Chapter 26
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
"It's the end of classes! Let's go play basketball!"
"Yeah, we should call the girls too!"
"Hey, Yugi?! Instead of playing by yourself, you should come with us to play basketball!" Says one of the students.
Yugi Muto, a young boy with spiky, six-pointed star-shaped hair, black at the bottom, purple at the ends and several blond locks. The iris of his eyes is violet. He wears a blue jacket and jeans with a black T-shirt. He is sitting alone, playing a new board game. I occasionally play with him.
"Uhm... I don't mind. But with me, the team risks losing.." Said Yugi with an awkward smile.
He's a rather defeatist boy, except when it comes to board games, which is why I like to play with him, sometimes we play some really good games. Anyway, I don't really have time right now, so I'm leaving the classroom.
In front of the entrance gate, I see Fuji-nee panicking, looking into her bag as if she'd been robbed without noticing.
"What's happening to you Fuji-nee?" I ask, approaching her.
"Oh Senji, my savior!" She hands me some keys. "Can you please get the photocopies I forgot in drawer 3?"
"And why don't you go and get the photocopies you forgot?" I ask, mocking her.
"No! It's such a shame! Can you do your big sister a favor?" She flashes me her kitten eyes.
(Damn it, she knows I can't say no to her with this face...)
"Okay, I'll do it, drawer 3 right?" I take the keys.
"That's right, thanks sweetie!"
"You know you can say no to her?" Inaho said with a mocking smile.
"Please don't make it any harder..." I answer her without looking at her.
(And asking one of his students to fix your mistakes isn't shameful?).
As I approach, I see a very worried young woman looking in the direction of our classroom.
"Everything okay Anzu?" I ask her.
"Ah! Senji you scared me!"
Mazaki Anzu has medium-length brown hair and blue eyes, a pink jacket with a black skirt, and a blue bow tie.
"Sorry about that, at the same time, you look pretty tense to me."
"Well, I can't help worrying about Yugi..." she said, looking toward our classroom window.
"You two still aren't dating?"
"What?! No! It's nothing to do with that!" She's as red as a tomato.
"Okay. Ah yes, I'm going up to the classroom, do you want to come with me, I'm just saying."
"Yes! I'm following you!" She gets up immediately.
Not far from the classroom, we hear several people arguing.
"Please, give back my box..." It's Yugi's voice, he sounds depressed.
"I don't feel like it!" Says a dark-haired guy.
We approach the door and look through the window pane to see what's going on. Yugi is being harassed by two guys much taller than him. Anzu wants to act immediately, but I stop her, signaling her to wait for the right moment.
"And what's in it?" The other blond man with him holds up a box, probably Yugi's.
"I don't mind, but please don't lose it! It's a very precious thing!" Yugi grows anxious.
He opens it to see what's inside. It's time, I open the door and walk over to the dark-haired man.
"This thing sucks. Here Honda catch! " The blond throws the box toward the brunette, ready to receive.
But I push the guy, making him lose his balance, and grab the box.
"What are you morons playing at? If you're not interested, give it back to Yugi." I look at the guy on the floor like shit.
"Senji!" Both are surprised to see me.
"You can't be serious! Bullying a defenseless boy really sucks! Get lost!" Anzu raises her voice.
"What are you two meddling with?!"
"You'll pay for that one day Senji!"
The two of them take off running, like the cowards they are.
"Here you go." I place the box on his desk.
"It's very important to you, isn't it?" Anzu asks.
"Thank you Anzu and Senji! I'm blown away, one word from Anzu and one look from Senji and they ran away!"
"If you let them, they're the type to get a big head! That's why if you have to take your cue from anyone, it's Senji!" What's Anzu saying.
"I don't see the connection." I reply, my face deadpan.
"Yugi, you have to learn to defend yourself! Senji, you should teach him something!" She points at me.
"Only if it's from him. Now stop pointing your fingers at me, will you?"
"Fufufu, I'm kidding. But, tell me Yugi, what's that box?"
I become curious too, having felt a slight aura coming from the box when I had it in my hands. It's a golden box, with old Egyptian writing all over it and an eye on the front.
"Didn't I show it to any of you before? I'll show it to you if you keep it a secret."
"Yes yes!" Anzu stares at the box with an intense gaze.
