Chapter 1 : A slice of Normalcy
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Page 1: Retokyo's Dorm
• Panel 1 (Wide Shot):
• Retokyo is sitting on his bed in his dorm room, casually flipping through channels on the TV. The room is messy, with pizza boxes and clothes on the floor. He's just another college student, though something feels off. He sighs, looking at the clock, and thinks about the cycle of violence around him.
• Kiboustu is lounging on the chair in the corner, headphones in, completely disinterested in the TV. He's relaxed but gives off a vibe of being unbothered and somewhat detached from the world around him.
• Caption/Thought bubble (Retokyo): "Another day, same shit. This city's a mess. But… I can't just leave."
• Panel 2 (Close-Up on TV):
• The news report runs in the background, showing footage of an ongoing shootout between two agencies, Ghost and Shadow. The anchor talks about the increasing tension between the two factions and the chaos that's slowly consuming the city.
• Kiboustu rolls his eyes, clearly not impressed, but Retokyo seems slightly concerned.
• Panel 3 (Retokyo's Reaction):
• Retokyo sighs again, looking at the TV but with a sense of detachment.
• Kiboustu (without looking at him): "Another war between the damn agencies. People are still dying for some stupid turf war."
• Retokyo (half-laughing): "Not like it's anything new… but yeah, it's getting bad."
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Page 2: Setting the Mood
• Panel 1 (Medium Shot):
• Retokyo gets up, stretching and walking toward his window, which overlooks the city. He gazes out at the crowded streets, the faint sounds of sirens and shouting filling the air.
• Kiboustu pulls off his headphones and casually stands up to stretch as well. There's a sense of familiarity in the way they talk and interact, showing they're close friends.
• Kiboustu (grinning): "We'll just have to get used to it, huh? Gotta keep our heads down. At least we don't get involved."
• Panel 2 (Close-Up of Retokyo's Face):
• Retokyo looks deep in thought.
• Thought bubble: "Can I just stay out of this forever? Or will I be dragged into it like everyone else?"
• Panel 3 (Wide Shot):
• Retokyo starts walking to the door, grabbing his jacket, and heading out.
• Retokyo: "I'm gonna grab some milk. Be back soon."
• Kiboustu (casually): "Take your time. The chaos isn't going anywhere."
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Page 3: The Quiet Streets of the City
• Panel 1 (Wide Shot of the City Streets):
• The city is dark and eerie, with flickering neon lights and almost too many closed-off shops. People walk quickly, keeping their heads down, avoiding eye contact. The sound of gunshots can be heard faintly in the distance, but the scene still feels relatively quiet.
• Retokyo walks with his hands in his pockets, feeling the weight of his thoughts. The streets are a mix of chaos and calm.
• Panel 2 (Close-Up of Retokyo Walking):
• Retokyo walks past groups of people, some of whom glance at him suspiciously. The tension is palpable. His eyes narrow slightly, noticing the stares.
• Thought bubble (Retokyo): "It's hard to ignore. You never know who's an enemy or ally here."
• Panel 3 (Medium Shot):
• A shadowy figure passes by in the background, someone who looks suspicious. Retokyo's gaze follows them, his senses on alert, but he keeps walking forward.
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Page 4: The Convenience Store
• Panel 1 (Wide Shot of the Convenience Store):
• Retokyo enters the store, greeted by the flickering fluorescent lights overhead. The clerk behind the counter looks up at him, but the store feels eerily quiet.
• The store is filled with everyday items, but the air feels heavy with something unspoken. Retokyo heads straight for the milk aisle.
• Panel 2 (Close-Up on the Milk Shelf):
• Retokyo grabs the milk, his hand brushing the carton with a strange sense of finality, like he's trying to hold onto something normal.
• Retokyo's Thoughts: "I just wanted to grab some milk… but everything feels so… wrong."
• Panel 3 (Kiboustu's Voice from the Entrance):
• Kiboustu enters the store, unannounced, leaning casually against the door frame. He has a mischievous grin on his face.
• Kiboustu (with a smirk): "I figured I'd come grab something too. Got a feeling the store's gonna get busy, though."
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Page 5: Small Talk Before the Tension
• Panel 1 (Wide Shot):
• Kiboustu walks over to the snack aisle as Retokyo walks to the counter, but the tension in the air is starting to rise. The noise of sirens and distant gunfire mixes with the hum of the store's lights.
• Kiboustu glances at the clerk, then at Retokyo. He can tell something's off, and he knows Retokyo is sensitive to the tension.
• Panel 2 (Close-Up of Retokyo's Face):
• Retokyo's expression shifts, becoming more serious as he looks toward the entrance. His instincts are on edge.
• Retokyo (muttering to himself): "There's something wrong about today…"
• Panel 3 (The Two Men Enter)
• Two suspicious figures enter the store, wearing dark clothing and face masks. They scan the area with calculating eyes. They walk in an almost military-style manner.
• Retokyo and Kiboustu exchange a quick glance, sensing something is about to go down.
• Kiboustu (whispering): "Stay alert."
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Page 6: Building the Tension
• Panel 1 (Close-Up on the Men):
• The two men stand near the counter, clearly unfazed by the atmosphere. They look at each other briefly, but their attention turns to Retokyo and Kiboustu.
• Panel 2 (Retokyo and Kiboustu – Unspoken Understanding):
• A moment of silence passes between the group. Retokyo and Kiboustu subtly position themselves, ready to react at any moment.
• Retokyo: "We should go."
• Panel 3 (Sudden Movement):
• Just as Retokyo turns toward the door, a loud gunshot rings out in the distance. The two men immediately move to exit, their eyes narrowed and focused.
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Page 7: The Escape
• Panel 1 (Wide Shot – The City Streets Again):
• Retokyo and Kiboustu leave the store quickly, heading down the street. The tension is palpable.
• Kiboustu: "If they're part of Shadow or Ghost, things are about to get ugly. We should lay low."
• Retokyo: "Yeah, it's too quiet around here."
• Panel 2 (Far Shot):
• In the distance, gunfire erupts. Retokyo looks up toward the sound, seeing agents clashing.
• Retokyo (thoughts): "It's happening again… this isn't gonna end anytime soon."
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Page 8: Cliffhanger – The Choice
• Panel 1 (Medium Shot):
• Retokyo turns to Kiboustu, who is already watching him, waiting for the decision.
• Retokyo: "We can't keep running forever. I need to know… what's going on in this city."
• Kiboustu: "You sure you wanna dive into that hellhole?"
• Panel 2 (Close-Up on Retokyo's Eyes):
• Retokyo's eyes narrow with resolve.
• Retokyo (quietly): "I don't have a choice anymore."
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