As an apology for how long the last chapter was, this one is extremely short. Enjoy your vacation XD.

Side note, as a sort of shoutout to the many iterations of Lum's name within the fandom and translations, her 'stage name' (for lack of a better word) is Ramu.

CHAPTER 16: PROPOSITION

A great commotion greeted Ataru halfway up the steps to his office, conjuring a curious glance as he paused to regard the noise. What the heck was going on, at this hour no less? Normally his coworkers (himself included) were half dead when the buzzer rang for work to begin, so this was pretty unusual. Hurrying his steps to the door, Ataru cracked it open just slightly so as not to startle them out of arguing and ruin any opportunity to solve the mystery.

Every member of his team was huddled to one side of the room in a semi-circle, their attention focused on Tenjou. In his hands was a magazine, which appeared to be at the center of their heated discussion. How strange. Ataru listened, his head just outside the doorway, hungry to catch whatever stray words he could.

"What's the harm in just asking!? She's literally one of the most recognizable faces in the city right now! Maybe even Japan! We'd make a fortune!" Tenjou's argument was mostly directed at Yamagata, who stood dismissively, face void of expression, arms folded, with a shoulder pointed toward his coworker.

"An' I'm sayin' we don't need a poster girl to make a fortune. We're in the middle of the holiday run, we've got no time for this." Yamagata scowled as he relived years of experience in one single moment of recollection, adding, "We do fine enough without the extra hassle of dealing with another studio."

"It's not only about money, it's just smart business to feature emerging superstars!" Tenjou did his best to appear savvy and smart-minded. Unfortunately, the act failed to move his manager.

"As if that's the reason." Yamagata scoffed.

"For once I agree with Tenjou. We can always ask if she's free after the new year and get a jump on things now." Minami was an unexpected ally on the side of Tenjou, and he looked at her with sparkling eyes of gratitude. Yamagata studied her dubiously.

"Your opinion doesn't count." he said at last, prompting immediate backlash.

"Why the fuck not!?" Minami raged, standing on the tip of her feet and still barely reaching his face. Yamagata leaned away from her spitting anger, unphased and no closer to conceding than he was a moment ago.

"Because you're a fan-girl." Boldly he dismissed her with a rough pat on the head. Panicked eyes darted to Minami, expecting her to explode. And she would have, if Ataru hadn't exhausted his patience for spying and entered the room.

"What's got you all wide awake at 7 in the morning?" In unison the group turned, alarmed at first, relaxing only once they realized it wasn't the boss. Ataru's eyes danced between the lot of them, then down to the magazine clasped in Tenjou's hands as though his life depended on it. His gaze stopped there, riveted and wide-eyed. A cold chill snaked up his back.

No way. Shi-

"Oh good, Moroboshi has an eye for women." Tenjou pinned his sights on Yamagata with a triumphant sneer as if he'd found the key to victory. Then he unceremoniously thrust the magazine in Ataru's face so all he could see was Lum clad in an off-the-shoulder sweater and tight pants, lounging back on a hotel bed and holding a steaming cup, promising the viewer a generous selection of lovely accommodations for their winter vacation at holiday prices. Ataru felt like his spirit was trying to crawl out of his body.

"Do you not agree that having Ramu in one of our issues would absolutely skyrocket sales!?" At once Ataru's mind was inundated with all manner of vivid thoughts, followed by the revelation that featuring Lum would be an open invitation for every man and teen in Japan and beyond to ogle over her body as they satisfied their carnal urges. Just the thought of her image sitting on the floor of some creep's bathroom made him sick.

"Absolutely not!" His outburst had the group staring with varying looks of surprise and disbelief. Ataru snatched the magazine from Tenjou and tossed it in the nearest trash bin, leaving them further aghast and speechless.

"Huh." Tachibana finally broke the silence, encouraging others to voice their curiosity. Yamagata was the only one of them who seemed more amused by the whole thing than troubled.

"I don't think I've ever seen you say 'no' to any suggestion." Minami pressed her wrist to his forehead. "Doesn't feel like a fever." Ataru ducked away with an indignant scowl and crossed his arms.

"So you don't think having a centerfold featuring the one and only Ramu would be good for business?" Tenjou was still trying to make sense of this unprecedented rejection. And Ataru, who realized he'd essentially trapped himself in a dicey conversation, resorted to parroting Yamagata's earlier sentiments.

"Our sales do fine as they are."

