Big thanks to Magnic, Yuoaj009, SimiSami, It'sNotMe, camilleRomance, The Eccentric Gamer, and Terenty for reviewing! :D Just three more chapters to go after this one. :(

"Love cannot stifle nor can it dictate. Either of those circumstances will turn a tender feeling into something ugly."

-Cynthia Wicklund, In the Garden of Temptation

Chapter 21: Devotion

Yumi remembered the first day of her job at Montpellier General, when she saw the display of Director Stern.

His smile was so prideful, so guiltless.

And yet it still was.

Yumi wished she only had that man to hate. Ulrich at least regretted what he did. Meanwhile, his father's head had not even an iota of conscience as he bounced between dinner parties and various engagements.

"So you're actually after the director, huh?"

Yumi turned sharply on her heel and caught sight of a blonde, purple-dressed man. His stance was unkempt, casual, like he didn't have a single care in the world. It kind of annoyed her, actually.

"I totally thought you liked Ulrich," said Odd, shaking his head incredulously. "But your heart is only set on his father, after all."

"Ha, totally," she snorted back with a contemptuous glare. "What made you suddenly jump to that conclusion?" For him to think that she could have feelings for that man—it outright disgusted her.

"Your face was so serious as you looked at his picture." Odd dramatically placed a hand over his heart, feigning a plaintive expression. "I've never witnessed anything like it. Can I do anything to help you out?"

"No." Yumi stormed off towards the hospital, leaving Odd alone at the front entrance. Appalled by her sudden harsh behavior, he chased after her, only prompting Yumi to walk even faster.

"Hey, Yumi! Chill, it was only a joke!"

Surgery's office was a ruckus.

"Dr. Ishiyama, good timing," remarked Jeremie. He and William were lifting a large, cumbersome box onto Ulrich's desk, stumbling considerably with their steps.

"What's the box for?" she asked them, quirking her brows.

"Thank-you letters from the patients, to Dr. Stern," William answered. He pointed a slim finger in the direction of the computer perched on the center of Ulrich's desk. "Could you move that to the corner?"

Yumi swiftly did as she was told. "Like this?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Curiously, Yumi peeked into the box as it was placed in its respective spot. It was filled to the brim with a vast array of colored envelopes, all addressed to said Super Doctor.

"These are just a small portion," Jeremie sighed, running a hand through his hair. Yet, a proud smile rested upon his face, reserved for his brunet colleague. "The rest are still waiting at the front entrance. Dr. Stern has saved more lives than this these past ten years."

Yumi was dumbfounded. All these lives were saved by Ulrich throughout his medical career, which meant—all these lives were somehow connected to her mother's.

If Ulrich admitted to his wrongdoings back then, there was a chance that these people wouldn't have made it out. They probably wouldn't be alive right now.

All of these people.

Yumi once again retreated to the hospital's courtyard, completely lost in thought at this point. Taking Ulrich's life meant taking the lives of many people who could be saved by him in the future.

So was getting revenge really worth it?

Yumi shook her head, whisking away those thoughts. Regardless of anything, it was inexcusable to let one life—in this case, her mother's—be the springboard for many others.

Yumi couldn't take it anymore. The more she thought about it, the more confused she got.

"Dr. Ishiyama." Yumi was being interrupted by a growing number of people these days, she realized. This time, it was Aelita.

"Dr. Stones," she greeted in return.

The pinkette motioned to the bench Yumi was sitting on. "Do you mind?" she asked.

"No, of course not."

Aelita frowned the first second her eyes fell on Yumi's face. "You look upset again," she commented. "What's the problem? You seem tired lately."

Yumi straightened her posture. "I'm not," she said firmly.

"Are you sleeping enough?"

"Yes."

Aelita cocked her head, shooting her a dissatisfied look. "Don't lie. Those dark circles of yours are getting worse and worse."

Yumi subconsciously touched her face as Aelita proceeded with carefully unpacking her lunch. Inside the small box was an arrangement of beautifully made tarts. At the sight of them, Yumi's stomach involuntarily rumbled.

Aelita cupped her mouth in surprise. "Dr. Ishiyama.."

"I didn't have lunch today.."

