A/N: It's been a looong time. So after the wrist problem, I took some time off. Sorry for being late despite that. I planned to update last weekend, but I decided to rewrite part of the chapter. Thanks for the reviews :). I'm glad you guys are reading :)! Enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko! Only my imagination :)!
"I hope the food has been delicious so far," Michel, the host, began. "It's time for the final round! In this round we will be the guests on a radio show, which is the other sponsor for this event. The listeners will be the judges. The teams will choose a story about the two of you which you would like to share. You are free to choose what kind of story to tell. For instance, about your first meeting or a proposal. Anything! The listeners will be able to vote for their favourite stories on the radio's website by clicking on the like or dislike button next to the teams. The votes will be tallied fifteen minutes after the last team has finished their story."
"I was just notified that we are now live!" Michel enthusiastically exclaimed. "The order will be decided by the ball machine. A microphone will be handed to the team who gets picked. First up, we have team number 5!"
Yumi was feeling slightly uncomfortable. She could tell many other people were as well. It resulted in many teams just telling a funny story, which was more likely to earn points quicker. "What are you guys going to choose?" Aelita suddenly asked. "I don't know. It's not like they gave us time to think about it," Ulrich said. "The idea of the event itself is nice. However, they should have thought of the amount of pressure the contestants will feel," Jeremie pointed out. The others nodded along.
"Next up, team 12!" Yumi, Ulrich, Aelita, Jeremie and Kelly all turned to Odd, who had been zoned out ever since the end of the first round. "Here you go," Michel suddenly stood behind him and handed him a microphone. "There are many stories I could tell," Odd started, setting a serious mood. "But I will just tell her this story instead. I have always wanted to become an artist. I know how much effort it takes to produce an amazing piece of art. Therefore, I have always diligently practised drawing every day as much as I could. I view relationships the same way. Just like I work on my art with utmost care, I take everything in a relationship very seriously. I would never throw someone away or deem them unimportant while holding that person close to my heart. It is true, I value my friends more than your average person, but they are not the art work that I'm trying to perfect over time," he took a hold of Kelly's hand. "That's this person, right here."
The others smiled at Odd's story. It was very much like him to openly share his story with the world. "Anything to say in response, Ms. 12?" The host asked her. Kelly shook her head as she continued to think about her boyfriend's story. "Time for the next team then," Michel turned towards the staff member that was picking the ball on stage. "Looks like I won't have to travel too far, number 11 it is!" Yumi dreaded this moment.
"Which one will tell us a story?"
Ulrich grabbed the microphone. His friends were very curious as to what he wanted to say, especially with his grumpy attitude towards the whole event. "I, uh…," he looked at Yumi, because he didn't know where else to look. "I had a hard time accepting the reality that stemmed from not being courageous enough to tell the one person I wanted to give my all for how I felt about her. I lost her to someone else even though all our friends kept telling us we should have been together instead. I guess I must have done something right in life, because she somehow re-entered my life a few years later. And now, she is finally at my side," he paused. Yumi smiled upon hearing it, being reminded of the relief that came with truly accepting each other. She didn't break off eye contact with Ulrich. He continued his story.
"We haven't been going out for long, but we have been experiencing a lot of stress. They always say that there will never be a hurdle you can't climb over. But there are times when that hurdle is too high," he swallowed and Yumi knew he meant his father. "I wish there wouldn't be such an immovable obstacle on our path." Ulrich breathed in and out. "I'm sure this will never reach him, but if by some lucky chance it does I will be glad. Because he'll be able to hear. Yumi," he addressed her and she turned towards him completely. "I may be sulky and immature," Yumi shook her head and leaned forward to speak up "he isn't, at least not so much anymore". Then she grinned at him as he smiled at her. "But," Ulrich went on, "I promise I will always lo-." He was cut off by Yumi who had flown at him with a hug. Partially because she didn't want to share his love for her with all those unknown on the other side. And partially due to her overflowing feelings. The others in the room started applauding, with their friends clapping their hands together hardest of all.