Yamagata nodded assent. In his mind the argument was over.

"Look, Yamagata I understand, he's hooked on his old lady," Tenjou was far from satisfied and pressed the argument against Ataru further.

"Old lady?" Yamagata set a glare on his underling, one brow cocked, finding offense at his suggestion that either Kasami or himself could be considered old.

"But you!?" Tenjou stepped boldly forward, driving Ataru back. "The self-proclaimed king of the dating world?" Tenjou studied him for a good few moments. "Somethings up."

Another chill ran down Ataru's spine and he became restive under their unrelenting, questioning eyes.

"W-what!?" He stammered. "Don't look at me like that, I'm just siding with Yamagata!" Ataru cursed himself for overreacting in the first place. How the hell was he supposed to get out of this mess now!? Damn Lum, she didn't even have to be in the same room as him to cause trouble!

"Now that I think about it," Yamagata scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe it's a good idea." Although his point of view hadn't changed, after seeing Ataru flounder his curiosity was piqued.

"You can't change your mind like that!" Ataru snapped hastily, struggling to hide the panic from his voice.

"Eh? I can do whatever I want I'm the Manager." Yamagata flatly reminded him.

"That's four to one," Minami declared decisively. Tachibana thought about clarifying his indifference, but ultimately decided it was safest to keep quiet. "I'm asking the boss." Now that the manager was on her side, she didn't particularly care what was bothering Ataru.

"Oh no you don't!" Ataru reached out to grab her shoulder just as she turned to her desk.

Minami whirled on him with fire in her eyes and slapped his hand away. Ataru didn't expect such a violent response and instinctively recoiled. None of the others reacted; it was well known to all of them that Minami was Lum's biggest fan-girl. Only an idiot would try and stop her - case in point.

"Why not?" Her voice mimicked the low threatening rumble of thunder which froze Ataru's argument in his throat.

"You're acting like a jealous boyfriend." Yamagata dropped the idea among the group like meat to a pack of dogs. It was a joke of course, born through his attempt at understanding Ataru's refusal and realizing he'd feel the same if anyone suggested Kasami model for Chick-Star. And once the inference had been made comparison was inevitable.

Ataru's composure was in shambles. He groped for something to counter with but the frayed nerves in his mind were shot beyond reason. The resulting prolonged silence drew mounting suspicion from everyone, until Tenjou gasped.

"No fucking way." He raised a trembling finger at Ataru. "Are you..." Oh he couldn't even finish the sentence! There was no way! Just no way!

"I never said I was!" Finally Ataru found his voice, not that it helped him much. The implication of his ardent refusal only stoked their speculation. In a desperate attempt to hide his connections to Lum he overreacted and made things worse. If his coworkers were to find out about them, it would breed chaos for him!

"So you don't know her at all." Tachibana offered with no real conviction. Something linked Ataru to Lum, even if he didn't know what that something was. Ataru wouldn't be this frazzled otherwise. And whatever his opinions, this was far more interesting than the tasks awaiting him at his desk.

The trouble with Ataru, though, was his competing desire to hide the truth and simultaneously maintain honesty. Because if he refused all connection with her, they'd do whatever the hell they wanted. And if he confirmed his relationship, well, that was equally problematic.

"I didn't say that either!"

"What are you saying?" Tenjou scratched his head, bewildered at his circular reasoning.

Suddenly a spark of understanding raised Yamagata's brows.

"Oh yeah." All eyes whipped to the manager. Ataru held his breath as Yamagata reached over to pat his shoulder, offering a nod of sympathetic understanding. "That complicated relationship you mentioned. It's her isn't it." A reflective murmur rose from the others as they too recalled the same conversation. Ataru wished he could disappear.

"Who gives a shit about any of that!" Minami erupted, reaching out to flip Ataru around so they were facing each other. In any other situation this would have been arousing. Right now though, Ataru felt only fear. "All I need to know is if you actually know her." Minami's eyes burned against his with great intensity. When he didn't respond she put the question to him again, her voice a low growl that demanded answers. "Do you. Know her." Under such unyielding pressure he felt small and helpless, finding only strength enough to nod his head with a definitive yes. If he lied and she found out, who knows what she'd do to him. And not in a fun way.

In complete reversal Minami released his shoulders and took up his hands, clasping them close to her chest - which left Ataru red-faced and swooning.

"Moroboshi," She leaned forward, her voice like a siren song, eyes sparkling, "please introduce me."

