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Chapter 487 Who is the real me?

"There were two sounds?"

Chris stammered, seemingly trying to find the difference, but judging from her expression, it must have been quite a difficult task for her.

The same metallic armor, primarily in gold and white, covers the entire body; the same orange bodysuit that accentuates the girl's vibrant figure; the same scarf of the same length; orange-gold headphones; and antenna-like receiving devices extending from the sides of the head, enhancing the sense of technology and fashion.

They are two people who were cut from the same mold, two sides of the same person reflected in a mirror.

As expected, this situation has occurred.

My parallel self.

Although initially only Kazanari Tsubasa, a Symphogear user, appeared as a prank to defeat the Noise Monsters, this also indicates that Relics exist in this world as well... Given this, it is not surprising that other Symphogear users will appear; it is only natural.

Then,

When "Hibiki Tachibana" sees another "Hibiki Tachibana," what will she be thinking? And what will the other person be thinking?
"Oh no! Chris-chan! What do we do?!"

The girl, who had just been so arrogant, was now visibly flustered.

"Idiot! Don't make such a fuss!"

"Isn't there a saying that... you can't come into contact with people who look just like you, or something terrible will happen, like a death knell striking!"

“That’s called ‘Doppelgnger’! Seriously… Weren’t you just teasing me? Why are you panicking now that it’s your turn?”

Of course, suddenly encountering your parallel self could also have many unexpected consequences... Another version of yourself suddenly pops up in front of you, causing Hibiki's already not very efficient CPU to overheat severely, and his eyes to become blurry.

"……ring?"

The scene before me seemed somewhat disorienting.

"Ok?"

"Ok?"

Hibiki Tachibana, no…

Hibiki and the others answered in unison.

The different images of Hibiki Tachibana that appeared on the retinas of her left and right eyes cleverly overlapped in the middle.

At Chris's prompting, the silence was broken, and the gazes of the two Hibiki Tachibana met in a straight line, staring at and scrutinizing each other, but neither knew how to speak.

If you look closely, you can actually find some differences between the two – the other "Tachibana Hibiki" is more slender, no, she's thinner, almost to the point of malnutrition, the kind of person who doesn't eat properly.

— Hibiki Tachibana [Another]

Let's just call it "bad sound" for now.

Upon seeing Tachibana Hibiki, the delinquent Hibiki's expression was equally astonished and confused, a flicker appearing in her stagnant eyes. Meanwhile, Tachibana Hibiki slowly lowered the Kazanari Wings behind her and cautiously took a step forward, getting a little closer.

"!"

The rustling sound seemed startled by this action, and it shrank back slightly.

That's right. To her, who was completely unaware of the situation, the current situation was incredibly bizarre. Suddenly seeing someone who looked very similar to her, or even exactly the same, was like seeing her own clone.

This phenomenon of "doppelgangers" appears in many cultures and legends, and is usually considered an ominous sign, foreshadowing the death or misfortune of the original being.

"Am I going to die?"

The thought lingered in her mind for a while. She resisted the urge to run away. When Bu Liangxiang came back to her senses, she was suddenly surprised to find that the girl who looked just like her had appeared in front of her in an instant, as if she had shrunk the earth.

when?
This technique of shrinking the area is quite practical.

"that……"

Bathed in sunlight, Hibiki Tachibana, who seemed to shimmer all over, forced a friendly smile and extended her right hand toward the delinquent Hibiki.

"..."

Faced with such goodwill, the response from Bu Li Xiang was—

Snapped.

She swung her arm and slapped away the hand that was being offered to her.

The girl spoke in a rather cold tone, her voice full of wariness: "Who exactly are you? Why do you look just like me?"

"Just as I thought..."

Despite being treated so rudely, Tachibana Hibiki remained unperturbed. "I knew it. I was just wondering...did you run into some trouble?"

