A/N: I've been plotting out the story from beginning to end. After the Rank volume, there will be about three more volumes.
What will I do after I'm done with this fanfiction? Maybe I'll write side stories with the leftover ideas, and maybe take some suggestions for one-off chapters.
I've also been planning a big slice-of-life sequel that follows a classroom of students, which include the children of ARC-V characters. I'd love to write this one and explore the future of ARC-V's world, and show what kind of children the old characters would produce.
Fun Fact: Yuto is really good at science. Whenever the boys have science homework or project, he's the one leading the effort.
Chapter Summary: Yuya and Yuzu enjoy class with Dennis Macfield.
Saturday, May 6th
Normal schools were a rarity in the still-recovering Heartland, but they still existed. Classes would take place in the ruined remains of the old academies, or in conference rooms in Heartland Tower, or, most recently in one's very own home, via wireless communication. Even in the current landscape, education was a top priority.
Naturally, Heartland Duel School still thrived. Set up in a Solid Vision circus tent, the school would convene every day after regular school ended, and all day on weekends. It was a large source of entertainment for the students, who would in turn do monthly shows for the people of the city.
Sayaka and Ruri stood before the circus tent, staring up at the mutli-colored lights that were strewn around it. It was simple, but beautiful and mesmerizing. It offered a lot of color; something that wasn't too common in Heartland until recently.
They were here to see one of their old teachers. Someone who Ruri was hoping to finally reunite with.
"How can the whole school study here?" Ruri questioned.
Sayaka shook her head. "The number of students is a lot smaller now; we don't even have enough to have branches anymore. Classes are divided by age groups now."
Ruri put a finger to her lip. "That's too bad. I was hoping to see some Spade students today."
"You might," Sayaka offered. "Kids our age show up in the afternoon, so you can wait here until they come. Right now, the younger kids have class."
Sayaka started walking towards the entrance. She looked back to her friend and egao'd. "But Mr. Sakaki is here all day."
"RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN~" came a loud cry.
Sayaka jumped out of the way as something ran towards them. Exiting the tent was a wide-eyed, egao-ing young man around there age. His arms were outstretched towards Ruri.
Ruri let out a yelp. She took a step back and pulled her hands above her face.
Before the boy could hug her, Rin pulled back a fist and uppercut him right in the jaw.
Yugo gagged and fell backwards, landing on his back. The boy, dazed, just looked up at the sky and groaned.
"Th-that's definitel you, Rin~" he said weakly. "~~~~"
Rin put her hands on her hips. "Yugo? What are you doing here?"
Serena appeared beside Rin. I was hoping we'd avoid running into Yuya and the others...
Rin and Sayaka each grabbed one of the boy's hands and helped him rise to his feet. Yugo let out a groan as he struggled to deal with his pain.
"I... ow, Rin. That punch was too rough," Yugo groaned. "Now that we're not together, I thought you'd at least be gentler."
"You were running at me like a psycho," Rin scoffed. "What was I supposed to do?"
"Yuya?" Sayaka asked.
"Yugo," Yugo corrected. "AKA best boy."
If you were the best, we'd all be in your body instead of Yuya's, Yuri giggled. You're third-best.
"Shut up," Yugo said.
"I didn't say anything," Sayaka murmured.
"Oh! Not you, lady!" Yugo apologized. "Er, I'm here for the class."
"But now's the time for little kids."
"I know that!" he scoffed. "I'm hanging out with my new dad."
"Oh, right! Yuya's dad is Mr. Sakaki."
"He's my dad, too, now!" Yugo chuckled. "Rin, looks like we both got parents now. Living the dream, huh?"
"I have more parents than you," Rin said smugly. "So I guess I win."
"You can't win at parents! ... Right?"
Yugo's eyes shifted to red. By now, you could probably figure out who was taking control of the body at this point.
"Hi, Rin. It's Yuya," he said. "My dad invited us to come stay with Heartland for a couple of weeks. We get to help him with his classes."
"Yuya!" Yugo snapped. "Tell Rin that she can't win at parents. Or better yet, show her how much better ours are."
"Forget it, we're wasting time!" Rin snapped. "Let's just go inside and see Mr. Sakaki. Ruri and Yuzu really want to see him again."
"Oh. Yeah, we're supposed to do that aren't we?"
The inside of the tent was pretty much what you'd expect from a circus: bleachers were lined around a large, empty circle that made center stage; trapeze swings and platforms were held above the stage; a large, rectangular, star-covered box sat in the center of the room.
