(A/N: So, a question I get asked frequently is "Wen V3"? I've answered this in PMs, but when the anons want to know, it's probably time to address the elephant in the room you didn't even know was there. My plan is to introduce V3 during the GX era. Due to the nature of the game, since the characters' roles in the timeline are…questionable—Even Ultimate Talent Development Plan really doesn't make it clear if they're Class 79 or not—I decided to just put them in GX so that we don't lose any DGR madness going into the era. It's my hope that, by the time I reach 5Ds, Kodaka will have released the next installment so that I'm not stuck with a cast full of OCs, and DGR characters into upwards of their 50s. If he doesn't though, the 5Ds era should still be fun regardless. Anyway, onto the chapter!)
"I'm so proud of my big brother being in the top four!" Serenity exclaimed, clapping her hands. "I knew Joey could do it."
She, Sato, Mahiru, Hiyoko, Ibuki and Mikan were all gathered around the TV in Mahiru's dorm room, kneeling on pillows. It was a bit cramped to fit six girls into a single dorm room—especially with the sleeping bags—but here they were.
"Where did your brother learn to duel, Serenity?" Sato asked her.
"From Yugi's grandpa. He was a really good duelist in his day, you know," Serenity stated.
"And he's taught by experience like any good duelist!" Ibuki exclaimed with a smile.
"I kind of hope he wins," Hiyoko said. "Togami's pompous and Mai and Celeste are totally fake."
"Nuh uh!" Ibuki exclaimed, getting defensive. "Mai's totally rad! She's part of Ibuki's band!"
Hiyoko's eyes narrowed and she pouted. "Well…I guess if she's part of your band she's not terrible. I still think Joey should win though!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. "He's the underdog after all!"
"It'll be interesting to see Joey compete in a tournament with his current level of skill without Kaiba or Yugi to get in his way," Mahiru stated.
"Joey…does stand a better chance of winning under the circumstances," Mikan admitted.
"I hope he wins," Serenity said with a big smile. "Joey deserves to be able to take home prize money to be used on himself."
"What do you mean?" Sato asked.
"When Joey became a finalist in Duelist Kingdom, he used the money he got from the tournament to pay for my eye operation," Serenity explained. "I can see so clearly thanks to my big brother."
Ibuki laughed. "That sounds like Joey, all right."
Sato smiled. "I wish I had a big brother like that."
"Pfft, who needs a big brother when you have the world's best big sister ever?" Hiyoko exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.
"Big sister?" Serenity asked. "I thought Mahiru said you were—"
"We don't speak of my previous family," Hiyoko snapped, grouchy. "They can seriously screw off."
"I…um…" Serenity wasn't accustomed to being snapped at.
Mahiru attempted damage control, speaking gingerly. "Hiyoko got disowned by the Saionjis after that whole mess with Dartz. Miss Yukizome took it upon herself to be Hiyoko's family."
Hiyoko sniffed. "I really thought she was just pitying me, but…she's just that nice." She still felt horrible over what she did. Miss Yukizome really cared about her and the time that had passed had shown it.
Mahiru pat Hiyoko's back. "Hey, it's fine now. I forgave you, remember?"
"Yeah, Hiyoko. Like, Ibuki wasn't there, but she knows your bark is almost always worse than your bite," Ibuki stated, trying to cheer the blonde up.
"I dunno," Hiyoko said with a smarmy look on her face. "I can bite pretty hard you know."
Ibuki laughed. "Ooooh, maybe we should test that some time."
"Test…it?" Serenity was confused.
Ibuki just laughed like she was laughing at a punch line only she knew the joke too.
"Um, we still have two whole hours to pass the time until the first semi-final match," Mikan said. "Does anyone have any ideas what to do?"
Ibuki opened her mouth and took a deep breath before Mahiru's doorbell rang.
"I wonder who that could be," Mahiru said.
"Were you expecting anyone else?" Serenity asked.
"No, this is everyone," Mahiru said, sweating nervously a little.
"Maybe it's just Miss Yukizome," Sato stated. "We have been making a mess."
"No, Miss Yukizome almost always knocks and announces in that motherly voice of hers "Housekeeping!"" Mahiru exclaimed, doing a decent impression.
"Yeah, that's her all right," Hiyoko snickered. "It's kind of annoying," she said only to throw her hands up in the air, "But whenever she cleans my room, she always brings me fresh pie! It's great!"
"Mmmm, I'd sample Miss Yukizome's pie any day if you know what I'm saying," Ibuki said with a wink.
"Her pie?" Serenity asked.
