Urusei Yatsura: Denouement

by QuatrasSister

Following his failed attempt at getting into a good university, Ataru embarks on the next journey of his life: employment! But while he sees this as a golden opportunity for independence, as reality sets in, Ataru starts to realize what he really wants out of life.

20. Chapter 20: Choices

At last, we have arrived at the final (5 part) chapter of UY-D. It covers various events that take place over the course of about a month following Sakura's wedding and ending about a week before Ataru's birthday, leading up to the climax of the story!

This is definitely the longest chapter, however I don't really count it as long since it's broken into 5 parts and can be read separately. So if you want to make the story last longer, read it that way! Or beast the whole thing in one go :o whatever you like.

I kinda can't believe we're at the end already! Or in general honestly. I started writing this story in January, and there were a lot of ups and downs over the course if it between bouts of writers' block, settling on the flow of events, making edits, tweaks, changes, losing chapters, deciding to re-write entire chapters...it was a lot lol! There were even times I wasn't sure I would finish it, or I worried I would lose steam. In the past when I used to publish stories as I went, I'd embarrassed myself by not finishing them. So this time around I told myself I wouldn't post it until it was done. And here we all are at the finale!

Hope you guys enjoy the conclusion, and my answer to the question that started this whole thing.

Musical Inspiration: FM-84 (feat Ollie. Wride) - Running in the Night

---

CHAPTER 20: CHOICES

ACT I

As a rule, Ataru didn't like wasting his Saturdays. And even if given the opportunity to while away the hours in bed, years of early rising made him incapable of sleeping in. Which wasn't a problem, considering he normally had to meet Lum at around ten or eleven – whatever the day's activities called for. Naturally it went without saying that if he wanted to get any skirt chasing done before then, he had to be up and out of the apartment well in advance. So, with these habits firmly in place, he was awake just after nine in the morning.

Today was one of those rare occasions where Ataru had nothing to do. Lum was still traveling back from a trip abroad for a special shoot, which left his schedule wide open. He thought of going out as usual, but with the onset of Spring he developed a peculiar itch to clean, which could very well be chalked up to years of conditioning via his parents. It wasn't a task he enjoyed, despite its necessity, so when the phone rang, calling him from the kitchen, Ataru was all too eager to answer!

On the other end was Kosuke, who'd just returned from an evening out and was now winding down for the night. They traded obligatory jokes over the time difference – the usual 'what's the future like' from Kosuke, who was coming up on the tail end of Friday. Followed by a stroke of envy from Ataru, who wished he still had a full weekend to look forward to.

After that their conversation progressed in unremarkable ways. They caught up on various events; Kosuke's school load and classes – not to mention the myriad differences between American and Japanese cultures; Ataru mostly griped about work. But he did have positive news to share as well, primarily about his weekends out with their friends from Tomobiki and Sakura's recent (unfortunate) wedding. He spoke in a broad sense without putting too much focus on his deepening relationship with Lum. Despite these efforts, Kosuke's thoughts quickly went to her, and it seemed to spark a memory of something he'd wanted to mention, but forgot up till then.

"Oh yeah!" He began when the thought first hit him. "I guess Lum's getting kind of popular huh?"

Ataru found the statement cryptic, considering Kosuke was on the other side of the world.

"What makes you say that?" A questioning look came over his face. Did him and Lum talk or something?

"We saw her poster at a car rental office." Came a succinct reply. "My girlfriend said she's become pretty iconic. Some of the girls in her class even dyed their hair rainbow colors."

Well now that was even more surprising! Ataru's eyes widened as he realized the scope of Lum's fame. To some degree he knew she'd become big in Japan, particularly Tokyo. He'd seen off-brand shirts with her likeness, and her ads were in just about every town he visited. And at times he could swear some of the female characters he spied in games or shows, even girls in newer manga he'd been reading, bore traits of Lum. Particularly her prismatic hair. But to hear her success reached the American audience too was absolutely wild.

"Wow," Ataru marveled aloud, leaning against the wall as he mulled over her near celebrity status. "Even all the way out there." Really, it was impressive to think how far her popularity had spread. Impressive and troubling.

Over the months, as he learned about the associated struggles of her life as a model and being the face of a growing company, Ataru found more and more reasons to dislike her profession. Cat-callers and Oni-haters were problematic enough on their own, even without the added weight of all her other responsibilities on top of everything. Ataru bore witness to the effects they had on her, and when it came to negative thinking, his brain was unmatched in its ability to conjure the worst theoretical scenarios. Given all he knew, it was hard to find anything positive about her newfound acclaim. Especially when he could still recall her sobbing in his Livingroom, clear and crisp as if it were yesterday. Ataru lost himself to a moment of intense rumination, so much so that Kosuke's next question nearly sent him stunned to the floor by how abruptly it came into his ears.

"So you're going to really get serious now, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Ataru sputtered at once. He couldn't see it, but Kosuke was rolling his eyes over the phone. Really? This stupid game again?

"Remember how popular Lum was at school? She has a way bigger audience now. I bet she's met a lot of different guys." It didn't really need saying that Lum had a cult following at Tomobiki High. There was that strange underground club initiated by some bespectacled weirdo. Not to mention her ability to captivate every male student in class – himself included – without even trying. Kosuke would never tell Ataru (or anyone for that matter) that he'd kept the love letter she wrote him when he accidentally stole her heart (which had literally been floating above her head that day). Just about the only one who resisted her charm was Ataru, and even then, it was a front to cover up his own inability to accept or express the love they all knew he felt. Kosuke had hoped that by now, almost two years after graduation, he would've matured beyond all that. Evidently he was still holding out.

"That doesn't mean anything," Ataru argued matter-of-factly. "She's not going to run off with some random guy just because he saw her in a magazine and has the hots for her." He scoffed at the very idea, loudly and arrogantly.

"Doesn't have to be a random guy." Kosuke suggested coolly, capturing Ataru's attention though he maintained his belief in Lum's single-minded infatuation. "Maybe it's a coworker." Coworker? "You know how it goes, working all those hours together. Getting closer and all that." Ataru's eyes narrowed as Ten's words echoed obnoxiously from his memories; 'maybe she'll go out with that nice guy from her job and forget all about you'. "Wren said it happens all the time." Ah, Wren, his American girlfriend. He'd never met her and already she was meddling in his love life.

"Psh, I'm not worried." Ataru spoke defiantly, his voice rising over the whispers of doubt creeping from his subconscious. "I see her every weekend and we're doing great! Besides, she only works with two guys. One of them is her manager, and he's old enough to be her dad. And the other is a complete moron who she said can't do anything right." Mr. Paul and...what was his name? Who cares. As it stood Lum rarely talked about either of them. Nothing to worry about there. Nothing to worry about at all!

"There's no reason to rush anything, we're fine." No matter how he felt, or what he'd realized over the months, Ataru still found himself standing on the brink of commitment, unable to take that last terrifying step toward finality.

"If you say so." Clearly Kosuke didn't believe him, which bothered Ataru to no end! His brows twitched as he glared into the phone. They actually were doing fine. Great even! But he wasn't the type to gush over a girl or romance. How very unmanly! Kosuke – actually, nobody needed to know anything more than what Ataru told them outright. Him saying they were fine should be enough! Ataru didn't appreciate the commentary. And he certainly didn't need any reminders that the clock was ticking and that life was changing around him and their youth was fading and all those other things he didn't like thinking about! It was just too much pressure, and he hated feeling pressured for a multitude of reasons!

But worse than all that, he didn't like the suggestion that their relationship was so fragile it could be easily undone by some idiot she worked with. Even if he was dragging his feet a little, they had history! Lum had to know by now that he loved her, that she was the one he wanted to be with. There was no way she didn't!

"You don't know her the way I do." Ataru concluded severely in a tone that shocked his friend into brief silence.

"Well you're right about that." Thus Kosuke relented, realizing there was no point arguing with Ataru.

And, yeah, he had to admit what Ataru said was also true. Kosuke had no idea what the two had been up to; he wasn't even aware they saw each other on weekends until Ataru blurted it out in his own defense two seconds ago. Their conversations didn't often include details about their respective dating lives. For all he knew Ataru had truly wised up and was making moves to seal the deal with Lum.

Although, considering how dismissive he was being, Kosuke remained skeptical. He knew such transformations of self weren't easy, and Ataru was a creature of habit who oftentimes let himself become complacent and, as a result, blind to consequences. A poor combination of traits to be sure. Well, at least he said something. That's really all he could do. Everything else was up to Ataru. So his soul could rest easy regardless of the outcome.

Ataru was relieved when Kosuke dropped the subject, and their conversation fell to more lighthearted topics – manga, movies, magazines and such. At least for now he could continue living in the moment, free of the complications surrounding marriage and cohabitation and shared burdens. Although, despite his pretending, some thoughts still lingered. Ataru would never admit it, but the idea of Lum getting close with someone at work was a nagging whisper in the back of his mind.

And their little talk gave life to another unspoken question; how long was he planning to wait before taking that final step with Lum? It was a question, Ataru realized, he didn't have an answer for.

