Final Act: Wings of Similarity
In a stylish sweets café, one particular pair drew more attention than any other customers.
A flaxen-haired man wearing black-framed glasses put on an expression that practically screamed “What, you think my last name is Ibusuki?”
This was Ibuki.
His “disguise” consisted solely of glasses—chosen for the flimsy logic that “glasses are the best disguise”—yet they somehow accentuated his features, transforming him into a stylish, intellectual-looking handsome man. In other words, it wasn’t a disguise at all.
Across from him, a woman sat with her legs crossed, elbows on the table, wearing sunglasses and an expression that declared “I’ve never heard the words ‘Utsurugi’ in my life.”
This was Rui.
Though skeptical of Ibuki’s “glasses = disguise” theory, she had opted for a pair of chic shades. “Somehow, I feel like I’m getting fewer stares than usual,” she mused, reassessing him—though in reality, the gazes were just divided between them now.
Both were stunningly beautiful, but that wasn’t why they stood out.
“Nooo, that’s totally the wrong interpretation!”
“Why not!? A slightly jaded Hinata-chan would be great!”
“Hina is cutest when she’s pure and warm-hearted!”
“I agree, but still—!”
They were just loud.
They’d been like this for about thirty minutes now.
The owner, who had initially tolerated their presence since their striking looks attracted customers like a panda exhibit, was now on the verge of kicking them out.
◇◇◇◇◇
“……This is your fault for refusing to admit it.”
“……You’re the one who won’t admit it.”
Having been politely ejected from the café, the two continued needling each other as they walked down the street.
After the fierce battle at the 10th Branch, Ibuki felt a chill at the thought of how badly things could’ve gone if they’d misunderstood each other.
As an aside, Ibuki had suggested “Wouldn’t a crowded place make it easier to blend in?” over the phone, to which Rui had dryly replied, “Oh? Are you a genius?”—which was how they’d ended up in Takeshita Street, Harajuku.
Predictably, a small clearing had formed around them as pedestrians gave them a wide berth, but since this was normal for them, neither noticed.
If anything, Ibuki was busy admiring the scenery. “The details are different from my past life, but Harajuku is still the epicenter of youth culture in this world too, huh?”
Meanwhile, Rui—staring straight ahead—broke the silence.
“Now, about the main topic—”
“I’d have preferred to discuss this before getting kicked out…”
Ibuki glanced meaningfully at the crowd around them, hinting this wasn’t the place for secrets.
“Quiet. ……At this distance, just lower your voice a little.”
When Ibuki leaned in slightly to hear better, Rui recoiled dramatically.
“Hey……! Don’t just get so close.”
“That much……?”
Glasses-kun slumped, his metaphorical “closeness meter” plummeting.
Seeing this, Rui made a slightly flustered face.
“It’s just…… I’m not used to men.”
“……Ah. Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
And so, they struggled with distance for a while.
When the actual conversation finally began, it was with a question that struck at the heart of things:
“Why did you join [Nega Messiah]?”
A question weighty enough to silence Ibuki.
“I didn’t want to discuss this over the phone.”
“……I see.”
Rui’s serious gaze erased all room for evasion.
The only answer left in his mind was the truth—the face of his childhood friend, Kushina.
“To become someone who could protect a precious person.”
Now it was Rui’s turn to fall silent.
In her mind flashed the face of his precious person—her best friend, Hinata.
“……Heh. You’re truly committed.”
“Yeah. ……Wait, huh?”
Something felt off, but Ibuki decided not to press it.
“I’m satisfied with that answer.”
The girl smiled brightly.
“The weather forecast said it’ll rain soon, so let’s end here.”
Somehow, they’d circled back to Harajuku Station.
“I need to head to the branch office after this.”
“Didn’t you say today was your day off?”
“It is, but—”
Rui’s gaze drifted into the distance, where—beneath the cloudy sky—stood the imposing form of the 10th Branch.
Ibuki followed her line of sight.
“I just want to see the Vice Branch Chief for a bit.”
◇◇◇◇◇
“Ehehe……”
“…………”
The Vice Branch Chief—Isana—grinned awkwardly across her desk at the beautiful angel lost in thought.
Their minds were perfectly aligned:
((What do we do about the sketch!?))
From Isana’s perspective, she didn’t want caught.
From Rui’s perspective, she didn’t want caught either.
Thus, an absurd stalemate formed—two heroines of justice conspiring to help a villain escape.
Isana pondered:
(Rui’s easy to read. Even without mind-reading, I know she’s dying to eliminate . After their run-in during the tour, she’s definitely here to demand his arrest.)
Rui pondered:
(Since I confronted again, she must think I saw his face properly this time. ……Does the Vice Branch Chief even realize who he really is? ……No, if she knew, she’d have issued a warrant immediately.)
Rui struck first.
“Vice Branch Chief.”
“Eek!?”
“About ‘s sketch—”
“S-Sorry! I’ll—”
“Thank you.”
“——Eh!?”
Isana’s head tilted at a perfect 45-degree angle.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
Rui continued:
“As stated in my report, I engaged again recently. Upon seeing his face, I confirmed it matches the revised sketch you provided.”
“…………Huhhhh?”
What kind of twist is this?
Isana was surprised, but she decided to go along with the conversation for now and think about it later.
After all, it was way too convenient for her. There was no reason to refuse.
“O-oh, is that so? Well, that’s great. Hahaha…”
She’d play along first and figure things out afterward.
