> "We wanted fun, food, and memories.
What we got was magical monologues, weaponized cosplay, and a school mascot that may or may not be a cryptid."
— Kuoh Festival Committee Report (burned after submission)
---
[Kuoh Academy – Cultural Festival Day One]
The school was decorated with lights, streamers, food stalls… and a massive floating banner that read:
> "Witness the Shadows Rise – Class 2-B Presents: Battle Theater of Destiny!"
MC (in full chuunibyou mode):
> "Let the fools have their takoyaki.
We offer... immersion."
---
[Scene: Battle Theater Arena]
Students gathered to watch what they thought would be a dramatic play.
Instead, they witnessed:
Latin chanting
Fog machines spewing glitter
MC descending from the ceiling in a black cloak shouting:
> "THE KING IN SHADOW RETURNS FROM THE VOID BETWEEN PANELS!"
Issei (sobbing):
> "This is the coolest thing I've ever hated."
Akeno (excited):
> "He even added dramatic thunder noises that play only when he talks."
---
[Meanwhile: Rias vs. Sona – Cosplay Duel Begins]
Rias: Wears full crimson battle dress, dragon motifs, confident smirk.
Sona: Wears tactical glasses, cloak of logic, and thigh-high boots of passive-aggression.
They meet on the festival stage.
Both declare:
> "I am not competing."
While absolutely competing.
Judges:
A confused teacher
A cat
That one vampire transfer student who just wanted popcorn
Winner?
Nobody knows.
They're still arguing in Latin.
---
[Side Plot: The Mascot That Bites]
A student in a poorly constructed mascot suit labeled "KUU-CHAN" went rogue.
Started biting people.
No one knew who was inside.
Rumors say:
It's a demon sealed in the drama budget.
It's Issei's unresolved puberty.
It's MC's summoned beast of chaos.
MC (smiling subtly):
> "I know not what you mean. Kuu-chan merely hungers."
---
[Late Festival – The Firework Duel Begins]
Rias and Sona accidentally (definitely intentionally) activate two magical fireworks systems.
They create:
A crimson phoenix made of sparkles
A blue glaive that slices through the sky
They clash overhead.
MC stands beneath both.
A spotlight hits him.
He raises a hand.
Whispers:
> "As expected... balance."
The sky explodes.
Everyone cheers.
Even the mascot bites with reverence.
---
[System Notification]
> Trait Gained:
"Festival Director (Lv.1)" – You automatically turn any school event into a climactic arc finale. Bonus points for monologues and explosions.
---
[Final Scene – Clean-Up Crew Report]
Kazuma (reading group chat):
> "He made a mascot go feral. Akeno swooned. Rias and Sona dueled with fireworks.
And he ended the day giving free tea to the teachers while talking about fate."
Deadpool:
> "Bro's running an anime inside another anime."
MC (quietly sipping tea):
> "All according to plotline Zeta-13."
---
End of Chapter 43: Festival Madness