Chapter 87. Worthy of Being Urobuchi Gen
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"Person of Reversal?"
Huh?
It was a completely new title he had never seen before.
Kiyoshi Yuuma searched his memories and confirmed that Urobuchi Gen had never written such a work in his previous life.
He had originally expected something like Kikokugai or Puella Magi Madoka Magica. He never imagined it would be an unfamiliar name.
[Person of Reversal]
As he opened it, the story drew him in almost immediately.
Its premise revolved around time flowing backward.
In 1991, time-related tricks weren't used very often yet, but the time reversal Urobuchi Gen crafted here wouldn't feel outdated even in 2023.
Because his approach to time reversal was different from something like Groundhog Day or The Kiss of Death.
Traditional time reversal was essentially [loading a save]—jumping to a certain day and continuing from there.
But [Person of Reversal]...
This was time reversal in the truest, most literal sense.
[When everyone else's time moved forward, Yamashita's life was like stepping into a river and walking upstream.]
[After today passed, it wasn't tomorrow but yesterday.]
[My body and everything I experience are like a videotape rewinding.]
It was hard to imagine how this would appear to normal observers. Fortunately, the entire proposal described events through the perspectives of the male and female protagonists.
Unlike Mermaid's Heart, Urobuchi Gen added the heroine's perspective this time.
Delicate brushwork, emotionally resonant storytelling, clean pacing.
Captivating.
It wasn't very long—probably around a hundred thousand characters.
Like Mermaid's Heart, it was a pure love story between a man and a woman.
It carried Urobuchi Gen's signature wild imagination layered with suspense, leading to a twist and an emotional blow at the end.
After finishing, Kiyoshi Yuuma closed the proposal and exhaled deeply.
Worthy of Urobuchi Gen.
Even his emotional punches had a sense of artistry.
The worst part was that after being tormented, you couldn't even complain. It made you feel satisfied. You even wanted to cheer for him.
Damn it.
This was Urobuchi Gen, indeed.
Urobuchi watched the changing expressions on the President's face, nervously rubbing his hands.
After Kiyoshi Yuuma finished reading, he asked anxiously, "President, what do you think?"
"Mm... modern urban setting, pure love story, healing ending. Overall, there's no room for combat elements. It looks like it can only be made into a galgame," Kiyoshi Yuuma said.
"Mm, yes." Urobuchi nodded seriously.
"Then there's no issue," Kiyoshi Yuuma said with a knowing smile. "The story is excellent. It can be approved for development."
...
[Person of Reversal] was a typical galgame. There was nothing new or technically difficult to develop—they could reuse most of Mermaid's Heart's structure.
They just needed to bring in one more artist, and the project could begin.
Early the next morning, Kiyoshi Yuuma informed Chief Artist Sakata Taiji about the new title, and soon the [Person of Reversal] project was officially established.
Four people total, but it would be enough.
Once he had a new project to lead, Urobuchi Gen became exceptionally energetic again.
This man was a wild horse; you had to let him run. Otherwise, you couldn't bring out what made Urobuchi Gen who he was.
Kiyoshi Yuuma watched his expression, only hoping players wouldn't end up sending razor blades to the company.
...
July 21, 1991.
Goraku Tsushin released its latest weekly issue. In it, they published an in-depth report about Pokeni's new game, Mermaid's Heart.
Besides exclusive behind-the-scenes materials, their commentary differed from other magazines:
[Mermaid's Heart is not merely pure love transcending everything, contrasting pure affection with human ugliness. It also holds strong educational value and social warning significance.]
[From the story, we learn—
The protagonist, Yamazaki Teru, is a boy whose half-lidded eyes make him look like he has "dead fish eyes." Because of this, he has been bullied since childhood.
This phenomenon is common in our country. Surveys show that at least 30% of people have had similar experiences.
Being discriminated against, insulted, and bullied—often for unreasonable reasons.
But this is the reality around us.
Yamazaki's experiences reflect this starkly and evoke deep sympathy.]
[In such a world, Yamazaki is technically still human, yet he has long lacked any sense of belonging.
Even with human features, he lives a life of coldness and indifference from others. Such a life can hardly be called living.
Humans are fractured beings who derive pleasure from stepping on others. This work exposes that reality.]
[Under these circumstances, Yamazaki meets Suzune. As the last mermaid in the world, she has an appearance and physiology unlike humans, yet she is a pure-hearted child who loves Yamazaki wholeheartedly.
These two—
Looking out from their shared loneliness—create a story both painful and moving.]
[In modern society, loneliness is the norm.]
[Aren't we the same? Isolated, misunderstood, unable to communicate.]
[Surveys show over half of Japan's elderly have no one to care for them and die alone. This is known as "lonely death."]
[Everyone is an island. No one truly understands another, nor can anyone enter another's heart.]
[We have long lost the ability to escape loneliness.]
[In that sense, Yamazaki meeting Suzune is a kind of happiness.]
[Even if she's not human, I want to bless them.]
[Humans, meanwhile, capture Suzune in pursuit of eternal life—sacrificing others, polluting the environment, overfishing, destroying the habitat mermaids depend on.]
[In comparison, Suzune and Yamazaki's love appears pure, beautiful, sacred.]
[Thus, Mermaid's Heart is not merely a romance-themed galgame. It carries deeper meaning, reflects society, and offers enlightenment.]
[Other games lack this quality.]
[It must be said: Mermaid's Heart is truly a masterpiece.]
[Moreover, the relationship between the protagonists is so pure and singular that it is entirely suitable for female players.]
[In galgame history, this is unprecedented.]
[We hope to see more such games in the future.]
...
After publication, the issue sparked strong public reaction, and sales surged.
Pokeni's game became a new hot topic, provoking deep social reflection.
"Yes, aren't we lonely too?"
"When you think about it, Mermaid's Heart really has depth."
"There are so few galgames that touch the heart like this, let alone with such themes."
...
"Eh? A galgame girls can also play? Really?"
Some people noticed the unusual point.