Short chapter! Some are short, some are dumb long lol.

This was a little interesting to write considering it touches slightly on foreigners. During my college years I dormed with international students from Korea and Japan and learned a lot about the way they perceive foreigners, particularly regarding looks. I was surprised to learn that some countries actually prefer American features. I learned a few other things I'm not particularly comfortable sharing lol, since they are old fashioned views. But I think this chapter kind of sort of touches on some of that. So I want to give a heads up. I don't think there's anything outlandish here, but you never know.

This was also an interesting chapter to write since it touches on some personal experiences of mine as well. As you get older places you used to visit often, start to become strange, and there's always that little voice in the back of your mind asking if you even belong there anymore. I think it happens to everyone, and it's an interesting phenomenon I was happy to explore with Ataru as he transitions from a high school student to an adult pretty much. Things happened a lot faster back then too, so it's not unreasonable to expect someone to have a job and marriage and kids on the way in their early 20s. I can't imagine that in my 20s!

Anyways, it might not seem like there's much to this chapter, but I promise there is a reason it's here, and a reason for everything that happens in it.

CHAPTER 3: BYGONE

"Damn so she's into girls huh?" Kosuke queried as he furiously worked over the controls of a Candy cabinet, his attention divided between his friend and an army of pixels standing between him and a spot on the leaderboard. Ataru was next to him, his back against the cabinet, where he recanted his many disappointments from that first day of work.

"So it seems." He spoke with deep regret, continuing after a pause. "But it doesn't matter. As long as I can keep saving for my ultimate goal I should have enough to move out in a month." Ataru clenched his fists and stared impassioned at some distant goal-post only he could see over the rows of arcade cabinets. Kosuke growled as the game over screen flashed in his face and a depressing, mocking, chip-tune melody played to his defeat. In one swift motion he thrust a hand into his pocket, fetching two gold tokens, and punched them into the machine.

"Say anything to Lum yet?"

Ataru stared into his cup, tilting it back and forth in hopes of prolonging the lifespan of his drink by melting the ice.

"Nah, you can't tell her these things ahead of time." he spoke with decision. "You have to spring it on her, so she doesn't have a chance to come up with some counterplan." After these many long years together Ataru considered himself an aficionado when it came to understanding Lum. And he was careful to consider every angle when executing his plans.

"Sounds risky." Kosuke warned, his eyes rooted to the screen while his hands danced over the controls.

"No risk no reward." He countered with certitude.

Ataru stared into his own thoughts, repicturing the future he'd so carefully crafted and planned under the ever-watchful eyes of Lum. It was hard work at that, considering how dutifully she shadowed him and the many things he needed to do before leaving - packing, saving, plus searching for a place to live. But soon it would all pay off and he'd have his moment in the sun! An impish spark flashed in his eyes as Ataru imagined what such a life would be; he'd command his own residence, deciding for himself what food to stock and eat, when he'd go to bed and best of all, what company he chose to keep. Vivid daydreams of fictional women and chance meetings ran like a movie reel through his mind, reflected in the twisted grin he wore. Ataru may have struck out at work but in a new town on his own there would be plenty enough time for him to make up the difference. And there would be nobody to curb his wandering, because he'd make sure Lum couldn't track him down until he was ready to be found. Perhaps he should have felt guilty, and maybe on some plane of subconsciousness he did - however, Ataru also felt he deserved this reprieve from the routine that had become his life. How often had he been a champion for Tomobiki, for Lum? How often had he put his own comfort and convenience aside, or traversed the galaxy itself, to come to her aid? For crying out loud, he'd even surrendered his harem fantasy! Did he not deserve to embrace his own independence and live how he wished at least once before signing away his freedom for good?

"Ah shit!" Kosuke cursed his repeat performance.

"Hey no swearing! There're kids here!" A clerk shouted from behind the counter over the heads of his patrons, drawing their attention. Ataru scoffed, but Kosuke fidgeted nervously under the clerk's stern glare. He gestured an apology and received a condescending grunt in response.

"Hey Ataru, you think it's weird we still come here?" he asked, casting an appraising glance over their surroundings. The arcade was busy, as per usual, with families and highschoolers and nobody else around their age. Kosuke had never noticed that before. Ataru hadn't either, and following his friend's gaze he came upon the same discovery. But rather than succumb to embarrassment he doubled down with a defiant snort.

"We have as much right to be here." Ataru flipped his empty cup into a nearby trash bin and wiped his hands of both the drink and Kosuke's unspoken suggestion that they were now too old for the arcade.

