Pinultimate chapter ! It's the longest chapter too! It almost was a 2-parter, but I really don't wanted to separate it. I rezlly loves this chapter, it's really cute and I'm really happy on how it turned out! With a nice evolution of Lum and Ataru! The storie's not over yet though! We still have the way home! inspired by Endless Summer, ut also had a small atalum Ferris wheel event! I hope you have fun reading!

Lum and Ataru enjoy their times in the ferris wheel. It's only the two of them, how will it go?

Ataru and Lum were having one of their usual arguments. He wasn't happy about the previous kiss. In fact, she had kissed him publicly on the cheek. Ataru's heart was racing. It wasn't the first time she decided to do something so shameless in public, out of nowhere. But it felt different now. She wasn't the same Lum. He didn't feel the same about any of it. It was like putting on glasses for the first time—he saw her clearly now. She was still an idiot, but he didn't want her to change. Without realizing it, Ataru slowly stopped arguing with Lum, answering less and less.

Lum was starting to truly understand her Darling. She always thought he was being stubborn and just didn't want to show his good side—the genuinely good person he truly is—to her or the world. But now she realizes he doesn't know himself. He was more than just the idiot everyone thought he was, but he couldn't see it. When his back is against a corner, his good side always shines. But he'd always do his best to hide it as soon as he'd realized it. Darling's so silly, she giggled sadly. Despite not knowing his past, she was certain of one thing: I love my Darling. He was her idiot, and she would wait as long as it took for him to realize his feelings for her. She'd help him unleash his good side. His true nature hidden behind this womanizing façade.

The two were dozing off. They could only think about the other. A staff member brought them back to reality a little while later. "Excuse me, sir, miss?"

Ataru and Lum's heads almost collided with each other as they were looking away, and they weren't expecting someone to break them out of their trance. "Ah!" They both yelped.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't intending on waking you two up; it's just that your cabin has arrived, please proceed." The staff member bowed, pointing them toward the open cabin, a few meters away.

"Oh yeah, thanks." Ataru replied. But he didn't move, he was waiting for something or someone. He was uncertain of why he did it. Lum took hold of his hand, understanding the invitation. Ataru felt relieved for some reason. Waiting for her..?. Can't she make up her mind? Does she want to hold my hand or my arm? Why was he so worked up about that? The two made the really short walk in a few seconds.

The door of the cabin opened to them, as the staff member greeted them, wishing them a fun ride. Lum was overjoyed with how classy it was, and Ataru followed without a word. They entered the Starry Sky cabin.

The couple was silent as they entered the cabin. Not knowing what to truly expect. It reminded Ataru of the Moonlight Coaster, the walls were dark blue with lots of stars and constellations all around. The inside was even prettier than the outside. In front of them was a single sofa, this reminded Lum of their small adventure on the Underwater Experience. The sofa was yellow, and on it were two cushions, each having a somewhat similar star pattern, each had the moon printed on the back. Their cabin was fairly dark for a ferris wheel. It may have been the paint. This reminded both of them of the maze they just escaped from. I wonder if they're still searching for us! Ataru giggled. The sound of the door getting locked put an instant stop to his thinking. Ataru's confidence couldn't maintain itself anymore. Lum dragged him toward their seats, she barely could hide her excitement. Letting go of Ataru's hand, now standing still in front of the sofa. She playfully let herself fell down, bouncing on it.

"Aah, it's so nice!" She bounced on it again, her tone cheerful. "Come sit down, Ataru!" She looked at him, standing in front of the sofa. She petted the cushion next to her.

"I know! Don't rush me!" He shouted. He sent her an angry look, but just as quickly he turned back, looking straight toward the sofa. This is it, huh...

'It's such a nice cabin! So pretty!" She rejoiced, looking all around.

Ataru, still standing, finally took the time to really admire the cabin this time. Who knows what he was admiring instead. "It's not bad," he nodded.

The Oni sighed with a smile. He wasn't going to sit down just yet, was he? She slid toward him. Then, she gently pushed him down by his shoulders. "Right, and it's even better when you're sitting down! Here!"

