Chapter 58: Jean-Claude Magnum

Mai drove up to the parking lot closest to the Finals location and parked her car.

Mai: "This is as far as we go by car. Get out, get out!"

Jounouchi: "What? We have to walk the rest of the way?"

Mai: "The stadium right there is the location of the Finals. It's not that far."

Jounouchi: "Alright, let's hurry over there then. I bet Kaiba and some other finalists have made it already."

"It's an unfinished building, isn't it? Why would he hold the big Finals in such a place?"

Honda: "It's not just the stadium that's unfinished, the buildings around her are also in construction. It feels like a ghost town."

Otogi: "This must be the location of the Kaiba Corp Amusement Park that's in the process of getting built."

Jounouchi: "The lack of people is giving me the creeps…"

Mai: "If you get scared that easily, how are you going to make it through the Finals."

Jounouchi: "Yeah, yeah… By the way, Mai, I've been meaning to ask you. Why'd you do what you did back in Duelist Kingdom? Why'd you give me the prize money card back then?"

Mai: "Why I gave you my card? I guess I can tell you now…"

As she was about to say why, Jounouchi's attention was drawn to a big poster.

Jounouchi: "Wow, awesome!"

Mai: "Hey! Jounouchi!"

Jounouchi: "It's the Jean-Claude Magnum Ninja Series! Oh man, I wish that movie would come out already. I'm a huge fan!"

He exclaimed at the giant poster showcasing a foreign actor dressed as a ninja.

Mai: "You didn't even listen to a word I said…!"

Mai seemed frustrated with Jounouchi, since she was about to tell him that he was important to her.

"I know he can be very insensitive sometimes…"

Akia apologetically tapped Mai's shoulder.

Mai: "No kidding…"

That's when they heard a loud rumbling and a car crashed through the poster, causing Akia to stumble away and Mai to jump forward into Jounouchi's arms who caught her in time.

Jounouchi: "W… What the hell?!"

He yelled at the car, before realizing how close him and Mai were. He blushed but quickly let go of her before running to the culprit's car. He then kicked the side of the car in anger.

Jounouchi: "Hey! That's dangerous! This isn't a movie, you asshole!"

The door then opened slowly to reveal a built man in a white suit. As he came out, he had this presence about him that they could not quite place.

"Sorry. I really am sorry, boy."

He replied to Jounouchi as he took off his sunglasses.

Jounouchi: "Aaaaaaaah!"

Jounouchi then looked at the poster, then back at the man. He did that a few times to make sure his eyes weren't tricking him.

Jounouchi: "Jean-Claude Magnum! You're the real deal!"

Jounouchi wiped his hand on his pants to make sure it was not sweating before offering a handshake to the actor. He then attempted to speak broken English to the man, but was completely ignored as Magnum walked right passed him and went straight to Mai.

Jean-Claude: "It's been a long time, Mai-san."

Mai seemed totally clueless to who he was. Magnum then took out a bouquet of roses and offered them to the woman.

Jean-Claude: "Mai-san, I came to pick you up, just like we promised."

Mai: "What are you talking about? Are you mistaking me for someone else?"

Hearing that Magnum potentially knew Mai, Jounouchi ran back to her.

Jounouchi: "That's awesome, Mai! You know a Hollywood star?!"

Mai looked at Jounouchi with a disappointed gaze. She felt as though he was only interested in the fact she knew that actor and was not actually listening to her.

Mai: "I told you, he's mistaken."

Magnum brought a hand to his head, giving a dramatically exasperated expression.

Jean-Claude: "No! Mai-san! Have you really forgotten our promise?"

Mai: "Promise…?"

Jean-Claude: "Yes, promise."

Magnum then went on about how him and Mai had met on a cruise where she beat him in a duel. He had then proposed to her, saying that he had been subdued by her strength. Mai refused his proposal, saying that she would listen to his sick jokes once he beat her in a duel.

Mai: "So I did meet you before…"

"I don't seem to spot a promise in that story."

Jean-Claude: "Don't ruin this, child."

He cut Akia off and took out a ring, present it to Mai.

Jean-Claude: "Today, I plan to beat you and bring you back to Hollywood."

Mai: "Huh?!"

Mai then took a few steps back, literally taken aback by the situation. She then looked away.

Mai: "Don't go deciding that on your own!"

Jounouchi then put a hand on Mai's shoulder.

Jounouchi: "What are you talking about, Mai? A Hollywood star just proposed to you! You're awesome! Don't waste this chance! Skip the dueling part and just marry the guy!"

Mai, hurt by his words, pushed Jounouchi's arm away. Akia, knowing the feelings Mai had for Jounouchi, couldn't help by sigh at his obliviousness.

Mai: "I have no reason to marry him."

Jounouchi: "But it'd be freakin' cool to have one of my friends be the wife of a Hollywood star!"

Jounouchi, not reading the situation at all, kept going with a big grin. Mai sighed in exasperation. She then turned to Magnum.

Mai: "Fine. I'll accept the duel."

Jean-Claude: "Oh! So you'll marry me if I win?"

Mai: "You plan to beat me?"

Mai was feeling in quite the bad mood because of the whole situation and she wanted to take it out by wiping the floor with Magnum.

Yugi: "Mai-san…"

Honda: "Shouldn't we just forget about this and head to the finals? Your spots could be taken if you don't get there fast."

Akia, feeling that Mai needed to sort this out, decided to cheer her on instead.

"Mai-san, you got this!"

Anzu: "That's right. It's Mai-san, after all. She'll get this done quick."

Jounouchi then gave Mai a thumbs up.

Jounouchi: "Go for it, Mai!"

Mai raised her eyebrows, surprised by Jounouchi's change in attitude.

Mai: "Weren't you suggesting I just not duel earlier?"

