Chapter 2: Memory is My Shadow
"Yes, I am an idealist. I firmly believe that ideas are the primary nature of the world; the mind can overwhelm, dominate, and change all matter."
"Socrates believed the soul is immortal, the body is a burden, and death is the soul's liberation. Plato believed that humans are composed of two parts: the soul and the body, and the body is like a prison trapping the soul within."
"They are my enlightening mentors, and I inherit and develop the supreme world of the spirit."
"So... what exactly am I?"
It was midsummer, and the trees on both sides were growing exceptionally well. Their trunks soared into the clouds, and the leaves at the top were misty and indistinct, making them hard to see clearly. The afternoon sun shone down from the boundless blue sky, casting spots on the steps. When a cool breeze blew, the shadows of the trees swayed, and the mottled light and shadow moved along with them.
A figure was slowly walking down the mountain.
Hikaru had completely sorted out the current situation.
Without a doubt, this world was the one from the work *Oshi no Ko* by Akasaka-sensei, which could be referred to as the "Oshi" world for short. Since the original work was in manga format, most of the shots were given to the protagonists—namely the Aqua siblings—to push the main plot. Descriptions of the world-building were actually very scarce. Or rather, since it was a modern urban world, it didn't need much more description; it was basically equivalent to a second Japan.
However, due to copyright issues, most things related to the original world were treated abstractly. After all, it was a work of art, and one had to avoid suspicion. If Akasaka-sensei were to draw a Pikachu or the latest version of Mickey Mouse exactly as they were in the manga, that famous mangaka would probably go bankrupt the next day.
Only IPs that were extremely famous and didn't care much about copyright could appear normally—for instance, Hikaru had just seen a warm-up message for a "Magical Mirai" concert.
Homage, it was all an homage.
The time was the summer of 2018, and the location was a certain mountain in Miyazaki Prefecture. Judging from the original plot, it was likely the same mountain where Goro Amamiya died.
In the original story, the God of Entertainment had manifested several times on this mountain, talking to Aqua and Ruby and manually pushing the plot forward. If he climbed upward, there was indeed a possibility of meeting *Him*, but tomorrow was Ai's Dome performance. After weighing the pros and cons, Hikaru decided to head down the mountain first.
The plot had already reached a critical node; there wasn't much time for him to waste.
The stone steps had long been out of repair. Many steps were missing corners, and the surfaces were pitted and bumpy, yet not entirely rough; instead, they appeared quite smooth. Some spots were even like burnished bronze mirrors; when Hikaru walked over them, he could see his own blurry reflection.
The original owner of this body was Hikaru Kamiki.
To be honest, this made Hikaru feel a bit disgusted.
While he didn't consider himself a "good" person, he certainly didn't think he was some kind of monster. He had once watched works specifically about how to clear one's name if sharing a body with a criminal. He thought it was an interesting plot back then, but now that it was actually happening to him, Hikaru couldn't bring himself to laugh.
The mess Hikaru Kamiki made, the various crimes he committed—were they all going to be blamed on him?
Would anyone really be willing to bear the consequences of someone else's mistakes? He was just a ghost from another world, an unlucky guy forced into this shell.
What a joke.
Hikaru spat forcefully in his mind.
"I am not some 'Hikaru Kamiki.' As things stand, there is only one way out."
And that was...
"A clean break! A total severance!"
"Even if I have Hikaru Kamiki's face, use Hikaru Kamiki's body, and am about to spend all of Hikaru Kamiki's savings, how can you so easily assume my identity?"
"As soon as I get back to Tokyo, I'm going for a psychiatric evaluation to try and get a certificate for multiple personality disorder. Then I'll immediately declare amnesia on social media and cut ties with everything from the past."
Of course, he couldn't use the name Hikaru Kamiki either; he had to come up with a new one. "Hikaru" (阿光) was just a nickname acquaintances used for him; it wasn't his real name... Actually, his original name was "Guan Guang" (关光). This name was given to him by the director of the orphanage when he was a child, chosen primarily because it was catchy.
This was Japan, after all, and his old name didn't quite fit the environment. Having a Japanese-style name would be more convenient.
Having been called "Hikaru" for so many years, he felt he still quite liked the character for "Light" (光). In that case, he only needed to think of a new surname.
As an anime lover, several pages of classic characters instantly popped into his mind.
Gojo Hikaru? His waist felt a bit chilly just thinking about it...
Emiya Hikaru... maybe not, he didn't want to be an "Ally of Justice."
Kirigaya, Kamijou, Arima, Shirogane, Natsuki, Joestar... these classic surnames seemed a bit too conspicuous for daily life. Or rather, these were "2D" surnames that would be weird to use in real life. As for the more common ones like Sato, Sato, or Sato, Hikaru didn't really think much of them.
Linking it back to the world he was currently in, he had a pretty good idea—he would simply use Ai's surname: Hoshino. Hoshino Hikaru. It sounded good and felt like a protagonist's name.
Though it was certain that using this surname would bring a series of troubles.
While hesitating, Hikaru continued walking forward. He had walked for over half an hour and finally emerged from the dense forest. Before him was the last torii gate, which was on the verge of collapsing. As Hikaru passed through it, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang.
He picked it up naturally: "Hello, what's the matter?"
"You actually answered?" The voice on the other end was very surprised. "You've been unreachable for the past two days. I was planning to report you missing tomorrow."
*Crap.* Hikaru opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound.
He hadn't brought any memories with him through the transmigration; wouldn't he be exposed immediately in front of an acquaintance?
"..."
"Why aren't you talking? Did something really happen? Don't be like this, or I really will call the police."
"..."
Hikaru tested the waters cautiously: "Hello?"
This time, it was the other party who went silent.
"You are Hikaru Kamiki, right?"
"Probably."
"Well, I'm finding the situation a bit hard to understand too." The voice on the phone paused. "I originally called to notify you about work. There's a new script I think is very interesting and suits you well."
"But it seems there's a bit of a problem now."
"I am Hikaru's manager, Keigo Miura. I've already booked your flight back to Tokyo."
"Are you having any difficulties over there? Do you need me to come to Miyazaki to pick you up?"
*Hikaru's manager, huh...* Hikaru thought for a moment. There were no scenes for this character in the original work, so he wasn't sure what role this person played in Hikaru's life or if he was a partner in crime.
But he had to go back to Tokyo eventually. He couldn't do anything staying in Miyazaki.
As a newcomer in a strange land, he couldn't even take care of himself, let alone change the plot. Since help was being offered, there was no reason not to use it.
"Boarding shouldn't be a problem. How about... you pick me up in Tokyo?"