The young man didn't resist at all, he allowed Lum to control his body for a short moment. It didn't even occur to him it was an issue, as he only focused on her words. "You're annoying, can't you be patient?" He shook his head and looked through the windows, trying to sound uninterested. But he was still sitting now, and didn't plan on standing up.

Lum was amused, as she easily saw through his act. He's really like a kid! She glanced up. The Oni noticed the sun wasn't far from really setting now. And yet she kept her smile. She knew it wasn't the last one. "Say, Ataru! Let's play a game!"

He was surprised by her nonchalance at his previous comment. Didn't she notice? Well, it's better this way. "What kind?"

"What's this star?" She pointed at one random yellow dot in the ceiling, close to the glass.

Ataru looked up and said, "Vega." He recited without skipping a bit.

"Good! What's this one?" She pointed at another.

"Spica."

"Great! And this one?"

"Venus." He nodded. He instantly opened his eyes. "Hey! Wait! Stop that, what are you doing?!"

"It's been a while since we did any star-watching together, hasn't it, Darling?" She warmly smiled at him, placing her hand on his.

"Well, it's not like you've been home, no wonder." He stopped talking for a second, almost implying he missed her, but he quickly corrected himself. "At least I can sleep now!" He smirked. He really didn't want her to think he missed those nights—not at all, of course not... "Wait D-darling?" He exclaimed, just realizing how she called him. He didn't like how this was going. If she went back to calling him that...

"I'm taking a break on this 'first date' game for now." She answered with a smile, as if it was a normal thing to do.

Back to the normal Lum... He was somewhat scared. This human-looking Lum, the one calling him Ataru, who was not too clingy, had no powers... It was easy to enjoy a date with her. Because it was not really her. Not really, Lum. But now. He had nothing to save face. He, Ataru Moroboshi, was on a genuine date once again with Lum, the Oni alien. And he was enjoying it. This made him think. Hasn't it been the case for a while now? She was still calling him Ataru, but everything else was Lum, from the clinginess to her words. How dumb has he been? So this was her trick...

"Anyway!" She clapped her hands. "It could be a great opportunity for another date, right? We could even look from my UFO! We'd have a better view!"

"Again with the UFO thing? Can't you take 'no' for an answer?!" He crossed his arms.

"Look who's talking!" She chuckled. "What about all of those poor girls you're always harassing?"

Caught red-handed. She's good. "It's different, they just need time to understand their feelings, that's it, soon they'll realize they wanted to say yes!" He grinned. But you could see some doubt in his expression. It was as if something else had slipped into his words.

"Same with you, Darling, I'll wait for as long as I need until you realize it!" She grabbed his arm, purring. He didn't stop her.

"It's completely different! I understand myself perfectly, and I know how things are." Ataru looked away while saying that in a soft tone. To make himself sound believable, he forced an assertive tone to sound manly. But it wasn't really working, as the Oni was hugging his arm tightly still.

You're impossible, Darling! She pouted. "Of course, of course, if you say so!" She laughed, hiding her slight discontent. "Anyway, Darling, I've been meaning to ask." She went back to a warm and loving tone.

"Ah.. What is it, now?" He answered slowly, her tone really had an effect on him, as she was so close. It was already so hard. And yet, the Ferris wheel barely started moving.

"During the past few days, since I've been living in the UFO, have you been missing me?" She couldn't help but have a giddy smile appear on her face as she leaned a bit toward him. It was an important question for Lum. This date has been one of the most fun days she has ever had. She truly loved spending time with him; it was almost perfect. The only itch was the chain around her ankle, which was due to the restrictions she had. The first, imposed by her darling, was to act like an average girl, meaning no powers. She didn't really mind the power part, she'd rather stay on the ground and cling to him. And looking like an Earth girl was fine, she'd rather have her horn showing, but it wasn't a big deal. Darling's been really nice about it. He didn't really reinforce them through the date. She used her powers a few times, and he constantly ignored them. So what's been bothering me? Ataru was so often the cause of such headaches that she couldn't realize she was the one who went too far this time. She's the one who decided to act like a human girl. Act as if it were a genuine first date. She was trying to follow the 'normal' steps of courtship. She forced herself to restrain her clinginess. And to use his name. But maybe such things siply didn't apply to them. Me and Darling aren't really in a 'normal' relationship, after all! Maybe this was why their relationship was so special, she thought with a smile. It was fun to act as if it was their first date, but she largely preffered being clingy. And nothing was stopping her. Apart from herself; somewhat scared being TOO clingy mean he'd push her away. I'm thinking too much! I'm sounding like Ran! She chuckled. She knew he was falling in love, that's all that mattered after all!

