Self Belief Manga

Title: Revy’s Black Market Genre: Cyberpunk, Tech-Noir, Dystopian, Underground Economy Tone: Dark, intelligent, rebellious, futuristic Style: High-contrast black & white manga with neon cyberpunk accents, glitch effects, holographic UI overlays WORLD SETTING The story takes place in Vybz Land, a massive futuristic megacity where technology evolves daily, but access to innovation is controlled by powerful corporations and elites. In this world, early access equals power, and being late means being left behind forever. The city is filled with: Neon skyscrapers Surveillance drones Digital billboards Crowded lower districts where people struggle to keep up with the future Hidden beneath this system is an underground network known only as Revy’s Black Market (RBM). THE BLACK MARKET (RBM) RBM is not a physical place — it is a digital gateway. Access is earned, not sold. RBM offers: Early access to emerging technology Secret deals before public release Presales and limited drops AI tools, mobility tech, robotics, and Web3 platforms RBM doesn’t steal technology — it redistributes access and timing. MAIN CHARACTER — REVY Revy is the mysterious overseer of RBM. Appearance: Androgynous cyberpunk figure Long dark coat with glowing circuit patterns One eye enhanced with a digital interface Calm expression, always observing Personality: Highly intelligent Emotionally controlled Speaks in short, powerful lines Never explains everything Revy believes the future should reward curiosity, not wealth. STORY SUMMARY CHAPTER 1 — Access Denied A young citizen in Vybz Land watches others advance while he is left behind by expensive technology. He sees advertisements for innovation he cannot afford. On a dark alley wall, a glowing symbol appears: “The future isn’t sold. It’s accessed.” CHAPTER 2 — The Gate The symbol leads to RBM. A digital interface appears asking for identity verification. When access is granted, Revy appears as a hologram. Revy says: “You don’t buy the future. You arrive before it’s expensive.” CHAPTER 3 — Deals Are Power Users of RBM begin gaining advantages: Smarter tools Faster mobility Better opportunities Corporations notice something is wrong. Someone is disrupting their control. CHAPTER 4 — The Underground Rises RBM grows. More people gain access. The elite begin hunting the source. Revy watches from the shadows and says: “We don’t break systems. We expose their timing.” CORE THEMES Access vs privilege Technology as power Freedom through information The underground economy of the future FINAL MESSAGE RBM is not a store. It is a gateway. Tagline for final page: “Welcome to Revy’s Black Market — where the future is traded early.”
Panel 1 Wide shot: A dark noble bedchamber lit only by a dying hearth. The massive shape of Lord Michael Fortinbras lies asleep in the background, half-buried in blankets, his loud snoring filling the room. In the foreground, the Woodcutter Girl and the Priestess Concubine lie awake, staring into the darkness. SFX: GRRRHHH… KHHH… Caption: The lord slept soundly. Panel 2 Closer shot: The woodcutter lies stiffly on her side, eyes open, face tired and hollow. Woodcutter (small text): “…Are you awake?” Panel 3 Priestess close-up: She turns her head slightly on the pillow, eyes half-lidded, calm but worn. Priestess: “Yes.” Panel 4 Two-shot: The woodcutter hesitates, clutching the blanket near her chest. The priestess watches her quietly. Woodcutter: “Do you still believe?” Priestess: “…In what?” Panel 5 Woodcutter close-up: Pain and anger mix on her face. Woodcutter: “In God.” “In justice.” “In anything beyond this room.” Panel 6 Woodcutter continues, eyes wet but hard: The shadow of Fortinbras looms blurry in the background. Woodcutter: “We are brought here whenever he desires.” “He sleeps like a king.” “And we lie here like we are nothing.” “So tell me…” “What kind of God sees that and says nothing?” Panel 7 Priestess close-up: Her face turns solemn, almost haunted. Priestess: “There was a time…” “I would have answered you easily.” “I would have said suffering has purpose.” “That heaven sees all.” “That justice waits beyond mortal reach.” Panel 8 Half-panel: The priestess looks toward the dark ceiling. Candlelight catches her tired eyes. Priestess: “But words like that are easier to speak in a temple…” “…than in a lord’s bedchamber.” Panel 9 Woodcutter sits up slightly, expression sharpening with bitterness. Woodcutter: “Then God is weak.” Panel 10 Priestess turns to look directly at her. Priestess: “Or distant.” “Or silent.” “Or perhaps men simply commit evil…” “…and call it fate so they need not fear judgment.” Panel 11 Two-shot: The woodcutter looks shaken, but intent. The priestess remains composed. Woodcutter: “Then we are powerless.” “Even with God.” Priestess: “For now.” “Faith does not break locks.” “It does not stop cruel men.” “The powerless endure by learning where power lives… and waiting for the moment it shifts.” Panel 12 Final wide panel: Fortinbras remains asleep in the background, snoring like some vast beast. In the foreground, the priestess stares into the dark with grim resolve, while the woodcutter lies beside her, silent and thinking. SFX: GRRRHHH… Priestess: “Do not mistake silence for approval.” “The heavens may be silent…” “…but silence is not surrender.” Caption: And so the night passed beneath the weight of one man’s power… and the fragile refusal of two women to let despair become truth.
