Rookie Of The Year
Cast:
Cure Peace, Kise Yayoi - age 18
Cure Happy, Hoshizora Miyuki - age 18
Wolfrun, Ookami Runtarou - age 18
Aka-Oni, Akai Onikichi - age 18
Morino Ringo - Yayoi's editor - age 31
February, 2016
"And the award for Outstanding Debut Manga goes to... Cure Peace, for the short series Sunshine, Cleanliness, and A Giant Robot!"
Yayoi walks stiffly up to the stage, accompanied by her editor, a large woman with pale green hair whose name is Morino Ringo. Yayoi is eighteen years old now - practically an adult - but walking beside the towering, matronly woman, Yayoi looks as if she were fourteen again. As they reach the podium, Ringo bends down to whisper in Yayoi's ear.
"Don't worry about saying anything profound. Just accept the award and remember to thank your readers."
The woman steps back as Yayoi takes the award parchment from the presenter. It is Yayoi's turn to speak. For several moments, she hesitates, once again the timid girl of her youth. Then she takes a deep breath, after which she rushes through her speech without stopping.
"Thank you everybody; this is a great honor; I'd like to thank my mother my friends my editor and all of my readers; thank you!"
She bows suddenly at the end, and accidentally bashes the microphone with her mouth. Red-faced, she keeps her hands pressed over her lips as Ringo guides her off the stage.
"Don't mind, Yayoi! You did great!"
Miyuki knows that Yayoi likely cannot hear her, but cheers anyway.
Next to Miyuki, Runtarou and Onikichi watch the proceedings with interest.
"There's something about that woman Yayoi is with," Runtarou says. "I can't put my finger on it. Aka-Oni, do you recognize her?"
"She looks familiar, but I don't think- Oh!"
"Oh?"
"There were photos of her! All over Majorina's house!"