Ataru shriveled at the question. He knew the answer too well. Ever since their first date, a hollow ache has settled in his chest. Even when she's away, she's still a pain, he thought. But why was he in pain? All she did was leave for a few day... He closed his eyes. I miss her. He admitted it to himself. It was obvious to everyone else; his mother reminded him daily to call Lum. Fine, I missed her, but I can't let her know that. He nodded to himself, determined to keep those feelings hidden. Acknledging them for once was already a new step for him.

He glared at her briefly, then looked away. "What are you thinking?! It barely changed anything." He explained rushingly. He was somewhat dodging the question.

Lum couldn't help but smile. She obviously understood. "Is that so? Not even a little?" She feigned a sad frown.

Ataru looked up. "I guess." He shrugged, clearly noticing her expression. "Since you've been living in my room for so long," Talking without thinking, he searched for a good reason. "I was used to you living here, I noticed it a bit." He spoke in a warm tone. His only way to find good excuses was to say the truth. To follow his heart.

"Oh! Darling!" She hugged him tightly. "You missed me! I'm so happy!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself!" He pushed her off, he couldn't let her be convinced. "I liked it, I was finally free!" He giggled. Lum was still hugging him, but it wasn't as tight.

Lum almost got angry, but she realized it wasn't worth it. Darling's lies have gotten even worse! She chuckled. Maybe love's making him nervous! "But Darling! Didn't you spend the last few days at home?"

"I told you! I was sick!"

"You've been sick since our first date and suddenly got better on our second!" Her hug got tighter once again. "How romantic! You're lovesick, Darling!"

"Lum! Cut it out with those stupid ideas!" He tried again to push her off. But her words were ringing in his head. Loveisck? About her? Love... it couldn't be.. Idiot..."I caught a cold because of the pool, that's it!"

"Or because you fell asleep on the balcony looking at my UFO!"

"Arck!" He flicked forward, almost falling. "You saw that?!"

"I'm always looking out for you, Darling!" She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't you remember the blanket from last night?" She tilted her head the other way, keeping her smile.

Ataru looked toward the ground. "That was you?!" I should have guessed. It wasn't Oyuki... He'd often fall asleep on his balcony, trying and hoping to catch a glimpse of her. She also kept an eye out for him. When he fell asleep, she couldn't help but do something.

"I was worried about you!" The Oni princess allowed her hand to slide down his shoulder, brushing his arm. Her tone was warm but somewhat melancholic. Was he truly THAT convinced it was nothing but a cold?

He wasn't expecting to hear such words in that tone, Ataru's heart skipped a beat. His head fell as he stared at the ground. "Silly." He couldn't help but smirk while scoffing. "I never asked you to do that." What's wrong with her? She invades his life, then abruptly goes away, but she still spy on him every night? Can't she make up her mind?! He paused his thoughts for a second and looked at her. Their eyes met. The answer was clear. She's really in love with me. Everything made sense. She wasn't just proving it with words or kisses. More importantly, she was proving it through action. Which is exactly what Ataru understood the best. She wasn't trying to "prove" that she loved him. She was just worried. Those were coming out of pure love, not something she's forced to do because it's how it is. That was somewhat new for him. "But, thanks, Lum." Ataru didn't move a muscle as he said that. He couldn't look at her any more.

Darling... He really was changing. "I'm so happy, Darling!" She couldn't contain her excitement and jumped back into his arm, hugging it tightly and rubbing her head against his shoulder. "No need to thank me!" She continued her movement. Ataru wasn't moving a muscle. "You do the same for me!"

