Flashback 一 About a year and a half earlier.
Utsurugi Rui was a Winged Guardians Excia candidate, attending the middle division of the training school.
Her grades were the best in the school’s history. She had never placed below first in either academics or combat training.
Her Lux ability, Telekinesis, was rated S in every category一suppression, mobility, range, precision, and endurance.
And above all一what made her truly special was her beauty.
As a symbol of peace一as an idol.
A heroine needed elegance.
Some even argued that the most important talent for a Celestial Wing wasn’t strength, but “radiance.”
In that sense, Rui’s mesmerizing beauty was her greatest weapon.
一Not that she ever saw it that way.
Despite her extraordinary gifts, Rui never relied on talent alone.
Her academics, combat skills, even her Lux一all were backed by relentless effort.
That was why the school treated her as a “prodigy.”
And the one who chased after her?
Soehi Hinata.
In this era, countless people dreamed of becoming Winged Guardians Excia.
Most aspirants began honing their abilities the moment their Lux awakened at age seven.
It was said that even a birthdate could make or break one’s chances.
And yet一despite awakening her Lux three years later than her peers一Hinata overtook them with ease. People called her a “genius.”
“Prodigy” and “genius.”
That was how Rui and Hinata were seen at the training school.
一And those two ended up paired together.
It was inevitable they’d be called the greatest duo in history.
Even their participation in the internship一normally reserved for high division students一was accepted without question.
“You two really are the strongest pair we’ve ever had.”
Their mentor for the internship was none other than Yaotome Rinne.
Though she’d only just graduated high division herself, Rinne was already a legend一active in the field even during her school days.
Dubbed the *next “strongest,” pairing her with Rui and Hinata was likely a media stunt.
And in the end, the internship *did* make headlines一
Just not in the way anyone expected.
The greatest “prodigy” in history had cornered a criminal一
And killed them.
◇◇◇◇◇
“Isana probably… wants you and Soehi to become heroes.”
Rinne’s words hung in the air.
“…………”
Utsurugi Rui said nothing.
The rain continued to fall, relentless.
Drops dripped from the eaves.
Plip. Plop.
The sound was a constant reminder一
Of that day.
The soaked buildings, the puddles at her feet.
Everything looked dull一
No.
Everything looked drenched in red.
一Utsurugi Rui hated the rain.
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◇◇◇◇◇
I went digging for a way to get closer to Rui一
And got hit with the core truth right out of the gate.
Right now, I probably look like a pigeon that just took a magnum shot to the face.
Utsurugi Rui killing a criminal in the past?
That never happened in the original story.
Maybe I missed it because I avoid TV, but一
The bigger reason?
Lack of media coverage.
The incident was likely barely reported.
Because in this world?
Killing someone isn’t a big deal.
In my past life’s Japan, it would’ve been huge.
If this had been a killing by public authorities, the media would’ve pounced on it like vultures.
But in this world, it was just another Tuesday.
When criminals ran rampant wielding supernatural abilities, it was only natural for the forces of justice to respond with equal force.
Even if there were casualties, it was still a hundred times better than letting evil thrive.
No sane person would complain about that.
So then, why did I look like a pigeon who’d just had its head blown off?
That’s right一this world-renowned detective had stumbled upon a shocking truth.
一一Hina × Rui’s yuri in this world isn’t just [platonic]…!
一一It’s [romantic love]……!!
“Ooooh, my beloved ship!!”
As an open-minded otaku, I don’t automatically equate yuri with romance.
Yuri can be platonic affection, or even admiration一hell,
there are tons of other flavors too ((rest omitted)).
Anyway, in the original Watayume, Hina and Rui shared a bond of pure affection.
The way they supported each other as partners was nothing short of beautiful.
But in this world, this detective Ibuki has concluded their relationship has evolved beyond mere affection一into full-blown romance.
There were several reasons, but two stood out.
First: Rui’s murderous intent toward me was not normal.
Jealousy? Understandable. But homicidal rage? That’s a whole other level.
Hell, I’d confirmed Rui had actually tried to kill me. No doubt about it一she loved Hinata that much.
That alone wouldn’t have convinced me their relationship had crossed into romance.
The second reason一Hinata’s own behavior一sealed the deal.
That’s right. The yandere… no, dark aura she emitted the moment I said, “I wanna get along with Rui!” during my visit.
No question about it一Hinata loved Rui too.
But here’s the kicker: Hinata was completely unaware of her own feelings.
I mean, she panicked the second I mentioned “just you and Rui~.”
Adorable.
How could someone so obviously in love be so clueless?
Ugh, you dense protagonist!!
Sure, dense Hinata was cute, but Rui must’ve had hell dealing with this during their academy days.
I almost feel bad for her.
This also solved the question that had bugged me since I first met Rui in this world:
一Why was Utsurugi Rui so obsessively devoted to Soehi Hinata?
The answer? Hinata’s unconscious affection一and her broken sense of personal boundaries一had unknowingly captured Rui’s heart…!
Ugh, you dense protagonist!! (Second time.)
With all mysteries solved, my course of action was clear.
All I had to do was signal to Rui:
“I’m not getting between your yuri!”
Victory is mine, ahahaha! Just you wait, branch open house!
◇◇◇◇◇
After telling Ibuki everything she could about her best friend Rui一
Hinata leaned against the door, watching him inexplicably skip back to the neighboring house in high spirits.
She let out a long sigh.
“一一Wait, why am I getting all flustered over this?!?”
“All flustered,” of course, referred to her feelings toward “Onii san” Ibuki.
Cheeks burning, she replayed their earlier conversation in her head.
“B-But… Onii san already has Kushina-chan……”
Yet, there was no mistaking what he’d said.
Letting the moment slip by without pressing for details was her biggest blunder.
Now, in the cold light of hindsight, all she saw were problems.
Worse yet, other issues began surfacing.
“Wait, did Onii san even tell Kushina-chan about his part-time job一一”
And then it hit her.
“H-Huh…? Kushina-chan… knows Onii san joined [Nega-Messiah: Covenant of Salvation]…?”
Though phrased as a question, Hinata already knew.
There was no way Kushina didn’t know.
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