ACT II

Ataru examined an assemblage of clouds in the night sky, promising storms to come and heavy rainfall. Neither were very common in spring, so he wasn't exactly prepared should the heavens choose to open. Good thing he was heading home. He'd just finished dinner (or a snack, as he called it) with Minami, Yamagata and the others and was headed to Hashirimawaru station to catch the train into Senshoo. Naturally his eyes wandered, as they were wont to do, roaming over bright store displays or glued to the swaying hips of passing women. Nothing unusual. Just another normal evening.

All that changed in an instant.

On the last leg of his journey Ataru passed Café Paulista, an older Coffee and Tea shop featuring a giant bay window that provided an intimate view of the people dining inside. He spared them a cursory glance, double-taking when his eyes caught onto a wisp of flowing rainbow hued hair.

Lum!?

Ataru needed only a second to verify his assumption; he'd recognize Lum anywhere, with or without her 'disguise'. At once he sought out the nearest hiding spot, settling for a telephone pole across the street which was conveniently positioned near a pop-up noodle stand. Ataru skittered over and hid himself as best he could, all the while wondering what on Earth she was doing here in Rokuyō?

Peering from behind the pole Ataru surveyed the scene, ignoring the strange looks he could feel from people passing by. At first he suspected she was spying on him, only to realize she would have been alone if that were the case. And she wasn't alone. No, two girls were seated across from her. Very attractive girls at that! The one nearest the window bore likeness to Benten with her raven hair whipped up in a bun, only this girl had a set of dark rimmed glasses poised delicately on her nose. The other let her hair down similar to Lums though not quite as long; thick ebony locks that twisted at the tips. She was dressed casually compared to her counterpart, who exuded a sense of modesty and class. Wonderful. Just wonderful, the pair of them.

Suddenly it dawned on him: these were her coworkers! Some of them at least. Ah, so Lum did in fact partake in after-work meals. She never mentioned them before - then again, he also never asked.

A wide licentious grin spread over Ataru's face as he eyed the pair across from Lum. Well, he thought, since they all happened to be in the area, what was the harm in saying hello? Point of fact, it would be extremely rude if he didn't say hello! To that end Ataru fussed with his hair and smoothed out his clothes, then popped a mint from his pocket (he carried them for such occasions) to freshen his breath.

Just as he was about to cross, Lum stood abruptly, giving an excited wave to someone unseen. Ataru paused. So there would be a third guest to their table? Curious, he decided to wait and see this mystery person first, snickering as he imagined what sort of woman she might be. Considering how lovely the other two were, he had high hopes. Poor Ataru simply was not prepared for who came to join them.

Not a woman. A man. A tall man. With sun darkened skin and golden hair that fell around his face, and gentle, untroubled eyes - the kind of man Ataru knew made girls swoon. And he moved right to Lum's side, taking the seat next to her after the three exchanged happy greetings. Ataru felt his stomach twist and drew back behind the phone pole, abandoning his previous mission for a new one.

Who the hell was this guy?

There was only one male coworker she ever mentioned, and by how often she complained about him messing up a shot or causing power outages because he plugged too many things in at once, Ataru assumed he was an oaf! Not this tall dashing son of a bitch! Now of all times his mind saw fit to remind him of an old fear regarding Lum and some unknown man (who now had a face) getting much too close during after-work drinks. They weren't drinking from what he could tell, but shit, did he have to sit next to her!? Did she really need to look that happy? Why was she smiling so much? Why was she laughing?

Ataru chewed his lip as he watched Lum with intense focus, dissecting every action and expression. Then he started to question their time together; was she happier here than when they went out? Was her smile the same? Her laugh? No. No it was different. Of course it was different. Lum didn't look at anyone the way she looked at him and he knew that! But damn it all, watching her act so friendly toward another man boiled his blood.

What should he do? Should he go in anyway? No - if he did, if he even asked who this man was, Lum would know he'd been jealous and she'd bring it up all the time, embarrassing the hell out of him at any given chance. He couldn't have that. But shit, he hated being in the dark!

From out of the blue a faraway look came over Lum's face, catching Ataru's hawkish eyes. She stared down at her parfait, stirring the yogurt and fruit gently with a spoon, then cast her gaze through the window to the cheerless sky above. Ataru pulled back further into his hiding spot, studying her quietly yet unable to place the emotion on her face, though not from lack of trying. She looked thoughtful, was all he could gather. And...well...she really was beautiful. He noticed that too. Ataru wished suddenly that he could go to her and pull her from the table to join him somewhere quiet, where they could be alone and away from whoever the hell this loser was.

For an instant he considered the idea, seriously. He hated thinking that she spent many evenings like this, cavorting with this guy, growing closer, just like Kosuke warned. Ataru tried fighting his fears with logic before they got out of control; she loved him. She was his and nobody else's. They were wholly a couple, even before that first kiss they shared in the genkan. Whoever this guy was, he was out of his depth if he thought he could steal her away. Greater men than him had tried and they'd all failed. Kosuke was wrong. Ten was wrong. Nobody would ever come between them.

Ataru was on the brink of recovery when he saw the guy's hand slip over Lum's shoulder, giving it a quick tap before disappearing again. Her head whipped one way, then the other with a laugh once she realized she'd been tricked. Ataru couldn't see her face anymore, she was too busy looking at him.

For a second time he felt his heart drop and a cold chill ravaged his body. The entire ordeal was exhausting on his nerves. Maybe he should just go home. Try and forget what he'd seen, which wasn't much of anything really. They were just hanging out, as coworkers. Nothing more. That's...that's all it was. But, he asked himself, what would happen when they were done? Would this blond buffoon catch her alone and do something rash? A new anxiety was suddenly unlocked and Ataru knew he was in for a long evening. Well, he thought, eyeing the noodle stand, at least he wouldn't go hungry.

About an hour and two helpings of udon later, Ataru spied the telltale mannerisms of people ready to leave. He was keen to capture every interaction between Lum and this man, who thankfully seemed preoccupied with one of the other girls. For as long as he could he followed them with his eyes past the window, then switched focus to the front door once they were out of sight. Maybe a second or two passed until the four of them emerged - of course the bastard held the door open for them. Show-off!

Much to his annoyance they spent the next several minutes chatting in front of the café about who knows what. Ataru silently begged them to just move on already so he could go home. Then, right when his patience began to thin, something alarming happened!

For no explicable reason, this blond bastard sprung upon the other two girls, wrapping his arms around them and nuzzling exaggeratively into their necks. In tandem they slapped him off, a cheek for each girl, sending him bashfully to the safety of Lum's side. Ataru felt a whip of Deja vu. Oh! So he was just another damn womanizer? Son of a bitch, that was even worse! A fresh wave of horror swept upon Ataru when the girls waved their goodbye, leaving Lum alone like a lamb in the company of a wolf. Oh shit! If this creeper was anything like him...shit!

Ataru's heart was pounding and he gripped the phone pole tightly, his eyes held fast to the pair of them. They turned toward each other so he couldn't see Lum's face, but it was clear they were still talking. What the hell could two people talk about for so long!? C'mon, he begged her wordlessly, just leave already! Doesn't Ten need you or something? Just go home! In the midst of his urging their attention was suddenly pulled toward the sky. Ataru glanced up as well and received a drop of rain in the eye for his inquisition. Another storm was moving in, as promised by the crowding clouds overhead. Good, he thought, that should cut their conversation short. A smile snaked its way onto Ataru's face, one that was all too quickly wiped clear when he looked back.

The bastard's hands were outstretched toward Lum, reaching behind her head to take up the edges of her hood. With utmost care and gentleness, he pulled it over her hair, shielding her from the downpour. All the while he wore a tender smile that set Ataru's soul ablaze with envy. Who the fuck did this degenerate think he was to act so familiarly with her!? A snarl of protest leapt from his mouth, only to be drowned out by a passing truck. The interruption tempered his warring spirit; a good thing in hindsight since it allowed him to further observe their honest interaction.

As if he wasn't already crossing a line the bastard dared reach out again, this time in an attempt to gather Lum in his arms the same way he had with those other two girls!

Ataru held his breath!

Ah, but she was much too quick for him and hopped into the air, just out of reach. Atta girl, he cheered to himself, proud she had the wherewithal to defend from such a stunt and simultaneously confirming his faith in her was well placed. From there they shared a laugh (for whatever reason) and more parting words. Then Lum took to the sky, floating up toward the flashing clouds - imparting a small measure of worry until Ataru remembered her imperviousness to lightning. She'd be fine, better so now that she was away from this salacious creep. And oh what sweet relief he felt!

Without the risk of being discovered by Lum, Ataru stepped boldly from his hiding spot to leer hatefully at this unnamed man, who was unaware of being watched at first. That was until he turned to leave and his eyes passed over Ataru, whose stillness provided sharp contrast to the scurrying people around them. That was peculiar on its own, even without the overt hostility emanating from his stare. Their eyes locked - one threatening, the other nonplussed yet stern in his refusal to break contact first. Ataru didn't care if he knew the reason. Nor did he care to clarify the offense. Simply speaking, this interloper was the root cause of his anger and deserved every bit of his malice, whether or not he knew why.

