Hi, everyone! Thanks again for all the nice reviews! Anyways, here's chapter four and the end of the first half of the story (there are eight chapters, after all). Hmm...don't know what to say about this chapter without giving stuff away. It's more serious than the last chapter, anyway, although there are a couple of funny parts in it...and some of it is really sweet...but, well...you'll see, I guess. I will tell you all that after this chapter, things start to get a bit more serious and slightly more confusing (don't worry, though! There will be happy endings and all will be explained...well...mostly! lol!), but you don't really have to worry about that now... Basically, the end of this chapter is kind of like where the story shifts gears...sort of...I really can't explain it right, so I guess I'll just let you all read and see!

Oh, as an important note (which I actually should have mentioned earlier), for all of you who don't know, 100 yen equals about one American dollar (actually, it's more like 110 yen, but it's easier to do the math with a 100, so...). That means that the 11,000 yen Mendou paid Wazuka in the first chapter was about $110 (and that Wazuka's original rate was $55 per person). I just wanted to tell you this now because there's a bit about money in this chapter and you might not get the joke in it if you didn't know the money conversion thing (and you might have wanted to know what Wazuka charged them in the first chapter). So, again, 100 yen equals about one American dollar.

I think that's it. I hope you enjoy this chapter; I enjoyed writing it, anyway! LOL!

Episode 4: Another Cliché, Please

Subtitle: (Relationship, Part One: The Problem with Romanticism)

The Tomobiki Carnival, Part Seven (Couple One: Shinobu and Shutaro)

Shinobu and Shutaro sat at a small table in the outside food court of the carnival, the evening sun still brightly shining down on them as they waited for Lum and Ataru to return with dinner for all four of them. Shinobu had taken out her newly-bought music box and watched it with a dreamy smile as the couples danced to the sweet melody while Shutaro looked off to where Lum and Ataru stood on line, bored and hungry.

"It really is lovely," Shinobu commented. "Don't you think, Shutaro?" When she received no answer, she looked up at him and frowned to see the uninterested gaze in his eyes as he stared out over the crowds. She gave him a small nudge and repeated, "Shutaro?"

"Oh, yes, lovely," Shutaro answered quickly and hastily turned his eyes to her, putting on a charming smile. Gaining his senses a bit more, he added, "I'm glad you like it, Miss Shinobu."

Shinobu forced herself to smile for him and said, "Thanks for buying it for me."

"Don't mention it; your happiness is thanks enough," he answered with his handsome grin still on his face, before turning his eyes from her and looking back over the crowd, muttering, "Now what is taking that idiot Moroboshi so long…"

Frowning as she looked up at Shutaro, who's interest in her had quickly faded - if there had been any at all - Shinobu lowered her eyes back down to the music box with a sudden longing. There was an awkward silence that followed then for Shinobu as she waited for Shutaro to say something, yet his mind seemed to be on elsewhere, particularly on eating, and Shinobu found herself frowning even more so. But she tried to perk up and sat up straight, ready to make conversation. "This is our last summer all together before we graduate; can you believe it, Shutaro?"

"Huh?" Shutaro turned back to her once he heard his name and, after a moment of recalling what she had just said, replied, "That's right…I nearly forgot about that…"

"I'm scared to take those college entrance exams in January; I heard they're really hard and - " Shinobu stopped herself, however, sensing Shutaro wasn't paying attention to her. Noticing the bored frown on his face, Shinobu frowned herself and slumped down into her seat, averting her eyes to her hands that rested in her lap. After a few more moments of silence, Shinobu quietly inquired, "Shutaro?"

"Yes, Miss Shinobu?"

"Are you sure you're enjoying yourself?" Shinobu asked. "I know you said you were, but…well…you seem kind of bored, that's all."

"Well…I…" Shutaro stammered, looking down at her with a frown. He managed to put on another smile, however, and said, "Of course, I am, Miss Shinobu."

"You are?" Shinobu persisted as she raised her eyes to his. "Because if you're not, we could always leave, if you'd like, Shutaro; I don't mind."

"Don't be silly, Miss Shinobu," Shutaro answered with a light-hearted laugh, his grin widening and his eyes brightening. "I want to stay." Shinobu smiled happily at this assurance. Then, after a pause, he added, "And Miss Lum wants to see the fireworks, and I certainly couldn't disappoint her." He lifted his eyes from her then and turned back around, while Shinobu's face dropped, brokenhearted.

"Lum?" she asked with a desperation in her eyes.

Shutaro just gave her a casual nod, but looked back at her with some worry. "Why? Is something wrong, Miss Shinobu?"

