"Of course Mr. Dunbar, a dinner sounds wonderful." Yumi heard her father answer as submissively as always to Mr. Dunbar. For a man with such a strong character as her father, it really did irritate her just how much her father cared about economics and power, to stoop so low as to satisfy Mr. Dunbar's each and every desire.

"Very well see you tonight. How does seven sound? No of course not Mr. Dunbar it's whenever you are available. Okay very well. Goodbye." Mr. Ishiyama sighed.

"See you're still as submissive as always to Mr. Dunbar's will," Yumi commented as she took a seat beside him.

"Now Yumi, you know how important it is for our companies to merge. We'll literally control Lyoko. Besides, think of how much better we'll live." Mr. Ishiyama spoke on, his eyes sparkling, highlighting his ambitious personality.

"Father you and I, we already live a good life. A life filled with everything we need, we've got a good home, food, a bed, warm water, we've got everything we could ever ask for. There's people living out on the streets, people who have got to settle to eating dirt just to survive. Maybe you should use your newly acquired wealth to help them?"

Mr. Ishiyama smiled, "You always have been one to look out for others. Listen, I'll tell you what, if we merge our companies, I promise you with the first month of earnings I'll buy you your very own building where you can help the homeless or the needy. I'll even buy you whatever you need."

Yumi's eyes sparkled as she embraced her father in a huge bear hug. "Thank you so much daddy!"

"No problem Sweetie, now you should get dressed since Mr. Dunbar said they'd be over at six." Mr. Ishiyama suggested.

"Right. That means I'm staying in tonight right?" She sighed, she wanted to go around town, maybe meet up with Aelita or go play with the children at the Hermitage, they were all so special to her, she felt obliged to help them since unfortunately they didn't have their parents around.

"Right. You know William fancies you, and he's not such a bad guy, you'd have a wonderful future at his side." Mr. Ishiyama answered right away, he knew how much his daughter disliked him, but he had yet to accept the fact that a marriage between them was not likely to happen.

"Father, I don't want to argue with you now. I'll go and get ready without protest, just don't bring up a relationship between William and I. In all honesty, I'm tired of telling you how improbable that is." She sighed and ran up the stairs not even giving her father a chance to answer.

"So Ulrich how about you and I go out for some dinner later." Sissi winked at him as she on his desk.

"Thanks, Sissi I appreciate it, but I'm going to be busy tonight. Now can you please get off my desk?" Ulrich asked frustrated, it was the fifth time she had asked him out today and he didn't know just how much more of her behavior he could tolerate.

"Aww cmon, I'll even throw in an amazing surprise." She begged as she leaned in towards him. Ulrich sighed, she tried so hard to get his attention it came out as desperate to him. Nonetheless, he couldn't help but feel bad.

"Listen Sissi, I'm really into Yumi, we can go out to dinner tonight as friends and nothing more, but after tonight you need to lay off okay?"

"Okay," Sissi answered excitedly, she swiftly got off his desk and stuck her tongue out at Emily, who enviously looked at the two.

Ulrich sighed, this was going to be a long night.

"Of course, I didn't stand for it what with my money. The poor dope had no idea who he was talking to. With a simple snap of my fingers, I had him and his whole family removed from our favorite table at the diner." Yumi groaned quietly, Mr. Dunbar's mindless chatter irritated her, it was always my money this, my money that.

Mrs. Ishiyama hearing her simply shot her a quick glare, to which Yumi nodded apologetically.

"Of course James." Mr. Ishiyama replied with his best fake laughter, pretending to be amused by him had become a habit, so he truly didn't have any trouble.

"So Takeo, William tells me your daughter is seeing some scholarship student or something of the sort?"

Yumi gasped and waited for her father's response. She then quickly glared at William who responded by blowing her a kiss.

"Ahh, you mean Ulrich. He's a fine young man, he's been over a couple times asking to take Yumi out for a stroll, he's fine young man indeed."

Yumi smiled at her father gratefully.

"Takeo, keep in mind the boy is not economically suitable for your daughter, what kind of future could she expect by his side?"

