Thank you for the new faves/follows, and here's an extra disclaimer: I not only don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, I do not own Romance of the Three Kingdoms, The Simpsons or Lupin. 'Kay?
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Season 2: Light vs. Darkness
Chapter 3: The Nightmare Begins
A week passed…
It was late at night. Manjoume awoke from the doze he had after studying some theory on Fusion. He was resting on his upper bunk bed, and what had awakened him was a distant noise—it was like a cat yelling… He heard it again. Yeah, sounded like a feline… Or maybe a baby crying? Who knew. He didn't care.
The door to Judai's room opened, and the cry intensified. The cat was now inside the room… It was Pharaoh, he supposed. Not worth checking.
"Look, guys! This is the baby Asuka and I have!" Judai chimed.
"WHAT?!" Manjoume screamed, and fell out of the bed.
"You okay, Manjoume?!" Judai asked.
"Owwwww…." He rolled on the floor and rubbed his butt, that hurted like hell.
"Aniki, what on earth is that?" Sho asked, looking from his bed. Manjoume forced himself to look at Judai and his screaming baby.
It was on Judai's arms, cradled in a pale beige rag or blanket, he couldn't tell. Something like a giant red lobster, only that it didn't have pincers—and had an ugly, ugly, UGLY face.
Judai beamed. "It's called a screamapillar!"
"What?" Manjoume and Sho grimaced in unison.
"It's a species in the course of extinction. Asuka and I found this baby on the woods. We didn't know how to name it, so we call it Asu-Ju!"
"Gyaaaaaaaaaah!" Asu-Ju screamed.
"Judai… You….!" Manjoume clenched his hands into fists, so much rage he couldn't even talk.
"What is it?" Judai smiled.
"It's a horrible thing—with an even more horrible name! Take out that—that nightmare now!"
"Gyaaaaaaaah! Gyaaaaaaaah! Gyaaaaaaaah! Gyaaaaaaaah! " Asu-Ju yelled.
"Oooh, Manjoume, you made it cry!" Judai gave him a reprobatory look before cuddling the screamapillar on his arms. "Now, now, good boy. He didn't mean that."
"Please tell me you don't intend to keep it here," Manjoume rasped.
"No, mean guy," Judai frowned.
Manjoume innerly sighed in relief.
"It's Asu-Ju. He'll be half of the time here, half of the time with Asuka. She had it yesterday, I have it today."
"I wouldn't mind if it had a different name!" Manjoume screamed. That name was a downright affront to him!
"Gyaaaaaaaah!" the screamapillar yelled.
"Aniki, can you make it shut up?" Sho pleaded.
"Well, it screams often, there the name 'screamapillar'."
Manjoume looked at it. The more he looked, the uglier it seemed.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaah!" Asu-Ju screamed.
"Huh? Manjoume, your PDA is ringing," Sho said.
"Manjoume-sanda," he said, and climbed to his bed to fetch it.
-From: Sui
Good evening, Manjoume-san. I hope you have a nice night and sweet dreams. Earlier I have been thinking of you.-
-From: Manjoume Thunder
Thanks. Can you do me a favor and kill me? Much appreciated.-
He deleted this mail without sending it.
-From: Manjoume Thunder
Thanks. You too. What were you thinking about?-
He hit 'send'.
"I told Asuka I could keep it here all the time, but it seems it only eats gourmet food, so it'd be hard to feed at this dorm," Judai said, as he fed Asu-Ju a small piece of what looked like a toast with foie gras.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Asu-Ju screamed. Sho and Manjoume covered their ears.
"It's happy!" Judai smiled.
Manjoume's PDA rang again.
-From: Sui
Thank you. I played one of my favorite games for a little, one based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and I was wondering which character you resemble the most. What do you think?-
Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Did girls like that? Thinking about it, Sui did say she lived for the fight, so being a fan of a book about war was not so strange. After all, Manjoume did not know much about women—and even less understood them.
-From: Manjoume Thunder
A character from Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Let me think. Yes, I think I'd be Cao Cao. What about you?-
-From: Sui
I did have Cao Cao in mind when I thought about it. I think it suits you. Well, I don't know who I resemble the most, but I'd like to be Zhuge Liang. -
Zhuge Liang… So, it looked like she liked wit and cunning over physical power… Didn't himself too?