Once Ataru was satisfied the message had been received - however crude it was - he stepped back and took up the journey he'd started hours ago. There was a heaviness in his steps, and not because of the noodles. Rather, his mind was full and his heart sunken. Who was this philanderer? Was he really the absent-minded clod Lum spoke about, or was he someone new? Stupid questions - where he came from didn't matter. What irked him was the knowledge that they were familiar enough to go out together in the first place. Worse than that, he was powerless to do anything about it. Again Ataru raised his defenses, citing tangible evidence of her faithfulness to him. Everything would be fine, he told himself. Lum, by her own actions, hadn't given him any reason to doubt her.

But, unfortunately, logic was a poor balm for anxiety.

ACT III

"Darling!"

Ataru turned, and for what felt like the first time in ages, he looked for Lum in the sky. Most days she chose to walk rather than fly, except when going home, of course, or if she was coming directly to his apartment. And since they'd planned to meet in the city, he wasn't expecting her to be overhead. What's more, she looked panicked, which immediately put him on edge.

"I'm so sorry Darling." Lum's words tumbled out in haste just before she reached him. "I have to stop by the studio really quick!"

"What!?" Ataru balked. Working Saturdays was nothing new, but so abruptly? Usually Mr. Paul had the courtesy to let her know ahead of time.

"I know," Lum lamented the unexpected turn of events alongside her husband. "But an important connection stopped by the office and Mr. Paul really wants me to meet him. He called right before I left. I tried reaching you but you weren't home." A puzzled expression fell over her face. "It was pretty early, I didn't think you'd left already."

Ataru froze, his mind racing for an excuse to cover up the fact that he often left early to go girl hunting. An old habit, one he was loath to drop even if the game didn't thrill him the same way it used to.

"Uh, yeah I wanted to grab a coffee first." Getting caught, however, still brought a twinge of excitement. Naturally it was one sided. Lum did not find his continued escapades endearing whatsoever. She eyed him suspiciously, and Ataru spat forth a waiting question before she had a chance to drill him.

"So where is this place?"

It worked if only because it reminded Lum she hadn't time to waste. For a brief moment she fished through a small burgundy hand-bag that paired well with her blouse and shoes of the same color, and off-set her white skirt nicely. From it she produced a business card which was promptly handed off to Ataru, who studied it automatically.

"That's the address." Lum pointed needlessly to the lines of text in the center of the card. "He said I should be done by noon. I'm so sorry Darling, I know you wanted to get breakfast together." She added with a resigned sigh and wide apologetic eyes.

"It's fine." Ataru pocketed the card and his shoulders went up in a casual shrug. "I'll meet you there later." No skin of his back. If anything, this gave him a free morning to chase skirts unencumbered.

"Thank you for understanding." Lum pressed her lips into his cheek before he had a moment to process what was happening. Ataru growled and waved his arms at her defensively as she floated out of reach wearing an impish smile.

"Not in public!"

Lum only laughed as she took to the sky, disappearing beyond a distant horizon of buildings and budding trees. Ataru scanned the crowd around him for any signs they'd been spotted betraying social norms. And when it seemed nobody had noticed, he sauntered down the busy Saturday morning streets of Rokuyō in search of women to chase.

By the time noon rolled around Ataru had satisfied his urges and eaten breakfast alone at one of the many food stands he found en route. The landscape around him began to change as he delved further into unexplored parts of the city outskirts. The buildings were lower, older, and there was far more foot traffic than there were cars. It was only by the kindness of strangers Ataru was able to find her studio. The large white letters scrawled across the second-floor window spelling 'GO-TIME' in English and Japanese also helped. Once there, Ataru reclined on a bench across the street and waited for Lum to emerge.

After about five minute or so the glass doors opened, and a score of people filed from within. Immediately he recognized two of the girls from the night he found Lum at Café Paulista. Ataru leaned forward, debating whether or not he had time to introduce himself before she appeared. Ah but there she was, right behind them with...with him. Ataru's heart shot into his throat as Lum passed beneath that tall bastard's arms while he held the door open for her. And it took every ounce of restraint not to leap up and bellow his disapproval. Instead, he sank back against the bench with his arms and legs crossed, glaring daggers at the two of them while they chatted and laughed just outside the entrance.

Finally Lum's attention strayed, landing on Ataru where he sat simmering across the street. The way her face lit up, the unbridled smile that came over her, was almost enough to melt away his annoyance. Almost.

Giving a quick wave to her colleagues, Lum fluttered toward her waiting husband.

"Darling!" She cheered, heedless of his sour expression. Ataru stood and quickly turned so he was facing the street.

"You done?" He asked, striving to curb his jealousy.

"Yup!" Lum latched onto Ataru's arm and grounded herself. "Let's go! There's a really cute coffee shop around here." She sought his face and he dodged hers, refusing to take his eyes off the sidewalk ahead lest she see that something was bothering him.

As they walked Ataru revisited the same argument he'd already walked through that rainy night outside Café Paulista. Who was that blond bastard? Who cares? Not like he was a threat or anything. But then, did she have to look so happy around him? This stream of thoughts ran circles in his head, until at last, Ataru could forbear his ignorance no longer!

"You seem awfully close with that guy."

"Mr. Paul?"

"No!" Ataru barked, exasperated by her ignorance. "The other one!"

Lum looked questioningly at her husband.

"Asa-pin?" Without thinking she employed his office nickname. Ataru's face flushed with anger at the familiar way she addressed him, just barely managing a curt nod to her question while tactfully avoiding her gaze.

"Of course we are." Lum continued, following his confirmation. "I wouldn't even have a job if it wasn't for him."

In a flash Ataru's expression changed and he glared askance at Lum.

"What?"

This was news to him! And by the way her face suddenly brightened, Lum seemed to realize the novelty of her announcement as well.

"Oh yeah, guess I never told you how I got this job." She admitted casually, her cavalier attitude quickening his temper.

"No you didn't!" Ataru growled, and this time, Lum could see clearly the jealousy in his sulfurous eyes as they finally turned on her.

Twin emotions of glee and guilt set upon her heart to know her husband coveted her so fiercely. Lum hadn't meant to keep the origins of her employment a secret, she just didn't think it mattered. To her darling though, a man prone to jealousy, details like that were important. And really, she should have known better. Lum's face softened with a tender, apologetic smile.

"I'll tell you everything."

Several moments later Ataru and Lum convened within the Doutor Coffee Shop. Ataru leaned heavily against the small round table between them, hands clasped together, glaring intently her way while awaiting the explanation she promised. Lum was taking her time, testing his patience as she pulled her chair closer, adjusted her skirt, and hooked her bag over the back of her chair. When their eyes finally met, she had to stifle a laugh at the way his face puffed with anger. Ataru's frown deepened.

"Before I started working," Lum began quickly, cutting off any potential outburst, "I tried figuring out a way to pay for things without asking your mother. Auntie helped a little by sending us food for Ten, mostly," An exasperated sigh broke the flow of her story, "but she's so forgetful! Sometimes I wouldn't hear from her for weeks!" Lum shook her head in a passing moment of anger. "Anyway, Earth doesn't really have an adequate currency exchange for our planet, so I needed to figure out a way to make money here."

A waiter came to interrupt Lum's story. And after putting in a quick order for coffee - Lum adding a Tamago Sando as she hadn't eaten yet - Ataru bid her continue with a silent, urging stare. Taking a moment to regather her thoughts, Lum obliged.

"I didn't really know what I was doing. I did some research on how Earthlings get jobs, but I never got one of those certificates from your school. Apparently those are really important here." Lum griped, annoyed, launching suddenly into a small tangent as old frustrations awoke within her. "You can't do anything without one! Honestly this planet is so old fashioned I'm amazed you're even able to function!"

Ataru gave voice to his impatience with a groan. Yes, he knew how old and outdated and backwater their little blue ball was. He didn't need to hear it again. Lum came to herself and, somewhat bashfully, dropped the subject and her volume.

"Anyway, I tried lots of different ways to find work. I wasn't eligible for a visa, since I technically never completed your education system, and Earth doesn't recognize interstellar marriages forged under oath, so I couldn't get a spousal visa either. I tried going through an agency...but that was a disaster." Lum heaved a deep sigh as she recalled those harrowing days of helplessness.

"I didn't know what I was going to do." Her eyes bent toward the table as a cloud of misery darkened her features. And for the first time since they arrived, Ataru's expression softened. That faraway stare, that woebegone tone, he knew them well. Because he'd seen them in himself during those turbulent weeks of onboarding for his own job. It was then Ataru realized how much she must have struggled.

As someone born into this culture, this planet, having never looked at it from the outside, the small details of life escaped him. From the beginning Ataru's path was set - get an education, graduate, work. Granted he'd skipped the college part. But still, having completed compulsory education and high school put him in a far better position than Lum, who'd only sat through a couple years of Earth schooling for fun and thus had no degree, nor even a footprint on this planet to follow. Life in general was hard enough, so he couldn't imagine how difficult it must have been for someone in her unique position. Ataru's heart swelled with empathy and he would have taken her hand in his, had the kindly smile now touching her lips not stopped him cold.

"Then one day someone came up to me." At this Ataru recoiled. His eyes became hawkish and his ears sharp as he listened to her words, both spoken and unsaid.

"He said his name was Yōhei Asaba and the company he worked for was looking for a model." Lum paused to consider her words, deciding ultimately it was best to omit some of Asaba's other, more flattering remarks. "He brought me to meet Mr. Paul, and he was very nice too. He actually remembered me from when I first came to Earth. He said I had spunk?" Lum glanced at Ataru for clarity and received a shrug of shared ignorance.

