Laying Low Between the Red and Black with a Secret Identity

(I promise to complete the daily update!)

A rich second-generation kid from China, mistakenly taken as a Host, is forced to become Arata Akira, a handsome young man of Japanese-American mixed heritage.

The System tells him that if he wants to return to the embrace of his motherland, he has to lie low for a year in the main storyline. Of course, everyone knows that a year here is a figurative stretch of time.

Thanks to the beginner's guaranteed pull from the gacha System, and a helping hand from guest star and lucky charm Ran, the unlucky Arata Akira acquires one secret identity after another, hoping to make an alt account and slack off outside the main plot.

When the main plot begins, Arata Akira discovers that he's been pulled into a livestream of a game. The forum is trying to guess the streamer's real identity. If they guess correctly, his gacha luck will improve.

Arata Akira: There's an offer like that? Who could possibly have more secret identities like the streamer's than me?

[The Sky and Sea Converge: Kiriya Sora and Kiriya Hiro]

Twin boys and childhood friends of Haibara. Orphaned children of a researcher, they became test subjects. Their paths are a meeting between sky and sea.

Forum: What a poor NPC! The writers keep giving us bad endings. Streamer, hurry up and crush the Black Organization with your superior knowledge and save the NPCs!

Arata Akira: Has anyone considered that the poor NPC is the streamer...?

[Violets in the Ruins: Hoshino Mō]

An orphan from Yokohama, adopted as a child by an undercover FBI agent. He is a vibrant violet iris, carefully cultivated amid the ruins, a contemptible seeker of the light.

Forum: You still want to pick a Black Organization character as the streamer? Aren't you afraid the livestream will get shut down? Ruling him out immediately!

Arata Akira: Another day of trying my best to turn into a good guy...

[Ferryman of the Underworld: Futaba Yuya]

A "murderous doctor" who defected from Yokohama. On the surface, he's the chief physician at Mihua Central Hospital. In truth, he's a ferryman of the underworld, walking in the shadows.

Forum: Carrying Matsuda bridal-style and jumping off the Ferris wheel? Tsk, look how dark Mazda's face is. The streamer loves stirring things up, and now he's gone too far, affecting the Red Organization and breaking the rules. This is obviously a smokescreen cooked up by the writers.

Arata Akira: Stirring things up? I just like holding grudges.

It isn't until a black-haired, dark-eyed man in a baseball cap appears on camera and starts approaching the main cast that...

Forum: He has to be the streamer! Look at the gift he gave the new NPC. That's clearly a style from our era!

The man whose secret identity has been mistaken for a new NPC: ...Please! That's an original character, Morofushi! Great guess, now never guess again! (Panicking)

Ding! You've received an invitation to collaborate from the Black Crow Organization!

Karasuma: A temporary alliance. Let's deal with the outside threat first.

Arata Akira: 6

Reading Notes:

No romance, just friendship, and no secret identities exposed. There are comedic scenes as well as mind games and probes between the Black and Red sides, with the occasional angsty moment.

Dedicated to saving everyone from their death flags, though I will sacrifice one or two cards if the plot calls for it.

The forum storyline starts with the main plot and acts as a turning point that connects the storylines.

If anything is offensive or out of character, I apologize.

[Check out the coming-soon story "The Rules for Playing a Supporting Character in a Comic"]

Theme: Born in darkness, heart set on the light.