Chapter Nine
When Misawa Hung Out With Them
A few days after the Tag Duel, everything was back to the way it was…more or less. Construction on Jaden's room was up again, Manjoume still hated Jaden's guts, and Jaden still tried to beat Red the Ultimate Trainer (A/N Yes, still the 'if this was late' reference) and his Level-88 Pikachu.
Today was a normal day, classes have gone by like usual and at the current moment, it was gym class. And for today's activity…Baseball! It was a team from Osiris Red vs. a team from Ra Yellow, the bases were loaded and Jaden was up to bat. Reason to Jaden being with the guys in the first place for gym class was the fact that she was still an Osiris Red and that counted her in many of her dorm's gym activities (it was also by request due to not wanting to leave Shou).
A/N Jaden is such a good Aniki…er, Aneki, but I digress!
"Send it flying, Jaden!" cheered Jaden's team.
Shou was with the team, currently anticipating Jaden's batting.
"Aniki, we're counting on you!" said Shou.
Jaden adjusted her helmet and gripped the bat as she smiled.
"All right, just leave it to me!" said Jaden. "If I fire another one out there…add one…two…three runs, and I'll have this all settled!"
Surprisingly, everyone but Shou still thought Jaden was a boy…even when she was wearing the different uniform at this current moment. This made the gender-mistaken girl wonder if every guy was this dense. Shou would wonder that, too, but then he remembered that Jaden had very few feminine quirks and rarely showed them in front of people, so he wouldn't blame the guys…hell, he sometimes forgot Jaden was a girl himself!
Aside from that, running down the hall into the baseball field in a complete rush was Ra Yellow Daichi Misawa, having been late for gym today. Daichi held out his hand as he called out to everyone.
"Hey, wait!" shouted Daichi. "Hold the game!"
Everyone turned to Daichi as he ran towards his team in the dugout.
"Sorry I'm late," said Daichi. "I got wrapped up in constructing my deck."
"Can you pitch?" asked one of his teammates (to be specific, the captain).
Daichi nodded and said, "Sure can."
"Okay, you're on it, then," said the team captain.
Another of Daichi's teammates turned to the baseball diamond and waved at their team.
"Pitcher change!" one of Daichi's teammates called out. "Misawa's pitching!"
Daichi walked toward the pitcher on the field. Jaden pointed her bat at Daichi.
"So, you finally show up, Misawa," said Jaden. "I didn't think you'd come because of what happened yesterday!"
Daichi tried to ignore Jaden as memories of what happened yesterday popped up.
~flashback chapter!~
After finding out that Jaden had Asuka's number, Daichi pondered on why someone like Jaden would have an Obelisk Blue like Asuka's number. After walking around, sulking somewhat, Daichi spotted Jaden sitting next to Shou under a tree on campus. Jaden and Shou were laughing at something they were conversing about. Whatever it was, Daichi didn't care as he ran towards them, all he wanted to know was how Jaden got Asuka's number (and get her number as well).
A/N This is SO from chapter 5 of the manga with stuff I added in. My favorite chapter so far…I haven't gotten that far along in the Yu-Gi-Oh GX manga.
"Jaden!" yelled Daichi.
Jaden and Shou stopped laughing and turned to see who had called out the gender-mistaken girl's name. They spotted Daichi running towards them at an incredible speed and Jaden couldn't help but wonder, why?
"Huh?" said Jaden.
Daichi stopped in front of Jaden, panting as he tried to catch his breath. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Jaden's face as she stared at Daichi, who was currently hunched over with his hands on his knees.
"Y…Yo, Misawa…" said Jaden. "What's up?"
Daichi inhaled deeply and looked up at Jaden. He waved at her.
"G'day, Jaden," said Daichi. "There's something I need to ask you."
Few moments later…
"Huh?" said Jaden. "Me calling Asuka…Oh yeah, I did."
Daichi, now standing up straight with one hand on his hip, stared at Jaden perplexed.
"…W-Why do you know Asuka's number?" asked Daichi.
Jaden closed her eyes and smiled widely as she held up her finger.
"She has all kinds of dueling materials and stuff I borrow often!" Jaden answered in a cheery tone. "But when I kept borrowing her card catalog when she needed it to, she had no way to get in contact with me."
Shou nodded.
"She even came to the Red dorms looking for you, Aniki," added Shou.
Jaden opened her eyes and looked at Daichi.
"So, to keep in contact, we swapped numbers," explained Jaden. "It was all Shou's idea."
Daichi looked at Shou, who nodded as Jaden ruffled his hair.
"Thanks to you, we don't have to put up with the guys at the dorms asking questions!" said Jaden.
Shou laughed.
"Aniki!" said Shou.
Daichi looked at Jaden, his expression miffed as he clenched his teeth.
"L-Lucky dog," thought Daichi. "Thanks to his insensitive personality…h-he got Asuka's number!"
Jaden looked at Daichi questioningly.
"But what about Asuka's number?" asked Jaden.
Daichi blinked and blushed slightly as he looked nervously at Jaden.
"Er…well…" stammered Daichi.
Just then, Jaden's PDA began to ring, much to Daichi's relief…for the moment.
"Saved by the bell!" thought Daichi. "Uh, hey your PDA's ringing."
Jaden blinked and lifted up her shirt slightly to take her PDA out of its pouch on her hip. She looked at it and saw she got a message…and from the person they were just talking about.
"Ah, speak of the devil!" said Jaden. "It's mail from Asuka!"
"What great timing," remarked Shou.
Daichi clenched his teeth tightly as he tried to keep himself from yelling out in shock while Jaden read the message.
"WHAAAT?" thought Daichi. "M-M-M-Ma-Mail! He even got her mail address! Now I'm getting even more jealous of him!"
After reading the message from Asuka, Jaden groaned.
"Damn it!" said Jaden. "She already loaned it out!"
Shou frowned.
"Aww…I wanted to see Battle City!" whined Shou.
Daichi blinked and immediately calmed down from his shock and anger. He stared at Jaden and Shou, somewhat perplexed.
"If you wanted the Battle City DVD, I have it," said Daichi. "I also have the Pegasus' Island DVD as well."
The mere mention of the Battle City had both Jaden and Shou surprised, but hearing Pegasus' Island as well had both of them shocked. Jaden and Shou stared wide-eyed at Daichi as they yelled out in shock in their minds.
"Wha?" thought Shou. "He even has the uber rare and legendary Pegasus' Island!"
"I-I wanna see it!" thought Jaden.
Jaden and Shou stood up from their seats and dashed up to Daichi's side.
"L-Lemme borrow it!" Jaden said, practically yelling. "Please!"
Daichi blinked and nodded.
"Oh, sure…but…" Daichi said, crossing his arms. "You have to beat I, Daichi Misawa, in a duel! That's the stipulation!"
Both Jaden and Shou complained.
"Aww!" whined Shou. "Don't be so stingy, let us borrow it!"
Jaden held up her fist in the air.
"Unfair, I say!" said Jaden.
Daichi sweat dropped.
"This is Duel Academy, everything should be dealt with by dueling," Daichi said simply.
A/N This is Japan, Jaden. In this country, card games are the only law. XD You gotta love LittleKuriboh's Yu-Gi-Oh the Abridged Series!
Jaden latched herself around Daichi's waist and looked up at him.
"C'mon, Misawa!" said Jaden. "Please!"
Daichi stared at Jaden as she looked at him with big, chocolate brown eyes. As much as Daichi would hate to admit it, Jaden looked adorable, but even so…
"Sorry, I've made up my mind," Daichi said, pushing Jaden off of himself.
Jaden crossed her arms and looked away, pouting.
"Jerk…" she muttered.
Daichi smirked at Jaden.
"Or are you saying you don't have the guts to beat me in a duel?" asked Daichi.
Jaden turned to Daichi and blinked. With her pride backed up by her stubbornness, it was only natural for her to say…
"I don't run away from a duel no matter who I'm facin'!" Jaden snapped as she held up her fist. "Of course I'll do it!"
Shou diverted his eyes to the side and mushroom sighed.
"So like that of Aniki…" thought Shou.
Jaden blinked owlishly and lower her fist.
"…But, uh, what happens of you win?" she asked Daichi. "There's gotta be a catch for you, right?"