"Whatever, whatever." His words didn't go at all with his action, as he allowed Lum to hug him tightly and somewhat enjoyed it. He cracked a small smile. Maybe it wasn't so bad to just accept it from time to time. It felt nice, and it made her happy. The only issue was this strange buzzing feeling in his chest.

As time seemingly stopped, they were sitting together right there. She kept hugging his arm. Lum would have preferred to keep hugging him fully, but it may tire her arms a bit. Without noticing, Ataru had slightly leaned his body toward hers a little more. It caused both of them to lean against each other, head-to-head. Slowly, silence took over, and the two of them almost fell asleep. They felt the cabin moving. Finally, it had started.

"Finally! We're going up!" Lum quickly unwirled her hands from around Ataru's arm then clapped them in excitement, and went right back into hugging him. She wasn't leaning as hard on him as before, as she still wanted to enjoy the view.

"Took it's sweet time!" Ataru laughed. "Almost thought it was broken!"

"Well, I don't mind! It means we get to see the sunset, Darling!" She looked up, toward the glass ceilling.

He looked up, following her movement. "We will, at this rate, won't we?"

"Darling." She looked back at him. He kept his eyes up, scared of looking down. "I'm so happy I get to go on the ferris wheel with you!"

"Don't get too used to it." He exclaimed. He kept his head up. It will not become an habit! There's no way he'd start accepting going on dates with her for no good reason. Right now, he has the goal of bringing her back home. But afterwards, no more dates. Maybe she'll go away if I don't, though... What a pain the Oni was.

Her smile got wider. "It's really a dream come true! I've always wanted to go in one of those with you, Darling!" She was almost repeating herself, how happy was she?!

Ataru couldn't say anything, he kept silent. The only answer she got was that his body was slightly twitching and his head was descending somewhat.

"When it's only the two of us, like that, we really do look like lovers!" She casually added, in a cheerful tone.

Ataru instantly blushed, looking back down and away. He knew she was right, they looked like a great couple. But he's been trying so hard to ignore it. "Shut up!"

Lum chuckled, leaning back to get a better look at him. "It's okay! No need to be embarrassed, Darling!" She placed her head back on his shoulder and tried to touch his head, she succeeded after a few seconds. "It's only the two of us, after all, there's no need to be shy!" After a few seconds, she lifted it up again, going back to gazing through the windows.

Her words didn't help with how embarrassing the situation was. This date really wasn't good for his womanizing career. "S-stil! That's not the issue." Ataru was desperately trying to save himself. But Lum didn't really pay attention to it; she was back focusing on the horizon. Ataru couldn't get mad at that.

"Look! We can see Tomobiki from here!" She beamed, pointing toward where they lived. She also pointed toward their house. The view was way more clear than on the Moonlight Coaster.

"Why are you getting so excited?" Ataru still looked. Even though his mind couldn't concentrate on anything other than her, "You got a better view from your UFO."

"Yes, but I don't get to experience it with my Darling!" She exclaimed, going back to hugging his arm.

"How tacky..." He looked away. His eyes stuck to the horizon. It really was a good view, and each second passing by made it better as their cabins went up and up. He looked in the opposite direction from her. But he quickly realized it wasn't a good idea. It wasn't as good of a view. He turned his head, way more eager to look her way. He couldn't help but notice Lum, looking toward the horizon and the sun, almost touching the ground. It seemed like she wasn't paying much attention to him, thinking his last comment was the end of it. She was still holding his arm, but her head was elsewhere, concentrated on the sun. Again, the yellow light collided with her face, and Ataru couldn't help but admire her, just for a second. He then looked toward the sun, too. It looks pretty good. It really wasn't such a bad idea for a ride after all. With his mind mellowing down, he thought back about her proposal. Is it that much better to do it with someone? "Wait, is it another trick to get me to go in your UFO?"

"No! I meant there's no point in admiring the view alone! I'd rather do it with you!" A small, devilish grin appeared on her face. "But I'm happy you're still thinking about it!"

