Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duel Academia Chapter 2

 

Chapter 2 - School Days

All in all the first night at the Slifer Red dorm hadn't been so bad. Aki made for a good verbal sparring partner even as the two of you were in your respective bunks, throwing turn ideas back and forth for hypothetical duels. Even going back a good few years and debating on whether or not certain Pros might have had a chance against this one or that... and if any of them ever really had a chance of being the one to take down the King of Games. Before you knew it, sleep had won out, and for what felt like the first time in forever there wasn't a dream to go along with it. Deep, wonderful rest that brought you the sort of peace you'd needed for far too long.

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As morning came and the early bells tolled to announce that classes were set to begin soon, you glanced beside you at the slouching form of Aki as the two of you trudged along across the grounds. She looked utterly exhausted even though the pair of you really hadn't stayed up that late last night, still having the same look of tiredness on her that she'd had when you met yesterday.

A bit of questioning while you had your breakfast of toast and water... nothing else of course, had the girl brushing off your concerns. According to Aki she just hadn't been able to stay asleep through the evening.

You might have tried to work a little more information out of her... but despite the duel and conversations the two of you had last night you don't feel like you're close enough to press that topic just yet.

So after finishing off the meager meal and gathering up your things, the two of you went off towards the great main building near the center of the island. The great dome rising against the backdrop of the cliff behind it, certainly a far cry from the shed you stayed in the night before, no doubt about that.

'Step one, either get the hell outta that dorm or find some way to improve it.'

Not the place you wanted to be spending the next couple of years in, that was for sure. "Classes go on all around the building, center dome has the main dueling arena where exhibition matches take place just about every day. You'll figure it out, really isn't that difficult," Aki pointed a few things out to you as she finished chomping down a pocky stick she'd fished out of her jacket pocket. Offering one to you as well from the little plastic bag they'd come in. At this point you'd take just about anything to get a bit of energy for the day, even if its just some sugar. Putting the chocolate stick to your mouth, you mutter a soft thanks to your new friend as you gaze up at the building as the two of you start up the stairs.

"First class of the day isn't too bad... Professor Davis is pretty nice I guess. Some of the teachers here are just as bad as the students. Teaches card mechanics and understanding the text and timing for effects. You'd be surprised how many people don't know about missed timing." It sounds like something she's heard before, a good bit at that. But at least it's a vote of confidence that the first class you'll be attending at Duel Academy won't be the worst thing in the world.

"You liking him why we're getting here early, Aki?" the question posed as you snap off part of your own snack. She rolls her shoulders at you in return and keeps her gaze forward "Better to get here early so we can find a spot out of the way to nap in... or you can pay attention. Doesn't make much a difference to me, I'll just read the notes later or something."

Sounds like she's not very enthused about class, but maybe things can pick up a bit after you get settled?

The rest of the walk goes rather uninterrupted and dull until the two of you find your way to the classroom. Desks descending all the way down towards the white board and podium, with a rather tall man having his back to you and Aki. Aside from the pair of you in your Slifer Red uniforms, the man wearing a jacket of white is the only other person here. Stands to reason he's probably the Professor, given he's writing things out on the board while glancing down to something in his other hand.

It looks like he didn't notice that the two of you have entered, so...

"I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?"

That stops you dead in your tracks, your eyes immediately flicking at Aki to see she's done the same to you. By the time you can pull your gaze back towards the man whose voice boomed through the room, he's turned to look up at the pair of you still at the top of the stairs.

"Ah, good morning! The two of you are rather early, I'm glad to see you've elected to take your studies seriously this semester Miss Izayoi. But I'm afraid I'm not familiar with your friend. A new student come to join us, I presume?"

"What is living life but pushing back against the inevitable? Everything ends but the beauty is in the journey."

As the words flow forward from you, the impact of Aki's hand slapping against her face cuts through the silence that follows afterwards. "Oh god not you too... don't encourage him," the girl groans out. The man looks quite enthused however, finally letting you see what was in his other hand was a small book that he'd likely been reading. "My my, quite the well read young man it seems. I wonder if you've read the entire works of Irenicus and his contemporaries? What might your name be, my new student?"

Adjusting the bag you've slung over your shoulder, you start moving down the stairs towards the closer rows of desks. An audible sigh comes from behind and a moment later you can hear that Aki is following behind as well. "Yusuke Baker, I just got to the Academy yesterday after, ah... my Dueling Test." A duel you'd won, but still got placed into the lowest ranking dorm, you're not upset about that, why would you be... not at all.

'You got to have an awesome duel against Aki and made a new friend already. Should you really be complaining about where you got placed?'

Those inner thoughts have a point, as always.

"Ah, Mr. Baker... the faculty was informed of you, Yusuke," the man adjusts his glasses as he speaks. Placing his book off to the side, he's wearing a soft and friendly looking smile as he continues. "Forgive me, I've neglected to introduce myself. My name is Hiro Davids, Professor Davids to the young minds of Duel Academia we are aiming to shape here. For what it may be worth I have the utmost faith you've done nothing wrong in the construction of your deck."

Professor Davids offers a hand out to you, but the information he just gave was enough to leave you stunned for a moment. The faculty was informed about you, so that means... everyone knows that you're under watch and investigation because of your cards? Forcing those thoughts down as problems to deal with later, you grasp the Professor's hand and give him a strong shake.

"His cards are real, Professor. We dueled last night and I got a good read on him... he's not a cheater," Aki pipes in, having already found a seat and slumped down into it. Crossing her arms on the table and resting her chin atop them while staring at the pair of you. That seems to perk up the look of the Professor some, "You've already dueled Miss Izayoi, Mr. Baker? Well, it certainly speaks to your character. I'll be sure to make a note of it, perhaps the two of you can hone your skills together. It's good to see that you're already making friends."

The smile of the man comes easier to him than anything you've seen before. He certainly seems genuine enough, and from the sound of it he knows something about the experience you and Aki had last night while dueling... is that another thing the faculty was informed of? You might need to question her about that.

Glancing to the clock on the wall for a moment, the Professor's gaze turns back to you. "We have a few moments before the rest of the students should start arriving, are there any questions I may answer for you, Yusuke? I imagine you may have a few on your first day."

