The artist who drew them was skilled at differentiating characters, so every time I saw Rui’s appearance, I would sigh and think, “What a beautiful character” — but the real thing was on a different level.
Usually, people look more beautiful through a screen in two dimensions, but she was an exception.
The honest impression of an ordinary otaku was that there really are people more beautiful than 2D characters.
Equally as shocking as her beautiful appearance was her relationship with Hinata-chan.
At that time, Rui clearly cursed me as “the scum who sullied my Hina.”
While I can guess the reason for her anger, what I can’t figure out is why she calls Hinata-chan “Hina.”
In the original work, Hinata-chan doesn’t become close with her until a bit later than now.
They were in the same year at the training school, but Hinata-chan only knew Rui one-sidedly as the beautiful genius.
By the way, even though Hinata-chan obtained her divine gift Lux three years late, she was second only to Rui at the training school. The fact that Rui didn’t even acknowledge her existence shows just how little interest she had in others.
It’s only after they become buddies as Exia, , that Rui recognizes her existence, and after overcoming several incidents, she finally starts calling Hinata-chan “Hina.”
This was a central event in the early part of “Watayume,” so I’m sure I’m not misremembering.
And yet, Rui is already calling Hinata-chan “Hina” at this point.
I have absolutely no idea about this. Really.
To begin with, it’s something that happened at the training school, so I couldn’t have been involved.
If that’s the case, doesn’t it mean there’s an unknown factor other than me, or someone else involved?
Heh heh heh, don’t underestimate an otaku’s gray matter.
I, the great detective, am here on this shopping trip today to investigate that unknown factor!
As I, an otaku getting carried away, stood there,
“Oh, that’s right. There’s something I need to tell you…”
Hinata-chan looked up at me with an apologetic expression.
…Those downturned eyebrows are so unfair! She’s incredibly cute.
When she makes such a cute face, this onii san will forgive anything.
“This morning, when I told my friend I was going clothes shopping, they insisted on coming along.”
“Uh-huh, uh-huh… Wait, what?”
…Hmm?
Well, Hinata-chan has a lot of friends, unlike me.
“I’m really sorry for the sudden change, but would it be okay if the three of us go together?”
“Well, you were planning to invite Kushina originally too, so I don’t mind…”
…It’s not like I’m disappointed thinking, “Oh, so it’s not a date, huh?” Definitely not.
More importantly,
“Um, Hinata-chan? What kind of person is this friend…?”
“————Hina.”
A clear voice rang out from behind us as we walked.
As I tensed up, Hinata-chan turned around.
“Huh? —— Wah!”
The owner of the voice — hugged the puzzled Hinata-chan.
While Hinata-chan and I were frozen for different reasons, only that person acted freely.
“Ahh, Hina in casual clothes is cute too. You’re truly an angel. Shall we get married?”
She tightly hugged Hinata-chan in her arms, letting her desires flow freely.
With the hood of her gray parka pulled low, I couldn’t see her face from where I stood.
However, her outfit and behavior were extremely suspicious, and her voice was very familiar. Very, very familiar.
Specifically, it reminded me of a voice full of resentment that I felt I’d heard a lot recently.
…No, no, no, there are plenty of people with similar voices, it must be my imagination. See, she’s wearing a hood (??). Anyone who worships Hinata-chan saying things like “cute” and “angel” is nothing but a suspicious person, starting with me. They should be arrested soon, right?
“Ahaha, I keep telling you not to do this in public…”
However, Hinata-chan, who should be in a position to arrest such a suspicious person, wore a wry smile as if to say “What can you do?” despite being hugged.
And then, she delivered the final blow to me, who was still in denial.
“Come on, let go for a moment, okay? —— Rui-chan.”
Ahhhhh, it really is Ruiiiiiiii!?
Today’s plan and my life are overrrrrr!!
“Mm~, just a little longer…”
“…!”
—— No, it’s not over yet! It’s not over!
Rui, who was rubbing her cheek against Hinata-chan, didn’t seem to notice me at all.
I need to do something while I still can…
“Look, this is the ‘onii san’ I’ve been talking about, you know?”
“!?”
Ahhh, wait, wait, don’t let my oshi end my life!
That would make me happy, but please wait a moment now!!
I shook my head so hard it could have come off in my mind, but my prayers didn’t reach Hinata-chan, who was shaking her friend’s shoulder.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to meet him too, Rui-chan?”
“I didn’t. I just said I wouldn’t mind meeting him.”
I do mind! I mind a lot!
“Geez, come on.”