Yuya and Ruri took spots in the front row, with Sayaka sitting between them. About sixteen small children, around the ages of seven and ten, sat on the bleachers with them. They were all waiting patiently for the arrival of their teacher.
Ruri glanced over to Yuya, who leaned forward and stared at the box expectantly. Ruri could see how anxious he was to see his dad.
Yuya doesn't get to see his dad much, Yuzu explained. Only when his father is visiting his Dimension.
I can relate, Ruri said. It's great seeing him so happy, though.
Ruri could feel Serena's presence at the back of her mind. But Serena said nothing, and she didn't appear to any of them.
The lights in the tent all went off, and a single spotlight fell center stage. The sound of a drum roll echoed through the tent from an unknown source.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The spotlights rose up to the trapeze set, and the drum roll stopped. Yusho Sakaki was dangling from a trapeze bar, waving to the audience. His Duel Disk was activated, and the blade was projected.
"How much do you trust your Monsters?" he asked the group. "Enough to win a duel? Enough to put your life in their hands?"
Yusho let go of the bar. To the surprise of the audience, he started barreling through the air, towards the ground. It was a large, 25-foot drop; something that left the children gasping and shouting.
The spotlight followed him as he fell. If they had been able to see his face up close, they would see his wry, confident smirk.
"I trust my cards!" he announced.
Halfway down, he placed a card on his blade. Performapal Sky Magician materialized beneath him, then caught the man in its arms.
"Do you?"
Sky Magician floated to the ground safely. Yusho pulled his walking stick from behind his back, then slowly slid off to stand on the ground.
The crowd burst into wild applause. Yuya stood up and furiously cheered for his father, blocking the view of the children behind him.
"I thought he was going to come out of the box," Ruri said.
"That would have been too obvious!" Yuya explained. "Sometimes you need to know what your audience expects, and then challenge it."
Yusho took a bow, and Sky Magician vanished into an ocean of glitter. The glitter scattered through the air and over the awed crowd.
"Today, we have three special guests," Yusho announced. "We have Yuzu, the lovely Entertainment Duelist, and one of my former pupils."
Ruri rose up from her seat, and the class clapped for her. She turned to them and gave them all a polite bow.
"Mr. Sakaki, I'm not actually Yuzu," Ruri explained. "But she's here with us, and she says that she's so glad to see you again."
Yusho nodded. "Oh, of course! Now that I hear the way you speak, I can tell it's you."
Ruri gasped lightly. "You can tell us apart?"
"I know everything about the best and brightest duelists," he said with a playful wink. "Like you, and Heartland Duel School's very own Sayaka!"
Sayaka turned her self to see everyone clap for her. Although she stayed in her seat, she couldn't help but egao and blush at the attention.
"Sayaka was one of my students before the war, but you might know her better as a brave member of the Resistance, who helped protect Heartland."
The claps grew louder, and Ruri put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"I learned from the best teacher, though," Sayaka said.
"I wonder who that could be?" Yusho replied. "While we figure it out, let's welcome our last guest. He's another person who helped bring peace to Heartland. Joining us for two weeks is my very own son, Yuya!"
Yuya stood up and waved to the crowd. They all cheered and applauded for him. This time, it was his turn to blush.
"Yuya shares a body with my other three sons," Yusho explained. "Yuto, Yugo, and Yuri. And you'll hopefully get to meet all of them during their stay.
The kids continued to clap, although less enthusiastically. If there was a way to clap in confusion, this would be what they were doing.
"Now, I-"
"Show must go on!"
The star-covered box stated to shake. All the sides fell to the floor, and a sea of fog blasted through the field.
"What's going on?" Ruri asked.
Oh, Yuzu said.
Oh, Serena agreed.
The fog soon dissipated. Standing where the box once stood was Dennis, holding a large bouquet of roses. He cast it into the air, and it exploded into confetti.
"Hello, class!" Dennis shouted. "Are you ready to learn?"
The students all immediately rose from their seats. To the older kids' surprise, they extended their Duel Disks out and activated them.
"Oh?" a wicked egao formed on his face. "You're not even going to let me talk before challenging me?"
"We're going to crush whatever you throw at us!" a child said bravely.
"Attack!" a girl cried out.
"Now, now, class!" Yusho said quickly. "Why don't we listen to Mr. Macfield before we attack him."
Yuya looked to the class in confusion, then back to his dad. "But, Dennis-"
"Oh, Yuya!" Dennis said. "So you came!"