"She makes really good pie," Hiyoko said. "Though, Ibuki means it differently cause she's a deviant."
Ibuki laughed, not denying it at all.
Before Serenity could inquire, the doorbell rang again.
Mahiru sighed. "Guess I'll see who it is," she said, rubbing her head. Getting up, she did her best not to trip over her guests and her kitchen table on the way to the front door. Then she slid off the lock, twisted the knob and pulled the door open.
The first thing Mahiru was greeted by was a pizza box practically shoving its way into the apartment. She and the others hadn't ordered pizza, so Mahiru was ready to turn the delivery associate around, but the person on the other end wasn't wearing a uniform…well…not for pizza anyway. In fact, the person holding out the pizza was a familiar face to Mahiru.
It was Chiaki.
"Hey, hey," She said with a smile.
"Chiaki?" Mahiru was confused by her presence. "What are you doing here? I thought you and Hajime were out doing…you know…couple things."
"Hajime went out with Kazuichi, Nagito, and Fuyuhiko for a "gentleman's night out" or something like that. It was Kazuichi's idea and Fuyuhiko wanted to make sure they did it right or something. Besides, I'm my own person," she said, puffing out her cheeks, "It's not like we're glued at the hip now that we're dating."
Mahiru laughed. "You got me there. So, uh, where'd the pizza come from?"
"Oh, I didn't want to drop by empty handed. I, er, I know I wasn't invited, but…"
Mahiru laughed. "Of course you can join us, Chiaki. You're not imposing."
Chiaki smiled. "Thank you. I brought my deck in case anyone wanted to play."
"Aw, shucks, you should've come by earlier. We already had our casual tournament," Mahiru laughed.
"Oh, really? Who won?" Chiaki asked.
"Ibuki did," Mahiru responded. "It was close too. Guess Joey rubbed off on Serenity a bit. Would you believe she didn't even have her own deck and got that far with a preconstructed one we bought?"
"Wow, that's impressive. I'd like to hear about it," Chiaki said.
"Well then, don't just stand there," Mahiru said, "Come on in." She led Chiaki inside. "Girls, Chiaki's here, and she brought pizza!"
"Woohoo! Pizza! You rock, Chiaki!" Ibuki exclaimed.
"Pizza? Really?" Hiyoko complained.
"I have extra pocky if you don't want any," Chiaki said.
"I mean…I didn't say I didn't want any," Hiyoko said, pouting.
"I would've gotten it fresh made by Teruteru," Chiaki said, sliding the box onto the table. "But not only would that have been hard to carry, but…"
"Oh, right, his mom's in the hospital," Mahiru remembered.
"I still can't believe she collapsed like that," Mikan said. "I mean, I know it's just work stress, but still…"
"He's a complete perv, but at least he's stepping up at the family restaurant. I hope his mother gets better soon. Moms do really work too hard," Mahiru said.
"Ha! Speak for yourself," Hiyoko responded. Mahiru and the others knew what she meant by that. Hiyoko's relationship with her birth mother, even before the disowning was…strained.
One by one, each girl got up to get a slice of pizza and then sat back down. There was even a spare pillow for Chiaki. Within an hour, all the pizza had been eaten and there was still an hour left before Celeste's duel with Mai.
"Hey! Ibuki know how we can pass the time!" Ibuki exclaimed. "Let's play truth or dare!"
"Oh, I've never played truth or dare before," Serenity said. "I know about it though."
Mikan looked nervous. Every single time she played this game, she always got pressured into picking dare. And it never ended well. But she didn't want to say anything and ruin everyone's good time.
"Ibuki, I don't know if that's such a good idea," Mahiru said, not too keen on the idea.
"Hey, what happens in your dorm room stays in your dorm room," Ibuki replied.
"Now I'm even more worried," Mahiru said.
"Hey, as long as no one does anything dangerous I'm down," Hiyoko said, having also been the victim of unspeakably violent dares.
"Maybe we should lay some ground rules," Chiaki stated.
"Aw, come on!" Ibuki exclaimed. "What's the point of truth or dare if you can't be a little crazy?"
Chiaki took a deep breath and gave Ibuki a serious look. "With the power invested in me as class representative, I reserve the right to report this to Miss Yukizome if things get out of hand."
"That's our Chiaki," Mahiru laughed, now really thankful the gamer had dropped by.
"So, who goes first?" Serenity asked.
"Well since it was Ibuki's idea, Ibuki will pick first," Ibuki stated. She pointed right at Chiaki. "All right, Chiaki. Truth or dare?"
"Truth," Chiaki replied. Honestly, what was the worst thing Ibuki could ask?
