Secret or Misconception?

by KlonoaDreams

AU Jaden Yuki goes through life at Duel Academy…however, not all is what Jaden seems to be. Why do the guys feel awkward around Jaden? Is this Osiris Red holding a secret? Is it really a secret when all you actually had to do was ask? Fem!Jaden fic with a side of unintentional reverse-harem. DON'T ASK ABOUT PAIRINGS. STOP ASKING ABOUT UPDATES. THIS IS ON HIATUS! READ THE SUMMARY.

19. Turn 19

A/N: A bit of a heads up, guys…READ MY A/N's before you review stuff involving things like pairings, references, and of course, knowledge to my gender, which by now, most of you guys should know this, I am a girl with an addiction to video games, band (at least the class I am in), and manga/anime series, like Yu-Gi-Oh. If any of you ask about something I explained in an A/N, be aware that I will not hesitate to snap…thank you and let me tell you one thing…

I am proud to say that I now have 100 reviews, I have 15,000 hits on this story which I can finally say this…IT'S OVER 9000!

OC: What? 9000? Impossible!

I thought so too since this is the first story I have ever wrote that has over 9000 hits, over 61 reviews, and at least 40 favorites and story alerts…I feel so proud! T^T Thanks a lot, guys! You have been a real help! And also, honors for reviewer #100, who actually gave me 5 reviews when I had 95 just to help me reach 100…is CrashAndBurn35! Thanks a lot!

Now for the honors I have yet to put in the previous page…review #90 is , and reviewer #80 is ThePathUntaken, and for reviewer #70…heartlessneko! Thanks a lot, once again! Now continue on and enjoy the story…which I better not get any flames on! Constructive criticism is always welcomed and I know I'm doing this ahead of time, but the A/N at the end of the chapter took up a whole page and I…yeah. Anyways, continue on!

---

Chapter Nineteen

Enter: Valentine's Day

Just a week after the incident involving the Duel King's deck…school resumed to its usual routine. Today was Friday and Jaden was trying to make the best of it after getting out of class. She had so much to do today involving…Red, the Ultimate Trainer.

"I'm gonna get that bastard…" Jaden muttered as she tightened her fist. "I will not forgive him…"

About a few days ago, Jaden made another attempt to defeat Red the Ultimate Trainer. And much to her stunning surprise, she actually won that battle. It would've been good for her to know that all her work going into that battle paid off…however! Just as her game was saving, the unfortunate happened. Her battery died…and when she tried to resume play, her data was corrupted, meaning one thing…she had to erase her data and start a new game. Fortunately for her, most of her prized Pokémon were on her other game, but still…

"Of all the luck!" Jaden said, grasping the doorknob to her room. "Why me?"

Jaden turned the knob and entered her room…only to find out that she wasn't alone. Inside, waiting for her, were Junko and Momoe…both girls wearing devious grins. Jaden blinked a few times and turned to her calendar. She cursed mentally as today was February 12…two days before Valentine's Day. Good Ra…no…no…today was the day Junko and Momoe had told her that they were going to pick her up.

"I'm not wearing the dress!" Jaden wailed as she made an attempt to run out of the room. Too bad Asuka was in her way, Jaden could've actually succeeded in escaping and hiding out at either Daichi or Ryou's room for the next three days until Valentine's Day was over. Could have…but she didn't, so now…crap.

"Where do you think you're going, Judai-kun?" asked Asuka. "Don't think I'm going to let you go…I have to go through the same thing."

Jaden's eyes turned huge and glistened with tears. Dammit, both she and Asuka were screwed…and Junko and Momoe had blackmail! Or at least she thought they had blackmail…Jaden wasn't taking chances.

"Why must you always torture me?" wailed Jaden.

Junko walked up to Jaden and grinned as she pinched the Osiris Red's cheek.

"Because you're cute and hiding that cute face would be a sin," said Junko. "Now, let's go to Tome-san. I heard she just got in the molds we ordered…Momoe?"

Momoe nodded and latched onto Jaden's arm as Junko and Asuka walked out of the Osiris Red's room. Momoe followed after, dragging Jaden along with her, closing the door behind her.

Sometime later,

The girls arrived to Tome's store, which was surprisingly empty…for the moment as in most likely, an hour; it will be crowded with girls. Tome was currently carrying boxes into the staff room with help from Seiko. She stopped when she spotted the familiar sight of blue and red colored uniforms.

"So you're here for the molds, right?" asked Tome.

Junko and Momoe nodded, earning a smile from Tome. Tome set the box down onto the counter and called Seiko out. Seiko peered out of the staffroom and noticed the girls. She nodded and understood what to get as she disappeared hack into the staffroom.

A few moments later, Seiko popped out with a box in her arms.

"We just got them this morning," said Seiko. "Just in time…"

Seiko placed the box on top of the store counter and reached into her pocket to pull out her utility knife. Afterwards, she used her utility knife to open the box.

"So, who ordered the set of Package A molds for who?" Seiko asked as she pulled out a plastic bag from the box.

Jaden looked curiously at the bag as inside, she could see the molds. The molds were in shape of rather familiar Duel Monsters…ones Jaden had seen before…that got her thinking…hold it!

"Wait!" said Jaden. "Why are there molds in the shape of the Duel Monsters my friends have?"

Momoe took the bag from Seiko and turned to Jaden, smiling.

"Don't you know?" asked Momoe.

Jaden shook her head, which in turn made Momoe frown.

"That's right…you don't," said Momoe.

Tome giggled and leaned on the counter, her gaze focused on Jaden.

"I'll explain it to her," said Tome. "But Seiko-chan knows how to do it better than me since—"

Seiko blushed and waved her hands around.

"Tome-san, don't tell them!" she wailed. "I'll explain it to her! I'll explain!"

Tome grinned at Seiko, who was currently trying to calm herself down. After letting out a sigh in relief, Seiko looked at Jaden.

"On Valentine's Day, here on Duel Academy, there's been a small custom in which a girl who gives chocolate to a boy she likes or is friends with…" Seiko began, "…usually gives him at least one chocolate in the shape of his most notable Duel Monsters. The more notable the monster is to the boy, the more meaning the chocolate has as either honmei-choko or tomo-choko." (1)

Momoe nodded and handed Jaden the bag of molds.

"Which is why we carefully chose out your friends' notable monsters out of the descriptions you gave us on your duels with them," Momoe told Jaden.

Jaden blinked and looked at the bag of molds in her hand. She was able to spot out a few familiar monsters such as Water Dragon and Cyber-End Dragon. Jaden blinked and sighed…

"There is no way I'm getting out of this, is there?" asked Jaden.

Junko and Momoe nodded, a smirk crossing their lips. Asuka shook her head and held out her hand to receive her mold bag from Seiko.

"Just…just learn to deal with it," said Asuka. "It's not actually that bad—on second thought…"

Asuka turned and walked over to Jaden. She placed her hand on the Osiris Red's shoulder and looked down at her.

"Good luck tomorrow," said Asuka. "You're gonna need it and then on Sunday…may Osiris help you."

Jaden blinked and frowned. She did not like the sound of it whatsoever…

"Can I go back to my dorm, now?" asked Jaden.

Asuka answered for Junko and Momoe, "You can, seeing as we have no more need for you…right?"

Asuka looked sternly at her roommates, who reacted by nodding their heads. The dark-blonde looked at them suspiciously before saying, "Good."

Jaden took no time to hesitate as she ran out of Tome's store. Just then, Seiko gasped.

"Oh, forgot to tell her about the card gift!" said Seiko.

Junko held her hand up and said, "No need…I'm sure she'll figure it out."

Seiko bit her lip and nodded as she handed Momoe her bag of molds. Momoe smiled and thanked Seiko as she looked at her bag.

"I wonder if Jaden knows how to make chocolate…" Momoe said aloud.

Junko grinned as she grabbed her respective bag of molds from the box.

"Don't worry about that!" Junko reassured. "I left the components in her rooms and the instructions, don't you remember? You wrote the directions on how to make chocolate, right?"

Momoe nodded and froze when she realized something…the raven-haired girl slowly moved her hand into her pocket. Her breath hitched when she felt the familiar feel of paper and wailed when she pulled out a piece of paper…that happened to have the written instructions on how to make chocolate.

"Junko-san!" wailed Momoe. "We didn't leave the paper…I still have it!"

Junko's grinning ceased as she turned to Momoe.

"Please tell me you're—" Junko trailed off when she saw the paper in Momoe's hand. "Oh, crap…"

Momoe looked around, her eyes beginning to look watery.

"Asuka-san, what do we do?" exclaimed Momoe.

No answer…

Junko and Momoe looked around for Asuka and realized something…she wasn't in the store anymore.

"Oh, come on!" whined Momoe.

Junko sighed and said, "Let's just…let's just go back to the dorm. It's too late, now…making chocolate takes a while to finish…we probably won't be done until tomorrow night. If we want to finish them by Sunday, we better get going."

Momoe looked perplexed at Junko. "But what about Jaden-kun?"

Junko shrugged and replied, "Let's see what she'll try to do…if she doesn't have any chocolates on Sunday, we'll just give her some of ours. Besides, she'd probably locked herself in her room to play her game."

Momoe blinked and nodded.

"That's a good idea and you're right," said Momoe. "Wow, Junko-san! You're so smart sometimes!"

Junko narrowed her eyes and diverted her gaze on Momoe.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Junko.

Momoe closed her eyes and held up her finger as she added, "Because you're usually cunning!"

Junko arched her brow at Momoe.

"Isn't that the same thing?" the rufous-haired girl asked.

Momoe shook her head and replied, "Not in my terms~! Now let's go make start making chocolate!"

And with that, Momoe and Junko left the store.

---

Meanwhile,

Inside a certain room within the Obelisk Blue dorms, Ryou sighed in slight irritation. His Obelisk Blue acquaintances had just barged into his room a while ago to discuss something that he thought was rather…irrelevant.

"So how much chocolate do you think you're getting this year, Kaiser?" asked Taniguchi.

"Does it really matter?" Ryou asked, wanting nothing more than for the next three-er, two and a half days to pass by quickly…

Ryou reached into his pocket and took out his PDA. He might as well call Shou to think of the new plan for this year, seeing as he now had his little brother to help him out on Valentine's Day…just like back then in Middle and midway through Elementary school. Good times…

Suddenly, a hand slapped onto his shoulder, surprising him slightly. Ryou turned to see that it was Reizo, who looked rather miffed.

"Yes…it does matter!" exclaimed Reizo.

Ryou just stared at the dark brown-haired Obelisk Blue, his expression pretty much stoic. Seeing no reaction from Ryou got Reizo to back away from intimidation. An awkward silence ensued and the tension began to build up. Wanting to ease the tension and break the silence, Reizo spoke.

"Hey, Taniguchi!" he said. "Do you think Judai will give out chocolate?"

Taniguchi blinked and nodded as he held up his finger.

"She has to!" said Taniguchi. "If she wants her boyfriend, Daichi Misawa, to know that she does like him…she'll have to give out chocolate!"

Ryou crossed his arms and looked blankly at his acquaintances. They were still at it at being lovesick over Jaden's female persona, Judai. The poor kid…he actually felt sorry for what Jaden had to feel every time Junko and Momoe dressed her up, seeing as Reizo and Taniguchi usually found a way to bump into her.

"Man, that Daichi Misawa…" Reizo said, enraged to a small extend. "That lucky punk…how did he end up with a girl like Judai? She's better off with you, Kaiser."

Ryou arched his brow at Reizo. Like hell…Jaden was his friend…and not to mention, she was also his otouto's surrogate big brother, or 'Aniki', gender not being really much of a matter in names. Plus, he had no feelings whatsoever of Jaden aside from being just a rather good duelist he can acknowledge and respect.

"Not interested," Ryou said plain out straight.

Ryou blinked as Taniguchi suddenly appeared by his side.

"Kaiser…Kaiser…" Taniguchi said, shaking his head.

Reizo popped up by Ryou on the other side, placing his arm around Ryou's shoulder.

"Judai is right for the picking," Reizo said. "All she needs is to realize she's doing the wrong this staying with Daichi Misawa. She was placed in Obelisk Blue in a reason."

"She was placed in Obelisk Blue because all female students are sent there, regardless of skill and intellect," remarked Ryou.

Reizo diverted his eyes on Ryou, obviously not amused with that response.

"That's beside the point," said Reizo. "The real point is that she's better suited with someone from Obelisk Blue…like you!"

"Yeah, Daichi Misawa is nothing compared with you!" added Taniguchi.

---

Meanwhile, in Ra Yellow,

Daichi had just gotten out of the bathhouse and was currently drying his hair with a towel when he suddenly sneezed. He had been sneezing for quite a while in the bathhouse and now this… Someone must really enjoy talking about him a lot…or he might have a cold.

"Better go get the thermometer…" muttered Daichi. (2)

---

Back in Obelisk Blue,

"Why do you even bother going after Judai-kun?" asked Ryou. "I've heard she turned you down…rather painfully."

Reizo laughed it off as he waved his hand.

"She's just shy!" said Reizo.

"Or maybe she hates you!" said Taniguchi. "Maybe she knows she's better off with me!"

Reizo scowled and glared at his friend, Taniguchi. Taniguchi glared back at him as a current of electricity crackled in between their eyes. Ryou just stared at them for a few seconds before going back to what he was previously doing…calling Shou on his PDA.

"She kicked you down!" snapped Taniguchi.

Reizo scowled and retorted, "She told me her name!"

"She kicked you down low where the sun doesn't shine!" Taniguchi growled.

Ooh, that's gotta hurt…is what Ryou thought…or thought somewhat similarly. He didn't really care, all he wanted to do was speak with his brother, not be involved in the argument.

"And she bumped into me!" Taniguchi added.

Something snapped within Ryou at having to hear Reizo and Taniguchi argue over Jaden like a piece of meat or a trophy to be won. She was a person…not property…and they were waaay too damn loud!

"First come, first serve, Taniguchi!" snapped Reizo. "She told me her name and she bumped into me twice!"

"Okay, that's it…" said Ryou.

A few moments later,

Ryou and Taniguchi found themselves in the hallway in front of Ryou's room, the door slamming closed in front of them.

DOT DOT DOT…

Both Obelisk Blues looked at each other and nodded.

"He's jealous," they both said.

THUD!

Reizo and Taniguchi flinched at the loud sound, which seemed to be made from a fist coming in contact with the wall or something. Ryou heard them…

"I think we should run," Taniguchi suggested, blinking when he noticed that he was alone in the hallway.

Taniguchi looked around and spotted Reizo making a left turn after running straight for the first few moments.

"Waaay ahead of you!" Reizo yelled down the hallway.

Taniguchi stuttered for a full minute before running after Reizo.

---

Meanwhile…in the TOOLSHED!

A/N Watermelon please in a review! The Narrator will be pleased…yup!

Jaden sighed as she lied sideways on her bed, slightly perplexed as what she was supposed to do with these…these things Junko and Momoe left in her room. She stared at them, wondering how she is supposed to make chocolate with this when they didn't even give her a damn recipe or some directions!

"Kuri kuri!" said Winged Kuriboh.

Jaden diverted her eyes on her winged furball of a friend as he loomed over her. He looked questioningly at Jaden.

"Kuri?" he said.

Jaden grabbed her pillow and covered her face with it.

"Leave me alone…" said Jaden.

Winged Kuriboh puffed up and jumped on Jaden, making sure as to put all his weight onto his paws. Even so, he was still rather light, but it still got a reaction from Jaden, seeing as a few of his claws dug into Jaden's side.

"Aagh!" yelped Jaden.