Because the person in front of her was "herself," Hibiki Tachibana was able to understand—whether it was her expression and demeanor when she first appeared, or her attitude now, it was all quite "depressing," with that naked aggression and a feeling of distrust of everyone…

Hibiki Tachibana was certain that what she had encountered was completely different from her own experience.

Perhaps provoked by the assertive tone, or perhaps due to a misunderstanding, Bulangxiang suddenly sneered: "You're so noisy, just leave me alone."

After saying that, she turned around and tried to leave.

"Hmm...this sound seems a bit ugly..."

Chris could only describe the delinquent Hibiki as "awful," as if this world's Hibiki Tachibana was surrounded by a low-pressure atmosphere, making people feel very uncomfortable once they got close, giving off a feeling of keeping people at a distance, like a dark version of the sunny, cheerful, silly girl in her world.

She didn't even care about the injured guard beside her... Weren't they colleagues from the Second Division in this world?
Although the force of Bu Liangxiang's punches was violent, it was not concise and completely lacked any method. It was as if he was just hitting randomly, and his arm muscles were not well-developed. Even if he hadn't met his master, he would definitely not have done this if he had trained with the Commander and the others.

What exactly happened to her in this world?
Why does this happen?

It was precisely because he didn't understand anything that Hibiki wanted to communicate with her.

"and many more!"

In a moment of desperation, Xiang grabbed the other person's hand.

"I told you to leave me alone! Can't you understand what I'm saying?!"

The bad news also erupted, and the anger in her heart burst forth uncontrollably, but her slightly trembling hands and the warmth that followed from her palms made her pause in surprise.

"It's so cold!"

Hibiki was taken aback; the skin of this "herself" was as cold as ice. But instead of backing down, she took a deep breath and pulled the delinquent Hibiki closer with even greater force, pressing her against her even more tightly.

"you!"

Before Bu Liangxiang could even struggle to get up, the two twin girls clasped their fingers together and pressed their foreheads against each other. Their golden armor clashed together with a crisp sound, and their antenna-like receivers touched each other.

In such close physical contact, their wavelengths match, their waveforms overlap, and two identical souls slowly draw closer, feeling each other's pulse and heartbeat, eventually becoming one and indistinguishable.

For two identical entities, there is no faster way to communicate.

Then, the connection between spirits, the resonance between souls, began.

Since there is a world where everyone can achieve happiness, there must also be a world where no one can achieve happiness.

Tachibana Hibiki is surrounded by caring family members, close friends who have never left, comrades-in-arms, classmates who share laughter, adults she can rely on, a prankster but reliable mentor, and many other kind people.

So, after that horrific day at the Zwei-wing concert, she was discharged from the hospital with a remarkably sound and healthy mindset.

What? Just because she's a survivor of the concert, does that give the families of the unfortunate victims the right to blame her? To pin all the blame on her?

Saying things like, "Why wasn't it you who died that day, but our loved one?", shifting their own grief and anger onto others...

This is human nature, which makes it impossible for people to understand each other.

Even if only half of humanity were such fools, that half could easily create enormous noise. But noise is just noise, and there are always some powerful words that can penetrate these sounds and reach the heart.

"Silly girl, don't let these weaklings influence you! Don't take on things that others force you to take on, clear your head... Do you understand? Do you know?"

"Hibiki is not wrong... This is not Hibiki's fault, you are just a victim."

"Hibiki Tachibana, let's go train together! As long as we become stronger, we can protect you!"

……

Hibiki Tachibana is a girl who is easily influenced.

I suppose I would have given up long ago if I were alone.

But Xiang is always surrounded by companions, friends, and a sunny place.

With their help, the girl named Hibiki Tachibana quickly regained her spirits and resolved to fight with her own fists.

"If anyone causes trouble for others, I'll stop them with these fists!"

It wasn't because we were swallowed up by the noise, but because we righteously overcame the distractions and then made changes.

Undoubtedly, Hibiki Tachibana was lucky.

However, Hibiki Tachibana was unfortunate.