"So then, let's hear it, Chiaki. How's Hajime in bed? Have you two managed to go all the way yet?"
"Ibuki!" Mahiru exclaimed objectionably.
Ibuki gasped, looking shocked by the objection. "What? It's a legitimate question! She's the only one with a potential sex life in this entire dorm room right now!"
"Sex…life?" Serenity asked as her face slowly turned red like the rising temperature of an old-fashioned thermometer.
"Ibuki, Serenity's only thirteen!" Mahiru exclaimed.
"So? Ibuki was fourteen when she played with her band back in middle school!" Ibuki replied loudly.
"Wasn't your band all girls?" Sato inquired.
"Yeah? What's your point?" Ibuki asked.
Sato gave no verbal response. No one noticed the tip of her tongue gently gliding across her upper lip.
"I knew this was a bad idea," Mahiru groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"Wow, Ibuki, I didn't realize you had such vast experience with your hands," Hiyoko snickered.
"You should see what I can do with scissors," Ibuki laughed, winking.
Mahiru looked over at Serenity, hoping her friend wasn't too uncomfortable. Ibuki certainly knew how to turn a mundane situation rampantly chaotic instantaneously. However, Serenity looked between a mix between flustered and too gentle to want to object and ruin everyone's good time.
"Um, if I'm obliged to answer," Chiaki suddenly said calmly, piercing the silence. All six of the other girls gazed at her with varying degrees of anticipation. Chiaki smiled, blushing. "I couldn't be happier with Hajime at my side."
"Ohoooooo!" Ibuki exclaimed. "Niiiiice! Hey, so is he big? Is he?"
"Ibuki!" Mahiru exclaimed.
"One question per turn," Chiaki objected.
"Awww, come on! No fair!" Ibuki protested.
"Um, you two are using protection, right?" Mikan asked, concerned.
Chiaki pulled her hood over her head. "I don't have to answer that. It's not your turn."
"That's almost like saying you didn't!" Mikan exclaimed, now more worried than ever.
"Quit worrying, jeez! They're both virgins, well…were virgins," Hiyoko said. "What's the worst that could happen? I doubt Chiaki's dumb enough to go teen mom on us."
Chiaki cleared her throat. Despite the blush, her serious expression indicated she was growing increasingly uncomfortable with the diving into her private life. "Right, so, my turn then?"
"Yup, those are the rules!" Ibuki exclaimed.
"All right then," Chiaki said. She gazed around the room. Who should she pick? "All right then, Hiyoko, truth or dare."
"T-truth!" Hiyoko stuttered.
"Boring!" Ibuki exclaimed.
"She picked truth. That's her choice. When someone picks you, you can do a dare," Chiaki said, puffing her cheeks.
"Fiiiiiine," Ibuki sighed.
Hiyoko smiled for a moment, but quickly wiped it off her face before anyone saw it.
"If you had to have been born with anyone else's talent, who would it be?" Chiaki asked.
"Boring!" Ibuki exclaimed.
"Ibuki, you had your turn," Mahiru scolded.
"Fiiiiine," Ibuki sighed again.
"Huh? Anyone else's talent?" Hiyoko asked. "That's an interesting question. Hmmm…" The way she said it indicated she was enjoying the thought experiment. "Hmmm, I guess I'd like to have…" she trailed off only to ask a clarifying question, "Hey, it doesn't have to just be from our class, right?"
"Nope, could be anyone currently attending this school," Chiaki replied.
"Oh, then that's easy! I'd want what's her name's talent from Class A."
"Hiyoko, half of Class A is girls, just like ours," Mahiru said.
"Ugh, she has red hair and she's super peppy like all the time. Ikuta…I think that's her name."
"Oh! Kotomi-chan!" Ibuki exclaimed knowing exactly who Hiyoko was talking about. "She and Ibuki go for 10K runs all the time!"
"Who's Kotomi?" Serenity asked.
"Kotomi Ikuta," Mahiru said, giving her full name. "She's in the other class, 77-A. She's the Ultimate Cheerleader."
"Wow, that's interesting. I didn't know you thought about cheerleading, Hiyoko," Sato stated.
"I mean, it's the same effect as dancing. You inspire people and make them happy. That's the whole point I dance to start with. I bet I'd be a great cheerleader if I gave it a try."
"Hey, anything's possible if you put your mind to it," Mahiru said approvingly.
"No arguments there," Chiaki and Ibuki said almost at the same time, though Ibuki said it much more loudly.
Hiyoko let out a happy laugh, only to have a wicked grin on her face. "Right then, so my turn, yeah?"