Jaden immediately sat up and glared at Winged Kuriboh. She rubbed her side, making a mental note to have Winged Kuriboh trim his claws…

"Kuri?" asked Winged Kuriboh.

Jaden blinked and sighed as she replied, "Momoe and Junko want me to give out chocolates tomorrow and they left me this stuff to make it…but they didn't give me any instructions!"

"Kuri?" Winged Kuriboh suggested.

Jaden crossed her arms and turned away.

"No way!" snapped Jaden. "I'm not doing any experimenting in the kitchen! Daitokuji-sensei will kill me, regardless of what my father said he'll do if I get hurt!"

"Kuri kuri?" Winged Kuriboh said, suggesting another idea.

"Midori?" questioned Jaden.

…

"That may work…" said Jaden.

A few moments later, Jaden was now looking through her contacts list on her PDA. After finding Midori's, she selected it and began to wait for her to pick up the phone…

"Why do you have to take so long?" muttered Jaden. "Pick up!"

"I'm right here, you know?" the person on the other end said.

Jaden blinked and apologized sheepishly to Midori. After a bit, Midori asked, "So, what is the reason you called me today? Is it about the dress?"

"Not exactly, but that does remind me…the dress's skirt is kinda long…" said Jaden.

"You're supposed to wear it with heels," replied Midori.

"I'm not wearing those shoes!" snapped Jaden. "I can't even stand in them!"

"Then learn!" said Midori.

"Subject change!" exclaimed Jaden. "The reason I called you was…how do you make chocolate?"

…

"Are you serious?" asked Midori. "That's what you called me for? Who's the lucky guy?"

"No one…just my friends," said Jaden. "Junko and Momoe are making me do it…"

"Well, then you better get started!" said Midori. "Making chocolate takes a while to do! Are you in the kitchen?"

"No…I'm in my room with these things Junko and Momoe left for me to make the chocolate," said Jaden.

"Get to the kitchen and take those things with you!" said Midori. "I'll hang up for now, call me when you get there! Bye!"

…

Jaden looked at her PDA and switched it off before turning over to the items Junko and Momoe left her.

Sometime later,

Jaden found herself in the Osiris Red dorm's kitchen, wearing her casual clothes consisting of a black, long-sleeved shirt (with the sleeves currently rolled up) and red shorts. She wore a pink, frilly apron with white lace and in her hair, was a white bandana and a simple black clip. Her hair was held back by the bandana and the clip and the apron was for staying clean for what Jaden would have to do.

Midori had already given her the instructions on what to do, but Jaden was still uncertain as she looked at the bag full of cocoa beans that Junko and Momoe left for her. She was supposed to roast them…but how would she?

"Hello, Jaden-kun, may I ask what are you doing here-nya?" asked a very familiar voice.

Jaden froze and slowly turned around to face Daitokuji with Pharaoh in his arms. Pharaoh meowed as Daitokuji continued to pet him lightly on the head. Jaden blinked a few times before she had an epiphany. Daitokuji could help her out!

"Daitokuji-sensei…how familiar are you with making chocolate?" asked Jaden. "Can you make it?"

Daitokuji stared at Jaden, his expression calm and more perplexed as to what made the Osiris Red gender-mistaken girl ask him this. When he saw the equipment on the kitchen counter, he got the gist of what made Jaden ask that question.

"I might-nya," he answered.

Jaden smiled and hugged Daitokuji, feeling slightly relieved.

"Thank Ra!" exclaimed Jaden. "I need your help!"

Jaden began to push Daitokuji towards the counter.

"Valentine's Day?" said Daitokuji.

"Yes," Jaden quickly replied, grabbing a lone apron off the rack by sink.

"Junko and Momoe-nya?" asked Daitokuji.

Jaden nodded as she took out a red bandana from a random drawer.

"Yes," Jaden said again.

Daitokuji sighed and set Pharaoh down onto the floor. He took the bandana and apron from Jaden and looked at her for a few seconds.

"Where did you get the apron-nya?" he asked as he placed on the apron.

"Found it while I was looking through my clothes," Jaden replied. "It's my mom's."

Daitokuji looked at Jaden, smiling afterwards as he patted her on the head.

"You look nice-nya," said Daitokuji. "Now do you have the directions?"

Daitokuji held out his hand, to which Jaden immediately reacted by thrusting the paper into his hand. The professor looked at the paper and then at Jaden.

"Your Obelisk Blue friends sure enjoy making chocolate the hard way," Daitokuji remarked.

Jaden blinked a few times and sighed before hitting her head a few times against the wall.

"Why me?" she asked herself. "Why me?"

Daitokuji placed his hand on Jaden's shoulder to reassure her.

"Be glad these cocoa beans are pre-roasted…actually, these are nibs-nya," Daitokuji said after taking a closer look at the bag of cocoa nibs.

Jaden stayed still and just asked, "What good does that do us?"

"Well, your—our job just got easier," replied Daitokuji.

Jaden turned to Daitokuji.

"How easy?" she asked.

A few moments later,

Jaden grumbled as she made her way towards the Ra Yellow dorm, still very much wearing the same outfit she changed into to make chocolate. She ignored the stares given at her as she didn't give a damn. All she wanted to do was get this whole thing over with and continue onto her school life of dueling…and maybe get to starting her new game since she had to if she wanted to get to Red, the Ultimate Trainer.

"Damn, data corruption…" Jaden said as she entered the Ra Yellow dorm. "Now, to find Daichi—oof!"

Speak of the devil…Jaden just bumped into Daichi…

"Wow, today might just be my day…" Jaden muttered as she rubbed her head.

Daichi looked down, his face slightly flushed as he stared at Jaden questioningly.

"Ichiban-kun, what are you doing here?" he asked. "And what's with the outfit?"

"I need you to help me with something," said Jaden. "Come with me to Tome-san's store…I gotta pick something up."

Daichi blinked and just nodded as it was best if he didn't ask. Though, he really shouldn't have said yes to Jaden…he was going to head to Ayukawa since he felt a bit…dazed. But now…he didn't have a choice anymore, though one question did pop into mind.

"Why me?" asked Daichi.

"Because you're the first one I thought of going to—you don't look too well," said Jaden.

"Crap…she noticed," thought Daichi.

Jaden looked at Daichi for a few seconds before placing the palm of her hand on Daichi's forehead. Daichi blinked and sighed at the cool feel of Jaden's hand…

"You're burning up!" said Jaden. "You have a fever!"

Daichi was taken aback with Jaden's reaction as she usually never showed this much concern…unless it involved Shou; since he was (is) her otouto. Suddenly, Daichi felt himself being pushed back into the Ra Yellow dorm. He turned to see that it was Jaden, intent on making Daichi go back to his room to get some rest.

"Go to your room…I'll call Ayukawa-sensei to pay you a visit!" said Jaden.

"Wouldn't it be easy if I go with you and help you out?" Daichi asked.

"No!" snapped Jaden.

Later,

Jaden grumbled as a fever-stricken Daichi walked right by her side, helping her carry one of the two items, or boxes (in this current case) Daitokuji sent Jaden to pick up from Tome's store. Somehow, the Ra Yellow managed to convince Jaden to let him help her out…whether she wanted to or not. Sometimes the Osiris Red wondered if she was beginning to rub off on Daichi…but then again, the Ra Yellow could be very persistent when he wanted to or when given the choice.

Jaden adjusted her hold on the box in her arms before looking at Daichi to make sure he was okay. If he was heading back with her to the Osiris Red dorm…He was staying.

"You're staying with us," said Jaden. "I'll call Ayukawa-sensei, so don't even think of going back to your dorm."

Daichi was about to protest until he saw the stern look Jaden gave him. He clamped up and just nodded. No point in arguing with Jaden…especially since he knew how stubborn she could really be.

"You're staying in my room," said Jaden.

Daichi's eyes widened as he let out a shocked exclamation.

"What?" he exclaimed.

Jaden looked at Daichi and explained, "I have no problem rooming with Shou and Hayato."

A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of Daichi's face as he said, "Of course…"

"Okay!" said Jaden. "Anyways, we're just about there…think you can handle it?"

Daichi looked at Jaden and nodded once as he adjusted his hold on the box. What was it that was inside of it anyways? It was heavy! How could Jaden carry that box? Hell, how could he when he was sick? Nothing made sense! (3)

"What's in here?" asked Daichi.

Jaden blinked and looked at the Ra Yellow.

"Oh…it's some stuff to help me make some chocolate," said Jaden.

Daichi sweat dropped…it was somewhat typical of Jaden to say that. Leave it to her to want to make chocolate herself…or so he assumed since Jaden did like sharing food sometimes. At least that made sense since it really did explain why Jaden was wearing her current outfit. She was ready and set to cook…it kinda suited her.

---

Meanwhile with a certain Obelisk Blue duo,

Currently walking around campus, aimlessly looking for something or someone…were Reizo and Taniguchi. Though, the search seemed rather one-sided on Taniguchi's perspective, seeing as all he wanted to do was look at the new set of manga he got. Man, the wait for the next volumes felt so long…and the first thing he wanted to do when he got them, was to read them…it was then that Reizo dragged him out of the room to begin this pointless search…why?

"I don't understand why we're out here, Reizo-san," said Taniguchi. "Can't we just go back?"

Reizo turned to Taniguchi and scowled at him.

"No!" snapped Reizo. "We're looking for Judai!"

Taniguchi blinked a few times before asking, "Chocolates?"

"No crap," remarked Reizo.

Taniguchi sighed and asked again, "Why don't we ask her tomorrow?"

"Because she'll be too busy making chocolate that day!" snapped Reizo. "I heard that the Obelisk Blue girls take awhile to make chocolate…a whole day, even. If that's true, then Judai won't be anywhere outside of the kitchen tomorrow."

Taniguchi let out an aggravated sigh and diverted his eyes away from Reizo. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he managed to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure.

"Speaking of Judai…isn't that her?" Taniguchi asked, directing Reizo's attention at two very familiar figures…a Ra Yellow and assuming that the second person is a girl…an Obelisk Blue.

There are only two students that Reizo and Taniguchi know that fit that description at Duel Academy when together…Judai and Daichi Misawa. But Reizo was only interested in the Obelisk Blue…especially after managing to get a good look at what Judai was wearing. The moment Taniguchi felt his wrist breathe (Reizo had an extremely string grip…), the black-haired boy immediately knew where his friend left him for…

"Judai…" Taniguchi sighed.

Thoughts about heading back to his own dorm crossed Taniguchi's mind, but were quickly dismissed as he decided to stay and see what pain Judai's reaction would cause Reizo.

---

Back with a certain duo,

Daichi let out a slightly strained sigh. The fever was beginning to take its toll on Daichi's balance a bit. Jaden noticed that and immediately asked the Ra Yellow to hand her the box he was carrying. Though at first, resisting, Daichi ended up giving into Jaden's persistence and placed the box he was carrying on top of hers.

Jaden toppled a bit to the left and then the right from the sudden addition to the weight she was carrying, but she managed to pull it together.

"Damn…this is heavy…" said Jaden.

Daichi diverted his eyes on Jaden as he wiped his forehead with his hand.

"And you wanted to do this alone, Ichiban-kun…" Daichi remarked.

Jaden scowled at Daichi before turning her head to the side.

"That's only because you're sick," she replied, somewhat annoyed. "I didn't want to feel like a burden to you…hey! Don't give me that look!"

Daichi's grin widened a bit. "So she does care…that's kind of…cute—h-hold on one moment…is that—?"

Daichi squinted as he tried to differentiate the blue-uniformed figure heading towards him and Jaden. It didn't take long before he recognized it as a certain, annoying suitor that gender-mistaken girl had, Reizo Fuwa.

"Ah…Judai-kun…you might want to look," Daichi said quietly.

Jaden blinked a few times and turned to Daichi, wondering why he was referring to her by her alias. It then hit her…

"Oh, god…don't tell me…" said Jaden.

"Judai!" exclaimed a rather familiar, but annoying voice.

Jaden bit her lip and groaned inwardly. It was…Reizo friggin' Fuwa…the more Jaden managed to bump into him, the more she thought that he was stalking her. This was nothing like her bullies!

"I can handle bullies, but him…" said Jaden.

Daichi blinked and looked strangely at Jaden. She never mentioned anything about bullies, had she? Daichi didn't know anymore…the fever was beginning to go to his head, but still…

"What's this about bullies?" asked Daichi. "Wait…never mind…that explains the self-defense."

Jaden let out a sigh in relief. That was one explanation she didn't have to say…back to reality with the stalker-like annoyance that was Reizo…

"What do you want?" Jaden-er, Judai… asked as Reizo walked up to her.

Reizo tried to catch his breath after stopping in front of the girl of his dreams. Apparently, his infatuation went that far…maybe even further, but I don't want to look into details. It might just be that disturbing…or even worse.

A sudden chill went up Judai's spine.

"I feel slightly violated…" thought Judai. "Hold on…is he talking to me? Well…crap…"

Apparently so…Reizo managed to think up a cheesy question to ask Judai…too bad it was pointless, seeing as the girl hadn't even been listening to him at all.

"Excuse me…were you talking to me?" asked Judai.

"Ichiban-kun, he's been talking to you for the past minute…" said Daichi. "You really have to stop blanking out sometimes."

Judai blinked and turned her head to the side, her cheeks slightly puffed up and her lips slightly pouted.

"Not my fault I get off track so easily…" Judai remarked.

Judai was miffed to a certain extend (no thanks to Reizo and Daichi's question…yeah.) and didn't realize that she gave off a tsundere-like characteristic. This just piqued Reizo's interest in the girl even more…which was bad for Judai.

Luckily, this wasn't the case Judai didn't have to deal with…however, it was something that Daichi had to, though. After seeing the boxes Judai was carrying and then Daichi, Reizo got ticked off at seeing his favorite girl having to carrying a heavy burden. I mean, she was small…and those boxes! And that Ra Yellow…

"Has he no shame?" thought Reizo. "Oi, Misawa! Haven't you ever heard of chivalry?"

Yes, Daichi actually has (in the form of a different word, which is politeness)…which was the reason he was out here in the first place. Judai just relieved him of his act after seeing his fever begin to take its toll on him. Though, why would Reizo…oh, never mind that, then, Daichi figured that part out just now.

"He's taking this the wrong way…" thought Daichi. "Look, Reizo…or whatever your name is."

"That's Fuwa-san, to you!" snapped Reizo.

Judai closed her eyes and snorted. "Safer wannabe…"

Reizo arched his brow at Judai after hearing that name…why did it sound so familiar? He was sure he heard it somewhere before during a duel. Whatever, it was not like it was important or anything to him.

"Fine, Fuwa-san…" said Daichi. "It's not what it looks like—"

Reizo immediately popped up in front of Daichi's face, unknowingly sparking a fire in Judai's rage.

"Oh, really?" said Reizo. "Then why aren't you the one helping her carry those boxes?"

Judai growled and just snapped. "Because I'm the one who took the box he was carrying! Gah! Leave me alone! I'm busy! Go away!"

Reizo flinched at Judai's loud tone and backed away slightly, intimidated by the look in Judai's eyes…since when were her eyes a golden color? Wait, false alarm…man…

"I have got to stop reading Twilight…" thought Reizo.

All in all, Reizo really didn't like Twilight, but he heard the ladies loved it, so why not? He later found out it was all a lie after going through the most horrible experience once he reached New Moon. That obsession…why did it seem slightly familiar…like déjà vu?