You've certainly got at least one question bugging at the back of your head already. Absentmindedly tapping a finger at the deck you've got strapped to your leg, you give the Professor a nod "Am I going to have any restrictions on my deck? From what that fuc-... representative of KaibaCorp said, I'm under investigation so..." Even the inner voice isn't going to argue against you being a little upset on that front. Giving up your cards isn't an option, they're yours and yours alone, this is your deck. Even if the cards in it aren't supposed to exist by what the Academy says, you've still claimed them as your own, the right to have them.

Professor Davids follows the tapping down to see your deck, but the man doesn't immediately offer you an answer. That only makes you all the more worried, you've used other decks in the past, that was how you got your tournament wins. But the Blue-Eyes and your other cards, using them is something different.

"I couldn't say for certain, Yusuke. We are having a faculty meeting later on today, so I could raise the issue on your behalf?" he offers, along with the smile he's still wearing. "You shouldn't let such things worry you too much however, any duelist that trusts in his cards enough will always find a way to have what he needs. No matter what the deck might have in it."

That almost sounds like...

"Yuuuuuuuuusuuuuuke!!!" A familiar voice calls out that diverts your attention away from the Professor, but not in remotely enough time to prepare yourself. A blur of yellow and black assaults you before you could hope to brace yourself collides into your side and before you can even yelp out in surprise you've been knocked off your feet and sent to the cold, hard floor below.

'Ow...'

You've gotten the air knocked out of you, and now something is straddling your waist. Once you finally manage to shoo away the Kuriboh flying around your head after getting knocked silly, a familiar looking mocha face and dark head of hair, and a jacket of yellow to contrast your own red, all come into focus.

"It is very good to see you again so soon, Yusuke Baker! We are to be classmates it seems, how very very exciting~! Look look, I have even been given the honor of placement in the house of Ra. A veeeeeery good omen to be certain!"

While it's a tad difficult to take your eyes off the girl with the way she's bouncing with excitement atop you for rather obvious reasons... you still manage to glance to the others. Professor Davids is holding a hand up and seems to be chuckling behind it, while Aki...

"...What?"

She looks even more confused then you probably do.

"So, this is Fizdis. Met her yesterday and dueled her for the entry exam, she's ah... a little energetic. But I think she's pretty okay, not a bad person or anything." Does that make for a weak explanation? Because honestly it's the only one you can think to make at the moment really. You haven't spent an extended period of time with Fizdis or anything but she hasn't given you any sort of bad vibes. She just seems like a bit of a weird girl that has a lot of energy and very few personal boundaries. "Fizdis, that's Aki. A friend and my uh, my roommate in Slifer Red."

Only fair if you introduce one of them you do both, right?

That just gets Fizdis rotating atop you, sliding herself around so that while she's still sitting atop you for some reason she's repositioned herself off to the side to where she can look to Aki. Giving a wave to the other girl, it's becoming incredibly clear that the Ra Yellow member doesn't see anything in the slightest wrong with the current set up. "Helloooooo new friend! If you are a companion of Yusuke this will make you my friend as well of course. It is wonderful to meet you!"

Slowly rising from her position of laying across her arms, Aki gives a slow, awkward wave in return to Fizdis. "Uh... hey? Sure, I s'pose." These two certainly are opposites from what you're picking up, Fizdis has all the energy in the world while Aki seems to be bouncing off of it in turn. Maybe they'll get along anyways, that isn't too far of a hopeful stretch is it?

"As wonderful as it is to see the three of you getting along, class is starting soon. How about you take your seats and continue your conversations after class, hm?" Professor Davids finally cuts in, saving you from the awkward air in the room. The man looking a touch amused at your plight. That gets Fizdis up and off of you rather quickly, the girl still having a bounce in her step as she dusts off her skirt and holds a hand out to you. "It would be poor form on our first day to disrupt lessons, Yusuke. The Professor is right~!"

Getting back up to your feet with a little help from the very person that had knocked you over a minute ago you can see that more students are starting to pour in. You've moved over to sit beside Aki, and Fizdis elected to follow you it seems. One girl on either side of you, your deck strapped to your leg, and the first day of attending classes at Duel Academy.

Not exactly the way you wanted to get here, but... this really isn't so bad, is it?

In just a few minutes there has been a gaggle of students coming into the classroom. Slifer Reds, Ra Yellows, even Obelisk Blues strolling along and coming into class with the rest of you. One of those jackets should be yours by all rights, something that gets a little huff out of you as you pluck at the red of your jacket again. That isn't something that should still be troubling you, it shouldn't... but damned if it isn't annoying anyways.

Only a few of the faces stand out from the crowd, and hardly any of them pay you any mind. A few glances towards you and the girls here and there but nothing truly comes of it, at least until another collection of Obelisk Blue students come into the room. A few boys as well as a few girls all entering together, but with the low buzz of noise rolling through the room you can't hear what they're saying, even as a finger from one of the boys points directly towards you.

The laughter does cut through the noise, as does the glares and sneers of the other students. You're not the only one to notice it either... it's just for the slightest of moments, but you swear that the ends of Aki's hair start to push up from resting against the desk where she's been laying down. Floating up as her fingers dig in roughly at the leather of her jacket.

"Assholes..."

A mutter under her breath before she sighs and lets it go, putting her head back down and growing quiet again. It's Fizdis that pipes up from beside you afterwards. "Whatever the issues of those people may be, do not let it burrow in! If they wish to act in such a manner and be so rude, surely they shall be punished for it, my new friends!" She's got an aura of beaming confidence and radiating sunshine in stark contrast to the gloom of you roommate. Only Aki's eyes being visible with how she's got most of her face buried into her crossed arms. "They won't, you'll see just what kind of place this is."

Duel Academy isn't quite what you expected it to be... but cliques and bullies seem to be a common factor no matter what. Staring down the group of Blue students that are looking towards you, you don't show a moment of weakness before them. Keeping eye contact until they finally start to all move along and find their seats... aside from one.

A tall girl with long, beautiful dark blonde hair that flows down her back. Soft of face with hazel eyes that didn't look like the rest of the Obelisk students that had been staring your direction. She's beautiful, really, you can't think of any blunter way to describe it. She perfectly fills out the uniform she's wearing with the swell of her chest leading down to an otherwise slim form.

Instead of the derision and scorn that the others of her dorm had shown you, once they'd moved on she instead raised her hand in a wave and smiled.

She holds the look between the two of you for a few more moments, before following after the other students and being lost in the hustle and bustle of the room.

