After dinner and a quick shower, Ataru snatched up the envelope Inaba had delivered and flopped down in bed. Lum followed close behind and settled down next to him, eager to know what was going on back in Tomobiki.

The first and most elegant looking letter was simply labeled Shinobu. Ataru unfolded it delicately and started scanning through it.

"Darling, why don't you read it out loud?" Lum suggested, impatient to hear what it said.

Ataru looked slightly annoyed, but he complied. "Alright, here goes."

Dear Ataru and Lum,

How are you doing? It seems like a really long time since we last talked, but I guess it's only been a couple of months now. I hope you are both well and staying out of trouble. Things certainly are quieter here since you left. Especially with you gone, Ataru, though we girls certainly aren't complaining. Tomobiki just isn't the same without the two of you running around.

Some men from the government came and boarded up your house a day or two after you went, so everything should be as you left it when you return. I do hope you will come back whenever this whole mess is sorted out. It was announced back then that we might get invaded again, but since nothing has happened yet, people have more or less calmed down.

"Well, that's good at least," Ataru noted. "I know mom was worried about leaving with the front door unlocked." Lum gave him an impatient look, so he quickly continued.

As you probably know, we're back in school already. There's a lot more work now since we have to take entrance exams at the end of the year. We've already had a few practice exams, and they aren't fun, believe me.

Most of the old gang is back in the same class again. Appropriately enough we're in class 3-4 this year. Unlucky numbers seem to follow us no matter if Ataru is here or not. Chibi and Kakugari actually got placed in another homeroom, but Perm doesn't seem to mind as much as I thought he would. Mendou is still here too, and they seem to be much friendlier to each other than they used to be. I guess both of them are a bit lonely. Plus they aren't competing for your attention anymore, Lum.

Onsen-Mark-sensei tried to act like he was happy that you two were gone, but he looked pretty sad for a long while. I think he gets bored in English class as well without all the distractions.

"Yeah, right," Ataru interjected, stopping his reading once again. "Onsen-Mark hated my guts."

"I don't think he really did, Darling," Lum protested. "You just got on his nerves a lot."

I'm not going to say what's going one with everyone else, because I wanted them to tell you how they were doing themselves. As for me, I'm doing well. Inaba and I have been dating for a while now, and I really think he might be the one (Inaba, if you are reading this, you are in big trouble). He is a bit scatterbrained, but he's really sincere and nice, not to mention very handsome. His work keeps him busy, so I don't see him nearly enough, but when he is around I'm really happy.

I hope things are going as well with you two. We were all really surprised when you got so lovey-dovey with each other after your absence last spring. I guess nothing stays the same forever though.

Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough. I'm sure you two have better things to do up there. I'll be hoping for your safe return to Tomobiki someday, but until then try not to fight too much. And Lum, please take good care of Ataru, I know he's an idiot, but he's a really sweet guy underneath. I'm certain you've figured that out by now.

Yours truly,

Miyake Shinobu

That was a nice letter," Lum said, smiling. "I'm glad she's happy with Inaba."

"Yeah," Ataru agreed distantly. "He's a good guy."

"Are you ok, Darling?" she asked, noticing his shift in mood.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, setting the letter carefully aside. "Shinobu's been my friend since elementary school you know."

"I know," Lum replied. "She's a really good friend."

Ataru smiled sadly and picked up the next one. "This one's from Perm," he told her.

Hey Ataru, Lum-chan,

I hope everything's going well with you guys. Things are pretty boring here. Are you two coming back soon? I hope so, Chibi and Kakugari are a bit too much sometimes. Can you believe they stuck them in another homeroom? I don't have anyone to goof off with during class anymore. Mendou's ok, but you know how stuck up he is sometimes. Plus he doesn't pal around like we did, he's always really serious during class time.

Not that we have enough time to really goof off. I'm trying to get my grades up, my parents are really on my case about that. Are you guys in school there? I hope that it's not as hard as this stuff we're doing. I'm pretty lost sometimes.

Hey, Ataru, are you treating Lum-chan well? She's way too good for you, you know. You should be grateful she puts up with you. Ha ha, I'm just joking with you. I'll bet that made you mad though, didn't it?

Seriously though, come back soon. Everybody misses you guys.

Your friend,

Perm

"That guy," Ataru said irritably, tossing the letter aside. "Thinks he's hilarious."

"Aw, he really misses you, Darling," Lum said, wrapping an arm around him.

The next letter was elegantly labeled Sakuranbo. Ataru was ready to rip it to shreds, but Lum snatched it out of his hands.