Speaking of Twilight…Reizo currently recalled that he had the first book with him. Why did he have it? He was thinking of giving it to Seiko at Tome's store, seeing as he heard she just turned seventeen just a few days ago. But seeing as he was with Judai…maybe she'd want it. It would so save him a trip to the store…he could always buy Seiko a card pack since she always appreciated a boost in her own deck.

Reizo reached into his jacket and pulled out a paperback, black book and held it out to Judai. Judai looked at the book in question and narrowed her eyes when she saw the familiar red apple on the cover.

"No…no…no…give it to Misawa, but not me," said Judai. "I have enough things to carry since this guy's not feeling well."

Daichi flinched at the fact that Jaden-er, Judai…brought that up again. It made him feel awkward and Twilight?

"Judai-kun, don't you hate Twilight for the fact that it goes against the myths about sunlight turning a vampire to ash?" Daichi asked Judai.

Judai nodded as she hastily grabbed the book out of Reizo's hands (after setting down the boxes onto the ground) before thrusting the novel into Daichi's hands.

"Since you really seem to know me…which you better," said Judai. "Then you do the math! It's not that hard…anyways, thanks for the marshmallow fire. I'm sure the s'mores will be as good as the last batch we made when I used that wannabe manga of Twilight as tinder."

Reizo looked at Judai in disbelief. All those rumors…they were so crap! He got into the series for no good damn reason! He was so going to kill Taniguchi…right after he read the last book. He wasn't one to just leave a series unfinished…especially since he was three books into the series.

Moving on back to real subject of matter…did Judai just say Misawa wasn't feeling well?

"Judai…how is Misawa ill?" asked Reizo.

Judai blinked as she was about ready to pick up the boxes, having just gotten a good hold on them. A scowl crossed her face as she stood up straight and walked over to Reizo. Reizo looked at Judai stunned as she grabbed his hand and dragged him over to Daichi before placing his hand on the Ra Yellow's forehead.

He was touching that Ra Yellow's forehead…

"Ugh…I am so washing this hand…" thought Reizo.

Though, another thought popped up in mind to contradict that idea seeing as…Judai just held his hand. Judai…his hand…with hers…a noticeable red blush tinged Reizo's cheeks as those thoughts flooded his mind.

"Well?" asked Judai.

That snapped Reizo out of it…and he felt a rather hot temperature emanating from the forehead the palm of his hand was touching.

"Judai was right…Misawa isn't feeling too well," thought Reizo.

Well, this was awkward…even more so, seeing as Reizo just berated Daichi for not helping out his girlfriend, not noticing that the Ra Yellow was sick with a fever. What's more, is that he also questioned Judai's statement about Daichi himself! Judai…

"Hey!" snapped Judai. "Misawa, I said I'd handle the carrying!"

"Ichiban-kun, there are times I give into your persistency, but this isn't one," said Daichi. "So you might as well stay quiet and deal with it until we head back to the dorm! Afterwards, you can do whatever you please, so long as we get this done."

Judai stared at Daichi, stunned with the fact that he grew a backbone…so much for keeping him stable. Though, it was nice to hear that he'd still help her out…the weight of those two boxes combined were giving her arms a bit of a strain.

"What's this about going back to Judai's dorm?" Reizo asked.

Both Daichi and Judai turned to Reizo, the looks on their face very much perplexed, seeing as they never thought up a plan to keep Reizo at bay. This meant one thing…

"Oh, we are so screwed…" muttered Judai. "Please, Osiris, please let him be an idiot…"

Daichi was just silent…he was already a bit too stressed out as it is to think of a plan this quickly to keep the arrogant Obelisk Blue from thinking otherwise, or worse…following them. If he was as ignorant as he was arrogant …then Daichi and Judai would count themselves as lucky, but what are the chances of—

"I didn't think you had it in you," Reizo said as he placed his arm around Daichi's shoulder. "You sly dog, you! You two still have a long life ahead of you and your relationship…go easy! No need to rush, but that's just me…"

Daichi looked questioningly at Reizo. Apparently, the Obelisk Blue was ignorant and…dear Ra, did he just imply? (4) Daichi and Judai…him and her, both planning on doing the…the—No, that was beyond wrong…it was like! No…it was too horrible to even think of… Oh, no…the memories of when Daichi first encountered the truth about Ichiban-kun's gender…

THUD!

Yeah, Daichi remembered hearing a sound like that…wait, hold on a second!

"Huh?" he said.

Daichi snapped back into reality and noticed what had currently happened. Judai had her fist thrust into Reizo's stomach, the Obelisk Blue's eyes wide with shock. A small cough escaped Reizo's mouth before the brunet collapsed onto the ground, unconscious. Daichi stared at the Obelisk Blue, a small bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face.

Judai just managed to knock out a boy, who was a good amount of height taller than her, with just one good punch. The gender-mistaken girl was panting as she glared at Reizo, obviously mad with what he implied. After a full minute, she looked at Daichi and rubbed the back of her head.

"Sorry about that, but I didn't like the sound of where that was going," Jaden said, somewhat awkwardly. "I don't know what he was trying to say, but it didn't sound good…"

Daichi looked at Jaden, baffled with what he just heard. She didn't understand Reizo's implication…rather than explain to the Osiris Red what the Obelisk Blue meant, Daichi decided to keep quiet about this one. Who knows what serious injuries might ensue from the results of that explanation?

Daichi shook his head as he really needed to get off that subject. Besides, he still had a job to do and that was helping Jaden out. Since Reizo was unconscious, now was a good time as any to get going before he woke up. Jaden seemed to acknowledge that fact as she was now picking up the box on the ground.

"Shall we leave?" Daichi asked.

Jaden turned to Daichi, the box in her arms. She smiled and said, "Oh yes, let's."

And so the fever-stricken Daichi and gender-mistaken Jaden started walking, their destination: the Osiris Red dorm. They never noticed the Obelisk Blue Jaden knocked being dragged away by his friend, Taniguchi. And that's how Taniguchi wanted it to stay like that! He'd best make up a lie to avoid having his friend go after Judai and go through this again…

"Right after I read my manga…" Taniguchi said under his breath.

---

Back with Jaden and Daichi,

"By the way, what did Reizo mean by that, Misawa?" Jaden asked innocently.

Daichi began to stutter as he tried to immediately change the subject.

"So…how's Red doing to you these days?" Daichi asked quickly.

Jaden immediately scowled at the name and exclaimed, "The damn game went and deleted my whole save file!"

"Save file corruption due to a low battery life?" Daichi guessed.

"The very same…how do you know?" Jaden asked, eyeing Daichi suspiciously.

Daichi sighed and shook his head. Well, looks like today brought up the situation involving one of his pastime hobbies he had as a kid. Might as well begin to avoid that damn topic about Reizo's innuendo…

"Happened to me once playing Silver," said Daichi. "Thanks to your references, I find myself thinking of buying the remakes of Silver and Gold. And just when I thought I outgrew that series…" (5)

Jaden turned her head to the side.

"Well, you actually never outgrow Pokémon, at least in my opinion," said Jaden. "You just lose interest…but seeing as you've managed to find out about the remakes, I think your interest came back. Good luck with trying to catch up with the new addition to the Pokédex! There are now almost over 500 Pokémon since then!"

Daichi sighed as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face. Now he remembered how he lost his interest…aside from that veteran trainer, Red, it was the fact that he struggled to complete that damn Pokédex. The battles were okay, and as a kid, it was the type of game play that challenged his intellect at times. The strategies…it was actually a great help as a kid…as a kid, emphasis on kid. After the encounter with the data file corruption…he was done, seeing as he now had more important matters at stake…like studying and dueling.

"Have you ever played Final Fantasy?" Jaden asked.

Daichi sweat dropped. Great Ra…Jaden was getting into this talk of video games waaay too easily…

"I'm only familiar with VI, VII, VIII, and maybe IX," Daichi answered. "Frankly, I think the only villain I could remember is the long, silver-haired man with the seven-foot long sword named Masamune and…I think Kefka. I think you should find the first very familiar…am I right?"

It was an obvious question, seeing as Jaden gave a certain Obelisk Blue a nickname involving a certain silver-haired man wielding Masamune.

"Hey, have you heard of the Final Fantasy and Disney crossover game?" asked Jaden.

Daichi looked at Jaden questioningly. There was such a game like that?

"Is it any good?" Daichi asked. "Sorry, I lost interest in video games by the time I turned eleven…or, I think it was around the time my save file went and deleted itself."

Jaden looked at Daichi in disbelief.

"You're kidding me…" said Jaden. "You mean you never played a game or heard of one in where you can hit people over and kill dark, literally heartless creatures with an oversized key-like sword?"

A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of Daichi's face.

"You know, when you put it that way, it sounds like a bad thing," said Daichi. "So, what's the storyline for this game?"

"Well, you're on your own for this part since I'll just spoil it," replied Jaden. "Besides, with the new game related to the series being the prequel…I'm sure this is the greatest way to catch up without spoiling everything you know already. It did for me somewhat since I played the games after it…"

"Square Soft sure does enjoy publishing games out of chronological order sometimes," remarked Daichi. "I can assume from the fact that Crisis Core came after VII."

"You got that right," said Jaden. "Oh, and you might want to know this…it's now Square Enix."

Daichi blinked and laughed somewhat awkwardly.

"Oh, right…I tend to forget about that," said Daichi. "So…you mind telling me what console this game's on?"

Jaden looked at Daichi, stunned with what she just heard.

"You mean you're seriously thinking of playing this series?" asked Jaden. "What about studying and everything that productive? I recall you saying games were nothing but a waste of time."

Daichi turned away, his face flushed with either embarrassment or most likely from the fact that he had a fever. Either way, he didn't want Jaden looking him straight in the eye.

"Yes, I may have said that," said Daichi. "But depending on the game, it may actually help build up your strategy making skills. And there's no harm in wasting time every once in a while…right?"

Jaden looked at Daichi agape and placed her hand on his forehead.

"I think the fever is starting to go to your head," said Jaden. "We gotta get to the dorm…and get Ayukawa-sensei on your case."

Daichi sighed and shook his head.

"No, Ichiban-kun, I actually meant that," said Daichi. "Besides, I believe that sometimes I may tend to over study…and it may cause me stress. As a kid, I played these games due to the fact that they help ease some of my stress during the study sessions I've made a few weeks before the exams."

Jaden took her hand off Daichi's forehead and nodded in agreement.

"You do have a point, there," said Jaden. "I usually do that a week before the exams…and that's after a two-week session of nonstop studying. My dad makes me take that break and that's where we start shooting zombies all week or solving riddles while avoiding this cult of some sort."

"Resident Evil and Silent Hill?" asked Daichi.

Jaden grinned and looked at Daichi. "You know it!"

"You are a very interesting person with an intriguing father whose bad side I would not like to get on," said Daichi.

"And you're a very good friend…" said Jaden. "I never knew you had a different side to what you usually did…I like that! It's like Kaiser Ryou and Shou when they sometimes share a bento some girl gave the Kaiser!"

Daichi never knew that Ryou shared his bentos with Shou…that's rather adorable. Not to mention, also rather nice and brotherly.

"By the way, you didn't hear anything from me when it comes to that," said Jaden. "Ryou will most likely strangle me because I caused a girl to cry and he has enough heartbroken girls on his case."

"My lips are sealed," said Daichi.

Jaden sighed and continued on, "Anyways…if you want, I'll let you borrow my consoles and games if you want to get into the series. But a warning at first…the prequel to the series is a bit of a tearjerker and Days…yeah, it's definitely a tearjerker, or at least in my opinion."

Daichi sighed and shook his head as he said, "Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'll get that emotional over a nonfictional storyline…the same applies for a character."

Jaden blinked a few times and smirked.

"What about Aerith Gainsborough?" she asked, watching Daichi closely for any reaction.

Daichi froze and slowly turned his head to Jaden, a glazed look in his eyes.

"She was an exception," said Daichi. "The poor flower girl…" (6)

Jaden nodded, her smirk never once leaving her face. Daichi was a rather interesting person when he wasn't feeling too well…must be the fever getting to him. Luckily for them, they were just in front of the Osiris Red dorm and Daitokuji was currently outside of the kitchen, waiting for Jaden.

After some help from Daitokuji and a call made to Ayukawa, Daichi was now in Jaden's room, trying to rest up as he was advise to do. Meanwhile in the kitchen, Jaden and Daitokuji were now getting to making that chocolate…yeah, a question just popped into mind in both student and teacher.

"Why didn't they bother using cocoa powder?" they both said simultaneously. (7)

And so began the teacher-student bonding…let it start!

"So, we're supposed to put these nibs in this…juicer thing…right?" asked Jaden.

Daitokuji looked at the directions on the paper he had in his hands.

"I believe we do-nya," said Daitokuji.

Jaden sighed and walked over to the counter to pick up the bag.

"This is gonna take a while…" said Jaden. "Just in case we screw up…"

"By we, do you mean, you-nya?" asked Daitokuji.

Jaden's eye twitched slightly as she rubbed the back of her head.

"Well, I was being subtle, but yeah," said Jaden. "So, do we have any cocoa powder?"

"In the cupboard, next to the dishes," said Daitokuji. "Don't make a mess looking for it because I just finished cleaning a few hours ago-nya."

Jaden nodded her head and replied, "Got it! Now that I have my backup plan, let's get started. Nghh…why me?"

Daitokuji reassuringly patted Jaden on the head as he passed by her to turn on the juicer. This was definitely going to take a while…literally.

Minutes later, Jaden was currently trying her hardest at keeping the hairdryer pointed at the grinder while trying to stay awake. Boredom was the very main reason she fell asleep in class…this was no different, but unlike class…a failure at an attempt to make chocolates might be enough to activate a flag for Junko and Momoe to get more blackmail on her. And believe me, that is not a good thing…well, to Jaden, since her father…let's move on!

"How much longer do I have to keep this up?" Jaden asked.

Daitokuji was currently engrossed within the instructions Jaden wrote down after listening to her friend, Midori. There were so many things to do…

"Yuki-kun…I'm starting to question why you even hang out with your girlfriends-nya," said Daitokuji. "I mean, I've seen what they've done to you…aren't you a least bit disturbed-nya?"

Jaden narrowed her eyes at Daitokuji.

"You have no idea…" said Jaden. "The padded bra and undergarment set still lingers in my most mortifying memories…"

Because how Junko managed to get an accurate measurement on Jaden's physique without measuring tape is rather strange, indeed. And wearing them wasn't the most happiest of all her memories…at all. Though the things involved while she wore them, were a different story!

"So how much longer?" asked Jaden.

"I think now would be a good time to stop…" said Daitokuji.

Jaden sighed and flipped the switch on the hairdryer, turning it off. She set it down on the table and stretched her arms out while letting out a loud groan. Afterwards, she looked at Daitokuji and asked, "So what now?"

"It says here to let it refine for…at least ten hours-nya," said Daitokuji.

Jaden nearly fell down at that reply. She looked at Daitokuji with complete utter shock.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" asked Jaden. "At this rate, we won't be finished…oh. That's what Midori meant by taking awhile…pfft. Awhile my—"

"Yuki-kun," Daitokuji said sternly.

Jaden blinked owlishly and said, "What? I was gonna say 'deck'."

Daitokuji stared at Jaden for a full minute before sighing and shaking his head.

"Tenjoin-kun is right-nya…" said Daitokuji. "You are interesting…"

"You know, I've been told that a lot of times," said Jaden. "Strange how it hasn't gotten to the point where it is annoying, yet. So…what do we do now, while we wait?"

"Do you want to duel?" asked Daitokuji.

Jaden immediately perked up to her teacher's offer. She didn't even bother answering as she dashed out of the kitchen and out of the dining hall. Daitokuji stared at the door Jaden ran out of and sweat dropped.

