> "Every time something explodes, he's just outside the blast radius.
Every time someone falls, he's already there to catch the consequences.
He says he's a background character.
I say he's the author's favorite."
— Sona Shitori, on the verge of an existential audit
---
[Location: Kuoh Academy – Somewhere between denial and panic]
It started with a corkboard.
Tsubaki assembled it first.
Photos. Red string. Sticky notes labeled:
"Tea Sightings"
"Teleportation via Closet??"
"Unconfirmed Eye Contact Event #43"
Then Rias added to it.
Then Sona.
Now the entire Occult Research Club and Student Council sat around a board that looked like a conspiracy manifesto submitted by a sleep-deprived fanfiction theorist.
---
[Entry Log – "MC Interference Cases"]
Cultural Festival? He vanished the moment Rias and Sona entered the stage tent.
Hot Springs Trip? Neutralized a bath demon, left no trace.
Valentine's? Received the most gifts. Rejected them via ambiance.
School Trial? Defended himself without blinking. Made Buggy cry.
Magical Girl Audition? Not involved. Still somehow got fan mail.
---
[Scene: Akeno Connects the Emotional Dots]
Akeno (softly):
> "He always says he's nothing.
But he's… everywhere."
She opens her notebook.
A chart labeled: "People emotionally affected by MC's existence."
It has 37 names. Three are from different timelines.
Two are immortal.
One is a vending machine.
---
[Scene: Issei's Theory Wall]
Issei (rambling in fear):
> "What if he's the Final Boss?
Like, the true route villain who pretends to be a tutorial NPC!"
Asia:
> "But he's so nice."
Issei:
> "EXACTLY! That's how they get you!"
---
[Scene: Koneko Stalks the Unstalkable]
She followed him for three days.
He:
Talked to crows in fluent metaphor
Made the vending machine dispense exactly what he wanted without pressing a button
Read a blank book for 40 minutes and then said, "Good chapter"
She finally reported back:
Koneko:
> "I don't know if he's real.
But I'm scared that he knows I said that."
---
[Scene: The Report – Sirzechs, Michael, and Azazel]
Sirzechs:
> "We received 43 divine anomalies traced to Kuoh."
Michael:
> "He shows no alignment."
Azazel (sipping aggressively):
> "He made my AI cry. And it was built to survive angelic breakups."
They all look at the file labeled:
> Project: Who TF Is He?
It contains 3 confirmed facts:
1. He exists.
2. Nobody remembers when he transferred in.
3. He once made a Sacred Gear user forget their powers by speaking too calmly.
---
[Final Scene: MC – Courtyard, Alone]
He sat quietly.
A breeze moved.
Behind him, the shadows whispered names. Futures. Loops.
He blinked.
And smiled.
> "They're noticing.
Good."
Then he vanished. Again. Without moving.
---
[System Notification]
> Trait Upgraded:
"Main Character Denial Field (Lv.2 → Lv.3)" – Canon characters now struggle to determine if you're part of the setting or the story.
Your presence triggers plot doubt and minor emotional crises.
---
End of Chapter 50: Awareness Is the First Mistake