Before I reincarnated as “Ibuki Ibusuki.”
In other words, in my previous life, there was a manga I loved the most.
It was called “The Dream I Saw.” Its abbreviated title was “Watayume.”
Set in a modern world where only women developed supernatural abilities, resulting in a matriarchal society, it follows the protagonist, Hinata, as she rises through the ranks of a police organization dealing with supernatural crimes.
While the setting is a female-dominated world, this mainly serves as a justification for young girls like the protagonist to fight on the front lines. There aren’t particularly any yuri romance elements.
However, the odd-couple dynamic between the earnest Hinata and her grumpy female partner became popular, and after going viral on a certain SNS, it became something of a social phenomenon.
That’s the manga “The Dream I Saw,” which became the basis for this world.
Or perhaps this world became the basis for “Watayume.”
Either way, if this world completely links with the “Watayume” series, it means I know what’s going to happen next.
There are two problems.
First, “Watayume” was an unfinished work.
In my previous life, I was a hardcore “Watayume” otaku, and I perfectly remember the plot developments.
But that’s only for the published parts.
The original work was only about halfway through, and I reincarnated into this world without knowing the ending.
The second issue is that the “Ibuki Ibusuki” in this world is “me.”
In the original story, Ibuki was just “the guy from the neighborhood” who Hinata knew by face.
However, now I have been somewhat involved with her since childhood. Our relationship is closer than just “the guy from the neighborhood.”
Nevertheless.
Regarding the first issue, it’s pointless to dwell on it.
It’s strange enough to know the future in the first place.
If anything, knowing up to a certain point is already fortunate.
As for the second issue, there are only slight discrepancies at this point.
Neither I nor “Ibuki” are significant enough to greatly alter the story, and Hinata’s actions should remain mostly unchanged from the original.
In other words, there are no changes to the first half of the story that I know, at least for now.
That’s why I can stand here now.
“Hey, hey, that robe, it’s from [Nega Messiah: The Covenant of World Salvation], right?”
This is Oura, one of Tokyo’s main cities.
Several main streets extend from the station, reminiscent of Paris, the City of Light.
On one of these streets, lined with buildings about ten stories high, there stood a particularly eye-catching clock tower.
“Did anyone call it in?”
“Already done!”
“They say the police have surrounded the building below!”
“L-let’s move further away.”
“We’re far enough already.”
A crowd was gathering, pointing up at the top of the clock tower, a symbol of the city.
Their expressions were a mix of anxiety, hostility, and a hint of curiosity.
These feelings were directed not so much at me personally, but at the black-robed figure of [Nega Messiah], notorious as an evil organization.
Feeling the weight of their stares, I take a deep breath.
I’m nervous. More than just a little. If I let my guard down, my legs might start shaking on their own.
Even so,
“Yeah, it’s alright. I’m fully prepared.”
This mission, my first since joining [Nega Messiah], is a diversion.
The main objective is Kushina’s task, and my role is to draw attention away from her so she can accomplish her goal more easily.
That’s why Kushina is on the opposite side of the station, and I’m here alone.
My worry-wart childhood friend was concerned about me until the very end, but after my persuasion, she reluctantly went off to her own mission.
In fact, for a role that only requires causing a commotion and escaping, even my combat-unsuited Talent Lux should be sufficient—or so it should have been.
Unfortunately, Kushina’s worries will become reality in just a few dozen minutes.
Today marks the beginning of the first chapter of the original “Watayume.”
It’s the prologue of Hinata’s first step as the protagonist who became the admired heroine.
There’s the shock of her first mission target being the familiar face of Ibuki, and how she overcomes various challenges and makes her resolution… that sort of thing.
And the typical sacrificial pawn in this first chapter is “Ibuki.”
In this world, there are a very small number of men who awaken to Talent Lux.
Many of them harbor thoughts like “Let’s change this world where men are oppressed!”
Most of these types belong to groups with names like [Nega Messiah: The Covenant of World Salvation], which sound like they could liberate the world.
The original “Ibuki” was exactly like that.
…Well, due to various circumstances, I’ve ended up in this organization too.
Probably, “Ibuki” had received the same orders as I have now.
He engaged in a head-on battle with the police force, was easily subdued by the arriving Hinata, and was promptly sent to prison.
The original Ibuki was a fool who indulged in the arrogant idea that “I have been chosen,” common among men who awaken to Talent Lux in this world. It couldn’t be helped.
Above all—his opponent was that genius, Hinata Soehi.
However, that’s the story from the original work.
The current Ibuki—me—has no intention of getting caught here.