"I'd take that as a yes-nya," said Daitokuji.

As Jaden ran into her room, effectively waking up Daichi and scaring the crap out of him when she just barged in, Daitokuji filled his teapot with water and set it on the stove to boil. If he was going to duel one of his students, he might as well make some tea to ease the stress caused by a certain class he had a few hours ago…no, it wasn't Jaden's class, it was a very different one…though, the cause was rather strange. Two Obelisk Blues were suddenly at it for some unknown reason over a girl they had taken a liking to. Ryou Marufuji knew what it was, but he stayed quiet about it and when Daitokuji asked, all he got was the name, 'Judai'.

"Judai," repeated Daitokuji.

It took him a few moments to recall that that had been his female Osiris Red's alias. Teenager…it was very suiting, though ironic. Speaking of his Osiris Red, she had just came barging through the door and—

"Yuki-kun, watch out for—" Daitokuji was cut off as Jaden exclaimed and fell down onto the ground…right after tripping over Pharaoh, accidentally.

Apparently, Pharaoh had been an innocent bystander who was in the wrong place at the wrong time when Jaden came barging through that door. Jaden was currently glaring at the tabby, who meowed innocently before walking up to the gender-mistaken girl and licking her on the cheek. Jaden sighed and gently scratched Pharaoh's head.

"Sorry if I hurt you…" said Jaden.

Pharaoh purred and nuzzled Jaden's cheek gently as if he understood and accepted her apology. Jaden sighed and pushed herself off the ground. After dusting off her apron and checking it over, Jaden walked over to Daitokuji, her deck in hand.

"I've been dying to check out your deck!" said Jaden. "Dueling you is just an added bonus because I've also want to see your skills!"

Daitokuji adjusted his glasses and took out his deck as he said, "So you in-nya?"

"Of course I am!" said Jaden. "Let's do it!"

A small gleam of light reflected off the lenses of Daitokuji's glasses as said professor smiled at Jaden.

"Well, then," said Daitokuji. "I should give a fair warning-nya…I won't be holding back."

Jaden snorted as she shuffled her deck.

"Please!" said Jaden. "Holding back is for noobs! And I, for one, am not a noob!"

Daitokuji chuckled and began to shuffle his deck.

"Don't say I didn't warn you-nya," said Daitokuji. "Bet you never went up against an Alchemist deck, have you-nya?" (8)

Jaden stopped shuffling her deck and looked at Daitokuji.

"Now that you mentioned that…I really haven't, actually," said Jaden. "Oh, this is gonna be fun! You go first! I want to see how you start out!"

Sometime later,

"Wow, I didn't see that coming," said Jaden.

Daitokuji collected his cards off the table and shuffled them back into his deck.

"Neither did I-nya," said Daitokuji. "I didn't expect you to lose. Speaking of which…why aren't you disappointed-nya?"

Jaden stretched her arms as she looked at Daitokuji.

"Well…" she said. "I rarely lose in duels, nowadays, so losing is actually a new experience for me. It's not that bad, actually. I'm rather impressed."

Daitokuji arched his brow at Jaden.

"How so?" asked Daitokuji.

Jaden diverted her eyes on Daitokuji as she drank her mug full of tea. After lowering her mug and swallowing, she continued on.

"With your strategy," said Jaden. "Destroying my cards by removing them from play…all while powering up your own monsters as each monster is removed from play…That is a very unique strategy next to the variety of occult deck strategies. You think things through, don't ya?"

"You have no idea…" said Daitokuji.

Seriously, she had no idea. He spent about a whole week thinking over his Alchemist deck's strategy after spending a near month building set deck. And then came getting used to the build-up of the strategy… Needless to say, all that work paid off in the end.

"Best two out of three?" asked Jaden.

Daitokuji stared at Jaden and grinned.

"Face it, Yuki-kun," said Daitokuji. "You have a long way to go before you defeat me-nya."

"I know, but come on!" said Jaden. "It was fun dueling you! And I want to see if I can beat you this time!"

Daitokuji stayed silent for a few minutes before he started shuffling his deck.

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you-nya," said Daitokuji.

"I like challenges," Jaden said as she shuffled her deck. "You are by far, my favorite opponent I've dueled so far! I don't care if I lose! It's fun!"

Daitokuji chuckled. Jaden was most definitely his favorite student up to this point now. So the feeling was mutual. That's a start for once…none of these one-sided situations like that one from a few years back in his first year teaching at Duel Academy. Valentine's Day…how he hated that day because he ended up making a few girls cry.

Later,

"Best three out of five?" asked Jaden.

Daitokuji's grin just widened as he shuffled his deck again. This was beginning to be rather entertaining for him. It was just so adorable with how Jaden wasn't ready to give up anytime soon. This was really a great way to past the time.

Later,

Jaden let out an irritated groan and stood up from her seat.

"Oh, come on!" whined Jaden. "I wasn't even trying that time!" (9)

Daitokuji nearly dropped his deck as he collected his cards off the table.

"Are you serious?" exclaimed Daitokuji.

Damn…Jaden actually gave him a hard time this time and now that he found out she wasn't even trying…

"I'm really impressed with you-nya," said Daitokuji. "You weren't even trying…"

Jaden's eye twitched slightly at this mention.

"Which is what's ticking me off!" said Jaden. "I hate it when this happens! I wasn't even trying because I was…"

Jaden trailed off as she let out a loud yawn. Daitokuji arched his brow at her and then looked at the watch on his wrist.

"Yuki-kun…it's rather late-nya," said Daitokuji. "I think you should go to your room."

Jaden yawned again as she rubbed her eyes with her hands.

"But I don't wanna…the chocolate," said Jaden.

"Yuki-kun…it won't be done until tomorrow," said Daitokuji. "It's best you get some sleep-nya. Good night."

Jaden yawned again as she waved it off.

"Fine," she said. "I'll go…but tomorrow, it begins again!"

Daitokuji stared at Jaden and smiled.

"Sure-nya," said Daitokuji. "After we finish making the chocolate, we will, though."

Jaden glared at Daitokuji for a few seconds before waving it off.

"Oh, sure…right, after that," said Jaden. "Well, good night!"

Jaden waved at Daitokuji and walked out of the kitchen, covering her mouth to muffle yet another yawn. Daitokuji watched Jaden walk out before looking down at his cat, Pharaoh, who was currently rubbing against his leg, meowing. Daitokuji knelt down and picked up Pharaoh, holding the tabby cat in his arms.

"I guess that also means lights out for us-nya," said Daitokuji.

Pharaoh meowed and nuzzled against Daitokuji's arms. Daitokuji smiled and began to make his way out of the kitchen…after turning off the stove.

---

Meanwhile within one of the TOOLSHED'S rooms!

Jaden walked into her room…the other room…the one she shared with Hayato and Shou…yeah, that room! Anyways, Jaden walked into the room, already dressed in her lilac and white jersey (Gym class uniform). Hayato and Shou, both whom were currently dueling each other, turned to Jaden, slightly curious as to what brought her into their room this late. Another wonder that currently popped into mind…or in Jaden's mind, was why her roommates were still awake when they usually slept in early unless otherwise, which is what seem to be the case.

"Oi, Aniki!" said Shou. "Where have you been?"

Jaden yawned as she closed the door behind her. Afterwards, she kicked off her shoes and started making her way towards the bottom bunk bed.

"With Daitokuji-sensei in the kitchen," Jaden said sleepily. "We were at it for nearly five hours straight…"

Hayato arched his brow at Jaden.

"How so?" asked Hayato.

"He had the greatest strategy ever!" said Jaden. "And his deck…ah! He had me beat…and the last one, I wasn't even trying and I almost beat him."

"Aniki, you lost in another duel?" exclaimed Shou.

"I lost four times in a row…that's a new record!" said Jaden. "I'm impressed…well, I'm gonna go to sleep. Continue on what you're doing and by the way, Hayato, you're doing great!"

And with that, Jaden got into her bed and fell fast asleep. Hayato and Shou looked at their female roommate before looking at each other. They sighed and went back to their duel.

"Flat-chest sure is one weird girl," said Hayato.

A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of Shou's face.

"Shh!" said Shou. "Aniki might here you!"

Hayato waved it off as he said, "Fat chance, she's asleep."

WHACK!

Hayato yelped as he just got whacked over the head with a pillow a few times. He shook his head and looked back to see his female roommate glaring at him with a pillow in her arms.

"I heard that, ya know," said Jaden. "I'll be watching you closely, Koala-man, so don't get any ideas."

Hayato just stayed silent, earning a solemn nod from Jaden as she went back to her bed, satisfied. After a full minute, Shou broke the silence and said, "I told you so, Hayato-kun."

"Shut up," said Hayato.

The next day,

Jaden blinked a few times, slightly fazed from the small fall she had after rolling out of bed accidentally. She rubbed the back of her head gingerly, being careful not to apply to much pressure on the sensitive spot that would most likely form into a small bump later on, caused from the impact her head had on the floor. Jaden rolled onto her stomach and attempted to get off the floor…only to give up and just sigh. She was too tired for this…

Jaden diverted her eyes on the alarm clock, curious as to what time she woke up. She closed her eyes and let out a slightly small groan. It was waaay too early for her to be up as it wasn't even close to being five. Feeling lazy and unable to find the energy to get up from the floor, Jaden just reached for her pillow and blankets and pulled them down onto the floor with her. She then attempted to fall asleep…only for a loud meow to wake her up the second she just happened to fall asleep.

She opened one chocolate brown eye and looked around, spotting Pharaoh sitting right in front of her head. Pharaoh continued to meow as he walked over to the door and pawed at it once he stopped in front of it. Jaden buried her face into her pillow and muffled a rather annoyed groan into it.

After a few minutes, Jaden finally got up from the floor and stood up; using her blanket to cover herself as she knew how sometimes the mornings were on the island. Since it was still February…expect a rather chilly breeze today!

Jaden walked over to the door and sluggishly pulled on her shoes, not caring that she wasn't wearing any socks. Afterwards, she grabbed the doorknob and turned it, opening the door for Pharaoh to get out. Jaden yawned as Pharaoh walked out of the room the gender-mistaken girl shared with her friends, who were still fast asleep…lucky bastards…

It took only a matter of minutes for Jaden to realize that she wasn't going to be falling asleep anytime soon.

"Great…" she muttered. "It's one of those days…"

By one of those days, it meant that Jaden woke up at the earliest of times and couldn't go back to sleep afterwards. She had one of those days at least once a week, during which she would usually spend about an hour distracting herself by looking over her deck or killing some time attempting to defeat Red (which is currently not an option due to what happened a few days ago). It was back to square one and that meant Hayato (a.k.a. Falkner) was going to be a royal pain for her Chikorita…

Jaden blinked a few times as she realized something.

"Koala-man and Bird-boy share the same names," Jaden said, smirking afterwards. "Payback, time…"

If Hayato wouldn't stop calling her Yellow, than she won't stop calling him by Hayato's English name, Falkner (next to the name, Koala-man). He will so get the reference… Jaden laughed quietly, feeling oddly satisfied. (10)

"Now, where did I leave my deck…" thought Jaden.

As much as taking the challenge once more as a new Trainer seemed rather tempting, strategizing her deck seemed more important at the moment. Jaden still wanted to find a way to defeat Daitokuji or at least attempt to by making the outcome a double knockout (tie).

About two hours later, Jaden walked out of her room in her current garb. She wasn't going to go into her room and risk waking up Daichi…actually, she needed to check up on him, but it was only thirty past five in the morning.

"I don't think he'd appreciate being woken up this early…" thought Jaden.

He wouldn't as Daichi was currently having the best dream of his life. He had finally defeated Jaden in the most epic and greatest duel he had ever had in his lifetime (in which both he and Jaden agreed on with mutual terms), managed to finally become number one, and he even had a girlfriend…wait, that wasn't Asuka or that Obelisk Blue girl, Seika (thank Ra…), the girl sort of looked like—

Daichi's breath hitched as he woke up in a cold sweat. He sat up in bed, breathing in and out heavily as he tried to calm his pounding heart. He looked around the room with wide eyes, almost questioning why he wasn't in his own room until his memory began to kick in. He was in Jaden's room because he was sick with a cold…that about summed it up.

Daichi inhaled deeply and exhaled as he placed his hand on his forehead. The washcloth was still on his forehead, slightly damp, but that wasn't the most of his concerns. It was who his girlfriend was in that dream…Asuka's jokes were beginning to get to him. Sighing, Daichi lied back down in bed and closed his eyes as he tried to think of the bright side.

"It could've been worse," thought Daichi.

Indeed. It could've been one of those dreams involving commitment…or worse! Daichi face palmed as he regretted ever thinking what was worse than the commitment part. Damn his thoughts…damn this fever! It was most likely the cause of thinking right now! (11)

---

Back with Jaden,

Jaden yawned as she continued to run the red comb's teeth through Daitokuji's long, black hair. It was just a typical day for the both of them since, oddly enough, when Jaden had her days; Daitokuji seemed to share them with her. Must be because Pharaoh was usually the cause of this…no matter since all it will did was make Daitokuji and Jaden create a somewhat weekly routine.

Jaden usually found Daitokuji at the table by six in the morning, asleep with the coffee maker currently on and filling the room with the scent of freshly brewed coffee. During which, Daitokuji was in a disheveled state at the time. Jaden took care of that by usually being the one who helped the professor with his tie and most of the time; she was the one who did his hair.

Jaden actually liked long hair and used to have it…until a small incident involving some of her bullies and a pair of scissors…it's pretty much self-explanatory. Aside from that incident, in which she now chose to keep her hair short to a certain point, she still liked long hair. She just liked brushing it and brushing it and… (12)

Jaden blinked and shook her head.

"Damn girly quirks…" she muttered as she gently nudged Daitokuji awake.

Daitokuji jolted a bit in his seat, stiffening as he tried to recall what happened. He relaxed when he remembered that it was just him, Pharaoh, and his female Osiris Red…who was brushing his hair. A small smile formed on his lips as he knew that this was one of Jaden's very few feminine quirks. It was rather cute to see that the Osiris Red had an interest in long hair and tried to hide it. He could tell that Jaden was struggling to keep her quirk in place as he recalled that the last time she brushed his hair…he woke up with a braid.

"Yuki-kun…if you want to braid it," said Daitokuji. "Make sure it doesn't make me look too feminine-nya."

And that pulled the trigger as he could hear his student muffle a squeal and immediately start her work on his hair. Daitokuji just sighed and shook his head. He was going to regret this, but for all it was worth…he could make an exception to this. Just so long as any girl in his class who sees him with his hair in a braid, doesn't compare him to a diminutive-sized blond from a rather popular series due to the fact that they both share the alchemistic trait. (13)

"I am not short…" thought Daitokuji.

Damn straight, he wasn't. He was at least a good six inches taller than the blond…at least he thought he was. It's been a while since he read the latest volume of the series, so if anything, the kid might've grown some a bit like in that movie.

"Daitokuji-sensei, I got another Twilight novel we can burn," said Jaden. "Can we make s'mores again?"

Daitokuji stayed silent as he contemplated over the subject on burning another piece of…yeah, it wasn't even close to being acknowledged as literature in his terms. Daitokuji's opinion was official after he read the novel, which he obtained after confiscating it from a girl who was reading during class. What is so damn attractive about an undead man who sparkles in sunlight and watches a girl in her sleep?

"Feh…teenagers," he thought. "I'll buy a bag of marshmallows and a box of graham crackers from Tome-san and we use any leftover chocolate as material since we're bound to have enough to make s'mores."

