Author's Note: A warning for a bit of OOC-ness this chapter. It's mostly just Jack being silly, though.
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Chapter 3: Public Figures
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In the end, it's a no. It's about two months later, but Jack is still persistent about them dating; his unexpected interest in a relationship with Yusei both confuses and disturbs her.
For now, Yusei and her friends have taken refuge in Leo and Luna's flat in the Tops—"What Mom and Dad won't know won't hurt 'em!" Leo had exclaimed, just happy to have friends over—but the others have been uneasy with Jack's sudden presence in the group and have retreated for the time being. They are currently out getting lunch, while Yusei and Jack remain in the flat to avoid the press.
The paparazzi have been aggressive lately. After Carly Carmine's interview hit the front page of the newspapers, they've been grasping and clawing to be the next to get any information at all about the Duelists' relationship.
The media has calmed down about Jack's apparent status as a Satellite-born, though. It's both humorous and frustrating how they seem to be much more interested in his apparent romance with Yusei.
Meanwhile, the two are satisfied with the article that was released. While not being particularly revealing about either of their personal lives, it had been accurate, interesting, and did not skew any of their words—something Yusei had been worried about. Because of this, they have kept contact with Carly via Internet.
They have her phone number, too. After the article's success, Yusei asks Jack about possibly making Carly their go-to reporter. Jack considers it seriously before agreeing.
She might not be the most professional reporter out there, but Carly has an agreeable personality and actively avoids questions that make them uncomfortable, and the quotes they give her are never misconstrued in any way. They like her.
So it is a shocked and ecstatic Carly Carmine that gets a call from Duel Queen Yusei Fudo, saying that she and Jack have decided that Carly will be their main reporter. She thanks them over and over, and they know they've done the right thing.
Currently, Yusei sits on the couch with her laptop and is scrolling through Carly's blog, which has exploded with activity since the interview. Every once in a while, she will send the girl photos along with stories to write about; they're usually nothing ground-breaking, just daily doings and recaps of duels they've participated in, but Carly is thankful all the same.
Anybody who wants to read about Jack and Yusei's lives knows automatically to go to Carly Carmine's online blog. She's grown to be very successful, and Yusei is happy for her.
"Are you serious?"
Yusei glances up from her laptop at Jack, who is standing in front of Leo's Duel shrine.
"Don't be freaked out by it," Yusei says to him, turning her attention back to the blog. "You know Leo idolizes you."
"It's not that," she hears Jack reply. His boots tap against the polished wood-paneled floors as he approaches the sofa where Yusei is situated. "It's just… I know they make action figures of me, but I didn't know they already had ones of you."
That gets Yusei's attention. She looks back up at Jack, and he's standing in front of her with an armful of action figures. It's an odd sight already, but it only grows odder as she examines each figurine. There's ones of Jack and Red Dragon Archfiend, as well as ones of Yusei's monsters—specifically Quillbolt Hedgehog, Sonic Chick, Junk Warrior, and Stardust Dragon.
And, as promised, there's also one of Yusei. The real Yusei stares at it for a long time before going back to scrolling on the blog.
Jack doesn't seem to be satisfied with that reaction. He plops down next to her on the sofa and begins placing the action figures around her as she browses.
Soon enough, Junk Warrior is perched atop her head, Sonic Chick is pecking at the keyboard of her laptop, and Quillbolt Hedgehog is balancing precariously on the back of her typing hand. Stardust Dragon and Red Dragon Archfiend, meanwhile, have been placed in her lap and seem to be cuddling.
Yusei doesn't react. She keeps a straight face even as Jack wraps an arm—now fully healed—around her shoulders, and she's suddenly eye-to-eye with the action figure version of herself. She glances at Jack, who has the figurine of himself in his other hand. He's slowly bringing the two action figures together, and Yusei suddenly knows what he's about to do.
"Jack, no," she says, and he just grins at her.
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Later, Carly opens one of her blog messages and sees a photo of Yusei covered in little figurines of her monsters with Jack practically draped over her, holding action figures of her and himself and making them kiss. At the same time, he's puckering his lips at an unfazed Yusei, who is staring determinedly at her laptop screen and is not even looking at him.
The message typed underneath the picture simply says, "He is a child," and Carly laughs.
She posts the picture to her blog soon after, and it gets thousands and thousands of hits. Among the most popular comments left by visitors are "perfect people," "I ship this so hard," and "omfg this is the cutest thing ever."
Yusei checks the blog again later that night, and she suddenly realizes that she and Jack have gone viral. She half-mindedly wonders if she should've punched him instead.
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A/N: Oh, Jack… XD
Thanks for reading!