Panel 1 Wide shot: A vast noble bedchamber under low candlelight. Lord Michael Fortinbras, his wife, the priestess concubine, and the woodcutter girl all lie beneath the same tangled sheets in the great bed. Their state of undress and the disordered bedding make the situation clear without lingering on it. Fortinbras is already asleep, snoring heavily. SFX: GRRRHHH… KHHH… Caption: The lord slept soundly, as though nothing in the chamber could trouble him. Panel 2 Closer shot: The woodcutter girl lies awake near the edge of the bed, clutching the blanket close to herself. Her face is tense and exhausted. In the background, the wife lies silent with eyes closed, unmoving, while the priestess concubine stares upward in weary thought. Woodcutter (small text): “…Are you awake?” Panel 3 Priestess close-up: She turns her head slightly toward the woodcutter. Priestess: “Yes.” Panel 4 Two-shot: The woodcutter keeps her voice low so as not to wake either Lord Fortinbras or the wife. Woodcutter: “Do you still believe?” Priestess: “…In what?” Panel 5 Woodcutter close-up: Her expression is bitter, wounded, and searching. Woodcutter: “In God.” “In justice.” “In anything beyond men like him.” Panel 6 Medium shot: Fortinbras’s huge sleeping form dominates the background; the women are smaller beneath the sheets in the foreground. Woodcutter: “We are made to share his bed whenever he desires.” “He sleeps in comfort.” “And we lie here as though our will means nothing.” “So tell me…” “What kind of God watches that and stays silent?” Panel 7 Priestess close-up: Shadow crosses her face. Priestess: “There was a time I would have answered easily.” “I would have spoken of trials, of divine order, of justice beyond this world.” Panel 8 Half-panel: The priestess looks toward the dark canopy above. Priestess: “But such words sound different here.” “They are lighter in a temple…” “…than in a lord’s bed.” Panel 9 Woodcutter close-up: Her jaw tightens. Woodcutter: “Then God is weak.” Panel 10 Priestess turns to face her fully. Priestess: “Or distant.” “Or silent.” “Or perhaps men commit cruelty and call it their right, because no one dares deny them.” Panel 11 Three-woman composition: The wife is now visibly awake, listening in silence, though she says nothing. The priestess and woodcutter remain the focus. Woodcutter: “Then we are powerless.” “Even with God.” Priestess: “For now.” “Faith does not unmake cruel men.” “It does not break a lord’s power in a single night.” “The powerless endure by learning where power lives… and waiting for it to crack.” Panel 12 Final wide panel: All four remain in the same bed beneath the heavy blankets—Fortinbras asleep and oblivious, the wife silent and unreadable, the priestess grim, the woodcutter staring into darkness. SFX: GRRRHHH… Priestess: “Do not mistake silence for approval.” “The heavens may be silent…” “…but silence is not surrender.” Caption: And so the night endured beneath one man’s shadow, while three women measured the cost of living under it.
The walk up to the main house was short, a gravel path lined with solar lights that flickered weakly in the twilight. Steel’s property was an oasis of rural quiet, a stark contrast to the neon anxiety of the Starlight Motel. As they approached the house, the golden glow of the kitchen windows spilled out onto the porch. They wiped their boots on the mat; a ritual Steel performed with a surprising delicacy and entered. The kitchen was warm, smelling of rosemary, roasted beef, and yeast rolls. Stephanie was at the stove, stirring gray with the focus of a chemist. “He’s here,” Steel announced, Hanging his keys on a hook. Stephanie turned, wiping her hands on her white apron with a giant red A on it. “About time, Wash up Alex. Use the good soap, not that grease cutter stuff Gerald keeps by the sink.” It was then that Alex noticed they weren’t alone. Sitting at the round oak table, nursing a glass of iced tea, was a young woman. She looked up as he entered, and Alex felt his boots root to the floor. She was petite, perhaps a few inches shorter than him, with long, chestnut hair that fell in loose waves over shoulders. She wore oversized tortoise shell glasses that magnified eyes, the color of polished sapphire. She was wearing scrubs- navy blue with a stethoscope still draped casually around her neck like a scarf. “Alex,” Stephanie said, gesturing with a gravy ladle. “This is Devon. She works with me at the hospital. Devon, this is the stray Gerald brought home.” Alex could feel the heat creeping up his neck as he mumbled. “I’m not a stay, I’m an employee.” Devon smiled, and it changed her whole face, softening the intelligence in her eyes into something warmer. “Nice to meet you, Alex the Employee. Steph say’s you’re the one who saved your boss from a falling plate?”
The walk up to the main house was short, a gravel path lined with solar lights that flickered weakly in the twilight. Steel’s property was an oasis of rural quiet, a stark contrast to the neon anxiety of the Starlight Motel. As they approached the house, the golden glow of the kitchen windows spilled out onto the porch. They wiped their boots on the mat; a ritual Steel performed with a surprising delicacy and entered. The kitchen was warm, smelling of rosemary, roasted beef, and yeast rolls. Stephanie was at the stove, stirring gray with the focus of a chemist. “He’s here,” Steel announced, Hanging his keys on a hook. Stephanie turned, wiping her hands on her white apron with a giant red A on it. “About time, Wash up Alex. Use the good soap, not that grease cutter stuff Gerald keeps by the sink.” It was then that Alex noticed they weren’t alone. Sitting at the round oak table, nursing a glass of iced tea, was a young woman. She looked up as he entered, and Alex felt his boots root to the floor. She was petite, perhaps a few inches shorter than him, with long, chestnut hair that fell in loose waves over shoulders. She wore oversized tortoise shell glasses that magnified eyes, the color of polished sapphire. She was wearing scrubs- navy blue with a stethoscope still draped casually around her neck like a scarf. “Alex,” Stephanie said, gesturing with a gravy ladle. “This is Devon. She works with me at the hospital. Devon, this is the stray Gerald brought home.” Alex could feel the heat creeping up his neck as he mumbled. “I’m not a stay, I’m an employee.” Devon smiled, and it changed her whole face, softening the intelligence in her eyes into something warmer. “Nice to meet you, Alex the Employee. Steph say’s you’re the one who saved your boss from a falling plate?”
The walk up to the main house was short, a gravel path lined with solar lights that flickered weakly in the twilight. Steel’s property was an oasis of rural quiet, a stark contrast to the neon anxiety of the Starlight Motel. As they approached the house, the golden glow of the kitchen windows spilled out onto the porch. They wiped their boots on the mat; a ritual Steel performed with a surprising delicacy and entered. The kitchen was warm, smelling of rosemary, roasted beef, and yeast rolls. Stephanie was at the stove, stirring gray with the focus of a chemist. “He’s here,” Steel announced, Hanging his keys on a hook. Stephanie turned, wiping her hands on her white apron with a giant red A on it. “About time, Wash up Alex. Use the good soap, not that grease cutter stuff Gerald keeps by the sink.” It was then that Alex noticed they weren’t alone. Sitting at the round oak table, nursing a glass of iced tea, was a young woman. She looked up as he entered, and Alex felt his boots root to the floor. She was petite, perhaps a few inches shorter than him, with long, chestnut hair that fell in loose waves over shoulders. She wore oversized tortoise shell glasses that magnified eyes, the color of polished sapphire. She was wearing scrubs- navy blue with a stethoscope still draped casually around her neck like a scarf. “Alex,” Stephanie said, gesturing with a gravy ladle. “This is Devon. She works with me at the hospital. Devon, this is the stray Gerald brought home.” Alex could feel the heat creeping up his neck as he mumbled. “I’m not a stay, I’m an employee.” Devon smiled, and it changed her whole face, softening the intelligence in her eyes into something warmer. “Nice to meet you, Alex the Employee. Steph say’s you’re the one who saved your boss from a falling plate?”
