> "We were prepared for devils, exorcists, and fallen angels.
What we were not prepared for… was him."
— Sona Shitori, reviewing the file that should not exist
---
[Location: Kuoh Academy – The Morning After the Festival]
The school halls were quiet.
Too quiet.
Because Rias and Sona had finally joined forces—not to defeat an enemy, but to figure out what the hell MC actually is.
They entered the school's restricted records vault.
Sona (holding a student dossier):
> "No family. No history. No entrance record.
Just a name: 'Blank.'
And a single sealed document marked… File #C-01."
Rias (opening it):
> "Let's see who he really—"
The file screamed.
Literally.
A banshee wail echoed through the PA system.
> "YOU SHOULD NOT BE READING THIS. THIS IS NOT YOUR STORY."
---
[Meanwhile: MC in the Courtyard]
He sat on a bench feeding crows.
MC (deadpan):
> "They opened the file."
The wind howled softly.
The crows nodded.
---
[Scene: Student Council Emergency Confrontation]
Rias and Sona burst into the courtyard.
Tsubaki and Akeno in tow.
Koneko just holding popcorn.
Rias (demanding):
> "Who are you?"
Sona (firm):
> "How are you not on the rolls?
How did you survive that cursed document?
Why are you feeding crows crushed fortune cookies?"
MC (standing slowly):
> "You think I'm hiding something?
I'm not."
Beat. He smirks.
> "I'm simply not being perceived correctly."
---
[Cue: PA System Activates Again]
Static erupts across the school speakers.
Then… his voice.
MC (over speakers):
> "Good morning, Kuoh.
This is your local background character reminding you:
Reality is subjective.
The cafeteria is serving fear for lunch.
And I'm holding morning assembly… in the gym.
Attendance: Mandatory."
Kiba (somewhere across campus):
> "...Did he just hijack the intercom?!"
Issei (trapped in a locker again):
> "WHY IS HE SO COOL?!"
---
[Scene: Gym – Assembly of the Unprepared]
Students gathered, confused. Teachers panicked. Someone fainted.
MC appeared onstage, spotlight behind him.
> "We live in a world of angels and devils.
Of dragons and ancient bloodlines.
But today… I remind you that shadows cast longer than legends."
He pointed to the wall.
A massive mural unfurled—a collage of every major Kuoh event from the past year.
And in every photo?
He was there. In the background. Always. Watching. Waiting.
---
[Backstage Reaction: Rias & Sona]
Sona (shaking):
> "We've been manipulated."
Rias (grinning):
> "We've been outplayed."
---
[System Notification]
> Trait Gained:
"Main Character Denial Field (Lv.2)" – You remain 'background' even while monologuing from a stage with a spotlight.
Bonus: Public speeches now have a 20% chance to cause existential dread in rival factions.
---
[Final Scene – MC Alone in the Gym]
After the crowd dispersed, he remained.
He looked up.
The lights flickered.
He whispered to the dark:
> "They're starting to see me.
Good."
Then he stepped backward.
And vanished.
---
End of Chapter 44: The Shadow Walks Forward