Is she making fun of me?! Ataru wasn't happy. "Fine! I'll go in your stupid saucer!"

Surprised, Lum looked back at him. "Really?!" She first smiled at him, then tilted her head. "You changed your mind?"

"You'd talk about it until I accepted anyway, the sooner the better." He argued, keeping his eyes as far away from her as he could.

Same excuses as last time. Lum noticed. Darling's really impossible sometimes! He's like a kid, he doesn't know what he wants. And he's confused by it himself. "It's nothing like that! You don't have to come in with me if you hate the idea that much, you know!" She was being truthful; she knew Ataru was stubborn about his own feelings, he'd refuse even if he didn't want to. You have to push him a little to get him to go with it.

"Whatever, don't try to make it sound like it's my idea!" He yelled.

"We're a couple! It came from the both of us!" She replied with a smirk.

"Oh, shut up!" He blushed, he was the first to talk about it after all.

The conversation died down for a little while. They were enaring the highest part of the ferris wheel. As the sun was setting, the two ascended. Slowly, they went back to their initial position, Lum and Ataru's heads against each other's.

"Oh! Darling!" She exclaimed suddenly. As she peeked her head up.

"Ah, what is it, Lum?!" He wasn't expecting Lum to be the one to pull her head back. He was liking this silence too. Maybe a bit too much.

"We're almost at the top!" Her excitement was evident as she shook his arm.

Unbothered, Ataru brushed it off. "So what? The view isn't going to get much better." He looked at her with a curious glare.

"Darling, kiss me!"

Ataru froze. "Wh-wh-what? Why?" He shakingly asked.

"Kissing at the top is good luck for couples!" She nodded, with tender eyes. "I've heard that if we kiss, our couple may last forever!" Lum then beamed, approaching her head to his.

A bit too close for his taste, so he turned his head away. "I'm not going to do that, forget it!"

Lum slightly pouted, but quickly she smiled again, hopeful. "Come on, Darling, don't be shy! It'll be so romantic, it's perfect!"

"There's no way I'm kissing you!" He reaffirmed. It was a good date. Even if she was slowly breaking down more and more walls, he couldn't allow himself to cross that line.

"Aww," Lum sniveled, looking down, exaggerating her disappointment. She wasn't going to push the topic, she knew it wouldn't work with her Darling anyway. "But it would have been such a cute photo!" She slipped out without thinking.

"What photo?" The young man turned his head instantly.

She gave him a somewhat embarrassed smile. "The one they take at the top, it's one of the souvenirs you can keep!" She said, finger on her cheek.

"We're not keeping any this time!" He asserted as soon as she closed her mouth. She wanted a photo of them kissing. He started to imagine all the blackmail she could do with such a photo. "Don't even think about it, Lum!"

"But we could get a picture of the two of us under the sunset!" She beamed in a dreamy tone.

"You already got the one from the coaster, don't push it." He kept his ground. Photos of the two of them at a coaster was one thing, but on a ferris wheel was another.

"You're no fun, Darling." Lum pouted, falling back on the sofa.

"Just enjoy the moment for what it is." Ataru blurted out, a bit angered by her words. "Photos can't get the sunset right, anyway."

Lum pouting came to an end as soon as she heard him. Darling, he's stubborn, but he loves me too! "Is that so? Looking out to be sure I don't get bad memories; you're so nice, Darling!"

"You're just too naive! Where did you see that anyway?" He leaned back on the sofa.

Lum tilted her head, a bit confused. "You didn't see it? There was a big sign next to the entrance, where we waited."

"Nope, missed it completely." He blurted out, not missing a bit.

"Mhm," Lum started smiling. "Strange, you were focused on something else?" She leaned a bit toward him, getting her head to face his.

He turned his head around. "I was looking at some sexy babes..." He lied. Well, not really. Back then, he was lost in thought about her, stealing glances.

"Darling!" She leaned back up. "Don't lie like that! I was here too, you know!" She yelled. She was expecting him to lie. She's used to it. But Ataru is lying about cheating on her—how dumb.