Yumi couldn't help but feel angered, what did Mr. Dunbar care, it was her life, her feelings, besides Ulrich had proven to her that he liked her for her, not her money.

"You see James, I got him a job at the company, he's got promise the lad does. Besides I know he genuinely cares for Yumi and as long as she's happy by his side I suppose that's all that matters."

"Thank you, father. Now if you guys will excuse me I'm a bit tired I woke up quite early."

"You're excused dear and it's truly my pleasure to defend such a fine young man."

Yumi smiled as she got up to head towards her room she couldn't listen to another word that came out of that man's mouth.

Ulrich sighed, Sissi had somehow managed to force him into an expensive restaurant, he had no idea how he was going to pay for it. On top of that, she had taken him to a secluded area of the restaurant.

"Sissi why did you order for both of us, I have no clue how I'm going to afford this." He whispered from across the table.

"Ulrich dear don't worry it's free, my family owns this restaurant." She smiled sweetly at him. Ulrich sighed in relief, he honestly wasn't one to enjoy being paid for but he had to admit, he was glad this once.

"I suppose that's good news. So any particular reason you decided to bring me here?"

"Well Ulrich, I just wanted to spend some time with you seeing as I really don't know you and we'll be spending so much time in the office."

"Oh well, that sounds reasonable," Ulrich smiled, maybe he had misjudged her intentions. She didn't seem half as bad when she wasn't throwing herself at him.

"It is, anyways eat up." She smiled once more as they both began to enjoy the plates she had chosen.

"Say Sissi, what is in the drink it smells pretty strong?" Ulrich asked a bit confused, he wasn't one to drink wine.

"Oh it's fine wine don't worry I don't drink any of the cheap stuff." She winked as she took a small sip.

"I uh, I think I'd rather have some water."

Sissi sighed and made her way to him. She quickly sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around him.

"Sissi what are you doing?" Ulrich asked nervously looking around.

"What we both want, I've seen you look at me before." She smiled before placing her lips on his.

Ulrich quickly pushed her away and sighed. "Sissi I think the wine's gotten to you. I don't see you as anything more than a friend, I love Yumi please understand or I don't think we'll even be able to be friends."

Sissi angrily got off his lap. "Listen, Stern, I don't know what she gave you that I don't have but I have just as much money plus I'm prettier. I mean have you seen her? She's a skinny crow!"

Ulrich couldn't help but feel upset, what right did she have speaking of Yumi so negatively. He decided enough was enough and stood up to leave. "Listen, Elisabeth, I've got to go, thanks for the dinner, I'll see you at work, please try to stick it in that head of yours that Yumi's the one I love."

"Why hello Yumi." William greeted as he made his way into Yumi's bedroom without knocking.

"William what are you doing in here? And why didn't you knock?" She answered angrily.

"I just wanted to talk. You do know that father's attempting to get us to be wed." He casually announced as he made his way towards Yumi.

Yumi sighed, "William I'm never going to marry you. I don't love you."

"This isn't about love Yumi it's about power. Besides you have no idea how much I want you right now." He smiled as he roughly grabbed her face and place a small kiss on her lips.

Yumi, without any hesitation, kicked him and he fell to the ground. "Don't you ever do that again. Now get out of my room before I scream."

"Might as well get used to it dear, I vow that you and I will be married. Have fun with your little charity case while you can." William slammed the door as he stomped away.

"What a pain," Yumi mumbled to herself as she tightened her fists.

Ulrich smiled as he realized where he was, without any thought he driven straight to Yumi's house. She had always been the one person that could make him feel better. He sighed, what if she wasn't even home. He decided he'd take a look for himself. Quickly he got off his car as he climbed the fence. This brought back memories. He remembered the first time he climbed over the fence and climbed up to Yumi's balcony. It had been quite the mission. His pants didn't survive it. He laughed as he got over the fence; this sure was more difficult than he remembered. He couldn't help but laugh once more when he remembered that Mr. Ishiyama had given him the phone, although a tad bit prehistoric to his liking it was a phone. He hadn't even thought about how much technology advanced in the past ten years. Taking him out of his thoughts was none other than a phone call from Yumi, he smiled, it's like she had read his mind.