Compared to another version of oneself,
She had nothing.

In this world, she lost everything after the Zwei-wing concert.

She didn't meet "Jagi," wasn't saved, and her only friend, Kohinata Mirai, disappeared for some unknown reason. The girl, burdened with unwarranted resentment and accusations, even had her family torn apart because of this incident, and her classmates at school looked at her with strange eyes.

From that moment on, Tachibana Hibiki began to struggle in the darkness, struggling, struggling...

Darkness, a complete absence of light, an endless expanse of darkness. In the endless darkness and cold, even things that were once visible began to disappear.

When pain strikes, one can only silently endure the torment, unable to tell anyone or confide in anyone. In such a situation, time seems to slow down.

Having swum for an unknown amount of time, suffocated for an unknown amount of time, suffered for an unknown amount of time, and wandered through this world like a walking corpse, it wouldn't be surprising if he ended his life at any time...

…Finally, “she” appeared.

As if immersed in an ice cave, Tachibana Hibiki experienced the feeling that "Bad Hibiki" had experienced, and finally understood why the other had become the way she was.

"What a...nightmare..."

No wonder she doesn't know combat skills; no one has ever taught her.

No wonder there was no glimmer of hope in her eyes; she could no longer see any hope.

No expectations, no hopes, abandoned, cursed... This is the world line of Tachibana Hibiki, all alone.

What was a long time in the soul world was but a moment in reality, and tears streamed down the faces of both girls at the same time.

Her trembling eyes slowly opened, and what came into view was Tachibana Hibiki's dazed expression, and her own thin, gloomy reflection in her eyes.

"Go away!"

The unpleasant sound roughly pushed Tachibana Hibiki away, severing their mental connection.

Even though... even though they have the same appearance, even though they already know that the other person is another version of themselves, but...

—Since you already have everything, why do you still appear before me, someone who has nothing?
—A feeling of nausea and vomiting churned in my chest and abdomen; I really wanted to throw up.

"Why can't we just communicate properly...?"

The girl's expression was sorrowful, and her voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Ha, saying that kind of thing again..."

This has been the case until now...

I've always been alone...

They suddenly appeared, talking about parallel worlds, another version of myself, partners, friendship...

Who understands what you're saying?!

My chest feels so hot, like it's about to catch fire.

My frustration felt like it was about to overflow.

It was precisely because she witnessed everything Tachibana Hibiki had gone through, because she saw her brilliance, cheerfulness, and boundless energy, because she always had friends by her side… that she found it glaring, repulsive, and utterly detestable!
Even now!

Making an expression that says "I understand you, I want to save you," this sympathetic look from another version of herself, this arrogant attitude that only the winners in life can show, is driving her crazy!
"You're just getting in the way! Parallel worlds, crises—if you're going to do all that, get out of my way! Don't bother me!"

She roared in a fit of rage, her foot suddenly rising and then slamming angrily onto the ground, causing the earth to groan and a huge crack to spread outwards, with a gale sweeping in all directions.

That's a natural way of thinking.

When another version of yourself appears before you, as long as you still have human emotions, you can't help but compare yourself to it, which is understandable.

But the cold reality is that I am the only one who has experienced such a tragic fate, the only one who is unfortunate, the only one... who should not exist in this world.

Compared to Tachibana Hibiki, wasn't I just a fake, an imposter?
"..."

Silence fell. Tachibana Hibiki didn't know how to convince her other self. Words seemed so powerless at this moment, but she understood even more clearly—

If you let go at a time like this, you'll never be able to hold onto her again.

So, the girl slowly assumed a fighting stance: "A lot happened in places I don't know about... I'm sorry I'm so late..."

There was no answer, only a fist filled with coldness, violence, and twisting energy that blasted out from the front!
Hibiki Tachibana vs. Hibiki the Delinquent!
Anger and sorrow intertwined, and a battle ensued.

(End of this chapter)