Another groan rose from the group with eyerolls all around. Even Ataru, despite how tantalizingly close she was to him, felt his excitement die. Minami truly was a fan-girl with a one-track mind. Not that he could blame her, or any of them really. Lum was unique among women, especially when it came to her looks. But that's all they had to go on. None of them knew her the way he did. That girl could be unhinged. And that was a pretty big chunk of the reason he didn't want them to find out about his relationship with her.

"I'm tired." Tenjou departed for his desk, unaccustomed to this much excitement in the morning. Plus, if Ataru were truly involved with Lum there would be no convincing him to put her in the magazine. His hopes were dashed to pieces, and he longed for the solace of his desk to mourn in peace.

The rest of them followed suit. Ataru tried escaping but Minami refused to release his hands.

"I wasn't kidding." Her grip tightened and he winced. How the hell was he supposed to get out of this situation?

"You should invite her to Wasu on Friday." Yamagata offered simply. He liked stirring the pot, especially when it came to those two.

"Wha-?" Ataru barely got a word out before he was interrupted.

"Can you!?" Minami begged, her hands now clutching his shoulders. She wore the desperate longing of her heart openly, reflected in the soft, hopeful gaze she offered. Ataru struggled against his primal nature, but damn it all, when faced with an attractive woman there wasn't much he wouldn't agree to. He lacked the strength to refuse. And seeing no other options, conceded.

"For you Minami, anything."

Minami threw her hands up, the force of which sent Ataru to the ground, to cheer and celebrate this once in a lifetime opportunity. It was then he noticed, while picking himself up, the others (excluding Yamagata) passing grins between themselves that made his skin crawl. Shit, what the fuck did he agree to? Not only were Tenjou's and Minami's intentions questionable at best, but there was the whole issue of Lum herself to worry about!

"You guys have no clue what you're asking for." Ataru cautioned with a glare as he retreated to his desk. "Just remember it wasn't my idea. So don't go blaming me for anything weird that happens."

As to be expected, none of them took his warning seriously. Without any context, well, they assumed he was being weird or jealous or some similar emotion. Ataru guessed as much, but what else could he do? Let them find out the hard way what a crackpot Lum was, he washed his hands of the situation.

Although, and despite the many things that could go wrong, he had to admit the idea was intriguing.

Since it's a short chapter, let's talk about Ataru's coworkers :D

Shigeru Yamagata (Senior Production Manager), 34...we know about him already XD.

Tomoko Minami (Graphic Designer), 28. She's unlucky in love considering the time period, and grew up being bullied in school and having a very small circle of friends (retaining only one from primary school and two from university, not including Yamagata). Having such a rough upbringing has given Minami a stern and tough personality and she has no problem cursing or being brash. At the same time, she has trouble standing up for herself when others tease or poke fun at her. Minami is genuinely a good person, who likes to help others, but she also has a strong sense of self-preservation and will not set herself on fire to keep others warm. Her favorite hobby is gardening, and she has an impressive collection of cacti that she keeps on her balcony. Her favorite musical artist is Anri. She joined Chick-Star for the same reasons as most of the others; she likes women.

Naoki Tenjou (Chief Editor), 26. Since he was young Tenjou has lived in his own fantasy world. He was very spoiled as a child and is used to getting his way. Being a brat, he didn't have many friends growing up, and sometimes has trouble knowing what is and isn't appropriate. Due to these and other factors of his personality, Tenjou has some very archaic beliefs about women. He sees them as objects of pleasure and believes women should bow to the whims of men. He can be arrogant, foolish, argumentative, and perverted, but when it comes to guys he honestly longs for meaningful friendships, of which he has very few. It's a stretch to call Tenjou a good person, but he does have his good qualities. Like Ataru he failed National exams and took the job at Chick-Star because; women. Tenjou also has an impressive collection of figurines and body pillows.

Osamu Tachibana (Marketing Specialist), 23. As a child Tachibana was often overlooked in favor of his older brother who was the golden child of his family. Because of this he is very quiet and reserved. He found sanctuary in the gaming community and has a lot more going on outside of work than some of the others. He's been in several card game tournaments, and he is a DM for a DnD campaign at one of the local card shops in Rokuyo. Like Yamagata and Ataru, he is also in a steady relationship, and has been since high school. He studied marketing at university, and unlike most of the others, only got the job at Chick-Star because they were hiring when he was looking.