Mikan did her best to try hiding behind Sato. Maybe if she was invisible, Hiyoko wouldn't be mean to her.
"Okay, barfy, you're up."
Chiaki sighed. Some things never changed it seemed.
"Are you sure we shouldn't—" Serenity started to say, but Mahiru tapped her shoulder very sharply with the flat side of two fingers and then waggled one.
Mikan whimpered coming out from behind Sato. "Truth or dare, Mikan."
"D-dare…" Mikan uttered without thinking, readying herself for whatever cruel punishment Hiyoko had conjured up.
"I dare you to lick your bare armpit," Hiyoko said.
Mikan blinked. That was…awfully tame, not just by middle school, but even Hiyoko's standards. "That's it?"
"Yeah, that's it. What? Do you smell or something? Hop to it!"
"Y-yes," Mikan stuttered.
Chiaki sighed again. Some things really never changed.
Mikan hurriedly took off both her apron and her shirt and proceeded to lift her arm to lick under her shoulder.
"Wow, Mikan, I didn't realize your skin was so nice."
Mikan froze, responding to Serenity. "Huh?" she squeaked.
"Whoa, yeah, Serenity's right. I guess it was hard to notice because you're in your apron and uniform a lot, but you have really nice curves," Ibuki said.
At this, Hiyoko's face scrunched up, blushing, scowling as she looked away from Mikan.
"I'll do the dare! Please don't hate me!" Mikan exclaimed.
"Then do it instead of stealing oxygen!" Hiyoko shouted.
Mikan swallowed and shivered before lifting her arm back up and did her best to get her tongue to lick her pit as Hiyoko had requested.
The short blonde laughed. "Wow, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were starring for fetish porn or something."
"Can I put my clothes back on now?" Mikan whimpered, finished.
"Yeah, yeah, do whatever you want. It's your turn anyway," Hiyoko said, still kind of snickering. She'd had her fun, now it was passed.
Mikan quickly got herself redressed. "Wow, um, usually it never gets this far," she chuckled. "Every other time I've played this game, my friends used to end the game right after it was my turn. Eheheh."
"That's…horrible," Mahiru said, sweating.
"Well, it's your turn now," Chiaki said. "Call on anyone you want."
"Except me, cause, you know, no backsies," Hiyoko said.
"R-Right," Mikan stuttered. "U-um…" Mikan looked all around the room at potential choices with Ibuki seeming a little too eager to be called on. "I-Ibuki…"
"Yes! Woohoo!" Ibuki exclaimed.
"T-truth or Dare?" Mikan asked.
"Dare!" Ibuki exclaimed, jamming her index fingers out to one side. "Totally dare! Whatever you're thinking, I'm totally down."
"W-well…" Okay, now what? It seemed a bit cruel to subject Ibuki to all the nasty things Mikan herself had been subject to. I have control, but… Mikan thought. Power. The one thing she rarely ever had, the one thing she always wanted most in life. She could tell Ibuki to do anything…well…within reason of course, but still… Should I see how far the line stretches? Mikan thought darkly. However, as these dark thoughts encroached, Mikan's mind flashed with images of what vast amounts of power had done to Nagito, Gundham, and Hiyoko the previous month. She began to break out into cold sweat.
What would have happened if she had been offered that same deal? Heck, why hadn't Dartz offered her a deal? Her skill with dueling was just about as much as Hiyoko's, which was to say mostly non-existent. Hiyoko's skill during the incident had seemed to have stemmed from the deck she'd managed to make and the Orichalcos' vast power.
She started to feel a bit lightheaded and barely realized it when Chiaki called out to her. "Mikan, are you okay?"
Mikan squeaked. "Huh? Y-yes. I…I think so…"
"You sure? You just kind of zoned out completely," Mahiru said. "And you're, um…sweating."
"Ah! I'm sorry! I must reek! I'll go change right away!" Mikan exclaimed.
"Don't bother," Hiyoko said. "It's not like you could ever get rid of your stench."
"I'm sorry," Mikan apologized meekly.
Mahiru saw this as a window of opportunity. "Maybe we should stop playing."
"Ah!" Mikan gasped. "N-no! I don't want the game to be over because of me! I don't want to ruin everyone's good time! Um, we are having a good time, right?"
"Yeah, I think so," Chiaki said. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine!" Mikan exclaimed. "N-never better!" Mikan then laughed nervously.
"Hey, if something's wrong tell us," Ibuki said. "We're your friends."
"I shouldn't burden you with my problems," Mikan said pitifully.
