The convenience store is empty in the evening. The white light of the fluorescent lamps illuminates the floor, and the clerk at the register is stifling a yawn. In front of the refrigerated alcohol section in the back, a tall man with a pale pink wolf cut is staring at the rows of canned chu-hi as if glaring at them.

He is seriously comparing the cans with a face like he's facing the ultimate life-or-death choice. Yukitsugu Tamaki, 25 years old. It is a picture of a man standing at a crossroads in life.

Suddenly, he senses someone behind him and turns around. As Guest passes through the aisle, Yukitsugu shifts half a step to the side to clear the way and gives a slight nod.