Super Cruel and Terrible Tales of Mangaka
	 Act 4 - Ardor
	  Chapter 19
	   Jewel of the Palm

 - Page 119 -

Chapter 19: Jewel of the Palm

Dad: Here you go, a present.

Natamame: Yay, it's Momongaizer 3! Momongaizer 3!

[I was always like that,]

Kids: Natamame, I heard you got a Momongaizer 3 action figure!
	Let us play with it, too.

Natamame: No!
	No way, you can't!!

[Even as a kid.]

 - Page 120 -

Kids: Why not, ya cheapskate?!
	I said GIMME IT!

Natamame: Grrrrr!
	If someone's gonna take this away from me, then-!!

Kids: Noooo!

Sign: Sports Festival

Students: Natamame was first in the 500 meter run!
	Way to go, man!
	So fast!
	You're the fastest!

Natamame: Aagh.

Students: Good luck in the final race tomorrow.
	Class A's championship depends on you.
	It's in your hands!
	You gotta win for us!

Natamame: Noooo.
	I can't stand the shame of letting everyone down (if I can't get first place)!
	Aaagh!
	Yeowww.

Mother: What's the poor boy's problem?
	Really.

 - Page 121 -

Girl: I've always been in love with you, Natamame-senpai.
	Please be my boyfriend.

Natamame: Aww, shucks.

Guys: Hey Natamame, whatcha got goin' on here? (woo woo)
	You lucky dog!
	Gonna introduce me to her?

Natamame: Never! (shoo shoo!)
	Don't touch her with your filthy hands, you insects!

Girl: That's a terrible thing to say to your friends!

Natamame: Why do you take their side?!
	Ah HA!
	You must like THEM more than ME!
	Well, fine! If you're going to dump me, then I'll act on my own desires first!

Girl: Eeeeek!

Editor: ...sensei.
	Sensei!

 - Page 122 -

Editor: I've got great news.
	"Mr. Nosefat" got #1 in the reader survey!

Natamame: Whaaaat?!

Editor: It must have been because we bumped Bayoko's tittie-flashing from three times a chapter to five! [Heroine's name]
	Even Tachinosuke Chikubi-sensei praised your manga!!
	We'll have a celebration tonight!

Natamame: Nuh,
	Nuh,
	Noooooooo!

Editor: Um, Sensei?

More than anything else, he feared the collapse of the things he had built up. As the footsteps 
of demise grew closer and closer, simply the thought of it would send him into a panic. As he 
feared and feared ruin, he finally came to desire that ruin deep inside, and by fulfilling his 
own prophecies, felt peace within his heart.

 - Page 123 -

Natamame: Being the best means that someday, you will no longer be the best!
	And the serial I got to start will be halted,
	and I'll be forced to wander the streets until I die a vagrant's death!
	The time for destruction has finally come!
	Rather than face the feeling of desperation...
	Ohh! Aren't you...

Momongaizer: Momongaizer,
	THREEEEE!
	You know what? You think too much, kiddo.
	You're not concerned with your pride. You're just terrified of life.

Natamame: No!
	No!

 - Page 124 -

Momongaizer: Remember back when you just started to draw manga.
	Why did you choose a career with such a small rate of success?
	Because you loved manga, of course.
	Be brave.
	Be brave and take a step forward.

Natamame: Y,
	Yes.
	Thank you, Momongaizer 3!
	You've really opened my eyes!!
	...Mr. Editor, I'm going to up the number of tittie-pops to 50 per chapter!!

...and thus came his ruin. His story canceled, he was kicked out onto the streets. But full of a 
queer sense of fulfillment, he had found the pleasure of life with a tranquil heart.

Natamame: Get yer used magazines here.
	Only 100 yen each. Step right up!

 - Chapter 19 End -