He waved frantically to his friend. Yuya egao'd and waved right back.
"Good to see you! Oh, and Yuzu!"
"Ruri," Ruri corrected.
Dennis's egao faded, and he lowered his head. He hesitated to talk any more.
"Mr. Macfield is the main teacher," Yusho explained. "I'm his assistant - his warm-up act."
Dennis's face brightened up. "Oh, yeah. Whenever he's here, Mr. Sakaki is always there to help."
"That's great, Dennis!" Yuya exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you."
Dennis rubbed the back of his head and chuckled. He was trying to deflect a bit of attention from the comments, not to focus on it too much. But admittedly, hearing Yuya say that really helped to bolster his spirits.
"I think I found my calling," Dennis admitted. "I still get to entertain a crowd. But I also get to help so many people, and I'm teaching the next generation of Entertainment Duelists. And the kids love me! Right, kids?"
The kids were quick to boo their teacher. Quite a few insults were also thrown at Mr. Macfield's direction.
"Yeah!"
Yuya sighed right then and there. So far, things didn't look so good for his friend and his teaching career. "And you're sure this is the right path for you? These kids seem-"
"Hi, Den-Den!" Yuri exclaimed.
"Yuri?" Dennis asked. "That you, buddy?"
"Teaching the kids about how we totally decimated their world and killed their parents? " Yuri asked. "Good lessons, good lessons... I could help teach, if you'd like."
"Eh, not quite..."
Yuri pointed to a child in a red shirt. "Oh, the kid who couldn't run! I remember carding you and your parents! Fun times. Fun times..."
Yuri's eyes shifted back to red. "Please excuse Yuri, everyone. He's just very excited to meet people."
See, this is why you don't get to talk to people, Yugo said.
Yuri simply scoffed.
Well, this got awkward. But a good showman knew how to save a show when it's gone off the script. Yusho walked closer to the bleachers and waved a hand to grab everyone's attention.
"I wonder what trial Mr. Macfield has set up for today?" Yusho asked. "I have a feeling that this one will be extra difficult."
"Actually, teacher," Dennis began. "I'd like to talk to Ruri privately, if that's okay. Could you explain the lesson this time around."
Ruri and Dennis stood just outside the tent. They didn't look at each other; instead, they just listened to the sounds of life inside the classroom.
It was a moment before anyone said anything. After clearing his throat, Dennis was the first one to speak.
"So, Ruri," he said. "Ruru, Riri, the Rurster... Ruri Kurosaki, Ruples..."
I think Dennis is a little nervous, Yuzu told Ruri.
I think this might be about kidnapping me, Ruri responded. Does he want to... apologize?
"Ruruminating, Riru... uh... Rureefer..."
He seems to be a good guy now, Yuzu said. It might be hard for him to apologize, though; what can you really say after kidnapping someone?
Can we trust him? Rin asked.
I get the feeling that we should trust him, Serena said cautiously. I'd say to be on your guard, but I fought beside him in the war. You get a certain reading about those you fought with.
"Rurino 911," Dennis went on. "Rurinistan, Rukia, Luli, Rapis Lazururi..."
It doesn't matter if we can trust him, Rin said. He put Ruri through hell.
Oh, right, Yuzu sighed.
"Rurinzurena, Ruricle Luscinia, Ruralien..."
You could kick his ass, Serena offered. Try to get even through a duel.
Serena, Yuzu said softly. Peoples' feelings can be a bit more complicated than that.
"Dennis, stop," Ruri said.
Dennis immediately stopped talking. He turned to look at Ruri. His eyes were wide and heavy with anxiety; something Ruri could plainly see when she looked at him.
"I'm just- I-" Dennis stammered. "I did bad things, but I- I'm not bad."
When his eyes caught Ruri's, Dennis's gaze fell down to his feet. Seeing her eyes just reminded him of his shame. He felt unworthy to look at her right then.
"At least, not anymore, I think. I hate that part of myself. I'm trying not to be me. The me I used to be, I mean. I mean-"
"Duel me?"
For a second, Dennis's eyes rose to met Ruri's. But when he saw her face, the shock of her words couldn't overcome the feeling of shame he felt. He brought his eyes back to the ground.
"Entertainment Duels are about making people egao," Ruri explained. "They can make people feel better. They can heal nations, end conflict. It's not always the answer, but it's always a good first step."
"What are you saying?" Dennis whispered.
"Duel me, in front of the class," Ruri said. "Show me how you really feel during a duel. And our pain can inspire joy for everyone else."
Dennis gasped. Instead of talking, he could only stammer out more incoherent words. but this time, the tense atmosphere around him was a lot lighter.
You sure about this? Rin asked.
I'm not going to lie, I'm a little mad, Ruri confessed. It still hurts, knowing what he's done.
... But you're using Entertainment Duels to create peace! Serena exclaimed. Just like Yuya would.
"Do you accept, Mr. Macfield?" Ruri asked.
"I-uh - yes!"
"Then go get your students and tell them to meet us outside."
After about ten minutes, the class had been lead outside by Yusho. They, along with the older kids and Yusho, stood to the sidelines of the dueling grounds.
To their left was Ruri, standing several feet away. Her Duel Disk was at the ready. And to the far right of her, Dennis dramatiically extended his Duel Disk out to her.
Yuya was quick to notice that Dennis was wearing a familiar mask on his face. And he all-too-quickly knew what Dennis was planning.
Dennis, you have to show her your true self... Yuya thought to himself.
Eh? What's he doing? Yuri asked.
He's making himself the bad buy to make his opponent look better. And that's not going to make him happy.
You never know, Yugo said. Maybe that's his kink.
His what?
His kink.
"Ruri, you foolish woman!" Dennis cackled. "Challenging me to a duel? When you lose, you'll be trapped in a never-ending sea of homework!"
"Huh?" Ruri mumbled. "Wha..?"
He's playing the heel, Yuzu explained. Just go along with it.
Oh, right! I can do that!
"I'm going to stop you, vile villain!" Ruri responded. "And I will free the children from your tyranny!"
Now both of them were cackling wildly, much to the embarrassment of the other bracelet girls.
"So, you meet my challenge with a laugh?!" Dennis roared. "Prepare to get schooled!"
Their Duel Disks spoke: "FIELD SPELL: CROSSOVER, ACTIVATE."
"Duelists locked in battle!" Dennis stated
"Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters!" Ruri returned.
"They storm through this field!"
"Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling!"
"Action!" the audience screamed.
"DUEL!"
Floating platforms appeared all around them, and cards scattered through the air. And once the last card fell to the ground, both of the duelists were ready for action.
"Watch and cower before my power," Dennis said. "I set the Pendulum Scales with my Scale 2 Performage Bubble Gardna, and my Scale 5 Performage Candy Craftsman."
Dennis placed the cards on his Pendulum Zones. Columns of blue light appeared on either side of him, along with either monster. Bubble Gardna appeared to Yuya's right, with a number 2 underneath it, while Candy Craftsman appeared to Yuya's left, with the number 5 beneath it.
"I Pendulum Summon!" Dennis declared. "Take center stage! Level 4 Performage Mirror Conductor!"
A swirling pendulum swayed circles in the sky. From within the center of that circle, a single light fell to the ground. The light landed right before Dennis, then exploded in a sea of sparkles and confetti. Mirror Conductor toos on the field, a wicked egao on its reflective face. (DEF 1400)
"Next, I Summon Performage String Figure."
From the ground rose a clown-like creature. It stood right beside Mirror's left side. (ATK 0)
"String Figure's monster effect activates," Dennis growled. "I can perform a Fusion Summon with this card and one Performage monster in my hand or on my field."
String Figure started to glow. Its face contorted into a menacing, wicked grin. One hand extended out to hold Mirror Conductor's hand.
"Clear mirror that shows inner weakness. Become one with the infinitely form-changing strings that connect people, and create a new witch that spurs the sky!"
The two monsters jumped into the air. Their bodies clashed together and swirled into a vortex of blues and oranges. Their unity created a brilliant glow of light.
"Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 7! Performage Trapeze Force Witch!"
The light rose to the sky, and a wand-like handle came down. Trapeze Force Witch grabbed the handle and dropped down to the field. (ATK 2400)
"Behold, the tool of evil!" Dennis cried out. "Feel the pain of your past! Let your anger feed me!"
The kids started to cry out in shock. A few of them booed their teacher, and one child even hissed.
Yuya looked at the kids nervously, then back to Dennis. His mind was filled with worry for him.
He's trying to be the bad guy again, Yuya said. The kids might think he's really evil...
I like this show, Yuri responded. I always found that fear is a great educational motivator.
Dennis held up a card to his opponent. "Next, I activate the Spell Card, Bubble Barrier!"
Dennis slammed a card onto his Disk blade, and a series of large bubbles poured from it. The bubbles filled his side of the field, surrounding Trapeze Force Witch.
"Because of Trapeze Force Witch's effect, Performage monsters cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects," Dennis explained. "And Bubble Barrier prevents her from being destroyed by battle one per turn."
What a strong defense, Yuzu thought.
"Now, you can't hope to claim victory!" Dennis screamed. "How's that! You can't dream to harm us anymore!"
Dennis pressed a hand to his abdomen, threw his head back and let out a wicked cackle. And the class immediately started to loudly boo and scream at their teacher.
Hmm, good show, Yuri mused.
Yuya walked in front of the children and started to wave his hands around, hoping to grab their attention.
"Mr. Macfield is a good man!" Yuya told the kids. "Don't believe this charade-"
"We know that..." one boy grumbled.
Yuya blinked. A few kids turned to look at him, and a couple of them looked a bit annoyed by Yuya's outburst.
"He does this all the time," the boy said. "It's how he teaches us."
"He acts mean, and we have to learn how to get through his puzzles," another child explained. "Sometimes Mr. Sakaki helps us."
"We're just playing along," a girl added. "Just let us have fun, big kid."
Yuya nearly dropped to the floor. He slammed his hand in his face and let out a groan. "Yes, of course. Just-just ignore me, then."
Yusho placed a hand on his son's shoulder. Yuya looked up at his father curiously.
"Dennis is a good actor," Yusho told him. "But at the end of the day, the kids know he's just acting, and think he's a good man. That's what makes Dennis happy."
Yuya turned back to the field and eyed Dennis. This is his own style of Entertainment Dueling, then?
"I end my turn, heroine!" Dennis announced. "And come my next turn, you'll have to face your demise!"
Ruri placed a hand on her deck. Serena, I'm calling on you. Lend me your power for this.
Right, Serena responded. Time to kick his ass all over again!
Ruri drew a card and looked at it.
It was Instant Fusion.
Her excited eyes ran over all the cards in her hand. She was glad, because she now had all the pieces needed to pull off her epic plan.
"I activate Instant Fusion!" Ruri announced.
Ruri placed the card on her Disk's blade. The image of a three-foot ramen cup appeared on the field. It started to shake from side to side, its contents ready to burst.
"I pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon a Fusion Monster from by Extra Deck," Ruri explained. "But the monster can't attack this turn, and it's destroyed during my End Phase." (Ruri: 4000 → 3000)
The ramen cup's lid peeled open. The cup faded away to reveal the body of a feminine body, with wing-like arms, a flowing dress of feathers, and talons for feet. (ATK 1000)
"I summon Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale!" Ruri announced. "And this card gains ATK equal to its Level, multiplied by 500." (ATK 1000 → 1500)
"You expect me to fear that?!" Dennis cackled. "You foolish fool! You can't hope to break through my defenses with that monster! It's like a bird, flying into a clear glass window!"
"Oh, the fun has just begun!" Ruri shouted. "I offer my Independent Nightingale as tribute for a Tribute Summon!"
Dennis stopped cackling. His, and everyone else's eyes fell to the monster. It disappeared in a sea of sparkles, and from its ashes rose a large, looming figure.
"By its own effect, I can Tribute Summon this card with only one monster," Ruri announced. "I summon The Tyrant Neptune!"
A scaly, centaur-liked creature appeared before the field, wielding an enormous scythe in its hands. Its face was partially obscured with a dark, inky shadow. (ATK: 0)
"So cool!" one kid gasped.
"R-really?" a shocked Dennis said quietly. "Ruri, Is that the best you can do?"
He cleared his throat and then spoke up louder. "I mean, that's the best you can do?! You poor thing; I must have hurt you so much, you've forgotten how to duel. Looks like it's up to me to school you!"
"Boo!" came the audience's response. "Leave her alone!" "You monster!" "I hate you!"
Now it was Ruri's turn to laugh. "Appearances can be deceiving. Now it's time to show you Neptune's strength!"
"Eh?" Dennis groaned. "What can it do to my cards? My Performages are protected by Force WItch!"
"This card gains the total original ATK and DEF of any monster used for its Tribute Summon," Ruri explained. (ATK: 0 → 1000)
"So you can attack with it, but so what?" Dennis chuckled. "It's weak. And you just wasted your Normal Summon on it."
"Stop interrupting me and you'll find out," Ruri said confidently. "Kids, give Neppy your support, so he can overcome your teacher!"
