This chapter was a series of w.t.f. moments... culminating in an unexpected ending.
A masterful ending, to be sure. It's just that, after all the comedic events in the previous chapters, this was a sharp left turn into genuine tragedy. Somewhat unusual for Ishiguro-sensei. I was lulled into thinking that this series too was essentially slice-of-life set in a run-down dystopia. Got me good.