Their waiter returned to place their cups and Lum's sandwich, and the pair patiently waited for him to depart again before she went on.

"We took a few pictures that day, just to see how it'd go. I guess they came out really good, because Mr. Paul asked me right away if I'd work for him. I was so excited!" Lum's voice rose enthusiastically, as though she were reliving the past through her retelling of it. "But there was so much to learn! At first I made a lot of mistakes, but Asa-pin helped me. He taught me lots of things, about your work culture, and about what people would expect from me, and what I should expect as a model."

Suddenly everything made sense. Lum's newfound grace, her mannerisms, her greater understanding of cultural norms (even if she occasionally disobeyed them), the restraint of her wilder tendencies (some at least) - all of it was because another man had plucked her off the streets and took it upon himself to train her in the habits of Earthlings that she might find success.

Ataru sank into his chair, his back pressing against the wooden frame. Failure was not new to him, but he'd never felt it so sharply as he did right now. There was little room for jealousy, and less for anger. Because he'd done this to himself. Nobody forced him out the door without her. Nobody made him cut contact. Hell, he'd even praised himself for how well he covered his tracks! And not once, in all that time, did he spare a thought to anything other than his own problems and miseries. Not once did he worry over how she was faring. It didn't matter if he thought she was still living at home, the fact remained, he hadn't considered her feelings at all.

Some of the fault lay in his belief in Lum's ability to overcome any challenge. More than a few times he'd turned to her for help when their adventures became too spectacular or too difficult to manage conventionally. Even when he chased other girls, she never betrayed anything besides wrathful jealousy. And in those rare moments when she did become melancholy, Ataru never saw her surrender to sadness. Lum was dogged and determined in all things. Despite her beauty and cheerful innocence, she was a seat of strength.

Yet for all her otherworldly gadgets, impressive intellect, and terrifying powers, she was no more master of the intricacies and bureaucracy of Japan than he was. How had he never even considered any of these facts until now? How? Easy. He was thoughtless. And he was selfish. Ataru knew both of these things and he was miserable for it. Sickness churned his stomach and his soul took on tangible weight in his chest. A tide of regret rose up around him, and Ataru felt as if he were hopelessly drowning.

Lum saw a shade of these feelings reflected out through his face and recognized the impact her words must have had. Her darling had always been a jealous man, whether or not he said so aloud.

"It wasn't just him though!" Her words leaped earnestly forward. "Everyone helped! Mr. Paul was so nice to me. He said he knows what it's like being an outsider; he's from Germany and moved to Japan to help grow the business. He gave me lots of chances and never lost his patience. And the girls too! Miyazawa and Tsubaki, they took me out a lot. They showed me how to dress professionally, helped me with photo shoots, and taught me a, uh, calmer way to deal with pushy men." Although Ataru attributed the bulk of her maturity to one person, Lum's growth had been cultivated through the efforts of many. She stared thoughtfully into her cup. "If it wasn't for them, I don't know what I would've done."

Despite her assurance, Ataru's mind was lost down winding, twisted paths carved by guilt, anger, envy, and regret. Involuntarily he pictured the many days, months, she spent relying on another man, on Asaba, pulling strength from him as he guided her patiently through the trials of employment and everyday life. Leaning on this interloper for support when it should have been him all along! Even worse was the realization that if he'd just let Lum move out with him, none of this would have happened and he wouldn't be sitting here, feeling like the biggest moron on the planet!

Ataru clenched his teeth behind a cowl, his fists tightened, and he leered wrathfully at the image of that tall, blonde, sunburned bastard his mind superimposed into his cup of coffee. He'd never truly hated anyone before, but he sure as hell hated Asaba. But not nearly as much as he hated himself right now. He couldn't even blame Lum for this. It was sink or swim, and she had Ten to think about. Even if Ataru didn't always get along with the kid, he understood the responsibility she had over him. And having lived on his own, Ataru also understood how ruthlessly unforgiving the world was. It gave quarter to no one. Further, Lum hadn't done anything to warrant suspicion. She was just trying to survive.

No. Nobody was at fault for this mess but him. Once again.

"Darling?" Lum's voice broke softly into Ataru's ears.

At once his head whipped up to meet her gaze and the anger fell away from him. No matter how furious he was, Ataru had no intentions of revealing his inner turmoil. Who knows how she'd react, and this was already hard enough without her getting emotional on top of everything.

"Are you -?"

Ataru cut her off immediately.

"Nothing's wrong!" He declared with an explosive cackle, smothering his emotions beneath a jaunty veneer that he might have laid on a little too thick.

Just then, an angle appeared before Ataru, one he was quick to play.

"Wow, what a story! Well it's a good thing you learned all that stuff, I bet you could get any job now right?" If he couldn't keep Asaba away from Lum, perhaps he could encourage Lum to leave instead! "You could work in a mail room, or do weaving or something!" Something away from the prying eyes of reprobates and degenerate men.

"Don't be silly Darling." Lum dismissed his suggestions with a deprecatory wave. "This job pays really well, and I'm good at it! It'd be stupid to switch."

Ataru wilted in his seat, defeated.

"I...guess so."

Blissfully unaware of the troubles plaguing her husband, Lum happily sipped her coffee and nibbled her sandwich, offering bites of it to Ataru, which were refused. Honestly he didn't have much of an appetite for food or talking. And if he hadn't already bought the tickets, he probably would have...even...

"Ah!" Ataru gasped, pulling his sleeve back to check the time on his watch. Just as he feared! "Shit! We're going to miss the movie!"

In a panicked frenzy Ataru and Lum leaped from their seats. The rest of her sandwiched was scarfed in one bite while Ataru flipped through his wallet for a handful of banknotes that he slapped unceremoniously on the table before they raced out the front door, nearly trampling another couple on the way.

Lum laughed as they dashed down the street toward their destination, enjoying the wind as it cut through her hair and ruffled her skirt. Ataru watched her from the corner of his eyes. And when she caught his gaze and flashed that special smile she reserved only for him, his mind quieted and he refused to waste another second of his day thinking about Asaba.

ACT IV

Despite the pleasant weather of Spring and promise of balmy days, a crisp wind still gripped the morning and night as the season changed. During these days it was wise to have a jacket on hand for the wild dips in temperature. And after a brisk, cold evening walk through the city, there was nothing like coming home to a toasty apartment. There Ataru could kick off his shoes, abandon his workbag and cares, and strip down to enjoy a hot soak in the tub to whisk away his troubles and chill. As the water warmed his bones, he thought back over the last few weeks that marked the beginning of Spring.

Cherry blossoms were starting to blossom, and he'd been making plans with Lum to visit a local garden once they were in full bloom. Mendō also invited her (who in turn invited him) to a viewing at his estate - he only considered attending because their other friends had been asked to go too. And, of course, Ryoko would be there. Ataru hadn't seen her in weeks!

Actually, thinking about her now, he realized he hadn't really seen any girls (besides the ones he already knew) for quite a while. Oh he still partook in the sport of skirt chasing, but it had become something of a performative action rather than a serious endeavor designed to satisfy his lustful whims. Being found out by Lum brought a greater level of excitement than hearing them say yes at this point. And even when he did score a date, taking them out felt like more of a hassle than a treat, so he got very good at weaseling out of his commitments. Ataru wondered if this was a problem. Wondered for a good long while as he soaked, his arms dangling over the edge of the tub.

Could it be a symptom of age? Or was it the mark of a man whose livelihood was working with beautiful women? Maybe it was work in general sucking the spirit out of him? But that couldn't be the case, since he had plenty of energy for seeing Lum or visiting their friends. As a matter of course his mind detoured down the path of past weekend exploits. From his first date with Lum after moving, to seeing their friends again at Sugino Kosan, and beyond. There were colorful weekends spent walking through the park, marveling at the transformation of autumn leaves; trips to Tomobiki where they visited old haunts and reminisced on past adventures over tea and snacks.

And then there was Lum's birthday party in October. Mendō once again tried stealing the spotlight by hosting a lavish event complete with a two-story cake, fireworks, and a ridiculously expensive hunk of jewelry that he claimed came from far away shores, crafted by foreign artisans. Ataru snorted. If you ask him, the necklace didn't fit her at all. But what did it matter? Ataru's gift of pristine (albeit antique) knitting needles blew Mendō's cruddy necklace out of the water! Mrs. Miwa really came through for him back then – what an unexpected turn of events that had been. If she hadn't seen him sulking on the stairwell over what he could possibly get for Lum, feeling both moved by his plight and nostalgic for her own late husband, who knows how the evening would have gone! Ataru hated to think that he owed the old woman anything, but dammit, he was grateful for her generosity.

Winter swept in on them to finish out the year with cold days and frosty nights. Lum had met his coworkers, after which...Ataru could only blush as he recalled their shared kiss in the genkan. Many a cold day had driven them indoors after that night. They settled old scores over various board games or drank hot tea while languishing in front of the television. Peaceful days, they were; even now Ataru found himself warmed more by the memories than his bathwater.

