A/N: Hello. I took a break last week. I do have to admit, I had a small amount of writer's block. But it's not the main reason for the absence. Thank you for your reviews, favs and follows :)! I'm happy :)! Enjoy the read :)!

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko! Only my imagination :)!


Yumi's phone rang, startling the couple out of their romantic moment. "Sis, you didn't actually forget that I do not have your house key, right?" She heard Hiroki's rather annoyed tone. "N-no I didn't," she stammered, trying to push Ulrich away. He didn't budge. "It's almost eight, you know," Hiroki reminded her.

"I didn't realize it was already this late," she answered, sitting up straight. "Bring some food, I'm starving," Hiroki exaggerated. "I'll be home soon," Yumi told him. It was silent for a few seconds. "Are you with Ulrich now?" Hiroki surely had a smirk on his face now. Yumi looked at the man in front of her, who was following the conversation since it was audible. "I'm hanging up," she abruptly announced and ended the call before Hiroki could be all giggly about it. She put down her phone next to her leg.

Ulrich wasn't moving. "I have to go home. My dear little brother is waiting. Your reward will have to wait," she spoke quickly and tried to escape. However, there was no room to even attempt getting away. Yumi fell back in her seat and crossed her arms. Ulrich laughed. "Only because it's Hiroki," he claimed and reached out his hand. "I'm letting you go." Yumi smiled and took his hand. "Thank you very much, sir," she teased him.

He pulled her against him when she stood on her feet and wrapped his arms around her. "I really cannot imagine having to be apart from you when we just got together," he said. Yumi relaxed in his hold as she felt him tightening his grip on her. "I can't either," she agreed. Ulrich let out a sigh as he released her. "I'll take you home." Yumi nodded.

They stepped in the hallway and were putting on their shoes and jackets when the doorbell rang. He checked the hole to see who it was. Then he froze. Yumi wondered what he was panicking about and tapped him on his shoulder. Communicating with her eyes and hands she asked what was up. Ulrich carefully walked to Yumi again and whispered in her ear. "It's my dad," he said. Ulrich looked horrified and Yumi was momentarily stunned as well. Why were they this unlucky in meeting parties and people they didn't want to see?

"Let's just tell him we were working," Yumi suggested. "I don't think he'll fall for that. But I guess we can try telling him we were brainstorming about presentations," Ulrich said. The two of them automatically spoke very softly. Yumi nodded with a thoughtful expression. "We will have to tell him sometime," she began and noticed Ulrich contemplating about it. "I know," he trailed off. She stepped towards him and put her hand on his arm. "It's okay, no matter what he says. I can take it," she promised. He sighed. "I really hope you don't have to take anything."

Ulrich opened the door. "What took you so long?" His dad skipped a normal greeting. "I was getting ready to-," he started his explanation only to find his father in a hurry. "I have a proposal for you. It's about the company my friend is running," his father tried to come in, but Ulrich stopped him. "I was about to take Yumi home," he pointed behind him. "I can listen to you on our way out," he was hopeful, but the success meter in his brain detected his father was not in a great mood.

"I'm here to discuss some plans," the man showed the amount of paperwork in his bag. Then he looked at Yumi who smiled awkwardly at him. "I take it your friend can wait a little longer." Ulrich felt him exert his pressure. "Yumi's brother is waiting for her," he made a show of glancing on his watch, "I accidentally made her run late. We didn't pay attention to the time when we were discussing work." His father scowled. "Listen, this does not only benefit you. It's profitable for me as well. Do you think I have time to repeatedly visit you to explain business?"

Ulrich squeezed his fist to hold back his anger. "Her brother is staying over at Yumi's place and he's currently standing outside her apartment. It's not exactly tropical weather. It wouldn't be right to leave him there too long," he argued. Both he and Yumi thought about how long Hiroki had been waiting already. That was something his father didn't need to know.

"Can you perhaps go home by yourself?" The man standing outside now spoke to Yumi in an angry tone. She only looked up to check if he was indeed talking to her. "Dad, it's rather late and it's dark. I would like to take her home. You can wait inside and I'll be right back. It won't take long. I'll be back within fifteen minutes," Ulrich said. Yumi wanted to interfere by telling him she could go home alone. Then she figured Ulrich understood that too and remained silent.

"Nonsense. You're going to make me wait? I have places to be Ulrich. I do not have time for this. Read these by tomorrow. I have plans with your Uncle, so I'll come over to check if you want to start negotiating with them," he ordered as he dumped the files in his son's hands. Then he left them alone.

Ulrich sighed louder this time and Yumi could feel the weight of it. "I'm sorry. He just doesn't care about anything but himself," he said, taking her hand. "Let's go. Otherwise Hiroki is going to be a popsicle soon." Yumi shook her head. "Wait," she walked passed him and closed his front door, then turned towards him.