"Why are you asking then?" He scoffed. "I was looking at nothing; I was just thinking, That's it, happy?" He was praying to every god that she didn't ask what about.

Lum smiled, then closed her eyes for a second. Looking back through the windows. She liked seeing him sweat so much. "I hope those were nice thoughts." She simply said that, not looking at him. It made sense to her; she knew those thoughts were probably about them. Lum did notice the quick glance he gave her. She was certain his mind was filled with thoughts about her! And this idea made the Oni really happy. Darling's only thinking about me! She chuckled.

Finally, their cabin achieved its peak. It stopped for a little bit.

"We're pretty high!" She exclaimed, her hand against the glass.

"The sun's really setting now, too." Ataru noticed, looking through the same windows. "Nice timing."

"How romantic." Lum whispered, falling back on the sofa and hugging his arm.

Ataru didn't say anything. Even if he didn't want to kiss her, he didn't want to ruin the moment. As Lum fell back, he let her grab his arm. She appreciated the gesture. They looked up at the clear sky—no stars yet, but still nice. Lum and Ataru got lost in it. They were from ifferent planets, but there was one thing they both could enjoy; the same star-filled sky. The setting sun bled orange into a softer pink, making Ataru feel better about himself. As their cabin moved again, they stayed silent, watching the sky together. It felt great, like a perfect day. Ataru felt at home and fulfilled. like a sweet evening after some Sukiyaki. Lum felt a similarly fulfilling feeling, as if there was nothing to worry about. Her dream wedding didn't seem that far off. Slowly, she noticed the sky turning lavender, then violet. Twilight was near, and their date was ending.

Melancholic, Lum sighed. "Darling..."

Ataru, noticing her tone, answered in a similar soft tone. "Yeah?"

"Thank you for coming to this date with me." She shared, smiling. Her melancholy's approaching genuine tears.

"Lum..." He paused for a second to make sure he kept his composure. "What are you saying?" He leaned a bit toward her, forcing her head back close to his. "We're not even done yet!" As he asked this question, he couldn't hide his own slight sadness.

Darling... "It's true, but..."

"Silly, you'll ruin the ride if you act like it's over already." He placed his free hand behind his head, looking away, hiding a blush.

"You're right, Darling, thank you!" She smiled wildly. Ataru could notice the smile was somewhat different. It made his heart skip a beat. "Say, Darling, have you been enjoying our date so far?" She teased a little.

Back to me?! He sighed. "I.." It's only the two of us, I guess. It's ok. "It wasn't as bad as I thought." He smiled softly.

She restrained herself from jumping into his arms here and there. She simply tightened her grip around his arm. "I'm glad, let's end it nicely then, Darling!"

"Sure."

What a strange feeling! The two were just happy. Ataru's usual thoughts about Lum and his worries about getting too close to her vanished. Right now, the only thing that mattered for him was her and their date going well. He didn't care about the way he thought, about his mind, or even about his heart. He ignored all of those thoughts.

Lum did the same, she wasn't imagining a perfect darling in her head anymore, no, she was imagining the one she was leaning against. It was her perfect date. Her trilling second date!

The two didn't exchange any words. Too focused on the horizon. The violet in the sky was slowly taking over, and the light was slowly fading. The stars painted inside their cabin started to illuminate. All around them, the celestial bodies began to glow. Ataru and Lum looked at each other for a second but didn't exchange any words; there was still no point. Lum closed her eyes for a bit, and Ataru did the same. They were nearing the end, as the cabin continued its descent and began slowing down. They only had a few minutes left. A fact neither of them was aware of. Time didn't matter anymore. The couple just stayed like that for as long as they could.

Slowly, they felt their cabin stop, and the door opened. They slowly opened their eyes, but, surprising enough, the dream was still going. They both felt so light. As if they finally climbed past the mountain of doubts in their minds and finally understood something that had been gnawing them. They both thanked the staff member who had opened the door and slowly exited. Ataru took the initiative and grabbed Lum's hand as they walked back to the plaza at the base of the ferris wheel. What now?