The students burst into cheers. Yuya and Yusho both clapped for the monster, and the other three bracelet girls cheered from beside Ruri. The overwhelming response was enough to make The Tyrant Neptune egao and wave to the children.
"It's so cute!" a boy squealed. "It's giving me shivers!"
"When it's Tribute Summoned, it gains the effect of one of the monsters used for its Tribute Summon, and takes its name. And one of Independent Nightingale's effects is to gain ATK equal to its level, multiplied by 500."
(ATK 1000 → 6000)
Dennis gulped. "But if you attack, it won't be enough to win! And don't forget, you can't destroy my monster!"
The audience booed their teacher more.
"We're not going to battle," Ruri explained. "We're ending this without going into the Battle Phase."
Gasps could be heard from the audience. Everyone stood in silence, only able to watch Ruri with baited breath. Her bold declaration had everyone dying to know what her next move would be.
"Independent Nightingale has another effect. I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to this card's Level, multiplied by 500."
The Tyrant Neptune swung its scythe forward. A strong force of wind blasted through the field before it. A stream of blue feathers appeared high in the air, then flew at Dennis's side like a field of daggers.
Dennis's jaw dropped. His hands fell to his sides, limp. He watched in horror as the feathers flew over his monster, then dove toward him.
"No..." Dennis gasped. "I couldn't do anything..."
"Now you know what it's like to feel powerless, villain!" Ruri screamed. "Feel my power and watch as I take everything away from you!""
The feathers rained down on Dennis's body. He let out a dramatic yell as they fell onto his body. (Dennis: 4000 → 0)
Dennis, like his jaw, dropped to the floor. He was in total shock. All he could do was make a small, confused-sounding moan. "Buuuuuuh?"
But the kids were happy. As the Solid Vision started to fade, a swarm of cheering kids ran towards Ruri. They circled around her like hungry sharks, eagerly trying to grab her attention.
"Yes, your hero has defeated the evil teacher!" Ruri declared. "And that means no homework!"
"Y-you can't actually... do that," Dennis groaned.
"Quiet, villain! I said no homework!"
Ruri let out a gasp. Oh, she realized that she was still in character mode. "Oh. Sorry, kids, Dennis."
Looks like you really impressed them, Yuzu told her.
You were vicious, Serena said happily. Glad you could use Fusion so well.
I have you to thank, Serena, Ruri replied.
Yusho slowly approached the group. His cane clacked against the ground as he walked towards Ruri.
"That was an impressive duel," he told her.
"Thank you, teacher!" Ruri said warmly. "It was fun, getting to entertain everyone."
"I don't know if you entertained everyone."
Yusho's eyes moved to Dennis. Ruri turned to see her fallen foe. Her heart sank a bit from the sight of him.
Dennis was on his hands and knees, staring down at the ground. His head spun with dizziness, and he was still groaning.
"Dennis doesn't look so good," Ruri confessed.
"Entertainment Dueling isn't just about making the crowd egao," Yusho went on. "You also need to bring that same joy to your opponent. And wiping them out in one turn, and not letting them fight back isn't very fun."
"And I hecked up on that part. Kind of let my anger and excitement get the better of me."
"Yeah. But it's not too late to make Dennis smile."
She looked to Dennis. "You're right, teacher."
Ruri gave her teacher an egao, then walked over to Dennis. As she approached him, she extended her hand out to him.
A surprised Dennis slowly reached out to grab her hand, but stopped midway.
"I..." he gasped. "But I..."
"Come on, let me help you up," Ruri replied.
Dennis's eyes sparkled, and his heart beat loudly in his chest. He took Ruri's hand and let her pull him up from his misery.
The two of them turned to face the crowd before them. The kids and Yusho cheered for the two duelists. And Yuya cheered the loudest, for both of them.
Yuto, however, glared daggers at the duo.
A/N: Can I say how much I hate the fact that "Lyrical Luscinia" was changed to "Lyrilusc" in the TCG? It doesn't sound nearly as good, and it loses some of the parallel to Shun's Raidraptors. Sure, the names for cards would be very long. But "Lyrical Luscinia" sounds way prettier.
In the future, I want to do a bonus chapter about each of the boys and girls teaching a class. I already have an idea of what Yuri and Serena will teach. Look out for that in the future, probably after the Ranks have been concluded.
Next time: Time to take a peek back at the Pendulum Dimension. Keep Shining On, Great Heroes!