"That's not what I mean..." A nervous hand came up to scratch the back of his head as Kosuke followed Ataru toward the exit. Whether or not his friend felt the same way, Kosuke was glad to be leaving.

"Let's get some Udon, I'm starving." Noodle shops were a better expense of their time and money, Ataru reasoned privately. No judgmental cashiers or stupid kids to worry about.

Steam filled Ataru's nose as he breathed in the delicious aroma of fresh Udon. This was one of his favorite noodle stands, and during the months of uncertainty and grueling preparation for entrance exams they often came here to unwind. Even after their lives settled into routines Ataru and Kosuke still found time for a visit. They wished each other a good meal and dug in without a hint of decorum or politeness as they shoved piles of Udon into their mouths and slurped loudly. Ataru paused only when a thought plucked at his mind regarding a conversation they'd had a few days ago.

"Hey, weren't you seeing a new girl?" Not long after their double date Kosuke broke things off with 'Saint Stomach' due to her expensive dietary habits (among other things). From there he knew his friend dated a bit and last they talked he was particularly excited about a new girl. Ataru wondered what became of that, not because he had any interest in Kosuke's dating life, he just liked talking about girls in general.

"Oh yeah, it's been great!" Kosuke had the politeness to lower his bowl when answering. A happy light dancing in his eyes as he stared off dreamily. "She's a lot of fun."

"Where did you meet this one?" Ataru asked between mouthfuls.

"Through my cousin." Kosuke stirred the contents of his bowl. "They were part of the same exchange program. We ran into each other again at his graduation party and talked and yeah, there you go." Nothing too crazy there, just a simple love story.

"She's American right?" Ataru remembered that little detail. Both because he was surprised and also because American girls had a unique beauty he didn't often get to see at home.

"She's Spanish but she grew up in America."

"Sounds exotic." Honestly Ataru never pictured his friend with anyone outside their hometown, much less outside of their country.

"That's weird coming from a guy whose wife is literally from another planet." Kosuke snorted, giving his friend a sidelong stare that held shreds of amusement. Ataru paused to issue a disgruntled huff.

"We're not talking about my problems we're talking about yours." It went without saying he didn't see the appeal in jumping from one monogamous relationship to the next, not while they were still in the spring of life. There was time for that later. In any case, Ataru was much more interested in this Spanish-American girl than talking about his overbearing wife from another planet.

"No problems here." Kosuke clapped back with a smirk. "Unlike you I'm fine just seeing one girl."

"Now who's the weird one." Ataru snickered as he set down his empty bowl.

"You." Kosuke came back so swiftly Ataru got whiplash. "Still just you."

Well, he couldn't really argue that. Ataru was well aware his life was unconventional. At least he was never bored. That's more than most guys could say.

The rest of their lunch passed uneventfully as they indulged in aimless chatter about new movies and old memories, broken up by additional helpings of noodles. By late afternoon they were full and ready to leave, gathering their things and paying their tab and stepping out into the still busy streets of downtown Tomobiki. Ataru stretched while Kosuke counted the rest of his money for some unknown reason.

"Well I got to head home," Kosuke admitted as he faced Ataru, who offered him a quizzical glance.

"Already?" The sun hadn't even started to set.

"Yeah, I have a project to work on with Hokuto for one of our business classes." Though he knew his friend was talking about college courses, just hearing those words brought back memories of their time at Tomobiki high. Nostalgia flashed briefly in his eyes. Ataru didn't miss being a student, he'd already made peace with the fact that he wasn't cut out for it, but it was a huge part of his youth and the setting of many adventures. In that respect he felt sentimental toward the old place. Kosuke though, he had a good head on him, so it was no surprise he and Hokuto pursued higher education.

"Got to do what you got to do." Ataru shrugged sympathetically. Obligations abounded in adult life.

"Yeah," Kosuke chuckled humorlessly. Continued education was certainly no picnic, and it was the last thing he wanted to jump into after high school, but in order to secure a good future he didn't have much choice. "I'll see you around." He promised with a retreating wave.

"Yup! See ya!" Ataru waved back, waiting until Kosuke was out of sight before turning away to meander through town in search of something to do.

Along his travels he passed the arcade they'd been at earlier and thought briefly about going inside. Ataru peered through the storefront windows at a sea of parents, children, and highschoolers same as before. At the sight of them his mood shifted, and he felt a touch of uncertainty rattle his nerves.

On second thought, maybe he should just go home too; Lum did say she wanted to try her hand at Shogi when he'd come home with a new board the other day.

Folding his arms behind his head Ataru walked on, leaving the old arcade as nothing more than a fond memory of his youth.