"Anything to add to that Ms. 11?" Michel asked his standard question. "I'm the one who should be more grateful. I feel like I'm always on the receiving end," she saw Ulrich shaking his head. "Which is why, I hope Ulrich's words reached their intended destination. If they did, mine will surely do so too. Every person is unique, so one shouldn't try to force their own cherished ideals onto someone. And," she focused on Ulrich, "it doesn't matter how lost in the dark you are because of it. To me you are coloured with that which I need and cannot do without." Yumi lightly jabbed her finger onto Ulrich's chest. She then sat straight again, blushing bright red. Ulrich gestured they were done and Michel walked away to check which team was next.
Yumi now had her arms on the table with her head on top. She was staring at the table trying to disappear from the world. Ulrich poked her side. "Lovebirds," Odd teased. Ulrich and Yumi couldn't stop themselves from blushing again. "I can see why Odd, Jeremie and Aelita were so frustrated about you two in school," Kelly had always noticed the closeness between the newest couple, but hearing it straight from the two of them had a different impact altogether. They all laughed, except the still embarrassed Yumi and Ulrich.
"Looks like we're the last ones," Aelita said a while later. The host came over to them. "Are you ready?" Jeremie accepted the microphone. "I'm not the most outspoken one around. But there is a story I wish to share. To her, family is very meaningful. Sadly, both members of her actual family are lost in different ways. Not knowing where they could be must have been very painful, but she never stopped smiling for us. When we met, her smile was as dazzling as it is today. Aelita, I don't think you know how much your cheerfulness and energetic self made me keep going forward. I really wish to tell you to please never forget that you have a new family of practically brothers and sisters who will be there for you. I will always be by your side, Aelita." She barely managed to stop herself from crying. Aelita really viewed her friends as her new family and wished for a day in the future where Jeremie and her would expand their family. "Thank you," she whispered to Jeremie, who handed the microphone back to the host.
"And that's all! Remember, voting ends in fifteen minutes, so let our dear couples know you are supporting them!"
Aelita turned to the others. "I'm going to get some fresh air." Yumi and Kelly got up. "We'll be right back." Yumi winked at the males who remained seated. The three of them watched the women walk away. "This is the moment where you make your sarcastic comment, Odd," Ulrich said. "I would rather not receive another one of Yumi's glares for the night." Ulrich snickered. "I'm sure we're not winning this one," Jeremie said. "Yeah, well, winning wasn't my goal." Ulrich shrugged. "Aelita and I would have loved to have the opportunity to work together with that publishing company. They could have provided us with a great storyline for our new game," Jeremie carried on. "You came here to have fun, Einstein. Relax," Ulrich said. "You know our Einstein. Always calculating," Odd stated.
"Where are those desserts though?" Odd glanced around and noticed parfaits being placed on the tables. "Ohhh, if they don't get back soon, I get theirs as well. Deal?" He was eager to eat again. "Did you lose too much energy when you were speaking to the world?" Ulrich teased him. "A man can eat, Ulrich." Odd paid him no further attention when his parfait was put in front of him. "Aaand he's gone," Ulrich dryly commented. Jeremie laughed.
Yumi, Aelita and Kelly returned. "What's so funny?" Yumi asked. "Nevermind," they all commented when they saw Odd. "How was the fresh air ladies?" Odd asked. Five pairs of eyes stared at him with disbelief. "I told you, it doesn't work like that," Odd claimed. Ulrich shook his head. Despite the weird remark, said ladies were quite amused. But they knew Odd had that effect.
"We are no longer on air!" Someone shouted from the back. "As you may have heard ladies and gentlement, we have thanked our listeners for joining us today. The votes have been counted and the calculations have been made!" The host turned around and spread his arms. A screen rolled down and the results were shown. "The clear winner today is team number 10!" Michel exclaimed as he turned around once more. He quickly made is way over to Aelita and Jeremie. "What are your current thoughts?"
Jeremie was stunned into silence. Aelita giggled. "We certainly didn't expect to win today," she remarked. "Listeners had the least amount of time to vote for your story, but it seems your ratio for likes versus dislikes was the most advantageous. "You have won a meet-and-greet with the CEO of our head sponsor. Is there any wish you would like to have fulfilled?" Jeremie was aware of his surroundings again. "We would like to work together on a project with the head sponsor," he calmly answered. "Sounds exciting, good luck to you. Congratulations to our winning couple!" A round of applause sounded throughout the entire space. "Of course, you also win tickets to an all-inclusive trip to the south of France and a bunch of best-sellers to read!" He gestured behind him to a table filled with prizes.
