Ulrich sighed, it had been a week since the dinner with Sissi, and each day she got less and less tolerable. He was glad he at least had Emily there, she was a good friend, very down to earth and he found that he really did enjoy her company. He frowned at the thought, though, he'd been here making a new friend at work, when the person he really wanted to see, he hardly did. The working hours had become longer, probably since it's nearly Christmas and they'll soon be on winter break. Unless, Mr. Ishiyama is already under William's control and this is his plot to separate him from Yumi? No, of course, it wasn't, Ulrich couldn't quite bring himself to believe that was the case since William already fought with him about having brainwashed Mr. Ishiyama. Besides, Yumi had told him that Mr. Ishiyama was quite fond of him so how could he change his mind in a week?
"What's on your mind, Ulrich?" Emily asked, noticing his troubled expression.
"I, nothing, just thinking." Ulrich sent her a reassuring smile.
"Doesn't seem like nothing, c'mon Ulrich you know you can count on me." She answered quickly taking his hand in hers.
"I know," Ulrich smiled placing his other hand on top of hers. "It's just I haven't really seen…. Yumi!" He shouted realizing she was at the door. He quickly let go of Emily and stood up.
"Hey Ulrich, father called me to help him so I thought I'd stop by to visit but I see you're pretty busy," Yumi answered coldly, glaring daggers at Emily.
"I, Ms. Ishiyama I can assure it's not what it looks like." Emily quickly responded, attempting to sound as innocent as possible.
"Of course not. Anyway, I'll be on my way now." She snorted as she flung the door wide open to get through.
"Yumi wait!" Ulrich shouted as he ran after her.
"Well played," Sissi commented smirking.
"What are you talking about?" Emily replied before sending her a grin.
"Like you had no idea Yumi was coming this way, I know the camera's on your screen," Sissi answered.
"Hey, all is fair in love and war right?" She shrugged before fixing her glasses and taking a seat.
"Of course," Sissi whispered to herself.
"Yumi, it's not what you think it is! We were just talking." Ulrich sighed as she finally stopped and listened to him.
"Yes because when people have conversations they hold hands, is this some sort of custom I'm not familiar with?" She responded crossing her arms and refusing to make eye contact.
"Yumes c'mon, we were just talking, I would never have eyes for anyone except you. I love you Yumes!" Ulrich desperately attempted to reason with her.
"Hmmph." Was all she responded as she crossed her arms tighter and turned her head in the opposite direction.
"Ugh!" Ulrich shouted frustrated, he hated that they both were so stubborn. They were both so bad with feelings and apologies, they always had been.
"Growling and whining are not going to get you anywhere." Yumi sighed.
"Well, it isn't going to get you anywhere either," Ulrich mumbled.
"I know." Was all she could manage to say, it really upset her that Emily was holding hands with him, especially knowing the type of girl she was.
"Yumi, look at me." He pleaded. She hesitantly did as he asked and couldn't help but let her expression warm up. She couldn't stay mad at that beautiful smile, or those puppy eyes. "I love you and only you Yumi, I always will." He smiled as Yumi let her arms fall and allowed him to embrace her.
"I love you too Ulrich, I'm just scared you'll find someone you'll love more than me." Yumi sighed as she hugged him back.
"That will never happen. Well, it might but that's until we have kids and all that adult stuff." Ulrich snickered as he saw Yumi roll her eyes and laugh.
"Talk about being cheesy." She smiled as she kissed his cheek. "I've got to go, father must be wondering why I'm not there yet."
"I'll call you tonight," Ulrich smiled as he watched her walk away, and then cheerfully walked back to his desk.
"What happened?" Emily and Sissi asked in unison as soon as Ulrich walked through the door.
"Everything's great, perfect actually." He smiled as he took a seat and got back to work, unaware that Emily and Sissi were quite upset their argument hadn't led to more.
"Well, goodbye ladies, see you tomorrow," Ulrich smiled as he headed out the door after hours of sitting at his desk .
"Bye Ulrich." They both responded in unison.
"It really was a shame that plan of yours didn't work Emily," Sissi commented as both girls gathered their belongings.
"I know. I could've sworn I had it this time." Emily admitted quite upset.
"Are my ears deceiving me or are you, girls, plotting to separate Ulrich from his beloved Yumi?" William smirked as he casually walked in the room.
"We have no idea what you're talking about." Emily swiftly answered.
"Emily it's fine, he wants them separated just as much as we do." Sissi quickly reassured her.
"Elisabeth's right Emily. You have nothing to worry about. With that said, don't you ladies think it's time we do something about it?" He asked, a malicious grin spreading across his face.
Emily and Sissi simply eyed each other and smirked. William chuckled sure that with a little help, Ulrich and Yumi's days together were numbered and quickly coming to a definite end.