"I don't even want to know what that doom spouting pest has to say," Ataru protested. "I just know it's going to be bad portents this and ill omens that."

"It's rude not to even read it," Lum told him, opening it herself. "Be quiet and I'll read this one."

Dear Friends,

How is the day finding you? I hope well.

Ataru, the town's bad spirits seem to have died down since you left. It's not leaving me much work to do, so I would appreciate it if you returned. My niece is too stingy to give me enough food, so I am reduced to relying on the kindness of Mendou's family far too often.

Lum, please be very cautious. Dark clouds gather around Ataru, and if you are not careful you will be drawn into his ill fortune as well. I am not able to tell what lays in wait for you two right now, but I have a bad feeling about it.

Perhaps you should pray?

Cherry

"Ok, sorry, sorry," Lum said, tearing the note in half herself. "You were right."

Ataru muttered several dark things about the monk. "Told you so," he said, picking up the next letter in the stack. "That pest has never had anything pleasant to say."

"This one's from Sakura-sensei!" Ataru crowed. Lum glared at him but let him read it.

Greetings Moroboshi, Lum-chan,

I hope that this letter reaches you in good health and spirits. I know you must be having a difficult time after being uprooted like that.

A new school year has begun. I am happy to say that is has been a peaceful one so far. No explosions or fires whatsoever. My job as a school nurse has never been as relaxing as it is now.

Tsubame and I are planning to hold our wedding in a few months. I do not know how your situation is, but if you are able to return by then, of course you are both invited. I'll warn you right now, Moroboshi, if you don't behave yourself I'll toss you out in the street. Lum-chan, I trust you are keeping a sharp eye on that miscreant.

Your old English teacher, Onsen-Mark, seems to be a lot more depressed lately. Between learning of my engagement and your absence, he's simply not the same man he once was. Perhaps if you return you can be nicer to him, because he's really not a bad fellow, just rather hopeless.

I find myself at a loss of things to say. Things are very calm here and nothing much has happened since you two disappeared. I wonder if one or both of you is a catalyst of some sort. The presence of evil spirits has been at an all time low lately, and while that is also relaxing, it appears to vex Uncle. He is attempting to eat me out of house and home.

I noticed the few last times we met that you two appeared to be growing up quite a bit. While I am glad, I must caution you not to grow up too fast. And if your relationship is progressing along like it was, try to be patient with each other and really listen. I've been trying to do that more with Tsubame and it really does help.

May good luck be with you,

Sakura

"So she's finally getting married to that twit," Ataru mused aloud. "Honestly, she could do a lot better."

"Is that right?" Lum asked dryly, giving him a suspicious look. "I think he's a perfectly nice guy, even if he is a bit off."

"It really does sound like things are quiet back home," he continued, glancing nervously at Lum. She was still giving him a bit of an odd look.

"Yes, I suppose that's because you aren't there to interfere with other people's relationships," Lum told him haughtily.

Ataru narrowed his eyes. "What's your problem?" he asked irritably.

"I don't have a problem," she replied while wrapping an arm possessively around his. "Read the next letter already."

"Ok," Ataru responded neutrally, realizing she was in one of her irrationally jealous moods. "Here's one of your biggest fans."

Dearest Lum-san, Moroboshi

I trust that you are both well? I was distressed to hear of your untimely departure from Earth, but I understand it was quite unavoidable. I suppose you are wondering what is going on in my life, correct? Things are going well, very well you might say.

Asuka-san and I have been spending a great deal of time together. She is gradually improving when it comes to being in the presence of other men. I suspect Moroboshi's absence is instrumental to that. Between enjoying her company, studying, and preparing for my eventual prestigious position as head of the Mendou Conglomerate, I find myself with little spare time these days. But such is the burden placed upon men of my stature.

Lum giggled. "He's as full of himself as ever, isn't he, Darling?"

"Sounds like it," Ataru responded before continuing.

Moroboshi, you had better be treating Lum-san well.

"Why do I keep getting all this flak from everyone?" Ataru demanded angrily.

Lum wiggled up and kissed him on the cheek. "I have no idea, Darling," she told him innocently.

Ataru gave her a look; she certainly wasn't excluded from his complaint.

"Keep reading," she commanded.

I am assuming of course that she is still choosing to stay by your side for some unfathomable reason.

"That damned snob," Ataru growled out.

"Darling, I think he's just trying to get your goat," Lum told him dubiously. She hoped that was the case at least.