Tassi Hangbé, la reine rossignol Sœur jumelle du roi Akaba, Tassi Hangbé, un peu oubliée par l’histoire, est la 5ème reine de la dynastie royale d’Abomey. Littéralement le nom hangbé signifie “la voix de la chanson” en langue fon d’Abomey. Depuis son enfance, celle qui n’était encore qu’une princesse du royaume avait pour passion la musique et chantait remarquablement bien. Avec ses belles chansons, elle égayait chaque soir les réunions entre son père et ses frères. L’histoire révèle même que les soirs où elle était absente, le roi et ses frères envoyaient des serviteurs l’appeler car ne pouvant se passer des douces mélodies de la princesse à qui le sobriquet ” hangbé ” fut donné. Cette appellation deviendra plus tard son nom officiel dans tout le royaume. La gouvernance de la reine Hangbé En 1708, alors que le roi Akaba meurt des suites d’une courte maladie pendant la guerre, sa sœur Tassi Hangbé présente à ses côtés décide de de garder le secret de sa mort pour ne pas démoraliser les troupes. Déguisée en son frère, elle prend le commandement de l’armée et mène les combats jusqu’à la victoire finale à Lissèzoun, où elle vainc le royaume de Wémè. À son retour à Abomey, le fils d’Akaba étant encore trop jeune pour régner, c’est Hangbé qui prend les rênes du royaume du Danxomè. Bien qu’aucune cérémonie officielle n’ait eu lieu, elle portait tous les symboles du pouvoir royal : les sandales sacrées (saloubata), le grand pagne décoré (avotita), la récade (mankpo). Reconnue et respectée comme souveraine, elle était toujours accompagnée du siège et du parasol royal. Elle recevait de tous le respect dû à son rang mais les réalités phallocratiques du royaume n’ont pas tardé à la rattraper. Le règne d’une femme dérangeait dans un contexte fortement dominé par les hommes. Au palais comme dans le reste du royaume, certains hommes manifestaient ouvertement leur indignation à l’idée de laisser une femme sur le trône de Houégbadja. Subissant complots et tensions familiales, qui lui coûtent notamment l’annulation de son mariage et la perte de deux fils, Hangbè finit par céder le pouvoir à son frère Dossou, intronisé en 1711 sous le nom d’Agadja. Malgré son règne très court, Tassi Hangbé reste une figure majeure de l’histoire du Danxomè. Proche de son peuple, attachée à la religion et aux arts, elle a surtout marqué son époque en mettant en valeur le rôle des femmes, notamment par la création du corps des Amazones, un héritage restructuré et renforcé par la suite plus tard par le roi Ghézo. Le combat féministe de la mère des amazones Selon Damien Mariano Agliti, guide à l’Office de tourisme de la région d’Abomey, « Tassi Hangbé a pris cette initiative pour donner une véritable place aux femmes au sein du royaume ». Son influence ne s’est pas arrêtée à ses quatre années de règne. Même après avoir quitté le trône, Nan Hangbé est restée une haute dignitaire respectée, intervenant activement dans les affaires du royaume — notamment lorsqu’elle s’opposa à son frère qui refusa de retourner le pouvoir au fils d’Akaba une fois celui-ci en âge de régner.Elle a aussi joué un rôle clé dans la reconnaissance des femmes dignitaires, appelées Tassi, facilement identifiables grâce à leurs pagnes souvent posés sur la tête. Aujourd’hui encore, à Abomey, une femme perpétue la tradition de la reine guerrière : elle occupe le trône de Tassi Hangbé, dirige les cultes annuels et veille sur les affaires de la collectivité Hangbé
🎭 "The Relay Robbery" — A Love Story Gone Wrong A Manga Short Story featuring Alice & Bob PANEL 1 — THE DISCOVERY [Scene: Tesla showroom, bright lights, shiny cars everywhere] Alice walks past the Tesla showroom window holding her coffee ☕ She spots Bob inside, talking to a salesman, signing papers, looking very serious. Alice (internal monologue, sparkle eyes): "Awww he looks so cute when he's being responsible with money—" Bob hands over his credit card. Alice (eyes go wide): "Wait..." Salesman wraps a big red bow on a Model Y. Alice (jaw drops to floor, coffee falls in slow motion): "HE'S BUYING A TESLA????" PANEL 2 — THE BETRAYAL [Alice dramatically pressed against the window like a sad anime character in rain] Alice (thinking): "Tomorrow is March 8th. International Women's Day. MY day." Alice (thinking): "And this man... THIS man... is buying himself a Tesla??" Bob is seen laughing with the salesman, completely unaware. Alice (single dramatic tear): "I raised this man." [Close up on Alice's face — the expression of someone who has decided something dangerous] PANEL 3 — THE PLANNING PHASE [Alice at home, 2AM, lying on the ceiling like a sad anime character, staring at nothing] Alice: "It's fine. I'm fine. He just forgot Women's Day. It's FINE." [Cut to: Alice aggressively eating chips in bed, laptop open] Alice: "I'm not even mad. I'm just... " YouTube autoplay kicks in. YouTube Ad: "🔴 HOW HACKERS STEAL KEYLESS ENTRY CARS IN 60 SECONDS —" [Alice slowly stops chewing] [The chip hangs in midair] Alice (eyes slowly light up like a villain origin story): "...Go on." PANEL 4 — THE TUTORIAL [Alice watching the video, taking notes in a Hello Kitty notebook] YouTube: "The attacker simply extends the LF signal from the key fob using two radio devices—" Alice (writing intensely): "...two... radio... devices..." YouTube: "—the car believes the key is present even from miles away—" Alice (underlining three times): "KEY. DOES. NOT. NEED. TO. BE. THERE." Alice (slams notebook shut, stands up dramatically): "Neither does Bob." [Lightning strikes outside for dramatic effect] PANEL 5 — THE ACCOMPLICE [Alice staring at her cat "Cipher" who is sitting on the bed licking his paw, completely unbothered] Alice: "Cipher." [Cat ignores