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The Fed-Up Office Lady Wants to Serve the Villainess #1
The Fed-Up Office Lady Wants to Serve the Villainess Vol. 1
A frustrated office worker gets transported to the world of the visual novel she’s been playing and decides to help the villainess succeed in this fantastical isekai manga!
After devoting herself entirely to a hum-drum office job for three years, Natori Midori is suddenly laid off! Dejected and lost, she loses herself in the visual novel game Fairy Tale of Jewels, but her fantasy escape becomes something more when she’s literally pulled into the game world. Even more surprising? She’s summoned by the game’s cruel villainess, Lapis Tenebrae! Desperate to have her life spared, Natori pretends she’s psychic and uses her knowledge of the game to save Lapis from danger. Fond of her newly attained psychic, Lapis appoints Natori as her personal secretary.
With a new job and new, unexpected growing feelings towards her villainess boss, Natori must survive a fantastical world and protect Lapis at all costs!
After devoting herself entirely to a hum-drum office job for three years, Natori Midori is suddenly laid off! Dejected and lost, she loses herself in the visual novel game Fairy Tale of Jewels, but her fantasy escape becomes something more when she’s literally pulled into the game world. Even more surprising? She’s summoned by the game’s cruel villainess, Lapis Tenebrae! Desperate to have her life spared, Natori pretends she’s psychic and uses her knowledge of the game to save Lapis from danger. Fond of her newly attained psychic, Lapis appoints Natori as her personal secretary.
With a new job and new, unexpected growing feelings towards her villainess boss, Natori must survive a fantastical world and protect Lapis at all costs!
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 18, 2025
Despite having had more than my fill of villainess stories, I couldn’t resist this one when I found out it was yuri, but it is really, really of its type. Which is a shame since it has far better competition.
Natori works crazy hard and gets laid-off for her efforts, depressingly believable, and takes solace in her gatcha game that then turns into a gotcha game when the villainess of said product, Lapis Tenebrae, winds up summoning Natori as a familiar.
Lapis is originally supposed to harry the hero, Diana, and get herself killed by her own fiancé for her troubles. Natori turns out to be super adept at taking care of office duties and her thoughtful approach begins to win over Lapis, etc etc.
This feels like it might either be trying too hard or it’s just too aggressively average. All your isekai/villainess tropes are mashed up in a blender and given a smattering of rainbows for some gay energy. Even that could hit a bit harder.
It is pretty funny when Diana begins falling for Natori, but there’s a lot of ‘tell, don’t show’ with respect to emotional development between Natori and Lapis. We’re seeing these feelings develop, but aren’t exactly being sold them.
Lapis herself might be a bit much, although her overdesign does feel like she’s come straight out of a game. It’s more to do with the fact that she seems bigger than anybody else in the cast and also that her really ill-advised headgear makes her look like the goth Statue of Liberty.
Sometimes it’s hard not to think that a lot of these isekai stories aren’t made with passion, but more with a ‘this will sell, let’s go’ mentality. Which is unkind to the creative team, but here we are.
Lapis hews close to Claire from I’m in Love With the Villainess in attitude, but Claire is infinitely more nuanced than this version, even with the same basic goals. Natori is also just bagging all the romantic leads by virtue of being nice, which is pretty traditional by this point.
If you cannot get enough, this is definitely more. I liked a couple moments here, but you don’t precisely need this if you already have I’m in Love with the Villainess and/or The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady.
3 stars - nice try, points for effort. I will give this another volume because supporting yuri is my jam, but it’s not worth going out of your way for.
Natori works crazy hard and gets laid-off for her efforts, depressingly believable, and takes solace in her gatcha game that then turns into a gotcha game when the villainess of said product, Lapis Tenebrae, winds up summoning Natori as a familiar.
Lapis is originally supposed to harry the hero, Diana, and get herself killed by her own fiancé for her troubles. Natori turns out to be super adept at taking care of office duties and her thoughtful approach begins to win over Lapis, etc etc.
This feels like it might either be trying too hard or it’s just too aggressively average. All your isekai/villainess tropes are mashed up in a blender and given a smattering of rainbows for some gay energy. Even that could hit a bit harder.
It is pretty funny when Diana begins falling for Natori, but there’s a lot of ‘tell, don’t show’ with respect to emotional development between Natori and Lapis. We’re seeing these feelings develop, but aren’t exactly being sold them.
Lapis herself might be a bit much, although her overdesign does feel like she’s come straight out of a game. It’s more to do with the fact that she seems bigger than anybody else in the cast and also that her really ill-advised headgear makes her look like the goth Statue of Liberty.