“…Fine, if I must.”
Not bothering to hide her reluctance, Rui slowly raised her face.
Her eyes, which had been looking up cautiously,
“————Huh?”
changed to a gaze that could kill.
Rui quickly hugged Hinata-chan again, as if to hide her from me.
“Eh? Eh? Rui-chan?”
Leaving the confused angel aside, she darted her eyes around the area.
The moment I realized she was looking for a weapon to replace her usual long sword.
“————”
I closed the distance between Rui and myself.
I ‘separated’ from the merciless elbow strike she threw at me as I approached.
Bringing my mouth close to her ear without letting our bodies touch, I whispered.
“You’d better keep quiet.”
If it’s come to this, I might as well play the part.
“You don’t want to hurt her, do you?”
—— The role of the absolute villain!
Hearing my threat request, Rui stopped moving.
“…!”
I’m sorry, but I’ll have to use Hinata-chan as a hostage.
If I do that, the current Rui who adores her as “Hina” absolutely won’t be able to move.
“Mmph! Mm!”
Hinata-chan was being held tightly against Rui’s chest.
Given the height difference between the petite Hinata-chan and the tall Rui, the one being held had her face pressed down and likely couldn’t pay attention to her surroundings.
Confirming this instantly, I continued in a voice too low for Hinata-chan to hear.
“You understand, don’t you? I’m close with Hinata. I wonder how she’d feel if she knew the truth?”
I put on what I hoped was my most villainous smirk ever.
“~~~~, you…!”
Rui glared at me over her shoulder and gritted her teeth in frustration.
It’s easy to imagine how the kind Hinata-chan would be shocked.
She must have realized the consequences of condemning me based on a moment’s emotion.
“See? Isn’t it better for both of us if you stay quiet for now? You caring raining sword superhero san?”
“Kuh…you lowlife…!”
Even while cursing, I could see she was troubled by the disadvantages of revealing my true identity here.
Perhaps because her grip had loosened, Hinata-chan managed to slip out of her restraint.
“Geez, Rui-chan! What’s the big idea?”
“I… I’m sorry. I thought this guy might be suspicious, so I just…”
After a moment’s hesitation, a strained smile was plastered on her face as she made excuses.
I, who had been standing next to Rui when Hinata moved away, put on a similar smile.
“It’s okay now, Hinata-chan. Everything’s been resolved.”
The moment I called her “Hinata-chan,” I could feel the murderous intent swelling up beside me.
I could almost hear the inner voice saying, “Don’t address her so familiarly, you criminal!”
“I… I see…?”
Hinata still looked somewhat confused.
Her eyes turned towards us, standing close enough that our shoulders were almost touching.
Noticing this, Rui and I sprang apart as if shocked.
“…Well then, shall we start with introductions?”
“Sure.”
“Alright.”
As we both gave the same response simultaneously, Rui glared at me.
“I’m Rui Utsurugi, Hina’s one and only best friend.”
Rui’s words seemed to emphasize certain parts, as if to make a point.
…Oh? Well, Rui is also my oshi, so? It’s not like I’m feeling competitive or anything?
“I’m Ibuki Ibusuki, like an older onii san to Hinata-chan.”
I’m quite the otaku too, and I even know a bit about Hinata-chan’s future, so? I won’t lose, you know?
Sensing my competitive spirit, the beauty of Rui’s smile increased.
“Nice to meet you,” we said in unison.
“Hahaha…”
“Fufufu…”
We exchanged darkly humorous smiles.
Hinata-chan was looking at us anxiously.
“Um… by any chance, do you two already dislike each other?”
“We get along great!”
Rui and I chorused with smiles still on our faces.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
“Hina, how about this?”
Rui proudly showed off what she was holding, with an air that seemed to scream “Ta-da!”
It was an outfit she had picked out for Hinata-chan.
A boyish combination of a baggy blouson and denim skirt.
I could sense her enthusiasm in the fact that she had even brought a complete set with a cap and sneakers.
“Hmm… It would suit you, Rui-chan, but I’m not sure if it suits me…”
“There’s no such thing as clothes that don’t suit you, Hina. Even if there were, it would be the clothes’ fault for not suiting you, right?”
“Rui-chan, you say such extreme things…”
Hinata is supreme in heaven and earth…
I repeat, while Hinata-chan is my absolute favorite, Rui is also one of my favorites.
Although I had taken a prickly attitude during self-introductions due to my competitive spirit (otaku have low boiling points), when calm, it’s unthinkable to come between these two favorites.
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