise. Ai, I’ll leave everything except cooking to you… cleaning, laundry, dishwashing and ingredient management. Can you do it?”

When I asked, Ai nodded vigorously several times.

“Yes! Leave it to me, Master! I’ll make the entire mansion spotless and sparkling!”

He clasped my hand tightly with both of his.

For someone who had been born male in this world and lived in fear, being ‘given a role’ was probably the greatest joy of all.

* * *

After finishing the tour, we gathered in the spacious living room.

There was still no furniture.

Using the cardboard boxes brought in by the moving company as makeshift seats, we sat in a circle.

From here on, this was the first strategy meeting of ‘Team Akutsu’, including Saotome and the twins.

The topic was the TV recording scheduled for next week.

“…Our opponent is the ‘Empress’, Godai Satsuki.”

Hibiki began with a serious expression.

“It’s a Sunday prime-time special she’s in charge of. The format throws Jō alone into a panel packed with carnivorous female comedians and talents.”

“Ugh…”

Ai turned pale and covered his mouth.

For him, it must have sounded like a scene straight out of hell.

Karen leaned forward and warned us.

“This is definitely bad! Compliance is basically nonexistent. It’ll be a storm of body touching and they’ll be saying things like ‘show us your muscles’ while trying to strip you! It’s a broadcast accident waiting to happen!”

“…Hmm.”

I crossed my arms.

As expected, it seemed they intended to consume me as a ‘toy’ to poke and prod for entertainment.

At that moment, the sound of clattering keys came from beside me.

It was Yū.

She turned the screen of the laptop resting on her knees toward us.

“…I’ve already pulled all the data on Godai Satsuki and the scheduled co-performers.”

Displayed on the screen were lists of Teito Television’s confidential personnel data, the talents’ hidden accounts and records of past scandals that had been covered up.

“…What?”

Hibiki was left speechless.

“When did you even…”

“Just now. They’ve got lots of weak points. Using this, I could socially erase all of them. Want to crush the program?”

With a blank expression, Yū made a terrifying proposal.

To her, anyone who was my enemy was simply someone to be eliminated.

I finally understood what Saotome had meant by calling her a ‘genius at sabotage’.

Electronic sabotage was clearly second nature to her as well.

“H-hey! That’s way too much!”

Hibiki hurriedly stopped her.

I placed my hand on Yū’s head and ruffled her hair.

“…Nn.”

She widened her eyes slightly in surprise, but didn’t resist.

“Good work. But no blackmail. If we do that, we become real villains.”

“…Understood. I’ll seal it.”

Yū obediently closed the laptop.

“Still, knowing our opponent’s nature is a weapon. I’ll keep the data in mind.”

I looked around at everyone as I spoke.

“We’re setting our course.”

I grinned.

“If they’re planning to treat me like a ‘toy’, then I’ll turn it around and ‘control’ them instead. I’ll take the initiative on that show.”

No groveling.

No running away.

I’d simply reign there as an overwhelming ‘strong one’.

That would be my answer to the so-called Empress, Godai Satsuki.

“…Heh, that’s more like it.”

Hibiki laughed in amusement.

Saotome nodded in satisfaction as well.

Only Karen still looked worried, murmuring, “I hope this’ll be okay…”, but Ai and Yū were looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“Alright, the battle plan is set.”

I stood up and clapped my hands together.

“First things first. We’ll finish unpacking. Ai, take charge of the instructions.”

When I gestured, Ai snapped to attention, flipped his skirt and saluted.

“Yes! Today’s top-priority mission is setting up the living room and securing the bedrooms! Everyone, prepare for deployment!”

“…Roger. I don’t want to move, but I’ll do it.”

Yū also stood up unsteadily.

And so, the highly individualistic ‘Team Akutsu’ was officially in motion.

Life in the new mansion and a charge into the entertainment industry.

Two battles were about to begin at the same time.