Ulrich stared out the car window as Odd drove the four of them back. He just said thanks and Yumi and him left to walk up to the apartment. Ulrich reached into his pockets to look for a box of cigarettes then remembered he threw them over the balcony. He grumbled in annoyance and sat at the table looking at his unfinished school work then sighed. Yumi, aware of his annoyance, sat across of him and grabbed the top sheet. "Maybe I can help you with this Ulrich. It's the least I could do," she said with a tiny smile waiting for his response.

Ulrich smiled weakly and nodded, "Thanks Yumi that would be great." He stared at his fingers trying to decide if he should finish what he was about to tell her before. "Hold on Yumi. I need a minute or two to myself." He rose out of his chair and went onto the balcony trying to relax. He looked in a tiny wooden box he left there and found what he was looking for. After a few minutes he struck a match and lit his cigarette trying to calm his nerves.

Yumi looked at the tiny plume of smoke and sighed softly, "I shouldn't be so hard on him, he has gone through so much and it must be painful sometimes." She got out of her chair and joined him outside. She grabbed his cigarette and tried it out. She choked on the smoke and handed it back to him while coughing, "Man, how can you handle that stuff going in your lungs?"

Ulrich grinned and took another hit, "I didn't ask you to try it. I was the same way the first time though. I guess I got used to it after a while." After a few more hits he flicked the butt over the balcony and blew the remaining smoke in his lungs out of his nose. The smoke curled and floated up into the atmosphere. He motioned for Yumi to join him back inside and returned to his seat. As an extra precaution he put his phone on the couch so Odd could not interrupt again.

"What is it Ulrich?" Yumi asked as she took her seat again.

"Well… I wanted to finish what I was going to say before…." Ulrich's cheeks grew red as he began to trip over his words. "Well…. Uhhh… Yumi… I…" Ulrich looked into her eyes and grew redder. "I… Love… You!" He almost shouted the last bit out.

Yumi looked up at Ulrich shocked. She was blushing as well now and couldn't form words to reply to him. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as a rush of emotions overwhelmed her. "Oh Ulrich! I've been waiting to hear that since we first became friends." Yumi hugged him tightly over the table while planting a kiss on his cheek.

A/N- I'll update this chapter soon. I know it is short but I've been busy playing Soul Calibur V and drawing. Please review :3