Lum-san, please be patient with that scoundrel, I've come to believe that you two are likely meant to be together. He was showing signs of real improvement the last few weeks of last spring. Perhaps someday he will be able to pull off appearing to be a respectable man.

"See," she interrupted. "I think that was a roundabout compliment."

"Sounded like a thinly veiled insult to me," Ataru grumped, but finished the last lines.

In any case, we all await your return. There is no disputing that there is a certain air of excitement missing these days. As much as I hate to admit it, even Moroboshi appears to be missed by some.

Respectfully,

Mendou Shutaro

"I think Mendou's trying to say that he misses you too," Lum said happily.

"That'll be the day," Ataru responded, putting the letter aside. "One last letter to go." He picked the last one up and read the name. "And it's from Ryuu-chan!"

"You seem a lot more excited about the letters from the girls," Lum noted, her eyebrow raised.

"Maybe that's because the guys all give me a hard time," Ataru retorted.

"So do the girls, Darling," Lum reminded him.

Ataru grumbled and started reading.

Yo,

I'm not really all that good at this letter writing thing. It's not something I've had to do much before, so sorry if it doesn't turn out right. I want you guys to know, I really appreciate all the good times we had together. It really was fun. I know I'm not exactly a normal girl, thanks to my idiotic old man, but you were always there for me.

Ataru looked up, slightly perplexed. "'Girl' is actually scratched out and has 'guy' written over top of it."

This is embarrassing, but could you tell me how Benten is doing? I mean, I don't really care or anything, but we never did resolve who was the better fighter. Tell her I'll be ready anytime for that rematch. Don't mention that I was asking about her though.

Well, that's all I really had to say. I told Shinobu I wasn't good at this kind of thing, but she insisted. Good luck out there, I guess.

Ryuunosuke Fujinami

Ataru paused and frowned. "There's a note at the bottom too, looks like someone else wrote it." He squinted, trying to make out the rougher handwriting.

Please excuse my son, he's a bit stupid. Could you please ask this Benten if she is looking to get married? Ryuunosuke-kun could really use a good bride to help him around the shop after I'm gone.

P.S. Are there any oceans where you are? If so, what do you think the chances of a couple of men getting a teashop going there are? We're always looking for new locations. Hope everything is going well with you.

Fujinami

"Ryuu-chan didn't double-check her letter before she gave it to Shinobu," Ataru guessed.

"Seems that way," Lum agreed with a sigh.

Ataru folded the non-destroyed letters back up carefully and placed them back in the envelope. "That was really kind of everyone," he commented reflectively. "I asked Inaba if he could deliver a letter back to them, and he said he'd try in a few days."

"That's a good idea, Darling," Lum agreed. "I should write one as well."

"Oh, I was hoping you would write one from both of us," Ataru replied offhand.

"Don't be lazy, Darling," she scolded. "They all took the time to write us, the least we can do is both respond."

"Fine," he said, faking irritation. He suddenly grinned. "I can't wait to write to Sakura-sensei, and Shinobu-chan, and Ryuu-chan…"

"I'm proofreading anything you write," Lum replied calmly, giving him an appraising look. Darling had been good for a really long time now, and it was disconcerting that just a few letters had him in such a mood. Perhaps she needed to remind Darling what he already had here next to him.

Ataru fought to keep himself from chuckling. She was obviously still jealous. As much as that could get annoying, Lum hadn't had any reason to be jealous in a while, and oddly enough he missed seeing it a bit. He just hap to keep her from crossing the fine line into either anger or hurt feelings.

"Oh, ok," he said in his most happily idiotic voice. "I wonder what I'll write." He pretended to be intently considering it.

"Darling, why don't you think about that tomorrow?" Lum asked, pressing herself tighter against his arm.

He didn't look at her, knowing she was trying to draw his attention back to her. "I should probably get to work on it, after all we don't know when Inaba is coming back."

She frowned. "Aren't you getting tired, Darling?"

"Not really," he idly replied, keeping a dumb grin on his face.

She blew into his ear. "I'm not either," she quietly confided. "Do you want to go to bed now?"

His careful façade started to crack, but he wasn't admitting defeat just yet. "Maybe in a little while," he replied as if distracted.

"Darling?" she whispered urgently, then ran her lips down his neck. "Put that stuff away and come to bed already."

Ataru swallowed hard. Lum knew just how to push his buttons. "I…uh…um," he stuttered, unable to refuse.

"I'm feeling lonely," she pouted, batting her eyes at him.

That was the final straw for Ataru. Within minutes the lights blinked out in the tiger striped UFO.