"The second and third place winners will also receive the books. Fourth to tenth place winners receive tickets for the cinema. They can be used for any movie! And of course everyone will receive a mini glass dome as souvenir, which will be a beautiful reminder of today's wonderful event. I certainly hope you enjoyed tonight! Have a safe trip home. Until next time!"
The six of them got up after the last round of applause. It was time to head home. "Too bad we ended in eleventh place," Kelly talked to Odd. "We can go to the south anytime. We have enough books on art. And we can just steal the movie tickets from our fifth place winners, Yumi and Ulrich," Odd said. Kelly chuckled. "Hey!" Ulrich countered. "Get your own." He waved the tickets in front of his shorter friend's face. Yumi, Aelita and Jeremie laughed at Odd trying to grab them.
Once they were outside, Aelita announced they had parked their car in another area. "I guess we split here," she said. "See you guys again soon," Yumi hugged Aelita and waved to Jeremie. Kelly did the same, while Ulrich and Odd just shook hands or high-fived them.
Now a group of four, Ulrich, Yumi, Odd and Kelly headed towards Ulrich's car. Ulrich was not paying attention to the ongoing conversation. He was walking next to Odd while staring at his phone. "When are you going to get a driver's license, Yumi?" Kelly asked her. "Uhm, I don't have any plans. It's rather expensive. But I do wish to get one. You?" Kelly shrugged. "I'm not in need of it, so I think I'll pass, but Odd wants to get his before the end of the year," she revealed. "Really? I can't imagine him behind the steering wheel," Yumi joked around. "You can laugh all you want Yumi. Just wait until I'll have a better car than Ulrich," Odd said. Yumi laughed indeed. "The car isn't mine guys," Ulrich suddenly spoke up. "So, no pressure in beating me." For a moment, nobody dared to ask whose car it was. "My mother's," he answered the unasked question. "She doesn't drive, so she gave it to me. I would like to buy my own one day, so they can't say this and that about me."
Yumi stopped him and eyed Kelly and Odd, who got the message and went on ahead. "What's wrong?" She worried about the way he turned cold instantly. "My mother wants me to come home next week's weekend," he revealed, lifting his phone.
"Didn't she tell you why?" Yumi asked.
Ulrich showed her the message on his phone's screen. "Your father wants to talk to you," Yumi read aloud.
"It might be something good," she pointed out.
Ulrich wasn't in the mood for jokes. "If it was, they wouldn't even say a word." He took her hand and lightly dragged her along until she fell in step with him. "Let's go, the two of them are waiting," he said. "Shall I go with you?" Yumi suggested with a hint of hesitation. "I really don't feel like putting you through my family drama again," he rejected the idea. "We have seen and heard enough from both of our families. I just want to support you," Yumi explained. "I know, I know. But I still don't want to watch him raise his voice to you. That really hurts," he admitted, clenching his other hand.
Yumi didn't have a counterargument for that. "I won't change my mind. Maybe we will get some proper reasoning out of your father," she stated. They stopped talking when Odd and Kelly were in sight.
No extra comments were made as everyone quietly got into the car in the same seating arrangement as before. Ulrich swiftly drove the couple in the back home, then immediately headed for Yumi's place.
"And here we are," Ulrich said bluntly when he had parked the car. He clearly wasn't going to talk about his father any more than he already had today. "Do you want to come inside for a few minutes?" Yumi offered. "A cup of tea before you go. To calm yourself," she added. "Thanks, but I'll pass," he said. "Well," Yumi reached out to the car key, "I think you should," Ulrich blocked her hand and smiled a little because of his girlfriend's actions. "Nice reflexes," she complimented, then took out the key with her other hand and quickly exited the car.
"Come on, Yumi," Ulrich complained. He did have the energy to get it back from her, but he didn't feel like trying. "Only one cup," he set as a condition while stepping out of the car and closing the door behind him. "Yeah, that's fine," Yumi grinned and locked the car. "It's going to take a while before he can drink the tea. Should be enough time to take his mind of the bad things even just a little," she thought.
Yumi held out her hand. Ulrich simply gave in and lifted his hand to take hers. "Lead the way." She laughed. "Of course."
A/N: See you guys next time. I planned for the story to be finished within 50 chapters. It will probably exceed that with just a little. However, the ending is near :O!