Jaden inwardly squealed as she continued to plait Daitokuji's hair, making sure that it wasn't too tight or too loose as she interwove his black hair. She was so going to enjoy setting aflame to that piece of garbage.

"Yuki-kun," said Daitokuji. "How much of the series did you read-nya?"

"Enough to make references and jokes about it," said Jaden. "Cullen brings shame to the name Edward…now I can't tell whether it's Elric or Cullen unless a surname is mentioned."

"And there's the obligatory Fullmetal Alchemist reference I should've seen coming," thought Daitokuji.

Obviously, because Elric and Cullen share the same first names and the many questions he got during class involving the mention of equivalent exchange…and the mention of a Twilight book… Pretty much, it all added up together…especially since Daitokuji was an alchemy teacher.

"Jaden…what is your average score on your tests-nya?" asked Daitokuji.

"About the same amount I manage to complete before I knockout…why?" asked Jaden.

Daitokuji sighed as he placed on his glasses and adjusted them slightly. He had been correct on one of his earlier inferences about his Osiris Red student. She was actually a smart student, just…she had a problem with staying awake long enough to finish taking a test. Daitokuji made a mental note to talk to Jaden's father involving his daughter's testing abilities…or to trick Jaden into taking an IQ test. Whatever works! (14)

Jaden let out a content sigh as she let go of Daitokuji's braid after tying it with its usual red hair tie. She touched the plaited hair tentatively, nodding once in satisfaction afterward.

"Done," said Jaden.

Daitokuji's hand went straight to his braid as he felt it over before pulling it into his view. After looking it over, Daitokuji turned to Jaden and said, "This better not make me look feminine-nya."

Jaden laughed awkwardly at that comment. She rubbed the back of her head as she look at Daitokuji nervously.

"Um…it's kinda too late for that," said Jaden. "With or without the braid, you still look rather feminine…like pretty boy feminine, not that I'm suggesting anything." (15)

Daitokuji shook his head and patted Jaden on the head.

"Well, you tried," he said. "So, what do you suggest we do now-nya?"

Jaden's stomach growled loudly, causing the brunette to blush. She laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her head. Daitokuji chuckled as he walked over to the stove.

"Well, I think that's a good suggestion-nya," said Daitokuji. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day-nya. Be a good girl and let Pharaoh in, would you, Jaden?"

Jaden blinked and nodded before making her way towards the door. She opened the door and moved to the side to let Pharaoh walk by.

---

Sometime later,

After a rather delicious breakfast involving Daitokuji as the cook and Jaden as the helper, Jaden decided to check up on Daichi. It might have only been seven in the morning, but Jaden needed her clothes and Daichi needed to checked on…or at least, that's what Ayukawa told her to do in the morning.

Jaden sighed as she placed the key into the keyhole and turned it. She grabbed the doorknob and opened the door slowly, not wanting to accidentally wake Daichi up just yet. She peered into the room carefully and gently sighed as she saw Daichi's sleeping figure in her bed. He was still asleep.

"Good," thought Jaden.

Jaden didn't want to pull another stunt like yesterday and wake up Daichi from his sleep…especially in his condition. So she carefully entered the room and quietly closed the door behind her. She then took off her shoes and set them down by Daichi's in her room's entryway and made her way towards her dresser. Every few moments or so, Jaden would look back at Daichi to make sure he was asleep before continuing on to what she was doing.

Once she had obtained her change of clothes from her dresser, Jaden walked towards the door leading into her bathhouse. She stopped in front of the door and looked back at Daichi once more before entering the bathhouse. After a few minutes, Jaden exited the bathhouse, having just finished changing her clothes.

Today's choice was just a simple white T-shirt with a pair of red shorts! It was simple, but not too simple…just the right type of clothing to cook in! Jaden tied her white bandanna into her hair and then clipped it into place afterwards with a black clip. After taking a quick look in the mirror inside the bathhouse, Jaden nodded and turned to Daichi. He was still asleep…

Jaden sighed in relief and walked over to small dresser at Daichi's bedside. Unlike her other dresser, the smaller one was used for storing miscellaneous items and her cards. At the top of the small dresser, were an alarm clock and a blue bowl filled midway with water. Jaden picked up the bowl and walked away from the dresser with the bowl in her arms.

Moments later,

Jaden carefully set the bowl on the bedside dresser, having just changed the water with a fresher batch. She then turned to Daichi and reached over for the white washcloth on his forehead. Jaden hesitant at first to grab the washcloth, but she managed in the end, all without waking up Daichi. Sighing in relief, Jaden submerged the washcloth into the water inside the bowl.

She waited a few seconds before taking the washcloth out and wringing it a few times so it wasn't dripping wet, just damp. Afterwards, Jaden gently placed the washcloth back on Daichi's forehead. Her breathe hitched when she saw the Ra Yellow's eyes open.

"Great, he's awake," thought Jaden.

Daichi groaned a bit and sat up in bed. He rubbed his eyes and blinked when he felt the washcloth on his forehead fall onto his lap. He stared at it for a few seconds before turning to Jaden. He arched his brow at her in question, most likely from wonder as to why Jaden was in the room. Aside from that…

So much for keeping Daichi asleep…that was a fail. So what now?

DOT DOT DOT…

Jaden sweat dropped from the tension that was currently building up from the awkward silence going on between her and Daichi. A full minute had passed and the tension was still building up. Another minute had passed before Daichi finally broke the silence.

"Mom?" he said drowsily.

A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of Jaden's face as she fully realized what just happened. Daichi mistook his friend for his own mother…how could that even—

"Oh, right…he has a fever," thought Jaden.

It took Daichi a full minute for him to realize that Jaden wasn't his mother.

"Oh, Ichiban-kun," said Daichi. "What're you doing here?"

Jaden laughed nervously as a small bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face. Well, Daichi's back to his senses.

"I'm just helping Ayukawa-sensei out," said Jaden. "She told me to check up on you and I did. Hey, are you hungry?"

Daichi blinked a few times at Jaden before his face suddenly turned red from embarrassment. He had just remembered what he called the Osiris Red a few minutes ago. This was certainly awkward… Daichi turned away from Jaden to hide his red face.

"Uh…sorry about that," said Daichi. "I didn't mean…"

Jaden shook her head and waved it off.

"Don't worry about that!" said Jaden. "It was an honest mistake! You just woke up and…hold on, let me get the thermometer."

Few moments later,

Daichi diverted his eyes to the side as Jaden watched him closely, having just placed the thermometer into Daichi's mouth. This was rather demeaning in a sense to the Ra Yellow as his gender-mistaken friend was the one taking care of him. It was also awkward for him as memory of his dream from a few hours ago popped up into mind.

A small beeping noise snapped Daichi out of his thoughts as Jaden's hand reached over and took the thermometer out of his mouth. Jaden held the thermometer up to her face to check on the number.

"Well, you're still in the fever range," said Jaden. "I'm gonna call Ayukawa-sensei, so in the meantime…just try to go back to sleep, okay?"

Daichi just nodded once and lied back down in bed. He blinked as Jaden placed the washcloth back on his head.

"Well…be seeing you!" said Jaden. "Pleasant dreams!"

Jaden made a few adjustments to the blankets covering Daichi before finally making her way out of the room. Daichi waited a few seconds until he was sure Jaden was out of the room before letting out a mushroom sigh. That…was just too awkward. Daichi closed his eyes and sighed as he tried to force himself to fall asleep.

---

Sometime later in the kitchen,

Daitokuji stared questioningly at the sight that lay before him, having just entered the kitchen. Jaden was currently by the sink, washing rice in a bowl by using her hand to swish it around. She continued doing this for a few minutes before tilting the bowl carefully to the side to pour out the water. Afterwards, Jaden placed the bowl under the tap and turned the water on to refill the bowl with water. She continued to repeat her actions again for a few minutes before finally pouring the rice into a saucepan filled with water.

Jaden walked over to stove and place the saucepan on the stovetop. She sighed after a few moments and turned around, blinking when she saw Daitokuji.

"How long have you been there?" she asked.

"The whole time you were doing…what were you doing-nya?" asked Daitokuji.

Jaden twiddled her fingers around as she said, "Cooking okayu for Misawa…" (16)

Daitokuji stared at Jaden for a few seconds before he walked over to her. He smiled at his female Osiris Red student and patted her gently on the head.

"You're a good friend-nya," said Daitokuji.

Jaden blinked once and smiled. "Thanks! Now…let's duel!"

Daitokuji sighed and reached into his pocket.

"Very well-nya," he said.

One hour later,

Jaden sighed as she stirred the okayu with a pair of chopsticks. She felt rather satisfied to know that she finally manage to defeat Daitokuji in a duel…though just barely. It took a lot of strategy…and a lot of luck. Jaden wonder again how she actually managed to defeat Daitokuji with a lone Hero Kid.

"Aw, well, that's all in the past," Jaden said, turning off the stove. "Now where that salt…?"

A small shaker of salt was held up in front of Jaden's face the second she asked. Jaden blinked and turned to the side to see Ayukawa standing right next to her.

"You called?" asked Ayukawa.

Jaden nodded and took the shaker from Ayukawa.

"Yeah, I did," said Jaden. "It's about Misawa…Hold on one second…"

Jaden added some salt into the okayu and stirred it in a few times. Afterwards, Jaden grabbed a bowl set on the counter and poured in a decent amount of okayu into the bowl. Jaden turned to Ayukawa and gave her the bowl and a spoon.

"While you check up on Misawa, give him that," said Jaden. "He oughta be hungry by now."

Ayukawa blinked a few times and nodded before making her way out of the kitchen. Jaden sighed and crossed her arms.

"So…what to do now?" she asked herself. "Oh right…the backup chocolate."

And with that, Jaden walked over to the cupboard next to the dishes to get the cocoa powder.

A few moments later,

Jaden sighed as she stirred the cocoa, milk, and sugar together. She really didn't want to do this, but it was better safe than sorry since she really didn't want any blackmail on her. Well, she was only giving out chocolates to her friends and—

"Wait…Reizo and Taniguchi," thought Jaden.

Jaden's eye twitched at the mere thought of those two goons. Dear Ra, how could she forget them? How was she going to avoid those two? Crap…now that made two others that she had to give chocolate out to, whether she wanted to or not. If it was to get those two off her case, then she'd do it.

"I hate this…" she muttered.

Jaden didn't realize that she sped up her stirring until she managed to flick some of the chocolate onto her cheek. She blinked a few times and shrugged as she went back to stirring, albeit a bit slower. After a bit more stirring, Jaden added in the vanilla extract and then went back to mixing the chocolate.

Ten minutes had passed and Jaden finally managed to make use of some of the molds she was given yesterday at Tome's store. She poured in some of the chocolate into a Steam Gyroid mold and then into a Master of Oz mold. Afterwards, Jaden settled with making use of the rest of the chocolate by just pouring it into a pan. She used a dough scraper to smooth out the chocolate's surface before covering the pan with plastic wrap.

Jaden picked up the pan and walked over to the refrigerator. She opened the refrigerator and set the pan in before closing it. Now all she had to do was let the chocolate harden…

"Well, there goes my last portion of entertainment," said Jaden.

Jaden diverted her eyes on the clock and looked at the chocolate that was currently refining in the melanger.

"It has been at least ten hours…time to get Daitokuji-sensei," said Jaden.

Moments after getting the professor out of his room and into the kitchen, Jaden found out that everything after the refining was slightly easier work.

"Now how many pounds of chocolate did we make?" asked Jaden.

"I really don't know-nya," said Daitokuji. "The tempering machine says that its maximum capacity is 10 pounds…"

Jaden brought her fist into the palm of her hand.

"I think this may work," said Jaden. "After this…we're done with the process and that only leaves the molds and cooling. A little help, Daitokuji-sensei?"

Daitokuji nodded and walked over to the melanger to turn off the machine. Jaden walked up to Daitokuji with a bowl in her arms. After a bit of maneuvering, the two managed to transfer the chocolate over from the melanger to the bowl. Jaden then walked over to the tempering machine to pour the chocolate into the bowl.

After a quick read-through of the directions, Daitokuji walked over to the tempering machine and turned it on. He pressed in the set temperature mentioned in the directions and after that, he turned to Jaden.

"Well, we got an hour or two to kill-nya," said Daitokuji. "Dueling is out of the question until later today."

"Aww…" said Jaden.

"So what do you suggest we do for now?" asked Daitokuji.

Jaden crossed her arms and placed her hand on her chin. After a full minute of think, Jaden snapped her fingers and looked at Daitokuji.

"I got Melee and the game console for it in my room!" said Jaden. "It's got a multiplayer mode and what's more, is that I have a second controller. What do you say?"

Daitokuji stayed silent for a moment before replying, "Let's do it-nya."

Jaden smiled and dashed out of the kitchen, making her way towards her room.

Moments later,

Jaden made sure to close the door gently behind her as she carried with her a duffle bag (that she found out she had a few minutes ago) and the empty bowl she found on the dresser on Daichi's bedside (as long as Daichi's using her bed, it's his bed). After that, Jaden ran down the stairs and make a quick trip to the kitchen to drop off the bowl in the sink before finally making her way to Daitokuji's room.

…

"FALCON PUNCH!" exclaimed an in-game character.

"Dammit, you knocked me out!" said Jaden. "Ness, how could you lose?"

Daitokuji laughed as he adjusted his glasses. He had to hand it to Jaden, she was really skilled at this game…but that didn't mean he wasn't as well. Even though this pretty much was his first time playing, Daitokuji wasn't one to start a game without first reading the manual. And that is how he made his own strategy in the past fifteen minutes.

"I want a rematch!" said Jaden. "This time…I'm choosing Samus—actually…never mind! I choose Link!"

Jaden bit her lip as she moved the analog stick with her thumb to choose said character.

"And I think I will choose…Kirby," said Daitokuji.

"Great, you're choosing the pink puffball to fight me…" said Jaden. "I already feel screwed."

Daitokuji turned to Jaden.

"No need for sarcasm-nya," said Daitokuji.

Jaden blinked and looked at Daitokuji.

"I was serious," said Jaden. "I actually do feel screwed."

Daitokuji stared at Jaden and sighed as he patted her reassuringly on the head.

"Just have fun," said Daitokuji.

Jaden nodded and said, "Okay!"

Later that day,

Daitokuji walked into the kitchen to check up on Jaden, who had left his room sometime ago to finish packing the chocolate into small boxes. She said she would be back, but…it's been nearly three hours since she left, so Jaden had him worried a bit.

"Please don't tell me she made a mess…" thought Daitokuji.

Oh, she didn't…because when Daitokuji found Jaden…she was asleep at the table with at least thirteen small gift bags surrounding her. Jaden blacked out after packing box thirteen with chocolate cubes, which at that time, she took a small break to rest up…and that is how she ended up asleep.

It was hard work for the Osiris Red to fill in the bags with the chocolate after spending some time counting how much chocolate she had. After that, she had to make sure she placed in an equal amount of chocolate into each small decorative box (courtesy of Junko and Momoe). Following that motion, was the fact that Jaden had to be extra careful with the Duel Monsters molded chocolate as she wrapped them up in tinfoil (once again, courtesy of Junko and Momoe), which afterwards, she placed them in a gift bag (also, courtesy of Junko and Momoe) along with the boxes filled with chocolate. By that time, it wasn't really hard work…just tedious. So it wasn't much of a surprise that Jaden fell asleep at the table.

Daitokuji just stared at his sleeping student and sighed, shaking his head afterwards as he walked over to Jaden.

"Yuki-kun…you're going to catch a cold like that," he said softly.

