"Right, it was a joke," Jeremy grinned.
Laura felt really confused. She wasn't sure if she should bring up the diaries she saw or not. Was he totally insane or just trying to play off an actual secret? Against her better judgement she decided to speak out, "I think you're lying," she firmly said.
"That's crazy. Why would we lie?" Odd shouted sounding a bit too defensive.
"I saw the diaries. Jeremy mentions everything in them," she once again answered without hesitation.
The gang turned to face Jeremy, they couldn't believe he had been so careless and had not deleted those files. Jeremy was at a loss for words. He could have sworn he had deleted everything.
"Right. Well, it can't be helped. Have a seat we'll tell you everything." Jeremy sighed as he sat on the factory ground.
"That's insane. How is it back if you guys defeated it?" Laura asked amazed with everything that she had just heard.
"We're not sure, that's why we're here. I think my father might have survived. I'm not sure why, it's just a gut feeling," Aelita sadly stated as she looked at the ground. Laura saddened by her statement felt compelled to hug her. Aelita smiled warmly as she embraced her as well.
"Don't worry I won't stand in you're way. If this means you could possibly get your parents back I would love to help in any way I can," Laura warmly mentioned still embracing Aelita.
The gang was left speechless by Laura's compassionate response. They couldn't believe that she was being so relaxed and supportive. Jeremy was especially impressed as he watched the display of affection in front of him. He didn't feel too great about it, but watching Laura be so awesome about the topic made him feel all warm inside. A feeling that up until now, only Aelita had managed to create.
"Yumi wake up," was all Yumi heard as she opened her eyes. It was her mom looking oddly upset.
"What is it mom?" She quietly asked as she rubbed her eyes trying to get accustomed to the light.
"We've got to talk, it's about your father." Yumi confused motioned for her mother to continue speaking. "Well, he's been offered the company he works for. You see the owner is retiring and is entrusting the company to your father."
Yumi couldn't help but shout excitedly, this was what her father had always wanted. "That's great mom! Why do you not sound as happy?"
Mrs. Ishiyama frowned. She knew she was about to break her daughter's heart. "Well, the job is in Kyoto, Japan so we would have to relocate. They're paying to have us move our whole life over there by Friday."
Tears began to roll down Yumi's face as she realized that she had only two full days left with her friends before she had to board on a plane and leave her life behind. Mrs. Ishiyama simply embraced her daughter guilt-ridden that she would have to start over being so close to finishing high school. Hiroki was still young but Yumi was in 11th grade.
Ulrich nervously sat at the gates of the school entrance waiting for Yumi to arrive. He was determined to fix things between them one way or another. He waved as he spotted her and began to walk towards her.
"Hey Yumi, how are you?"
"I've been better. Say you think we could cut class, there's something I need to tell you." Ulrich nodded in agreement as he realized how sad she sounded. Yumi simply began walking into the forest.
"What is it Yumi?" Ulrich nervously managed to say as they took a seat on the ground under a tree for shade.
"I don't really know how to say this tactfully, so I'm just going to go ahead and say it. I'm leaving back to Japan on Friday," Yumi sadly stated as she looked at the ground. She couldn't face Ulrich, the look on his face would surely be too much to handle.
"What why? Can't you stay?" Ulrich shouted devastated. He gently took Yumi's hands in his in an attempt to get her to make eye contact.
"I can't, you know my parents will never let me," was all she managed to reply. She finally found the courage to face Ulrich and the look on his eyes was just what she expected. He looked destroyed.
"But why? Is it his job again? Last time he managed to find employment here remember? Maybe we can help?" He desperately stated.
"No, he has a job, he's getting a promotion. They handed him the company, however, we need to move to Japan so that he can effectively watch over it." Ulrich simply nodded in defeat as Yumi silently observed him. She had wanted to explain things to him first to avoid any interruptions or outbursts when she told the rest of the gang.
"Okay, well I guess you better tell the others." Ulrich sighed as he got up and extended his arm out to help her get up as well. Yumi simply nodded as they made their way back to the schoolyard.
"Wait, what! Why?" William sadly shouted as he finished listening to what Yumi had to say. He turned over to Ulrich and was surprised he wasn't reacting.
"Yeah, I've been giving it a lot of thought. I know what's at stake here which is why I think you guys should teach Laura to fight. Who knows, she might be a good asset on Lyoko. You will need all the help you can get," Yumi suggested as she stared at the ground.
The gang sadly nodded in agreement wishing there was something they could all do but they knew there was no way her parents would let her stay.
"Well, I guess that's that then. Let's go do something fun, we don't have any more classes anyway." Odd grinned attempting to lighten the mood.
"What do you guys say we go to the arcade across town?" Yumi managed to force a smile.
"I can't go but you guys go ahead. I've got to meet with a science tutor, I don't plan on failing anything this school year." Ulrich shrugged as he walked off.
"Wow, looks like everything is changing around here," Odd mumbled as the gang began to walk towards the arcade.
Ulrich had waited for his friends to go out of sight so that he could go to where he truly wanted to go. He didn't know how but he was going to make sure that Yumi stayed with them. He couldn't let her go, not now that he was so close to finally having the love of his life be his.