Yugi opens the box, and there are pieces in all sorts of strange geometric shapes.
"Wahh, it's pretty! Parts for a machine? It's got lots of golden highlights... but it's all mixed up inside..." Anzu is already taking out the contents of the box.
"It's a puzzle! I haven't finished it yet, so I don't know what it's going to look like. In fact, it's something that's visible but has never been seen!" Yugi explains.
(A puzzle... Ddraig, do you happen to know what this is? I've got a bad feeling about the pieces...)
"Hmmm, what I can assure you is that it's very old, the age of the Pharaohs I'd say. As for the aura you feel, I think it's just remnants of ancient magic on the pieces, nothing to panic about. On the other hand, I think there's a piece missing, probably one of the idiots who swiped it."
(Okay, I see. Thank you.)
"Yugi, can I take a closer look?" I ask.
"Yes, of course! Here!" He hands me a piece.
It's pure gold, no doubt about it, and yet the weight is ridiculously light.
"At home, we're toy merchants. We sell lots of rare toys from all over the world. I found it abandoned a long time ago, covered in dust in a store cupboard. It's a memento of my grandfather, and it means a lot to me."
Anzu looks shocked and then puts on a sad face.
"You know, this puzzle was discovered in Egyptian ruins!" Yugi can't stop talking about subjects he loves.
"In Egypt..." We're starting to lose Anzu.
"Look, see, there's lots of weird writing." Senji points to the hieroglyphics on the box.
"I think I can guess what it's about..." Anzu tries to stay interested
"I think it's written that whoever solves the riddle of this puzzle will have their wish granted. That must be it!" He said dreamily.
"I'm not sure about the translation, but something tells me it's not really that."
(Hmmm, if I remember correctly, ancient Egypt had some strange customs, didn't they? Maybe that's why there are still traces of magic on this puzzle).
I put the piece back in the box, growing more and more suspicious.
"Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that Anzu? Are you making fun of me? You know, you're the only one with Senji who knows. So don't tell anyone! We have to keep this secret!"
"Yes, yes, I promise!" She crosses her arms and lifts her chin.
"Same to you Senji!"
"No problem, mute as a grave. By the way, how far along is it in its completion?"
"This puzzle is really complicated... I've been trying to put it together for eight years! Sometimes I get discouraged..."
"Go Yugi! Come on! You have to make your wish come true, don't you?" Anzu winks at him.
"Yes, I'll do my best!" That's a direct morale booster.
"And what is that exactly? This wish?" Anzu asks.
"No no... that's really my secret! A mega ultra hermetic secret! Like secret defense!"
I remember why I came in the first pl ace. I open the drawer to see all the photocopies of the future test. I put them in my bag quickly as I see the two approaching.
"What are you doing?" Yugi asks.
"Fujimura-sensei asked me to take some photocopies that she forgot." I explain simply, closing the drawer.
"She's a real airhead, isn't she?" Anzu scoffs.
We leave the classroom and I finally give the sheets to Fuji-nee. I head for the exit accompanied by Yugi.
"We've got all afternoon! What are you going to do Senji?"
"I think I'll go for a swim at the beach." All Might wants me to swim again, he'll end up killing me swimming in icy water.
"You're very brave, with the water so cold." He said with a worried tone.
"What about you?"
"I'm going home, I've got to finish this puzzle!"
"Anzu really motivated you from what I can see."
"What? No, it's nothing like that!"
"Yugi..? Is that you?" A voice calls out to him.
"Yes?"
We turn around to see a very tall guy with black hair. I can see he has a armband on his right arm but I don't recognize the club.
"My name is Ushio, I'm a member of the morality committee. I have a question to ask you."
Ah, now I understand why I didn't recognize him, he's a clown from this club, who thinks he's doing a better job than Maken-ki, when all he's doing is picking up the crumbs.
"There are students in your class who are bothering you, aren't there?"
"Uh, no. That's never happened to me."
"Just a minute! I knew you were going to say that! I've already investigated!" He puts his hand on Yugi's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm here! From today, I'll personally see to it that nothing happens to you!"
Yugi doesn't know what to do, and gives me a look that begs for help. I pull Yugi towards me, putting him behind me.
"Yugi doesn't need any help, he can manage very well on his own, and besides, I'm in the same class as him, so he doesn't need your so-called help." I glare at Ushio.