-From: Manjoume Thunder
I didn't fail to notice that you chose a character who opposed and brought a lot of problems to Cao Cao. Are you saying you'd defy me, girl?
P.S.: And why a male character? -
Manjoume closed his eyes. "Judai, I am going deaf from that thing's screaming!"
Judai pouted. "Don't worry, it should go to sleep soon." He thought for a while. "Though Asuka said it screams snores…"
-From: Sui
Not chosen on purpose, but I guess I did, huh. If Zhuge Liang had joined Cao Cao in the story, nobody could have stopped them. Maybe in our own life story Cao Cao and Zhuge Liang could bring forth great things together.
P.S.: Not many women in the story, are there? Then how about Huang Yueying? They said she was just as smart as her husband.-
He kind of didn't like the post-scriptum… Sui was his little sister, but he still hated the idea of her having a husband… Maybe he was an overprotective big brother by nature. He found it hard to comment about that, so he decided to go unspecific:
-From: Manjoume Thunder
Very nice thoughts. Now I have to leave you. I have to kill a baby.
Have a nice night, SHui.-
-From: Zhuge Sui
I am a little irate at the nickname—ManjWei.
P.S.: Kill a baby?-
-From: Manjoume Thunder
Yes, a baby screamapillar my roommate brought. Sorry about the nickname. How can I appease you, SHui?-
-From: First Minister of War Zhuge Sui
Some idiot brought one of those last night at this dorm. Fortunately, I didn't hear it tonight. Maybe someone did kill it. Perhaps the very person who brought it.
Oh, I just need to burn down a few hundreds of your boats.-
Some idiot? Judai said Asuka kept it last night… Gulp.
-From: Manjoume Thunder
Is that a war declaration?-
-From: First Minister of War Zhuge Sui with the heart of Guan Yu
Not yet. You happy?-
-From: Manjoume Thunder
So you're Zhuge Liang but feel towards me like Guan Yu? I think I am quite happy. Work for me then?-
-From: First Minister of War Zhuge Sui with the heart of Guan Yu and the mind of Sun Jian
I may work WITH you—not FOR you.-
-From: Manjoume Thunder
I can't help but notice that the sender name has much more length capacity than I would have thought.-
-From: First Minister of War Zhuge Sui with the heart of Guan Yu and the mind of Sun Jian on the brink of WAR
You work with me then? Or against me?-
-From: Manjoume Thunder
We can decide it on a duel.-
"First Minister of War Zhuge Sui with the heart—What the heck is that?" Judai asked, climbed to the side of Manjoume's bed.
"Wah!" Manjoume immediately hid the PDA. "Can't I even have a little privacy here?!"
"Well, I called you three times and you were not replying, so… Who are you mailing, anyway?"
"None of your business!" Manjoume felt his face red.
"Is it a girl? You're blushing!"
"Wh… I…" but Judai then self-answered.
"First Minister of War and whatever doesn't sound like a girl."
"R-right! It's not!" Manjoume replied. "Now fuck off! This doesn't concern you!"
"Is it a contact from your brothers?"
"Fuck off! Do I have to shove you off?!"
"Sounds like Manjoume-kun got himself a pen pal at Academia," Sho said as "God of Thunder" rang again.
-From: First Minister of War Zhuge Sui with the heart of Guan Yu and the mind of Sun Jian on the brink of WAR
Duel Monsters? Or RoTK-style duel?-
-From: Manjoume Thunder
Whichever you prefer. And, as much as I like this banter, I have to say goodbye. My roommates are breathing on my neck, and I still have the baby to kill.
Have a nice night, and dream of death, war and ancient Chinese.-
-From: First Minister of War Zhuge Sui with the heart of Guan Yu and the mind of Sun Jian on the brink of WAR
I'm glad you enjoy banter. Have a nice night too. I much rather dream of you and I in a nice scenario. A boat, a river, and we're both at a great party. You don't mind if I chain your boat, do you?-
-From: Manjoume Thunder
I don't think I want to work with you.-
-From: First Minister of War Zhuge Sui with the heart of Guan Yu and the mind of Sun Jian that is fond of boat chaining
LOL!
