Raa-eee-yaa Ra-ra-e-yo-ra
A magnificent mushroom cloud in the sky
Raa-eee-yaa Ra-ra-e-yo-ra
In the afternoon of birds pecking at food in an alley
Touching the grass under the sunlight streaming through the leaves
I'll talk with you
See, on the lunch bench A dream blossoms
Carry the sound of the waves in your heart
Sink your blues
Stretch a bridge to tomorrow
Don't worry about tsunami
Raa-eee-yaa Ra-ra-e-yo-ra
A magnificent mushroom cloud in the sky
Raa-eee-yaa Ra-ra-e-yo-ra
The afternoon of birds pecking at food in an alley
Raa-eee-yaa Ra-ra-e-yo-ra
The dream I nurtured on the lunch bench
Raa-eee-yaa Ra-ra-e-yo-ra
The afternoon, born on the day of the sunlight streaming through the leaves
I'm sorry.
I really don't have time for this project.
I'm kind of tired, so I'll pass
Sorry.
You know, the road is completely packed now...
so I guess I'll be late.
Look.
That's not our fault. Our client told us to do that.
I told you. That's not what I wanted... I told you. That's not what I wanted!
I swear I didn't know about it at all.
I was too busy.
You know I'm really getting bothered by it, too!
I didn't mean to keep it secret from you.
I didn't have any other choice!
Can't you do something about it?
I have an upset stomach, so I'm taking the day off.
Sorry, but I can't work within such a small budget.
Sorry but I don't know anything about it.
You know, I'm working hard, too!
Don't blame me!
I don't trust anybody anymore!
That's his fault!
It's not my fault!!
ENTER LIL' SLUGGER
Tsukiko!
You got any new ideas?
You're going to soon, right?
You'll show us a newborn star...
to follow-up our current big "cash-dog" character, Maromi.
Well...
Hey, don't act so pessimistic.
I'm sure you can do it!
Everybody's so looking forward to your next miracle, Tsukiko!
Chief!
You have a call from the producer at Coco Factory.
I could use... a miracle.
Hello, this is Hatomura.
Oh, yes, yes!
You need to see the idea for the new character design?
By next Monday?
Of course! It's no problem at all.
Yes, yes. Tsukiko will take care of it.
Yes, of course!
I'm sure it will become a big hit, even bigger than Maromi!
Miracle, miracle, miracle.
Hey, Maromi, can you work a miracle?
Ouch.
Hello, M & F.
Yes, I'm sorry, but...
No, we don't have any information about it either.
Like I said...
I'm going to the hospital to find out what really happened.
The victim of this violent street assault...
has been identified as Ms. Tsukiko Sagi...
the famous creator of the popular character, Maromi...
Tsukiko Sagi
You sensed someone behind you and looked back.
Then you ducked quickly, right after you saw a glint of metal.
Are you sure that's the only thing you can remember?
Ms. Sagi, any kind of small detail would help us.
Don't you remember anything about the assailant?
Red...
My red bag, it was my favorite.
Were you carrying a red bag? Did the assailant take it?
He took it, right?
What was inside the bag?
A wallet, or anything important?
Golden...
Maybe... a baseball bat...
Oh, the weapon.
The glint of metal you saw momentarily was the bat, wasn't it?
Do you remember anything else? His outfit or build?
Very short...
Maybe... a fifth or a six grader...
You mean an elementary school kid?
Stop this bullshit! I don't need your flowers!
Mr. Kawazu, you promised to pay your next visit!
Well, am I right?!
I'm so sorry.
The next payment for my article...
What article?!
If you're such a famous writer, pay me already!
Huh?!
If you won't pay for my father's hospital bills...
and compensation, I'll take legal action again!
I'm really sorry.
Damn it!
Investigating some case?
What?
Are you here to cure your filthy mind?
Oh, so your victim is staying at this hospital.
Who cares about that senile old man?
I'm the victim for accidentally hitting him.
So what brings you here today?
I don't have anything to feed a vulture like you!
Why don't you work hard to pay off your debt?
Oh, excuse me.
You know...
Well, my partner is so careless.
He forgot to ask a very important question...
You know...
Oh, you mean about the patient in Room 510?
It would be really bad to get hit with that.
Only if it really happened.
What do you mean?
You think she's making this up?
I agree she's a bit strange, but...
More than a bit!
You shouldn't be so rash.
For girls like her, who unconsciously act so sensitive...
you have to be patient and treat them gently.
Just like the way you peel a ripe peach.
Do you want to peel that peach?
You know, girls hate dirty jokes.
Sheesh!
Do you remember that similar case?
Which similar case?
A false report of a street assault.
That's going too far!
Is that your detective's intuition?
Something's really suspicious!
You know, we're living in the 21st century.
Let's investigate this scientifically.
You want to bet whether it's real or fake? Loser buys dinner.
Experience High-Speed Internet Now!
Accepting Applications Now!
Profile: Tsukiko Sagi Joined M&F Inc in 2002. Our top designer and original creator of Maromi. Currently working on a highly anticipated follow-up.
Company Name: M&F INC Address: South Shibuya, Tokyo
Hey, how much longer?
Oh, sorry about that.
I'll bring it back for you.
Here we go, all set.
There it is!
Weekly RUMOR Magazine Writer, AKIO KAWAZU
What can I do for you?
There's a new development in the street assault case...
of character designer, Tsukiko Sagi...
The creator of the popular character, Maromi.