Christmas had also been very unique. What began as a small gathering with Lum and his parents ballooned with the addition of Lum's family. Lum's dad had taken the liberty of inviting all of them - Ten, his mother, Lum's grandfather, plus some relatives Ataru wasn't even aware of! Evidently Lum's father found the idea of Christmas intriguing, and wanted to experience a traditional Earth holiday party with the entire family. What a chaotic night! Even Lum expressed relief when they eventually escaped, having formulated a plan on the roof to pretend they both had work early the next day, despite being off. Spending the evening with her, walking through the quiet town, hand in hand, made for a much better Christmas than any of the other ones he could remember.

And with the turn of the Calendar, they made merry at Mendō's New Years party - which was crashed by Ryoko who made a game of hiding fireworks in the most unexpected places. Following New Years of course was the season of Setsubun! Under his breath Ataru chuckled as he relived flashes of those moments; he moonlighted between sides with Benten and her sister-goddesses on one team, and Ran on the side of the Oni along with Lum, Ten and Rei (who was the sole reason for Ran's involvement). They tore through Tomobiki and Butsumetsu, wreaking havoc in traditional fashion, confusing the neighbors and flustering authorities. Such calamity! Honestly, it was his best Setsubun yet!

Ataru visited many more of these memories featuring him and Lum. And he came to realize that some of his favorite ones, the ones which meant the most to him, centered around Lum and Lum alone.

Giving several more minutes to the idea, Ataru forgot that he'd initially been wondering over his lack of exploits. What he noticed instead was the loss of heat in his bath water. Time to get out, he thought. And just as well, for it was a little before eight on a Thursday night and Lum would be calling him soon. He pulled the plug to drain the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist for the short journey to his bedroom. Thankfully the phone hadn't rung before he was settled in his pajamas, cozy and feeling far more relaxed than when first came home.

To his usual greeting Lum responded with lively enthusiasm.

"Darling! Guess what!"

"What?" He asked with no intention of guessing. Not like she had the patience to sit through all that.

"Mr. Paul is throwing us a party!"

Ataru winced, holding the phone away as Lum cheered in his ear.

"What for?" He asked, his voice touched with envy. It would be a cold day in hell before old Mr. Tosa ever considered rewarding their efforts with anything other than a pat on the back.

"It's our anniversary. And he said we've been doing so well we deserve a party. I'm so excited! I've never been to a work party before!"

Ataru hadn't either, but he'd known his father to attend one or two functions over his career. In all situations Mr. Moroboshi was accompanied by his wife, as it was expected of couples to attend these types of soirées together. Using this line of thinking Ataru said, somewhat offhandedly-

"When is it? I might," he emphasized pointedly, "be able to go." There was a note of agitation in his voice more feigned than genuine. Going to a work party would be interesting. Oh! And he'd get to schmooze with her cute co-workers while also, of course, keeping that blond creep Asaba from trying anything funny. Ataru was snickering deviously when Lum interjected.

"Oh. I'm sorry Darling," The disappointment in her voice pulled at his ears. "You can't come. It's only for employees so it's not open to the public."

"I'm not the public!" Indignity rose up within Ataru as she simultaneously dashed his fantasy to pieces and replaced it with more worries over that sun-burned bastard making moves on his woman. Besides he wasn't just anybody! He was her...well...he should be invited!

"I'm so sorry Darling," Lum repeated her apology, adding with a hint of astonishment, "I honestly didn't even think you'd want to come."

Lum noticed over the years that her darling was more inclined to do things if he was the one suggesting them. If she came at him with an idea he'd make a fuss, acting as though his compliance came at a great personal sacrifice. Being upset over the lack of an invite was the last thing Lum expected.

"Well you were wrong." Ataru groused.

Notwithstanding what he said seconds ago, did she actually think he didn't want to go? Really, she should know by now that his words rarely reflected his feelings. So what if he complained when she suggested things? He had to! Otherwise she'd take it as a green light to volunteer him for anything she fancied. Didn't it matter to her that he always went along with her plans anyway?

Sometimes Lum's ignorance was infuriating.

Consequently, for Lum, sometimes his dishonesty was equally maddening.

"Darling." Lum was taken aback by the pout in his voice and desperately wanted to lift his spirits. "I could ask Mr. Paul if-"

Ataru loudly cut her off.

"Don't bother!"

An uncomfortable silence settled between them.

"Are you sure?" She queried gently.

"Yes!" Ataru barked again, regretting the harshness in his voice almost immediately. "It's fine, don't worry about it." He added, gentler this time.

"I'm sorry." Came her disheartened reply, and Ataru knew her apology was genuine. That was never a question, and he honestly didn't blame her.

"I said it's fine." Oh but it wasn't really fine. Try as he might to dismiss the idea, Ataru couldn't stop thinking of Asaba moving in on Lum any chance he got. Kosuke's warning and Ten's teasing revisited him like haunting melodies to plague the rest of their phone call. A few times it drove him to silence, and Lum had to prod her husband for a response.

Then, toward the end of their call, when Ataru asked what she'd like to do that weekend, Lum revealed the sad truth that Saturday was the day of the party. Ataru received the news like a gut punch. He already hadn't seen her the weekend before because she was on yet another work-related trip, and now he couldn't see her this weekend either? To make matters worse she'd be spending her time with that loser womanizing coworker of hers, and who knows what would happen if he wasn't around to punch that son of a bitch in the face! Atar felt a cold chill run through him and his stomach soured at the thought. This sucked!

"Darling," Lum's voice carried meekly over the phone after Ataru failed to speak.

"What?" He hissed, taking them both by surprise.

"It's late so..."

Ataru glanced at the Livingroom clock. Almost ten thirty.

"Oh. Yeah." Considering how he felt, hanging up was probably wise before he let his temper get the better of him. Actually, it was best if he didn't talk to her tomorrow either. Ataru couldn't imagine carrying on another conversation while these awful visions plagued his mind.

"Listen, I'm going to be out late with the guys from work tomorrow. So don't wait up for me." Ataru spun a fictitious yarn to try and soften the blow. It hadn't really worked as intended. Lum loved these phone calls with her darling. They were the best part of her day, especially since they hadn't seen each other physically in almost two weeks – this Saturday marking the second. Lum missed him dearly. But what could she do?

"Alright."

Ataru felt the punch of her words, only now it was the listlessness of her tone that hurt him so. Damn that Mr. Paul! Screw the whole damn thing!

"See you around." Ataru fought and failed to keep his bitterness in check before ending the call. On the other end Lum lingered, clutching the phone in her hands a little longer before hanging up. If there was one thing she knew about her husband it was how deeply sensitive he could be. Lum cursed herself for how obtuse she'd been, getting all excited over an event he couldn't attend. But, again, what could she do? Her hands were tied.

Alone in his apartment, Ataru leaned against the wall, his eyes raised thoughtfully to the ceiling. Another weekend without seeing her. His heart pounded miserably, and after a few moments of sulking in the hallway, Ataru's defenses began to mount.

So what if he didn't see her? It was just one measly weekend (two, but whatever). Really he should be thankful to have been granted a free day to do whatever he wanted. Why, with Lum gone, he could go girl hunting and maybe even go out on an actual date, just like he used to! How rare was that? Ataru swaggered into the kitchen and grabbed his plastic cup from the counter where it lived, filling it with some juice he fetched from the fridge.

All manner of sentiments came to shield his pining heart, yet none of them were enough to dispel the images that assaulted his mind's eye. Images of Asaba wrapping his arms around her while she fell gradually for his charms, fawning under the attention of the man who saved her from the brink of poverty. Lastly, as a final nail in the coffin of his fears, Ataru relived the night in front of Café Paulista watching as he gently raised her hood and attempted to gather her in his arms. Ataru's cup, now empty, landed hard on the kitchen counter, crinkling lightly in his hands.

None of this made him feel any better.

Ataru carelessly tossed his cup in the sink and crossed the hallway toward his room. He needed to sleep, if only to give his mind a break. And, to a lesser degree, there was work to consider.

Wearing a deep frown, Ataru pulled his futon and blanket from the closet and spread them neatly on the floor, dropping his pillow carelessly at the head. Back at the doorway he flicked a light switch, plunging his room into darkness. Then, pulling back the top cover, he slipped into bed where he sat pensively for a while longer. Ataru glanced back over his shoulder, finding the window with its curtains still drawn, and set his doleful eyes on the stars above.

ACT V

Saturday came. And already Ataru was up way earlier than he wanted to be. Last night had not been kind to him, delivering only worries and little rest. At the very least he hoped the exhaustion set into his bones would let him sleep deep into the morning. But no such luck. No doubt an omen for the type of day that lay ahead. This only encouraged him to lie there, staring blankly at the ceiling, until even that became tiring.

With some effort Ataru dragged himself out of bed, shuffling the short distance from his room to the kitchen with the simple goal of fixing a pot of tea. He went through the motions, all the while resisting any real depth of thought and savoring only the mechanical actions of pouring water, heating the kettle, and fetching his preferred brand of tea along with a package of almond cookies. Hardly breakfast, but it satisfied his efforts to avoid more vexing troubles. Which was all he could hope for on such a glum morning.

