"That was fun." Kyara said as she and Seto headed back out onto the street.
"I guess."
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Seto gave a quiet sigh. "I'm okay," he grinned weakly at her. "I was just thinking about my first match."
"What about it?"
Seto waved off the subject dismissively. "Not much. What's really bothering me is this: What if we have to fight each other?"
Kyara bit her lip. That was certainly true. "Well," she finally sighed. "I guess we'll just have to do our best."
Kaiba stopped walking. "What do you mean? I may have dueled you before, but that was when nothing was to be won."
Kyara shook her head and smiled. "I discussed this with Yugi a while back. If we DO have to battle one another, I suppose we'll just have to give it our all." she stared at her boyfriend seriously. "If we have to duel each other, Seto, I want you do give me your best, nothing less would be honorable."
"That sounds just like something Yugi would say." Kaiba shook his head. "But-"
"Hey! Don't worry! In every game, there's always a winner and a loser. If you ask me, neither really matters."
"I wish I could share your optimism." Kaiba murmured as they approached the Convention Center.
"Don't worry," Kyara repeated as the two of them parted through the throngs of spectators and once again entered the dome-shaped structure. "Everything will be fine."
At her words, Seto Kaiba couldn't help but feel reassured. Perhaps Kyara was right. After all, what could go wrong?

* * *

"Hey, Yugi?" Kyara knocked on the door lightly. "It's me, Kyara."
"Oh, hey Kyara!" Yugi's voice called through the closed door. "It's not locked, come on in!"
Kyara swung the door open. She found Yugi sprawled on his bed, watching TV, his cards laying in a neat pile by his side. The Duelist nodded in greeting. "What's up?"
"Nothing much. Just wanted to say hi." Kyara strode over and glanced at the television. "Whatcha doin, Yuge?"
Grabbing up the remote from the floor, Yugi turned off the TV. "I got bored, so I decided to see what's on. But apparently, nothing much." he dropped the remote back onto the ground. "So, how was your date?"
"Yugi!" Kyara's face blazed a distinct pink. "It wasn't a date!"
Yugi laughed and toyed absently with his Millennium Puzzle. "Sure it wasn't. Look, even I can tell, Kya. You two are in love. So why are you denying it?"
"Because I'm trying to save my pride?" Kyara ventured.
With a grin, Yugi giggled again. "Okay, okay!" he said. "Let's just stay away from that subject for now, all right?"
"Only because you said so!" Kyara countered. "Oh yea! We met up with Te'a and the others while we were out."
"Really?"
"Yea! Te'a says hi." Kyara said cheerfully.
"That's nice." Yugi glanced at his bedside clock. "But, shouldn't you be getting downstairs? I thought your duel started at..."
Kyara started. "You're right! I'm gonna be late!" she sprinted towards the door. "See ya later, Yugi!"
"Good luck!" he cried back. "And believe in the heart of the cards!"

* * *

After retrieving her cards from her room, Kyara hurried downstairs. Again, the lobby was crowded with Duelists and observers. Also quite a few reporters. The moment her foot touched the bottom step, Kyara found herself surrounded by cameras. A microphone poked through the humming machinery, followed closely by a chatty reporter and her crew. "Ms. Nayako!" the newswoman cried. "You won third placed a year back, am I correct?"
"Uh..."
"Kyara-san! Do you plan to take FIRST this year?!" another person inquired.
The questions were coming more frequently now. "Sources say that both Seto Kaiba and Yugi Mutou have entered the tournament. What do you believe are your chances of winning?"
"Kyara! What are-"
"ENOUGH!" a stern voice cried
Immediatly, the crowd of journalists fell quiet. Kyara was stunned. Who had the power to silence all those reporters? She got her answer as a tall, brown-haired Duelist elbowed his way through the crowd. Seto.
Relieved, Kyara smiled at his arrival. "Perfect timing." she murmured into his ear.
"These guys giving you a hard time?" Kaiba whispered back.
"Yes, and I'm late for my first duel!"
"Well, that's not good." Kaiba shook his head and began shoving people aside. "Show's over, so move!"
Once safely away from the media, Kyara broke into a run, Kaiba jogging alongside her. "Thank you." she said gratefully. "I owe you one."
With a smile, Kaiba kissed her lips briefly before ushering her towards the dueling arena. "Now you don't." he gave her hand an affectionate squeeze. "Good luck."