Daichi looked nervously at Jaden.
"O-Of course there is…!" said Daichi. "If I win!"
Jaden nodded.
"Go on…" said Jaden.
Daichi cleared his throat.
"You'll give up…" Daichi exclaimed and practically whispered, "Asuka's number!"
Jaden and Shou held their hand by their ear as they heard what Daichi said, but faintly. They stared at him perplexed.
"'Scuse me?" they both said. "What do you wanna know?"
Daichi was taken aback and stared anxiously at the Osiris Reds standing in front of him.
"G-Grk…" Daichi stammered as he tried to find a way to explain without making this any more awkward. "…You see, it's because…"
One awkward (for Daichi) explanation later…
"And that's it…" finished Daichi.
Jaden and Shou stared at Daichi for a few moments before bursting into laughter. Daichi looked anxiously at them as they laughed loudly. Shou and Jaden were laughing so hard, that they were to tears.
"HA HA HA HA!" laughed Shou and Jaden. "So you just wanted to know Asuka's number!"
Daichi clenched his teeth and grabbed Shou and Jaden around the neck. He pulled them closer to himself as he looked around anxiously at the people on campus. He then scowled at Jaden and Shou as they continued to laugh.
"Stop laughing so hard!" snapped Daichi. "People can hear you!"
Daichi began to drag-er, rather sort of carried Shou and Jaden away with him (Remember, Daichi is taller than Shou and Jaden!).
"We have to get somewhere else!" said Daichi. "We have to play at a place without any people!"
Daichi scowled at Jaden and Shou again, who were still laughing.
"Stop laughing!" snapped Daichi.
To make a long story (and duel short), Jaden won the duel…naturally. Daichi couldn't help but compliment Jaden on her draws while Shou just cheered on his Aniki. Asuka, having arrived to just to drop off a DVD at the Osiris Red dorms, had come upon the duel between Jaden and Daichi when she couldn't find Jaden. Daichi and Jaden had dueled behind the Osiris Red dorms, which is how Asuka approached and became a witness to the duel alongside Shou. After hearing something about a DVD, Asuka held up the Battle City DVD case with the disk inside of it.
"That's what you were dueling for?" asked Asuka. "I brought the DVD for you!"
Jaden rubbed the back of her head and smiled at Asuka.
"But Misawa has the Pegasus' Island DVD!" said Jaden.
Asuka's eyes widened and she looked at Daichi with a smile.
"Oh, wow!" she said. "Pegasus' Island! For real? I want to watch it too!"
Daichi looked at Asuka and smiled, his cheeks tinged with a small blush.
"Sure!" said Daichi. "I'll be glad to let you borrow it!"
Jaden crossed her arms and diverted her eyes up at the sky.
"And while you're at it, you guys could swap numbers to keep in touch easier, of course," Jaden said innocently.
Asuka blinked and took out her PDA.
"Oh!" said Asuka. "Right! Is it okay with you, Misawa-kun?"
Daichi blinked and rubbed the back of his head as he smiled nervously. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face as he blushed slightly.
"Err…S-Sure!" he said. "Of course!"
Daichi looked over at Jaden after giving Asuka his number. Jaden stood next to Shou, whistling as she tried to look innocent…which she did. Shou grinned at Daichi.
"Jaden…" Daichi thought as he smiled at Jaden. "Thank you…"
After swapping numbers, Daichi started to walk away but stopped and looked at Asuka.
"Well, I need to stop by the dorms to pick up the DVD," said Daichi. "Want to go to the dorms, too, Asuka?"
Asuka shrugged.
"Why not?" said Asuka. "It's faster that way."
Jaden and Shou stared agape at Asuka and Daichi.
"Huh?" said the Osiris Red duo.
Jaden held out her hand as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face.
"H-Hey…wait a sec!" exclaimed Jaden. "You were gonna do it my way just a moment ago!"
Daichi looked back at Jaden and smiled as he waved at her.
"Sorry there, Jaden," said Daichi. "It's ladies first…"
Jaden tightened her fists as she glared at Daichi.
"Don't you mean seniority?" asked Jaden.
Daichi nodded.
"That too," said Daichi.
Jaden cursed mentally.
"Damn…" thought Jaden.
Asuka handed Jaden over the Battle City DVD and winked at her.
"Sorry, Jaden," said Asuka. "You can watch this instead."
Jaden blinked and stared at the DVD as Asuka started to walk away with Daichi. After a few moments, Jaden looked up shook her fist at Asuka and Daichi.
"Don't give me that talk!" snapped Jaden. "What do ya think I dueled ya for? I ain't leavin' till ya gimme what I want!"
Daichi blinked and looked at Asuka as they made their way towards the Ra Yellow dorms.
"Jaden is rather…interesting," said Daichi.
Asuka smiled and giggled quietly.
"You can say that…so, have you found out yet?" asked Asuka.
Daichi looked at Asuka perplexed.
"I'll take that as a no," said Asuka. "So…how did you manage to get the Pegasus' Island DVD?"
As Jaden yelled at Asuka and Daichi, Shou sweat dropped and shook his head.
"I knew it," said Shou. "Asuka-san is a siren…somewhat."
Hayato, having been asked by Asuka about Jaden's whereabouts, had followed Asuka and ended up watching the whole duel, albeit from a distance. Hayato walked up to Shou and smirked as he watched Jaden throw a fit of some sort.
"I told ya it took assets!" said Hayato.
Jaden stopped what she was doing and looked back. The second she spotted Hayato, she started glaring daggers at him.
"Shut it, Koala-man!" snapped Jaden.
Hayato just laughed as he patted Shou on the shoulder, whose face was red at what Hayato implied by 'assets'.
~end of flashback~
Up to now, Daichi had wondered what Hayato had meant by 'assets'. Even so, he discarded that thought as he prepared to pitch the ball to Jaden.
"But still, I'm gonna drive your pitch all the way there!" Jaden said, using the bat to direct where she was going to the ball too.
Daichi stood up straight and shook his head.
"No, you won't be hitting any of my pitches," stated Daichi.
Jaden gripped the bat and positioned herself to swing. Imaginary flames emanated from Daichi as he positioned himself to pitch.
"After all, I've already calculated how you're going to hit," explained Daichi.
Jaden grinned as she gripped the bat with both of her hands tightly.
"We'll see about that…" said Jaden.
"Here it goes!" Daichi exclaimed as he pitched to Jaden the first ball. "Equation Version One!"
Daichi threw the ball at Jaden at an incredible speed, making it seem like he had pitched four balls to the gender-mistaken girl. An imaginary silhouette of a tiger roared loudly as Jaden swung the bat to hit the ball…
"Strike!" said the umpire.
Jaden cursed mentally and positioned herself as Daichi pitched another ball at her. She swung the bat and missed the ball again.
"Strike two!" said the umpire.
By the third pitch from Daichi, Jaden was angry. She was so angry, when she swung the bat, she swung it rather hard. She ended up spinning around a few times from before losing her balance and falling onto the dirt rear-first. Jaden growled as her helmet covered her eyes while she rubbed her backside.
"Strike!" said the umpire.
Hearing the umpire call out the third strike annoyed Jaden. She just struck out…and the bases were loaded!
"Aw, c'mon!" whined Jaden.
Daichi couldn't help but laugh at how amusing it was to see Jaden at her current state. Jaden took off her helmet and got off the ground. She glared at Daichi, a plan in mind popped up when she remembered she was pitching next. Grinning, Jaden walked over to Daichi as he took off his glove.
A few moments later after two outs,
Ra Yellow was up to bat while Osiris Red had took their positions on the bases and outfield. Jaden brushed her hair out of her eye and threw the ball at the batter. The batter didn't swing the bat due to Jaden throwing the ball too low as a result, it was a ball.
Shou stared at Jaden perplexed as he caught every ball she pitched, having been the catcher. Every pitch Jaden was called a ball and as a result, three batters took their bases. Shou took off his catcher's mask and ran up to Jaden.
"Time out!" said Shou.
Jaden blinked as Shou and the rest of her teammates walked up to her.
"Hey, Aniki, what are you doing?" asked Shou. "You have two outs, but you've walked three for no good reason!"
Jaden laughed and smiled.
"I let them walk on purpose," said Jaden.