her] Alice: "Cipher I need you." [Cat slowly blinks once — the absolute minimum acknowledgment] Alice (pulls out hand-drawn diagram): "Okay so Bob's key fob must be on his bedside table. His bedroom window is on the ground floor. I need Device Two close to the key. You are small. You are silent. You are perfect." [Long pause] [Cat knocks her Hello Kitty notebook off the bed and walks away] Alice: "CIPHER THIS IS FOR WOMEN'S DAY." PANEL 6 — THE RECRUITMENT [Alice holding Cipher up like Simba from Lion King, looking him dead in the eyes] Alice: "You have been eating my food for 4 years." Alice: "Free of charge." Alice: "Tonight. You pay rent." [Cipher stares back with the dead eyes of a creature who feels absolutely nothing] [Cut to: Alice taping the relay device to Cipher's collar with excessive amounts of tape] Cipher (internal monologue, absolutely disgusted): "I should have stayed a stray." PANEL 7 — THE OPERATION BEGINS [3AM. Bob's house. Alice crouching in the bushes outside, dressed in full black, wearing night vision goggles she definitely bought from Amazon same-day delivery] Alice (whispering into walkie talkie): "Cipher. Do you copy." [Cipher sits next to her, device taped to collar, staring into the void] Alice: "Cipher. The window is open. The key fob is 2 meters inside on the nightstand. I need you to go in, get close to it, and hold position." [Cipher yawns so wide his whole face disappears] Alice: "Cipher this is a stealth mission." [Cipher meows. Loudly. Into the night.] Alice (grabbing him): "CIPHER—" PANEL 8 — THE PUSH [Alice holding Cipher up to Bob's open bedroom window on the ground floor] [Inside: Bob sleeping peacefully, key fob glowing on the nightstand, completely unaware] Alice (whispering): "Okay. Nice and easy. Just... walk to the nightstand. That's all I need." [She places Cipher on the windowsill] [Cipher turns around and stares at Alice] Alice (whispering): "Go. Go go go. Shoo." [Cipher does not move] Alice (through gritted teeth): "CIPHER. I WILL BUY YOU THE GOOD TUNA." [Cipher takes one step inside] [Alice exhales] [Cipher immediately sits down directly on Bob's face] Bob (muffled, half asleep): "...wha... Cipher? ...how did you—" [Alice freezes outside the window] Bob (eyes still closed, half dreaming): "...s'okay buddy... go sleep..." [Bob moves Cipher to the side directly onto the nightstand next to the key fob] [Alice's eyes go wide] Alice (internal monologue, whispering): "...He just... placed him... perfectly." Alice: "Cipher you absolute genius." [Cipher is already asleep on top of the key fob, completely by accident, perfectly positioned] PANEL 9 — THE RELAY [Alice outside with Device One pointed at the Tesla parked down the street] [Device Two on Cipher's collar, 30cm from the key fob inside] [The signal bridge is complete] Alice (hands shaking, pointing device at car): "Signal extended... key fob excited... car thinks key is present..." [Tesla down the street goes: 🔓 CLICK] [Alice's mouth falls open] Alice (barely breathing): "...It worked." [Long pause] Alice (forgetting to whisper): "IT ACTUALLY WORKED." [Bob shifts in his sleep] [Cipher opens one eye, judges her, closes it again] Alice (running to the car in slow motion like an action movie): "CIPHER EXTRACT YOURSELF WE ARE LEAVING—" [Cipher does not move] [Alice drives away without him] [Cipher watches from the windowsill] Cipher (internal monologue): "Good. I live here now." PANEL 10 — GANGSTER MODE ACTIVATED [Alice in the Tesla, door closes, engine hums silently because it's electric and that's somehow funnier] [She sits in silence for exactly 3 seconds] [Then slowly... she puts on her sunglasses] [At 3AM] [In the dark] [She connects her phone to the Tesla's Bluetooth] [An extremely dramatic song starts playing — something like "HUMBLE." by Kendrick Lamar or "Power" by Kanye] Alice (one hand on wheel, leaning back, full villain arc complete): "Hm." [She pulls out of the street at exactly the speed limit because she is not stupid] [Windows down. Music up. Single finger tapping the wheel.] Alice (internal monologue): "This is the best car I have ever driven." Alice: "This is also the best thing I have ever done." [She merges onto the highway heading south] [The GPS says: "Destination: Mexico — 14 hours"] Alice: "Perfect." PANEL 11 — BOB WAKES UP [7AM. Bob's bedroom. Sunlight streaming in.] [Cipher is sitting on Bob's chest staring at him from 2cm away] [Bob opens eyes. Sees cat. Confused.] Bob: "...Cipher how did you get in here." [Bob reaches for phone. Notification on screen:] 🚗 Tesla App: Your vehicle is currently in ARIZONA. Estimated speed: 78mph Playing: "HUMBLE." — Kendrick Lamar Climate control: 72°F *Driver seat adjusted: -4 inches ← (Alice is shorter than Bob) [Bob stares at the notification] [Bob looks at the empty key hook on the wall] [Bob looks at Cipher] Bob: "...Cipher." [Cipher meows] Bob: "Did Alice—" [Cipher meows again, louder, and headbutts the relay device still taped to his collar] [Bob stares at the device on the cat's collar] [Bob stares at the Tesla app showing his car in Arizona] [Bob stares at the date on his phone: March 8th] Bob (very slowly): "She thought I bought it for myself, ohh lord have mercy" [Long pause] [Bob lies back down and pulls the blanket over his face] Bob (muffled): "...I spent three months planning this." [Cipher sits on his face again in solidarity] PANEL 12 — ARIZONA. THE DISCOVERY. [Alice, sunglasses on, one arm out the window, absolutely living her best life, somewhere in the Arizona desert] [Sun is setting. Sky is orange and pink. The Tesla purrs silently.] Alice (singing along to the radio, zero regrets): "This is MY car now. I earned this. Eight years of Women's Days and he finally—" [The glove compartment pops open slightly on a speed bump] [A small white envelope slides out onto the passenger seat] [Alice glances at it] [On the envelope in Bob's handwriting, with a small heart:] "To my precious Alice 🌹" [Alice's sunglasses slowly slide down her nose] PANEL 13 — THE REALIZATION [Alice pulled over on the side of the highway. Engine still running. Card in hand.] Inside the envelope: "Happy International Women's Day💕 — Your Bob 🌹" [The Arizona wind blows dramatically through her hair] [A tumbleweed rolls past] [A coyote howls in the distance] Alice: "..." Alice (very small voice): "I stole my own car." [Beat] Alice: "Heading to Mexico." Alice: "In my own stolen present." [She looks at herself in the rearview mirror] [Her own sunglasses stare back at her] Alice (to her reflection): "You studied cybersecurity for four years.you deserve it" PANEL 14 — THE PHONE CALL [Alice calls Bob. It rings twice. He picks up immediately, which means he was waiting.] Bob (eerily calm): "Hello Alice." Alice: "Hypothetically." Bob: "Mhm." Alice: "If someone... relocated a vehicle... by accident—" Bob: "By accident." Alice: "Using a technique they learned from YouTube—" Bob: "At 2AM." Alice: "...You knew?" Bob: "Cipher still has the relay device on his collar Alice." [Silence] Alice: "...The card was very sweet." Bob (sighing): "WHERE ARE YOU." Alice (tiny voice): "...Arizona." Bob: "ALICE." Alice: "THE TACOS ARE REALLY GOOD HERE—" Alice: "I PANICKED OKAY I SAW YOU BUY A TESLA AND I—" Bob: "IT HAD A BOW ON IT—" Alice: "I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR YOU—" Bob: "WHY WOULD I PUT A BOW ON A CAR FOR MYSELF—" Alice (pause): "...Men do things, Bob." [Bob makes a sound that is half laugh half cry] Bob (exhausted): "...Are you safe?" Alice (small voice): "...Yes." Bob: "Is my car safe?" Alice: "...Also yes." PANEL 15 — THE MORAL [Final panel. Alice sitting on the hood of the Tesla on the side of an Arizona highway at sunset, eating a gas station burrito, looking simultaneously guilty, grateful, and completely unbothered] PANEL 16 — THE END "Bob bought Alice a second Tesla the following Women's Day." "With a GPS tracker, a note taped to the steering wheel, and zero ambiguity." "Cipher got the good tuna. He earned it."
Volume 1 – Spring & First Love Title: When the Bell Rang Twice – Volume 1 Chapters: 10 Tone: Light, tender, school romance, slow-burn ⸻ Chapter 1 – The Seat by the Window Page 1 • Panel 1: Wide shot of classroom, morning sun through windows. Students settling. • Narration (Mio’s thoughts): “Another spring… another year at this school.” • Panel 2: Teacher at front, pointing to empty desk. • Teacher: “New student, Akiyama Haru. Window seat, next to Yamada Mio.” • Panel 3: Close-up of Mio, surprised, glancing at new student entering. • Mio (thought): He looks… different. Page 2 • Panel 1: Haru sits beside Mio, smiling awkwardly. • Haru: “Hi… hope I’m not in your way.” • Panel 2: Mio blushes slightly, returning a small smile. • Mio (thought): Why does my heart feel funny? • Panel 3: Close-up of both hands reaching for an eraser at the same time. Fingers touch. • Panel 4: Soft focus on their surprised expressions. • Narration: “A spark, small as it was, somehow lingered.” ⸻ Chapter 2 – Small Gestures Page 3 • Panel 1: Lunchtime, Mio eating alone at her desk. • Panel 2: Haru walks up, holding a milk carton. • Haru: “You forgot this.” • Panel 3: Mio blushes, accepting it. • Mio (thought): He notices me… • Panel 4: Hallway shot of them walking side by side after class. • Narration: “We didn’t say much, but every step together felt meaningful.” Page 4 • Panel 1: Rainstorm outside. Students rushing. • Panel 2: Haru holding an umbrella for Mio. • Haru: “We can share.” • Panel 3: Close-up: their shoulders touching. • Panel 4: Mio’s inner thought: Please don’t let this end. ⸻ Chapter 3 – Cultural Festival Page 5 • Panel 1: Festival night, lanterns glowing. Wide shot of the school yard. • Panel 2: Mio in a simple yukata, looking around nervously. • Panel 3: Haru approaches, pauses, amazed. • Haru: “…Wow.” • Panel 4: Close-up: fireworks exploding behind them, illuminating their faces. • Narration (Mio’s thoughts): “A perfect moment I wished could last forever.” ⸻ Chapter 4 – Illness Revealed Page 6 • Panel 1: Haru coughing during class, looking pale. • Panel 2: Mio discreetly slides a note: “Are you okay?” • Panel 3: Haru writes back on paper: “Just tired. Don’t worry.” with a small smile. Page 7 • Panel 1: Hallway after school. Mio watches him leave. • Panel 2: Inner thought: Something feels wrong… but I can’t ask. ⸻ Chapter 5 – Growing Closer Page 8 • Panel 1: Rooftop scene at sunset. Haru looks out over the school yard. • Panel 2: Mio approaches, hesitant. • Mio: “Do you come here often?” • Haru: “Yeah… it’s peaceful.” • Panel 3: Their hands almost touch. Close-up. • Narration: “Small closeness became our secret.” Page 9 • Panel 1: Side-by-side flashback panels of their shared laughs, sketching together, walking home in rain. • Panel 2: Close-up of their intertwined fingers, subtle blushes. • Panel 3: Wide rooftop shot, petals drifting in the wind. • Narration: “I didn’t know then that this happiness was fragile.” Chapter 6 – Rainy Confession (Foreshadowing) Page 10 • Panel 1: Heavy rain outside school. Students rush with umbrellas. • Panel 2: Mio walks alone, holding her sketchbook. Haru appears under a nearby umbrella. • Haru: “Hey… want to walk together?” • Panel 3: They walk, shoulders touching slightly. Close-up on their hands almost brushing. • Panel 4: Mio’s thoughts: Every time we touch, my heart skips… Page 11 • Panel 1: Close-up of Haru, smiling softly, slightly pale. • Haru (thought): I wish this moment could last forever. • Panel 2: Mio looks down, quiet blush. • Panel 3: Their feet step in the same puddle accidentally. Splash. • Panel 4: They both laugh. Narration: “Little things became everything.” ⸻ Chapter 7 – Festival Confession Attempt Page 12 • Panel 1: Rooftop at school festival, night sky, fireworks. • Panel 2: Mio hesitates, looking at Haru. • Mio (thinking): I want to tell him… but… • Panel 3: Haru leans against the railing, smiling nervously. • Haru: “Mio… I—” • Panel 4: He staggers slightly, clutching his chest. Mio catches him. • Panel 5: Close-up of their shocked faces. • Narration: “Life has a way of interrupting perfect moments.” ⸻ Chapter 8 – Hospital White Page 13 • Panel 1: Hospital hallway. Soft sunlight through windows. • Panel 2: Mio sits outside Haru’s room, clutching her sketchbook. • Panel 3: Doctor approaches. • Doctor: “He’s hiding a serious illness… it’s better you know the truth now.” • Panel 4: Close-up of Mio’s tear-filled eyes. • Mio (thought): I should have known… Page 14 • Panel 1: Haru lies in hospital bed, pale but smiling at Mio. • Panel 2: Mio holds his hand. • Mio: “Please… don’t leave me.” • Panel 3: Haru gently squeezes her hand. • Haru: “I’ll fight… but if I can’t… remember me, okay?” • Panel 4: Close-up: Mio nods, tears streaming. • Narration: “Even in fragile moments, love feels eternal.” ⸻ Chapter 9 – First Kiss Page 15 • Panel 1: Sunlight streams into hospital room. Haru awake, Mio sitting beside him. • Panel 2: Haru reaches out, touching her cheek softly. • Haru: “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time…” • Panel 3: They kiss gently. Soft panel borders, focus on intimacy, not graphic. • Panel 4: Mio pulls back, smiling through tears. • Narration: “A moment too precious for words, too fragile for time.” ⸻ Chapter 10 – The Empty Desk Page 16 • Panel 1: Back at school, Haru’s desk is empty. • Panel 2: Mio places a small flower on it, lingering. • Panel 3: Flashback panels: laughter, shared sketches, rainy walks, festival rooftop. • Panel 4: Close-up of Mio’s hand holding a note from Haru: • “Thank you for loving me. Keep smiling, Mio.” Page 17 • Panel 1: Wide classroom shot, sunlight through windows, empty chair in back. • Panel 2: Mio stands, looking out the window at cherry blossoms. • Narration: “Love doesn’t disappear when someone is gone… it stays, like petals in the wind.” • Panel 3 (Final Page Panel): Close-up of Mio’s hand resting on the desk, eyes soft but resolute. • Narration: “And some memories are forever.” Volume 2 – Confession & Loss Title: When the Bell Rang Twice – Volume 2 Chapters: 10 Tone: Bittersweet, emotional, hospital drama, first heartbreak ⸻ Chapter 1 – Winter Illness Page 1 • Panel 1: Classroom in winter. Snow visible outside the windows. Students in jackets. • Panel 2: Haru coughs into his sleeve, looking pale. Close-up of his strained smile. • Panel 3: Mio notices, worried, writing a note: “Are you okay?” • Panel 4: Haru writes back, faintly smiling: “Just tired. Don’t worry.” Page 2 • Panel 1: Hallway after class. Students rush past. • Panel 2: Mio watches Haru’s back as he leaves. • Panel 3: Close-up of her worried face. • Narration (Mio’s thoughts): “I felt a shadow over the happiness we’d built.” ⸻ Chapter 2 – Feverish Days Page 3 • Panel 1: Hospital exterior, snow lightly falling. • Panel 2: Mio arrives, coat buttoned tight, holding a sketchbook. • Panel 3: Haru lies in bed, pale but smiling. • Haru: “Hey… didn’t think you’d come today.” • Panel 4: Mio sits beside him, gently taking his hand. • Mio: “Of course I came. I’m not letting you face this alone.” Page 4 • Panel 1: Haru coughs softly. Mio wipes his forehead. • Panel 2: Close-up: Haru’s hand holding hers tightly. • Haru: “I didn’t want to worry you… but maybe I’ve been too weak.” • Panel 3: Mio looks determined. • Mio: “We’ll face it together. Always.” ⸻ Chapter 3 – Confession Attempt Page 5 • Panel 1: Hospital rooftop, late afternoon. Sun casting long shadows. • Panel 2: Haru leans against railing, eyes distant. • Panel 3: Mio approaches. • Mio: “I… I want to say something.” • Panel 4: Haru glances at her, softly smiling. • Haru: “Me too…” Page 6 • Panel 1: Close-up of their hands almost touching. • Panel 2: Haru sways slightly, Mio catches him instinctively. • Panel 3: Both faces close. • Panel 4: Narration: “In that fragile moment, words felt too heavy to speak.” ⸻ Chapter 4 – Winter Memories Page 7 • Panel 1: Flashback panels of winter school days: shared lunches, walking in snow, laughing. • Panel 2: Close-up of sketchbook pages with drawings of each other. • Panel 3: Haru coughing in the classroom. Mio’s worried glance. • Panel 4: Narration: “Every memory felt more precious, because I knew it might be all we’d have.” ⸻ Chapter 5 – The First Kiss Page 8 • Panel 1: Hospital room, sunlight soft through blinds. • Panel 2: Haru reaches out, touching Mio’s cheek gently. • Haru: “I’ve wanted to do this for so long…” • Panel 3: They kiss softly. Focus on emotion, not graphic. • Panel 4: Mio pulls back, eyes wet, smiling faintly. • Narration: “A kiss, fleeting but eternal, marked the start of a memory that could never fade.” ⸻ Chapter 6 – Days of Waiting Page 9 • Panel 1: Hospital corridor, empty. Mio sketches quietly. • Panel 2: Close-up of sketches of Haru smiling, laughing, and in hospital bed. • Panel 3: Narration: “I tried to hold onto him… even as he grew weaker.” • Panel 4: Haru sleeps, Mio watching, softly crying. ⸻ Chapter 7 – Farewell Page 10 • Panel 1: Haru’s hand slips slightly from hers. • Panel 2: Close-up of Mio’s eyes widening, heart pounding. • Panel 3: Haru murmurs