"Senji Emiya, member of the Maken-ki... you dare to provoke me? While you're supposed to keep the peace between the students, your club is a vast joke far too old to be funny, going to have to make way for the morality committee member, willingly or unwillingly..."
His provocation doesn't affect me, knowing the character well, he plays the big bully against weaker than him, but when it's people of my ilk, he bows his head. He plays the tough guy because he's got his armband, otherwise he'd have left a long time ago.
"Um... I assure you there's nothing... So, let's go Senji. Thanks anyway..." Feeling the tension rising, Yugi pulls on my jacket.
Not wanting to cause Yugi any more harm, I stop here and follow him, leaving the other acorn to enjoy his 'victory', with his satisfied smile...
"what exactly did he want?" asks Yugi, looking behind him.
"Don't worry about it, though, if he comes back to you, let me know right away, okay?" I hope I'm wrong, but I think Ushio has targeted Yugi.
"Okay, got it. Curious guy..."
"It's me!" We arrive in front of Yugi's house.
As he explained to me earlier, he lives in a game store.
"Yugi! Senji!" We hear Anzu's voice behind us.
"What are you doing here Anzu? Did you come to visit your boyfriend?" I ask.
"Senji! Don't say that!" Yugi is red as a tomato.
"Indeed I came to see him to help him with his puzzle, nothing more!" Anzu is just as red.
"Hello!" It's Yugi's grandfather, the store owner, who greets us; they looks very much alike, apart from wrinkles and gray hair.
"Kyaaaaa!" Anzu seems to have seen a ghost.
"What's the matter with you?! What's the big deal with you screaming like that?!" Muto asks Yugi's friend.
"Yugi! Can you explain?! You were telling me about a memory of your grandfather?!" Anzu is red with embarrassment.
"Ah yes, it's meant to be one day!" Yugi replies quite innocently.
"I ain't dead yet! By the way, Anzu, it's been a while ! you've grown... especially in the chest area! Hmm, almost 85B!"
"Er..." Anzu is terribly uncomfortable.
(Well, he reminds me of someone...)
"And who are you young man?" The old man turns to me.
"Senji Emiya, nice to meet you." I shake his hand.
"Likewise, so you're the strong young man Yugi told me about, thanks for being his friend."
"Anzu, come to my room, we have to finish the puzzle! Grandpa, can you make us some tea?" Yugi is already starting to climb the stairs.
"What do you mean, Yugi? You still haven't given up on that puzzle?" Asks his grandfather.
"There's no way I'm giving up..."
"This thousand-year-old puzzle is beyond human knowledge! You're too stupid to understand. Besides, it's loaded with history..."
"History?" I ask, curious, as Anzu grows less and less comfortable.
"The puzzle was discovered at the beginning of this century. British crown archaeologists discovered it in a pharaoh's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. However, overcome by a mysterious death, all the archaeologists disappeared after their discovery... The last survivor gave up the ghost on this final word... "The Game of Darkness"..."
"Yugi, this puzzle sucks..." Anzu is not reassured by the old man's words.
"What's the dark game? I'd like to know!" Yugi is even more excited.
"The following text is engraved on the box... "he who binds himself to us, will have knowledge and dark power"..." Can the old man read hieroglyphics?
"If I were you I'd worry more about that box, it all doesn't sound like good news." Ddraig is also on his guard.
"That's right, my wishes will be granted! It's absolutely insane! I must finish it at all costs." Yugi doesn't see it that way.
"Give it back to me, I'll get a good price for it!" Muto runs after his grandson.
"No, you just want to make money!"
"Give it to me!"
"No it's the memory of my grandfather!"
"I'm not dead yet you moron!"
Beside me, I can hear Anzu sigh in exasperation.
"What do you think Senji?"
"I don't really know, but that's not for me to decide, it's for Yugi to see for himself."
"What's he going to get himself into..."
I receive a message from All Might, signalling the end of my visit to Yugi's house.
"In any case, I've got to go, see you tomorrow Anzu, and watch out for yourself with those two." I open the front door.
"Don't worry I've got it under control, at least I hope I do. See you tomorrow!"
I slip away and run down to the beach, not quite reassured by having to swim when it's so cold outside.