My apologies. I'll send you a mechanical bull as a peace offering.-
This was so crazy. This girl was really good at bantering, and he found he enjoyed it quite a bit too. It was like a wits sparring, and would obviously appeal to people who compared themselves with strategists of legend. Judai and Sho did it with him sometimes too, but they were downright infuriating. As for the rest of his friends, they just didn't have it in them.
As much as he tried, he couldn't imagine Asuka and him doing that. If he was finally to win over her heart tomorrow, he bet she wouldn't like him to banter with Sui. The thought made him a little sad. Maybe she wouldn't want him to be friends with her rival anymore. Yeah—he would need to choose between both, almost for sure. It was a tough call.
He opened the mail once more.
-From: Manjoume Thunder
That generosity is way too suspicious—no thanks.
Really, I need to go. Have a nice night, Sui.
Jun Manjoume-sama, prince of Wei.-
-From: Sui
XD
You too.
Zhuge Sui-sama, First Minister of War of Shu.-
He smiled. Despite the screamapillar, Judai and Osiris Red all around him, he smiled.
He leaned back on his bed, and breathed deeply. Asuka and Sui… There had to be a way to keep both women in his life. He wanted a girlfriend, but he didn't want to let go of his little sister. Sadly, both women were pretty intense. None of them could be described as easygoing, and they were not likely to become friends.
He sighed. Couldn't he have sweet girls in flower dresses that liked to make cupcakes and got along with everybody in his life? He guessed he would not find them interesting. The two most important women in his life were tough as nails. They liked dueling. They wouldn't wear flower dresses. He bet none of them could bake cupcakes. Both of them were taller than him and probably weighed more, too. Yes—he liked strong, smart, challenging women. He could not deny himself that fact.
However, if he had to choose…
No doubts about it. What he wanted most was a girlfriend, not a little sister.
"Manjoume!" the rattle of a jar against the wooden stairs confirmed the identity of the caller.
"Could you PLEASE stop the FUCK to do that?! Next time I'll throw the jar out of the window, I swear!" Manjoume growled.
"We have a party tonight! I can't let you sleep late!" Judai chimed.
Manjoume groaned painfully.
"And you need to try on your Happy dwarf costume!"
The Manjoume Room was going to be completed in a couple days… That idea saved Judai from being murdered.
Manjoume rose slowly. He looked with satisfaction at the box at the feet of the bed. The vampire costume he had managed to put together had been quite fantastic—quite identical to the dream original. Only that he hadn't been able to see his own face in the dream. Did he have fangs? Red eyes? He just decided to go au natural. The wings were spectacular enough.
Compared to the previous night, the room was eerily silent. "What happened to the screamapillar?"
Judai smiled. "Oh, it happened that Asu-Ju was a 'he'… And this morning, he found a 'she' and are having fun at the woods. Want to come see?"
"Nothankyou," Manjoume said, quite relieved—but also, more than a little frustrated. That annoying piece of gunk had more of a love life than him? That night Asuka was going to be his—that thought saved him from attempting to kill himself.
It was a sunny, warm day, more befitting of Spring than Autumn as he headed outside. Last week's afternoons were spent between putting together his attire, thinking of a strategy to seduce Asuka at the party, and visiting Sui. The ill girl had been getting better and better. The day before, she didn't need to nap at all during the day, and she could now remain awake after her meals. He would be busy during nightly hours, so he headed to see her earlier.
He was surprised to see Sui open the door.
"Manjoume-san! Today's an earlier visit? Come in, come in!"
"You seem more energetic today," he said. And he never failed to tell her he looked better than the day before.
"I just woke up. The nurse went off to get my medicine. Manjoume-san, will you do me a favor?" she asked, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"What is it?"
"Sheena doesn't want me to go outside, but I think I am strong enough now. I also need to sunbath. Will you accompany me to have breakfast outside?"
He raised eyebrows. "What?"
"Come on! I feel I can. But you have to carry the food."
He looked at her dubiously. "What do I do if you feel bad again?"
"I don't feel I will. Come on! Pretty please? Just to the garden in front of the door. That tree, see?" she pointed at a tree visible from the window.
"Okay, I'll do as you say. But if you feel bad, I will spank you later."
"Spank me? Aww, you treat me like a kid! Please, write a note for Sheena for when she comes back. I'll go change."
He sighed, and wrote a synthetic note, leaving it on the table. Just then, Sui came out of the bathroom, wearing an anime T-shirt, a leather skirt, and her large thigh-high boots. She was also carrying an anime bag.
