Ulrich had become more at ease with waking up alone the next day. Before, when he opened his eyes, he'd always expected Odd still stubbornly sleeping and snoring on the other side of their room. But now, it's only his room. Ulrich realized that it's summer and his friends were away. No Odd, no Jeremy, no Aelita and no Yumi. However, starting that morning, he stopped the usual moping he often did. He already knew that that wouldn't help or bring back his friends anyway.

When he opened his door, he expected someone who would be waiting for him outside. Someone who would be saying: "Good morning, Ulrich-dear!" Someone with long black hair and striking dark eyes. Someone…who turned out to be noone.

Ulrich: She's not here.

He got used to her presence in the past days that right then he's a bit bothered by the lack of it. Though, he didn't know if he's just surprised that Sissy wasn't there or if he's disappointed that Sissy didn't show up.

He checked his watch, 9:06 a.m. He went back inside his room.

Ulrich: Maybe she hasn't gone to sleep yet. She called much later than this time yesterday.

He started dialing someone's number in his mobile phone.

In the intervening time, in Japan…

Yumi's phone was ringing.

Aelita: Yumi, someone is calling you.

Yumi: Could you tell me who it is?

Aelita got the phone, being much closer to it on the table. Yumi, lying on her bed, was listening to her radio.

Aelita: (checking the caller) It's Ulrich. Would you like me to answer?

Yumi: Wait! Don't answer it! (jerking up from her bed)

Aelita: Why?

Yumi: Just don't.

Her phone continued to ring for a while longer, and then it finally stopped.

---

Ulrich: I guess she's asleep. (feeling dismayed)

He heard Yumi's recorded voice message: "Moshi moshi! This is Yumi. Please leave your message."

Ulrich: I'd just try later. (ending his call)

---

For a brief moment, Yumi almost had wanted to answer the call, but she fought the urge to do so.

Aelita: That was Ulrich. Why didn't you want to answer it, Yumi?

Yumi: I don't want to talk to him right now.

Aelita: Did he do something to make you upset? Did you guys fight?

She stirred on her bed, moving to her side, now her back was facing Aelita.

Yumi: (speaking softly) Yes and no.

Aelita: (a bit confused by her answer) Would you like to tell me what's wrong?

Yumi: (sitting up) I don't know why I'm so upset, Aelita. Ulrich…well…he sort of lied about something to me.

Aelita: About what?

Yumi: You know he's spending the summer in the dorms, right?

Aelita nodded.

Yumi: Actually, he's not entirely alone there. Sissy is with him, in the dorms too.

Aelita: Sissy?

Yumi: I only knew about it from Jeremy earlier. Apparently, he and Odd knew, and they weren't supposed to tell me. I wouldn't have known if not for Jeremy accidentally slipping the matter.

Aelita noticed the troubled look on Yumi's face as she continued to confide to her.

Yumi: I talked with Ulrich yesterday but he didn't mention about Sissy. I…I don't know… Why did he keep it from me?

Aelita walked to Yumi's bed and sat beside her.

Aelita: If it would make you feel better… you know, I didn't know about Sissy too. (consoling her friend)

Yumi smiled. Her heart was touched by Aelita's sweetness and sympathy.

Yumi: Oh, I'm sorry Aelita. I didn't mean to disregard you.

Aelita: It's ok. Don't you want to talk to Ulrich about it?

Yumi: I don't know… I do…but. I just need some time to cool off for now.

Aelita. I'm sure he has reasons.

Perhaps the reason why he didn't want to tell Yumi about Sissy is because he doesn't want to make her worry. I could see why, now that Yumi knows about it, her reactions perfectly explain why he didn't want to tell her in the first place.

Aelita looked at Yumi earnestly.

Aelita: It's obvious that they like each other. Too bad, they won't admit their feelings.

---

Back in school…

Time was going slower as ever for Ulrich. It's almost past 10:30 in the morning, and he hadn't seen Sissy yet. After eating breakfast alone, he decided he's going to have another practice with his karate in the gym. But, as he was passing halfway outside the library to head to the gym, he sensed somebody moving inside the room. Thinking that it could be a burglar, he silently opened the door.

When he got in, he was shocked by what he saw. The library was thrashed. Books were scattered everywhere, on the tables and on the floor. He heard again a noise. He walked on to get closer to the sound. He's thinking that whoever did the mess was still inside the room. The sound grew clearer as he moved on. He decided that he was going to catch the culprit. But when he reached the source of the noise, he didn't expect that the wrongdoer would turn out to be…

Ulrich: Sissy?