“…She’s here.”
A thudding sound of landing echoes behind me.
Immediately after, a strong wind blows against me.
It’s the aftermath of her arrival at a speed beyond human limits.
While holding down my hood fluttering in the wind, I turn around.
“——”
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In a world where Talent Lux-related incidents began to run rampant, the previous police force lost its effectiveness.
In its place, a new police organization was established under government control.
These women in white uniforms are the pillars of modern public safety.
Experts in dealing with supernatural crimes.
“I’m Exia, a Winged Guardian from the 10th Branch of [Prim Libra].”
A voice with a core of steel, different from her usual spring sunshine-like tone.
Her pure white overcoat flutters.
“I’ll have to ask you to come quietly.”
Hinata Soehi’s peach-colored eyes pierce straight through me.
“Unfortunately, that’s not possible.”
I try to keep my voice as calm as possible.
If I don’t, the excitement, joy, and nervousness swirling inside me might burst out and make me lose control.
Because finally, I’m witnessing it.
The first step of the character I was so passionate about.
“…I’ll ask just to be sure. You are indeed a member of [Nega Messiah], correct?”
She hesitates slightly, probably because I’m male.
Hinata asks, as if giving a final warning.
So I answer with all my might.
To avoid showing a pathetic figure in front of her.
“Correct answer. I am a member of [Nega Messiah: The Covenant of World Salvation]—”
There might have been other paths than standing before her as an enemy.
But after twists and turns, I decided to join the evil organization.
If so, I thought, why not go all the way?
“My code name is ‘Divergence.'”
Reincarnated into this world I loved so much, where you, my Oshi character, actually exist.
Then I want to see with my own eyes the Hinata Soehi I admired as Exia, the Winged Guardian.
That’s why I’m here as your enemy.
“From now on, I’ll be in your care.”
Perhaps because it was an odd thing for an enemy to say,
Hinata-chan’s expression turned slightly suspicious.
Turning my back to her, I—
“…Huh?”
—ran away with all my might.
“Ehhhhh!?”
To begin with, it’s unthinkable for an otaku to raise a hand against their idol.
Therefore, a head-on battle is out of the question.
Consequently, I run away.
Q.E.D.
“—Wait right there!!”
She probably didn’t expect me to flee without showing any signs of fighting.
Hinata-chan chased after me in a panic.
To add a serious note, one reason for my escape is that my Lux talent isn’t suited for combat.
More precisely, I have no means of attack whatsoever.
I looked over my shoulder to confirm that Hinata-chan was chasing me, and—
“See you later!”
“Wha…!”
—I leapt from the clock tower’s roof, nearly thirty meters high.
Screams erupted from the crowd below.
Normally, I’d plummet straight down to the ground surrounded by police officers.
No doubt, I’d deliver a splatter scene to the spectators.
However, my body traced a parabolic arc over the crowd’s heads, and—
“There we go.”
—I landed softly on the roof of a nearby building.
My Lux talent is—《Separation》.
This feat was made possible by cleverly “applying” it.
It looks simple, but in reality, the timing is quite severe and difficult.
However, it would be uncool to let her realize that.
I turned around, exuding confidence.
I provoked the hero of justice, left behind on the opposite building, with a beckoning gesture of my index finger.
“You…!”
Hinata-chan furrowed her brow in frustration.
Our idol is cute no matter what expression she makes… but this isn’t the time for such thoughts.
I resumed my escape without waiting to see her next move.
There’s no need to see it to know.
If I can do it with some effort, she can surely do it effortlessly.
Each of them possesses the strength of a thousand, making ordinary Lux talent holders no match for them.
That’s why they, the Winged Guardians Exia, are special.
“—I told you to wait, didn’t I?”
See? The distance I gained has already shrunk to within earshot.
I kicked off the floor reflexively, rolling to the side.
A pure white whirlwind passed through where I had been just moments ago.
Looking up, Hinata-chan once again stood blocking my path.
The distance I had gained while she was surprised by my sudden escape had vanished in an instant.
Her Lux talent that accomplished this is—《Acceleration》.
She accelerates herself.
There’s no limit to her speed; theoretically, she can become faster than anything in the world.
A member of the [Prim-Libra], wielding a carefully selected Lux talent, Exia one of the Winged Guardians .
This is why the protagonist, Hinata Soehi, the youngest member there, is considered a genius.
—That’s precisely why this “just running away” diversion becomes meaningful.
The fact that they are each worth a thousand also means that their absolute numbers are few.
I stand up, brushing off the dirt from the hem of my robe.
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