Manjoume looked down at her. "Aren't those boots heavy?"
She smiled. "If I don't wear them, the wind will sweep me away. They serve as anchor."
"Right…" He eyed them some more as they exited. He wondered how anyone could walk in them.
Sui went right ahead to secure a place under the tree. Manjoume came fetch her breakfast and carried it to her. She had taken off the boots when he arrived.
"Thank you, Manjoume-san."
"They were heavy after all."
"No, not at all, but I need to sunbath. I don't want to expose the face or hands, so I do it on the legs."
"You don't look that tanned."
"I don't tan. I don't think you do, either."
"Of course I don't."
"I hate the sun, but I've been a disciplined girl. If I have to do it to heal, I will. I think I will be strong enough to duel again soon."
"Still with that idea of becoming Obelisk Blue Queen?"
"I won't have peace until I do."
"Good to know you feel so up," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course. One has to be up."
Manjoume shrugged and took a Danish pastry from the tray. It had become so common to eat together now that he didn't wait for an invitation.
"You think I can't do it?"
"I don't know your skills yet. Can't tell."
"When I feel I'm good to go, you'll be the first to duel me."
He smirked. "Oh, no. I like you too much to make you cry."
"Right back atcha. But you're a man and won't cry, so I won't hold back."
He smirked wider.
"Ahhh… this feels good. I have been watching a program of people that go about wild places. I think being in contact with Nature would heal me much faster." She leaned back, enjoying the warm breeze on her face. "By the way, Manjoume-san…"
"Maybe you should drop the –san now, I think."
"Really? Okay. Manjoume. What did you do with that card?"
"I don't want to tell you."
"Why?"
"Someone will call me mean."
"Ohhh!" Ojama Yellow chimed in. "You did that again, didn't you?!"
"Yeah, what will you do?"
"Eh?"
"Talking to my spirit again. Let's just say I disposed of it in a way my spirit doesn't approve."
"Is that so."
"Huh? Why do you look so serious?"
Sui mutely retrieved her deck from her bag, and showed him a card.
"What! How do you have this again?!"
"That's what I would like to know."
"And it's… Wait a minute." He took out a knife from his pocket and mangled the card, cutting off its borders. "I did something like this to the other."
"This card is a bad omen of sorts. And it doesn't want to leave me. Maybe I got sick because of it in the first place," she said, frowning.
"Okay… Wait a minute, again." He took out a lighter. "I am sorry to do this to such a pretty card, but…" Soon, nothing but ashes of "The Bringer of Spring" remained.
"This card will come for me again… And again… And again…" she said, now an obvious display of fear in her countenance.
"No, don't think that way." Manjoume hugged her by the shoulder. She had small, bony shoulders. He couldn't stand her looking so frail and so scared. Manjoume never hugged people—but he decided it felt nice. Sui cuddled to him, and he started feeling uncomfortable. But—it was so nice.
"Tonight's Halloween," she said, breaking the hug as she straightened.
"Right."
"Sure, nowadays it's just about the candy and parties and stuff. But originally, people would dress like monsters and demons as they were supposed to roam the land unrestricted that day, and the costumes would serve for people to disguise as them and therefore not get attacked.
"First that accident, then that white ghost, this card that's a bad omen… You think something bad might happen tonight, too?"
"Let's hope it does not."
"Manjoume-sa… I mean, Manjoume is going to the Academia party tonight?"
"Yeah."
"What will you be wearing?"
"A vampire costume."
"I'm sure you'll look very cool, Manjoume."
"Thanks." As expected, the sick girl would not be attending, Manjoume thought. There was a hint of loneliness in her eyes. Of course—she had no friends or boyfriend. She probably never attended parties, or even got invited to them.
"I hope you have lots of fun," she smiled.
"And what will you do tonight?" he asked.
"Eh? The usual, I suppose," she shrugged. "Eat, rest, watch TV, go to sleep."
"Won't it be lonely by yourself?"
"Eh," she sighed. "I'm used to it. At least I'll have Sheena in the place."
"Will it be less lonely if I came visit tonight?"
"Eh? No, no, no! You go and have fun!"
"But I would have liked to meet you at the party if you could go. So, I would like to spend some of the party here, with you."