Sometimes it’s hard not to think that a lot of these isekai stories aren’t made with passion, but more with a ‘this will sell, let’s go’ mentality. Which is unkind to the creative team, but here we are.
Lapis hews close to Claire from I’m in Love With the Villainess in attitude, but Claire is infinitely more nuanced than this version, even with the same basic goals. Natori is also just bagging all the romantic leads by virtue of being nice, which is pretty traditional by this point.
If you cannot get enough, this is definitely more. I liked a couple moments here, but you don’t precisely need this if you already have I’m in Love with the Villainess and/or The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady.
3 stars - nice try, points for effort. I will give this another volume because supporting yuri is my jam, but it’s not worth going out of your way for.
September 2, 2025
One of the best villainess yuri to ever do it. Such a great series I'm so happy to see it brought to a whole new audience
June 17, 2026
This was mostly a set up volume. Lots of information dumping about the world our protagonist has been summoned into. The art is very cute, the story is standard for isekai.
I’m going to just ignore the ick factor of our protagonist being in her 20s and everyone in the game being teens since our protagonist was put into this world and I’m assuming in the world is a teenager.
I’m going to just ignore the ick factor of our protagonist being in her 20s and everyone in the game being teens since our protagonist was put into this world and I’m assuming in the world is a teenager.
August 29, 2025
Had a great time, I’m screaming and kicking my feet over this book. I finished it in a day, and I’m gonna find a place to read volume 2 asap
July 2, 2026
A really fun manga about a woman getting summoned to another world, that of the game she had been playing!
Everyone who knows me knows that I am a total fangirl for the Villainess Isekai trope. And so when I saw this one of a girl that is summoned and now works for the villainess? I couldn’t resist. I will definitely be buying the other volumes bit by bit.
Meet Natori (a name no one will be able to pronounce). She is a hardworking woman who does all sorts of things for her colleagues, to the point that her boss fires her. Rude? Yes. We see that Natori is worried about her future, what next? What will she do now? And to drown her sorrows on the way home she plays her favourite mobile game… until she gets sucked up into it. Guess what happened? No, not truck-kun, no accidents. The villainess of the game is at the summoning event… and accidentally summons Natori. And so begins her new life in this strange new world. Thankfully, she has played the game pretty hardcore and has a lot of knowledge. Which helps get in the good books of the villainess and so begins her life as familiar/secretary. Yup. A lot of people wouldn’t think about doing this job, but Natori is dedicated. I just loved how she organised things, made sure the villainess was happy, did little things that may go unnoticed. I really loved Natori and I loved how she tried to make the most of things. Working hard. But also enjoying her new surroundings. And maybe falling in love with the villainess. Just a bit.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a villainess manga without death flags and doom endings. Thankfully, Natori has the knowledge and tries to steer her new boss in the right direction. Help her out. I guess it was a bit of self-preservation, but for a lot she was also doing it for the villainess.
And as things go on, we see things are changing. The heroine? She doesn’t seem that particularly interested in the prince, instead she is protecting our MC with a fierceness that is scary (and borderline yandere). This I definitely loved. I was so worried when the heroine appeared, that she would fall in that trope that is so standard for these stories. But instead? She is a whole different cookie and I just adored her.
And our villainess? She is changing bit by bit as well, I love that she noticed all the little things our MC did for her and that she appreciated Natori.
The art was really fun!
All in all, I am curious to see how things will continue, excited to meet more players, see the villainess and heroine get closer to Natori, and more. I would recommend this one to all.
Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Everyone who knows me knows that I am a total fangirl for the Villainess Isekai trope. And so when I saw this one of a girl that is summoned and now works for the villainess? I couldn’t resist. I will definitely be buying the other volumes bit by bit.
Meet Natori (a name no one will be able to pronounce). She is a hardworking woman who does all sorts of things for her colleagues, to the point that her boss fires her. Rude? Yes. We see that Natori is worried about her future, what next? What will she do now? And to drown her sorrows on the way home she plays her favourite mobile game… until she gets sucked up into it. Guess what happened? No, not truck-kun, no accidents. The villainess of the game is at the summoning event… and accidentally summons Natori. And so begins her new life in this strange new world. Thankfully, she has played the game pretty hardcore and has a lot of knowledge. Which helps get in the good books of the villainess and so begins her life as familiar/secretary. Yup. A lot of people wouldn’t think about doing this job, but Natori is dedicated. I just loved how she organised things, made sure the villainess was happy, did little things that may go unnoticed. I really loved Natori and I loved how she tried to make the most of things. Working hard. But also enjoying her new surroundings. And maybe falling in love with the villainess. Just a bit.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a villainess manga without death flags and doom endings. Thankfully, Natori has the knowledge and tries to steer her new boss in the right direction. Help her out. I guess it was a bit of self-preservation, but for a lot she was also doing it for the villainess.