Jounouchi: "Uh… Well, you see…"

The blonde boy couldn't get himself to admit that he didn't actually want her to marry the actor. Before he could come up with an actual explanation, Magnum interrupted them by taking out his own duel disk.

Otogi: "Isn't this given to players who are in the highest ranks in terms of ability?"

Magnum then took out five Puzzle Cards.

Jean-Claude: "I am one of the highest ranking players."

Shizuka: "So that means if Mai-san loses, she won't be able to enter the finals?"

Yugi: "Mai-san, you've already won your place! You don't need to do this!"

Jounouchi: "That's right, Mai!"

Mai went and faced Magnum, her face full of confidence and determination.

Mai: "No. I will show him that not everything can just go the way he wants."

The field was then set with spot lights lighting up around them.

Jean-Claude: "Now, duel start!"

Magnum started deploying his ninja monsters at Mai, who used her Amazoness deck to counter. Whenever Mai was losing the upper hand, Jounouchi was the loudest one telling her to get a grip. That would cheer her on more than anything and she'd compose herself. After much back and forth, Mai took control of the duel once more with her Magic Card: Kaleidoscope - Magnificent Replication.

Jounouchi: "Oh yeah!"

Mai then turned to Jounouchi giving him a thumbs up and a wink, causing him to blush.

Jean-Claude: "D'oh! Goddamn boy!"

Jounouchi, snapping out of it, pointed at himself.

Jounouchi: "Boy? You mean me?"

Jean-Claude: "Yes. A mature woman like Mai-san doesn't fit a child like you. Stay out of our adult romance."

Jounouchi: "What did you say?! I deserve to be with Mai too!"

In the heat of the argument, Jounouchi didn't realize what he had just said. Everyone turned towards him with surprise, not expecting to hear this from him. Even though Mai knew that he probably didn't mean it, she felt a little happy hearing it. He then put up his hands defensively.

Jounouchi: "I was speaking hypothetically! Hypothetically!"

He put emphasis on the last word.

Jean-Claude: "I'm both rich and famous. Judging from your appearance, you're just a student. It's easy to see who's qualified."

Jounouchi: "You're so damn arrogant, waving around your Hollywood privilege. Your movies earned like nothing in the box office and aren't even that well-known!"

Shizuka: "But didn't you just say you were his fan?"

Jounouchi: "W-Well, that was before he started talking."

"Will you all just stop talking about Mai-san like that? She's not some prize that can just be won. She can choose to do whatever she wants to do."

Mai smiled at Akia, feeling like she was the only one who really got her.

The duel proceeded. Mai delivered the final blow, winning the duel. The holograms all disappeared, except for one of Magnum's ninja monsters who was flying in a kite.

Anzu: "The duel is over! Why is it still there?!"

Yugi: "That's not a hologram! It's real!"

The ninja in the kite then activated what seemed like a motor attached to the kite to propel himself. He then threw a net at Mai, capturing her and dragging her up in the air. Everyone let out exclamations of surprise and worry.

Mai: "Let me go, you dumbass!"

Jean-Claude: "Even if I don't win, I'm taking Mai-san by force."

After saying his piece, Magnum dashed away. Jounouchi, angry with what had just happened, ran after him.

Jounouchi: "Get back here, asshole!"

Magnum got his car to a further area where his flying henchman was to bring Mai to him. When the actor spotted him, he motioned for the man to land.

Jean-Claude: "Come on, bring Mai-san down immediately."

Jounouchi had arrived at the same time.

Jounouchi: "Stop right there!"

Seeing Jounouchi, Mai felt a fire burn within her. She started fighting back the man who was holding her now in his arms.

Mai: "Let me go, damn you! I said let me go!"

The kite started moving frantically as Mai struggled harder and harder. She then hit the man's chin with her head, causing him to lose his grip on her, which resulted in her falling from a significant height. She screamed as she was falling, but managed to hold on to a pole that was on the side of a nearby building. Jounouchi ran as fast as he could to where she was.

Jounouchi: "Mai!"

Magnum stayed where he was, not knowing what to do.

Jean-Claude: "Stunt man! Hurry up and save Mai-san! What are you doing?!"

Jounouchi went under Mai and opened his arms.

Jounouchi: "Mai! Let go, Mai!"

Mai, looking down, feared that he might either get hurt or not be able to catch her from that height.

Mai: "Jounouchi… But…!"

Jounouchi: "Don't worry! I'll catch you!"

Jounouchi reassured her and she nodded through gritted teeth. As she let go and fell down,

Jounouchi caught her as he had said, both of them falling on the ground. Mai got up, noticing that Jounouchi had probably hit his head.

Mai: "Are you alright, Jounouchi?!"

Magnum then went up to her, offering her his hand.

Jean-Claude: "Mai-san, I'm glad you're alright."

Mai slapped his hand away and got up on her own, glaring at the actor.

Mai: "You're always relying on your stunt doubles!"

Jean-Claude: "But… my love is sincere."

Mai then pointed at him with an accusative finger.

Mai: "Then, you should at least save the woman you love with your own hands. To me, this "boy" is more of a man than you'll ever be."

Magnum fell to his knees in defeat.

Jean-Claude: "I have… lost."

As Mai helped Jounouchi get up, everyone else caught up.

Mai: "Hey, are you alright?"

Jounouchi: "Is it really alright to blow such a big chance?"

Mai: "There's tons of men out there who'd love to have a nice woman like me."

Jounouchi: "You mean "there's not many men who can handle a feisty woman like me" don't ya?"

Hearing that, Mai let Jounouchi fall back down on the floor.

Mai: "Stupid."

Shizuka went up to her brother to check if he was alright. He got up on his own saying he was fine.

Jounouchi: "Alright, let's hurry to the finals!"