"Uh… Okay… Since it would be just a half hour visit or so, you can come. Then you go to the party, okay? But don't expect me to dress up or anything."
"Of course not. I won't dress up, either. We'll just have some candy and watch TV, and maybe play a game if you're up to it."
"Thank you, Manjoume. You're-you're the best that has ever happened to me."
"Sui…" He looked at the side, and then at her. "You know…"
"Eh?"
"I feel very happy when I'm around you. Very happy."
"I love that I can do something for you, Manjoume—after all you did for me. I hope I can do so much more in the future." She paused. "Okay… Now I do feel my strength is running out. Better return soon," she started putting on her boots.
"Right." Manjoume grabbed the tray and returned with her. He said goodbye as Sui suffered a severe reprimand from Sheena.
That evening, Manjoume put his large costume pieces in his backpack, and headed to the girls' dorm.
"Good evening, Manjoume-san. Sui is waiting for you," Sheena smiled.
And as soon as Manjoume entered the girl's room, he was blinded by a hand.
"Trick or treat?" it was Sui's lively voice.
"Treat, of course," Manjoume smiled.
"Aww, okay, here you go. Open your mouth…!"
He did so, and soon, a warm and soft something was inside of it. Manjoume munched on it, and it was a very airy confectionery with a slight coat of syrup.
"You really can cook, Sui. It was true when you said you made delicious croissants."
"Oh, I'm glad you like it, but I can't. If you knew how many dishes I can prepare, I'd be ashamed."
"Well, I can't cook at all, so it's amazing for me," he smiled, as she retired her hand. "So you're strong enough to cook now, eh?"
"No, of all the croissants we made, only this one I fully made myself. The others were all with Sheena's help." She gave him the croissant he'd just bitten.
"And it was for me? I feel flattered," he ate the rest.
"Of course for you," she smiled.
"Thank you, Sui. And now's my turn. Trick or treat?"
"Trick!"
"Huh? You're weird. Okay, I'll spook you." He took in air. "You have a D-! Study more next time-nanone!"
"Kyahahaha! That was creepy!" she laughed.
He smiled. "You don't prefer a treat, then?"
"What do you have for me? Sigh… Wait," she sat on the bed.
"Tired already?"
She breathed a little. "No, I just lost my wind a bit there."
"Okay—here you go. Happy Halloween," he handed her a bag.
"For me? Aww, Manjoume, how sweet!" she retrieved a small black box. Opening it, she found a Halloween black cat make-up kit. "It's beautiful! Thank you very much!" she stood up and kissed his cheek. Manjoume tried not to shudder. The soft contact of those supple lips… An eerie sensation ran through his whole body, leaving him tingling. What was it? Could it be…
"You're welcome…" he said, blushing a little. "I also brought this," he produced a plastic pumpkin full of sweets.
"Thank you, again," she kissed his other cheek.
He felt he was blushing, but not just his face—more like all his body. He had heard of people feeling like that, but when they truly kissed, not when they received just a small kiss on the cheek… 'Next time, kiss in the middle…' he thought, and immediately dismissed the idea. He couldn't be thinking that!
"So, are you up to a duel?" Manjoume asked.
"Sorry… But maybe we can do another thing."
"What are you thinking of?"
"Um… No, never mind."
"What is it? Say it."
Sui hesitated for a while. "Well, okay… Can Manjoume dance?"
"What the… No way in hell!"
"I thought so…"
"So you like to dance?"
She nodded. "I don't like doing sports. So that's how I used to keep in shape."
"I see… Sorry, but no can do."
"It's okay, I understand. Then, do you like to watch dancing?"
"To watch?"
"I'll dance, and you watch."
"Can you really do this?"
"Yes, it's not breakdancing or rap."
"Okay, let us see you…" Manjoume sat on the bed, for the first time.
Sui nodded and turned on the computer, then started searching its files.
"I might have lost my touch after ten days with no practice… But I dance this song often. I trust I can do well," she said as she moved to warm up.
She made a pose, covering her face, and started to dance to the song:
We're Opening New Doors
New Show - New World - New Control
Can You Keep Up - Oh!
Manjoume's chin dropped as she started thrusting her body up, from her legs to her breasts, until he remembered to pull it up.
