Noramimi Volume 5 Chapter 2 Springtime Blues - Page 25 - Springtime Blues Noramimi: Ahh, spring... You can't help but feel like something good is around the corner when it's so nice out... Like, what if I suddenly nab a home, in dramatic fashion? A real miracle... Handa: BWAAA-choo! Noramimi: Sheesh. Nasty! Handa: Hey Noramimi, isn't your nose a... Noramimi: This? Yeah, it's a fake. Handa: You're lucky you don't have a nose... This season always kills me... I start losing my grip... Noramimi: You've never had a grip. - Page 26 - Noramimi: Miss Sarashina! Where ya goin'? Sarashina: To go greet a mascot at the station. It's someone who got a home here from far across the country. Noramimi: Oh, I see. Nice weather, huh? Sarashina: It feels great. Mamepen: Sea slug, calculator, red crab, cotton swab, catheter, tissue, driftwood... Noramimi: What? Mamepen: Yes? Sarashina: A squid... - Page 27 - Noramimi: What are you doing? Mamepen: I'm feeling like this character isn't really going anywhere. I'm thinking up other themes, and I was picking flower petals to decide, since it's spring and all. Noramimi: That's just a hat, then? You're not a squid? Mamepen: What can I say? I had thought this was finally it, but when I woke up this morning, it was like the spell had been broken... I guess you could say I had a sudden INKling... (heh) Noramimi: Was that supposed to be funny? Naomi: We have a call from Office 142, Miss Sarashina. Sarashina: Oh, okay. Noramimi: Sheesh. I forgot springtime brings out all the WEIRDOS, too. Mamepen: Ammonite. - Page 28 - Springtime Blues Handa: BWAAA-choo! Sarashina: Yes, I'm just leaving now... Sign: Spring Service Noramimi: What? You already have a home? Mamepen: Heh, I came here to this town so that I could start a new life in the spring. I was just on my way to the address. - Page 29 - Noramimi: Why are you here, then? Mamepen: Huh? I was just wandering around outside. You guys stopped me and brought me inside... I guess I just seemed too... tentaCOOL. (heh) Noramimi: Why do you keep laughing like that? If you're just pulling my leg, then leave! Handa: You did mention changing your style. Mamepen: Aha! Very perceptive of you... I signed a contract six months ago as a squid mascot, but I don't feel good about it now. I'm kind of hoping I can use your professional opinions. Isn't there any kind of cool mascot I can be? Noramimi: Like what? You have to make up your mind! Mamepen: I'm not asking for free... You can have this meat. Noramimi: What kind of meat is it? Handa: Well, I don't see a problem. We're rarely busy this time of year. You just take your time. Mamepen: Yes, it IS spring, after all. - Page 30 - Handa: So, your name is Mamepen... Mamepen: SQUINDeed. Handa: So this must be you... Screen: Squid/Rocket/Mushroom/Cone/Ray/Sea Angel/Panda/Robot/Butterfly/Bird/Glasses/Serious/Ghost/Other Super Almighty Mamepen Handa: Your type is Squid/Rocket/Mushroom/Cone/Ray/Sea Angel/Panda/Robot/Butterfly/Bird/Glasses/Serious/Ghost... Uhh, what? Mamepen: I just put together a bunch of popular keywords to draw more hits. Noramimi: That's cheating! Handa: Well, you certainly make things unclear. I can't even tell what type you're supposed to be. I'm amazed anyone took a gamble on you. Mamepen: My spring has come! Noramimi: Well, what type of mascot are you REALLY? Mamepen: Huh? You've got a really bad stuffy nose. (Take care) Noramimi: Answer my question!! - Page 31 - Noramimi: ...What are you? I can't tell. A rice dumpling? Mamepen: A brush. Noramimi: Huh? Mamepen: A baby brush. Look up here. Noramimi: What the heck? Mamepen: I know, right? What is a BRUSH type, anyway? Who's going to request that? Throw myself into the world at large like this, and who CARES what type I am? Special Ability: Brush Pose Popularity: zero. I get ignored! A neverending cycle of pain. Handa: Just like Noramimi, huh? Noramimi: A kaminari kozo is a time-honored traditional character type! Mamepen: Want to see the woeful tale that is Mamepen's history? I've got an album here that tells the whole story. - Page 32 - Mamepen: I was a rambunctious little squirt at first. That was when just the concept of changing types was humorous. The trend to realism was inevitable, in my opinion. I made all those costumes myself. In the end, it was all technique and no creativity... I'm ashamed of that period. I began running out of easy options, so I got more conceptual. At this point I've completely lost sight of trying to freeload. I'm way off the deep end. In desperation, I turn to huge costumes. If I'm not gonna work, then why not? Definitely self-destructive behavior. I had totally lost sight of myself. - Page 33 - Mamepen: After some soul-searching, I've settled on more down-to-earth concepts. Top: Deep Sea Angler, Butterfly, Ostrich Bottom: Island, One Sushi, Snow, Jet Mamepen: Simple is best, as you know. I want to be able to sell the image with just my face. As best I can without interfering with my daily life. So is there anything good to try outside of any of these? Noramimi: You've tried everything in the book... Mamepen: What?! You're a kaminari kozo?! You just look like a little priest! Noramimi: What took you so long to figure that out?! - Page 34 - Mamepen: A little priest! I think I'm onto something. I feel confident enough to meet them now. Noramimi: It suits you, man. Mamepen: Do you like the squid hat, too? Noramimi: Heh heh. This is pretty sweet. Of course, when you get down