Koku Universe v3.1 and Penrose's CCC: Two Alternative Hypotheses from the Same Conformal Root (Revised)

Revised version (v2.0) correcting a key framing error in v1.0. Version 1.0 described the two frameworks as 'complementary'. This was incorrect: CCC requires continuous time; Koku Universe requires discrete time. These are mutually exclusive ontological claims. The revised framing: both frameworks arise from the same conformal geometric root (identification of topological boundary with origin), but they are ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESES with mutually exclusive predictions. Three empirical discriminators are presented: (1) CMB Hawking radiation rings (CCC) vs discrete layer echoes (Koku); (2) Smooth vs discrete time dilation near black holes; (3) Conformal smoothness vs micro-discontinuities at last scattering surface. The frameworks are rival theories, not allies.