Shinobu's cheeks flushed, but she quickly closed her eyes and shook her head. "Oh, no, it's nothing!" she exclaimed and turned forward in her seat as to not have to look him in the eyes. Shutaro frowned at this, somewhat puzzled, but before he could ask anymore, Shinobu hastily changed the subject. "So what university are you thinking of going to? Somewhere in Tokyo maybe…?"

"Oh…um…" Shutaro faltered at first, being thrown off guard by the sudden change in topic.

"Or probably Tokyo University, right?" she answered for him, now gazing up at him with an excited grin. "I mean, you're really rich and really smart so you're sure to get in; that must be it."

Shutaro now smiled and replied, "Actually, I was thinking of studying at a university in America…"

Shinobu felt her heart drop and she suddenly found it difficult to breath. "Oh…really?" Shutaro gave her a nod. "But…isn't that…far…away…?"

Shutaro shrugged. "I suppose so; why do you ask?"

"Well, I - " Shinobu forced herself to laugh now as she rubbed the back of her neck. "It's just so funny to think about you all the way off in America with all of us here…" Her laughter soon faded into a frown and she bit her lower lip. "Um…won't you miss everyone, Shutaro, being so far away?"

"Not really," Shutaro answered nonchalantly.

"Not ANYONE?" Shinobu persisted as she leaned toward him, gazing up at him with hopeful eyes.

"I don't think so…" Shutaro replied honestly, trailing off to ponder the question further.

Shinobu, meanwhile, sighed in frustration, and slumped back down into her seat with a bitter scowl on her face. She glared at the music box a moment longer, as if suddenly repulsed by it, and coldly remarked, "Well, I suppose you'll meet a lot of American girls there, anyway."

She then slammed the music box shut.

The Tomobiki Carnival, Part Eight (Couple Two: Ataru and Lum)

"It doesn't look like this booth has anything but ramen noodles and sake," Lum noted as she looked up at the menu that was posted.

Ataru frowned. "Well, we can't go and wait on another line; we've already waited long enough."

"I suppose Shinobu and Shutaro are waiting for us…" Lum trailed off. She then put on an excited grin and said, "Besides, there are so many more rides we have to go on yet! Like the carousel and - "

"I already told you I don't want to go on the carousel," Ataru rebutted. "It's a kiddy ride and it's a girly ride and it's just plain boring."

Frowning slightly, Lum still persisted on, "But, Darling, it would only be for a few minutes. And I really - "

"Then go on by yourself if you want to go on so bad," Ataru interrupted her.

Lum gave a scowl and went to shout, but then a familiar voice spoke up, "What'll your order be?" Lum and Ataru then looked forward to see Ryuunosuke standing behind the counter.

"Oh, hi, Ryuunosuke!" Lum said, her anger subsiding into a smile. "What are you doing here?"

"Dad decided to open up shop here for the summer since the school shop isn't open," Ryuunosuke answered and gestured toward her father who was cooking noodles in the back.

"Oh, well, that's nice," Lum replied and Ryuunosuke just shrugged.

"So can I take your order or what?" she then asked impatiently as she leaned her elbow on the counter and her chin in her hand.

"Oh…um…we'll have three cups of ramen noodles and three sakes," Ataru decided, glancing over at the menu one last time.

"Darling!" Lum exclaimed and gave him a stern look.

Ataru rolled his eyes, but sighed and reluctantly changed his order, "FINE…make it four of each…"

Ryuunosuke nodded and then called out, "Four noodles and four sakes!" She then turned back to Ataru and said, "That'll be 1,800 yen."

Ataru frowned as he reached for his wallet, pulling out the yen and grumbling, "I don't see why I have to pay for everyone…especially Mendou…"

"Well, Darling, he did pay for our admission into the carnival and for us all to see Madame Wazuka Nozomi Suzambo III and for all our other food today. I thought that the least you could do was buy him and the rest of us a cheap dinner."

"Cheap?!" Ataru questioned. "You call 1,800 yen cheap?!" He slammed the yen on the counter then and Ryuunosuke began counting it.

"Well, for all four of us together…" Lum trailed off with a frown.

"Idiot! Hurry up with that order!" Ryuunosuke shouted to her father, breaking up their dispute for the time being, and both Ataru and Lum cringed at the wrath in Ryuunosuke's face. She then turned back to them, saying, "Your order SHOULD be ready shortly. Here's your change."

Ataru gave her a devious smile, however, and took hold of her hand, saying, "How about you keep the change and I take you out tonight after the carnival?" He snickered mischievously.

But Ryuunosuke just growled fiercely and narrowed her eyes. "Idiot!" she shouted, giving him a punch across the face, causing him to fly backwards, which was followed up by Lum smacking him across the back of the head, scolding, "Darling!" as he went soaring forward again, his forehead slamming into the edge of the countertop.