to it, I'm still the REAL priest. If we meet somewhere on the street, you have to say hi first! Got that... What's up? Mamepen: I'm having second thoughts. Noramimi: WHAT?! - Page 35 - Mamepen: I just can't pull it off... I'm really just a fake... Noramimi: Why are you wimping out now? You've already got the job! Mamepen: It was a really short meeting! They just took a look at me and left. Noramimi: Sheesh. Shut up and come with me! Mamepen: No, no! This type is too hard to figure out! Noramimi: The little priest is a Japanese standard, you dunce! Mamepen: My tummy hurts. Noramimi: Liar. Mamepen: That meat was bad. Noramimi: You didn't eat any. - Page 36 - Sign: Tanaka Noramimi: This is it... Ummm... Sign: Wait for us Tochio: Oh, finally! We got tired of waiting! We were just about to go out for hanami. (Note: Hanami = viewing the cherry blossoms in spring.) Sign: New mascot, wait for us Tochio: The weather was SOOO good today, Dad took off work so we could go together! Mom: Don't shout it to the whole world! Tochio: Perfect timing! Come on, let's take the whole group! Noramimi: I hear that, pal! Tochio: Oops. Sign: New mascot, wait for us Tochio: Wait, wait! - Page 37 - Noramimi: So uh, this is the guy who'll be staying with you. He's Mamepen. Say hi. Mamepen: W-well, you heard the man... Tochio: So why are there two of you, anyway? And you seem different than the squid I asked for... Mamepen: Daaaaaaaahh! Oh crap! You damn slippery slimeball! I'M the real squid here! Tochio: What do you mean? Noramimi: Geez, don't be such a jerk! Mamepen: This guy's just an evil mascot hijacker... Help me! I've been forced to change into a wimpy little apprentice priest! Tochio: But that means you're not a squid, after all. I mean, I think you're funny and all... But I've been waiting six months for my squid mascot... - Page 38 - Dad: Baaachoo! Noramimi: (Serves ya right) Dad: Listen to me, Tochio. Every meeting is precious. If you make them leave today, you'll probably never see them again. But you and Mamepen ran into each today. Why is that? There's a very important meaning to your meeting. Now think carefully, and decide. Tochio: Dad... Mamepen: Dad... Tochio: Okay, Mamepen. Nice to meet you. Mamepen: Yeah, nice to meet you, too! Mom: Well, wasn't that a very cool thing to say, dear. Strong words from a man skipping work. Noramimi: (Sheesh.) Dad: Don't bring that up. How can you argue with this weather? - Page 39 - Sign: Tanaka Sarashina: They don't seem to be home. Ikamon: Why not? They should be! Sarashina: Maybe we should head back to the office and try again later. Ikamon: What's this...? Byaaa-SNOO! Blegh, I can't stand this... My allergies are going crazy... I'm sorry, can you cancel this contract? I think I'd rather wait until summer. Sarashina: What? Are you sure? - Page 40 - Phone: Hello Kids #142, how may I help you? Sarashina: This is Sarashina, from #59. Phone: Oh, hello! Sarashina: I just went to pick up a mascot from the station... Phone: The squid type? Sarashina: That's right, but the mascot has just cancelled the offer himself... Phone: Oh dear. It didn't work out again, then? Sarashina: Pardon? Phone: Well, about half a year ago, the same home wanted a mascot through us. Naomi: (I'm so bored.) Handa: (snrrrt) Phone: I believe I talked with a lady named Naomi. In the end, it never showed up and we couldn't get in touch, so we had to cancel the whole contract ourselves. Sarashina: Ahh, I see... - Page 41 - Phone: Yes, I remember clearly, because I don't know if I've ever heard a squid request before. But the mascot was kind of weird and flaky. You couldn't tell if it was a squid or not. Sarashina: Huh? Sort of like a squid, but sort of not...? Ah-choo! I'm sorry. What was I asking? Well, I guess that's all... Mamepen: Half a year... Gosh, it's been a long trip... - Page 42 - Mamepen: And I never thought it'd actually end with a job! On this day, at this moment, a miracle has occurred! Noramimi: Geez, you sure like to make a big deal out of everything. Nobody else cares! It's all just been inside your head. Of course, weather like this does put you in that kind of a mood... Mamepen: Aaaachoo! Yikes! I think that's the first time I ever sneezed. I wonder how I did that? I don't have a nose. Noramimi: Sheesh. Don't ask me. Springtime Blues = The End - Page 43 - Mascot File ID No. : 06008009 Type : Squid/Rocket/Mushroom/Cone/Ray/Sea Angel/Panda/Robot/Butterfly/Bird/Glasses/Serious/Ghost/Other Name : Super Almighty Mamepen No. of Families Serviced: 1 Special Skills: I can do anything. Major multi-tasker here. I can't list them all here, so I won't! Favorite Food: I'm an ultra gourmet (I know lots of great restaurants). Of course, I'll eat just about anything. Can't list them all here, so I won't! Motto: History is written in a night. Preferred Family: Anywhere's fine. Message: I can match your desires entirely! I'm a very economical, Earth-friendly mascot [star] Further Notes: * Currently under preparation. [Return to contents][Next] - Page 44 - ID No. : 00018094 Type : Squid Name : King Squid Ikamon No. of Families Serviced: 37 Special Skills: Whack-a-mole. Card games. Favorite Food: Takoyaki. Motto: Fit in a hand, and you can fit in a leg. Preferred Family: Any family with an accessible water source. Message: Would you like to try the squid experience? Further Notes: Extremely hostile to octopus types. Neighborhood survey will be necessary. [Return to contents][Next]