Chapter 4: She's Got the Look...and the Laugh

as days passed, Ataru began to think more and more of Lum. how her hair flew up when she took off and the time when he sealed off her powers. he wondered what kind of life he would have if Lum was just an ordinary human and they were really toghether. sometimes, it was nice to be in her company because she could say the sweetest things and she would always try to help whoever needed it...as long as she wasn't mad at them. but even then she would set aside differences. whoa. he thought. this is weird. why am i thinking so much about Lum? could it be, i.....i'm starting to miss her? just then the phone rang and stopped all his thoughts.

"hello? oh hi, Amaiko! how are you? me? i'm just fine. so what are you doing today? i'm doing nothing. what?! you got tickets to that movie on opening day?! i didn't know your cousin worked at a movie theater. sure, i'll meet you there. ok, see you later." he hung up and went into the living room.
"hey, mom, i'm going to a movie with Amaiko, i'll be back around 7:00 okay?"
"okay Ataru. since you're going out, would you mind picking up some stuff for tomorrow night's dish? here's the money and the list." she gave it to him.
"sure, bye."

after Ataru and Amaiko went to the movie, they decided to go to a little cafe.
"man, that movie was awesome!" Amaiko said. "my favorite parts were the swordfighting scenes."
"yeah, those were pretty cool. especially that one where the guy chopped off the other guy's head."
"oooo, that was a disgusting part, Darling."
"what?!" he jumped.
"i said that it was a disgusting part, Ataru."
"you mean you didn't call me darling?"
"no, i've never called anyone that in my life! Ataru...are you feeling all right? it is rather hot today."
"i'm just fine." then he looked at Amaiko. he couldn't help but notice how cute she looked when she was concerned...and also he never noticed it before, but she looked uncannily like Lum with dark hair and eyes. maybe it was because this is the first time he really looked at her that he noticed. the only real difference is that her hair was much straighter than Lum's and not as thick.
"Ataru...why are you staring at me? is there something on my face?" she turned away.
"huh? no, no...it's just...you look like someone i saw before i met you, that's all..."
"oh." she paused. "who do i look like??"
"a model on an advertisement i saw once." he said quickly. wow, that was a good one, he thought to himself.
she laughed. "you're funny, Ataru. that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me." she smiled at him.
she also laughs like Lum, he noted.
"i'm only speaking the truth, Amaiko, only speaking the truth." he said sincerely.
"hey, i gotta go to the store for my mom. wanna come?"
"love to." she replied.

as they were shopping Ataru was doing impressions and Amaiko was laughing her head off...and sounded just like Lum.
"who am i now?" he started giving orders and made circles around his eyes.
"Megane!" she busted out laughing.
they went to the spice section.
"okay now, which one does she want... ah! here it is!"
"oooo! yum!" Amaiko picked up a can of peppers.
"you can actually eat those things?" Ataru exclaimed.
"yeah! there my favorite. i'll pay for them."
"nah. let me. my way of saying thanks for the movie."
"yay!" she said. "this'll be the first gift you ever bought me."
"do you want to go out to dinner with me this Friday?" he asked.
"that would be great!" she said.
"cool. i'll pick you up at 6:30 then."

Ataru went home and after dinner he went to bed. and for once, he didn't think of Lum, but Amaiko instead.



A.N./thanks to the people who reviewed and the people who take time to read this story.
Gorgo: don't worry it's not gonna go into the "Lum gets angry etc." i'm trying to show more of the good-hearted Ataru that you don't get see to much of on the series or the manga.