Shou and his teammates stared wide-eyed at Jaden.
"Huh?" they said.
"Why?" asked Shou.
Jaden smiled.
"If I didn't, we wouldn't get to Misawa," Jaden said as if that was the obvious answer.
Shou's eyes widened.
"Huh?" exclaimed Shou. "Aniki, you let three people walk just because you wanted to challenge Misawa?"
"Sure did," Jaden said simply. "I gotta get my payback from him, after all!"
Jaden scowled as she spotted Daichi walking towards home plate to bat. She held up her fists as she glared at Daichi.
"Misawa, this time, I'm striking you out!" said Jaden.
Shou sighed and shook his head as he walked back to his position.
"Aniki must still be mad at Misawa for yesterday…" Shou thought as he placed on his catcher's mask.
Daichi smirked and placed on his helmet.
"You can't do that, either," Daichi said as gripped the bat. "My equation to batter you is already complete."
Daichi stepped aside to let Shou walk to his position.
"And in accordance to that formula, I'm going to batter you, plain and simple," Daichi said, positioning himself to bat before looking at Jaden. "And then, once you're beaten, you will be under my thumb!"
Jaden looked at Daichi with fire in her eyes as she readied a pitch.
"Let's do this!" yelled Jaden.
Daichi grinned at Jaden.
"Bring it, Ichiban-kun!" said Daichi.
Both Daichi and Jaden were on fire…literally in an imaginative way as a silhouette of a tiger appeared in the background on Daichi's side was about to pounce on the silhouette of a Chinese dragon in the background on Jaden's side. The silhouettes disappeared as Jaden positioned herself to pitch, fire burning fiercely in her eyes as flames emanated from her.
"Here it is, Number Two!" Jaden yelled, swinging her arm back. "Take this! I'm a Hero!"
Jaden threw the ball with intense force and as a result, almost fell down. As the ball headed for Daichi, a silhouette of a green-colored Chinese dragon appeared by the ball as it soared and roared (A/N Crap, I just rhymed unintentionally…I blame the Paradox Brothers!)
Meanwhile,
Walking nearby the baseball arena was Professor Chronos. He was too busy grumbling to hear Daichi's hit and the cheers from the Ra Yellow's team.
"For heaven's sake, that Manjoume is of no use at all-no ne," grumbled Professor Chronos. "I must hurry and replace him with someon—"
Professor Chronos was cut off as a ball hit him right in the eye and sent him flying back into the sports equipment. A few moments later, Jaden and Shou ran up to Professor Chronos.
"Hey, sorry about that!" said Jaden.
Jaden and Shou stopped as Professor Chronos popped out of the equipment. Their eyes widened as they saw Professor Chronos glare at them with daggers as the ball that hit him covered his left eye.
"Not you again!" yelled Professor Chronos. "The dropout boy-na no ne!"
Both Jaden and Shou fell onto their knees as Professor Chronos tightened his fists, practically shaking with rage.
"Aah!" said Shou. "We're sorry!"
"A-Are you all right, Professor?" asked Jaden.
Daichi ran up towards Jaden, Shou, and Professor Chronos, having heard the commotion.
"I'm sorry!" shouted Daichi. "I was the one who hit it."
Professor Chronos calmed down and looked away from the Osiris Red duo. Daichi stood behind said duo, trying to catch his breath.
"Signore Misawa…" said Professor Chronos.
Professor Chronos recovered quickly and stood up, his back turned to the three students. He had his hands clasped together as he smiled.
"Signore Misawa is known as the top academic student-na no ne," Professor Chronos said to himself. "I could probably use him as Manjoume's replacement…"
Daichi looked down sheepishly.
"Um…will I be footing your doctor's bill, sir?" asked Daichi.
Professor Chronos turned around quickly and face Daichi, startling the Ra Yellow slightly.
"Non!" said Professor Chronos. "Non! Non! Non!"
Professor Chronos grinned.
"The Academy is tolerant towards its high achievers," explained Professor Chronos. "Instead…"
Professor Chronos whispered to Daichi whilst Shou and Jaden tried to listen to their conversation. Somehow, the blonde-haired professor sensed the duo trying to eavesdrop and turned around, scowling at them.
"This has nothing to do with you two!" scolded Professor Chronos.
Jaden and Shou winced as Professor Chronos shooed them away, his face at its current state intimidated them.
"Shoo!" yelled Professor Chronos. "Shoo! Shoo! Sashisuse-shoo!"
Jaden and Shou ran away from Professor Chronos.
"We're sorry!" Shou and Jaden cried out.
Professor Chronos watched the Osiris Red duo run away, the ball on his left eye dropping onto the ground. He turned to Daichi afterwards, who noticed the blonde-haired professor was now sporting a black eye.
"So, Signore Misawa, despite the interference, there will be a condition in place of my doctor's fee," explained Professor Chronos. "And that is…"
Later in class,
Manjoume sat down in his seat and kicked back.
"Hey!" said Manjoume. "Drink and massage, over here!"
"What's with him?" asked someone.
Manjoume blinked and looked over at a group of Obelisk Blue students, perplexed.
"Huh?" he said. "What's the matter?"
The group of Obelisk Blues looked at each other and started talking.
"What's he thinking?" asked someone.
"Who does he think he is?" asked another.
Manjoume placed his hands on his desk.
"Oi, damn it!" said Manjoume.
An Obelisk Blue student with short, brown hair walked up to Manjoume.
"Manjoume, where are you sitting?" asked the brown-haired Obelisk Blue.
Manjoume turned to the Obelisk Blue in front of him.
"'Where'?" repeated Manjoume.
"This isn't your seat anymore, you know," said the Obelisk Blue student. "So, move it."
Manjoume scowled at the Obelisk Blue student.
"What are you talking about?" Manjoume snapped, pointing at the tag on his desk. "My name's right here on this seat…"
Manjoume trailed off as he looked at the tag, his eyes widening as the tag read 'Empty Seat'.
"It's gone!" exclaimed Manjoume.
The Obelisk Blue student standing by Manjoume smirked and directed him over to a seat on the other side of the room.
"Yeah, of course it is," said the Obelisk Blue. "You were moved to over there."
Manjoume looked at the direction the Obelisk Blue pointed at.
"What was that?" exclaimed Manjoume. "A seat change? And in that corner, to boot?"
Manjoume stood up in his seat as he looked down at Professor Chronos, who had just walked in.
"Professor Chronos!" said Manjoume. "What is the meaning of this? Why was I move to that seat?"
Professor Chronos grinned and stared at Manjoume.
"Because, you, Signore Manjoume, lost to an Osiris Red student," answered Professor Chronos. "And that is not all…Signore, tomorrow you must duel with Ra Yellow's Daichi Misawa with a dorm change at stake!"
Manjoume was shocked with what he heard.
"T-Then, if I lose, I'll be demoted to Ra Yellow?" said Manjoume.
Professor Chronos waved it off.
"Now, now, take your seat-no ne," he said. "Your own seat."
Manjoume clenched his teeth everyone in the classroom began to snicker. Not wanting to hear them, Manjoume pushed the brown-haired Obelisk Blue out of his way and ran out of the room. Even as he ran out of the Main academy Building, he could still hear their laughter.
"A demotion, he says?" Manjoume yelled, scowling as laughter rang in his ears.
Sometime later outside the Ra Yellow Dorms,
Jaden and Shou followed Daichi as he walked back to his dorm.
"You sure are good at baseball, Misawa," said Jaden.
"In the end, Aniki got creamed, too," said Shou.
Jaden ignored that comment from Shou as Daichi placed his bag onto the ground. Daichi held up the bat he used and showed it to Jaden and Shou.
"This is the key," Daichi said, showing the Osiris Red duo the writings on the bat.
"Formulas?" said Jaden.
Daichi nodded.
"That's right," he said. "Even the pitches I threw were all varied throws I figured out through calculations."
Jaden started at the equations on the bat.
"Huh?" said Jaden. "You can manage that?"
Shou looked at Daichi.
"So, what's our penalty game going to be?" asked Shou.
Daichi grinned and laughed.
A few moments later,
Daichi opened the door to his room for Jaden and Shou.
"Well, step into my room," said Daichi.
Jaden and Shou walked into Daichi's room and stared at it wide-eyed when they saw a multitude of equations written on the walls…and even the ceiling!