Some moments later, holding a cup in one hand and a cookie in the other, Ataru stared through his Livingroom window at the waking town. How ironic, to be greeted with clear blue skies, ambling white clouds, and quavering birdsong. Such a sight brought a scowl to his face; honestly, it just had to be sunny on the one day he would have preferred rain. At least that would've fit the mood. Luck was never on his side. Certainly not today. Because today Lum would be dressed to the nines, rubbing elbows or whatever the hell people did at work functions, with that lanky bastard Asaba and who knows how many other men harboring questionable intentions.

And he'd be stuck at home, unable to do a damn thing about any of it.

The rest of his morning ablutions were mere automation while his mind ran wild, conjuring made-up scenarios of Lum being spirited away by some schmuck, dabbling in flings and tossing her fidelity to the wind. Which was hardly fair! After he'd cut back on his hunts, and considering all he'd done for her this past year, to just go living it up at a party with that loser Asaba? Ataru remembered how excited she sounded over the phone initially, even knowing he couldn't come. What was that about huh?

Ataru spat his indignation and toothpaste into the sink before storming out of the bathroom for the front door. If Lum was allowed to party with other men, then he should be granted the same privilege with other women!

Of course, at the height of morning, most people weren't game to party. So tea would have to do, or coffee. Ataru wasn't picky, not about the drink choice nor the company, as long as she was nice to look at. His quest started in the Senshoo shopping district. Not grand by any means but a thoroughfare for Saturday foot traffic. Among the crowds he cast his net, reeling in many rejections before one girl agreed to join him, citing no other plans to occupy her morning. Together they walked in silence to the nearest café. Ataru would have said something, but he was much too busy gloating in his own head to a one-man audience. And she, poor girl, felt the silence had stretched too long to break with words.

Ataru performed a little better once they were seated, chattering over the usual points of interest - work, hobbies, and the like. This girl provided a great distraction for him, at least in the beginning. She was sweet but unremarkable, so his mind gave in to wandering.

Twice Ataru needed to be called back to the conversation, followed by a routine of apologies, assurance, and requests for her to continue on as normal. Both times she obliged. Then the clock stole his attention. Almost noon. Lum was certain to be awake, most likely consumed with preparations for her exciting evening out. Without him. And it was this third offense that struck Ataru out - clearly his mind was elsewhere, and the young woman sitting across the table could find better things to do than be stonewalled by some random guy off the street. To this, amazingly, Ataru provided no argument. In fact he agreed, with an apology of course. He didn't even ask for her number. Thus she passed out of his life, and he lingered behind, ordering one more cup of tea to sip alone. Ataru thought about trying again but decided against it. The desire just wasn't there. And all he had to show for his efforts was a bill for three cups of tea, when he could have easily had tea for free at home. Once his tea was finished, Ataru abandoned the café.

Now that he was out, his appreciation for the fair weather grew. It was much too nice to spend indoors so he changed course for Chūōkōen Park instead of home. There he let his mind and feet wander freely, giving no thought to any chosen direction. In this way Ataru doomed himself, for humanity is built upon repetition and gravitates toward the familiar. Before he realized it, he'd taken himself to a plateau overlooking the lake where he and Lum shared a breathtaking view one starry night in Autumn. Ataru groaned but hadn't the heart to take back his steps. With a resigned sigh he took up one of the empty benches, reclining back until his head hung behind his shoulders. His eyes flickered against the afternoon sun as it glimmered diamond-like through a canopy of budding cherry blossoms. Ataru studied them, noting their readiness to bloom. Maybe a week, and the world would once again be touched with pink. Every year he watched them flower with Lum. But...what about this year?

What if...what if someone really did manage to steal her away from him tonight?

Ataru sat forward abruptly and gave his head a good shake. No way. That was ridiculous! The very idea was ludicrous! Lum would never leave him. She just couldn't!

Having decided he had enough of the park, Ataru made the journey home with the sun at his back. Some time later he entered his dimly lit apartment, greeting the silence with a heavy sigh. Despite being gone for half the day he was no closer to forgetting his troubles than when he'd first woken up. Maybe a bit of television would help get his mind off things.

Ataru grabbed the remote and sprawled across the Livingroom floor with his head propped by a cushion to comfortably surf for something to watch. He flipped from one channel to the next, only stopping when the plaintive face of a gorgeous woman filled the screen. Now this should be interesting, he suspected. That was, until she fell into the arms of a man.

'No, we mustn't! I'm a married woman!'

'I've seen the way your husband treats you, you deserve better!'

Ataru stared blankly at the screen. Then raised the remote.

Nope, next channel.

For a second time he was captivated by a vision of womanly loveliness, only for a man to swoop in, cupping her face gently in his hands as she feigned bashfulness.

'Makoto, I didn't realize until I saw you tonight, how much I love you!'

'Oh Kyoshi!'

A disbelieving grimace twisted on Ataru's face.

The hell? Next channel!

Okay, this time he was lured by the curves of a woman standing alone on the beach. So far so good.

'I'm sorry Hiroshi, but I'm leaving you for Daisuke.'

Then the image flipped to show a man collapsing distraught in the sand behind her.

Ataru slammed his thumb on the power button and tossed the remote aside.

Okay. That was enough television.

Defeated by his poor luck Ataru dropped his face into the cushion where it stayed for several moments. During which, his mind took the liberty of creating new horrors out of the scenes he'd just watched, featuring Lum in place of the three women. Gasping for a fresh breath Ataru raised his head, then sought out the clock beside the television. Not even three yet. Still so many hours left to get through before the day concluded and he knew with certainty how much damage the night had done to their relationship. By a stroke of fortune Ataru ended up languishing for so long in one spot that the sleep which evaded him last night finally arrived, and he passed out until the sun rested somberly on the western horizon.

A red haze was bleeding into his Livingroom when Ataru opened his eyes hours later. It took a second for him to register the passage of time, after which he sprang up so suddenly his head spun. At once his head whipped around to the clock - nearly six. Lum was definitely at her party now.

A crushing heaviness weighed on Ataru from all sides, fostered by the silence of his lonely apartment. It reminded him of those many Summer days when his heart pinned fiercely for company, for Lum. To think this could be his future...was just too much. Ataru pulled himself from the floor and with dragging steps, shuffled into his room where he collapsed onto a chair near the window. His knees knocked against his desk, which shook loose a strip of pictures that swayed gently as they fluttered down to the floor.

Ataru picked them up and studied them. Ah. He'd nearly forgotten about these: tokens from a purikura booth on one of their return visits to Sugino Kosan. Ataru held the strip in front of him, tracing his eyes along the row of pictures one after the other. In each of them he wore variations of his typical scowl while Lum beamed at him from wherever she stood. The sight of them together, polar opposites, was comical enough to pull the corners of his mouth into a smile. Weren't there more of these? Groping around the top of his desk Ataru found several other strips. Many of them featured Lum, besides a few they'd taken as a group. Each image was like a balm to his troubled heart, soothing him with fond memories. Hell, he even laughed a few times!

And in the midst of his walk through the past Ataru found a thought waiting to be realized.

He was ready.

For how long now, there was no telling. Neither did it truly matter. He knew now, and he needed to act on it before he lost his nerve. The only question left was how?

Ataru puzzled for only a second before a light bulb went off that sent him barreling into the hallway toward the phone. First he needed to find out where this stupid party was being held, and the surest way to do that was through Ten.

"Why the hell should I tell you anything?" His voice was a grate against Ataru's nerves, but he bore it for the sake of the situation.

"C'mon think of all the times I've helped you out!" Ataru struggled to keep his pride in check.

"Name one time you helped me." Ten huffed confidently.

"When you spent all day trying to find one stupid flower for your mom instead of actually spending time with her and I was kind enough to make sure you caught her before she left." Ataru countered so swiftly and so surely that Ten was rendered speechless.

"Y-you belted me with a frying pan!" He stammered at last.

"It got you there didn't it!?"

Silence stretched between them again. Ataru held his breath as he gripped the receiver, unsure if that would be enough to sway his bratty counterpart. Then, finally, Ten acquiesced with a sigh.

"Fine! I'll tell you. But you owe me! Big time!"

"Deal!" Fair enough, a trade worth making.

Beneath a star-studded sky sat Lum, perched on the edge of a stone fountain that bubbled happily in contrast to the faraway longing in her eyes. Perhaps naïvely she didn't expect anyone would notice her absence, despite being a huge contributing factor behind the company's success. But someone did notice, and he was determined to find out what happened to the shining sapphire of Go-Time Travel.

After exhausting every possibility indoors, Yōhei Asaba turned his attention to a set of full-height glass doors he assumed lead to the courtyard of the hall they were renting for the evening. Lum, he knew, had an affinity for the sky most likely born of her origins. So he wagered a bet with himself that's where she was. And sure enough, after a brief search beyond the stone patio, he found her silhouetted by starlight at the edge of the fountain.

"Lummy! There you are!" Asaba sang as he all but skipped toward her; all commonplace behaviors for the fool-hearted stagehand.

Struck by surprise Lum's head whipped to him. Asaba hadn't expected the melancholy glow in her eyes speaking of a troubled mind, and at once his jovial demeanor gave way to concern.

"Lum." Worry rang through his voice as he swiftly ate up the distance between them to join her on the stone ledge. "What's wrong?"

