All right, you all read Misa-chan's message.  I've already replied
to her personally, but let me say a few things.

1) I like Akari.  I may have mentioned this in passing.

2) Misa-chan made it clear that Ukyou and Ryouga would end up 
together in this story, Akari or no Akari.

3) As far as I know, this is the *only* story where Ryouga
chooses Ukyou *after* meeting Akari. (so More Things Change
doesn't count.)

4) I really enjoyed L in L.

Therefore:

5) I kept nagging Misa-chan to be nice to Akari.  I suppose what
I should have said was "do right by Akari".  What I meant was
don't break them up by having Akari do something nasty, or go all
out of character (hear that, Willmore?)

6) In this, Marisa succeeded beautifully.  Even though the breakup
is sad, through it all Akari remains reasonably in character.  I
don't think she's as boring as Misa-chan does, but then we disagree
on a lot of Ryouga issues.

Therefore:

7) I apologize to Marisa for being unclear.  The story was wonderful, 
even though Ukyou ended up with Ryouga.  And Akari was written well.
Therefore, I am happy.

That doesn't mean I won't raise hell with anyone *else*, though...

--Sean Gaffney
--who's felt guilty for hours now...