"Wha?" they exclaimed. "What is all this?"
Daichi walked past the Osiris Red duo towards his desk and dropped his bat and bag onto the floor.
"They're all equations that I wrote down out of whim," said Daichi.
Daichi gestured at one of the many equations.
"Over there is Schrodinger's Cat," Daichi said, gesturing at another equation. "Here, we have Avogadro's Law. And that's the probability of 'If the wind blows, a bucket maker prospers.'"
Jaden looked up at the ceiling and wowed.
"I heavily question how you were able to write on the ceiling," said Jaden. "But still…wow."
Daichi looked at Jaden and Shou, smiling at them.
"I want you both to assist me in the Big Bang of all these stars!" Daichi said, holding his hands up.
Jaden and Shou blinked owlishly at Daichi.
"Big Bang?" they said.
Daichi held up a bucket and a mop in his hands as he smiled at Jaden and Shou.
"Yep," said Daichi. "Big Bang."
A few moments later,
Jaden was painting the ceiling with white paint using a brush. She stood on a ladder for support, but even then, she still had to stand on her toes to reach the ceiling. It didn't matter to her, though. She was having fun painting over the equations on the ceiling.
"Take that!" she said. "And that!"
Shou was painting the walls while Daichi used a rag to clean up any of the white paint that managed to fall onto the carpet.
"This is the Big Bang!" shouted the trio.
"Be gone!" Shou said as he painted the walls. "Be gone!"
"Away with you all!" said Daichi.
Jaden laughed and continued to paint the ceiling, a thought popping up in mind.
"Hey, check it out!" said Jaden. "I'm Michelangelo!"
Shou and Daichi got the reference and laughed along with Jaden. Jaden turned around on the ladder to paint the spots she missed.
"Get it?" said Jaden. "Cause I'm painting the ceil—Whoa!"
The ladder Jaden was on started to wobble back and forth due to the turn she did so suddenly on it a few moments ago. Jaden struggled to keep her balance on the wobbling ladder…this proved to be futile as she ended up falling back and dropping her paintbrush. Luckily, Daichi looked up and caught Jaden before she fell off the ladder. As for Shou…well…
THWACK!
Shou got a face full of paint from the brush Jaden dropped onto his face. He fell back onto the ground and got up, paint in his face and bangs. Daichi and Jaden breathed deeply to try and calm their pounding hearts. That…was waaay too close for comfort. Trying to ease up the tension caused by what just happened; Daichi looked at Jaden, whose back was currently against his chest.
"Yeah, but Jaden…" Daichi said as he propped Jaden onto the ladder in a sitting position. "I don't think he fell off the ladder when he was painting the Sistine Chapel."
Jaden blinked and looked at Daichi for a few seconds before she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Who asked ya!" snapped Jaden. "And…has anyone seen my paintbrush?"
Shou, having heard Jaden, glared at her.
"What the hell, Aniki?" said Shou. "How could you?"
Daichi and Jaden stared at Shou, noticing his paint-drenched face. Jaden was taken aback and flailed her arms as she realized what happened to her paintbrush.
"Hey!" said Jaden. "It wasn't on purpose! It was an accident!"
Shou growled and bent down to pick up the paint bucket on the ground.
"You do know this means war," said Shou.
Jaden yelled as she saw Shou's intent and backed up…which she immediately regretted doing and cursed at herself at for doing that on a ladder.
"Whoa!" yelled Jaden. "Why…oh god, why did I just back up on a freakin' ladder?"
Daichi, having gone back to cleaning the rug with the paint-saturated rag, heard Jaden and Shou and stood up. He looked at them somewhat miffed.
"What are you guys doing?" asked Daichi. "Get serio—"
Daichi was cut off as he stared wide-eyed at Jaden. Somehow, her rash actions caused the ladder to wobble again. After a few moments of trying to regain balance, she toppled back. Daichi caught her before she fell off. He made a mental note to never let Jaden on that ladder.
His mental note was interrupted as he and Jaden got a bucketful of white paint thrown on them, courtesy of Shou, who had just gotten vengeance. Jaden, being in front of Daichi at the time, got hit full on. Daichi, compared to Shou, just got a bigger face full of paint.
Jaden and Shou stared at Daichi, who was silent. After a few seconds, the Osiris Red duo burst into laughter. Daichi growled and tightened his fists as he heard his acquaintances laugh.
"Why, you!" said Daichi. "Quit laughing!"
Out of anger, Daichi hit Jaden in the face with the pain-saturated rag. Jaden stopped laughing and shook her head to get the paint off, scowling at Daichi afterwards. Even though it was rather out of place and out of character of him, Daichi couldn't help but think 'adorable' when he saw Jaden's paint-drenched form. Aside from adorable, it was also amusing.
Daichi immediately snapped out of his thoughts as he dodged a paintbrush jabbed at him from Jaden. The Ra Yellow retaliated to Jaden's attack by trying to hit her with the rag. Jaden dodged and continued to jab at Daichi. Shou couldn't help but laugh out loud at how he, Jaden, and Daichi were acting…especially Daichi, who should have been mature.
Of course, when angered, immaturity overwhelms maturity, as discovered by the trio, but no one cared. Assaulting each other with paint was waaay more important at the moment for anyone to care what was immature or not. It was also the reason why it took Shou, Daichi, and Jaden at least 15 minutes into their paint assault that they were supposed to have been painting a room and not each other.
Since the last of the paint was dumped on Jaden, another paint bucket was opened by Daichi. Daichi looked at Jaden and Shou with a serious expression.
"Okay," said Daichi. "Now that we've stopped acting like children, let's get back to painting this room."
Jaden and Shou both nodded before going back to their spots. Just as Jaden was about to climb up the ladder, Daichi stopped her because he remembered the mental note he made. When the gender-mistaken girl stared at the Ra Yellow perplexed, he just said…
"I'd rather not risk another 'Michelangelo' stunt," said Daichi.
Jaden rolled her eyes.
"Yeah right, you just want the ceiling to yourself," said Jaden. "If that's what you want…go ahead!"
Daichi blinked as Jaden snatched the rag out of his hand and went to his post.
"Stingy…" Jaden muttered.
Daichi was surprised. He would've expected her to fight back, but she didn't.
Sometime later,
The walls were fully painted, as was the ceiling, and the carpet was cleaned up of any paint that fell on it. Shou, Jaden, and Daichi stared at their 'Big Bang', still very much covered in paint. Daichi was just about to ask about that when he got a hit in the face with a paint-saturated rag.
SPLAT!
Daichi shook his head to shake off the paint and glared at Jaden as she laughed at him.
"Made ya think I gave up that easily!" said Jaden. "You got off easy this time."
Daichi diverted his eyes at the paintbrush in his hand and smirked.
"Oh, really?" said Daichi.
Jaden was just about to answer back when she got jabbed with a paintbrush. She blinked and stared at Daichi.
"Now we're even," said Daichi. "Protest and you won't be seeing Pegasus' Island."
Jaden crossed her arms and huffed.
"Fine," she said.
Daichi nodded.
"Now, as I was going to say before I was rudely interrupted," Daichi said before staring at Jaden sternly, who smiled back awkwardly. "Would you guys like to clean yourselves up?"
Jaden and Shou looked at themselves, finding that they were very much covered in paint.
Later,
Shou and Daichi waited outside the Ra Yellow bathhouse for Jaden, who happened to be the only one in there currently bathing. Daichi could not be any more confused to how the Osiris Red acted when he asked him (Daichi doesn't know, remember?) if he needed anything while inside the bathhouse.
The answer was in the form of a bucket thrown at the Ra Yellow, to which he dodged, followed by a towel in the face he didn't dodge (A/N DODGE! Ha! TeamFourStar FTW!). When Daichi asked Shou, all he got was…
"Aniki likes privacy," said Shou.
Daichi sighed and rubbed his temples as Shou looked at him questioningly.
"Misawa, what's wrong?" asked Shou.
Daichi waved it off.
"Nothing, just thinking too much," said Daichi.
Shou nodded and sighed. A few more moments had passed when Jaden finally came out of the bathhouse, currently wearing some of Daichi's clothes, hers having been covered in paint and all. She was carrying a bag with her clothes in them when she walked out.
