Chapter 4

Now this is more like it, Ulrich declared. Something more conventional, like ice cream, appealed to him. Not a date in a video arcade.

And Yumi seemed to be enjoying herself as well. Ulrich couldn't help staring as she licked her chocolate ice cream cone. She turned to him, noticing his stare, and Ulrich immediately turned his attention to his vanilla ice cream.

Ulrich began, daring to turn to look at Yumi again. He blinked with surprise. You have some chocolate on your cheek.

Her eyes went wide, as she tried to use her sleeve to get rid of it. Nah, it's still there, Ulrich said. Yumi scrubbed harder.

You're missing it completely, Ulrich chuckled.

Fine, you get it off, Yumi said. Or was it a dare? It sounded more like a dare.

And if it's a dare she wants... Ulrich brought his face up to Yumi's. He allowed his lips to coast across her cheek, picking up the remainder of the chocolate ice cream along the way.

He pulled away, unsure of what her reaction would be. She had a surprised look on her face. Ulrich was near ready to kill himself. So stupid. That wasn't the right timing at all!

But Yumi moved her hand and pointed to his. Ice cream, was all she could say.

Ulrich looked down. Indeed, his ice cream had melted onto his hand without his knowing. he shouted as he moved quickly to try to lick the melted ice cream off. Yumi giggled.

Odd sighed at the opposite corner of the street. Now I want ice cream.

Oh yeah? Who're you going to go with? Jeremy teased.

Who knows? said Odd. Maybe I'll go with Aelita next time she's materialized. The idea made Jeremy choke, as Aelita giggled.

Yumi was eyeing Ulrich as he finally got his ice cream situation handled. he muttered.

She giggled and flipped her hair, causing Ulrich's heart to skip a beat. she responded.

What is it? he prodded. She shook her head. Tell me! he pleaded.

she teased. They sat in silence for a little while. Yumi broke into giggles again, trying to cover them with her arm.

Ulrich said. This game was annoying, but at the same time, Ulrich found it quite enjoyable.

Yumi sighed and lowered her arm. Fine. It's just that--

Ulrich's grin faded. He pointed to her hand. Ice cream, was all he said.

Yumi looked down. Now her ice cream was sliding down her hand , dripping onto her lap. she cried, trying to lick up the chocolately mess.

Odd burst into hysterics in his phone. AHAHAHAH!! They really are made for each other! AHAHAHAH! He wiped the tears from his eyes. he then mimed their voices. 'Oh, Ulrich I have something to tell you, but my ice cream just fell on my lap!' Pfffft!

Jeremy was laughing as well. But Aelita was left feeling quite confused. What is this ice cream?'

I'll tell you some other time, Jeremy said between laughs.

Yumi groaned. It'll never come off, she said, indicating her skirt.

Ulrich hopped to his feet. Hold on, I'll go get you a napkin! he said, dashing back into the ice cream parlor.

Yumi watched him go, smiling proudly.

Now what was that all about? Odd asked into his phone.

It was Aelita who giggled. Good for you, Yumi. That proves he's a real gentleman.

Jeremy and Odd stared at Aelita (okay, so Odd stared at his phone) in surprise. they echoed simultaneously.

I'll tell you some other time, Aelita answered pleasantly.

Ulrich rushed back with the napkins. I-I hope I brought enough, he stuttered breathlessly. He didn't know whether to hand her the napkins, or to help her try to clean the ice cream off. At last, he handed her the napkins.

Thanks so much, Ulrich, Yumi said. Most of the ice cream came off of her skirt. I guess I'll have this dry cleaned, she decided.

Ulrich let out his held breath. The last thing he needed was feeling the guilt of ruining Yumi's skirt on their first date. Maybe it wasn't directly his fault, but he did buy the ice cream. So he felt it was partly his fault.

Yumi smiled at him, and finished the rest of her cone. Mmmm Delicious! she declared.

Ulrich blushed and looked down at his hands. So buying the ice cream had been a good choice. Once again, he felt the release of his bated breath. I'm glad, he replied.

Yumi stood up and brushed the dirt off her skirt. She looked around a little, her eyes wandering dangerously close to the corner Odd was hiding behind.

Odd cried out as quietly as he could, while he pressed himself as close to the corner as he could. He couldn't be caught now! Not when things were going so well! Besides, the date seemed almost over anyway.

Yumi thought aloud.

What is it? Ulrich asked, retying one of his shoes.

I just thought I saw... Odd began to sweat. Yumi decided, taking Ulrich by the arm. Let's go.

Ulrich blinked a few times. To where?

Yumi thought again. She didn't want this date to end quite yet. How about the park?

Ulrich smiled, greatly enjoying this idea.

----
Author's Note: Yeah, this time it's at the bottom of the page. Anyway, thank you so much for the reviews you crazy people. I am eternally grateful.

BeachGirlie: You brought up an excellent point. The thing that's always stuck out for me was how easily upsetted and offended she was. So I decided to incorporate that in my fanfiction. Besides, in all the other fics I've read that involved DDR, Yumi was good at the game and Ulrich struggled at it. I decided to turn it around a little; see her reaction. Thank you for your input.

If ever you feel you should bring up a point about my work, please do so.