She opened her arms wide, inviting him for a hug. Yumi smiled at him. He was surprised to see her initiating openly. Ulrich smiled and approached his girlfriend. She wrapped her arms around him and gently rubbed his back with her palms. He embraced her as well and tried to forget about the encounter from moment before. Ulrich squeezed a little harder in an attempt to get over his frustration which prompted Yumi to do the same.

After a few minutes Ulrich let go first. "Thank you. I'm okay now," he caressed her cheek softly with the back of his fingers. Yumi stared at him a bit before she put her hands on his chest as she softly pressed herself against him. "Are you asking for that reward?" He teased her, but held her again anyway. "No, I just want you to feel better than okay," she told him honestly.

"I don't think Hiroki can wait that long," Ulrich laughed. He put his chin on her head. "It's fine. I'm used to it." Yumi shook her head once more and rested it against him. "It's not fine. You deserve so much more. He looks at you in such a condescending way. He doesn't see your efforts. You argue with him, but you never disobeyed. Can't he try a little harder to show you a smile once in a while?"

"They all feel like lost words likely to never reach him," Ulrich said with a neutral expression. He held her back at arm's length. "However, maybe he will, someday."

He kissed her forehead and looked at her directly afterwards. "I'm glad my words reach you. That's plenty for me," he said. She blushed a little. Ulrich opened his front door again. "Shall we?" Yumi nodded.


Meanwhile with Hiroki…

"Isn't she home yet?" Yumi's younger brother talked to himself as he rang the doorbell to his sister's apartment. He had toured the city a little when he had come back and found out she wasn't back the first time. Now it was 06:40 PM and he was starting to feel hungry.

"Hello," someone spoke up from the apartment next to Yumi's. "Uhm, hello miss," Hiroki replied when he saw an older woman. She was wearing an apron around her waist. "Are you perhaps Yumi's brother?" She asked him. "I am. Why do you ask?" Hiroki was confused.

"She told me you would be staying over this week. Such a kind young lady. She always helps my son too. Some time ago he caused your sister a lot of trouble. I felt so sorry for her. Oh, but I'm wandering off topic now, aren't I?" The older woman laughed. "Do you want to come inside? You can wait for your sister here. I have cookies, freshly baked in the oven," she offered. Hiroki's stomach growled.

He was slightly hesitant since Yumi's neighbours were strangers to him. Then a young boy popped out from behind his mother's back. "It's true. Yumi's really cool," he said before hurrying back inside. Hiroki had to laugh at that. Even he knew how awesome his sister was. "Okay, thank you very much," Hiroki accepted the offer and went inside.

After another hour and quarter had passed, he noticed the woman kept glancing at the clock and at her son. "I'll give Yumi a call to see if she's nearby," Hiroki randomly announced, hoping to ease the woman's worries. He guessed the small boy probably needed to get ready to sleep. He recalled his younger self never wanting to sleep when something new and exciting was happening.

When he hung up several minutes later, he told her that his sister was on her way. "I'll be going then. Thank you once again for your hospitality," Hiroki politely greeted them. "Bye!" The boy happily told him. The woman smiled at him. "I'll show myself out," he said and turned away.

Outside in the cold hallway, Hiroki had already been waiting for a while. "If she's not home within five minutes, I'll," he didn't get to finish his sentence because a fist hit him on his head. "You'll what?" Yumi emerged from nowhere and Hiroki shrank back. "Nothing," he said, rubbing his head. "So you were with Ulrich," he confirmed when he saw Ulrich standing behind Yumi. "He took me home," Yumi kept denying. Hiroki wouldn't let it go and an evil grin appeared on his face. "You mean, I was freezing and you just sacrificed me to go out on a date?!"

Yumi was flustered for a few seconds until she sniffed the air. "Why do you smell like cookies?" She asked him. "Uhhh, you have a very kind neighbour," Hiroki said.

"I guess you don't need dinner," Yumi had the upper hand again.

Hiroki's stomach growled in response. Ulrich and Yumi laughed at him. "I'm sorry for making you wait so long," she told him. "Thanks for taking me home. See you tomorrow," Yumi looked at Ulrich. "See you tomorrow," he said and walked towards the elevator.

"You can shower first. Warm yourself up. I don't want you to catch a cold." Yumi opened her door. Hiroki entered and put his bag down before heading straight towards his stuff in Yumi's room. "Thanks sis," she heard him say.

Yumi closed and locked the door while recalling the events of the day. All the moments she spent with Ulrich made it a great day, despite a few undesired appearances. She smiled to herself, hoping there would be more of these happy days from now on.


A/N: Don't forget to stay safe :D! Leave a review if you feel like it. See you in two weeks!