"Okay, your guys' turn," said Jaden. "Knock yourselves out."
Daichi and Shou nodded and walked into the bathhouse, both having a change of clothes in a bag (and yes, they were also Daichi's clothes).
Sometime later in the meal hall,
Jaden and Shou were currently eating fried shrimp, which Jaden would have to say were very delicious…and she did. Both she and Shou were dressed in the clothes Daichi lent them. As a result, they seemed smaller than they were due to their acquaintance's taller stature. Not that they minded, of course. Eating fried shrimp happened to be very important at the moment in Jaden's opinion, to which Shou couldn't help but agree.
After remembering the events that happened today, Jaden couldn't help but laugh as she used her fork to bring another fried shrimp into her mouth.
"We're sorry, Misawa," Jaden said with food in her mouth. "This was supposed to be punishment, but it turned out to be a meal."
Shou swallowed the food in his mouth and looked at Daichi.
"Yeah!" said Shou. "It's an amazing meal!"
Daichi smiled as he picked up a tray from one of the chefs.
"Well, then, please keep on eating," Daichi said, walking over to the table the duo sat holding a tray with a lobster. "Help yourselves to as much as you want."
Daichi placed the lobster on the table. Shou and Jaden stared wide-eyed at the lobster in awe.
"I don't even get food like this on my birthday!" said Jaden.
Shou blinked and looked at Daichi.
"Come to think of it, what did you and Professor Chronos talk about earlier?" asked Shou.
Daichi sat himself down in a chair and smiled.
"Ah, right," said Daichi. "It was about a dorm change test."
Jaden blinked owlishly.
"Dorm change?" repeated Jaden.
"So, the whole cleaning your room thing…" said Shou.
"Misawa, you're…" said Jaden.
Daichi stared perplexed at Shou and Jaden as they looked at him with ecstatic grins.
"…finally getting promoted to Obelisk Blue, then?" finished Jaden.
Shou laughed.
"N-Not as of yet…" said Daichi.
Shou and Jaden placed their eating utensils down as they tightened their fists and smiled at Daichi.
"We knew it!" they said. "We knew it!"
Memories of Daichi's entrance exam popped up in the Osiris Red duo's head.
"You were strong enough to be in your own league back at the entrance exams too!" said Jaden. "You getting into Obelisk Blue was obvious!"
Shou nodded as he and Jaden grinned widely at Daichi.
"Good job, Misawa!" said Jaden.
"Good job, Misawa-kun!" Shou said at the same time.
Daichi grinned back at Shou and Jaden.
"Y-Yeah, I guess," said Daichi.
"That's great," said Jaden. "Really great!"
With that said, both Jaden and Shou went back to eating their food. Daichi looked at them and smiled.
~meanwhile in the Obelisk Blue Dorms~
Manjoume, sitting on a couch, was in his room currently conversing with two older men via a video phone call. The two older men were Manjoume's older brothers, Chosaku and Shouji.
"Hey, Jun!" said Chosaku.
"Yes," said Manjoume.
"You do understand, right?" asked Chosaku.
Manjoume nodded.
"Yes, Chosaku-nii-san, Shouji-nii-san," said Manjoume.
"My hands have been so tied with my election campaign, and Shouji's as well with his banking settlements…" Chosaku said, "…that we haven't had the time to contact you, but…"
"You're at the top academically, right, Jun?" asked Shouji. "Our Elder Brother is at the top in the political world, while I'm in the financial world. Jun, we have plans to have you rule the card game world and dominate the world with the Manjoume family! You understand, don't you, Jun?"
"The future of the Manjoume family is riding on your shoulders," said Chosaku.
With that said, both brothers hung up, leaving Manjoume thinking about what he just discussed with his older brothers. With what he was just told, there was no doubt that the pressure was on.
"What should I do?" thought Manjoume. "I can't say I might get demoted instead of having the top seat…"
Manjoume stood up and walked over to the window, his expression anxious for once.
"Not to my brothers…" thought Manjoume.
Manjoume blinked as he saw three silhouettes through his window. He immediately recognized one of them.
"That's…Daichi Misawa," thought Manjoume.
Daichi was following Jaden and Shou back to their dorm. Manjoume watched them go, perplexed.
"Is he going over to Osiris Red?" thought Manjoume. "If he is, his dorm is…"
Manjoume's eyes widened as his breath hitched.
~later in the Osiris Red Dorms~
After watching Pegasus' Island and sliding out the mattress from Jaden's bed onto the floor, both said gender-mistaken girl and Daichi were on their backs on the aforementioned mattress…sleeping next to each other. Hayato and Shou looked at them from within their bunk beds.
"Who's this guy?" asked Hayato. "And where did he get the Pegasus' Island DVD?"
Shou looked up.
"Since his room got painted, he's got nowhere to sleep," said Shou. "And I don't know..."
Hayato stared at Daichi, who was snoring in his sleep.
"But still, to think he just came to spend the night without a care like he got demoted…" said Hayato. "Looks like Ra Yellow has its share of unusual folks, as well."
Shou stared back at Jaden and Daichi.
"Still, I wonder if that's why Misawa-kun and Aniki seem to get along so well," said Shou.
~meanwhile~
It was the middle of the night and Manjoume made his way towards the Ra Yellow Dorms. After managing to sneak in, he quickly looked around the halls for Daichi's room. He placed his hand on the nametag that read 'Misawa' on a door. He was just about to open the door when something caught his eye.
Right next to the door under the window, where the moonlight shone down, was a desk and other stuff as well, but Manjoume's gaze was focused on the desk.
~the next day…IN THE TOOLSHED~
A/N Someone's gonna have to donate me a watermelon in a review because I happen to be out of them. Seriously, I gotta get the narrator a watermelon for making him say toolshed! That's for you, heartlessneko, who got all my references!
Jaden woke up to the feeling of being held. Yawning, she blinked a few times, her vision clearing as the first thing she saw was yellow, her eyes immediately widened when she realized who it was. In front of her, was Daichi and he was invading her personal bubble by having his arms around her while she gripped onto his jacket. How this happened while they were asleep, she'll never know, but all she knew within a reflex of hers that this was a very good time to scream…which she did. Loudly…very loudly and girly (*gasp*).
The first thing Daichi woke up to was a high-pitched scream, followed by a punch-no, knee below the belt…literally.
A/N Hey! You two, I wanted a clean fight! That means no punching (or kneeing) below the belt, although the face is encouraged. Sheesh! Characters these days…
As Daichi rolled off the mattress in pain, Shou and Hayato were staring at Jaden, who was wide-eyed and sort of freaking out as she stared at Daichi. Daichi, having recovered from the blow dealt below the belt, glared at Jaden, who was hyperventilating.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" shouted Daichi.
Jaden had her hand on her chest as she tried to calm her pounding heart. She inhaled deeply and exhaled before looking at Daichi.
"You invaded my personal bubble," said Jaden.
Daichi blinked at Jaden and shook his head. Hayato kept staring at Jaden, perplexed.
"Did you just scream like…a girl?" asked Hayato.
Jaden blinked and blushed before she glared at Hayato.
"So what if I did?" snapped Jaden. "You got a problem?"
"Not really…just a big surprise hearing it from someone like you!" said Hayato.
Daichi blinked at what he just heard as Jaden growled and climbed up the ladder.
"That's it, Koala-man!" yelled Jaden. "You're going down!"
And he did…literally. Hayato was pulled off the bed and landed safely on the mattress on the floor, much to Jaden's displeasure. Daichi stared wide-eyed at what Jaden just did and looked at Hayato.
"Did he just…did he just pull you off your bed?" asked Daichi.
Hayato turned to Daichi and rolled his eyes.
"Nah, I randomly rolled off my bed in my—of course she pulled me off!" snapped Hayato.
Daichi's eyes widened.
"She?" exclaimed Daichi.
Hayato ignored Daichi and continued on, "Yellow took self-defense!"
Jaden blinked and scowled.
"Did you just call me 'Yellow'?" asked Jaden.
Hayato looked up at Jaden.
"So what if I did?" asked Hayato. "You're only a year older than Yellow, yet you can still pass for a guy what with your missing assets!"
Daichi, having heard everything, could not be any more confused. Right now, all he wanted was answers.
