Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh.

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Ryou: skill

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"Great game, Ryou!"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow at school!"

"See you later guys, I'm going to stay and help Ryou clean up." Yugi waved his friends out the door.

"You don't have to, Yugi, I wasn't planning on taking it apart tonight." Ryou looked, satisfied, at the table where they had sat all day playing. "I like to look at the set-up and think about the game after playing it. It helps me get better at designing games."

"Well, it must work, because you're really good Ryou." Yugi smiled at him.

Ryou felt pleased. "I do my best. It's not really that hard, after all. There are all sorts of guidebooks."

"There are also all sorts of books telling you how to play Duel Monsters, but not everyone is as good as I am," Yugi reminded him. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Ryou. We all had a lot of fun today thanks to you."

"I'm glad." Ryou fingered one of the figurines on the table. "That means a lot."

"You're going to have to teach me how to be a dark master, you know. We owe you a game where you can just be a player, after all." Yugi came over to stand beside him.

"What? No, you don't have to, I like designing games."

"But you also like playing, right? I bet you're really good. I'd like to see you play, Ryou."

Ryou blushed. "Well, I wouldn't say I'm bad at it…"

"Like Otogi, or even Pegasus. You design games. That's something to be really proud of. I bet you have to really know and love games to do it." Yugi smiled. "I'd like to try too. See if I can make as well as just play. I mean, I've made up games before, like the test scores game, but this is so much more elaborate."

"It is difficult," Ryou acknowledged. "And it's worth it. I really loved playing with all of you today."

"You play our game, so we should play your game. We're friends, right? And friends have fun with each other."

"I know I have a lot of fun with you. You're all really great friends, especially you, Yugi." Ryou smiled at him over the table. Yugi circled the table to study it. "I used to be so lonely."

"Well, you won't have to worry about that ever again! We'll always be there for you."

Ryou shook his head. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

"Even if we do die, we'll still be friends. I mean, we know there is life after death, right? So I'll just wait with Atem and Bakura for you to show up again. Easy."

Ryou laughed a little. "That's just like you, Yugi."

"I know." Yugi bowed, trying to keep a straight face. "I'm the ultimate king of all games and have the answer to every problem."

"Well, you are the Pharaoh's successor, and he was a god."

"Don't look at me, I can't cure colds. My miracles are all in the dueling arena. Or game of challenger's choice."

Ryou bowed.

"Oh, that reminds me. Otogi asked for a rematch for publicity. It's the day after tomorrow. Would you like to come? We can teach you Dungeon Dice Monsters after the game."

"I always love to watch you play, Yugi. And I'd love to learn." Ryou smiled. "Don't feel like you have to invite me, however."

"I do have to invite you. You're my friend."

"Thank you, Yugi."

"Don't mention it, Ryou." Yugi smiled sweetly. "We're both game masters, so we understand each other. And we're really good friends, in spite of, maybe because of everything that happened. You were really brave the whole time."

Ryou tried to laugh it off. "I wasn't aware there was anything to be afraid of much of the time."

"Don't belittle yourself, Ryou." Yugi took his hand. "You've really made a difference, with everything you've done. I'm sure you made a difference to Bakura too."

"He was so obsessed…"

"I know. And he hurt you. But you're such a good person you understand him. Even Yami scared me at first." Yugi hugged Ryou.

Ryou rested his chin on Yugi's head. "Thank you for understanding."

"What are friends for?"

"You're the greatest, Yugi."

"So everyone tells me. Even Yami. But I wouldn't be here without all of you, Ryou." Yugi stepped back. "Do you want to come over to my house?"

Ryou shook his head. "Maybe tomorrow? And I would love to come to the game. But I have things to do right now."

Yugi sighed. "Okay. I'll look forward to seeing you!"

Ryou waved him goodbye and then closed the door and went over to his desk.

Dear Bakura,

I haven't designed a Monster World game in so long. Well, I designed that one for you, but you mostly told me what to do… this was all me.

It was a real big success. I haven't lost my touch despite you. That sounded a little…

I'm sure you, as a gamer, are happy I'm still good at this game. It's not Duel Monsters but this time, I had all the duel monsters be involved in it. It was set in the shadow realm. Remember Yugi being a monster tamer in our first game, the one you took over? I think that was really appropriate. He's good at making enemies into friends. The thought brought another smile to Ryou's lips. Yugi made him smile a lot.

I've always been a good player and Dark Master. Is this something I should thank you for? Of course, being Atem's reincarnation or… however exactly that works isn't the only reason he's such a great gamer. I think you had something to do with it, though.

It would be interesting to design a game with you sometimes. Or are you more about playing and winning then designing? Playing against than playing with?

You're really good at it, you almost beat Atem, but there's more to it than that.

I hope you've learned that. I hope you're happy. If there's anything I can do… but I did my best.

I hope you're well.

Ryou.