The newly found facts on the assailant are very shocking.
It is widely known that there has been a significant increase...
in juvenile offenders in our society...
but it is hard to believe an elementary school student would assault...
It's not my son!
It's got to be some kind of mistake?
This is the result of our repressed society having the worst impact...
on those who are the most vulnerable... our children.
Yeah, I knew it.
It figures the attacker is some little brat.
Brats these days are so strange.
I really want to beat them up!
I know, it's the metal bat. I read about it on the net.
We have to teach children...
about the difference between the virtual world and the real world.
It sounds so dumb!
Keep the violence in the video games.
He screwed up his life!
That's right.
What a loser.
Anyone suspicious...?
Well, I see this creepy old woman sometimes.
I think she's homeless.
She's pretty disgusting, and very tiny, like a kid.
Excuse me, is anybody here?
Excuse me...
Nobody's in.
Are you trying to make money off the homeless?
I'm not that desperate yet.
As a good citizen...
just helping the investigation to arrest the street assailant.
I've heard that the old woman disappeared right after the incident.
But, I wonder what actually happened.
People are talking about some boy with a bat...
but seriously I doubt it!
Do you want to add "interfering with an officer"...
on top of your reckless driving record?
Uh-oh, backfired on me again.
MOON LIGHT Tsukiko's Room
BBS "Voice of the Moon"
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Are you all right? I hope you get better soon. (Name: C-170) ARE YOU OKAY?! I can't believe it's an elementary school kid. I hope you'll get better quickly. (Name: Kerotan)
HOW ARE YOU RECOVERING? I'm really worried. I hope you recover quickly. (Name: Skip) HOPING YOU WILL BE FINE SOON! How are you doing tonight? I hope you will get better. (Name: K Y)
I'M SO WORRIED I CAN'T SLEEP. Are you OK, Tsuki-chan? I'm worried about Maromi, too. (Name: Elliot)
THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT! An elementary school student hit you with a bat? Are you that starved for attention? (Name: No Name Given)
LIAR! You've been a liar since you were a kid!! (Name: Kasasagi)
A ONE WOMAN SHO W Written, directed and starring Tsukiko Sagi (Name: One Citizen)
FULL OF LIES!
YOU MADE IT UP!
CRYING WOLF!
HO AX!
STUPID GIRL'S PLAY
Don't get bothered by them.
Everybody...
they're just jealous of you, Tsukiko.
Why?
Because you're different.
I think I'm pretty ordinary.
Don't worry, it's not your fault.
The bad one is...
I know, but...
Don't worry so much.
I know...
I'm fine.
I can still draw.
No, I'm not forcing myself.
Yes, I'll be there.
Thanks.
Tsukiko Sagi, am I right?
I would like to ask you a few questions about the assault.
Thanks.
Ms. Sagi!
Is this yours?
I can see how you were able to create Maromi.
This is so cute.
An old homeless woman lives near the crime scene.
I found this in her dwelling.
I heard she was very short.
I'm interested in this case.
I asked around the neighborhood, but couldn't find any witnesses.
Isn't it strange?
Especially since it didn't happen late at night.
I saw him.
So tell me more.
I don't remember it well.
I thought the homeless woman might know something...
but she vanished just after you were assaulted.
Isn't that a strange coincidence?
It's melting...
Well, it's hard for me to imagine that a weak old woman...
would beat up people with a metal bat.
But, a kid is also kind of...
By the way, Ms. Sagi...
are you a regular employee or a freelance contractor?
Who owns Maromi's copyright?
If you do, you could make millions.
You know, your co-workers really hate you.
She may be a popular character designer or whatever...
but she's better at creating drama for herself.
Ms. Yasuda? It sounds just like her.
She knows guys love that mysterious girl type...
so she's putting on an act.
Ms. Shinohara.
Hey, hasn't she been in a slump recently?
Ms. Mitsui...
She's probably happy that she was attacked.
Ms. Yamashiro...
Who knows?!
She could have made up the whole thing.
Unexpected success and fame.
Surrounded by jealousy and big expectations.
Great pressure on you to create a new character.
I understand.
Even I would want to run away from it all.
You're not finished yet, are you?
Does he exist?
Was there really an assailant?
Inline skates?
Golden...
Anything else?
So it actually was a kid.
Scary, isn't it?
He wore shorts and a baseball cap.
You know, I heard that the bat was bent like dog's leg.
Wow!
Sounds painful!
What do they call him? Bat Shonen?
No, "Shonen Bat".
That's right. Shonen Bat!
I heard he smiles when he swings down his bat!
Tsukiko Sagi
Hello, this is Kawazu...
Oh, yes!
Yes, sir! I know.
I'm planning on paying you when I get the next payment for my article.
I'm sick of your excuses!
Are you really going to pay or not?!
Uh, I just got a big job.
I have to go now.
Ms. Sagi, wait a second!
It's better for you to listen to me!
Hey, Ms. Sagi, why don't you help me?!
Hello again.
Chief...
I want to eat Korean barbeque tonight.
A Second Street Assault With a Metal Bat! Male Victim Seriously Injured.
To begin with...
A rabbit jumps behind the moon.
What is it that the black rabbit sees on the horizon with his red eyes?
A fish on the land has trouble when he's stepped on by cows.
The playful palace where the butterfly dances fades away.
In the twilight, the case is started accidentally...
by the cow, and it will continue to do more good.
The golden fox grins at you.
Then...