This story serves as a sequel to my story, "Endless Love" (Jeremie X Aelita story). This takes place shortly after Aelita told Jeremie how she felt for him. There is some good drama in this story, and of course a great message as well. SPOILER: This story takes place after X.A.N.A. is destroyed. Note: I do not own Code Lyoko or anything affiliated with Moonscoop Productions.
(Part two)
(Normal P.O.V.)
Steam filled the bathroom as Yumi lay in the bathtub, a place she believed she could best gather her thoughts and come down from the day. However, even though the water physically was shallow to her if felt much deeper considering she was also going through her own set of issues that proved to interfere with her telling Ulrich how she felt. It may have been the blood rushing to her head from the heat, but as she submerged her whole body beneath the water she thought, "It's amazing, even among all that Ulrich and I have had to endure with our friendship, somehow we've managed to make it through. Of course, I'm not going to lie and say I never thought anything could tear us apart; especially all the time either Sissi, William, or X.A.N.A. would try and do that themselves. But in the end, I feel like all of these things have worked together in helping me realize Ulrich and I are meant to be." Finally, Yumi surfaced above the water taking a deep inhale and exhale, as she now knew what she had to do. "But just to be safe," she said. "I should ask for a second opinion."
(Yumi P.O.V.)
After I dried off and got dressed for bed, instead of headed off to sleep I wanted to ask the opinion of another woman in love, and how she recognized it. "Mom, are you awake," I asked as I knocked on her and dad's bedroom door. My mother opened the door and said groggily, "Yumi honey, what are you doing up at this hour? Is something wrong?" After I nodded my head in response, we headed down to the kitchen to talk. As I made her and myself some tea, I explained what was running through my mind during my bath and I told her how it made me believe that what I felt for Ulrich was love. Even though her mouth was slightly open with shock, I could tell it was a good sign, primarily because she didn't wake up dad to join in. Once I was done talking my mom said, "Honey, you know how much your father and I love you and want what's best for you. And you know that I think that Ulrich is a sweet and caring young man. But…" I just about lost it when that word crossed her lips. "Sweetheart, you need to consider something very important, you have so much going for you and Ulrich is still just trying to stay in school. You both won't be able to keep feeling this way forever when you're off at college, and Ulrich is still trying to finish up here." My heart sank as I heard those words. Here I believed that my mom was on my side about Ulrich, but somehow what my father believed influenced her. So much for support… how could I convince her now?
(Normal P.O.V.)
Yumi tried her hardest to make her mother understand her undying adoration for Ulrich, but her efforts appeared to be futile. After a while of arguing, Yumi sat in her room thinking, "It's hopeless. She's not going to listen to me. I need a miracle." Suddenly, with those words, something powerful began to speak to Yumi saying, "Do not fear. I am here with you. I will make everything alright. Have faith…" Although she had no idea who it was she was listening to, Yumi surrendered herself and trusted the One speaking to her. At that moment, Yumi remembered when she and Ulrich talked about his days attending his former Catholic school and recalled a verse from the book of Matthew about the power of prayer, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer… - Matthew 21:22." Of course, having grown up in a Japanese family Christianity was something Yumi had never thought of considering, but at this point Yumi found herself saying, "Well, I'm not exactly an expert at doing this, so here it goes. God, I don't know exactly who You are or how You work, but from what Ulrich has told me, You work miracles in peoples' lives when they ask You for them. And so, I'm asking for You to help me convince my mother that Ulrich and I belong together. I've tried all I can, and I feel that I need a miracle now more than ever, to show her that Ulrich is the one. Please, help me God." Upon her finishing, Yumi ran back downstairs to confront her mother. Standing firm with new strength, Yumi took a deep breath and said, "Mom, I know you and dad are only wanting what's best for me and I believe that. But I'm almost an adult mom, and you need to understand that I am capable of making my own smart choices. And the choice I made regarding my feelings for Ulrich, I made a long time ago. And that was to be with Ulrich regardless of how great or poor he was in school. Because the fact is mom, Ulrich has something better than good grades; he has love that promises real intimacy and security no matter what you or dad may think. What surprises me even more, is that every one of my friends are being supportive of our relationship, but before I made this choice final I thought, 'I wonder what my mother would think. After all she has always been my hero and has always been so supportive of everything I do.' And now you're not being supportive with this just because Ulrich is not doing well in school?" After a few seconds of silence and a stare from her mother, Yumi said, "Fine mom, I'll make this decision by myself." However, just before the hot tempered girl could leave the kitchen, Akina stood up and said to her daughter, "Yumi… you're right honey. You are almost an adult, and you are capable of making your own decisions. And, it is obvious you have thought this through long enough, but I am glad you came to talk to me about it before you acted on your choice. You are a smart, beautiful young woman Yumi, and you are a wonderful daughter, and if what you are feeling for Ulrich is love… then you have my full support." Yumi jumped up and down uncontrollably like a child in a toy store hearing her mother's blessing. As soon as she settled down, Yumi hugged her mother and said, "Domo arigato okaa-san. Ai shite ru," which in Japanese meant, "Thank you mom. I love you so much." Happy for her daughter, Akina replied, "I love you too honey. And just know, I'm always on your side no matter what." With a quick kiss on the cheek, Yumi ran back upstairs to her room with joy on her face. As she leaned back to close the door, the girl looked up with a tear in her eye and said to God, "I believe in You. Thank you." Looking down at her bed, she noticed her cell-phone was lit and had a message displayed saying, "Have something important to tell you, meet at usual spot – Ulrich." In a flash, Yumi changed into regular clothes and ran out the door to meet with her beloved.