Huh... Neat.

"Good morning everyone! It's time we all settle down and take our seats, I'm sure every one of you is as excited as I am for a new semester to begin, and to our new students I bid you welcome! My name is Professor Davids and together we'll all come to a greater understanding of the game we love so dearly. Now, let us begin with-"

It might be a weird one, but school is still school at the end of the day... who knows, maybe you might even learn something.

As class begins you can see Aki sinking down further into her seat and fully putting her head down. Burying her face fully into her crossed arms it looks as though she's going to be disregarding the lesson and trying to catch up on some more sleep.

All the more reason for you to stay up and be the one to take notes. You can pass them along to her if she wants them later on, maybe it's better to let her rest for now. You can see Fizdis is listening in with rapt attention too as the lecture starts, eagerly scrawling down every word that the Professor says onto her notepad. Certainly thorough, but you're more focused on the key notes rather than trying to get every word of it outright.

It seems the lesson today is starting off as a simple one, a back to basics sort of class. Professor Davids goes over each of the different varying types of cards and their unique classifications and how they interact with one another. From the effect monster, to the counter-trap, to a field spell, he's going over the pros of each one and how best to utilize them in each different scenario.

Not the most riveting stuff in the world, but having a good foundation to work off of is pretty important. A little review never hurt anyone... especially the two Slifer boys you can see off to the side that are leaning against one another and dozing off, they aren't even being polite about it and just putting their heads down like Aki did.

They look like they're probably younger than you, so that could certainly explain a lot.

"So, given the current board state as we have it now with your opponent maintaining Imperial Order along with another facedown set that you have no idea what it could be. What would be our ideal move at the moment? Assuming you've put a card into your deck that could help you get around this and had it available what would your move be..." Professor Davids has finished putting a scenario up on the board, the marker sketching out a board state of a duel in progress. Looking it over, you feel like you've got an answer in mind. At least a direction of something that might be worth trying...

"The answer is Jinzo, sir."

A girl's voice calling out just as you were pushing yourself up from your seat to offer an answer.

'Not just any answer, that was the one I was gonna give.'

Halting yourself halfways to standing, you follow the sound of the voice and see that same Obelisk Blue girl from before is standing from her seat. Looking directly forward, towards the front of the class as she points a finger towards the board. "We can't use any of the spells we have, and a trap card wouldn't help us in this case anyways. Our best move is to tribute the monster on the field that we have and summon Jinzo. His effect to negate all traps and the activation of traps means that we'll have just enough attack power using him to attack the enemy monster and destroy it for game."

Pleased, the Professor gives a nod towards the girl once she finishes. "Precisely the correct move, Miss Rhodes, while we may currently have a stronger monster on the field that doesn't matter right now. Without an effect and no way to get around what could very well be a trap that could reflect our attack and leave us open for defeat on the opponents turn the raw attack of the monster means little." Turning to the board again, Davids begins altering the drawing, showing how the monster that the 'Rhodes' girl had given could change things around. "Duel Monsters is a game of the mind, my young charges. If you seek to defeat your foes simply by wildly swinging as much as you can you'll find yourself accomplishing little and less. But of course, each dueling style has it's own merits, you simply need to find what works best for you."

As the Professor continues on, the girl that had given the answer returns to her seat, looking pleased with herself. "Ooooh, she is a rather smart one, Yusuke. I would have not thought of Jinzo, very impressive~!" Fizdis titters softly beside you. "I believe that is Alexis Rhodes, the top female duelist in the Academy. Was, of course, a title I shall most certainly be taking for myself!"

"Miss Fizdis, while your enthusiasm is admirable please do try to keep your voice down while class is in session."

A chirp of acknowledgement from the eager yellow-clad girl and the lesson continues on.

'Alexis Rhodes... I wonder just what she's made of?'

“The global economy is helmed by just Kaibacorp, run on the whims of one of extremely egotistical, narcissistic freak. Who’s only rich because of inherited wealth from his war profiteering father.”

'God when is he gonna stop... how much time is even left in class?'

You can't even bring yourself to raise your head from underneath the protective covering of your arms. Professor Rossi has been going on about the inherit evil of the 'Global Card Economy', landlords, and 'The Elite' for a good half hour at least.

A far cry from Professor Davids, you actually picked up some pretty decent tips on strategy and alternative win conditions from that class. This one was supposed to be on the various types of summoning conditions and how to use each of them in your deck to allow better combo utilization... that was what the syllabus had said at least.

Pacing back and forth at the front of the class with an utterly massive whiteboard behind him filled to near completion. Interlocking theories of how this relates to that, how the various companies of the world are all in bed with one another, on and on.

When class started you'd thought that he might have a point with all this, like, it was leading somewhere. Aki had merely sighed and pulled out a pair of ear-plugs and popped them in before she'd settled with her head down on her arms.

Much the same as you're doing now, she's got some pretty good ideas you suppose. Tilting your head a touch to let one of your eyes peer to the side, you see that Fizdis is totally zoned out as well. The girl in yellow working more on trying to balance a pencil on her upper lip than bothering to take notes.

"Professor... what does any of this have to do with Ritual Summoning?" A female voice finally speaks. You think it might be that Alexis girl, but you didn't see to know for certain.

The Professor certainly did though, immediately whirling around on his heel and pointing towards the area where the voice had come from. “Shut up! Now as I was saying- the pedophilic corporate elite have formed a cabal using political donations to set themselves up as a ruling class, with their media outlets funding news networks to distract you all from genuine issues, to instead focus on culture war issues, even as they drive the planet towards extinction for profit. That's not even counting the wild shit that Seto Kaiba is doing in one of his secret underground labs to try to bioengineer actual dragons! Which reminds me...”

This... well you very well might learn something today if you hang around and listen to more of it. But it's not remotely anything that can actually keep your interest. You really should have hit up Aki for another pair of ear-plugs since she'd known what was gonna happen here. Maybe taking after her lead wouldn't be so bad here.

Putting your face down into the red leather of your jacket and letting out a deep sigh, you do your best to block out the rantings... Some more rest will do you good.

Closing your eyes, focusing on nothing but your own breathing and the thumping of your heart. The noises all around begin to fade, from the voice of the Professor to even the hum of the lights above.

It all falls away, and you dream.