She was bending down to the floor, reaching books lying around her feet.

Sissy: Ulrich? I didn't hear you come in (standing up while holding a pile of books in her arms)

Ulrich: What have happened here? I was just passing by when I heard somebody inside the library. I got in and I saw these books around the floor.

Sissy: I was shocked myself when I came. I was only going to get my calculator back, which I forgot and left here yesterday. I've been picking up books and restacking them again, since 8 o'clock.

Ulrich: Oh, so that's why I haven't seen her.

Sissy: Do you have any idea who did this?

Ulrich: I was about to ask you the same thing.

Then it crossed his mind. What if it's Xana? Xana has always been behind all the trouble in here. He had to tell the others.

Ulrich: I have to go. I forgot I needed to call somebody.

He turned back and quickly ran off.

Sissy: Hey, wait! Aren't you going to help me here!

Ulrich: I'll come back; you could leave some for me to stack later! (shouting back as he finally disappeared from the room)

---

Ulrich: Hello, Jeremy?

Jeremy: Yes. What's up, Ulrich?

Ulrich: I have to ask you something,

Jeremy: What is it?

Ulrich: Has Xana woken up in Lyoko?

Jeremy: No. It hasn't. Wait hold on, I'll check in my computer.

He did the superscan, but he saw no activated towers or any signs of their enemies.

Jeremy: Nope. Lyoko is looking normal as usual. Why would you ask? Did something happen there?

Ulrich: Yes…in our school library. The books were thrown off from the shelves. But I didn't exactly see it happen, I just saw them lying on the floor already. It may have happened yesterday.

Jeremy: Yesterday huh? Hmm…(thinking deep) In fact, maybe Xana could have woken up yesterday.

Ulrich: What are you saying?

Jeremy: For a very brief moment, it happened. I was checking on Lyoko when suddenly a tower in the desert region had activated. I was about to call you guys but then it just stabilized. I thought I was imagining it. I decided I did, but now, I –

Ulrich: I think Xana is up to something too. Who else could have done the mess in the library?

Jeremy: Were you the only one there?

Ulrich: Actually, Sissy saw it first. She's still in the library right now putting the books back in order.

Jeremy: Sissy?

Ulrich: Yes. I asked her if she saw who did it but she said she didn't.

Jeremy: Uhmm… Speaking of Sissy. Uh…I need to tell you something, Ulrich.

Ulrich: What?

Jeremy: I accidentally told Yumi that Sissy is there with you.

Ulrich: What?

Jeremy: I thought you told her. I thought she already knew.

Ulrich: So maybe that's why she didn't answer my call earlier. I thought she might be sleeping. Maybe she wasn't, she must be avoiding me.

Ulrich then felt a sickening feeling inside him, like a big rock crushed in his chest.

Ulrich: Was she upset?

Jeremy: I think she was. How come you never told her about Sissy anyway?

Ulrich: I…I don't know. Honestly, I really don't know. But now she's mad at me. I need to call her and explain, even if I still don't know how to.

Jeremy: You need to talk to Yumi.

Ulrich: I know. (sounding grim) How about Xana?

Jeremy: Just keep me posted. Check the whole school if there are other weird phenomena. I'd still be checking Lyoko for any sign of attacks. I'll call again later, ok?

Ulrich: Ok Jeremy. Bye. (hanging up)

Ulrich thought his problem was just going to be Xana, but now, a bigger problem for him arose – talking to Yumi.

---

When he came back in the library, piles of readings were still laid on the floor.

Ulrich: This will take hours to do.

He moved through the scattered books. He couldn't help stepping on some of them.

Ulrich: Sissy! Where are you?

He called out. Trying to find her, he shouted her name again, but nobody was answering. An anxious feeling sank in him.

Ulrich: Oh, no! Don't tell me…Xana has –

A chain of bad thoughts stroked his mind. He started to panic, frantically speeding his pace in the room. After a while, he tried again to call her. This time, his heart felt a huge relief. Coming from the other side of the room, he finally heard her voice.

Sissy: I'm here, Ulrich!

When he found her, she's on a ladder placing some books on the top row of a bookshelf in the corner at the very back.

Ulrich: You're fine. Thank God, I thought –

Sissy: Well, don't just stand there. Help me out here.