And as things go on, we see things are changing. The heroine? She doesn’t seem that particularly interested in the prince, instead she is protecting our MC with a fierceness that is scary (and borderline yandere). This I definitely loved. I was so worried when the heroine appeared, that she would fall in that trope that is so standard for these stories. But instead? She is a whole different cookie and I just adored her.
And our villainess? She is changing bit by bit as well, I love that she noticed all the little things our MC did for her and that she appreciated Natori.
The art was really fun!
All in all, I am curious to see how things will continue, excited to meet more players, see the villainess and heroine get closer to Natori, and more. I would recommend this one to all.
Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 7, 2025
A fresh take on the villainess trope
I like this version of isekai where the main character isn’t reincarnated, but merely transported to another world. And this is the first time I’ve seen a character end up supporting the villainess instead of becoming the villainess. It’s a nice, new interpretation of an old trope.
The story has something of a Yuri feel to it, since the villainess and the heroine are both drawn to the mc. But it’s only a suggestion at this point.
The artwork was good, but I found it hard to tell what was happening in the action scenes. It probably would have been more impactful in color. As b&w line drawings, I just couldn’t distinguish all the details in panels that were “busy”.
I’ll read the next one.
I like this version of isekai where the main character isn’t reincarnated, but merely transported to another world. And this is the first time I’ve seen a character end up supporting the villainess instead of becoming the villainess. It’s a nice, new interpretation of an old trope.
The story has something of a Yuri feel to it, since the villainess and the heroine are both drawn to the mc. But it’s only a suggestion at this point.
The artwork was good, but I found it hard to tell what was happening in the action scenes. It probably would have been more impactful in color. As b&w line drawings, I just couldn’t distinguish all the details in panels that were “busy”.
I’ll read the next one.
August 28, 2025
Honestly, I loved this a lot. Natori is so earnest and just wants to belong and be wanted, which is really relatable; Lapis has her darker side but ends up being sweet and cool in between, and Diana grows from her game portrayal into something new, reacting to the events in front of her rather than what normally happens in the game. Yuri abounds in this, but it is funny and cute in turns, with a smattering of plot undercurrents on top (or beneath, I suppose?). Recommended!
January 11, 2026
you know what really divides manga from novels and anime? the expressions. de! lish
and the ethos in this story. wanting to be someone’s happiness, and other times needing to dominate their attention. it asks, what happens when your devotion is misplaced and discarded, and offers two interesting answers.
diana really caught me off guard, i rarely/never have seen a happy-lucky-protagonist have so much dimension. her willingness to get violent for her goals really endeared me. so although the story is still pretty neutral and negligent to the anti-nobility movement, i believe diana will show an interesting reversal and become decisive.
more interesting, i don’t think i like the villainess all that much nor do i really empathize with natori’s abandonment/attachment cycle to lapis. avoidants who push people away under the guise of “protecting” them are always rewarded in these stories for having good intentions. it pisses me off in the story and in life.
and the ethos in this story. wanting to be someone’s happiness, and other times needing to dominate their attention. it asks, what happens when your devotion is misplaced and discarded, and offers two interesting answers.
diana really caught me off guard, i rarely/never have seen a happy-lucky-protagonist have so much dimension. her willingness to get violent for her goals really endeared me. so although the story is still pretty neutral and negligent to the anti-nobility movement, i believe diana will show an interesting reversal and become decisive.
more interesting, i don’t think i like the villainess all that much nor do i really empathize with natori’s abandonment/attachment cycle to lapis. avoidants who push people away under the guise of “protecting” them are always rewarded in these stories for having good intentions. it pisses me off in the story and in life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
I have been wanting to read this for a bit. The plot sounded good and in a way reminded me of I'm in love with the Villainess.
Nataori is pulled to her favorite mobile game after losing her job at the company she had worked for for 3 years. She worked overtime to help people with their tasks.
She is summoned while on the train and meets the game's villainess Lapis Tenebrae. She pretends to be a psychic, and then later becomes Lapis secretary. Over time we do see different sides of her, but ultimately her goal is to eradicate peasants. I wonder if this goal has anything to do with Aurora, who we learn a little about.
The game's protagonist, Diana finds a new mission and I think she is falling for Natori who she calls Natalie.
I wonder how her feelings will change as Lapis gets further into her goal or maybe she will change her mind somehow and see how she is wrong in her views.