faintly, smiling. • Haru: “Remember me… always.” • Panel 4: Mio holds his hand tighter, tears streaming. • Narration: “I whispered my love… but the world had other plans.” Page 11 • Panel 1: Wide shot: Haru’s hospital bed, sunlight breaking through clouds. • Panel 2: Mio alone in the hallway, holding her sketchbook to her chest. • Panel 3: Flashbacks: laughter, rooftop, rain, first handshake, first shared umbrella. • Panel 4: Narration: “And just like that… the seat beside me was empty forever.” ⸻ Chapter 8 – The Empty Desk Page 12 • Panel 1: Back at school, Haru’s desk empty. Snow falling outside. • Panel 2: Mio places a small flower on the desk. • Panel 3: Close-up of her fingers brushing carved initials in the wood. • Narration: “Love doesn’t vanish. It lingers in the smallest spaces, in the quietest moments.” Page 13 • Panel 1: Wide shot of Mio looking out the window at falling snow. • Panel 2: Close-up: tear slides down her cheek. • Panel 3: Mio clutches Haru’s note: “Thank you for loving me. Keep smiling.” • Panel 4: Narration: “Some memories are too precious to let go, even when hearts ache.” ⸻ Chapter 9 – The First Goodbye Page 14 • Panel 1: Flashback: rooftop festival, fireworks. Haru laughing, holding Mio’s hand. • Panel 2: Cut to hospital: Mio alone, looking at petals falling outside window. • Panel 3: Narration: “I had learned that love is sometimes measured in fleeting moments, not time.” • Panel 4: Close-up of sketchbook page with both their faces smiling. ⸻ Chapter 10 – Volume 2 Closing Page 15 • Panel 1: Wide shot: classroom empty except Mio’s silhouette. • Panel 2: Soft sunlight illuminates the empty desk. • Panel 3: Close-up of Mio writing in her notebook: • “Haru, I’ll always remember you. Always.” • Panel 4 (Final Panel): Snow falls outside. Narration: • “Even as life moves on, some love stays eternal… etched in the heart like petals in the wind. Volume 3 – Adult Mio & Reflections Title: When the Bell Rang Twice – Volume 3 Chapters: 8 Tone: Nostalgic, reflective, bittersweet, healing ⸻ Chapter 1 – Return to the School Page 1 • Panel 1: Wide exterior of the school in spring. Cherry blossoms bloom, petals drifting in the wind. • Panel 2: Adult Mio (mid-20s) stands at the gate, briefcase in hand, soft smile. • Mio (thought): I haven’t been here in ten years… • Panel 3: Close-up of her hand brushing against the gate, remembering. • Panel 4: Wide shot of school yard, empty, echoing past laughter. Page 2 • Panel 1: Mio walks through the familiar hallway, dust motes in sunlight. • Panel 2: Close-up of her gaze stopping at the back corner — Haru’s empty desk. • Panel 3: Mio (whispering): “You’re still here, aren’t you?” • Panel 4: Flashback panel: Haru laughing, giving her a playful wink in the same seat. ⸻ Chapter 2 – Memories in the Classroom Page 3 • Panel 1: Mio sits at Haru’s desk, fingers tracing carved initials. • Panel 2: Close-up of old sketches she kept in a notebook: shared doodles, cherry blossoms, small moments. • Panel 3: Mio smiles softly, eyes misty. • Narration: “I carry these memories like treasure… even now.” • Panel 4: Wide panel of empty classroom, sunlight streaming in. Page 4 • Panel 1: Mio notices a little girl outside the window, sketching petals in her notebook. • Panel 2: Close-up: Mio smiles, heartwarming. • Panel 3: Mio kneels beside the girl. • Mio: “Mind if I watch?” • Panel 4: Girl smiles shyly: “Sure!” ⸻ Chapter 3 – Haru’s Letter Page 5 • Panel 1: Mio finds a yellowed envelope tucked under the desk. • Panel 2: Close-up of handwriting: “If you’re reading this, it means you’ve remembered me. Thank you for loving me. Live fully, Mio. Promise me.” • Panel 3: Tears roll down Mio’s cheeks. She clutches the note to her chest. • Mio (thought): I did, Haru… every day. • Panel 4: Wide panel: cherry petals swirl around her, sunlight hitting her face. ⸻ Chapter 4 – Life Moves On Page 6 • Panel 1: Mio walking down a cherry blossom-lined street. • Panel 2: She watches children playing, couples laughing. • Panel 3: Close-up: little girl from before showing Mio her sketch. • Panel 4: Mio opens her old sketchbook, inspired to draw again. • Narration: “Love doesn’t end with loss. It continues in memories, kindness, and inspiration.” ⸻ Chapter 5 – Reflection at Sunset Page 7 • Panel 1: Mio revisits the school one last time, sitting on the steps outside. • Panel 2: Cherry blossoms fall around her. • Panel 3: Soft, imaginary voice of Haru: “I’m proud of you, Mio.” • Panel 4: Mio smiles, eyes glistening: • Mio: “Me too, Haru… always me too.” ⸻ Chapter 6 – Moving Forward Page 8 • Panel 1: Wide shot: Mio walking away from school gate, briefcase in hand. • Panel 2: Close-up: her sketchbook tucked under her arm, pages fluttering in the wind. • Panel 3: Narration: “Some love never fades… it simply guides the next steps of our lives.” • Panel 4 (Final Panel): Cherry blossoms fall, school bell rings faintly in distance, symbolizing past and hope for the future. Volume 4 – Teacher Mio & Mentorship Title: When the Bell Rang Twice – Volume 4 Chapters: 8 Tone: Reflective, mentoring, subtle hope, echoes of past love ⸻ Chapter 1 – First Day as a Teacher Page 1 • Panel 1: Exterior: School in spring. Cherry blossoms in full bloom. • Panel 2: Adult Mio stands in front of a classroom, smiling warmly. • Narration: “I never imagined returning… but life brings us full circle.” • Panel 3: Wide shot of students settling in. • Panel 4: Mio notices a boy at the back, sketching quietly. Page 2 • Panel 1: Close-up of boy, Riku, focused, messy hair, serious expression. • Panel 2: Mio’s inner thought: There’s something familiar about him… • Panel 3: Students chatting around him. Mio approaches. • Mio: “Hello, I’m