What exactly is Utsurugi-chan thinking?
The fact that she couldn’t read her at all was… a little scary.
Maybe I should just use mind-reading after all, she resolved.
Meanwhile, Rui let out a quiet sigh of relief.
(Thank goodness… The vice-branch captain doesn’t seem to have noticed. Well, she was busy dealing with that wildcat Roselia, so it makes sense. If she had found out, it would’ve meant my judgment was completely worthless.)
And then—《Mind Reading》activated.
(Honestly, I’ve never been good at judging people’s looks. I still remember the time I mixed up a TV idol with a random homeless person when I was little… Ah, memories.)
Perhaps because she herself was exceptionally beautiful, Rui’s standards for “beauty” were… a little too high.
This was especially obvious during her childhood, when she despised humans—back then, everyone else looked like monkeys to her.
Nowadays, even she thought that was going too far.
But the timing of this memory couldn’t have been worse.
(—Wow. Utsurugi-chan’s judgment is completely worthless.)
A wave of sadness washed over Isana, and she immediately cut off the mind-reading.
In the end, it was the best choice for both of them.
Then, with a pitying look—the kind you’d give to some poor, unfortunate soul—she turned to her subordinate and asked:
“Hey, Utsurugi-chan… Wanna read some shoujo manga?”
“Huh?”
In her hands was a manga.
Its sparkly cover bore the title: [Send Me to Him.]
“No, I don’t want it. Not interested.”
“Aw, c’mon! Don’t be like that! There’s tons of—uh—*really *hot guys in it!”
“I’d rather spend that time ‘observing’ Hina.”
“Ugh…”
Rejected, Isana slumped in defeat.
Then, Rui noticed something.
Piled high on the vice-branch captain’s desk were stacks of paperwork—
and crammed between them, as if fighting for space, were shoujo manga volumes.
It was almost painful to imagine her whispering, “Just finish this stack, and I can read more! Hang in there, me!”
Rui recoiled. “Eugh…”
As she eyed the titles wedged between reports—Maple Melon Cola (Vol. 23), Shinoburedo (Vol. 50)—Isana’s eyes gleamed.
“Hey, Utsurugi-chan! This one’s really good!!”
“Stop trying to convert me.”
Yet, converted she was.
Or rather, forced.
“If you don’t submit a book report by next week, I’m docking your pay!”
(Power harassment. She would report this boss to the labor union.)
She considered taking it home—until she saw the torrential rain outside and gave up.
Instead, she plopped onto a lobby chair, resolved to speed-read and return it by day’s end.
(If my pay gets cut, I can’t whale for Hina…)
The thought struck her: Wait. Now I have a comrade.
A strange warmth curled in her chest.
“…Heh.”
Rui’s lips twitched upward.
Both of them adored Hina—yet stood on opposing sides: justice and villainy.
Both were close to Hina—yet as best friend and big brother figure.
Both ruled the skies in battle—yet wielded sword and paper scraps.
Both were unfairly attractive—yet split by gender.
Almost the same, yet slightly different. Mirror images.
—It’s like… I’ve gained a comrade.
Not quite a friend—something odder, yet not unwelcome.
She think it might not be so bad.
Lost in thought, she flipped through the manga.
She didn’t hate reading—and as far as “assignments” went, this slid down easy.
Just as the plot thickened—
[I’ve… been pretending not to notice.]
[What’re you talking about?]
[I fell for him at first sight!]
“Ugh… I’m out.”
(Of course. Trash.)
Love at first sight.
Her least favorite trope. A headache brewed.
(How does the vice-captain stomach these ‘airhead heroine’ stories?)
Yet the “airhead” on the page babbled on, desperate.
Pathetic.
[I get jealous seeing him with other girls…]
—The Centennial Satanalia.
“………”
[When our eyes meet, I glare without thinking…]
—The mall. Branch orientation day.
“………h.”
[If he gets too close, my heart races…]
—The confessional. The rooftop. Harajuku.
“……no.”
[But most of all—the first time we met, I couldn’t look away!]
—Escorting the prisoner transport.
That day, Kairi’s hood had slipped—and Rui had frozen, pinned by his face.
(Because he looked like some playboy who’d tricked her best friend. That’s all.)
Not once had she been stunned by his beauty—
“……No way.”
That pull. That dizzying, heart-stealing lurch—
“……No no NO NO NO!!”
She slammed the book shut.
“—!!”
Restless. Burning. She bolted onto the balcony—into the downpour.
Her body felt weak. Yet she clung to the iron railing—frail, but fierce.
Rain pelted her long hair, her back.
Rain. The thing she hated most.
“Me—falling in love at first sight—?!”
But tonight—
“— ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY. *IMPOSSIBLE!!!!”
The droplets cooling her feverish skin felt… *good.*
“Haah… haah…”
Her breath scalded. Rain drummed against her.
And yet—
—thump. thump.
She heard it.
The frantic pulse in her chest.
“……!”
Her hands flew to cover it.
“……What do I do?”
She clutched her soaked uniform.
“I’ve… never felt so alive.”
Rain.
Endless rain.
Noise drowning out the heartbeat she couldn’t deny.
—Utsurugi Rui still hated the rain.
Visit the request page If there’s a Japanese Light Novel (LN) or Web Novel (WN) you’d like me to translate
When the donation goal progress bar above hit 100% one novel will be chosen for translation
| Table of Contents | Next* |
Support the Author by Buying the Original Books!