Aelita took a tart from her lunchbox and handed it over to Yumi. "Take some," she offered. "You can't be skimping on your eating if you're already not sleeping properly."

Yumi shook her head. "I'll pass.. I can just eat something later."

"You don't have to stand on formality with me." With a large smile, Aelita held the food even closer to Yumi's face. "I like having someone to eat with. You should be eating when you can, too—emergencies happen at the weirdest of times."

"...Alright.." With a sigh, Yumi took the food with a nod of thanks. Then, slowly, she bit into it. The taste of fruit delightfully bursted into her mouth. "It's good," she noted, a pleased smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She didn't even realize she was feeling better already.

"That's the smile the patients are looking for." Aelita nodded in satisfaction. "You know, everyone's been talking about it. They're worried about you."

"What do you mean?"

"They say that lately you always look worried. Even your smile."

"I see.." Yumi didn't even realize how outwardly she was expressing her deepest and darkest of feelings.

"It makes them uneasy," Aelita informed her. "Watch yourself, alright?"

Yumi nodded resolutely. "You remind me of my mother," she uttered before she could even think.

Aelita placed a comforting hand on her colleague's shoulder. "You don't see her often?"

"She's... too far away."

Aelita's expression fell—she seemed to have understood. "Could she be your reason for deciding to become a doctor?" she asked benignly.

Yumi nodded slowly. "She was sick. I thought that I'd be able to help her." Subconsciously, she clenched her fists, knowing that it was all eventually in vain. "That's just the way a child thinks."

"Feelings like that are very valuable. Your mother must've been very happy to have such a devoted daughter."

"It didn't mean anything in the end," Yumi remarked bitterly.

"What are you talking about?" Aelita looked astonished. "Nothing makes a parent happier than seeing their child smiling. Let go of your inhibitions and make yourself happy—as both a doctor and a woman."

That evening Yumi went up to the roof to look up at the stars. Only one word echoed within her head.

Revenge.

For twelve years that was all she thought about. She was so sure it would show the greatest devotion to her mother.

But could this be making her sad?

There was no place for Yumi to be thinking about personal happiness now, she knew that. She's come so far, and there was no turning back. She laughed sarcastically, looking even more intensely at the night sky. Tears stung at the back of her eyes.

Yumi didn't have a choice anymore, even if her actions caused her mother pain. She was truly sorry. All she could wish for now was her mother to look over her. She could help Yumi get what she wanted.

But was that revenge? Or Ulrich?

A star flew across the sky. With her eyes, Yumi traced its glimmering white tail.

"What did you wish for?" asked a low, baritone voice. As if giving her the answer to her pervious question, said brunet doctor appeared behind her. Could she have wanted him all this time? More than her revenge?

"When did you get here?" she asked him.

"I didn't mean to surprise you," he told her. "But you looked so serious."

Yumi raised her head towards the sky. "Did you see the star?"

"Yeah," he concisely responded. "Because of you."

Yumi turned to him and smiled, suddenly feeling lighter, even for just a moment. As a result, she prepared herself to leave. But Ulrich's eyes traced her movements, as if he had something else to say.

"What?"

There was a long, deafening pause. "Would you...like to come over tonight?"

Ulrich was, unmistakably, inviting her to his house.

It was like he was asking to die.

But even if it was a trap, she had to accept his invitation. That was when she came to terms with her paranoia. How could Ulrich possibly know that she wanted to kill him in the first place?

"Would that really be okay?" she asked him, still on the verge of caution.

"As long as you're okay with it," he responded bluntly. The man was completely oblivious. Yumi, on the other hand, was shell-schocked, but she managed to hide it beneath a smile.

"Of course I am. We're a couple now."

"We are."

Yumi pointed towards the door that led back into the hospital. "I'll head over after I finish up a few things," she told him.

Ulrich nodded slowly. "Then I'll be waiting," he mused.

Yumi knew that everything would end here. She could just feel it. Success or failure, she'll find out soon enough. And she'll have to make her decision soon.

Was revenge worth losing what she already had?

Author's Note: The time has come for Yumi to decide Ulrich's fate. I hope you're all excited as I am for the next chapter! As always, please tell me your thoughts! :)