your new art teacher. Can I see what you’re drawing?” • Panel 4: Riku hands her a sketch. • Riku: “It’s nothing special.” ⸻ Chapter 2 – Echoes of Haru Page 3 • Panel 1: Mio studies the sketch. Wide shot shows her gentle smile. • Mio: “No, this is wonderful. I see a lot of feeling here.” • Panel 2: Close-up: Riku blushes slightly, looking down. • Panel 3: Flashback panel: Mio sketching with Haru in school. • Panel 4: Narration: “It reminded me of someone I once knew… someone who changed me.” ⸻ Chapter 3 – Mentoring Moments Page 4 • Panel 1: Art club room, students painting, drawing. Riku sits quietly sketching. • Panel 2: Mio kneels beside him, pointing at a detail. • Mio: “Try feeling the wind in the petals… imagine it moving through your brush.” • Panel 3: Riku nods, focused, inspired. • Panel 4: Close-up of Mio’s thoughtful face. • Narration: “Teaching him reminded me that love isn’t just for the heart… it’s for the soul.” ⸻ Chapter 4 – Festival Preparations Page 5 • Panel 1: Students decorate school for cultural festival, Mio supervising. • Panel 2: Riku approaches, holding a folded sketch. • Panel 3: Close-up: sketch shows Mio at the school steps surrounded by cherry blossoms. • Panel 4: Mio gasps softly, tears welling up. • Mio: “You… captured something I didn’t even know I remembered.” • Panel 5: Riku smiles shyly. • Riku: “I wanted you to see what your presence does… even without knowing it.” ⸻ Chapter 5 – Graduation Day Page 6 • Panel 1: Graduation ceremony, students in caps and gowns. Wide shot. • Panel 2: Riku approaches Mio, holding a sketchbook. • Riku: “Thank you for believing in me.” • Panel 3: Mio hugs him briefly. • Mio: “Carry your feelings with you. That’s how people live on.” • Panel 4: Close-up: Mio watching Riku walk away, cherry petals swirling. • Narration: “Haru’s memory guided me here… and now I could guide others.” ⸻ Chapter 6 – Reflection on Love and Mentorship Page 7 • Panel 1: Mio stands on the school rooftop at sunset. • Panel 2: Soft, imaginary voice of Haru: “I’m proud of you, Mio.” • Panel 3: Mio smiles, eyes soft, remembering. • Mio: “I hope you see… I’ve carried you in everything I do.” • Panel 4: Close-up of sketchbook in her hands, sketches of students, cherry blossoms, and memories of Haru. ⸻ Chapter 7 – Passing the Torch Page 8 • Panel 1: Classroom empty after school, sunlight streaming in. • Panel 2: Mio tidies up Riku’s art supplies. • Panel 3: Narration: “Some love leaves only memories… some leaves a legacy.” • Panel 4: Wide panel: Mio walking through school gate, cherry petals falling. • Narration: “Haru’s presence lingered, but life moves forward… and so must I.” Volume 5 – Adult Romance & New Love Title: When the Bell Rang Twice – Volume 5 Chapters: 8 Tone: Bittersweet romance, healing, hope ⸻ Chapter 1 – A Chance Encounter Page 1 • Panel 1: Mio walking home after school, cherry blossoms drifting in the wind. • Panel 2: She bumps into Kaoru, books flying everywhere. • Kaoru: “Oh no! I’m so sorry!” • Panel 3: Mio kneels to help him gather the papers. Their hands brush. • Panel 4: Mio (thought): There’s something… calming about him. Page 2 • Panel 1: Kaoru hands her a book with a shy smile. • Kaoru: “I think fate wants us to meet like this.” • Panel 2: Mio blushes slightly, smiling faintly. • Panel 3: Wide shot of cherry petals swirling around them. • Panel 4: Narration: “Life has a way of introducing new stories… even after heartbreak.” ⸻ Chapter 2 – Shared Memories Page 3 • Panel 1: Mio and Kaoru walking side by side under cherry trees. • Panel 2: Kaoru glances at her. • Kaoru: “Do you like cherry blossoms?” • Panel 3: Mio smiles softly, thinking of Haru. • Mio: “I do… they remind me of fleeting moments.” • Panel 4: Kaoru takes a deep breath. • Kaoru: “Then maybe we can make new moments together.” ⸻ Chapter 3 – Past and Present Page 4 • Panel 1: Mio visits her old school with Kaoru, showing him the classroom and Haru’s desk. • Panel 2: Kaoru: “He must have been very special.” • Panel 3: Mio nods, tearful but smiling. • Mio: “He still is… in a way.” • Panel 4: Kaoru gently squeezes her hand. • Kaoru: “And I’ll try to be special too… without replacing him.” ⸻ Chapter 4 – Confession Under Cherry Blossoms Page 5 • Panel 1: Spring festival at school, petals falling everywhere. • Panel 2: Kaoru nervously presents a small sketchbook to Mio. • Kaoru: “I drew this… it’s us, walking here together.” • Panel 3: Mio flips through it, softly laughing and tearing up. • Mio: “You captured… something I didn’t even realize I remembered.” • Panel 4: Close-up: Kaoru leans slightly closer. • Kaoru: “Mio… will you give me a chance?” ⸻ Chapter 5 – Acceptance Page 6 • Panel 1: Mio’s eyes glisten with tears. • Panel 2: Close-up of Mio’s hands hesitating, then intertwining with Kaoru’s. • Panel 3: Mio (thought): Haru… it’s okay to love again. • Panel 4: Wide panel: both walking hand in hand, petals falling around them. ⸻ Chapter 6 – New Beginnings Page 7 • Panel 1: Mio and Kaoru strolling under cherry trees, soft sunlight. • Panel 2: Close-up: sketchbook in Mio’s bag, showing drawings of Haru and past memories. • Panel 3: Mio (thought): “Love can exist in layers… the past shapes the present.” • Panel 4: Kaoru smiles at her. • Kaoru: “Thank you for letting me walk with you.” ⸻ Chapter 7 – Life and Memory Page 8 • Panel 1: Mio pauses, looking at the school from afar. • Panel 2: Soft voice of Haru in memory: “I’m proud of you, Mio.” • Panel 3: Mio smiles, holding Kaoru’s hand. • Mio: “I am too… for both of us.” • Panel 4 (Final Panel): Wide shot of cherry blossoms falling, school bell ringing in the background. • Narration: “The bell rings for past love… and for new beginnings.” Manga