Dead Hours Inkroost
Dead Hours
Next Pass · Ch.71
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This series reads right to left — start each page from the top-right panel.
Kaito and Rin stand behind the convenience-store counter as rain and wind blow leaves past the glass storefront, and Kaito looks out at the wet pavement.
Kaito leans on the shop counter, looks toward Rin as she checks her phone, then sweeps near the entrance and walks outside in the rain carrying the broom over his shoulder.
Kaito sweeps windblown leaves from the rain-soaked walkway outside a brightly lit store as an elderly woman approaches with a cleaning cart.
An elderly woman and Kaito sweep wet, leaf-strewn pavement outside a brightly lit shop in the rain, and Kaito looks startled as he tries her sweeping method.
Rin, Kiku, and a man sweep wet pavement outside a brightly lit store in the rain, gathering fallen leaves.
In the rain outside a brightly lit convenience store, Kaito and Rin sweep the wet footpath as the elderly Kiku leans on her broom and speaks with them.
Kaito, wearing a striped apron, marks a tally in an open book at the store counter while a coworker watches, and an elderly woman outside waves as she pushes a cart through the rain.
Kaito stands by the glass entrance of a brightly lit convenience store, with a tally-marked open book inset above him and a wet, nearly empty street outside.
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Kaito and Rin stand behind the convenience-store counter as rain and wind blow leaves past the glass storefront, and Kaito looks out at the wet pavement.
Kaito leans on the shop counter, looks toward Rin as she checks her phone, then sweeps near the entrance and walks outside in the rain carrying the broom over his shoulder.
Kaito sweeps windblown leaves from the rain-soaked walkway outside a brightly lit store as an elderly woman approaches with a cleaning cart.
An elderly woman and Kaito sweep wet, leaf-strewn pavement outside a brightly lit shop in the rain, and Kaito looks startled as he tries her sweeping method.
Rin, Kiku, and a man sweep wet pavement outside a brightly lit store in the rain, gathering fallen leaves.
In the rain outside a brightly lit convenience store, Kaito and Rin sweep the wet footpath as the elderly Kiku leans on her broom and speaks with them.
Kaito, wearing a striped apron, marks a tally in an open book at the store counter while a coworker watches, and an elderly woman outside waves as she pushes a cart through the rain.
Kaito stands by the glass entrance of a brightly lit convenience store, with a tally-marked open book inset above him and a wet, nearly empty street outside.

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← The Same Side · Ch.70
Text Version A written companion to this chapter — for accessibility, screen readers, and search.

The night after the three of them swept together, Kiku is late and Kaito heads out alone, wearing himself out fighting the wind for the whole block. When Kiku arrives she teaches him to sweep with the wind and settle for a path that is clear enough to walk, Rin brings tea outside, and Kaito gives the footpath its own column in the round-book.

Page 1

Outside, rain falls on the brightly lit convenience store as leaves blow across the wet pavement. Inside, leaves are gathered along the bottom of the glass door. Kaito and Rin stand behind the counter; Rin holds a phone. Rin: “That’s eleven times you’ve checked the glass.” Kaito: “…It’s coming back.”

Page 2

Kaito stands behind the counter in a striped apron, leaning forward with both hands on it. He says, “She said next pass. Not this pass.” In a close view, he glances to the side and asks, “When’s next pass?” Rin, wearing a hoodie and striped apron, holds her phone and gestures with her free hand: “Ask her.” Kaito sweeps the floor by the glass entrance and says, “I’m not taking over.” In the rain outside, he walks away with the broom over his shoulder and says, “Just holding the corner.”

Page 3

Kaito, wearing a striped apron labeled KAITO, sweeps wet leaves outside the store in the rain. Leaves blow back across his shoes. An elderly woman in a headscarf and dark coat approaches pushing a cart with a broom beside it. Kaito: “You’re sweeping against it.” Kaito: “It keeps coming back.”

Page 4

In the rain outside a brightly lit shop, an elderly woman sweeps leaves into small piles with a wide broom while a two-wheeled cart stands nearby. Elderly woman: “Don’t fight the wind. Let it carry it for you.” A close view shows her hand gripping the cart handle. Elderly woman: “Small piles. Then the cart.” Kaito sweeps leaves on the wet pavement with a broom. In a close-up, he looks surprised. Kaito: “…Oh.”

Page 5

Rin steps through the store doors carrying a broom and dustpan. Rin: “I’ll do the piles.” She crouches and sweeps wet leaves into the dustpan. Kiku smiles as she leans on her broom. Kiku: “Three go faster than one.” In the final scene, Rin, Kiku, and a man sweep together outside the store.

Page 6

Outside the lit store on a rainy night, Kaito and Rin sweep the wet footpath while Kiku rests both hands on her broom. Kiku: “You still keep the round-book?” Kaito: “Every night.” Kiku: “Then mark the sweeps too. That’s how the next one knows.”

Page 7

Inside a convenience store, Kaito works at the counter with an open tally book. A coworker beside him asks, “What’s that one?” Kaito answers, “The next pass.” Through the glass, Kaito and his coworker wave to an elderly woman pushing a cart outside in the rain; she waves back. Kaito’s name tag reads “KAITO.”

Page 8

A brightly lit convenience store with shelves, counter equipment, and a person behind the counter sits beside a wet street. An open book is filled with groups of tally marks. Kaito stands by the glass entrance. Kaito: “See you next pass.”