A great, strong tower of stone rises against the setting sun. Basking the land in a warmth that could wash away the worries of any man that might gaze upon those rolling hills of green. An ocean on land, a sea of grass that spans for countless miles in all directions just barely whipped up by the wind. Tiny cottages and little plots of worked land standing out just barely within view, little pillars of smoke rising from the chimneys that climb from the roof of each home.

This... it's beautiful.

Your heart filled with the feeling of home, as though this is always where you were meant to belong.

In a near trance, you raise your hand and reach out towards the horizon. Wanting to grasp this moment of perfection and hold it tightly, to never let it go. The arm that stretches forward... it's yours, but it isn't. A shimmering outline that warps and twists on itself, showing both the jacket of a school boy and the armor of a warrior. Fading from one to another, mixing and swirling that it could be both or neither... but you're You.

You've always been You.

"Traitor! Murderer! You'll die for what you've done, I swear it!"

Anguished cries of rage, of hatred so intense it chills you to the very bone. Whirling around to find the voice, the sight is enough to strike a pain in your heart.

Majestic rivers of thick blonde flow behind her, a mane of a lion. So perfectly matching to make a pair with the deep, rich eyes of blue. Her armor just as well cared for as the rest of her, a heavy thick set of plate that she wears as naturally as if it was an extension of her very body, a second skin.

She clutches her massive blade in both of her hands, sweat pouring from her brow as the blue eyes of the Knight burn with such pain, such...

Betrayal

Opposite of the woman is the foe she's squared off against, the focus of the burning rage that fills every bit of her body... her soul.

The creature of darkness and shadow, bathed in a blackness so deep that the night itself would seem as radiant as the woman did. Wisps of smoke rose from his form... his? From all places across the darkened void, even to the longsword that it grasped in a ready stance.

"████ ████████ ██████████ ███ ████ ████ ████"

A ROAR of static in your mind, the harshness of whatever the creature had said forcing thousands upon thousands of knives right into your skull. Nearly knocking you over to the grass below... yet for the pain it caused you, you can still see the way the woman's face twists in suffering from whatever she heard.

Barely a moment passed, a heartbeat before the Knight rushed forward. The glimmering blade of the Sun raised and poised to cleave through the shadowy figure with a single blow. Deflected and parried away by the Shadow...

And you see it for the first time.

The Eyes of Red that burn within the helm of the Shadow Knight as blades clash and clang against one another time and time again. Every move the woman makes is countered by her foe, yet not a true blow is landed against either.

"I trusted you, they trusted you, we all trusted you!" The woman cries out as her slashes and thrusts grow faster, more hectic and emotional. Swinging the giant blade in her hands as though it weighs nothing at all and putting the Shadow Figure on the backfoot. Tears rolling down her face as she crashes against the Shadow's sword again and again and again and again. Battering him down until she finally raises it high into the air to bring it down clean atop the figure's head.

"HE TRUSTED YOU ABOVE ALL!!!"

"███████████████████████!!!"

"NO!"

A howl of a demon pierces the air and overtakes your own cry, just as the blade of the Shadow cuts through the armor of the Knight. Cutting through both the plate and the flesh below like a hot knife through butter... halting the swing of the woman as her eyes go wide in horror and shock. Stumbling backwards a step, the brunt of the horrid wound at her side is immediately apparent.

Falling to her knees as she plants a hand to her wound, the trembling form of the Knight can just barely manage to raise her head towards the Shadow. "Y-you... will never... be fo-forgiven..." wheezing out her words as blood pours past the fingers that try to press against her bleeding. The Shadow stands above her, a blade pointed down to her as she still stares so defiantly against it. Yet after a moment, it turns away, a single step and... gone, vanished out of sight as wisps of shadow float away.

Leaving only the bleeding woman on the ground, and the thundering of approaching hooves in the distance.

You...

You're cradling her in your arms, holding her as softly as you can as she bleeds past your fingers as you try to hold the wound closed. Praying to God, to anything that would listen, that she would find the strength to endure even this.

"My Captain..." your voice is already hoarse, just barely above a whisper. She can see the pain on your face and understands, there's little to be done for a wound like this, not without having... That person isn't here, so it doesn't matter. "Fool of a girl, how many times have I told you? Charging ahead without thinking like this, you know better."

Finding the strength to speak at all is a struggle. Berating and scolding her as if she was still a child serves no point, not now. Not as she so weakly smiles up to you, the brightness of her blue eyes already starting to fade from the shimmering oceans of warmth you'd already known them to be.

Every breath she takes is a struggle, you can't bare to pull away from looking right at her. Even as the tears roll down your face, falling to splash against her cheeks, she still wears her smile. "I...I wanted to save you. So you... you wouldn't have to do it. Y-you've always done too much on your own."

She can barely find the strength to raise a hand, the warmth of her own blood still coating the bare palm as she presses against your face. "My King..."

By the moment she grows quieter, your heart aches and the tears continue to flow. Smearing blood across your face, she wipes the wetness away from your visage, "Be strong..."

Silent sobs wrack your form as you hold the girl tightly against you, pressing your forehead against hers. Nothing else can be heard around the pair of you, not the horses, the other Knights, nothing but the struggle for each breath that comes from the dying girl in your arms. Her blood smeared across half your face and soaking your clothing.

"U-unc...."

You bolt up in a panic, sweat rolling down your brow, chest rising and falling as you suck down air. Trying to calm yourself as you see that you're back in the classroom, Fizdis to your left, Aki to your right. Both of the girls sleeping in their own ways with Aki still having her head buried in her arms, and Fizdis leaning back in her chair and dozing away the same.

Running a hand through your hair, you look up and see that the Professor has... somehow managed to fill even more of the board with linking scrawling of whatever the hell he's been talking about while you were asleep. Still writing away even as he's speaking again.

“Now, as I was saying, before the rude interruption of the Academy Security Force, the capitalist class has-“

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING

The sound of the bell is an announcement to scramble. Even in a half dazed state of just waking up, you're grabbing your bag and throwing it over your shoulder. A hand snatching both of Aki and Fizdis as well as you force your way past the other students and into the hallway. Just to get away from that mess of a classroom. The girls might have been asleep, and you were lugging effectively dead weight, but you still got the hell out of there nearly before anyone else.

Shaking themselves awake, Fizdis is the first to perk up of the girls. "Ah, goodness, did I fall asleep like everyone else? It was not my intention but the Professor started Dueling the security force when they entered and kept talking so much that I must have nodded off, yes!"

