A/N: I have made a few modifications to previous chapters. It's nothing too noticeable, so it doesn't impact the story that has already been brought across. Thanks for dropping by! Enjoy the read!
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko! Only my imagination :)!
On the ninth day of April Ulrich stood in front of his parent's house. It was well past dinner time and Ulrich hoped the neighbours would be spared from all too audible yelling. His mother opened the door when he was about to ring the doorbell. "Ulrich, you arrived a little later than expected. Have you eaten yet?" She asked him. "Yes," he replied, confused by her greeting. "Are you staying over?" His mother further questioned him as they entered the hallway. Ulrich shook his head. "No, I'll be going back home," was his quick answer. Ulrich immediately went to his father's home office at the back of the house to avoid the robotic conversation that would have followed. It was obvious to him that she was hiding something and he thought it better to head straight to the source of the problem.
Ulrich knocked on the door. He heard a grunt from the other side that told him his father had somehow already realized he was here. "Dad, you wanted to talk?" His father turned around in his chair. "I have some news," he announced. Ulrich preferred the direct communicative method. His parents' creating suspense always meant something bad. "Which is?" He sat down on the large armchair positioned across from his father. "I will be taking over for your uncle starting in June. That will happen simultaneously with the kick-off for the project taking place abroad. Your uncle wants someone to direct the company in another sector while upholding its current performance. I was offered the responsibility for that role and I'm intending to fulfil that."
It took a lot of effort to keep a neutral expression on his face. There was horrific chaos in his mind. "Why the sudden change?" Ulrich managed to inquire after a reason. "It's called being ambitious, son. You might understand someday." He frowned upon hearing that response. "I'm sure someone else would be capable of being a director as well," he said. Ulrich actually wanted to accuse him of trying to interfere in his work and private life, when he remembered his discussion with Yumi. He might be their enemy, but the company does not experience that in a similar way. "Well, good luck I guess."
"That, plus I will be transferring your girlfriend to the branch in the south of France after I am officially appointed director."
"Ah, there it is," Ulrich thought to himself as his expression darkened. He was rational enough to stay seated. "And why would you create such inconveniences for the team?" Ulrich argued. "The team?" His father scoffed. "She isn't irreplaceable. I've already found someone who can be your secretary or assistant." Ulrich clenched his jaw. "She isn't just some random employee. If you fire her, there is going to be a large gap to fill. I expect you wouldn't want to affect the efficiency of our department," he pointed out.
"She won't be fired."
"It's practically the same thing."
"She'll be offered a better salary."
"So, you mean, you'll be paying her to stay out of my life?" Ulrich blurted out.
"I'm merely creating an opportunity for her to further develop her skills."
Ulrich shook his head. "No, you're trying to build an iron wall between us. Yumi won't simply accept your 'offer', smile and vanish. Her family also lives relatively close-by and moving isn't an option because of the distance and money. You are aware she will disagree and thus resign, which is in fact your goal."
"If she wishes to resign, then she may, but I would advice against it. One should always take into account one's career path."
"And you're being like this because…?" Ulrich couldn't fathom what was going on in the mind of his father.
"You should be focusing on improving yourself, not your love life. It's occupying too much in your daily lives. Your mother and I have always placed self-worth before other things. You should be doing the same. Once you have proven yourself, you can integrate more."
"What if Yumi is the reason that I can be more at ease? You're definitely behind in the proper parenting course, since you don't care about my feelings," Ulrich carried on with a harsh tone. "Getting your son out of the way didn't work, so let's move on to the one he cares the most about without considering her feelings, her plans for the future. Yumi and I have finally settled all our differences and past problems, but, no, you'll trample over everything." He got up when his father approached him with an angry attitude. "Where is the encouragement? Anything I do, gets you to reprimanded me. Even when I'm doing well, it's always "focus", "do better", "I would have been able to do it". Is it that hard, having to view moments when I'm actually happy? Are you jealous? Do you envy me? No right? So, just leave me alone!"
"Ulrich!" His heard his mother scream behind him. He looked up in time to see his father's descending hand. Ulrich blocked the hit with his left arm and gave his father a fierce look. He turned his head to see his mother running to stop his father. Ulrich walked away, ignoring the argument that was starting up where his parents were standing.
Once outside he looked up to a starless sky. To him, it represented the darkness that wouldn't leave. With further depressing thoughts he drove himself home, while barely paying enough attention to the traffic around him.
At his apartment he changed into sports clothes suited for the chilly night time. Exercise was the only thing that was capable of distracting him from his thoughts. He pocketed his phone, closing the zipper so it wouldn't fly out, and pocketed his keys after locking his door again. Then he started to jog down the stairs.
One floor down. He picked up the pace. Three floors down. A little faster. Ulrich felt himself trip four steps down on the stairs of the fifth floor. His reflexes were triggered fast. He took control of the momentum to set off with his other foot to jump down the remaining steps. When he landed, it felt like a thunderbolt briefly travelled through his body. He had tried to deal the blow to his good leg to prevent an incoming damage call from his other. Ulrich proceeded onwards a minute later.
He stepped outside and breathed in fresh air. Then he set off in the same direction he and Yumi went in on their spring date. Ulrich ran past the playground, past the place where they bumped into William and he ran along a row of local stores before ending up in front of the apartment building again.
Ulrich set out in a different direction for his last round with a steady yet quick tempo.
A much better distraction would be his destination.
Where one hug would make all his bad thoughts evaporate into thin air.
"Yumi, I really need you..."
A/N: I know I usually do a bunch of bonus chapters after reaching another tenth chapter. However, I'll be nice and continue the main story next time :). See you!