Show your courage and move forward
The world is, piece by piece, in my hands
If you're serious, then start walking now and go your way
Oh Yeah Yeah
It's Mine - It's Mine
This Is Mine - This Is Mine
The whole world is in my hands now
The song was shorter than he expected. As it ended, she made the same starting pose, and then a "shh!"
"Phew! I did it." She sat on the bed at his side. "How was it?"
"Um…" He felt his face red. "I like the "whole world in my hands" part…"
"Sorry, from your expression, maybe it was a bit too much? I like this song; it puts me in the mood for winning at dueling. I think on a sexy woman, that dance must be hot. But I'm anything but sexy."
'You're plenty sexy,' he thought, but didn't say.
"What do you say? You think that song suits me?"
"Why not," he smirked. "I bet you'd like to have the whole world in your hand."
"Who wouldn't." she smirked back.
"Well, I haven't met a woman before who thought that way—or admitted it."
"Hmm, maybe that's true." She pondered for a while. "I remember an Internet thread some time ago that asked what would you do if you had absolute world domination. I was the only woman among the many that replied."
"And what did you reply?"
"It's a secret," she smiled.
"You think I can't look it up?"
"Actually, I don't really remember. My ideas tend to change in that matter. I'd make a capricious tyrant."
"Then, what would you do now?"
"First, obviously, becoming Queen of Games. And then, the typical things all tyrants do. What about you?"
"First, dethrone you."
"Oh, very funny. We'd make two warring states, then. What else?"
"The typical things all tyrants do," he smirked. "Build a huge palace, have all kinds of luxuries, gather a harem… You want to be in my harem?"
"No way, Jose. I'm no harem material. You'd have to capture me and then drag me in chains. And sooner or later, I'd kill all the others," she smirked. "But you can be in my harem."
"I'll think about it. It might not be so bad."
She chuckled.
Then they watched TV, where many Halloween specials were on. Sui paid little attention to it, as she was trying on the make-up kit Manjoume had given her. They also partook on the candy—especially the nurse.
Manjoume smirked at Sui. "I know what you're doing."
"What?"
"You act as if you're engrossed in the make-up, but you're actually afraid to watch, aren't you?"
"Awww, you're onto me."
He lifted eyebrows. He wasn't expecting that.
"I tried to avoid all gross things during these days. I usually do, but they are especially bad for me now."
"I'm sorry… I didn't think…"
She weakly smiled. "I look and act better than I am, Manjoume."
"We can watch other things, then."
"It's okay. I am not paying attention to it." She turned her sight to the kit. "The make-up is really nice. We have rather similar skin color, don't we?"
"Hmm… Now that you got better, I'm a little lighter—and your skin has a pink tone mine hasn't. But yeah, it's pretty similar."
"I thought so. You bought this for yourself and since you don't like it, you gave it to me, right?"
Manjoume pouted. "I gave up on make-up. I got sick of smeared eyeliner."
Sui smiled. "Oh, that's because you don't know how to apply it. Here," she took an eyeliner from the kit, "let me teach you how it's done."
"Wah!" Manjoume paled, sliding back on the bed. "Don't you dare!"
"What, you told me you used to do this," she smirked.
"Don't you dare take that joke further, I warn you!"
"Why, you'd look so nice with eyeliner. Come on," she said, approaching him.
"Sui…" he said with a menacing tone.
"You have such beautiful eyes. One touch of eyeliner, and they'd be drop-dead gorgeous. Let me try."
"No!"
She got even closer. "Aren't you going to wear a vampire costume? I'll do you so your eyes look deeper. Nobody will know it's make-up. You'll look nice."
"You're smirking!"
"Because of your attitude. But I would never do anything bad to you on purpose."
Manjoume said nothing.
"Trust me?"
He took a deep breath. "Okay. If I don't like what you do, I'll spank you."
"What's with this chat of spanking? You really like to spank people so much?"
"Just you, when you behave like a kid."
"Come on," she moved to his side. "Oh, no, don't do that. Relax. Ohhh, if you scrunch up your lid like that, I won't be able to do anything. Like this… Yeah, that's it. Do. Not. Move. Now."
Manjoume stayed quiet as he felt the cold, slightly hard tip of the pencil against his lower eyelid. From his looks, anyone would say he was having a major surgery without anesthesia.
"Very good… Now, I smear it a little… Great. Now, the other."
After what looked to Manjoume like three years, but it was actually a minute and half, Sui was done.
"Hahahaha! Now you look like a clown!" she laughed.
Manjoume panicked. Sui opened the kit and showed him the mirror. "Here."
As promised, the make-up was barely visible. It just looked like he had thicker eyelashes—and bigger, even wider eyes. The line she had made at the end of his eyelashes made his eyes even more exotic.
He pouted. "So much work, and I don't notice any difference."
She pouted back, as he smirked.
"Considering you didn't say you'd spank me, I think you like what I did."
"Hmm—Maybe I could grow to like it, just this once. But I'll never let you do this again."
"Sure, I wouldn't like you to get used to it," she smirked. "And you have to try everything in life once, right?"
"That's true."
"Then how about this crimson lipstick—"
"I'm leaving," Manjoume stood up, as Sui laughed out loud.
"Haha! Well, you'll have to, soon. Eat more candy before you do."
"What's with you lately?"
"You mean the jokes? I'm always like that—when I warm up to people. Not with strangers. Besides, I barely had energy to remain awake when we met. Now I'm better."
"Is that so?"
"And after all this, I think I'll sleep until tomorrow noon…"
"You feel like resting now?"
She nodded. "It's time for you to go to the party, Manjoume. I hope you have lots of fun!"
"Yeah, well—thanks."
"What is it?"
Manjoume made a pause. "I had more fun with you now than I did at last year's party. Just so you know." He stood up and left quickly. "Good night."
Manjoume arrived at the main Academia building some minutes after the party had started, and changed into his costume in one of the bathrooms. The fiesta was not in full swing yet; only a few people were dancing on the floor, the rest here and there.
He was confused. He wanted to stay with Sui longer—even though he knew it was neither possible nor fair. But it couldn't be. Was he actually feeling something for that frail, childish girl?
The only person that could help him came that minute, like a godsend.
"Hmm, Manjoume-kun, coming fashionably late as usual. That costume suits you so well," Fubuki gave an approving glance.
"Uh, thanks, Shishou… You, um, look nice, too…" Manjoume grimaced at the glittery vampire costume Fubuki was wearing.
"And eyeliner tone number twenty-two, Halloween Mystery, looks really good on you. Though it's better for someone with dark brown hair…"
"W-what are you talking about?!" Manjoume screamed, but couldn't help but blush deeply.
"Isn't that eyeliner you're wearing the new color that came with the Halloween special edition make-up kit Noir Chat Deluxe?"
"Look, can you NOT tell anyone about this?"
"Manjoume-kun, a real man wears make-up. I just put on a whole jar of silver glitter for a Twilight look, and every girl I have met told me I look gorgeous."
Manjoume sighed deeply. "I do not! I just let a KID put it on me."
"Oh, but that kid has a nice hand. What was the kid's name again?"
"Can we forget about that? Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you."
"Oh, Asuka is already here. She looks charming in her costume—you'll see!"
"Not about that! Actually—" he didn't want to tell Fubuki about the recent happenings, as the whole Academia would know in five minutes. Not only his relationship with Sui, but Sui's current fragility—he felt good being the only one that knew.
"Yes, Manjoume-kun?"
"Well, my friend has some problem."
"Your friend?"
He nodded. Did Fubuki believe him or not? "My friend has a friend he appreciates very much. She's like a little sister to him. And that sister was very sick, so he would visit her often."
"Oh, that's pretty sad. Is the sister okay now?"
"Well, she's better. But my friend has started to think if he actually thinks of her as a friend, or—something else."
"Oh!"
"So—how can you tell?"
"Why do you ask me that, Manjoume-kun? You are so very in love with Asuka—is your friend like that?"
"No, but…"
"You said the girl is very sick. What kind of gifts did he bring her?"
"For ten days, nothing—and now for Halloween, one make-up kit and one of those plastic pumpkins with candy."
"Hmm… Interesting. I'd say your friend's feelings are starting to shift, then."
"What do you mean?"
"Think about what those gifts mean, Manjoume-kun."
"Sorry, shishou—I am no Magician of Love, see." Did gifts have a special meaning code he didn't know about? He just picked a couple of things he thought Sui might like.
"The plastic pumpkin is something you'd give to a kid. Your friend does think of the girl as a little sister."
"I see…"
"But the make-up kit is something to enhance the beauty of a woman—or man. You don't care very much about the beauty of a kid or a sister. You care about the beauty of a lover."
"Oh!" Manjoume blushed.
"It would be interesting to know which of the two he gave to her first…"
"Who knows," Manjoume mumbled. "So, what you're saying is—"
"One foot in the water, the other outside. But it looks like the tide is going one way. I think he'll soon know what his feelings are himself."
"I see… Thanks, shishou. I'll tell him what you said."
"Does your friend have a name?"
"Er… Yes, he's… Waldorf…"
"Just like this salad over the table? What a coincidence!"
Manjoume facepalmed. "He doesn't want to tell his name, okay?! Jeez!"
"Oh! Asuka! Asuka, come here!" Fubuki called. Manjoume turned to her. She was wearing a white witch costume—that suited her perfectly.
"Oh, the reunion of light and darkness! Doesn't she look great, Manjoume-kun?" Fubuki swooned.
"Yes, she does," Manjoume said.
Asuka looked at Manjoume's imponent costume. "That's a nice costume," she said.
"Thank you," he said.
"Ummmm… Something's missing here…" Fubuki said with a confused look. "Can't you guys show a bit more enthusiasm? Where's the passion? The romance?"
Asuka facepalmed.
"Oi, Manjoume, I saw your costume from afaaaaaar…!"
He turned to meet the voice. Judai, Sho, and that new guy Tyranno Kenzan were all in dwarves' costumes, complete with long white beards.
"Why didn't you wear a costume like ours?" Judai asked.
"He always has to show off in a big, tacky thing," Asuka muttered. "Says a lot about him." However, nobody heard her clearly.
"This suits me better," he simply replied, placing a hand on his narrow waist.
"How do you like my costume, Judai?" Asuka asked.
Judai blushed. 'Wait… Wasn't that… She looks just like in my dream?! It can't be! How come?!' "Uh, ah… You look really good in white…" 'Will she kiss me like in my dream…?'
Run!
'Eh? What was that?' Manjoume thought.
Run away! Now!
Meanwhile, at the infirmary's next door…
The plane crash survivor suddenly awoke.
With all normality, he pushed away the sheets and stood up.
"It's starting… It's finally starting…" he let out a blood-freezing chuckle.
"Oh?" the nurse rapidly walked to him. "Oh! You can't stand up yet! Please, get back to bed."
He looked at her, and she froze in place. An eerie white light was surrounding him, and it came out of his eyes, in an impossible, otherworldly way. An unknown force lifted her off the floor and pushed her against the window.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!" she screamed as the force shoved her against the glass, breaking it in a thousand pieces.
The man smirked as he looked at her motionless form on the grass, through the blood-stained shards of glass that remained attached to the mark, and jumped into the night through it.
"Aniki! There's a voice coming from the deck! A strange card is there!" Ojama Yellow chimed.
Manjoume frowned and took out his deck. He checked the cards quickly. Among them was a card he hadn't put there. He startled. Surely it was it!
"The Bringer of Spring? Again?"
Suddenly, black smoke started to come out from it. Manjoume wanted to drop the card, but was unable to.
Escape! Peril is at your toes. But you can't do anything about it at this moment. The time will come when our glory will prevail. Live to fight other day!
"Who the hell are you?!" Manjoume asked. But his attention was immediately diverted.
A black hole had appeared on the wall. Smoke, deep and dense, poured out of it. And then something started to move inside.
Hands.
Dozens of hands.
Hundreds of hands.
And then the rest of their bodies.
The students screamed as hordes of demons jumped over them.
To be continued!
Zephyr: Oh yeah, peace is quite over now. Heh heh. About the Lupin lyrics… it's actually an inside joke. I listened to them for the first time—in a MMD video where Jun was dancing to it. Ha ha ha. (That dance IS way too sexy, but more for a guy than for a girl, actually).
The foundations for Jun and Sui's relationship have been laid on these three chapters, so I gave more protagonism to them. From now on, the story will be part Jun and Sui's, part Judai and Asuka's, and a lot more like the typical Yu-Gi-Oh! GX—a more adult version of it. Next chapter will be Judai and Asuka's time! Action and more action! Oh, and we'll have the first lemon, too! Stay tuned for chapter 4: Games of Life and Death! Ja-na! Please review!