Her bossy attitude was returning, but instead of getting annoyed, he just grinned and obeyed. He started handing her the books from the table and floor, while she put them back one by one in the shelf.

In her mind, she was wondering where he went.

Whom did he call? He looked alarmed when he saw the mess in here that he immediately left. He knows something. I want to know what he's hiding. I know he's on to something. He always has been. He and his friends…sneaking around all the time. Can I ask him what's going on?

She was lost in her own thoughts that she didn't realized that she skipped a step on the ladder when she's about to climb down. She let out a yelp as she slipped down.

Ulrich: Sissy!

Just after a second, she felt arms carrying her. She opened her eyes to see Ulrich. He had caught her when she fell.

Ulrich: You better watch out your step next time, Princess. (grinning)

Sissy: (calming down) Thanks, Ulrich.

He never thought of it before, but right then at that moment, as she's in his arms, he seemed to have the responsibility now to protect her from all harms way. The strange feeling he felt before returned. As she looked at him, still cradled, he started to flush. Escaping the emotion inside, he let her down right away.

A few more hours passed by. The two settled in to talking on random things to talk about. They conversed on books in the library that they have read. He said that he and Odd never read there but instead they played games inside, where as for her, she told him that the only things she read inside were fashion magazines. They talked about subjects, teachers they like and dislike and their classmates. It's a long continuous flow of conversation, but in between some moments, Ulrich tried to think on how to explain to Yumi about the Sissy-matter. He was taking his phone out every once in while, as if wanting to call her, but whenever he's about to do so, he backs down. He miserably admitted that there's no valid explanation to tell her.

---

At a quarter past 2, they almost finished stacking. Only a few books were left lying. Although they were talking, Sissy couldn't help noticing Ulrich's frequent checks on his mobile phone.

Sissy: He seems to want to call somebody. Maybe his friends.

Without thinking, her eagerness to know what's going on got the better of her. She had to ask.

Sissy: Ulrich, what's the matter? I keep seeing you staring at your phone. Do you need to call someone?

He thought foolishly, he should've been more discreet about his actions. Now, Sissy was on to his business. And he didn't want her to be.

Ulrich: Nobody.

As she expected that his response would be, she knew he's lying. I thought we're friends, why won't you tell me what's wrong?

Sissy: Does it have something to do with the call you made earlier? You quickly left when you saw the clutter in here. Do you know what's going on?

She was tired of being suspicious of him and his gang. Each time there were mysterious things happening inside the campus before; he and his friends seemed to know who's behind them.

He was quiet. If he told her nothing, she'd still probably suspected there was. He wasn't even sure enough that Xana was behind what went on in the library, that's also why he really couldn't tell her.

He finally decided that it wasn't the right time. But at least he owed her some bit of honesty.

Ulrich: I'm sorry Sissy but I can't tell you…I just can't. Please don't ask me why.

She was disappointed but she knew he's earnest about what he said. She should respect his choice and not ask anymore.

Sissy: Alright.

They then continued stacking the last books in the shelves in silence.

Although she said it, deep inside, she didn't want to be entirely clueless. She also wanted to partake in a mystery such as that. She thought that if he couldn't tell her straight about it, she must find it out for herself later.

---

Later that night, on the phone…

Ulrich: I checked every room in the whole school, Jeremy. I did it after I cleaned up the books in the library.

Jeremy: So did you see anything else in disorder?

Ulrich: Nothing. It seems that only the library was thrashed. So how's Lyoko?

Jeremy: Same thing here. Lyoko is perfectly clear of Xana. I did the superscan a million times already.

Ulrich: This is very odd, Jeremy.

Jeremy: Yes, I know. So how are you and Sissy there? Did she wonder about the incident?

Ulrich: She asked if I knew something about it. She noticed that I was hiding something from her. But I didn't tell her about Xana and us.

Jeremy: Good decision. We're not sure that it's Xana yet. Besides, we can't risk telling our secret to anybody without proper judgment.

Ulrich: I told her that she should sleep with her father tonight. At least she's safer there than here in the dorms. We don't know if something might happen again when we'd be sleeping.

Jeremy: Right. I told Aelita and the others about what happened there and they also think Xana is behind it.

Ulrich: Uhmm…were you able to talk to Yumi?

Jeremy: Yes, I did. But we only talked about the strange matter that happened.

Ulrich: Oh, I see…She's still mad.

Jeremy: If you're wondering if she's still upset about you-know-what, I think she still is. However, when I told her what happened there, she seemed to be worried about you.

