CHAPTER 5 – Long train runnin'
The Doobies' song was sounding in the gym while Ataru was trying to dodge Lum's zapping. However, this time Lum made it without any other motivation than help Darling to get faster reflexes. Ameria Saillune, the "Half-a-penny Baby" from the last chapter (she was the shortest and lightest feminine boxing champion of all time. In fact she was the only one in her category, the fleaweight, created only for her, and never fought professionally).
"Boy, this guy is dynamite", a voice said from her rear. It was Megane. He was just astounded at Ataru's progression. He had gained some weight by drinking four cans of explosive beer a day, and he was way more muscular (not very muscular, but… Somewhat charlesbronson-esque). He trained toughly: chasing chicks who turned out to be professional athletes hired by Megane, and he ended being faster than they were. Eventually, jealous of his talent, the athletes broke the contract and culled him with the classical large mallets. With this, Ataru gained a lot of resistance, so if his stamina was legendarily superhuman, now it was something out of the human imagination (keep this data in mind, it is important!). In order to gain force, he received lessons from the great wrestling couple "The splatters" (Gourry & Lina Gabriew). He had to brake cars, make sculptures by hitting stones, brake barrels and beer bottles… All these clichés. Quite an average training for a fiction character, y'know… In only two months, Ataru was prepared to face a real fight:
I'm not gonna do it! My principles all clear: I don't hit women, and less if it's this one.
Ataru, you have to be cold as ice to defeat that beast, and if you don't dare to hit someone you care for, you'll never be a good sportsman : There aren't friends when the glory is at stake. – Told Lina as she moved like a William Shatner bad impersonator.
However…
Darling, make it for me, please…
But…
It's for your own good!
Notwithstanding…
DO IT, OR I ZAP YOU TO DEATH! I'M NOT GONNA STOP MYSELF! – Shouted Lum, who was wearing a boxing helmet, gloves and boots, just like Ataru.
Lum ran to Ataru and punched him on his cheek. Ataru felt her warm and soft hand under the thick glove, oh so comforting… But by no means painful. Lum was the weakest being in this side of the Pecos (how can I write such silly thingies?). Ataru decided to punch back, but when he saw Lum's beautiful eyes, her gorgeous glance… He turned the elbow back and punched himself just in the middle of his nose. He fell K.O.
Taking profit of the situation and happy as a cute lil' bell, Lum stared kissing Ataru's motionless body as the rest of people there nodded. He was ready: he had the strength, the stamina, the speed and the reflexes. The following month, Ataru received some tactic training. He was ready. On March the 7th, the School's Gym was crowded and decorated. Ataru's army of hooligans, formed by Lum, Mendou and Ataru's classmates took their seats. Bleachers were installed to see the fight (Mendou paid them) and expectations were… Low. Logically, Ataru was the hero there only by assisting to the fight. To avoid being dirty, people from the first rows had taken with them some plastics and umbrellas to avoid the blood that was going to fly trough Gym's air on that cold evening of March.
Ataru was at his changing room. He was dressed with dark green pants, with a black line on its sides. Gloves were black. His bathrobe was back and green, and on his back, they had painted out the word "The Splatters" and changed it for the word "Moroboshi". Under the name, an ad of Drag Slave Gym was clearly visible.
"It's the moment", an announcer said from the changing room's door. Ataru was feeling strangely quiet and peaceful. He turned to megane and said:
If I die here, there's something I wan you to tell Lum.
I know what it is : "I'm sorry I can't pay you the debt of the interspecial taxi. Here's my bank account number…"
No! The other thing. I promised her something on the last chapter of the manga and on a movie, do ya rmemeber?"
Of course… "I…"
TO BE CONTINUED