"You are Katsuya Jonouchi, eighteen, age of secondary-school graduation approximately six months ago, attended Domino City High School, Domino City, Tokyo, Japan. You are, according to Coach Takahashi and President [unintelligible], a runner-up at Duelist Kingdom, a tournament that was organized by the late Pegasus J. Crawford, creator of Duel Monsters. You are also, as it appears, to be a semi-finalist at Battle City, a tournament hosted by KaibaCorp." The top page is removed and brought around neatly to the bottom of the sheaf, at intervals. "Coach Takahashi informs our offices that he holds these tournaments and achievements in high regard."
Jonouchi stood in the meeting room, his heart pounding erratically against the walls of his chest, palms slightly sweaty as he tried to keep them steady, maintaining this façade of cool and collected, but oh man, his nerves were on edge, and he could feel it, the weight of the moment pressing down on him, squeezing his confidence like a python, tighter and tighter, suffocating, constricting, and he was doing his best to breathe normally, to act like he belonged here, like he deserved to be here, like he had a shot at entering the World Championship Series, but it was tough, really tough, because he couldn't shake the feeling that he was way out of his league, that he was just a small-time Duelist from Domino City, nothing compared to the pros he'd be facing, and he knew, he just knew deep down that they would see right through him, that they would laugh and mock him for even thinking he could make it in their world, in their elite circles, and he'd be exposed as the amateur he truly was, and oh, how he wished he could escape, just turn and run out of that meeting room, out of this whole situation, but he couldn't, he had to stay, had to pretend, had to put on this act, because he didn't want to let down his friends, and most of all, he didn't want to let himself down, but it was hard, so damn hard, and he felt like he was suffocating, like the walls were closing in on him, like he was trapped in this nightmare, and he was just trying to hold it together, trying to keep his voice steady as he spoke, as he tried to convince the tournament organizers that he was worthy, that he had what it took, that he was more than just some no-name Duelist, but the words felt like they were slipping away, like his tongue was tangled in knots, and he stumbled over his sentences, repeating himself, stumbling over his words, and he could feel the eyes on him, the judgment, the skepticism, and it was overwhelming, suffocating, and he just wanted to disappear, to vanish into thin air, but he couldn't, he had to stay, had to keep going, had to keep trying, even as his confidence crumbled, even as he felt like he was falling apart, he had to keep going, because he had come this far, because he had a dream, and he couldn't give up on it now, not when he had come this far, not when he had worked so hard, not when he had the support of his friends and family, and so he took a deep breath, steadying himself, trying to find his footing, trying to push through the fear and the doubt and the self-doubt, and he spoke again, his voice shaky but determined, because he wasn't going to let his nerves get the better of him, he wasn't going to let fear hold him back, not anymore, because he was Katsuya Jonouchi, and he was here to prove himself, to show the world what he was made of, to take on the best Duelists in the world and show them that he belonged, that he was a force to be reckoned with, and he wasn't going to back down, not now, not ever, because he had a dream, and he was going to chase it, with all the passion and fire in his heart, no matter how scary or daunting or impossible it seemed, because that's what true Duelists do, they face their fears head-on, they push through the doubt and the uncertainty, and they never, ever give up.
"Yet," the man with rectangle glasses said, "the last tournament you took part in was a locals tournament in which you only managed to reach top sixteen. It is our opinion that the only reason you progressed so far in Duelist Kingdom and at Battle City is due to the closed nature and small selected pool of Duelists that partook in those events. The World Championship Series features elite Duelists not just from Japan, but the entire world. Are you aware of this? Are you currently sponsored by anyone?"
"No," Jonouchi said.
"Your biggest win seems to have been against the former United States Duel Monsters champion, the late Keith Howard."
"A Keith Howard that was suffering from a mental breakdown due to his humiliating defeat at the hands of the late Pegasus J. Crawford, need I remind you?" a voice emerged from the shadows.
"The late Keith Howard's mental state cannot be stated for certain. Nevertheless, a win over that caliber of an opponent at least adds some merit to Mr. Jonouchi's achievements. However small that may be will be decided later."
"Are we seriously considering letting this delinquent enter the World Championship Series? His victories seem to be more attributed to a string of good luck than actual skills with a Deck. It'll be amazing if he managed to win a single Duel. Need I remind you, Mr. Chairman, that he has no sponsor. No one thinks this young man is worth the investment!"
"Hey! I'm standin' right here, alright? No need to kick things off with the name callin'. Show a little respect," Jonouchi said.
"Need I remind the applicant to speak only when asked?"
"Listen up, ain't no way I'm just standin' here and lettin' someone disrespect me like that, no freakin' way! If I gotta prove myself, I'm ready to take on any Duelist you throw my way. Bring 'em on! My whole Duelin' career has been about showin' I got what it takes against tougher opponents, and I'm ready to show all y'all that I ain't backin' down. I'm gonna stand tall in that World Championship Series, you can bet on it!"
"The council at this time has decided to reject the Duelist's application into the World Championship Series. You have no provable track record to make us think you're ready to enter such a top tier tournament. And your sudden outbursts makes it obvious you lack self-control. We can't risk having the good name of the WCS tarnished by some delinquent with a chip on his shoulder. Perhaps you can stop trying to skip the process and start at the local league. We wish you best in all your future endeavors."