Ulrich: (lightening up) She is…?

Jeremy: Have you talked to her?

Ulrich: I haven't yet…but I will.

Jeremy: Well, Good luck! Ok then, I guess we'll talk tomorrow.

Ulrich: Tomorrow. Ok, bye.

I have to get this over with. I am going to talk to her sooner or late anyway, might as well now.

After a few hesitations, he started dialing Yumi's number. His heart began to beat faster as he waited for her to answer. He heard a series of rings, then a recorded message followed.

Ulrich: She's still not answering. Yumi, please talk to me.

He tried again…and again…and again. But in the end he only heard the voice record.

Ulrich: I guess I would have to leave her a message then.

As he heard the beep—

Ulrich: Hello, Yumi. I don't know if you're there or not but I guess you're still upset with me about Sissy. I didn't mean to just keep it only from you, but I guess I sort of did still. I want to explain more but I would like to directly talk to you. So please don't avoid my calls…or call me if you can. Uhmm…I guess that's it. Ok, bye.

Yumi… I want to say I…

---

Meanwhile, just a few moments ago

Sissy: What will he say? He told me I should be sleeping with Daddy tonight but instead I'm here.

She walked through the dorm hallway. Then, she stopped outside Ulrich's room. She was going to knock but she heard a voice inside. Being the nosy girl that she is, she listened through the door.

I shouldn't be eavesdropping but I want to know if he's talking to his friends about the mysterious thing that happened in the library. It's only in this way that I'll know.

But what she heard surprised her.

" Hello, Yumi. I don't know if you're there or not but I guess you're still upset with me about Sissy. I didn't mean to not tell you about her and keep it only from you, but I sort of did it still. I want to explain more but I would like to directly talk to you…"

Sissy: He's talking to Yumi about me?

She heard him say goodbye.

Yumi. He's always thinking about Yumi…Hmph! What does she have that I can't compete with? But what did he want to tell her about me?Couldn't be that she doesn't she know that I'm here with Ulrich? Didn't he tell her? Why?

She turned her back from the door and started to walk away.

I…I shouldn't…I shouldn't be here.

But suddenly, the door behind her opened.

She heard his voice.

Ulrich: Sissy?

She turned to face him.

Sissy: Uhh…Uhmm...Hi, Ulrich. (trying to smile and find something to say)

Ulrich: What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to sleep with your father tonight?

She wasn't looking at him directly, she couldn't seem to meet his eyes.

Sissy: I…I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. I'm going to leave now.

She turned from him quickly.

Ulrich: Wait, Sissy! Why did you come here?

Sissy: I…I wanted to stay with you rather than with Daddy. I thought that you're alone here and you need somebody to be with too. (her back was still facing him)

Ulrich: After what happened in the library, we don't know what could still happen. It may not be safe here, Sissy.

She then faced him with an earnest look in her eyes.

Sissy: You said we should look out for each other… Ulrich, I'm your friend and as your friend, I can't think only about myself.

Ulrich: But—

Sissy: It's ok. If you don't want me to bother you, I'll stay in my room upstairs.

As she turned, he caught her arm.

Ulrich: No. I can't leave you all alone there. You…you must stay here in my room.

He reddened just after he said it.

She was shocked to hear him. She blushed to the thought of her and him alone in one room.

Sissy: Are you sure?

Ulrich: It's already late. (ushering her in) Come inside.

Sissy: Ok. (shyly saying) It's only him and me tonight… us… alone.

---

Yumi played the message in her mobile phone for the fourth time. "If you want to repeat the message, press 1," the prompt said. Yumi pressed the number once more. She was like caught listening to a broken record playing the same material over and over.

He really wants to talk to me. Should I let him? Should I call?

It's been barely a week yet Yumi already missed him. She couldn't stop thinking the reality that Ulrich was with Sissy and God only knew what they were doing.

What are you so worried about? He doesn't like her, Yumi. All of you especially Ulrich is annoyed of her. She kept reminding herself that.

Maybe I should quit cold-shouldering him.

Call him

But it's too early. Whenever I upset him even for no reasons at all. He ignores me for a much longer time than this.

Why can't I do the same thing?

But you miss him

And you want him to explain

Should I wait more then?

Or should I call now?

She reached down and picked up her phone…

To be continued...

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A/N: Sorry for this very long chapter, but expect the next and last installments to be as long as this one.