"Oh for pity's sake, out with it!" Hiyoko practically demanded.
"Ah! Okay! Um…" Mikan thought the proper way to word things. She looked around at the others, trying to come up with words, trying to say something, anything and yet…when she opened her mouth… "Hic…guh…" Tears dripped from Mikan's face and she suddenly found herself pawing her eyes with the backs of her hands. "I'm sorry!"
Mikan completely broke down. In her attempt to explain herself, a rush of emotions just came barreling forward to the forefront with no chance to be stifled. She then just started crying and carrying on with no explanation like an infant. She knew she shouldn't. She knew she probably looked totally pathetic, but she couldn't stop herself. This wasn't even her room and she was howling like a wounded animal in front of everyone.
And then…something unexpected happened.
Serenity gave her a hug.
The younger teen was on her knees, leaned into the brunette, arms wrapped around her shoulders, head over her shoulder.
"S-Serenity," Mikan stuttered in surprise, her crying stopping for a moment.
"I don't know why you're crying," Serenity said as she stroked the back of Mikan's head. "But if you're in pain, it's okay to let us know." She held Mikan tenderly, nuzzling her shoulder with her chin. "We're your friends. We're here to help."
Sato's firm, strong hand suddenly landed on top of Mikan's head, gently rubbing it like Mikan was a domesticated animal. She smiled at Mikan. "It's okay, Mikan. You don't have to hold it in."
"Really?" Mikan asked. "You all…don't mind?"
"I'm the class rep," Chiaki said with a kind smile. "Comes with the job description."
"I'd never turn down a friend in need," Mahiru said with smile of equal kindness.
"If you don't tell Ibuki, you're gonna make her feel bad," Ibuki said, poking her fingers together, looking nervous.
Mikan looked at Hiyoko, the only one who hadn't said anything. Hiyoko wasn't making eye contact. Her expression was…difficult to read.
"Your crying is totally gross," Hiyoko said.
Yup. She really shouldn't have expected anything less. Mikan opened her mouth to give her usual apology, but Hiyoko continued to speak before she could.
"But…" Hiyoko said, looking unusually solemn. "I know what it's like to cry like that. You cry…like I did a lot."
"Hiyoko?" Mikan called out to her, confused.
"Ever since I met you, I could tell…I could tell that you know what it's like to feel all alone. And yet…" Hiyoko started getting mad, "All you ever did was use that as an excuse to look like a pathetic mess of boobs and tears! It pissed me off! You never thought how much I wanted to cry sometimes, huh? Maybe trip and make everyone pay attention to me once in a while! Well I don't have your boobs or your curves! I'm also not a wimp! It's why you piss me off!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Don't you dare apologize!" Hiyoko exclaimed, tears now forming in her eyes.
Mikan squeaked, shying away.
"You seriously are the worst," Hiyoko said, hiccupping. "You don't know how good you have it. All you have to do is act pathetic to get attention. Well no one cared about tiny little Hiyoko! The world doesn't owe you anything and no one has to be nice to you! If you don't toughen up, you won't survive! That's…" Hiyoko hiccupped. "That's what I always thought." She started to choke on tears. "Then I met Mahiru…and then nee-san…she…"
"Hiyoko," Serenity said and opened an arm for Hiyoko to come towards her and Mikan.
Hiyoko's face scrunched up like a squeezed stress ball. "You both seriously suck!" She shouted, tears dripping. "Who said you could make me cry?" Hiyoko then howled and darted into a three-girl group hug of herself, Serenity and Mikan. Said group hug then turned into a full group hug of all seven girls.
During it, Hiyoko, face buried under Mikan's chest, said, "You gotta toughen up, or the real world will eat someone like you alive. I don't…I don't want to see you get hurt. Cause…cause you remind me too much of how I used to be."
"I'll do my best," Mikan said calmly.
"I won't forgive you if you don't," Hiyoko said.
The group hug went on for a while and eventually Hiyoko and Mikan calmed down. Mikan was then given the opportunity to explain what was wrong.
"One of the reasons I became a nurse was because I realized that sick people are weaker than me. They have to do everything I say without question," Mikan said, cringing at uttering the truth. "I was always powerless before I came to Hope's Peak. My friends would make me do all sorts of things or they'd ignore me. I've had my hair cut, been made responsible for all kinds of debts, and have even had cigarettes put out on me."
"That's horrible!" Serenity exclaimed.
"None of us would ever do that," Mahiru said.