Nataori is pulled to her favorite mobile game after losing her job at the company she had worked for for 3 years. She worked overtime to help people with their tasks.
She is summoned while on the train and meets the game's villainess Lapis Tenebrae. She pretends to be a psychic, and then later becomes Lapis secretary. Over time we do see different sides of her, but ultimately her goal is to eradicate peasants. I wonder if this goal has anything to do with Aurora, who we learn a little about.
The game's protagonist, Diana finds a new mission and I think she is falling for Natori who she calls Natalie.
I wonder how her feelings will change as Lapis gets further into her goal or maybe she will change her mind somehow and see how she is wrong in her views.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
this was such a cute manga! an office lady who enjoys her gacha otome game gets laid off for being too devoted to her job, and then on the train home, gets sucked into her game as the villainess' familiar! the main character, natori, reminds me a lot of my wife and is super cute and detail oriented. the plot is super interesting too-like most otome isekai, she's on the watch for the "death flags" leading to a villainess' destined demise, and in this one, the odds seem super stacked against them. it's been really interesting seeing how the story is shifting!
the yuri romance is super fluffy, and i'm excited to get the next volume!
the yuri romance is super fluffy, and i'm excited to get the next volume!
January 27, 2026
After getting fired Natori finds herself summoned to the world of her favorite game, serving the VILLAINESS.
Gorgeous art, good story.
(Natori being fired for working too hard seemed off, but admittedly I don't know their corporate structures. It did seem dumb that her immediate boss didn't step in, as she's clearly a hard worker.)
Gorgeous art, good story.
(Natori being fired for working too hard seemed off, but admittedly I don't know their corporate structures. It did seem dumb that her immediate boss didn't step in, as she's clearly a hard worker.)
February 2, 2026
The Villainess genre is so overcrowded that it's hard for something to stand out, but the charm and wit this one was written with, as well as how realized the world feels and how intricate the art is, made this well worth the read.
February 13, 2026
Loved this, wasn't expecting how much I loved it. I really enjoy the villainess's switches between tender and harsh, and the way the heroine immediately falls for the protag. Just so cute and I will be following the series :)
April 24, 2026
Honestly, this reminds me of the series Strawberry Panic….. it’s a combination of the relationship dynamics, appearances, and vague flashback moments. I’m enjoying the story so far, though, so I’m NOT complaining.
September 2, 2025
Absolutely amazing! I need to read the next volume asap!
September 3, 2025
I was a little bored but I liked it more by the end of the volume. Hoping this is just a case of "first volume" syndrome.
October 12, 2025
Very charming and fun. I'm reasonably curious to see how the story progresses.
November 15, 2025
Es literalmente I'm in love with the villainess pero con otras caras, menos incesto entre primos y sin la princesa trans pero bueno, esta gracioso el trio amoroso que se ha formado.
January 6, 2026
I DNF’d but I had to rate this because isn’t Diana 15 at the time our main character (25) is crushing on her or was that just a flash back.
March 22, 2026
3,5
Hi guys. Interesting age difference you got there. Also feels kind of familiar to WataOshi but maybe that's just how these stories usually go?
Hi guys. Interesting age difference you got there. Also feels kind of familiar to WataOshi but maybe that's just how these stories usually go?
April 12, 2026
Good start to what feels like will be a fun ride.
April 14, 2026
Not a lot of new ground being traded, here, but I like Natori's desire to please. That feels realistic in a young woman new to the workforce.
April 23, 2026
diana i feel you
April 24, 2026
the age gap is...? worried a bit about how they'll deal with that... that will make or break it for me...
May 11, 2026
I am electing to ignore the age gap because I really liked this otherwise.
May 14, 2026
I found this as a cozy read. I like the main character Natori. This is my second time trying the villainess trope and yuri at that. So I can’t wait to read the second volume if I find it in stores.
May 18, 2026
5/26 Library discovery. An fun isekai story with interesting characters. Wish the library had more.
October 13, 2026
to all the people saying the villainess genre is over-saturated: no it's not because I said so
July 11, 2026
Natori was summoned into an otome game and she will directly with the viallainess: Lapis Tenebrau.
Natori is a very innocent character and wants to help everyone even Lapis. She wants to stop her death so she is everything to help Lapis and turn her into a better person. Everyone stayed the same because she is a new character, not a part of their universe but as always the protagonist will defy the storyline and change teh script. A really well written villainess' story.
Natori is a very innocent character and wants to help everyone even Lapis. She wants to stop her death so she is everything to help Lapis and turn her into a better person. Everyone stayed the same because she is a new character, not a part of their universe but as always the protagonist will defy the storyline and change teh script. A really well written villainess' story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews