SailorStar9: With Chapter 37 uploaded, I present Chapter 38 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Disclaimer: I own nothing expect the Safiastra and Ami's dueling deck.

Chapter 38: The Mysterious Transfer Student - Otogi Ryuji

Shortly afterwards...

"Grandpa, I'm off." Yuugi opened the Kame Game shop's door to leave for school.

"Right." the distracted Sugoroku responded, sweeping the shop's store front.

"Good morning, Yuugi." Anzu called. "Good morning, grandpa." she greeted Sugoroku. "Yuugi, what's wrong with him?" she asked, hearing Sugoroku's lackluster response. "Your grandfather doesn't seem too well."

"Just between you and me." Yuugi explained. "Grandpa's not in a very good mood these days."

"Why?" Anzu wondered.

"I thought you'd never ask." Sugoroku cut in. "I, Muto Sugoroku, at the age of 72, am facing the biggest crisis in my life. My store is in danger of going out of business. Look over there." he pointed to the Black Crown game shop.

"A new game shop?" Anzu blinked.

"They've gathered the best games from around the world." Sugoroku sighed. "They've got good deals on almost everything and they've rumored to be selling the latest, most popular games."

"The latest game?" Yuugi's interest was piqued. "I feel bad for Grandpa, but it's got my interest. Anzu, let's go check it out."

Meanwhile...

"Then, how have you been holding up?" Ami was walking to school with Bakura.

"I'm fine, really." Bakura assured.

"And... that guy?" Ami inquired cautiously.

"He has been rather quiet lately." Bakura admitted, looking at the Millennium Ring around his neck.

In school...

"The two of you came to school together again!?" Honda exclaimed when Bakura and Ami joined the group.

"A new game shop?" Jonouchi echoed after Yuugi informed them of the new 'Black Crown' shop.

"Grandpa's not doing so well." Yuugi admitted.

"It feels like it's gonna become are really tough rival." Anzu noted. "Seems like they've made a new game called D.D.M."

"Dungeon Dice Monsters, right?" Jonouchi confirmed.

"Why do you know that name?" Honda inquired.

"There was a flyer for it on today's newspaper." Jonouchi answered.

"I didn't know you read newspapers, Jonouchi." Bakura was surprised.

"I read them while delivering them at my part-time job." Jonouchi fumed. "I have special permission to work for my tuition. After all, I spent all the cash prize Yuugi won for me on Shizuka's operation."

"So Shizuka's operation date's been decided?" Honda asked.

"Yeah." Jonouchi nodded. "The doctor took a look, and said her eyes can be fully restored after the operation.

"Cool!" a girly gush was heard from the next classroom.

"What the?" Jonouchi wondered, the group peering in from the back door and saw Otogi Ryuji performing dice tricks on his table that was surrounded by a group of girls.

"Is he from your guys' class?" Honda asked the male student seated in front.

"He's a new transfer student named Otogi Ryuji." the student answered.

"I don't like it." Jonouchi huffed. "I can't stand guys like him who use cheap tricks to pick up girls."

"You're just jealous of whoever's more popular than you." Anzu teased.

"Anzu, that's blunt." Bakura chided.

"I'm the type of guy who keeps a well-sharpened katana in its sheath." Jonouchi bragged. "I don't need to show off my talents to others."

"You actually have talents?" Honda mocked.

"That's harsh, Honda." Ami rebuked.

"You say you're good at Duel Monsters, huh?" Otogi approached the group.

"It was a while back, but didn't you hear?" Jonouchi boasted. "This guy named Keith Howard was the US champion, and he was one hell of a strong man. He sure put up a good fight, but he couldn't stand up to me."

"He's totally bragging." Anzu sighed.

"Are you the Duelist Kingdom champion, Muto Yuugi, by any chance?" Otogi turned to Yuugi. "I heard rumors about your victory. So, would you like to have a Duel Monsters match with me?" he posted a challenge to Jonouchi. "However, there's a condition I'd like to set before we start the game. I don't even have my own deck. Before we duel, we open new packs and build our decks from them. How about it? It's a reasonable condition, right?"

"That's way too reckless." Yuugi protested. "If they aren't the normal cards you're used to, you're bound to lose. Besides, there's a ton of cards Jonouchi doesn't even know about."

"Don't worry about it, Yuugi." Jonouchi assured. "Are you doubting my skills after taking Pegasus' tournament head on? I accept your condition."

"That's right." Otogi grinned. "If you lose, how'd you like to become my dog for a week?"

"Sure." Jonouchi smirked. "Interesting."

"Good." Otogi nodded. "The match will be held after school today. We'd hold it at the Duel Ring in my newly opened game shop."

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Ami frowned.

After Jonouchi lost his match to Otogi...

"Otogi!" Yami Yuugi glared after Otogi humiliated Jonouchi. "You've got some guts messing with my friend right in front of me. You're facing me now. If I win, you'll let Jonouchi go."

"Very well." Otogi agreed. "But I'd like to change the game this time. We'll be facing each other with Dungeon Dice Monsters, D.D.M. If you lose to me, I'll be taking your 'King of Duelist' title for myself. And you'll swear to never play Duel Monster again."

"Listen up!" Yami Yuugi snapped. "You better remember this. You can't break our friendship with a game. I'll take you up on your D.D.M match."

SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.