"I know," Mikan hiccuped, looking like she was going to relapse into tears again. "I thought it was because you all hated me, but you're all…really nice. I just…I don't know how to deal with it. So when it was finally my turn to ask Truth or Dare, something I've never had the chance to do despite playing the game so many times, everything just kind of…spilled out. I realized the rush of power I had and I let it go to my head…and then I remembered what vast amounts of power had done to our classmates and I…well…it scared me. I realized…I didn't want to become like that, or did I? I was confused."
"Man, I always just assumed you were just a cowardly, ditzy, klutz that knew how to heal people," Sato said, "But you're actually a really complex person when it comes right down to it."
"You could say that about anyone really," Chiaki said. "You know? The old proverb: never judge a book by its cover."
"Heh, that'll teach me I guess," Sato said, smirking.
Mikan sniffed. "I'm an only child and my family always takes advantage of me. To my parents, they thought making it to Hope's Peak Academy was the only non-embarrassing thing I'd done in my entire life."
"Ouch," Ibuki said looking unusually glum.
"That's…harsh," Mahiru said.
"Your entire family?" Hiyoko asked. "Wasn't there even one person you could count on?" She always had her dad to make her smile. And her grandmother could be…tolerable, so it was a bit difficult for her to comprehend that Mikan had no one.
"Not really," Mikan said. "No one ever stood up for me and no one ever took care of me. I had to completely grow up by myself for the most part."
"Double ouch," Ibuki gasped.
"You know," Chiaki said, looking at Hiyoko. "Maybe now that you understand Mikan better you could treat her a little nicer."
"Yeah…I guess…" Hiyoko said looking guilty. "I just…I guess I never realized…"
Mikan suddenly delivered a swift karate chop to the top of Hiyoko's head.
"OW!" Hiyoko exclaimed, rubbing her sore head. "Hey! What's the big idea? I'm trying to apologize here!"
Mikan, however, was laughing. "I'm sorry," she said, still beaming. "I just…I always wanted to stand up for myself against you. So I guess…that makes us even?"
"Ah…" It took a second for the gears in Hiyoko's head to turn, but she got the message. "That's it? I bully you for months and you just go Bam! Now we're even!?"
"Yup!" Mikan exclaimed.
"Ugh, you're impossible," Hiyoko groaned. "But…well…I guess I only have to tolerate it for only two and a half more years."
Mikan only laughed.
"You know," Hiyoko said, suddenly looking solemn. "I've been measuring myself lately. I'm filling out a little bit and I'm getting a bit taller."
"Sounds like a late growth spurt," Mikan said.
"Well yeah, that's what I was getting at," Hiyoko said. "Will you um…make sure I'm growing right?"
"Sure!" Mikan responded with a smile.
Hiyoko sighed. "You're really too soft, but I dunno, maybe that's a good thing." Hiyoko gave a smile to Mikan and for once, there wasn't a hint of malice behind it. "I guess that means I know you can never betray me."
"Hiyoko," Mikan smiled and then started to sniff.
"Oh my god! Do not start crying again!" Hiyoko exclaimed, only to be fiercely hugged by the brunette. "Ugh," she sighed, patting the back of Mikan's shoulder. "I'm glad you're my friend, Mikan. And…I'm sorry…for everything."
Mahiru smiled and then tapped Serenity on the shoulder, gesturing for them to talk in the kitchen for a bit.
"What's the matter?" Serenity asked.
"That was a really good thing you did, Serenity," Mahiru said. "I honestly had no idea what to do. I think your quick thinking just created a beautiful relationship that I'd been trying to get to work for months."
"I mean…I just did what felt naturally," Serenity said. "Think nothing of it. Mikan helped me when I couldn't even see. I just wanted to repay back her kindness." She was smiling ear to ear.
Mahiru blushed. "Hey, I was thinking. Maybe you and I should hang out more often…you know…just the two of us."
"I think I'd like that," Serenity said. "I don't have very many friends at school since I've been absent for so long."
"Oh yeah, speaking of which, when are you supposed to get your test results?" Mahiru asked.
"Um, sometime tomorrow," Serenity responded.
"Hey! What are you two plotting over there?" Ibuki asked. "We're gonna go back to playing Truth or Dare!"
Mahiru and Serenity smiled at each other. "Well, come on," she said and grabbed Serenity's hand. The sudden warmth was tingly as the two walked hand in hand, separating only as they sat down. It was barely twenty paces, but for some reason it felt more like twenty seconds. Serenity smiled and Mahiru tried to smile only to blush nervously.
Mahiru then let out a deep internal sigh. Ah, Jeez! Come on, it's not like you don't have plenty of other girlfriends, Mahiru thought, wondering why her hand felt so cold after leaving Serenity's grasp. Get a grip, Koizumi. Come on, you promised mom you'd find a nice boy. She sighed and focused her attention back at the game.