Security force? Just what in the hell did you miss while you were sleeping? Aki must be the one that notices the look of confusion that you're wearing, your roommate reaching towards the sky and stretching herself out. Mouth opening wide in a yawn before she slumps down a bit. "That's the Professor for you, total whackjob... he's got tenure or something so they can't get rid of him. Strong deck too, like, really strong."

"So... are we gonna learn anything in his class about Duel Monsters? Or is it just going to be more of whatever that was every day?" tilting your head to the side as you ask the question. God you hope that you don't have to experience something like that every day... it'd get old way too quick, hell it was already old! "Nah, sometimes the security force manages to get him occupied enough and drag him away to where an assistant can actually teach... maybe? Class doesn't matter, I sleep through it." The redhead offers you a shrug again as the three of you stand aside from the flow of students escaping out of the room.

When a flow of blonde passes by your gaze, your eyes immediately flick to follow the path. Again it's that Alexis girl, and she seems to have noted your gaze as well, offering a little wave of her hand and another smile before she continues on with her friends down the hall.

"I believe we are finished with the classes for the day now, yes?" Once again Fizdis chirps up, bouncing on her heels "Perhaps we could be finding lunch? I do not typically wait this late in the day to eat and my tummy has a terrible case of the rumblies!"

Looking down to your own stomach, you give it a light pat. You could certainly stand to eat too, "Sounds good, you feel up for the same Aki?" Making sure to ask your redheaded friend as you peer over at her. A nod is your immediate reply as she bobs her head, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her jacket as she starts off.

"Cafeteria is gonna be serving stuff, it's better than the trash we have at the dorm. Who knows, maybe one of us will even get lucky and draw the Golden Eggwich again, since I gave a certain someone my last one." A tired smile flashed to you as she leads your little trio off.

Since you think it might take a few minutes to get over to the cafeteria, you decide to try to make a bit of conversation with the girls. Throwing your hands back behind your head, gaze shifting between each of them as you think of a question or two... They're both pretty nice, interesting in their own ways. You'd really like to learn more about both of the girls, and you've all got things you enjoy outside of Duel Monsters, so why not start there?

"So, what do you guys like to do aside from dueling? Y'know, other hobbies and stuff. Gotta have something to do aside from dueling every now and again. Hell, anything ya wanna do after school?" It's a simple enough question you think, and a genuine thing to put forward to two people you really do want to learn some more about.

Naturally Fizdis' immediate response is to clap her hands together and beam out a bright, wide smile. "I very much enjoy collecting minerals and learning of archaeology. Back home I have a large collection of many stones and minerals, and I have even visited several dig sites! I would like to visit all around the world and learn of other places too!"

She starts off on a story after that, explaining to both you and Aki how she's visited the Valley of Kings as well as several other important locations in Egyptian history. Even a particular tomb of a Great Pharaoh that purportedly sealed away a great evil hundreds of years ago, she seems particularly prideful of that one with how she plants her hands on her hips. "The Pharaohs of old are all very fascinating to learn about. Did you know that even Duel Monsters itself is based off of ancient games that the Kings used to play with stone tablets? It is true!"

"Oh yeah... Pegasus was an archaeologist or something like that before he made the game, wasn't he?" Aki chimes in, leaning past you to look to Fizdis. "Like, he got the inspiration from some dig he was on in Egypt?"

'Egypt, that just makes the dreams all the weirder. If it was a game of Kings, maybe the ideas crossed over? Hell if I know.'

"Mm! Indeed, very correct observation! Mister Pegasus was inspired by our culture to create the game we all love so very much~!"

Flicking your eyes over to Aki after Fizdis finished up her side of things, curious what she has to say "What about you, roomie?"

Compared to what you might have expected, the way she's averting her gaze and scratching at her cheek almost looks a little shy.

"I uh... ahm." Coughing into her fist, Aki mutters something under her breath that you can't make out. Fizdis clearly having the same problem as she leans closer from across you. Clearly neither of you heard her, and with the perked brow you've got, it's obvious to the girl you're still waiting on an answer. Nibbling at her lower lip, Aki finally gives in and sighs. "I like motorcycles and gardening. Can't ride a bike on an island like this obviously so I... picked up gardening as a hobby, plants like it when you talk to them so, I always had something to chat with."

'Fuck, she really is cute.'

"As far as after school? Dunno, never really thought about it. Just maybe-"

The walk around the building towards the cafeteria had led the three of you near the center of the main hub once again. Strolling past one of the entrances, something in the back of your head suddenly has you throwing your arms out. Halting the girls from moving forward anymore as you stop dead in your tracks too. Just in time, as another student in an Obelisk Blue uniform comes barreling out of the entrance in a panicked rush.

"F-Freak! Freak!" He cries out, sprinting down the hallway as fast as he can away from whatever may be behind him. As you turn your head to the side to see what that might just be... another student, dressed in the uniform of Obelisk Blue slowly comes from the entrance. Shorter than you, with eyes of a dull color and a soft visage, face entirely neutral. That dull colored yet extremely focused gaze locks on to you and you alone. Not sparing a glance towards either of the girls. A cold chill emanates from the other student, and just as you're about to finally say something...

"Duel me."

"Uh..."

You glance to the girls just to see if they have a better idea of what in the hell is going on. Fizdis looks just as confused as you are, which makes sense really considering you both just got to the island yesterday. Aki though, she's got her eyes narrowed and looks as though she's trying to discern something about the person before you. Looking as intense as you've ever seen her, which to be fair, hasn't exactly been much? Stands to reason she probably knows this person though.

"So uh, who are you exactly?" The question comes from you while you're still mulling over the notion that this person that simply popped out of nowhere with someone fleeing in terror from them now wants to duel you. If you're going to be dueling anyone, you'd at least like to have a name to put to the face. What is it with Obelisk Blue students just being kinda... weird?

Those cold eyes haven't changed how they regard you in the slightest. Looking up to you with pure cold determination and scrutiny, judging, waiting. "Ena Date. Duel me."

Again that same blunt request comes as the book falls away from the other student's face. Putting it down into a bag and clearly intent on halting you from moving forward until you give an answer one way or the other.

Aki seems to have recognized something based off how her eyes light up, but she's looking to you to see what you're going to do. Fizdis is still focusing on the Obelisk student, up and down, looking like she can't quite figure something out...

