By animeninjaNIPPON

My heart was racing and my head was spinning. I couldn't concentrate. I was so frustrated that I wanted to just quit and go home, but I wouldn't give Jonouchi that satisfaction. Besides, Haga was counting on me.

"I'll activate another Hinotama," Jonouchi announced on his next turn. I could feel the attack burning into my soul – not from the holographic fireballs, but from Haga's shrieks. I don't know why his screaming affected me the way it did – perhaps it was from all those times I watched Haga get beat up and was forced to stand by and do nothing…

The rest of the duel was rather hazy. I remember playing Sword Arm of Dragon, Two-Headed King Rex, and some spell card. I managed to take out a good deal of Jonouchi's best monsters before he pulled out his (formerly my) Red Eyes Black Dragon. By that time, I had lost the will to fight. I didn't even bother to defend myself – I let him attack me, and Haga got the full blast.

"Ryuzaki, you coward! Damn you!" he shrieked as my head threatened to explode. I don't know why I screwed up so badly, but it didn't matter anymore. I had lost.

"Ready for Round Two?" Kaiba asked arrogantly, as if he had no clue how badly any of us were drained.

"Forget it," Haga said. "This is stupid." He turned and left.

"He's right," Jonouchi actually agreed, "and I sure as Hell don't want to get zapped on that thing." He pointed to the cross.

"Very well," Kaiba concluded. "Leave."

It took about 15 minutes of running, but I finally caught up to Haga. He glared at me. "Go away."

"About what I said," I replied stupidly, "I didn't mean it. I just wanted him to – "

"You're so easily annoyed that you don't even try to fight back," he said, "and you let ME suffer for it!"

"At least I duel without cheating," I snapped back, not bothering to think before speaking my mind. "You can't even win a fixed game!"

"So, you're actually proud of being weak? You might as well start hanging out with Yugi."

"Oh yeah?" I yelled, balling my hands into fists. "Pride is all I've got!"

"YOU HAVE ME!" Haga screamed. "Or at least, you used to. Now you've got nothing, Ryuzaki."

I blinked. "Is it over between us?"

Haga turned around, walking away slowly. "I am so damn tired of you always trying to pretend that you don't feel anything. You're my best friend, and you don't even trust me. Goodbye."

I still didn't quite get what he was trying to say, but if he didn't want to be with me, it was pointless to argue. I had lost more than some pathetic duel or foolish pride. I lost Haga.

End of part sixteen