Now Asaba wasn't exactly known for his solemnity. Every task was performed with reckless abandon, and more than a few times his overt advances toward the women at Go-Time (who he affectionately called his gems) reminded her of her darling. She genuinely cared about him, especially after everything he'd done to help her, he just wasn't somebody she ever considered capable of carrying a serious conversation. But in the moment, with nobody to turn to, Lum sought the comfort of a familiar face to offload her distress.

"I just feel so awful that Darling couldn't come." She lamented, reliving their conversation in her head. It was all her fault he'd been so upset. And if she knew her darling - and she did - that was the real reason he avoided her Friday. Miserably she added, "He really wanted to."

Some of the concern left Asaba the moment he realized the subject of her depression. Of course it would involve that trifling fool of a 'boyfriend'. While Lum had never explicitly complained about Ataru, the facts alone had done enough damage to his reputation and inspire dislike among her peers. It was hard to find favor in someone who ghosted his supposed 'girlfriend', a person he claimed to love, for several months while she struggled to make ends meet.

"I doubt that." He scoffed with open contempt.

"He really did." Lum insisted with great certitude. "Darling can be very sensitive sometimes."

Asaba merely shook his head in disbelief. Ataru Moroboshi? Sensitive? After all the stories he'd heard? Love was blind, sure, but this was something else entirely.

"We're talking about the same guy, right?" He asked, adding, in case she forgot the nature of the man she chained herself to, "The one who basically gave you the silent treatment for what, five months, and expected you to just wait for him while he did who knows what?" The reminder won him no favors though. Lum rolled her eyes away from him, back to the solace of the night sky. Yet he persisted.

"Honestly Lummy I don't know why you're doing this to yourself." Asaba looked on her with equal measures of pity and concern. "A beautiful woman like you could do so much better."

"Darling is the one I want." There was no hesitation in her voice as it came on the heel of his words. "I'm well aware of his issues, but that's not all there is to him." The thought of her darling softened the harder lines on her face, and when she spoke again it was through a mist of love that came up between them. "He's very kind, and he's got a good heart."

"And that's enough for you?"

Lum's eyes snapped to Asaba fiercely.

"What do you mean 'enough'?" The tone in her voice suggested her patience was not endless.

"There are two of us in this relationship y'know. And I happen to love him very much. I'm with him because I want to be. Because he makes me happy." With a huff she turned away from Asaba, whose eyes she could still feel on her. But Lum never held fast to her anger, and it soon melted. Not many understood what brought them together. She knew Asaba didn't have a malicious bone in his body and that his words stemmed from a compassionate heart. In light of this, she conceded a bit of truth to him.

"Maybe in the beginning I wasn't so sure." Ataru's mistaken proposal was a beacon to her, and a convenient escape from the commitments she made in youthful ignorance.

That's how it all started but...

"But then one day I just...knew." She still remembered the day, perched in the boughs of a tree listening to Ataru's classmates fuss over an elaborate prank of theirs that was going south. At the time she almost considered letting him whether the problem alone as punishment for the humiliation he put her through so often. And yet...when the hour came to pass, she just couldn't bring herself to follow through. Because somewhere along the way she'd wholly fallen in love.

"And I've known ever since. There's no one, not on this planet or any other I've been to, that's like my Darling. He's sensitive, sweet, and he always does what's right when it really matters. He's shy, too." A silver thread of laughter drifted from her lips as she thought of her husband's mulish reticence in regard to his feelings and intentions. "I don't think Darling 's had an easy life. He's very unlucky. But he's stubborn, and strong willed. He'll never give up." Lum's eyes cast wistfully to the sky. "No matter how hard things get, my Darling always comes through. He's the only one I want to be with."

At the conclusion of her declaration Asaba was rendered speechless. And in her steadfast devotion, which seemed to him its own unique madness, he found humor. They were two of a kind. Hell, if anything, she was far more peculiar than her negligent partner. That being the case, he had little choice but to throw his hands up in defeat with a smile that only comes from someone forced to abandon reason in the face of such unrelenting obstinance.

"I guess there's no arguing with you."

On Asaba's submission Lum tossed him a smile. Without a doubt she understood how unconventional her relationship was. Everything, from their game of tag for the fate of the world to now, was strange. But the love between them was real, and for Lum, that's all that truly mattered. Nobody else's comprehension was necessary - as for Asaba, he was definitely at a loss.

"I'll never understand women." Lum laughed as he continued to lament his ignorance. Until his hand came up to brush against the edge of her chin, turning her toward him so their eyes met. "Least of all you, my sapphire."

Ataru instantly recognized the glint in his eyes and sprang from the cover of a nearby hedge!

"Hey!" He barked so abruptly the two of them nearly launched into orbit.

When they turned to spy the intruder, both were taken aback with different reactions. Lum could scarcely believe her eyes and a score of questions raced to mind, not the least of which being how he found her in the first place. Asaba's revelation came a moment later when he recognized Ataru's face as belonging to the strange man who stared him down in the rain outside of Café Paulista.

"Darling!" Was all Lum could manage when some of the shock subsided.

Ataru cared nothing for their surprise, his eyes were steely and cold as he sauntered toward them, rounding the fountain to stand between Asaba and Lum.

"You need to back off." Behind the steadiness of his demeanor Ataru was relishing in his ability to finally say those words to this promiscuous son of a bitch. Asaba simply pointed a finger at him.

"I remember you."

Ataru's face strained with alarm. Shit! That's right! They might know each other in a roundabout way but Lum had no knowledge of their confrontation! In his haste Ataru basically exposed himself!

"Darling what-" Lum was able to eek out just two words before Ataru grabbed her arm and spun her around, dragging her further into the courtyard.

"We need to talk!" He bellowed, doing his best to hide his panic behind a veil of anger.

"Wha-right now!?" She stuttered, groping for sure footing in an attempt to match his hurried pace.

"Right now!" And off they went, disappearing out of sight into the garden.

Asaba felt as if he just bore witness to a crime of kidnapping and was left wondering if he should call someone for help.

Under a moonless night they walked, Ataru out in front, his hand clasped around Lum's wrist while she followed with a bewildered expression. At least he slowed down enough so she wasn't stumbling anymore.

"Darling, you still haven't answered me." She reminded him after they'd walked for a time in silence, delving deeper into a darkened maze of manicured hedges.

Ataru said nothing.

"Darling." She repeated, louder this time. Still he gave no response, not even a glance.

At this Lum dug in her heels, bringing them both to a slow stop. The grip on her wrist slackened and he let her go. The two of them stood still, one in front of the other, with Ataru's back to her.

"Darling. What're you doing here?" Lums voice was measured and sincere as she stared at the back of his head. Regardless of the confusion brought on by his actions there was, without a doubt, a reason behind them. He wouldn't be here otherwise. However desperate she was to know, experience taught her better than to rush him or press him too hard for an answer. But the tone in her voice was clear in that she knew there was an explanation, and she expected to hear it.

Ataru gathered as much, and he even appreciated her restraint. Though it did nothing to lessen the weight of his decision. How best to begin, what to say, were details he hadn't ironed out in the frenzied rush to find her before anything nefarious happened or he lost his courage. Judging by the look Asaba was giving her he'd barely made it in time. And in that realization, he could finally vouchsafe a desire that had been slowly eating at him for some time now.

"I want you to quit your job."

Lum stared in stunned silence. Of all the things he could have said this was not what she expected.

"I can't just quit-" Her protest was cut short by the impatient rise of his voice.

"Sure you can, it's easy."

Suspicion flashed in Lum's eyes as she regarded her husband, arms crossed. Ataru could feel her eyes boring into him, and against his will he started to sweat. Any hope he had of her making the enormous leap between 'quit your job' and 'I want to marry you' was fast slipping away.

"In the middle of a party? Darling that's really rude y'know." She chided him, as if he had no sense of proper etiquette.

"Not now, do it Monday!" He clapped back, mimicking her tone.

"I don't understand." There was absolutely no way he sleuthed her out, presumably running all the way here, just to issue such a simplistic, irresponsible request. Again she questioned him, sternly this time.

"Why'd you come out all this way just to tell me to quit?"

Fearful fantasies and sour memories bolstered his resolve as they swam through his mind. Everything - from Asaba, to the warnings of Kosuke and Yamagata, to Ten's teasing, even the way Tenjou looked at her the night they met, and finally, to the image of her sobbing in his Livingroom - came gushing to the forefront.

"I hate it." Ataru hissed quietly to himself and the surrounding night.

Lum hadn't heard him clearly and leaned in with a questioning look. When Ataru whirled on her, his face was set with conviction and fiery determination blazed in his eyes. Lum's breath caught in her throat.

"You don't need this job anymore!"

Lum stared at him, baffled by his outburst. All she could manage was a tentative whisper -

"Darling."

"You said yourself you were only working because you needed crap for Ten, right?" He continued, adding substance to his reasoning in a way that tied everything together - at least in his head.

"Well you don't have to worry about that anymore! I make enough money! I-" Ataru's voice died and some of the fire left him. Before her eyes emerged the kind, loving man she knew existed behind his apathetic veneer.

