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Text Version A written companion to this chapter — for accessibility, screen readers, and search.
A boisterous delivery driver strides in and greets Kaito like an old friend, thanking him warmly for a favor Kaito never did. It emerges the man has been visiting at odd hours and dealing with another clerk he also calls Kaito. Since Kaito works nearly every shift, he cannot account for when this other Kaito exists. Rin films the unraveling and cheerfully suggests he has been replaced. The man leaves happy, still thanking Kaito — and the security feed shows only Kaito, working a shift he does not remember.
Page 1
A dense seven-panel page. Late night in the convenience store. A burly delivery driver in a navy work jacket, cap pushed back and a clipboard under one arm, strides in through the glass door with a big warm grin and leans on the counter like an old friend. Kaito (name tag KAITO) stares back completely blank, not recognizing him at all. Rin (name tag RIN) glances over from her phone, mildly interested, as the driver claps the counter cheerfully. DRIVER: Kaito! My man! KAITO: ...Hello.
Page 2
A dense eight-panel page. The delivery driver gestures animatedly, thanking Kaito for a favor Kaito has no memory of doing, and mimes carrying something heavy to re-enact it. Kaito (name tag KAITO) blinks slowly, processing nothing, and opens his mouth to correct him. The driver laughs and waves it off good-naturedly. Rin (name tag RIN) raises her phone to start filming. DRIVER: You saved me last Tuesday! KAITO: I did?
Page 3
A dense seven-panel page. The delivery driver describes another clerk with his hands, nodding confidently with a thumb over his shoulder, entirely matter-of-fact about the man he deals with. Kaito (name tag KAITO) blinks slowly in horror, sweat forming at his temple, then stares straight ahead with one hand flat on the counter, counting shifts on his fingers. Rin (name tag RIN) smirks behind her phone. DRIVER: The other Kaito. Night shift. KAITO: I am the night shift.
Page 4
A dramatic full-page splash. Kaito (name tag KAITO) stands frozen behind the counter, staring straight ahead in dawning existential horror, sweat running down his face under the harsh fluorescent light. Behind him, his own faint doubled silhouette looms in shadow like a second self. KAITO: Then who works here.
Page 5
A dense seven-panel page. Kaito (name tag KAITO) leans into the register screen and jabs a finger at the staff schedule, insisting the math cannot work, eyebags deep and eye twitching. The delivery driver shrugs amiably with palms up, completely unbothered by the contradiction, then grins and gives a friendly thumbs up. Kaito slowly turns his head to stare at him, hollow. Rin (name tag RIN) films. KAITO: I work every night. DRIVER: Nice guy though. Like you.
Page 6
A dense seven-panel page. Rin (name tag RIN) lowers her phone slightly and delivers her theory with total calm. Kaito's face goes completely blank, all expression draining away. The delivery driver laughs heartily and slaps the counter, thoroughly enjoying himself. Kaito (name tag KAITO) protests weakly, one hand half raised, unconvincing even to himself. Rin shrugs one shoulder and goes back to her phone. RIN: They replaced you. KAITO: That's not how jobs work.
Page 7
A dense seven-panel page. The delivery driver straightens up, tucks his clipboard under his arm and heads for the door, waving cheerfully over his shoulder. Kaito (name tag KAITO) raises one hand in a slow, defeated half-wave. The driver steps out into the dark empty street and the glass door swings shut behind him. Kaito is left alone behind the counter, staring at the closed door, eyes tired and unblinking. DRIVER: Tell the other Kaito I said hi!
Page 8
A dense six-panel page. Rin (name tag RIN) holds up her phone toward Kaito with a tiny smirk. Kaito (name tag KAITO) leans in warily to look. An extreme close-up shows his face lit from below by the phone's glow — cold recognition dawning, eye widening, sweat forming. Rin raises one eyebrow a millimeter. Kaito slowly looks up and away toward the empty quiet store, hollow and deeply unsettled. RIN: Found the footage. KAITO: That's me.
Page 9
A full-page closing splash. Dawn light through the front windows of the empty, quiet store. Kaito (name tag KAITO) stands alone behind the counter staring blankly ahead, deeply unsettled, holding a cleaning cloth he has forgotten he was using. Rin (name tag RIN) leans on the counter beside him, looking at her phone, entirely unbothered, with a tiny smirk. RIN: He tips better.