"Ow…" he groaned.

"Here's your order," Ryuunosuke then said, placing a tray of food on the counter for Lum to take. "Have a nice day."

"Thanks!" Lum replied, her smile returning to her as she picked up the tray with one hand. She then pulled Ataru up by the arm with her other hand, saying, "Come on, Darling."

Finally getting to his feet, Ataru brushed the dirt off his pants and took into step next to Lum as they started there way through the crowd to where the tables were. He shoved his hands in his pockets and began casually, "Hey, Lum."

"Yes, Darling?"

"Why do you want to go on the carousel so bad anyway?" he asked.

Lum shrugged. "I don't know; I just thought it was pretty." She then grinned and added, "And the unicorns have horns, kind of like I do."

"Well, that's a stupid reason; they're not even real unicorns," Ataru nonchalantly answered and Lum frowned, a sadness stinging in her eyes. But her frown was soon replaced by an angry scowl, although her eyes remained hurt.

"Darling, why do you always have to be so mean?" she questioned, her hurt eyes digging into his, before she sharply spun from him, her hair whipping behind her, and started to fly ahead of him.

"Wait! Lum!" Ataru called after her as he raised a hand toward her, but then just grimaced himself and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Why does she always have to take everything so personally, anyway?" he muttered to himself in his anger, although he wasn't sure if it was directed at her or himself.

Meanwhile, Lum had reached the table, slamming the tray down, a couple of the cups of noodles falling over, and crossing her arms heatedly as she took a seat opposite Shutaro and Shinobu. Both Shutaro and Shinobu frowned at the glower on Lum's face.

"Lum, are you all right?" Shinobu asked.

"I'm fine," Lum insisted, although there was an anger lurking in the back of her voice.

"If that idiot Moroboshi upset you -"

"I didn't do anything," Ataru interrupted Shutaro as he reached the table. "She's just making a big deal over that stupid carousel again that NO ONE wants to go on." Shinobu and Shutaro frowned a bit at this and Lum just averted her stubborn eyes from him. He took a seat beside Lum then, although Lum purposely angled her body away from him and moved her seat a bit over as well.

"Oh," Shinobu replied and tried her best to smile as she reached over to take one of the cups of noodles and a sake for herself. And, eyeing Lum, who's anger and disappointment were both very visible, Shinobu continued, "Well…I'm sure we can find some other rides that you'll like, Lum, that we can go on besides the carousel…"

It was then that Shinobu's elbow accidentally hit into her music box as she pulled her food back towards her. The music box fell slowly from the table, as if still trying to grip onto it as it did, and went plunging toward the ground, and as it hit the stone pavement, there was a loud, piercing clank of chords clashing with one another, the last chords the music box would ever play, and of ceramic breaking, the top breaking off it's hinges and the bottom cracking in half, while the heads of the dancing couple in the center broke jaggedly off.

There was a silence among the four then as Shutaro, Ataru, and Lum rose to see the fallen music box that now laid at Shinobu's feet, the heated anger vanishing from Lum so quickly as to be replaced by her sorrow. They just stared down at it's shattered pieces with mouths gaped open in their disbelief and eyes wide with remorse for the once beautiful music box.

But none was more heartbroken than Lum.

The Music Box Dilemma

The four sat outside sipping tea and chuckling merrily with the warm sun gently falling on them, Lum and Shinobu dressed as southern belles, with parasols and lavish hats and gorgeous gowns to match, while Ataru and Shutaro were dressed as southern gentleman, with long suit jackets and top hats and white gloves. The two girls sat delicately, with their legs crossed at the ankles and lifting their teacups to their prettily painted lips with ivory hands, whereas the two boys sat with their legs crossed at the knees and using only one hand to lift their tea, the other resting gracefully across their lap. They looked like they belonged in another time and place - particularly the late 1800s on some affluent plantation in the southern half of America.

"You must tell them that story you told me," Shutaro was saying to Shinobu as he placed his glass down on the one patio table. "The one you told me yesterday morning." He turned to Lum and Ataru then and said, "It's such an interesting story; I love hearing her tell it."

Shinobu laughed, placing down her teacup as well. "But, Shutaro, dear, I've already told you that story five times already since I first told it! You couldn't possibly want to hear it again." She further explained then, for Lum and Ataru, "He's been asking me to tell it to him over and over, you see. I don't know why, really; it's not all that wonderful."

"Oh, Miss Shinobu, you're being too modest!" Shutaro insisted. "I think it's a fantastic story! And I'd love to hear you tell it again!"