Three hours later,

Jaden was roused from her sleep from the soft crinkling sound made from her face's close proximity to one of the gift bag's tissue paper in front of her. She slowly opened her eyes and closed them before opening them again once more. She lifted her head off the table and looked around herself with half-lidded eyes, stretching her arms afterwards as she yawned. She froze and blinked a few times as she felt a small weight covering her shoulders.

Jaden looked at her shoulders and blinked when she saw a black jacket covering them. After regaining much of her senses and recollecting her thoughts, Jaden remembered what she was previously doing before she fell asleep. She turned and looked at the clock, mentally cursing when she saw the hour.

"It's already morning?" she said sluggishly. "Damn, I was really out…well, I better get a move on finishing packing those chocolates or else—

Jaden blinked and stared at the boxes of chocolate in front of her on the table, perplexed. That's strange…she remembered only packing thirteen boxes, but…there were at least eight more boxes packed and set aside, inside their separate gift bag.

"Who could've done this?" Jaden thought as she picked up a gift bag.

Pharaoh's meowing caused Jaden to snap out of her thoughts as her head turned to the tabby cat, who was currently pawing at the door. Jaden blinked a few times as she put one and one together, coming to a conclusion as to whose jacket it was that was on her shoulders and who helped her finished packing the rest of the chocolate. She smiled as she stood up and got out of her seat to walk over to the door.

"Daitokuji-sensei…" she said as she opened the door for Pharaoh.

Jaden moved aside to let Pharaoh out. She then peered out the doorway to watch Pharaoh make his way towards his owner's room. Jaden sighed and closed the door after a few moments to make her way towards the stove. She might as well make it up to Daitokuji by making breakfast for him, during which, she was also going to make more okayu for Daichi. As for her…well, she could wait as she was most likely going to be picked up by Junko and Momoe in…

Jaden glanced at the clock as she washed the rice.

"I have at least two hours…that's enough time," she thought.

One hour later,

Jaden chopped a spring green onion and added some to three bowls of miso soup. She wiped her hands on her apron and walked over to the coffee maker, grabbing a nearby mug to pour the freshly made coffee into it.

"This feels just like home…" said Jaden.

All she needed was her father here to fit the role of drinking coffee and the whole nostalgic feeling was set. Thankfully, he wasn't here or else he would be fussing over how Jaden left him out of the process of making breakfast. Making breakfast at the Yuki residence was a father-daughter routine they usually did every morning…until a few months ago when Jaden entered Duel Academy.

"I wonder how he's doing without me?" Jaden wonder aloud.

Jaden shrugged as she stirred in a few spoonfuls of sugar and cream into the coffee before making her way back to the three bowls of miso soup. The bowls of miso soup were set upon two separate trays, one of which Jaden set the mug of coffee on. After that, Jaden grabbed a bowl from the dishes and walked over to the saucepan with okayu and egg.

Moments later after paying a visit to Daitokuji's room, which was accessible since the professor left his keys in his jacket, Jaden paid her roommates a visit and secretly left the tray with two bowls of miso soup for them on the desk as they slept. Afterwards, Jaden made one more trip to her room to check on Daichi one more time and while at it, to leave his bowl of okayu.

Minutes later, Jaden walked out of her room, closing the door behind her as she left. She closed her eyes and sighed and she was about ready to walk away when she stopped. A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face as she came face to face (literally) with Momoe. Momoe blinked at Jaden and looked over the brunette, smiling and squealing afterwards as she pulled Jaden closed to herself and hugged her.

"Aww, you look so cute!" said Momoe.

Jaden flailed her arms around as she struggled to get out of Momoe's grip. Not long after Momoe's appearance did Junko come walking up to them. Junko took one look at Jaden and smirked.

"You look adorable…what's the occasion?" asked Junko.

Jaden managed to push Momoe away and turned to Junko.

"Shh!" hissed Jaden. "Misawa's still asleep."

Momoe blinked and looked perplexed at Jaden.

"Why is Misawa-kun in your room?" asked Momoe.

Jaden rubbed the back of her head and diverted her eyes on Junko.

"It's not like that," said Jaden. "Misawa's kinda my responsibility while he's sick with a cold…"

"He caught a cold…and you're taking care of him?" asked Momoe. "That's so sweet!"

Jaden growled and clapped her hands together.

"Subject change!" said Jaden.

Junko crossed her arms and nodded.

"So…did you make the chocolate?" she asked.

Jaden blinked and nodded as she replied, "Actually, yes…I did."

Jaden scowled at the surprised looks on Junko and Momoe's faces.

"Oh, you guys are horrible," said Jaden. "It's not like I can't cook…well, I did had help from Daitokuji-sensei to make the chocolate, but that's beside the point. Anyways, I made breakfast, so if you'd like some miso soup, I think I can make some more—"

Junko cut Jaden off as the rufous-haired girl grabbed onto the brunette's arm.

"That's okay, we already ate," said Junko. "Now let's go get your chocolate so we can take you back to the Obelisk Blue dorms. We just got the most perfect outfit for you to wear."

Jaden narrowed her eyes and let out an aggravated sigh as she sweat dropped.

"Agh…" she said. "Hold on…where's Asuka?"

Momoe held up her index finger and replied, "She's back at the dorm finishing packing the last of her chocolates!"

---

Meanwhile in the Obelisk Blue kitchen,

Asuka was currently glaring at her somewhat unpleasant looking chocolate.

"How the heck did these end up like this?" asked Asuka.

About most of her chocolate came out perfect…except for this batch. Maybe it would've helped that she forgot to smooth down the chocolate's lumpy state after just pouring it into the pan, but she was tired! At least they still tasted the same…at least she thought they did. Eh, she'll give them to her most unfavorable admirers seeing as that might just get them off her case. Asuka gave a small smile at that thought as she began to pack the chocolate into the box.

---

Two hours later,

Jaden looked at herself in the mirror, arching her brow at the sight of her reflection. After paying the bathhouse a visit and by visit, she meant being dragged against her will by Junko and Momoe. Anyhow, Jaden found herself dressed in a rather familiar looking blue and white dress with a red camisole underneath…said camisole had padding, much to Jaden's dislike.

Jaden prodded at the padding on her chest a few times with her index finger, stopping only when she felt a brush running through her hair. She looked at the mirror and narrowed her eyes when she saw that it was Momoe. Momoe stopped to wave at her before going back to brushing the brunette's hair.

"Don't mind me!" said Momoe. "I'm just making you look beautiful!"

Jaden didn't like that because…she usually ended up bumping into Reizo and Taniguchi in this state. Ah, well, as long as she had her pseudonym, Judai, she had nothing to worry about…right?

"That's it!" thought Jaden. "This dress reminds me of Aerith's dress from Crisis Core!"

"It took you that long to figure that out, Jaden-kun, did it?" asked Junko.

Jaden diverted her eyes at Junko, who was currently sitting on Asuka's bed.

"Shut up," said Jaden. "Though…how did you know?"

Junko closed her eyes and grinned as she replied, "It's called Google search engine…you find a lot of information and pictures, there."

Jaden felt stupid at that painfully obvious answer…at least she thought it was obvious. Jaden snapped out of her thoughts when she realized that Momoe was clipping something into her hair. After a few adjustments the raven-haired girl made to Jaden's hair, in which a pink ribbon was tied into it, Momoe backed away and clasped her hands together as she looked over Jaden.

"This look suits you!" said Momoe. "Junko-san, get the makeup!"

As Junko stood up and walked over to the door to go to her room to get her makeup kit, Jaden looked at herself in the mirror to see what Momoe clipped into her hair. Jaden blinked a few times as she noticed an extension added to the back of her hair in the shape of a brunette braid. She grasped the plaited hair gently and felt the soft hair interwoven into the braid.

"That's real hair, Jaden-kun," said Momoe.

As much as Jaden would be disturbed at that fact, she wasn't. Jaden was actually impressed with the braid as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"So this is how I would've looked like if I still had long hair…" said Jaden.

Momoe looked at Jaden perplexed.

"You had long hair?" she asked. "What happened?"

Jaden crossed her arms and exhaled a small puff of air.

"Some boys in my second grade class brought scissors near my hair," said Jaden. "And ever since then, I decided to keep my hair short…I don't want another incident like that. Tch, bullies…"

Momoe stared at Jaden before walking closer to the brunette. She then grabbed a hold of the Osiris Red's shoulders and said, "Tell me about these bullies of yours…you never mentioned you were bullied…but that does explain your self-defense techniques."

One small story about Jaden's bullying experience later,

"And they still don't know?" exclaimed Momoe.

Jaden shook her head, earning a rather shocked gasped from Momoe.

"Well, it's all in the past," said Jaden. "I now know how to defend myself, so don't worry!"

And at that moment, Junko walked into the room with her makeup kit.

"Okay, I'm back," said Junko.

Jaden blinked a few times and backed away as a small bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face. She looked around for Asuka and wonder where the dark-blonde was.

"Where's Asuka?" she asked.

"Oh, she left to go give out her chocolate," said Junko.

Because for Asuka, the sooner she gave out her chocolate, the sooner she can go back to her room and lock herself in where she would later confide her experience with Ryou to see how he was doing. After many conversations with each other, they found out they pretty much had a similar experience on Valentine's Day, the only difference was that Asuka was doing the giving and Ryou was doing the receiving…from multiple girls. Moving on!

---

Half an hour later,

Jaden glared at the white sandals she was given to wear. It was rather difficult to move around too fast with sandals that's only holding was a single pink strap. At least they weren't wedged sandals like the ones this dress was supposed to have…not that she was complaining or anything! She sighed and looked at the bag in her right hand, in which held the boxes of chocolates she packed yesterday.

"Okay…who's first?" said Jaden.

It was only about…twenty past ten, so if memory recalled, the Tennis Club Captain was usually about at the courts at this time of day on a Sunday. Jaden nodded and decided that her first receiver would be Mitsuru Ayanokouji…it's been about three days since she last spoke to the guy, so this might be awkward, but the Captain was pretty much used to seeing Jaden all "dolled up" (as he would usually say every time Jaden walked by the Obelisk Blue campus after leaving the girl's dorm), so all was good.

Though that didn't mean Ayanokouji wasn't surprised to see Jaden in this state out at the tennis courts at this time of the day on a Sunday. Ayanokouji just stared at Jaden as the brunette walked up to him. He was perplexed as to why she was here and was even more confused when she reached into the pink bag she held in her right hand.

"Jaden-kun, what are you—" Ayanokouji was cut off by Jaden as she corrected him.

"It's Judai," she said. "When I'm like this…call me Judai because I want to avoid these two Obelisk Blues named Taniguchi and Reizo."

Ayanokouji blinked a few times before nodding.

"Oh, those two…I understand, Judai-kun," said Ayanokouji. "So…you're Judai-kun?"

Jaden sighed and nodded reluctantly as she pulled out a small gift bag.

"Unfortunately…yes," said Jaden. "By the way, here's your chocolate and…sorry about our first meeting, I never meant to give you quite a nasty shock."

Ayanokouji stared at the bag held out to him by Jaden. He stared at it for a full minute before accepting the bag.

"Um…it doesn't really matter, now," said Ayanokouji. "It's all in the past now…and let me tell you something. Ever since I met you…I've actually done better at dueling…I actually like it now…so, thank you."

Jaden looked at Ayanokouji and smiled at him, causing the Tennis Club Captain to blush. Even though Ayanokouji pretty much only saw Jaden as a friend (or so he thought so far…), the Osiris Red still managed to make him blush with that smile of hers.

"You're welcome!" said Jaden. "And think of this as my first gift to you as a friend! So…see ya around?"

Ayanokouji blinked and nodded at Jaden as he gave her his dazzling trademark smile.

"See ya around," he said.

Jaden sweat dropped at Ayanokouji's smile and gave the Obelisk Blue a light shove.

"Show off!" she said.

Ayanokouji laughed at Jaden, to which the brunette soon laughed along as well. They still got it!

Later,

Jaden couldn't find Ryou around Obelisk Blue campus yet, so she decided to take a detour into Ra Yellow territory…too bad one of her most hated Obelisk Blue guys who she had the worst experience, bumped into her. Luckily for her, it wasn't Reizo or Taniguchi, but it was someone she managed to break their nose during a small scuffle…

"Agh!" exclaimed Shuichi.

Jaden didn't give any reaction to bumping into Shuichi as by now, she was used to bumping into people. However, she was slightly nervous around the Obelisk Blue as she was currently in "Judai" form. And the fact that Shuichi's goons were with him just made her slightly even more nervous…slightly!

Shuichi looked down at who he bumped into, scowling as he saw Jaden.

"What where you're—" Shuichi trailed off as he got a good look at who he bumped into.

It was a girl…a rather pretty-looking girl with long hair in a braid, to add. And she seemed rather nervous as she clutched onto the pink bag she held in her arms. Tadao grabbed the bag out of the girl's arms and looked over it.

"What's in the bag, girly?" he asked.

The girl's eyes immediately flashed with anger as she tightened her fists.

"Hey!" she snapped. "Give that back or else!"

Tadao looked at the girl with an amused look in his eyes.

"Or else what?" he asked.

THUD!

Tadao fell onto the ground after receiving a rather hard kick in the stomach from the girl. The girl nodded once in satisfaction and took back her bag from Tadao's hand. Jin and Shigeru immediately rushed over to Tadao's side as the girl just walked up to Shuichi and begrudgingly handed him a black box.

"Here!" she said distastefully shoving the box into Shuichi's hands. "An apology for that mishap…I'll be going now…hmph!"

Jaden turned and walked away…only to have a hand grab onto her wrist by the guy she just finished giving a box of chocolates to.

"Hold on…what's your name?" asked Shuichi.

Jaden glared at Shuichi and pulled her hand out of his grip as she answered, "It's Judai!"

Shuichi looked at the girl, amused with her reaction as he decided to tell her his name. "I'm Shuichi—"

Judai waved it off as she quickly replied, "Don't care, goodbye!"

And with that, Judai left the Obelisk Blue, who was currently feeling rather weird from his encounter with the girl.

Sometime later,

Jaden walked around Ra Yellow campus, looking for one of her four favorite Ra Yellows. She ended up bumping into her wannabe look-alike, Kagurazaka. Kagurazaka stared strangely at Jaden, shocked at the fact that the girl he accidentally felt up could actually look this—this!

"Pretty!" he suddenly found himself saying.

Jaden stared at Kagurazaka agape as she reached into her bag. She stayed still as she stared at Kagurazaka, who was currently covering his mouth with his hands as his face turned red.

"Friggin' hormones!" thought Kagurazaka. (17)

Jaden, after recovering from the shock Kagurazaka's outburst gave her, reached into her bag and pulled out a small gift bag.

"Anyways…here's your chocolate," said Jaden. "As much as I don't appreciate you trying to act like me…I still see you as a friend, so I'm not counting you out of my list of friends who receive chocolates."

Kagurazaka blinked a few times and took the box from Jaden.

"Uh, thank you!" Kagurazaka said, bowing apologetically at Jaden afterwards. "So sorry about that outburst!"

Jaden closed her eyes and waved it off.

"Don't worry, I'm actually used to it after spending time with Junko and Momoe," Jaden reassured. "So how's your originality coming into play?"

Kagurazaka scratched the back of his head as he replied shyly, "Somewhat better…"

Jaden smiled at Kagurazaka and patted the Ra Yellow on the shoulder.

"Good!" she said. "So…have you seen Ohara and Kohara anywhere?"

"They're by the tree near the fountain," said Kagurazaka.

Jaden's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "This place has a fountain?"

