Morning came too fast.
Mr.Nobody walked down the street toward his office, shoulders slightly slouched. Even without a visible face, there were eye bags visible in his face. His steps were slower than usual and there was a heaviness in the way he carried himself.
"Yesterday was such a long night," he muttered quietly. "I barely slept."
He adjusted his bag and let out a tired breath.
"I might just sleep at the office today. No one's going to notice anyway. Everyone there is basically like me or at least like my past version."
He walked past a row of shops, barely paying attention to anything around him. Cars were going on the road like usual.
Then the system window appeared.
[System Notification: Webcomic Event 'Flowers and Camping' will begin tomorrow.]
Mr.Nobody stopped mid-step.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
He rubbed the back of his head.
"Give me a break for once, dude? Why do the writers keep wanting me in the background scenes of main plots, standing still like a statue anyway? They sure have some nerves. Why do the writers keep dragging me into these things? "
He started walking again, slower this time, thinking.
"At least… things have changed a little."
"At least for Toma, I did some changes to the original plotlines."
He began counting quietly.
"The wedding dance… the kidnapping… the birthday party…"
A small pause.
"…Wow! I really am getting pulled into the main plots."
He looked ahead, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Hope they don't reset everything."
The system flickered again.
[Reminder: User has gained 150 points for defeating Tony Pacino.]
Mr. Nobody sighed.
"Why should I even be happy? I still can't afford a decent face."
He looked at us, breaking the fourth wall.
"Hey guys… do I really look like a faceless Slenderman with a bowl cut?"
A short pause.
"…Don't answer that. I'll feel worse."
[System Notification: Item Storage Expanded.]
Mr. Nobody blinked.
"I had item storage!?"
He looked at his hands, then around himself.
"…That explains where the bike disappears to and reappears from."
Before he could think further, something strange happened.
The street shifted.
The surroundings changed without warning.
Mr. Nobody stopped again.
"…Wait."
He wasn't near his office anymore.
Instead, two parked cars stood in front of him. Around them, a group of people were talking, laughing and loading bags.
Toma's friends.
Aiden was there too, standing near one of the cars, wearing sunglasses and a hat.
Toma stood nearby, chatting while organising supplies. She was wearing a purple dress with raven designs of raven.
Mr. Nobody immediately panicked.
"Time out. Time out," he shouted to the system. "I'm still in my office clothes."
He looked down at himself.
Do something or they would think I have come here to show I am an office worker guy!!
"This is bad. Really bad!! Give me something normal to wear. Anything System!!!"
[System: Purchasing casual outfit with minimum defence.]
In the next moment, his clothes shifted.
A simple white t-shirt with a striped design replaced his office wear.
He exhaled.
"Okay… that's better."
Before he could prepare himself, Toma noticed him.
"Hey!"
She waved and walked toward him.
"I was just about to call you," she said. "But then again I thought you'd show up anyway. You always do."
Mr. Nobody scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"…Yeah. I guess I do."
Behind her, Aiden watched silently.
His expression was calm, but in his thoughts, he was really pissed.
"I thought on this trip I could get close to Toma," he muttered in his mind. "But he shows up again."
One of Toma's friends spoke up.
"Hey, it's that dancer guy from the wedding event!"
Mr.Nobody gave a small, embarrassed smile.
"I just came to say hi. Are you guys going somewhere?"
Toma nodded.
"Yeah, we're going camping. Jirisan Mountains."
She pointed toward the car.
"Hop in with us."
Mr.Nobody hesitated.
"I can sit in the back with the others."
Toma shook her head.
"Why? Sit with me."
Aiden's jaw tightened slightly.
Before anything could happen, one of Toma's female friends grabbed her arm.
"Nope. You're sitting with us today. We have things to talk about."
Toma frowned.
"What things?"
"Just come."
She was pulled toward the other car.
And just like that, the situation changed completely.
Mr.Nobody stood there.
Then slowly turned.
He looked at the car he was about to enter.
Inside, Aiden was already seated.
Waiting.
Smiling.
Mr.Nobody froze.
"…No."
He stepped in anyway.
The door closed.
And suddenly, he found himself sitting right next to Aiden.
Other guys filled the front seats.
The atmosphere became stiff instantly.
Mr.Nobody stared straight ahead.
Inside his mind, he was panicking.
" My non-existent Mom… Dad… whoever you are… please save me."
"He's going to kill me."
Aiden leaned back slightly, arms relaxed, but his presence filled the space.
Neither of them spoke.
The car started moving.
Silence.
It was quite awkward.
After a while, one of the guys in front turned around.
"Hey, guys. Chill out."
His name was Rabbi.
He smiled casually.
"No need to make it so tense."
He looked at Mr.Nobody.
"You like barbecue?"
Mr.Nobody blinked.
"…Yeah. I love it."
Rabbi grinned.
"Good. Because that's exactly what we're doing."
He pointed ahead.
"Jirisan camping trip. Barbecue, fire, good food."
Mr.Nobody nodded slowly.
"…Sounds nice."
He glanced slightly to the side.
Aiden was still quiet.
Still watching.
Mr.Nobody looked forward again.
"Just survive the ride, faceless innocent me," he told himself.
Outside, the road stretched ahead.
The city slowly faded behind them.
And the mountains waited in the distance.
Unaware of what was coming next.