"But it must be boring to you now."

"I could hear it a thousand times and not be bored with it! Nothing you say could ever bore me," Shutaro continued with a grin and Shinobu smiled humbly, her rosy cheeks turning a bit pinker. "Now tell it again. Please?"

Shinobu giggled bashfully. "Oh, Shutaro…"

"More tea, Lum, love?" Ataru then offered with a smile, raising the pot of tea.

"Oh, I can pour it myself, Darling; you needn't worry about that," Lum told him, but Ataru shook his head.

"Only a cad would allow his lady to pour her tea herself," he said and then added as he poured the tea into her white teacup, "A gentleman, however, always serves his lady on hand and foot, especially a lady as exquisite as yourself."

Lum gave him a smile, blushing, and said, "Thank you, Darling," as she took a sip of her freshly poured tea.

"Besides, Shutaro, we haven't told them the good news yet," Shinobu sweetly replied now and Ataru gave them an inquisitive look.

"Good news?" he asked and Lum, too, turned her eyes to them curiously.

Shinobu giggled and Shutaro grinned proudly and excitedly now as he put his arm around Shinobu's shoulders. "Shall I tell them, or shall you?" he asked.

"You can, dear."

His grinned widened as he looked to the Ataru and Lum. "Miss Shinobu and I are getting married." "You are?" Lum asked eagerly and Shinobu nodded, tears of happiness coming from her eyes. Lum let out an excited squeal, clapping her hands together and exclaiming, "Oh, that's simply wonderful! When did he ask you?"

"Last night," Shinobu answered, all smiles. "It was the most romantic thing! We were by the fountain over in the courtyard. Oh, and the ring!" She extended her hand out for Ataru and Lum to see the massive diamond ring sparkling on her finger.

"How beautiful!" Lum declared, clasping her hands together as she gazed down at it, in awe of it's brilliant radiance.

"What a ring!" Ataru agreed.

"We plan to get married in the early fall," Shinobu told them, hardly able to obtain her excitement.

"I can't wait," Shutaro said, grinning himself as he took Shinobu's free hand, Ataru and Lum still studying the diamond on the other. "It's going to be wonderful."

"And children!" Shinobu exclaimed. "I can't wait to have children afterwards. We'll at least have two or three!"

"Make it four or five!" Shutaro added with a happy laugh.

"Congratulations to you both," Ataru then said, lifting his cup. "I think a toast is in order, wouldn't you say, Lum?"

Lum nodded and raised her cup as well. "To Shutaro and Shinobu and their happy engagement, and even happier marriage."

"Here, here," Ataru concurred.

"And to my beautiful fiancée," Shutaro said, lifting his cup with one hand and raising her chin with the other so their eyes could meet. "Soon to be my beautiful wife and the beautiful mother of my children."

"Here, here," Ataru repeated and the four drank their tea.

Placing his cup down, Shutaro put on a smirk and remarked, "Now the only question is when is Moroboshi going to pop the question, hmm?"

"Oh, yes!" Shinobu agreed. "It's been some time now."

Both Lum and Ataru smiled timidly, their faces blushing, and Ataru answered, "Soon, soon," as he poured himself another cup of tea. "I want it to be a surprise, after all. And now after that ring that you gave Shinobu, Mendou, it's going to be hard to find one that can compare." He lifted his cup and took another drink as the other three laughed.

Lum then latched her arm around Ataru's and looked up at him with a smile and loving eyes. "Oh, Darling, you know I don't need that big of a ring! I don't even need a ring at all; all I really need is you."

Ataru just smiled back down, brushing a strand of her hair gently behind her ear with his finger. "I know that, dear; but I want to get you one. And a big one at that." His smile turned into a playful smirk then as he added, "Besides, what fun would it be if I didn't make you wait a little?" Lum gave him a giggle and he kissed her on the forehead before she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Actually, we better get going soon. It's already past five," Shutaro then told them as he looked down at his watch and stood up.

"Already?" Shinobu asked in some worry, looking about at him. "We're going to be late to the ball." "Don't worry, Miss Shinobu," Shutaro told her as he took her arm and gently helped her up. "It's always good to arrive fashionably late to these type of events."

And so the four arrived at the ball fashionably late, as Shutaro had suggested, and were greeted warmly by the other guests, especially Shutaro and Shinobu who were showered with congratulations and good wishes as the newly engaged couple at the ball. Meanwhile, while the happy couple chatted away about their new engagement to the dozen or so guests that had surrounded them, Lum stood watching the dance floor in a romantic daze, the orchestra playing a symphony as the men and woman gracefully danced across the marble floor, their dresses flowing about their feet and the light from the massive chandeliers above them glowing like gold and diamonds. Lum smiled, her hair in curls, and she hummed to the melody of the orchestra, standing by the buffet table and taking a sip from her wine glass which she held elegantly in her gloved hand, covered in a white satin gloves. After a moment, however, she blinked, snapping out of her daze, and looking about her in puzzlement.