Kagurazaka sweat dropped as he replied, "Uh…yeah, it does, surprisingly since you'd think Obelisk Blue would be the only one with a fountain. Anyways, the fountain is in the center of campus, just keep walking straight ahead on this path and you can't miss it."

Jaden nodded and smiled at Kagurazaka as she waved at him.

"Thank you!" she said. "See ya around!"

Kagurazaka nodded and waved back somewhat nervously. And so marked another boy off Jaden's list…

Minutes later,

Kohara was in the middle of a duel with an Obelisk Blue who had a knack at drawing cards. How Kohara managed to get the Obelisk Blue to agree to duel with him was beyond the green-haired boy's knowledge, but it didn't matter! As long as he had someone to help him get out of his shell during dueling, nothing can go—

"Hey!" exclaimed Jaden. "So that's where you went, Taizan!"

Kohara turned and nearly dropped his hand as he saw Jaden walked into view. His face turned red at the mere sight of Jaden in that outfit. He had never seen Jaden this…this…

Kohara shook his head as he tried to eject all thoughts about Jaden out of his head aside from the fact the Osiris Red was his friend.

Meanwhile with Ohara…he was inwardly laughing at his friend's reaction to Jaden's current state of appearance. He had to admit, the girl did clean up nicely and he could see why his friend had a small crush on her.

As for Taizan…he was having a hard time believing that that was the same girl who told him that he looked better with long hair, had a somewhat long rivalry in the Golden Egg bread with him and Tenjoin-kun, and also the same girl whose bra he accidentally saw when her shirt got wet with water. One wouldn't blame him as he recalled that his Osiris Red friend/Golden Egg bread rival was a short-haired girl with a flat-chest…not that he wasn't looking or anything on that last part! This girl, on the other hand, had long hair in a braid with a rather decent chest-size to suit her figure…once again, he wasn't looking! Honest!

Taizan shook his head as he and Kohara decided to pause their duel for the moment to see what was up with their friend's sudden visit. And after once small conversation involving how the Ra Yellows and Obelisk Blue managed to know Jaden, said Osiris Red reached into her bag and handed each of her three friends a gift bag.

"As you already know, it's Valentine's Day," said Jaden. "And this…is my first gift to you guys as friends…and also a gift of apology giving you a rather nasty surprise about my gender."

Kohara was the first to speak after getting over his shock…surprisingly. Though he felt a bit down that Jaden saw him as a friend, it didn't matter as being a friend was better than nothing!

"Thank you, Jaden-kun," said Kohara. "I'm not as shy as I was before…I even managed to challenge Taizan-kun, here!"

Taizan, who had been aware of Kohara's shyness in dueling during the conversation a minutes ago, nodded as he said, "Yeah, he hasn't hesitated or anything during our duel."

Jaden smiled widely at Kohara and Taizan as she said, "I'm glad!"

Ohara placed his hand on Jaden's shoulder, to which the brunette turned to look at the big-heighted Ra Yellow.

"And I'm glad Kohara-kun met you," said Ohara. "He would've never gotten out of that phase had it not been for you…thank you."

Jaden blinked and smiled at Ohara.

"No problem!" she said. "Now do me a favor and if you guys ever see me again in this state…call me Judai. I have these two guys on my case and they're rather annoying…speaking of them, I haven't managed to bump into them yet. Something isn't right…anyways, see ya around, guys! And Taizan…our challenge is still on! Asuka isn't giving up any time, soon, and neither am I!"

Taizan and Jaden gave each other a quick stare down before the two finally managed to wave at each other as Jaden turned to leave. Three boys down…time to go leave some gifts to Samejima and Professor Chronos…yes, Jaden counted the guy as her friend, despite his attitude towards her. She knew he meant no harm (and by that, she was oblivious to the obvious actions from him), she decided to give him a box of chocolates as well after hearing Tome mention that Chronos rarely got chocolate…Jaden felt like today she'd make his day a brighter one by paying a visit to his office.

It was empty…so Jaden decided to leave a gift bag on his desk and wrote a small note for the blond-haired professor when he came back. She hoped he enjoyed the chocolate because she really had no idea how it tasted…what? She wasn't one to make sure food was right until she was eating it herself. Call that a reckless move, she didn't really care since food was food…at least in her opinion.

Samejima wasn't at least a bit surprised to see Jaden, seeing as Tome was known for sharing every bit of information on certain students in her photo album. Samejima saw every picture of Jaden and even was told of her alias, Judai, so when he saw Jaden walk into his office, all he did was smile.

"Good afternoon, Yuki-kun," said Samejima. "How has your day been?"

Jaden pulled out a gift bag from her bag and handed it to Samejima after stopping in front of his desk. Samejima accepted the gift bag and began to look into it.

"Good so far…" said Jaden. "Still haven't run into those two idiots I hate."

"The same two who are the reason for 'Judai'?" asked Samejima.

Jaden nodded and waved at Samejima before turning around.

"Well, gotta go," said Jaden. "Hope you like the chocolates!"

"See you around, Judai-kun," Samejima said, winking at the Osiris Red.

Jaden nodded and made her way out of Samejima's office. Half an hour later, Samejima received a visit from Professor Chronos involving the box of chocolates inside the gift bag left in his room. After being reassured by Samejima that the chocolates were not poisoned, Professor Chronos decided to try a chocolate himself.

Later,

On the way of going back to her dorm to pay her roommates a visit, Jaden bumped into Asuka, who looked rather like her at the moment…only less happy. Unlike Jaden, Asuka had guys she didn't like with a passion and the only guy friends she could confide in were Ryou, Hayato, Shou…Ryou…Ryou was actually on her top list of guys she could confide in (her own brother was nowhere near close unless this was something waaay personal).

Anyways, after a quick conversation, both girls were rather satisfied to know that they weren't alone in what they were currently doing today on Valentine's Day.

"Well, I'll be seeing you tomorrow in class," said Asuka. "Unless Junko and Momoe make that otherwise…till then, see ya around!"

Jaden nodded and waved at Asuka as the brunette continued on her way back to the dorm. And of course, the first guy to notice her appearance when she entered her room was Hayato. So when she opened the door, she wasn't really much surprised to hear:

"Flat-chest, you never cease to amaze me with your transformations," said Hayato. "How's it going?"

Jaden narrowed her eyes at Hayato as she closed the door behind her. She took off her shoes and set them down in the entry way before going over to the bunk bed.

"I've been having a rather lucky day, so far," said Jaden. "So…hey, where's Shou?"

"He's with Kaiser Ryou," said Hayato. "And…what's in the bag?"

Jaden blinked and looked at her bag. She nodded and reached into the bag, pulling out a small gift back.

"That's right!" said Jaden. "This is for you…for, you know, being a good friend and all, despite what you usually tell me."

Hayato nodded and accepted the bag as he replied, "You know I see you as a little sister, right?"

"And I see you as an older brother," said Jaden. "So…enjoy your chocolates! I have to pay Misawa a visit…that's if he hasn't left, yet."

Jaden waved at Hayato and made her way towards the door. After a few moments, Jaden found out that Daichi was still in her room and in fact, he was actually back to his usual self and at the moment, he was looking over at some of her cards he found in her bedside dresser. When Jaden walked up to Daichi, the Ra Yellow was currently looking over one of Jaden's cards for a rather long time. Jaden cleared her throat to catch her friend's attention, which proved effective as the Ra Yellow jolted and focused his attention immediately on Jaden.

"So…which card is that?" asked Jaden.

Jaden didn't even let Daichi answer as she took the card out of his hand to look at it. She blinked and smiled as she looked at Daichi.

"So…you like White Magician Pikeru?" she asked in a slightly teasing tone.

Daichi shook his head and said, "No! I was just…her effect and…"

Jaden waved it off as she reached into her bag to pull out a gift bag. Then, without Daichi noticing, Jaden slipped White Magician Pikeru's card into the gift bag and handed it to the Ra Yellow.

"Today is Valentine's Day," said Jaden. "This is a gift to you from me as a friend and an apology for that first day you found out my true gender. Hope you enjoy the chocolates as I have to go find Shou. Bye!"

Daichi was speechless as he watched Jaden walk out of her room, leaving the Ra Yellow to contemplate over how mature his friend managed to sound…all while giving him chocolate. That was rather sweet of her, especially as he now knew why she was making chocolate. Daichi reached into the gift bag and blinked when he pulled out a card from the bag. He looked it over and blushed slightly as he realized what Jaden just did…she just gave him her White Magician Pikeru. Jaden didn't just give cards out, but the fact that she did to him meant that he was special in a way…or it was just most likely a gift to prove her point that he was, in fact, a dear friend.

"Thank you," Daichi managed to find himself say.

---

…

Daitokuji wasn't one bit surprised to find Jaden in the kitchen eating lunch. However, her current appearance did raise a question in mind, but he waved it off as he knew that this was obviously the work of Junko and Momoe.

Jaden diverted her eyes on Daitokuji as she continued to scarf down her rice. She stopped momentarily to let herself chew a bit as she said, "Daitokuji-sensei."

Daitokuji stifled a laugh as he always got a kick out of how Jaden acted while she ate. Jaden set down her bowl of rice and swallowed her mouthful of rice as she reached into her pink bag to pull out a gift bag for Daitokuji. Daitokuji stared at the gift bag in question before realizing that it was meant for him. He accepted the gift bag and looked into it, tilting his head to the side in question as he stared at a card placed inside the bag.

"I thought Water Spirit Aqueria might prove useful to your deck," said Jaden. "Also, that's your Valentine's Gift…thanks for being such a great teacher, sensei."

Daitokuji looked at Jaden and smiled at her as he patted her on the head.

"And thank you for being such a great student-nya," he replied back, earning a smile from Jaden.

---

A few hours later,

Jaden sat up from her grassy spot at her secret place on the cliffside with the shady tree. She stretched her arms, having just taken a rather nice nap. She still found no sign of Shou or Ryou…or Reizo and Taniguchi (thank Ra!). She looked around and blinked when she realized how late it was starting to get. Judging from the look of the position of the sun of the sky, it was probably sometime after five.

Yawning, Jaden got off from the ground and dusted herself off, making sure to adjust the skirt on her dress before moving over to the braid in her hair. After that, Jaden nodded and picked up her bag from the ground and began to make her way back to what she was previously doing…looking for Shou and Ryou!

Half an hour later and Jaden finally managed to bump into Shou, who was currently holding a bag full of what seemed to be chocolate in his hand. He looked questioningly at Jaden and took off his glasses to clean the lenses. After putting his glasses back on, Shou looked at Jaden and gasped as he exclaimed, "Aniki!"

Jaden smiled at Shou and held out her arms.

"Shou!" she exclaimed. "Where have you been? I was looking for you everywhere and…by the way, where's your Nii-san? I have to give him something…oh, here you go!"

Jaden reached into her bag and pulled out a gift bag. Shou blinked and took the gift bag with his free hand and looked it over.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Well, today's Valentine's Day…you figure it out," said Jaden. "Anyways, this is both a gift for you since I count you as being one of my closest friends next to Hayato…and also an apology for that first time you found out I was a girl."

Jaden blushed slightly as she bowed at Shou apologetically.

"I'm so sorry about that!" said Jaden.

Shou shook his head and stuttered as he said, "T-That's okay, Aniki! And thank you…that's very nice."

Jaden stood up straight and looked at Shou as she asked, "So…where's your Nii-san?"

"Oh, he's headed back to the Obelisk Blue dorms," said Shou. "Why—"

Jaden immediately turned and started running towards the Obelisk Blue dorms.

"Oh, crap!" she exclaimed. "Sorry Shou, but I have to go! See ya in a bit!"

Like hell! Shou reached into his pocket after placing the bag down onto the ground to reach for his PDA. Afterwards, Shou looked at his contact list and selected a number and decided to make the message via video message.

---

Meanwhile,

Ryou came to a stop at the entrance of Obelisk Blue Campus as he felt his PDA vibrate in his pocket. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, pressing a button as he watched curiously as to who it was. It was Shou…and he looked rather tired out as he gave the video message.

"Onii-san!" said Shou. "Aniki's headed your way, so stay put! She looks like she wants to give you something, so try to be nice. Please, Onii-san!"

End of message…

Ryou stared at his PDA before sighing…he saw that look Shou gave him before the message ended. So that meant he had to wait a bit to see his little brother's surrogate older brother.

---

Elsewhere,

Jaden nearly fell forward from running in her sandals…for the fifth time in a row. She scowled at her sandals before finally decided to just take them off, pick them up, and continue making her way towards the Obelisk Blue campus. And at long last, her awaited meeting with her least favorite guys finally happened as she slid to a stop in front of Reizo.

Reizo looked over at Judai and blushed as; once again, his favorite girl looked gorgeous as ever. Judai scowled at him as she reached into her bag to pull out two gift bags. Taniguchi looked at Judai questioningly, wondering how her hair managed to get longer until he realized it was just a hair extension. Even so, Judai was still beautiful…thought at the current moment, Taniguchi wondered what was up with the gift bags Judai was handing them.

Reizo and Taniguchi took the bags from Judai and they were about to ask her a question when not even one second after giving them the bags did Judai continue running on, making her way towards Obelisk Blue Campus. Reizo and Taniguchi looked at each other before looking at the bags Judai handed them. After finding out that it was chocolate that Judai had given them, both Obelisk Blues ran after Judai in an attempt to figure out how she really felt about them.

---

A few minutes later,

Ryou looked around, his arms crossed as he waited patiently for Jaden to arrive. He arched his brow as he saw a somewhat familiar face run towards him with a bag in one hand and a pair of sandals in the other. It was only until he got a closer look at the person that he realized that it was Jaden. Out of all the times he's seen Jaden all dressed up, this was the first time he nearly had trouble recognizing her. Still, he knew Jaden was Jaden from the fact that the girl had her shoes in her hand.

Jaden had a habit of taking off any of her shoes that were given to her when it involved dressing up unless they were her usual red shoes. Though, even so, Ryou wondered what was up with his little brother's Aniki as she stopped in front of him, trying to catch her breath.

"Kaiser…I've been looking everywhere for you!" she managed to gasp out.

Ryou looked slightly perplexed at the gender-mistaken girl. Jaden inhaled deeply and the exhaled before she stood up and reached into her bag.

"You the last guy on my list to give out chocolate, to," said Jaden. "So…here you go!"

Ryou blinked at the gift bag held out to him, somewhat stunned with the fact that Jaden was actually giving chocolate to him. So that's what Shou meant…but Ryou thought Jaden wasn't into to—

"Since you're Shou's Nii-san, then I count you as my friend," said Jaden. "Hope you like the chocolates…ugh, I'm exhausted."

Jaden inhaled deeply and then exhaled again as she looked at Ryou once more and smiled. Ryou sighed and looked at the gift bag as he reached into the bag to pull out the box of chocolates. Of course, Jaden still did see him as a friend…good. He had enough girls on his case today…

"So, did you buy these chocolates or make them?" Ryou asked as he opened the box.

Jaden rubbed the back of her head as she said, "I actually made them…with help from Daitokuji-sensei."

Ryou diverted his eyes on Jaden as he began to take a chocolate out of the box. Normally, he would be slightly surprised to see a girl like Jaden actually make anything when it came to cooking, but he was more amused than surprised. Now the current question was…how did the chocolate taste?

"So…how does it taste?" he asked.

Jaden laughed awkwardly as she shyly replied, "Well…I haven't exactly tried them out, yet. I have no clue how they taste, so—"

Jaden bowed apologetically at Ryou.

"I'm so sorry if they taste bad, Kaiser!" she exclaimed.