Yumi sighed, what if he was asleep, maybe she shouldn't be calling.

"Hey, Yumi I was just about to call you."

"Oh really? Well, I just really needed someone to talk to; you wouldn't believe the night I'm having."

"I could say the same thing. I really need you right now." Ulrich sighed, he wanted so much to tell her about the Sissi incident. Although, knowing Yumi's short temper, he was afraid she wouldn't let him explain himself.

"So do I." Yumi sighed.

"Well, in that case, take a glance out on your balcony and look for me."

"What are you planning Ulrich." Yumi giggled as she ran towards the door that leads to her balcony. She couldn't help but giggle as she looked at him. She felt like a child excited for Santa Claus to bring her presents.

"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" She shouted from the top.

"You know I don't really like that story because they both die," Ulrich responded wrapping his arms around her and placing his head on her shoulder.

Yumi smiled, she hadn't expected him to surprise her from behind. "How'd you get up here?" She asked attempting to make eye contact.

"That tree right there leads up the balcony." He answered proudly.

She smiled. "So you don't like Romeo and Juliet?"

"It's not that, I mean, I'd die for the person I love but I'd rather not. I'd rather live our love."

"So then what other love stories could I have compared this moment too?" She laughed, he was always so deep and upfront about things.

"Don't compare it to anything." He quickly replied turning her to face him. "We can make our own." He smiled at her sweetly, feeling the butterflies she always made him feel. He loved the sparkle in her eyes.

"Ulrich…" Was all Yumi could manage to say. Her heart felt like it was about to rip out of her chest and she couldn't even begin to explain the happiness she felt right at that moment.

"I mean it Yumi," Ulrich smiled once more at her still looking deep into those beautiful dark eyes he loved so much.

"I love you, Ulrich." She smiled as she leaned in to kiss him.

"Yumi.. I love you too, I've always loved you." He smiled as he leaned in to meet her lips as well.

The feeling was inexplicable. At that moment they both felt complete, like nothing in the world could go wrong, they felt invincible.

"You don't know how long I've waited to hear that Yumi," Ulrich told her as he embraced her.

"I'm glad, I don't ever want to lose you." Yumi genuinely replied.

"Neither do I," Ulrich answered quickly as painful memories of her death came back. Never again, was all he could think of. "Listen Yumi, I don't want to ruin the moment, but I won't feel comfortable until I tell you."

"What is it?" Yumi asked breaking away from the hug, concern was evident in her tone.

"I, well, Sissi works at your father's office and she's been rather insistent of us going out. I accepted on the terms that if I went it'd be simply as friends and she'd back off. That's when things got complicated. You see, out of nowhere she got on my lap and kissed me. Of course, I pulled away immediately, but I feel in a way, even though we weren't officially together like I've been unfaithful." He sighed, Yumi's face expression was unreadable. "I'm sorry Yumi, really I am."

Suddenly she burst into laughter. "Oh Ulrich, that's sweet of you really and quite the coincidence. William's here and he forcefully kissed me, that is until I kicked him to the ground."

Ulrich sighed in relief and then began to laugh himself. She always did know how to protect herself. "So it's fine?"

"Of course, I was going to tell you my story as well but I didn't want to ruin the moment." She smiled.

"Okay, let's just promise we won't ever keep anything from each other," Ulrich suggested taking her hand in his.

"I promise." She answered.

"Good."

"Ulrich, I love you." She said once more taking in the warmth brought on from his hug.

"So do I Yumes."

"Say it Ulrich."

"I love you too, Yumi." He smiled.

"I'll never get tired of hearing that."

"Neither will I." He replied. He really was enjoying the moment, but could it be that William was already working on a way to get Mr. Ishiyama to marry him to Yumi. He really didn't want to ruin the moment by thinking of it, but, he was just so sneaky. He wasn't about to let his guard down, he came back for Yumi and he was going to be with her, forever this time.