"Where's Darling?" she asked aloud to herself and slowly walked down the aisle that laid between the dance floor and the buffet table, looking for him. She soon spotted him, a couple yards away, surrounded by three beautiful woman, and her body froze as her heart went numb.

"Would you care for a dance with me, Mr. Moroboshi, sir?" one asked.

"Or me, Mr. Moroboshi, sir?"

"Or me?"

Lum's mouth dropped open fearfully, but she couldn't find it in her to speak. However, Ataru just smiled at the three woman, and replied, "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I have saved all my dances to Lady Lum for this evening." He then turned and extended his hand out toward Lum, his eyes warm and his smile loving.

Lum breathed a sigh of relief. She then returned his smile and placed her wine glass onto the buffet table before picking up the bottom of her gown and walking over to him. When he reached her, he put his arm around her arm and the two elegantly stepped onto the ballroom floor. Reaching the center, right below the greatest of the golden chandeliers, they released one another, Ataru taking off his hat and bowing to her while she gave him a curtsy. Then, both smiling pleasantly, they took hold of one another and began to dance together.

"Darling, you're a wonderful dancer," Lum commented as he they twirled about the dance floor.

"Only because I'm dancing with you, Lum, dear," Ataru replied with a charming smile, "the most graceful, the most elegant, the most beautiful of all woman at this party tonight. You're stunning."

"Oh, Darling…" she trailed off modestly, but smiled nonetheless, resting her head on his shoulder as they danced.

"Lum, my beautiful Lum."

"Yes, Darling?"

"I love you."

Lum stopped dancing then and she raised her head with an eager smile, ready to answer his words with her own. "I -" But something inside her stopped as she looked up at him with his charming eyes and his kind smile, all for her and her alone, and realized that something was very wrong. And her arms suddenly dropped from him, and her smile suddenly faded from her face, and her legs were suddenly moving backwards, away from him as she studied him in a frightened confusion. Memories of Ataru flashed across her mind - pouring her drink, kissing her forehead, extending his hand out to her - for her - to dance, and yet as kind and gentle as it all was, there was something terrifying about it all the same.

Ataru, worry in his eyes, reached out for her, asking, "Lum, what's wrong?" But Lum stumbled back in her fear, shaking her head and raising a loose fist to her chest to protect herself from him. Ataru blinked in confusion and asked once more, "Lum…?"

Her fearful eyes met his puzzled ones then, and, trembling, Lum swallowed hard, her heart sinking in her chest, and she replied in a shaky voice, "You're - you're not Darling."

And Ataru's eyes widened in fear, realizing what she said was true.

Question Number Two: Do I Know You, My Darling? (The Transition)

The four sat on the train car, Ataru and Shutaro sitting opposite of Lum and Shinobu, They all looked off in their own separate directions, no pair of eyes meeting the other; they just stared out into the emptiness that laid throughout the rest of the train, they being the only ones occupying it at the moment. The sun was setting outside as the train sped along, and it's red light burned brightly through the windows, as if everything was on fire - a flameless fire that flashed across all of their faces as they solemnly gazed about, a loneliness in each of their eyes with the sound of the train running across the tracks as their only comfort. It was as if each one didn't know the others were there; as if they were really alone in the world, and had been for quite some time now. And even with the sound of the train, there was still a thick silence that hung over them all, one that stung at their eyes and clamped onto their throats as they stared down at their feet or out the window at the blur of colors that flew by, a blur that amounted to nothing but a chaotic mix of color, not even being able to find a friend in the scenery that passed outside the cold, lonely train of flameless fire.

And, suddenly, Lum raised her head and Ataru raised his, as if finally sensing one another's presence - that there was someone else on the train besides their somber selves. Yet, when their eyes met, it was two pairs of strangers eyes meeting for the first time, puzzled and unsure and curious.

Lum blinked a few times as she quizzically studied him for only a moment. Then, calmly and sincerely, she asked, "Do I know you, my darling?"

What's Next:

Episode 5: I Am Not You Are Not I Am

Subtitle: (Relationships, Part 2: The Problem with Losing Your Self)

Featuring:

-The "Do You Love Me?" Scenario

-The Case of Shinobu Miyake (The Shinobu Miyake Project)

-Graduation Interlude

-The Case of Shutaro Mendou (The Shutaro Mendou Project)