Ryou arched his brow at Jaden and then looked at the cube of chocolate in his hand. A rather odd idea popped up in mind and if Jaden's chocolates were in fact horrible…he wasn't going to eat them alone. So he decided to do something he might never do again in his whole life again unless it was probably with his younger brother, Shou…

"You want to find out how they taste?" asked Ryou.

Jaden blinked and looked up at Ryou questioningly. Feeling curious as to how her chocolate actually did taste, Jaden nodded as she stood up straight. A small smile crossed Ryou's lips as he raised the cube of chocolate to his mouth and bit off half of it. A few moments after biting off half the chocolate, Ryou brought the other half to Jaden's mouth and plopped it right into her mouth.

Anyone watching within a close range could see what just happened. Said anyone happened to be Reizo and Taniguchi, who were in the bushes. Reizo and Taniguchi were by all means shocked as they just saw the Kaiser bite off half of Judai's chocolates…and give her the other half personally by placing it right into her mouth.

"An indirect kiss!" said Reizo.

Taniguchi slapped his hand over Reizo's mouth as he noticed that they weren't alone.

Damn straight they weren't! Junko and Momoe were right in the bush next to theirs and if those two didn't shut up, Junko would make them shut up! Believe it or not, Junko was actually skilled in defending herself after joining the judo club in her middle school years. Those were some of the fun years of her middle school life…good times.

Shou struggled as Junko and Momoe tightened their grip on him. How did he end up like this? Oh, right! He passed by their bush with the intent of walking up to his Onii-san and Aniki…only to be pulled in right with them and restrained. He diverted his eyes on Junko, who was the one responsible for covering his mouth.

Junko glared at Shou as she was very well aware that he wasn't too happy with what his brother just did to Jaden, but that didn't mean she wasn't just going to let him go. He'll ruin the moment! Momoe was quickly taking quick pictures with her miniature camera, which she usually kept on her since it was a bit of a habit she kept long after she departed from the photography club in middle school.

---

Back with our Osiris Red and Obelisk Blue,

Jaden blinked a few times as she felt Ryou's finger on her lips before the Kaiser removed them as he began to contemplate over the taste of Jaden's chocolate. Jaden, after getting over her slight shock, started chewing on the chocolate in her mouth, exclaiming happily afterwards that she managed to get it to taste right.

Ryou just looked at Jaden as he plopped another chocolate into his mouth. Jaden wasn't really that bad of a chocolate maker…in fact, this was probably the only chocolate he'd eat out in public with the risk of Duel Academy's female population seeing. For all it was worth, knowing that Jaden wasn't much into him, was his brother's surrogate brother, and the fact that she pretty much acknowledged him as a duelist (like he did with her), it was all worthwhile. Take that, overbearing lovesick girls!

---

Back in the bushes with Junko and Momoe (and Shou),

Junko and Momoe giggled quietly as they watched Ryou eat the rest of Jaden's chocolates. He was definitely not eating them out of pity…Ryou didn't pity people…especially people like Jaden, because Shou would scorn him forever more from that day on. As for Shou…he was just released by the two Obelisk Blue girls since they trusted him up to this point to stay put and stay quiet.

Shou was crying a bit on the inside, but that was only because he just found out Jaden gave him her Thunder Nyan Nyan…and she rarely gave cards out to people. That was so sweet of her…

"Aniki…" Shou said quietly. "I will treasure this card!"

---

Meanwhile with Reizo and Taniguchi,

The two managed to get along rather well, having just seen the girl of their dreams (well, really Reizo's since Taniguchi only saw Judai as a potential girlfriend/just friend, anything else was pushing it) given an indirect kiss by the Kaiser…in fact, they were impressed with how calm and collected Ryou was! Oh, how they wish they could be as cool as him…

Tears of admiration flowed down Taniguchi's cheeks as he held up his tightened fist.

"Kaiser Ryou is a man among men!" thought Taniguchi. "Leave it to him to pull off a move like that!"

And not get hurt in the process, like Reizo would usually do. Reizo was also impressed…however, it did pained him to see Ryou give Judai an indirect kiss as, depending on whether or not Judai has kissed a guy before, that…right there, would've counted as Judai's first kiss (depending on which way you looked at it). Might as well also counted as Ryou's, but since the guy was popular with the girls, who's to say he hasn't been kissed?

Ryou hasn't since from the first time girls started discovering how attractive he was and started crushing on him, which in turn caused Ryou to discover that girls could be easily hurt emotionally…wasn't his fault he wasn't interested in girls or anything involving a relationship. So all in all, Ryou has never been kissed, in a relationship with a girl (or a boy, which means it's questionable whether or not he swings that way), and the only girl he managed to acknowledge as a full-fledged duelist (aside from Asuka), was Jaden, despite her boyish appearance.

So overall, Asuka and Jaden were the only two girls he was able to talk casually with without having to worry about a heartfelt crush. Moving on!

"Judai-kun…would you like to duel with me?" asked Ryou.

Jaden…Judai, blinked a few times as she immediately perked up and smiled. She happily exclaimed, "Heck yeah! Let me get my deck!"

Judai grabbed onto her dress's skirt and was about to pull it up when Ryou placed his hand on her shoulder. At this moment, Reizo wanted to strangle Ryou for stopping the girl of his dreams from showing him some leg. For Taniguchi, his eye twitched as he felt a rather perverse aura emanating from Reizo and…did his nose just start bleeding? Oh, wow…

---

Back with Ryou and Judai,

"Don't tell me…you placed your deck belt around your upper leg," said Ryou.

Judai blinked a few times, obviously stunned as she exclaimed, "How did you know?"

Believe it or not, Ryou actually knew that technique as about half of the Obelisk Blue girls used that technique since, to some, it gave them easier access to their deck and also, it was a bit of a precautionary against having their deck stolen (which rarely happened, but this is just a precautionary measure). I mean, come on! Anyone who knew better, would know that it was rude (not to mention, dangerous) to get close to a Obelisk Blue girl's leg…especially with their slightly heeled footwear (that can actually cause some serious pain below the belt on a guy) and the meanest slaps (sounds stereotypical, I know, but it's a bit of a reflex) a girl could actually give to a guy after yelling, "Hentai!" or "Pervert!". One or the other, they basically meant the same thing, which didn't matter since most guys would end up on the ground in a slightly bloody heap by then. Moving on!

Ryou sighed and shook his head as he replied, "Do this after we head to the dorm…we're being watched."

It was there that Momoe, Junko, Shou, Taniguchi, and Reizo immediately froze in their spots as terror engulfed them. It was a bit of a rumor with how wrathful Ryou could be, but since Shou was here…he could pretty much tell what his Onii-san was capable of, having lived with the guy his whole life.

Ryou placed his arm around Judai's shoulder as he began to lead her towards the Obelisk Blue dorms. It was still daytime and if Jaden was with him any longer, Ryou could always let the kid borrow some of his clothes to avoid any serious problems…or spend the night, whatever works as long as Ryou got a chance to duel with him…her. Even now, Ryou still had a hard time remembering Jaden was a girl, but it wasn't really much of a difference. To Jaden, gender was just something that was there to separate people when they go to the bathroom (as quoted by her) because in dueling…gender is nothing!

After the two were out of sight, Junko and Momoe stood up and grinned at each other as they had something else to add in "what happens in the room, stays in the room" album. They walked away as they conversed with each other about what just happened. Shou left moments later after recovering from his slight shock that he just saw his Onii-san escort his Aniki to the dorms…in that dress.

"Oh, well…as long as Aniki's with Onii-san," thought Shou. "He'll be all right."

Because anyone with Ryou is safe...at least, in Shou's opinion, which he knew from experience…dear Ra, is he developing a brother-complex?

Shou shook his head and collected his senses as he was not going to go that far in admiring his brother. He sighed and continued to make his way out of Obelisk Blue territory. So ended another day, which just so happened to be on Valentine's Day, at Duel Academy.

However, for Reizo, it was far from over, seeing as he was mad at Daichi Misawa for letting his girl be that easily taken away by the Kaiser (though, Reizo was glad to see that Judai was with someone of their status). So to settle this problem, Reizo decided to do the one thing that Duel Academy was famous for when it came to solving problems…by dueling Daichi Misawa. Taniguchi felt a bit concerned for Reizo, seeing as this wouldn't end too well, but hey! He was more focused on how entertaining this might be!

"I better start taking bets…" thought Taniguchi.

This was certainly going to be an interesting duel…once Reizo found Daichi, which he will do on White Day, since Reizo didn't want to take chances on making himself look bad by taking advantage of someone who is recovering from an illness.

---

A/N End of chapter. 2-17-11 Okay, this is the rest of the chapter and I'm sorry I wasn't able to get this part a few days ago, but I had to study for a history test and if I want to keep that C or try and raise it a bit, I have GOT to get better test scores since I can't exactly retake these tests since…this IS AP History. Anyways, sorry for this late update. the fact that this was the Valentine's Day chapter was just a bit of an excuse, but the real reason…1-5-11, while walking towards the library during lunch, I fell down and sprained my writing hand's little finger and just two weeks ago, I just found out that I actually fractured a bone in my finger, but it's so small, it's not really that much of concern…just so long as I keep on a splint so it heals correctly. And aside from that, a week ago, I just went through the most depressing time of my life since apparently, in English 10A, we got to learn a lot about the Holocaust and I had to do at least five assignments involving that topic. So many depressing articles I read…so…sad! I still get goose bumps from just even remembering reading those gruesome details.

Anyways, let's move onto the notes! And BTW, on that part involving the indirect kiss…I've been waiting at least four months to write that scene! FOUR MONTHS, BABY! Ahem…moving on.

(1) That is a tradition I made up…if you want to use it, you better ask me because I went through a lot of thinking to get that made up! That…and I also screwed myself over sometimes for you guys! You have no idea how much I had to do so I could raise up three F's I had!

(2) A little joke involving the fact that if you sneeze a lot, someone might be talking about you. The part where Daichi got sick was a bit of a reference to Majo Rika from Ojamajo Doremi, which 4kids thoroughly screwed up on the English Dub. I was in Mexico (FYI, I happen to be Hispanic from both sides of my parents and I was born and raised in America…there, that's enough about me) at the time before 4kids dubbed it and I saw the Spanish dub and let me tell you, even though most of the names have been changed (except for Doremi and Hana's), that is just about it as they kept close to the original.

(3) Please excuse Daichi as he is currently suffering from a fever in that scene.

(4) Yes, for those of you who have already figured it out, Reizo implied that Daichi and Judai were about to do the deed, if you know what I mean. And if not…when a man and a woman love each other very much—okay, that's enough, I'm not going to be giving the talk or about the horizontal happy dance. Cookies to those who get which abridged series I quoted that part off! Hint: I gave a name from a series that Jaden picked to play Melee with Daitokuji.

(5) It's just something that popped into mind since Pokémon was part of another reason why I was late, a bit of a reference to Raymscreator as Misawa gave a reference to the Pokémon starter types as in how water beats fire and fire beats grass and grass beats water (which is a loop!). Anyways, this is just something…I don't really know anymore as to why I placed the note, but oh, well!

(6) Excuse that, KD had a total game geek moment that she somehow couldn't resist in typing it in. Also, VII is another reason as to why KD was late as she spent an hour looking for Yuffie in a forest fighting off monsters and the dress Jaden wore is another reference to Aerith...the very reason Sephiroth is on my kill list! Thank you for understanding, if not…oh, well!

(7) There are two ways to make chocolate, from cocoa powder, or the hard way! Since this is the Obelisk Blue girl's dorm…I kinda assume some of them are rich and they would choose making chocolate the hard way instead of the easy way as Jaden did with her backup. BTW, I made it easier for them so they only have nibs, which is what you get after roasting cocoa beans and taking off the shells…kinda a long process, but yeah! You can tell I did a lot of looking up…

(8) Okay, it may be referred to as an Alchemy deck, but it was late and I was going to change it, but nah! It grew on me and…Daitokuji dueling Jaden…another way for them to bond and the losing was to show that Jaden doesn't care much about winning as long as she has fun! And aside from that, I think I forgot what else what I was supposed to type down…

(9) There are times when those happen…don't you really hate that? Seriously, it's annoying and this a bit of humor since Jaden rarely loses and usually puts effort in all her duels, so when she ends up nearly winning only to lose, it turns out she wasn't even trying! Yeah…don't kill meh! DX

(10) You have no idea how shocked I was to know that Falkner's Japanese name is Hayato…I didn't see that coming and I am usually on the Bulbapedia and on the Pokémon FF archives looking for N/Touko…what? I like those two together! It's cute… And how Jaden knows a Gym Leader's English name when this is Japan…ignore that, she just knows that.

(11) When Daichi has a fever, he can't think right, which explains why he almost had him mind in the gutter and that my friends, is something that I might never do again…MIGHT.

(12) Ladies and Gentlemen (if there are any, which if any, please stand up XD), we have just seen one of Jaden's feminine quirks, and if anyone can remember, Jaden has very few of these, so treasure the moment since it'll probably be a while since you'll see another again.

(13) Yes, I am making a reference to Edward Elric from FMA…anyone remember how I asked if anyone was thinking of FMA when the word, "alchemy" was mentioned? When I mentioned the braid part, I ended up suddenly thinking of Edward Elric because of alchemy…and the hair. Yup! XD

(14) I somehow ended up making a bit of a Naruto reference, here, involving everyone's favorite lazy genius, Shikamaru Nara. The IQ part is where it made me realize it…

(15) Well, just about most guys in Yu-Gi-Oh do have pretty boy-looking appearances and as stated by Marik: "Foolish fools! There are no women in Yu-Gi-Oh! There are only extremely girly men! And I am the most girly of them all!"

Point taken…but I think Otogi is more girly than Marik…then again, I take that back.

(16) Okayu is a sort of rice porridge eaten in Japan and is popularly known as food served to the ill. Because it is soft and easily digestible, okayu is the first solid food fed to an infant. Thanks to my knowledge of manga (which I had to look up a certain Special A chapter…), I had to look this up because all I know is that it was a type of congee and then I had to see a recipe. There! You learn something new!

(17) And that, my friends, is me making a reference to my Pokémon Black and White fanfiction. Some of you guys who already read that chapter could tell that it has happened before when Cheren was staring at Bel in a yukata during a summer festival. If any of you are interested in reading the story, it's called Our Last Pact: A Journey of Commemoration. The first Pokémon story I actually put a LOT of thought into it since it involves cross-dressing, some angst (gasp!), and yet, I can still plug in some humor here and there. Yup! ^^

Yeah…and also, as a bit of info on me…I have just realize how close my two bandmates in Band class are like Momoe and Junko. One, they want to make me over, two, bandmate number one who sits next to me and plays the French horn (BTW, I play the saxophone) is trying to set me up with her cousin (who plays the tuba and sits behind me). Bandmate number two (who plays tenor saxophone), agrees with Bandmate number one and on Valentine's Day, Bandmate Number one tried to make her cousin my Valentine (to which we BOTH said NO) and when I said NO…let me type it out.

KD: "NO!"

Bandmate #1: "C'mon! I want you to be my cousin!"

KD: O_O

Yes, I know…awkward…FYI, she says that if she ever finds me at the college she's going…that's if I ever end up in the same college as hers…she will stop at nothing to get me drunk. Oi, I have weird bandmates…meh, I love them so, still! In Band, we're exactly like family! As quoted by my band teacher, who sometimes calls us names, but he will usually say, "…and I mean it with love" afterwards! Best band teacher ever! Anyways, aside from that, KD out! Bye and till next time! ^^