"What is going on?" yelled Daichi.
Shou, Jaden, and Hayato all blinked and looked at Daichi. Shou, being the first to realize it, spoke to Daichi.
"You mean you don't know?" asked Shou. "Aniki's a girl."
Daichi's jaw dropped as he stared at Jaden. Jaden smiled at him sheepishly and held up a V-sign.
"Ehehe," said Jaden.
Everything that had happened yesterday and the day before that as well as what Asuka said was coming together.
"That's what Hayato meant by no assets!" Daichi thought as he looked at Jaden, his face turning red.
That also explained with how Jaden acted when Daichi tried to go into the bathhouse while she was in there. Of course…it was only natural to do that, but still…
"For Ra's sake, why didn't you tell me?" yelled Daichi.
Jaden rubbed the back of her head and climbed out of Hayato's bunk bed.
"You never asked," said Jaden. "And compared to Shou, you took it easier than him."
Daichi looked at Shou, who was blushing.
"What happened?" asked Daichi.
Shou looked down and twiddled with his fingers.
"It was the day after we arrived to Duel Academy," said Shou. "I accidentally went into the girls' gym and I found Aniki in there…I didn't know until she told me when I asked about her uniform and…"
Shou trailed off as Jaden finished for him.
"He fainted," said Jaden.
Shou nodded and said, "Hayato-kun already knew from Daitokuji-sensei."
Jaden yawned loudly and wiped the tears welded in her eyes as she stepped off the ladder. Daichi looked at Jaden and wondered…
"How did you end up in the Osiris Red dorms when you're supposed to be in the Obelisk Blue dorms?" asked Daichi.
One explanation later,
"And that's how I ended up in this dorm," said Jaden. "They're building my room right now."
"That explains the construction going by the left side of the dorm…" muttered Daichi. (1)
Daichi sighed and looked at Jaden, who was currently giving Hayato a noogie.
"Take…it…back!" said Jaden.
Hayato tried to pull Jaden off, but it was in vain seeing as if he managed to pull her off, she'd probably manage to tear out a good chunk of his hair with the grip she had on it at the moment.
"Fine!" Hayato said, exasperated. "I take it back!"
Jaden nodded in approval and got off Hayato. Wiping her hands on her sweatshirt (she changed last night out of Daichi's clothes), she looked at Daichi.
"So, you understand?" asked Jaden. "Although, I would've expected you to know because of the gym uniform I wore."
"I thought you were one of the few guys who had to take the girl's uniform because they ran out of the boy's!" said Daichi.
Jaden blinked a few times.
"Ohh!" said Jaden. "That's why they still think I'm a guy!"
Daichi stuttered a few times before throwing his hands up and placing them on his head.
"You're one very interesting person…" Daichi said as he rubbed his temples. "Though I question…why don't you ever bother correcting people's misused pronouns on you?"
Jaden scratched the back of her head.
"I don't mind, I'm rather used to it," said Jaden.
Daichi fell back anime-style.
"It would've at least helped if you had told me so I would've avoided a thrown bucket and a towel to the face…" Daichi muttered as he lied back on the floor. "Although I wonder…how long have people thought you as a male?"
Jaden crossed her arms and looked down with her eyes closed.
"Hmm…I dunno," said Jaden. "I'm just gonna make a guess and say probably my whole life."
Daichi looked at Jaden perplexed.
"How did you manage to pull this off for 15 years?" asked Daichi. "Or however long it really was?"
Jaden let out a puff of breath.
"Don't ask me, even I don't know," said Jaden. "And Koala-man, if you say another word about my lacking assets…I'll throw you on the ground without the mattress."
A sudden banging on the Osiris Red trio's door caught everyone's attention as well as Tome's very worried voice.
"Bad news!" yelled Tome. "Jaden-chan, bad news!"
Jaden ran up to the door and opened it. The first thing she saw was Tome's concerned face.
"What's wrong, Tome-san?" asked Jaden.
Daichi, Shou, and Hayato walked up to Jaden by the doorway as Tome explained.
"I unloaded a ship and went down to the pier, but there they were, all thrown away!" said Tome. "A whole bunch of cards!"
Shou gasped as Jaden's eyes widened.
"There were cards?" said Jaden.
Jaden ran out of the room past Tome with Daichi and Shou trailing after her.
"Jaden-chan!" said Tome. "Jaden-chan!"
A few moments later by the pier,
Jaden knelt down onto one knee on the ground, staring down at the cards in the water. Daichi, Shou, and Tome stood up on a somewhat higher-level of pavement behind Jaden.
A/N If it sounds confusing, it's because I'm sorta rushing it with the chores I'm ditching out on at the moment. Another is because I can't describe some parts when it comes to stuff like that, so yeah…back to story!
Jaden gasped as she recognized one of the many cards scattered in the water from memory.
"Ring of Destruction…" she said, recognizing another card, "…and Blood Vorse, which means…Misawa's cards were the ones thrown away!"
Daichi stared at his cards as they floated in the water.
"I was careless," said Daichi. "This deck was in the desk that was put in the hallway yesterday."
Shou looked at Daichi.
"Who in the world could've done this?" asked Shou.
Jaden frowned.
"And this was your big chance to be promoted to Obelisk Blue, too!" Jaden said, standing up and tightening her fists. "Now we don't have the time to gather up all your cards!"
Jaden looked at Daichi.
"What are you going to do?" she asked. "How will you fight without your deck? Your test is going to be starting soon, Misawa!"
Daichi just stayed silent.
Later,
Daichi (with duel disk in hand), Shou, and Jaden ran into the duel field arena where Manjoume and Professor Chronos were waiting at. Professor Chronos stared at Daichi.
"You're late-no ne, Signore Misawa," said Professor Chronos.
Manjoume smirked at Daichi.
"I thought you already ran away with your tail between your legs," said Manjoume.
Daichi, Jaden, and Shou stopped in front of Professor Chronos and Manjoume. Jaden stared at Manjoume, her eyes widening.
"T-Then, the guy Misawa's facing to change his dorm…" Jaden said, blinking as she realized something. "I get it! You're the one who threw away Misawa's cards, aren't you?"
Professor Chronos was taken aback with what Jaden just said.
"What did you say?" asked Professor Chronos.
Manjoume scowled at Jaden.
"What are you falsely accusing me of, Jaden?" snapped Manjoume. "Why would I…"
"I wonder if it's really a false accusation," remarked someone.
Jaden and Shou blinked before turning around. Standing a few feet away from them was Ryou and Asuka.
"Asuka, Kaiser Ryou…" said Jaden.
"I happened to see it," said Asuka. "I saw you, Manjoume-kun, tossing his cards into the shore."
Everyone in the room except Ryou (A/N Mori!) and Asuka gasped. Manjoume just gritted his teeth and scowled.
"And since I was curious, I came here to find out why," explained Asuka.
Jaden glared daggers at Manjoume.
"That's a dirty move, Manjoume!" yelled Jaden. "So, you really did do it!"
Manjoume tightened his fists and scowled at Jaden.
"Shut it," snapped Manjoume. "I threw away some of my own cards. Or was there a name written on those cards?"
"Manjoume!" yelled Jaden.
"You're going to take responsibility for accusing me of being a thief," said Manjoume.
Manjoume looked at Professor Chronos and smirked.
"What would you say to the loser of this duel getting expelled?" suggested Manjoume.
Jaden held up her fist.
"That's totally unreasonable!" remarked Jaden. "Now that Misawa's deck lost some of its key cards, it's…"
"No, I'll accept the duel," said Daichi.
Jaden looked at Daichi, shocked.
"Huh?" said Jaden.
"I have a deck, and I will accept those conditions!" said Daichi.
Shou and Jaden stared wide-eyed at Daichi.
"Misawa!" they both said.
Daichi looked at Jaden.
"Sorry I made you worry, Jaden," said Daichi. "And sorry about…you know, this morning."
Jaden blushed slightly and rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.
"Oh, yeah, sorry about that…" Jaden said meekly. "It's a reflex…"
"I wouldn't blame you," said Daichi. "Anyways, the deck that was tossed away was a mish-mash deck for tweaking."
Daichi unzipped his jacket and gripped it with both hands.
