The Man Near the Water's Edge

@GODsHandOnEarth:
I like your interpretation. The MC is mentally and physically exhausted.
He's lonely, sickly, bullied, overworked, underfed, and utterly miserable.
In short, he's ready to die.

If (as you suggest) the runaway girl is supposed to be Death---or a
psychopomp---then the canal probably represents the Sanzu River,
which the MC must cross in order to reach the World of the Dead.

Note that the MC's lunch is stolen by a raven. That's a dark piece
of symbolism, because ravens (being carrion eaters) have a strong
association with death. They're often depicted perched on gibbets,
or flocking over battlefields.

It's as if the MC is already dead, and the bird is pecking at his corpse.

If death is a sweet girl then I welcome her sweet embrace

Namae Renraku's work is truly
"spooky," in a very subtle way.

The same thought has been floating around in my head ever since this chapter was
posted. If possible, could Fakku contact Namae Renraku and deliver this message?

I've been a graphic arts fan for over 60 years. I've read 1000s of stories---manga,
eromanga, underground comix, American comics, and European graphic novels.
The Man Near the Water's Edge is quite simply one of the finest stories I've ever
read. The writing and artwork are uniformly excellent and perfectly integrated with
each other. It's a genuine masterpiece that keeps drawing me back, for the sheer
pleasure of re-reading the story and admiring its artistry.

I read that along the same lines as the old G.I. Joe action figure commercials that detailed the kung-fu grip.

Well... candy, obviously...

(Pours the Scotch) i'll see your Dayum and raise you a Holy Shit. (Downs his shot)