"Open the door! Open the door!"
"How much longer are you going to dawdle?"
"It's freezing! Open up already!"
Early in the morning, crowds gathered on the empty streets. The surging masses surrounded the supermarket, constantly pressing forward.
To seize the spots at the front, people even began throwing punches and kicks, beating one another bloody. But when the supermarket's shutters slowly rose and the tide of people rushed inside, chaos erupted.
Discount signs still hung high above the household goods and technology sections. Supplies were plentiful, and floor salespeople eagerly tugged at customers to introduce products, only to be shoved aside impatiently.
But when the crowd stormed into the food section, all they saw were empty shelves.
Rice and flour were completely sold out.
Meat, fruit, and vegetables all bore out-of-stock signs as well.
People flowed between the shelves like a river, letting out frustrated sighs and furious curses.
Some even grabbed hold of the staff and demanded, "What the hell is going on here?"
"Where's the food?" someone asked. "Where did all the food go?"
"It's... it's all sold out. It was snatched up last night. There's nowhere left that has any."
The sales clerk shrank back timidly and recited the excuse the manager had instructed him to give.
In truth, two hours before the supermarket opened, a truck had loaded up every last grain of food and taken it away. No one knew where it had gone.
Even the staff themselves had been unable to secretly set much aside.
"P-please don't panic. How about... instant noodles?" The clerk smiled ingratiatingly.
"What instant noodles? They're gone too! Even dog food and canned beans are fucking sold out! There isn't even any synthetic vegetarian meat left!"
The furious customer shoved him impatiently. Then, as he spoke, he suddenly froze,