"My real deck…is right here!" Daichi exclaimed, opening his jacket to reveal a vest he wore with six pouches. "Behold the six decks packed with my blood and soul! Kaze-As swift as the wind! Mizu-As quiet as the water! Hi-As aggressive as the fire! Chi-As sedentary as the earth! Yami-Through the evil darkness, hikari (light!) will shine!" (3)
Manjoume was taken aback with the six decks on Daichi. However, with familial pressure on him, Manjoume's anxiety was replaced with spite.
"S-Six decks, is it?" Manjoume said, taking out his own deck and holding it up. "Allow me to take those gaudy bluffs of yours and char them into cinders with these flames of malice of mine!"
"Heh, that settles it," said Daichi. "The deck that will defeat you…is this one!"
Daichi quickly took a deck out if its pouch and activated his duel disk. He then placed his deck within the duel disk.
"Set up!" he said. "You'll soon learn whether this deck is for show or not, Manjoume!"
"Bring it, Misawa!" retorted Manjoume.
Both Manjoume and Daichi were on their opposite sides of the field facing each other.
"Duel!" they both exclaimed.
Manjoume:
LP
4000
Daichi:
LP
4000
"I'll go first!" said Manjoume. "I draw a card! I summon Hell Soldier in attack mode!"
Hell Soldier appeared on Manjoume's side of the field.
ATK 1200
"I place one face-down to end my turn!" said Manjoume.
A face-down card appeared on Manjoume's side of the field next to Hell Soldier.
"My turn," Daichi said, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Jaden stared at the card in Daichi's hand.
"Which attribute did Misawa choose?" asked Jaden.
"Wind?" said Asuka. "Water?"
Their question was soon answered as Daichi played the card in his hand.
"I summon Hydrogeddon in attack mode!" said Daichi. "Come forth, Hydrogeddon!"
A monster composed of pure hydrogen (A/N 8th grade honors science…you'll prove your use and the hellish teacher I had to me with the knowledge I learned!) appeared on the field with a roar.
ATK 1600
The attribute was water.
"I use Hydrogeddon to attack Hell Soldier!" said Daichi. "Hydro Breath! Eliminate his Hell Soldier!"
Hydrogeddon opened its mouth and shot out a blast of hydrogen at Hell Soldier with force, destroying Manjoume's monster.
Manjoume:
LP
3600
Manjoume recovered from the aftermath attack.
"Still, at this moment, Hell Soldier's special effect is activated!" said Manjoume. "It will deal all Battle Damage received by the player straight to the opponent as well!"
Daichi:
LP
3600
Jaden, Shou, and Asuka gasped while Ryou was still stoic…however, he spoke.
"What?" said Ryou.
"Then, when he attacks it…" said Jaden.
Daichi clenched his teeth as he reached for his deck.
"I'll activate a special effect, as well!" said Daichi. "When Hydrogeddon destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can special-summon another Hydrogeddon from my deck! Come out, Hydrogeddon!"
A second Hydrogeddon appeared next to the first one on Daichi's side of the field.
"My Battle Phase hasn't concluded yet," said Daichi. "I'll use Hydrogeddon to attack you directly, Manjoume! Go, Hydrogeddon! Hydro Breath!"
Manjoume stared wide-eyed and agape at the hydrogen blast shot straight at him from Hydrogeddon's mouth. The blast knocked him back onto the ground as his life points decreased.
Manjoume:
LP
2000
Manjoume got off from the ground and reached for his deck.
"My turn…" Manjoume said, drawing a card. "I activate the Trap card, Call of the Living Dead. With this card, I can special-summon a monster from my Graveyard! And the card I'm summoning…is this! Be reborn, Hell Soldier!"
Hell Soldier returned to his position on Manjoume's field.
"Next, I activate the Magic card, Hell Reckless Summoning…" Manjoume said, playing a card, "…which special-summons monsters identical to a monster on our fields…from our decks, hands, and Graveyards, all in attack mode!"
Two more Hell Soldiers appeared next to the Hell Soldier already on the field as a third Hydrogeddon joined the other two on Daichi's field.
"No matter how many Hell Soldiers he gets together, their ATK is 1200," said Asuka. "They don't come close to Hydrogeddon."
"He must have some sort of plan in store," remarked Ryou.
Manjoume overheard Ryou and smirked.
"Precisely, Kaiser," said Manjoume. "And it is I who will succeed you in Obelisk Blue!"
Jaden clenched her teeth and glared at Manjoume.
"Get on with the duel, Safer Sephiroth!" snapped Jaden.
Manjoume gritted his teeth at hearing Jaden and her referring to him as a Square Enix villain.
"Shut it, dropout boy!" snapped Manjoume. "I activate the Equip Magic, Hell Alliance!"
A card appeared on Manjoume's field as he explained its effect.
"This increases the ATK of the equipped monster by 800 points for each monster with the same name as it," explained Manjoume. "The ATK of my equipped Hell Soldier is…3600!"
A blue light engulfed the Hell Soldier revived by Call of the Living Dead.
ATK 3600
Shou, Jaden, Asuka, and…yes, even Ryou, were shocked at the sudden raise of ATK in Hell Soldier.
"Go, Hell Soldier!" Manjoume said as he tightened his fist.
The overpowered Hell Soldier swung his sword at a Hydrogeddon, destroying the hydrogen-composed monster.
Daichi:
LP
1600
"Misawa!" exclaimed Jaden.
Shou looked at Daichi concerned.
"T-This isn't good," said Shou. "Now, Misawa-kun's life points are down to 1600. Things have flipped around now!"
Jaden blinked and ruffled Shou's hair.
"Shou…don't say anything," said Jaden.
Shou blinked and blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"That was nothing!" Daichi said as he drew a card. "It's my turn! Come forth, Oxygeddon!"
A green, winged dragon-like monster composed of oxygen appeared on the field.
ATK 1800
"Attack one of his 1200-ATK Hell Soldiers!" ordered Daichi. "Oxy Stream!"
Oxygeddon opened its mouth and sent out an invisible, but forceful stream of oxygen at one of the weaker Hell Soldiers, destroying it.
Manjoume:
LP
1400
Manjoume shielded himself from the blast and looked at Daichi afterwards.
"However, when Hell Soldier's destroyed, all the damage I take will be forced onto you, too!" said Manjoume.
Daichi:
LP
1000
Daichi was unfazed with his decrease in life points.
"Next, I use Hydrogeddon to attack another Hell Soldier!" said Daichi.
One Hydro Breath and Hell Soldier destroyed with a decrease in both Manjoume and Daichi's life points later…
Manjoume:
LP
1000
Daichi:
LP
600
Shou was now concerned.
"He can try all he wants, but it's his own life points that are getting reduced!" exclaimed Shou.
Jaden snatched Shou's glasses as she looked at Daichi, smiling.
"No, he's fine," reassured Jaden.
Shou blinked and felt his face for his glasses. Finding none, he looked at Jaden and frowned.
"Aniki!" whined Shou.
As Jaden kept Shou at a distance from his glasses in her hand, Ryou gave a small smile.
"Jaden's right," said Ryou.
Shou stopped what he was doing, which was trying to get back his glasses from Aniki, and looked at Ryou, perplexed.
"Huh?" Shou said as he latched onto Jaden's waist with perfect accuracy.
This popped a question up from Jaden.
"Why do you need glasses, Shou?" asked Jaden.
Jaden was ignored as Ryou explained how said gender-mistaken girl was right.
"The ATK of Hell Soldier with the Equip Magic is 3600," said Ryou. "It can't be defeated unless you summon a considerably powerful monster. But look."
Shou adjusted his glasses, courtesy of Jaden, who, after given a look from Ryou, gave Shou back his glasses. Hell Soldier's ATK points decreased back to its original number.
"I get it now!" exclaimed Shou. "With less Hell Soldiers, its ATK has gone down!"
Jaden nodded and smiled.
"Yeah, Misawa made his chance to turn the match around by reducing some of his own life points," said Jaden.
Daichi smiled.
"Okay…now I have the better number of monsters on the field," thought Daichi. "If I can stave off his next attack, I'll still have a chance."
Daichi picked a card from his hand and placed it face-down.
"I place one card face-down and finish my turn!" said Daichi.
"My turn," said Manjoume. "Misawa, your petty tricks won't work on me!"