You haven't had a Duel today, and maybe a match like this could help get the taste of whatever the hell was going on with Professor out of your head. And the memories of that dream... God it seemed so real all the way through.

Forcing those kinds of thoughts away, you step forward Ena and flash a smile. Pulling your bag from around your shoulder and fishing out your duel disk to strap it onto your arm. "It'll be good to have a match before lunch, help me work up an appetite. You guys don't mind if we take a small detour right?" You've got a look of confidence on, and the girls both give you affirmation in their own way, Fizdis with a small chuckle and bobbing her head, while Aki's nod is a bit slower.

"Be careful, Yusuke... heard about this guy before I think. He's supposed to be pretty strong."

'Strong? Good, maybe I can start proving myself around here. I might be in Slifer Red but I'm no damned slacker.'

Ena seems to accept your answer and turns around on his heel without another word, leading you and the girls back through the entrance to the dueling arena.

It looks just like the one that you'd dueled Fizdis on in your entrance exam. Seats all around the area to let anyone that might want to observe a match, do so. While not a filled crowd, there's still a good number of students milling around, even a faculty member or two filling the seats. Following Ena towards the ramps that lead up onto the arena, you see the girls splitting off from you to climb up to the stands.

"Good luck Yusuke! Thrash him soundly and give him the beatings!" Fizdis shouts, Aki looking like she's sighing, before showing a smile in your direction and giving a little wave. Both of them finding a seat together on the front row to watch.

Shooting your own smile back towards your friends, you follow your new opponent up the stairs and take a spot across from him. He'd already been wearing his Duel Disk and had his deck at the ready as he takes a stance opposite of you. Fishing your deck out of it's case, you take a long look at the cards in silence.

'First official duel in the Academy. You ready for this, Partner? Let's go show 'em what we're made of.'

Slamming your deck into the duel disk, it hums to life as you take your stance. Both you and Ena drawing your opening hands as your eyes lock with one another.

LIFE POINTS:
YUSUKE - 4000
ENA - 4000

"DUEL!"

Ena wins the automated coin flip and makes his first move, immediately pulling a card free from his hand and placing it to the field. Not showing an ounce of emotion the entire time as he works to start the duel off. "I begin, I summon Bountiful Artemis in attack mode. I finish my turn by setting a face down card. You may begin."

The strange, odd shape of Ena's monster comes to life. A billowing cape and a large set of wings that seem just as metallic and artificial as the rest of the strange creature. The three-pronged hands clacking and stretching out towards you as it finishes it's summoning.

BOUNTIFUL ARTEMIS:
ATK:1600
DEF:1700

That's a pretty basic first move all things considered, not a particularly strong monster either. "I draw!" you announce as you swipe a card from your deck and add it to your hand. What you've got right now... not the strongest opening hand you've ever had, really. But you've still got what you need to make a play and get a presence on the field.

"I summon Knight with Eyes of Blue from my hand!" slamming the card to your duel disk. Calling forth the helmed Knight, rising from a kneeling position and putting it's sword to the side, ready to attack at a moments notice.

KNIGHT WITH EYES OF BLUE:
ATK:1800
DEF:1600

There isn't any other move you can make at the moment, even using Knight's special ability... so, only one thing to do! "Go forward my Knight, attack Bountiful Artemis!" On command the Knight grabs their blade and rushes towards the floating creature opposite of it, leaping up into the air and intent on bringing it's blade down to cleave the creature in two.

Ena doesn't seem concerned in the slightest, and it seems you've played right into what he sought. "You activate my trap card, Negate Attack. Stopping your monster's assault and ending your Battle Phase."

A shield erects in front of your Knight, forcing the blow to stop a breath away from Bountiful Artemis and launching your Knight back to your side of the field.

"This activates the effect of Bountiful Artemis, whenever a counter-trap resolves I may draw one card," pulling a card free from his deck and adding it to his had, Ena is still staring straight on at you. Those cold, calculating eyes hardly even blinking.

'Traps and card draw together... that could be a problem.'

Glancing down at the cards you've got in your hand, you hope that what you draw next might be able to help you past this. "That'll end my turn, Ena, it's your move."

Sliding another card free from his deck, Ena nods to himself. Then he removes his monster from the field and plays the card he just drew. "I will sacrifice my Bountiful Artemis in order to Tribute Summon a monster from my hand. Airknight Parshath will take to the field." Where his giant monster had been a moment ago, it was replaced by what could only be described as an Angel.

A man with wings held tight against his form with vibrant armor, holding both sword and shield. Halo shining brightly above his head as the wings unfurled as the Angel raised his blade towards your Knight.

AIRKNIGHT PARSHATH:
ATK:1900
DEF:1400

"I continue my move, sacrificing the card I just drew. Zeradias, Herald of Heaven, by sacrificing this monster I am allowed to search a card from my deck. The Sanctuary in the Sky..." he lets his words fall off as the card is ejected from his deck and into his hand. "Which I shall then play. This card makes it so that any battle involving a fairy monster, I take zero damage from it."

Placing his next card, the Obelisk student's hair is whipped up by the great stone temple that rises behind him. Just the sort of fantastical, beautiful structure that could truly house a company of angels and be deserving of such wonder and splendor. The perfect backdrop to the Angel floating before your knight, still standing tall and proud against a stronger opponent.

"Next, I shall begin my Battle Phase. Airknight Parshath shall attack your Knight with Eyes of Blue and destroy it." On the command of it's Master, the Angel surges forward towards your Knight. Slashing straight through the armor of your servant and shattering the hologram. A wince passing over you as a minor shock hits as your life points drain...

LIFE POINTS:
YUSUKE: 3900
ENA: 4000

"And thanks to the effect of my Airknight, by inflicting battle damage upon you, I once again may draw another card from my deck." Yet again he's drawn more cards than you, adding it to his hand just for a moment... before tugging it and another card free from his hold. "I end my turn by setting two more face down cards. It is again your move."

Biting back a barely held curse, you've got your chance at a move again. "Draw!" ripping the card free from your deck, a glance to it reveals.... "I'll activate the card Graceful Charity! Allowing me to draw three cards so long as I discard two afterwards."

'Come on, this is our time to shine, let's do this right!'

But as you look to your deck as you aim to draw your cards... you halt.