"I have enough." Thus, the tide of their conversation was shifted to the true meaning behind his demands. "For Ten, for me, and for you. I have enough for-" Again he hesitated, because now he was standing on the brink of that very act of commitment he'd spent his youth dodging. Even now that he'd chosen to take that step, the words evaded him. And Ataru found he was incapable of delivering them exactly to her liking. It couldn't be helped. Ataru had no experiences to draw on when it came to matters of the heart. All he had at his disposal was a memory of their last conversation before he ran out the door, when he promised her his future. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and uncharacteristically sincere.

"I worked hard. Just like I said I would."

Meekly did he search her face for any awareness, only to find she was still frustratingly oblivious.

For crying out loud, he all but quoted himself! Lum had the capacity to recall every negative thing he'd said and done with incomparable clarity, yet now of all times, when it came to something positive, she was drawing a blank?

"Dammit you idiot." Ataru griped, half in exasperation, half in impotence. His only hope was for her to make the connection between his words and intentions. Considering the two rarely ever matched, well, it was a far shot. But Ataru wasn't about to give up, not when he'd come this far. Not when he was finally ready. Surely the years they'd spent together would grant her some sort of clairvoyance.

Pleadingly he sought her eyes, holding them fast, desperate for her to find the words he was afraid to speak directly.

"Don't you understand?"

A chord was struck, and at last the memory rushed upon her with the overpowering strength and suddenness of a gale force wind.

'I spent all my money to get this apartment. I don't have anything left for a ring or a wedding. I might not for a long time.'

'Trust me I'll be working hard every day.'

A well of emotions burst from her heart, spilling down her flushed cheeks in free-flowing tears of joy. Never before had she known such a depth of love; it pulsed and swam through her, filling her to the brim with warmth. How her body was able to contain such feeling was beyond her comprehension, as was her great fortune to have captured the heart of such a wondrous man. And in those few seconds before she leapt to him, Lum saw a lifetime lived at his side through her mind's eyes.

"Darling!" She rushed forward, her arms wrapping tight around the back of his neck. "I do! I do understand!"

Once again, her darling husband had come through for her, just as he had so many times before.

Ataru, who had been watching her tensely, then with alarm as she dove for him, felt his shoulders slack under her embrace. His head fell onto hers, and his arms came up to wrap around the small of her back and across her shoulders. Finally, she understood what he was trying to say.

"Took you long enough."

A quavering laugh tumbled from his mouth as the reality of his choice sank in. Ataru was both relieved and terrified. They were sure to butt heads on a great many things, but then, that was nothing new for either of them. And it had not dampened the love they shared, despite the many ups and downs of their relationship. He found no reason, could imagine no scenario, capable of challenging their devotion for one another. Looking at it that way marriage might actually be fun. And of course, naturally, it did open a whole new set of tantalizing scandals. He'd play the stereotypical husband with a wandering eye, and she'd play the incensed housewife. And through it all, behind their eternal game of tag, there would be love. Now that would be a life well lived.

More importantly, it would be a life he chose to live.

Ataru had always known this would happen. But between the cross chatter around him, being told what to do, what was right, the electric shocks and disapproving glares of his peers, not to mention his own glaring sense of pride and other ineptitudes...it was hard to take that final step toward commitment. They pushed, and he could see nothing beyond the need to push back. If they told him what to do and he followed suit how would anyone know, how would Lum know, it came from the heart? The world would whisper that he'd been coerced and who knows how long it would take before Ataru wondered the same. He couldn't have that. Not for himself, and not for her to suffer either. Tonight was the culmination of his efforts, his choices, his sacrifices, and his desire to meet the future with her by his side. Lum wasn't forced into his arms, he pulled her in because he wanted to.

Because they wanted to be together.

"Darling," Lum's voice broke caressingly, teasingly, into the silence between them, "this would be the perfect time for you to say you love me."

In the past, in those days before their final game of tag in the Mushroom jungle, before his unyielding stubbornness nearly drove her away for good, Ataru would have scoffed at Lum for the simple fact that she insisted on words when he'd gone above and beyond to show her his devotion. And on his refusal, she too, he knew, would have lynched him with electric shocks and dove into wild suppositions over his feelings. Looking at Lum now, into the deep swirling pools of smoldering red and orange that were her eyes, he could see a playful light reflected through them. An honest flush came over his face and he had to look away. She had changed. He had changed. And through those changes a new game had been born - one of tact, wit, and humor, where they could both measure the madness of their love against the absurdity of their actions and laugh wholeheartedly and the old rules those seeds of affection had blossomed under.

Ataru pulled her closer, feeling the warmth gather between them, and the flutter of her besotted heart as it beat for him and for this moment she'd long dreamed of. And he, willingly and with all of himself, surrendered not only to his own adoration, but to that indefinable allure unique only to her and which he could not name nor fight any longer. And in keeping with this new game Ataru answered with a coy smile of his own as he beheld the star laden sky from which his wife had fallen;

"You always say the most embarrassing things."

FIN

---

This whole venture of mine started after reading the Chapter in the Inaba arch where Ataru and Lum actually get married. While it was always an inevitability, it surprised me they were both still young looking. My immediate question was 'huh, how did that happen?'

So through the powers of music and my over-active imagination, I started to formulate an answer, and thus Denouement was born.

To me it would take a considerable amount of maturity and a growing understanding of how little time we truly have to appreciate the things in our lives. Not only that, but seeing those around him involved in positive and loving relationships was also important for Ataru. Almost every chapter had something in it to contribute to his growth, from realizing he's too old for the arcade he used to frequent in adolescence, all the way to his talk with Sakura about the passage of time. All of it led to this :3

Now, I don't imagine he'll ever stop flirting, but I can see it becoming a gag between them - a way to tick off his wife while also reliving snapshots of his youth. I wanted to play off the ending of the manga here, where it seemed Lum finally understood that Ataru loves her despite never saying it. She was much too dependent on words in the beginning, and over the course of the manga, I believe she learned the value of actions and developed faith in Ataru. Granted, he did still need to do some growing, they both did, before I felt they'd be in a position to actually give each other what they need to be happy.

Also, yeah, I know that door/future was technically destroyed, but I liked to think that through the magic of randomization, it was bound to be remade. Even if the details aren't exactly the same.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who read the story, left comments or kudos, or simply enjoyed this journey with me ^^ I'm so happy to have been able to feed the fans and share this story and experience with everyone! It really means a lot to me! Seriously! Thank you all!

And now for some reveals;

- This story was originally more depressing. Like way more. But after doing a bit of soul searching I realized it was too out of character for the franchise.

- Originally the story happened years later, however, I wasn't comfortable just breezing over the entire college experience, which would have no doubt brought about different challenges and changes to their relationship. Rather than having to basically map out an entire story that doesn't get told, to make it fit the story that does get told, I decided it was better to just have him flunk out. Which was also more likely imo. And yes, I did not realize that was the premise of Maison Ikkoku when I wrote it, since I've never read it XD. Someone else brought it up to me later. Eh well!

- In the original story, Lum and Ataru slept together.

- Pretty much up until publishing date, chapters were being rearranged. Other than the first 5 and last chapter, everything was all over the place and I couldn't settle on a course of events. I just kept shuffling them around until I was happy.

- My husband suggested I post new chapters on Thursdays since that's when episodes of YU All Stars came out in America. So he thought it would be fun idea.

- I went with serial posting because I read a lot of comics and get excited waiting for new pages to come out. I wanted to see what that was like on the other end. I'm happy I was able to generate that same type of excitement in some of you ^^.

- Initially this was meant to be a snapshot story, as in I only posted small instances between characters, with everything inbetween being detailed via context clues. Sometimes chapters only covered one conversation. But I kept getting inspiration, and then I ended up writing a lot lol.

- Sakura is pregnant! Originally her wedding was in the winter with that being the driving reason (get married before she starts showing) but via chapter shuffling that changed. She's still preggo though because why the heck not?

- Lum is the only woman in the entire story Ataru calls or thinks about as beautiful.

- All the flashbacks in Chapter 20 are side-stories that are either partially written or fully planned out. These may or may not become bonus chapters. I am very lazy.

- The mention of Lum's extended family at the end is also a set-up for a possible sequel to this series that goes into more depth about Lum's side of the family and her Oni heritage.

- Chapter 20 Part 5 is the only time Ataru (at least privately) acknowledges Lum as his wife.

- My favorite chapters are Grind and Plums :3

-Easter Eggs:

Yamagata's name came from Yamagata of Akira

Tenjou's name came from Night Tenjou of Absolute Boyfriend

Tachibana's name came from Ryoki Tachibana of Hot Gimmick

Mrs. Miwa's name is the voice actress for Moro of Princess Mononoke

Kise's name came from Ryōta Kise of Kuroko no Basket

Asaba, Miyazawa, and Tsubaki's names all came from His & Her Circumstances

Mr & Mrs Ikari came from Asuka & Shinji of Evangelion (Asushin was my #1 ship before Atalum came along)

Yamagata saying 'finally awake huh?' is cause of the meme.

Oyuki & Ran going to the Orion Nebula was to get a mysterious box for Lum's ship, manufactured by none other than Meow's family on Betelgeuse :3 (a shoutout to Space Dandy).

Plantanite is another shoutout to Space Dandy; it's a made up mineral found on Planet Planta and a byproduct of the curious mineral Code D.

The last bit about Ataru's wife falling from the stars is a play on Ataru Moroboshi's name, which translates to be struck by a falling star.