"Okay, Ibuki, I dare you to play the rest of the game naked!" Mikan declared.
"Can do!" Ibuki said and began flinging her clothes off, almost as if she had been wanting to be dared to do that.
Mahiru palmed her face and sighed out loud, almost growling. Ibuki was impossible sometimes. However, as Mahiru opened her eyes and glanced towards Serenity, she spaced out one more time, wondering if her mom would judge her too harshly if she ever decided she wanted to spend the rest of her life with another girl. Not that she was interested solely in Serenity like that…or at all. Sato and Hiyoko certainly gave her the impression that they had a crush on her and Mahiru did consider herself more open than most about her tastes. She sighed and decided to focus more on the game. It wasn't worth worrying about right now. She was still 17 with practically her whole life still ahead of her. As she looked at her friends with a smile, quickly snapping up a photograph before anyone had realized it, she figured she would just take life one memory and one day at a time.
And then, before she'd realized it, the rest of the hour had passed, and it was finally time for the Semi-finals to begin.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, in the frozen north of Canada, Celeste was in the lady's room at the convention center finishing up her makeup. Smacking her lips together, seeing the faint pink gloss properly applied upon them, she gave her face and hair one last glance over before addressing her outfit so that it was perfect for the second, and last, day of the tournament.
On her way to the main competition hall, she saw Mai heading for the opposite side entrance, the two meeting in the middle of the wide, open corridor of the convention. Mai held a distinct height advantage over Celeste by three whole inches, but the gap felt much wider for some reason. Celeste's gaze narrowed. She'd never been one to let an opponent's age and experience irritate her, so what was it about Mai that got under her skin.
"Ready to get your butt kicked?" Mai taunted.
"I'm ready to duel at the very least," Celeste stated. She looked over Mai's leather outfit. "I see you've dressed for the occasion."
"Eh, the leather's kind of iconic," Mai stated. "And it's not like we're exposed to the elements indoors. Could say the same about you. Did you walk to the convention center in that?"
"Barbaric. I took private transit," Celeste said, fiddling with a lock of her hair.
"Too stuck up for the streets?" Mai asked.
"I get plenty of excitement in underground obstacle courses, the likes of which would terrify you," Celeste boasted calmly.
"I doubt that," Mai stated. "The part about it terrifying me anyway."
"Hmph."
"Winning this duel means a lot more to me than you think," Mai said.
"I could say the same," Celeste said, sounding almost bored.
"Winning for your reputation isn't everything," Mai said.
"That has nothing to do with it," Celeste said scornfully, closing her fist in front of her mouth. Her brow furrowed. "I'm eager for a competitive rematch with Joey just as much as you are."
"Joey and I go back as far as Duelist Kingdom. I was the first professional duelist he ever beat," Mai said. "He wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for me. If I had one, he would've blown his snot ridden nose into a tissue all the way back to Japan from Duelist Kingdom."
"Just what is the true nature of the relationship between the two of you?" Celeste asked. "You act as though friends, but some of your interactions suggest otherwise. You're very…close. It's like there's no barrier between the two of you. You're like a pair of sober college students at a party full of drunks."
Mai gazed seriously at Celeste. "Joey's important to me. If I hadn't taken that loss to him at Duelist Kingdom, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I owe him and Yugi quite a lot."
"Well he's important to me too," Celeste barked. She quickly cleared her throat. Her French accent had almost completely slipped. "For years now I've breezed through life on just my luck, my winning strategy to any game or contest. Darts, Mahjong, Shogi, slot machines, poker, and even Duel Monsters. Gambling and competition are just in my very nature. But there's no challenge in it when you're always winning too easily. I've either completely destroyed the competition or ended up in a situation so far in over my head I was out before I'd even realized it started.
"Joey was the first real challenge I'd ever had in any kind of competition." She leaned forward, pupils shrinking in as Celeste gazed at Mai with her piercing red eyes. "Do you understand? Do you know how it feels to suddenly know the thrill of competition?" Celeste stood upright and played with her finger brace, glancing to one side. "I can't get it out of my head, our duel. My duel with Yugi. I mean, with Yugi, it was to be expected. He's all skill, but Joey is mostly luck…like me. I have to duel him again, Mai. Adrenaline is my drug and he is my supplier. No other duelist in the world has ever sparked something in me quite the way he does."
"That's just how Joey is."