Floating above your deck is a sigil you've never seen before... you couldn't have. Yet you recognize it as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, your deck is responding to your call, urging you to draw what you need.

'Draw, draw, draw!'

The cards enter your hand as the sigil fades... and you can't hide the smirk that comes next. Picking out two cards from your hand, you slide both of them into the grave yard, one of which causes a glow to eminate from the duel disk. "One of the cards I discarded is the White Stone of Legend! That allows me to add to my hand one special monster that is just what I'll need!" Slicing the card from your hand, you make your declaration as it hits the field. "And I'll call it forth using the spell card, Ancient Rules!"

"COME FORTH, MY BLUE-EYES WHITE DRAGON!"

"GWAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH"

BLUE-EYES WHITE DRAGON:
ATK: 3000
DEF: 2500

Your Servant towers over all else on the field, even the Temple that Ena had summoned to protect his Airknight. The wings of the Blue-Eyes stretch out across the entire arena, floating in the air in front of you in all the majestic glory that befits a dragon. You can't help but smile when you see it, the card you keep coming back to in your mind, even with all the Knights, and Eyes of Blue... it all comes back to this.

The crowd is ROARING around you, the seats having already filled even more since the duel had begun. A deafening roar of a buzz much the same as it'd been yesterday in your duel against Fizdis, but you don't draw your eyes away from the duel even for a moment.

"But we aren't done yet, I still have my normal summon for the turn! A Dragon's heart is a wild thing that only a few could ever hope to soothe, so here we go! I'll call forth my Maiden with Eyes of Blue as well!" Slamming down your next card beside Blue-Eyes. Stepping from behind the wing of the Dragon, the silver-haired Maiden presses her palm against the flank of Blue-Eyes as she crosses to stand beside it. "I'll finish off this part by setting a face down of my own, so you know what's coming next, right? If not, then it's time we have a little lesson of our own!"

Throwing your arm forward, the declaration of attack comes to you as easily as drawing breath. "Attack now, Blue-Eyes White Dragon! WHITE LIGHTNING!"

On the command of it's Master, your Dragon lets out another building shaking cry as it's maw opens wide. The electricity building within the mouth of the Dragon, before surging forward in a crackling burst of white, set to destroy the Airknight that your foe had to protect him. Even if he didn't take damage from this attack, you'd still clear his field and leave him open for what you might do next!

Not that he shows any fear, or any sort of reaction at all. Ena merely flips over another of the cards that he'd set on his last turn. "I activate Negate Attack, my second one. Again your attack is halted and the battle phase is ended."

Just before impact the blast of lightning is dissipated, leaving his Airknight completely unscathed and not having taken a point of damage or even having lost his monster. Clenching your fist tightly, you can't hold back the curse of 'damn it' from escaping your lips as your Blue-Eyes settles back down after the attack finishes. Much as you hate it...

"Your move, Ena."

Again your opponent draws a card.

Your finger tapping against your leg is betraying your impatience, annoyance even from how he's had a trap to every move you've made so far. A lock down and control deck with traps, card draw, the ability to negate all the damage he'd take from battles... he could whittle you down like this. Just a bit at a time if this is his whole game plan.

Ena is taking a few moments to plan out his move it seems. At last though, he's pulled two cards free from the selection in his hand. "I will activate two spell cards from my hand, the first being Axe of Despair. This card, when equipped to my Airknight Parshath, grants it an additional one-thousand attack points. But I activate another spell as well." Flicking around another card to show you, a wild boar rushing forward... "Rush Recklessly, granting my Airknight Parshath yet an additional seven hundred attack points. Bringing the total attack of my monster to thirty-six hundred. A good deal more than your Blue-Eyes."

AIRKNIGHT PARSHATH:
ATK:3600
DEF:1400

'That... no way!'

Slicing his hand down through the air, Ena continues. "The Battle Phase commences, my Airknight shall destroy your Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Yusuke."

Again the Angel raises the blade and shield it holds, carried forward on it's wings to charge at your Blue-Eyes. As your dragon roars in defiance, the Angel bashes it across the face with a shielded blow, only to draw another slash across the neck of your servant. Shattering the hologram of your Blue-Eyes and forcing you to throw up your hands to shield your face as the air rushes past you. "Ghn!"

LIFEPOINTS:
YUSUKE: 3300
ENA: 4000

'That... he just destroyed Blue-Eyes head on, seriously?'

As the Airknight settles back to the side of the field alongside it's owner, your lifepoints tick down to their new total. Gritting your teeth as you stare towards Ena with frustration, annoyance, and determination still held in your heart. Losing like this? As if!

"With that I draw another card, the attack of my Airknight becomes twenty-nine hundred as I end my turn. It is again your move."

AIRKNIGHT PARSHATH:
ATK:2900
DEF:1400

"Draw!"

You've got a deck that can get you out of this situation, the same as anything else you've dealt with before. If you're truly wanting to claim the title of King, you'll have to overcome a hell of a lot more than this! Flicking your eyes to the card you've drawn, it's immediately placed onto your duel disk's slot. "I activate Pot of Greed, drawing two more cards from my deck!" Tearing a duo of cards free from the pile, you continue right on to your next move.

Throwing your hand forward once more, the card you'd set the turn before rises up from being set. "Next I'll activate the card from my last turn, Monster Reborn! Summoning forth my Blue-Eyes White Dragon once again. I'll-"

"You shall do no such thing, you have activated my trap card." Ena's hand slices again, and his own set card rises up. "Divine Punishment, so long as I have my Sanctuary in the Sky on the field, this trap allows me to negate the activation of your card and destroy it. You shall not be re-summoning that dragon."

"Bastard..." you growl as the sigil of rebirth shatters before you, halting the summoning of your Blue-Eyes from the graveyard. But you're not done yet, not even close to it. Your deck gave you the answers you need, and you've still got moves to make here. "I'm still in this, and this just means I've gotta adopt another strategy, Ena!"

Slapping down yet another card, a wand begins to materialize in the hand of your Maiden. "You aren't the only one with Equip Cards, and I'm using one right now! Wonder Wand is being Equipped to my Maiden with Eyes of Blue, but she's not holding onto it for long! Thanks to Maiden's effect, whenever she's targeted by a card effect, I can special summon my Blue-Eyes from anywhere!"