Manjoume folded his hand and discarded them save for one.
"I sacrifice my Hell Soldier and my entire hand to summon Blazing Demon-Hell Burner!" said Manjoume.
Flames engulfed Hell Soldier as they swirled into a fiery sphere.
"Come forth, Hell Burner!" Manjoume said, laughing menacingly.
Shou, Jaden, and Asuka gasped while Ryou (A/N Mori~!) was expressionless.
"What?" Asuka and Shou exclaimed.
"B-Blazing Demon?" said Jaden.
A wave of heat was sent around the room as the sphere dissipated, revealing Blazing Demon-Hell Burner.
ATK 2800
"What now, Misawa?" taunted Manjoume. "My Hell Burner is a high-leveled monster. And what's more, for every one of my opponent's monsters, its ATK goes up by 200 points! There are three monsters on your field, and so, Hell Burner's ATK goes up by 600 points!"
ATK: Previously, 2800
Now…3400!
Jaden's eyes widened.
"An ATK of 3400?" said Jaden. "No matter what monster he shields himself with, Misawa's life points will go down to 0!"
Jaden blinked and placed her hands on her head.
"Great, now I'm a hypocrite!" thought Jaden.
"Now, go!" said Manjoume. "Be burned by my flames of malice, and be gone from this Academy, Misawa!"
Hell Burner shot out a fiery blast from its mouth aimed at Daichi. Asuka, Shou, Jaden, and Ryou all gasped (A/N *gasp* Mori did something!).
"Misawa!" exclaimed Jaden.
Manjoume smirked as the blast was about ready to hit Daichi. Daichi waved his arm as he intervened with his face-down card.
"Trap, activate!" said Daichi.
Pale white bars emerged from the ground and shielded off Daichi's monsters from Hell Burner's attack.
"Amorphous Barrier!" said Daichi. "When there are three or more monsters on my field, this will negate my opponent's attack and end the battle! That's too bad, Manjoume!"
Manjoume grinned at Daichi.
"You're a persistent one," Manjoume remarked, tightening his fist. "However, your end will no doubt come on my next turn!"
"If you have a next turn, that is!" said Daichi.
Manjoume scowled.
"What?" he said.
"My turn," said Daichi. "I activate the Magic card, Bonding-H2O! And I'll offer my two Hydrogeddon and my one Oxygeddon as sacrifices!"
All three said monsters disappeared from the field.
"Come forth, Water Dragon!" said Daichi.
A whirlpool of water shot up as a dragon-like monster composed of water with red eyes appeared on Daichi's field.
ATK 2800
"And with less monsters on my field, Hell Burner's ATK goes down!" said Daichi.
Hell Burner's ATK went 400 points down.
ATK 3000
Manjoume smirked.
"Even so, it's still my monster that has the higher ATK," said Manjoume.
"Heh, we'll see about that," said Daichi. "My equation to defeat you is already complete!"
Professor Chronos gasped.
"W-What was that?" he exclaimed.
Shou and Jaden stared Daichi agape.
"Is he saying that the battles so far have been going as he calculated?" exclaimed Jaden.
A giant wave of water headed straight at Manjoume. Manjoume stared wide-eyed at the tidal wave as he yelled. The wave hit Hell Burner, decreasing its ATK to 0.
"What's this?" asked Manjoume.
Daichi grinned.
"I've activated Water Dragon's special effect," explained Daichi. "As long as this monster is on the field, the ATK of Fire-Attribute and Fire-type monsters become 0! Water Dragon! Aqua Punisher!"
Manjoume stared wide-eyed as Water Dragon shot out a large blast if water at Hell Burner. Hell Burner was destroyed and the water swept Manjoume off the platform and flooded the room. A few moments later, Manjoume popped out from under the water and inhaled deeply.
Manjoume:
LP
0
"Manjoume, as a duelist, you…" said Daichi.
"Shut up!" Manjoume snapped as he scowled at Daichi. "It was because you just so happened to pick a Water-Attribute deck that I…"
"No, it wasn't," said Daichi.
Manjoume blinked and stared at Daichi perplexed.
"It wasn't by chance," explained Daichi. "You told me before the duel had started."
~flashback~
Manjoume held up his deck as he smirked.
"I'll char you to cinders with my flames of malice!" said Manjoume.
~end of flashback~
"In other words, the outcome was clear before the duel!" said Daichi. "Also, Manjoume…The cards that were thrown into the ocean are, without a doubt, mine."
"How are you sure?" asked Manjoume.
"Because I unintentionally made a memo on this," Daichi explained as he reached into his pocket and took out a card. "It's a formula."
Daichi held up the card for Manjoume to see, a formula indeed written on it.
"Here is your proof," said Daichi. "After all, there's only one card in the world that's scribbled on like this."
Daichi looked at Manjoume.
"Manjoume, those who can't treasure their cards lack what it takes to be a duelist!" said Daichi.
Manjoume hunched over and clenched his teeth as he closed his eyes.
"I've lost yet again!" said Manjoume.
Professor Chronos walked up to Daichi.
"Signore Misawa," said Professor Chronos. "I approve of your transfer over to Obelisk Blue-no ne."
"No," said Daichi. "I must turn down your invitation."
Professor Chronos looked at Daichi questioningly.
"Oh?" said Professor Chronos. "Why is that-na no ne?"
"I've decided back at the entrance exams that when I get into Obelisk Blue…it'll be when I'm Number One in this Academy," answered Daichi.
Daichi smiled and turned to Jaden, who was by Manjoume holding her hand out to him. When Manjoume refused her hand, Jaden looked at Daichi questioningly.
"Jaden, I'll have to beat you in order to get into Obelisk Blue," said Daichi.
Jaden grinned and tightened her fists.
"All right!" she exclaimed. "If that's the case, let's have a duel right away! I've been dying to duke it out with you, again!"
"I hate to say this, but I can't right now," said Daichi.
Jaden blinked.
"Why not?" asked Jaden.
"The decks here aren't completed yet," explained Daichi. "These six decks are mere prototype decks for the study of your Elemental Hero deck."
Jaden looked at Daichi questioningly as she held out her hand to Manjoume yet again.
"Prototype decks?" she said questioningly.
"P-Prototype deck?" said Manjoume. "I lost to that?"
Manjoume glared at Daichi, diverting his eyes on Jaden when he saw her outstretched hand. He reluctantly took it and was helped up from the ground by the gender-mistaken girl. Afterwards, he turned away, wanting to avoid eye contact with anyone.
"Perhaps I can finish it before the re-coated walls of my room are filled up with formulas," said Daichi.
Shou whined.
"But we just finished painting it yesterday…" muttered Shou.
Daichi grinned as he looked at Jaden.
"It'll be my seventh deck, and one that'll defeat your Elemental Hero deck…" said Daichi.
Jaden blinked and grinned.
"A deck that'll get the better of me, huh?" said Jaden. "Sounds fun! That'll be when we rumble! So bring it, Number Two!"
"Right," said Daichi. "Let's go, Ichiban-kun."
Imaginary flames emanated from the two.
"Here goes!" said Daichi.
An imaginary tiger behind Daichi roared.
"You got it!" said Jaden.
An imaginary green Chinese dragon behind Jaden hissed at the tiger. Jaden and Daichi smiled at each other, their rivalry now official.
A/N End of chapter and it's barely 1 AM! I just screwed myself for your entertainment because my friend's 15 is tomorrow...er, today (Igotta get some sleep...) and I have to get up at 8 AM to get my hair done! And I have to wear a dress! DX At least I'm not wearing heels…I can't even walk in them! Anyways, you know the drill! NO FLAMES!
(1) A/N It's close by their room under the stairs. Reason why I haven't pointed it out earlier was because…I was lazy. Remember! I only had a few hours to sleep on the day I updated this story at 2 AM and I had to do chores!
(2) Yup! Finally explained why…ha ha!
(3) In the past attributes that had been mentioned, I've remembered Kaze Hikaru, Yami (it's Atem, dammit!), and my favorite…Chobits! I love that series and CLAMP…okay, I may be 15 (14 when I read the series) and that series is for 16 and up, but I don't give a damn! Chii is too damn adorable to ignore!
That's about it! And who wants to be my 20th reviewer?