"Please, as a person he's…well…hmm…" Celeste trailed off. I wanted to say barely worth a mention and yet…somehow that feels…wrong to me. "Yes, I suppose it is," Celeste said, agreeing with Mai. "He's a…very unique individual. All the more reason that I have to win this duel. If he is responsible for your growth, then he may very well spur on my own. What lies at the end of the path in a fierce rivalry with one as lucky as me? I have no idea. And the mystery of it all excites me."
"Well then, if you want to get to Joey, you're gonna have to go through me. And I'm not going to hold back. Like I said before, I have every reason to want to duel Joey myself. It doesn't matter what brought you here." Mai pointed her index finger right at Celeste. "Because I'm going to make sure that your chance will have to come another day."
Celeste chuckled. "I could certainly say the same, Mai Valentine."
"Will the competitors of the first semifinals match please report to the main battle arena?" The voice over the loudspeakers called before the same announcement was quickly made in French.
"Guess that's our cue," Mai said. "I'd say good luck, but I really hope you bomb out there." She walked past Celeste, their backs to each other.
Celeste glanced backwards towards Mai without turning her head. "Likewise. I will not show you any mercy."
In the arena, Celeste waited patiently in her corner being baked by hot lights beaming from the opposite side of the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" A male announcer's voice thundered through the arena. Its owner sounded like he had the chords to be screaming in a shonen anime. "Welcome to the Semi-Finals of the Canadian National Tournament!" The crowd cheered with excitement. "I know you're all as excited as me to see our finalists. It's rare that all the finalists from our tournament hail from another country. In fact, it's never happened. But you know them, you love them. For our tournament, we have the privilege to introduce four," he said, holding up four fingers with his free hand, "Battle City finalists as the semi-finalists to this tournament." More cheering. "So, for the first match, please welcome the Leather-Bound Blonde Master of Harpies: Mai Valentine!"
Celeste couldn't see Mai's approach live, but she could barely make it out on the gigantic screen up and to her right. Her current angle was bad. Mai approached between pillars of green smoke, face laser focused, purple eyes focused on only one thing: victory.
"Opposing her is a duelist formerly underknown until she came out onto the surface. Though she normally prefers competition in dim lighting with strict rules, today she'll stand in the spotlight in our friendly nation to compete for the right to stand in Duel Monsters' greatest tournament the world over. Please welcome the Red Eyed Gambler of the Underground, the one, the only, Celestia Ludenberg!"
That's my cue, Celeste thought and began her approach. Through the beating of the hot lights, she could make out Mai's quick approach, the older blonde making it to the gigantic, square shaped ivory colored arena in the middle of the room, taking her place on a raised pedestal. Celeste walked up three steps and stood across from Mai. They were separated by several yards, but the gap felt much wider.
Celeste and Mai's gazes never left the other woman's sight as the two began shuffling, the cameras zooming in on their shuffling habits to make sure neither one was cheating. And then, both decks were loaded into their respective duel disks. Celeste activated her disk and then Mai activated hers. The stage was set. And through it all, both women's gazes were fixed on each other.
"Four thousand life points!" The announcer declared as Celeste and Mai's life points were set to 4,000 each. "The format is single elimination. Better hope you draw good opening hands, ladies."
Celeste and Mai said nothing, their fierce gazes doing the speaking for them.
"Er, right," the announcer said, getting down from the platform to the referee's bench. "As per tournament rules, the duelist to go first will be selected at random." The screen above flashed back and forth rapidly between Mai and Celeste and then it slowed down until Celeste's image was shown as confetti inside the screen rained down and the portraits of both women were shown to be represented on either side of the big screen, a truly professional setup, much unlike the more nuanced, spectacle-based dueling in Battle City.
"Looks like Celeste is going first. All right then, Miss Ludenberg," the announcer said. "Whenever you're ready."
"Very well," Celeste said. She and Mai drew their hand of five cards and then Celeste went for the top card of her deck. "I draw!"
As she fiercely drew the top card of her deck, the semi-finals of the Canadian Nationals had officially begun.
To be continued…
(A/N: Yup, cliffhanger. Short chapter too. I didn't want Mai and Celeste's duel to be so whiplash inducing for the tension that it took away from the character development that occurred in the first 75% of this chapter.
I hope you're all enjoying this arc. It's certainly unique compared to the previous arcs in the story and the first one you could consider a mini-arc. I await your judgment when it's finished to let me know how it turned out. I'd say more, but my good friend Setsubou has taken to pre-screening these chapters as an unofficial beta/editor and she's making sure to put a stop to me saying too much in these notes. Let me know if you guys appreciate that or not.
And, until next time, as always, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)