Right now, I’m focusing on creating one-shots between larger projects, as they help me improve my comic-making skills. My most recent project is The Monster Within, while I’m also working on shorter comics from Universe 1, including The Caliban Clinics, The Magus Academy characters, and Aria the Sheep.
THE MONSTER WITHIN
Zander Piket runs a small coffee shop, a haven for anyone seeking warmth and a kind ear. But when an unexpected downpour floods the town repeatedly, his business takes a hit, forcing him to shut down early. As he locks up, Zander finds Nanami Amami, a regular customer, abandoned and soaked in the rain during a date. Trapped together in the quiet café, emotions rise with the storm outside. With secrets shared and vulnerabilities exposed,
Will they find the strength to confront their inner storms, or will be consumed and swallowed in their own downpour.
CHARACTERS
Zander is a compassionate yet reserved individual who, after a
journey of self-discovery, realizes his true calling lies in
bringing people together and creating a comforting space for
them. Initially feeling like a burden, he traveled the world to
escape that feeling but returned more grounded and secure.
Now, he’s dedicated to making his coffee shop a haven, offering
good food, a soothing atmosphere, and the warm presence of a
trusted listener.
With a quiet, sometimes snarky communication style, he
actively listens and knows when to lighten the mood or be
serious. His bluntness can seem intimidating, but his kindness
shines through in subtle ways, making people feel at ease. He’s
mindful about keeping professional boundaries, especially with
his customer Nanami, whom he secretly admires. Though he
holds back his judgments and personal struggles, his genuine
desire to comfort others and his skill in reading the room make
him a steady, comforting presence.
She’s one of Zander’s regular customers not for the coffee, but for
the chance to vent about her string of failed relationships. A
complex, self-aware, and deeply lonely individual, she’s been
shaped by early experiences of mistrust. Vulnerability is a
constant struggle; she hides her true self behind a mask to protect
her secrets. Though she longs to fall in love, her self-doubt and
inability to fully trust keep her from forming lasting bonds.
She finds a kind of safety in confiding in Zander, but only at a
comfortable distance, never allowing the connection to become
too close. Her self-loathing comes through in the way she speaks
guilty for burdening him, yet unable to stop, preferring the risk of
his resentment over the ache of loneliness.
Guarded and prone to retreat when faced with genuine care, she
still has moments where her walls crack, revealing a goofy, aloof
side. Her appreciation for good food and inviting spaces hints at a
deeper longing for comfort and stability, even if she struggles to
let herself fully accept them.
Luke is Nanami's current boyfriend. He's a pretty nerdy and they seem like an odd couple. He unexpectedly disappears during a date with her, leaving her in confusion and emotional turmoil.
STORY NOTES
The setting of the story takes place In the storm-battered town of Driftin, a relentless storm has plagued the area for six months.The story unfolds inside Piket’s Garden, a cozy cafe owned by Zander Piket. The tone of the story, The story carries an ominous atmosphere layered with emotional depth.
Blurring the line between reality and illusion, it unfolds as a tragic
exploration of regret, love and self-identity. At it's heart, it is a human drama with supernatural undertones, centered on the theme of self-sabotaging love. It follows someone who longs for love but has never learned how to give or receive it, and another who believes love requires giving everything of oneself.
It's a melancholic but warm, haunting, and introspective drama that blends
emotional vulnerability with eerie ambiguity. The story draws inspiration primarily from Junji Ito’s The Bully. Set in a realistic world with subtle supernatural undertones, it blends intimate human drama reminiscent of Oyasumi Punpun with the mysterious, unsettling atmosphere of The Summer Hikaru Died.
UNIVERSE 1 SIDE STORIES
Occasionally, similar to The Caliban Clinic, I’d like to write stories set around the Magus Academy or centered on Aria. If I get the chance, I’d love to dive into Aria’s story, since her backstory is so interesting! The Magus Academy is also full of characters whose stories I’d like to explore.
Aria the sheep is a ruthless king who ruled the northern kingdom of Gwalchmei.