As your Maiden holds the staff high, light glimmering in the beautiful gemstone adorning the head of the weapon, a portal opens up beside her. Yet again the form of your Dragon comes into view, seething with the rage of a legendary beast that had been wronged in a way that could never be forgiven. Wounds healed from the battle, fresh to fight again and rain down destruction on all those that would dare to oppose it. "But still I'm not done, because now I activate the effect of Wonder Wand! By sacrificing it and my Maiden, I can draw two more cards from my deck, Ena! The cards that will end this duel!"

As Maiden lowered her staff, she placed her hand at the flank of your Dragon once again, showing it a soft smile before vanishing as you pulled her card away. Placing Maiden and Wonder Wand in the Graveyard, you again tug two more cards from your deck and add them to your hand...

"Well... this just isn't your day."

Revealing one of the cards you drew, your Blue-Eyes is already gathering the energy for an attack. "Even if I can't force you to take damage from battle, even if you've got another means of stopping me, I'm getting rid of that Airknight here and now. Burst Stream of Destruction, Blue-Eyes! Destroy that monster and clear his board!" Throwing it's head forward along with your hand declaring the move, Blue-Eyes eradicates the Airknight, vaporizing the monster in an explosion of lightning and leaving nothing between you and Ena.

"You may have destroyed my Airknight, but that card makes it so your Blue-Eyes cannot attack this turn, so-"

"Who said I needed Blue-Eyes to attack, Ena Date? I'm still not done with you!" Cutting him off before he could dare to finish that statement. "My Blue-Eyes might not be able to attack... but I've still got a way to finish you off right here and now!"

You've Special Summoned your Dragon, so you've still got your Normal Summon to work with... and you have just the card in your hand that is ready to come out. Picturing her in your mind, that long, blonde hair as she stands proudly before a foe. Armor glistening in the shining sun as she hefts her weapon to march forward...

'Be strong, my King.'

"Ride now, my Captain! She carries the hopes of countless souls and her Knights ride with her! I CALL FORTH CAPTAIN WITH EYES OF BLUE!"

The roar of your declaration rises even above the loudness of the crowd, not silencing them, yet whipping them into an even further frenzy! Ena takes a step back, but...

"I Special Summon using the effect of my Captain, for a true Knight is never without comrades! The Knight with Eyes of Blue!"

Both of your soldiers sally forth, raising their blades high to the air before pointing them directly towards your foe. Yet the Captain... you swear that she looks back to you and smiles for just a moment.

CAPTAIN WITH EYES OF BLUE:
ATK: 2250
DEF: 1500

KNIGHT WITH EYES OF BLUE:
ATK: 1800
DEF:1600

"But I'm still not done, Ena Date! It doesn't matter if this might be enough to finish you, I'll prove my strength here, now! You may be right, my Blue-Eyes can't attack you this turn, at least, the one on the field can't... But I never said I only had one Blue-Eyes White Dragon."

The crowd would be deafening to anyone else, yet you can barely hear them. Flipping around your two cards, you reveal a second copy of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, as well as the card Polymerization.

"It... can't be," Ena's mouth forms the words across from you. But you've already put the move into motion.

"It can, and it is! I use Polymerization from my hand to fusion summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field and the one in my hand! Behold, the power that lies in my cards... I fusion summon! Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"

BLUE-EYES TWIN BURST DRAGON:
ATK:3000
DEF:2500

The two twin dragons begin to twist together, their forms swirling, combining. Where there stood a single Blue-Eyes before, now stands a great, horrifying twin-headed dragon. Standing taller than the dragon before, the twin heads both roaring in defiance! Your Captain to one side, Knight on the other, with the Dragon standing before either.

"This is the end, Ena! Go now, my Knights, my Dragon, show them all your power!"

Before you finish your cry, the monsters surge forward. Your Knight rushing ahead and dragging his blade across Ena's chest and causing him to twist to the side in pain. Captain follows next, the woman's hair flowing behind her as she keeps her blade held low and swinging up and cleaving Ena's entire form, sending him flying back across the arena... yet as your dragon soars above them both, those twin heads are still gathering energy. "Finish it, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon! TWIN NEUTRON BLAST!"

Two spiraling balls of energy surge forth, spinning around one another until they combine just as they strike Ena head on! A massive explosion billowing up, going through the open roof of the stadium and high into the sky above!

LIFEPOINTS:
YUSUKE:3300
ENA: 0

As the holograms fade away, you can't hide the smirk you wear.

"Don't feel too bad... you just lost to the next King of Games."

Gathering up your cards from the slots on your duel disk as well as from within the graveyard, you place them all back in your deck. Turning your back to your opponent and starting to walk off the stage. You can see both Aki and Fizdis standing from their seats, smiling right at you. Raising your hand to wave at the pair... you're suddenly halted in your tracks by the feeling of daggers in your back.

Glancing back to see where that feeling of cold, hateful intent could have possibly come from, you can see Ena rising from the ground. Staring right at you with those cold, now hateful looking eyes... and a near mirror image, standing right beside him on the stage.

Both of them looking at you with utter spite and contempt with those icy blues. The only visible difference you can see is that the 'new one' has a bit fluffier, messier hair than Ena.

'That's... a little weird I guess. Gonna have to ask about that one later.'

Stepping down from the arena stage, you start moving over towards Aki and Fizdis. The pair of them rounding down the stairs and coming towards you as well, Fizdis looks like she's about to jump up and leap into your arms with how she's springing herself. But Aki grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tugs her back down. "Easy there killer... You did good, Yusuke. It was a great duel." Your roommate shows you a soft smile while she wrangles Fizdis in.

"Oh yes it was a magnificent showing Yusuke! I believed you may have been in trouble for a moment, but then you pulled out another surprise as you did with me yesterday! That you would have two of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon... so interesting!" the chirp of your new friend goes along with the clapping of her hands together as she bounces on the balls of her feet.

"YOOOOOOOOO! DUDE THAT WAS FUCKING SICK!"

The cry comes from somewhere still in the stands, but as you look around you can't quite manage to see where it came from... faculty certainly did though. Considering how a few teachers are rushing towards where the colorful language occured.

"He does have a point, whoever that was. You really are the kinda guy that puts everything into his duels, aren't you Yusuke? That sort of fire you've got..."

Aki flashes the same sort of smile she did last night after you finished dueling her. Leaning forward and winking at you as she continues to speak. "You really are something special, Yusuke Baker."

CHAPTER 2 - SCHOOL DAYS: END