This chapter is dedicated to Aechigo! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL! (Even though it isn't until the 12th, but I couldn't wait that long to post this chapter, could I?) ;)

"Okay, here's how it's going to work," Yumi said. The gang was sprawled about her room, sitting in various places. "We have two showers. One is in my room, and the other is the family one. Aelita and I will use the one in my room. You guys," she pointed a finger at the boys, "can use the family one. Now, I know we have double as many boys as girls, so when we're done, we'll go get one of you that's still waiting. Understand?"

Everyone nodded, and the boys grabbed their bags and headed out.

"You can go first," Yumi offered. Aelita hesitated, but Yumi insisted. With a nod of thanks and a smile that was returned, she slipped inside and closed the door. A few seconds later, there was the sound of water being turned on.

"I told you, I'm after Ulrich!"

"No, I'm after Ulrich!" Peter growled, pushing Odd out of the way. "Watch it!" Ulrich yelled as the boys scuffled around his feet. Suddenly the shower inside stopped. A minute or so later, Jeremy came out with wet hair, wearing a clean outfit, a towel slung around his shoulders.

"Thank god," Ulrich sighed under his breath. "Hey, I wasn't that long, was I?" the young programmer asked. Ulrich pointed wordlessly to the boys on the ground. Jeremy rolled his eyes. "I get it."

Ulrich hurried into the bathroom while Jeremy walked over to Yumi's room. He knocked. "Come in," Yumi responded.

Jeremy came in and set his bag on the floor.

"Hey. Peter and Odd are fighting over who gets to go next," he said. "Are you surprised?" Yumi sighed.

"Not really. I just wasn't planning on staying over there with the two buffoons."

"Good choice," Yumi laughed. Suddenly the shower went off. "Looks like Aelita's done," the black-haired girl said absent-mindedly as she gathered clothes from a drawer. Suddenly the door to the bathroom opened.

Aelita came out with a towel wrapped around her, mostly dry but with slightly wet hair. She carried a pink bundle in one hand. "Okay Yumi, I'm done. You can—" Aelita froze, cheeks going red as she saw Jeremy.

"Jeremy! I… I didn't know you were in here," she mumbled, stepping back inside the bathroom.

He looked to Yumi apologetically, cheeks slightly red.

"Yumi, can you grab my bag?" Aelita's timid voice called. "Of course," Yumi called back, easily spotting and grabbing the pink bag amongst the others. She knocked and the door opened a crack, a hand reaching out.

Yumi handed her the bag and the door closed shortly afterward.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

After a few minutes Aelita came out fully clothed and still slightly blushing, bag in hand.

Yumi grabbed a small bag and went inside the bathroom, shutting the door as Aelita set down her own bag by the others.

Aelita sat down by Jeremy, who was slightly flushed too.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

Aelita smiled. "That's okay Jeremy," she said brightly.

At the sight of her smile, Jeremy began to return it. They sat in the silence, the only noise being the sound of rushing water from the shower. The two just looked around the room, sometimes stealing glances at each other.

Once or twice, they caught each other staring and blushed lightly before looking away.

"Jeremy?" Aelita inquired after a minute of silence.

"Yes Aelita?"

"You know the question Ulrich asked you, the one from truth or dare?" she turned to face him.

Jeremy felt blood rush to his cheeks.

"Well, um... Yes, what about it?"

"You didn't answer it. I-I... I want to know your answer," she responded, regarding him intently and willing herself not to blush even as a little red blossomed on her cheeks.

"M-My answer? Well, I um... what I want to say, I mean..." Jeremy blushed furiously and stared at his hands in his lap, a strand of hair hanging in his face hiding one of his eyes.

"My answer is... um, I-I... yes." The words were hardly distinguishable, barely more than a mumble. Slowly, a smile broke out on Aelita's face and she gave Jeremy a crushing hug, ignoring the rising temperature of his cheeks and leaning forward on her knees. The skinny boy had some trouble remaining upright.

"Jeremy...?"

"Yes, Aelita...?" He was barely able to force the words out.

"I like you too."

Jeremy was rendered speechless.

She let him go and kissed him on the cheek. The young genius had a goofy grin on his face.

"Congratulations," said a voice.

The newly formed couple turned to see Yumi in the doorway of the bathroom, toweling off her hair and in one of her normal black outfits. There was a surge of embarrassment from the two as they blushed madly.

"You... you heard?" Aelita asked sheepishly.

"The walls aren't very thick. Anyway, I'll leave you two alone. A bit of warning though, once Odd or Peter sees that I'm done, they'll come charging in here," Yumi informed them, heading out the door. Her head popped back in.

"And Aelita? You may not want to hug Jeremy that tight. His face was starting to turn blue," she said with a wink, head going out of sight.

Aelita flushed pink.

"Sorry."

"Uh, no, I mean, that was okay," Jeremy mumbled, knowing he meant it.

Yumi went downstairs to find Ulrich lounging on the couch, subconsciously tracing his fingers along the armrest.

"Done your shower already? Peter practically bowled me over to go shower."

"Yeah. Odd did the same to me. Are you surprised at all?"

"Not really," she smiled, settling next to him.

"It's just like them to fight over something like the showers," he sighed, shaking his head.

"I know!" Yumi laughed. "I think Peter was more mature as a third grader." This got Ulrich's attention.

"What's the story with you and him anyway?" the brunette inquired, trying not to let the jealousy he felt work its way into his tone. Yumi looked at him strangely. "He's an old friend. Why?"

"Well, did you ever... you know, date him?"

"What, Ulrich? Of course I didn't date him. Why would you want to know?"

Ulrich relaxed only a little, muscles still tense. "Did you ever like him?" Yumi's expression was now suspicious. "That's none of your business. Why would you want to know, anyway?"

"So, you do like him?" Ulrich asked in a sharp tone, ignoring her question. The look on her face was one of utter shock. "Is that a fact?" Her tone was hard and cold, features transforming into an emotionless mask.

"It seems like it," Ulrich accused.

"How would you know?" she shot back.

"You've known him for a long time," Ulrich said angrily.

"That doesn't mean I like him!" Their voices rose loudly, almost to a yell.

"I think you do!"

"Well, I don't!"

"How come?"

"Because, because..." Yumi's expression faltered as she struggled to find words. "Because..."

"Because what?" Ulrich challenged.

"I-I..." Once again, Yumi was unable to form words, but her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Because..."

"See, you do like him," Ulrich huffed angrily.

"No! Because, you idiot," she said softly, "I like you."

She stood and walked swiftly away, running hurriedly up the stairs.

Ulrich just sat there, gaping and staring at the spot Yumi had sat in.

Wow, I can't believe I actually wrote YxU... Weird, huh? There must be something wrong with me ^.^ I hope it was okay. I don't have much practice writing YxU, as you probably know by now.

Anyway, hoped you liked reading (Well of course they read it, if they're already way down here) the latest installment (Took you long enough) , even though it was sort of... short. Cliffie ;) (Yes, you are evil, aren't you -rolls eyes-)

And yes, for those of you who might ask, (If any) I will (Probably) write an author's note (Random comment) for every (Most-) Okay, who is controlling the parenthesis? O_O I swear I will- (*Coughcough no violence coughcough*)

-huff- As I was saying, I will write an author's note for every chapter. See you until next time!

~Adventurer411~ ( :] )