When I arrive at the beach, I see All Might in his heroic form, in a one-piece swimsuit, horizontally striped in black and white.
"Ah there you are young Emiya, I've put my feet in the water and don't worry it's not as cold as last time. Go get changed and go dominate that sea!"
When I dip my feet in water, it's as if I'd been covered in snow while naked.
(How can he tell the difference?)
And so I swim, fighting the current and the waves. I struggle in the water for who knows how long, losing all sense of time.
Then, when I can no longer feel the extremities of my body, I stop, catching my breath. I watch All Might surrounded by fans. He takes the opportunity to take photos and sign autographs. I breathe in one last time before I start swimming again.
Thursday, December 15, 2022.
It's lunchtime, and everyone has left, leaving just a few people, including Yugi and me, to eat together. But he often stops eating to yawn, almost breaking his jaw every time.
"Well, did you spend the whole night with Anzu?" I ask.
"Ah! No she left quite early, she's slightly afraid of my grandfather, which I can understand... mmhouaah... Sorry but yes indeed I'm sleepy, I haven't slept much because of this puzzle..."
"Yes, that's the puzzle I was talking about. What exactly were you thinking?"
"Honestly sometimes I don't know if you're joking or serious..."
Someone opens the door violently and enters. It's the other moron from the morality committee.
"Yugi! Got a moment?" He asks, pointing behind him.
"Um..." He looks at me, uncertain.
I stand up and approach Ushio, putting on my Maken-ki armband.
"If he comes I'll go with him, I hope you don't mind."
"Tsss, you'd better mind your own business."
"You decide, Yugi." I turn to Yugi, completely ignoring Ushio.
"I'm coming!" Yugi leaps to his feet, determined.
Ushio takes us behind the building, normally we're not allowed.
"What do you want to show me?" Yugi asks.
I stay behind them, ready to act if Ushio becomes agitated.
"You'll see. I'm sure you'll like it..." Ushio laughs cynically.
Passing the corner of the building, we see Junoichi and Honda, the two people who harassed Yugi yesterday, sitting against the wall, completely beaten.
"Hey hey... Yugi, look at this show!" Ushio points at his two victims, proud of himself.
"Aaah! Jonouchi! Honda ! What the hell?!" Yugi is horrified.
"Yugi, I warned you, I promised you my protection! That's why I took the liberty of punishing them! That bunch of scoundrels!" Ushio maintains a truly annoying smile.
"But Ushio this is too cruel!" Yugi turns to the two injured men. "Jonouchi, are you all right?! Honda!"
"Yugi... is this it? Did you please yourself?" Jonouchi speaks with difficulty, his face swollen from the beating.
"You're wrong! I never asked for anyone to do this to you!"
"Yugi get lost! The punishment isn't over yet!" Ushio pushes Yugi.
I catch him before he falls. Ushio approaches Jonouchi and kicks him in the stomach. Yugi immediately moves in and confronts Ushio.
"Stop it!" He protects the two guys behind him.
"How about that? Are you planning to cover up for this scum? You're so weird. Enjoy it, it's time to get your revenge, let off some steam!"
"I can't hurt my friends!"
I can see a twinkle in Junoichi's eye thanks to Yugi's words.
"Ha ha ha, you're such a naive boy. You say they're friends? Are you kidding me? Those guys were bothering you yesterday!"
"'Tis not true... They wanted me to be a man..."
"Whatever, on the other hand Yugi, you have to pay me what you owe me! 200,000 yen for offering you my protection!" His small, satisfied smile widened.
"How?! 200,000 yen?!" Yugi can't believe it.
"Hey... for 200,000 yen, you can take it out on them all you want. You can finally clear your conscience, I think it's pretty cheap."
Yugi remains silent.
"I see, you want me to smash them up even more, just to make you happy?"
"I don't want you to keep beating them! You can take it out on me, if you feel like it!" I can see that Jonouchi can't believe what Yugi is saying.
"Decidedly, you're really stupid, okay, it's up to you. I don't like mistreating people, I prefer prevention! I'll give you a taste of what awaits you if you refuse to pay!" Ushio rushed to hit him.
I stand in front of Yugi and stop Ushio's fist with ease. I can see in his eyes that he's surprised and that I've shattered his self-esteem a little.
"That's enough, your delusion stops here."
I push him away, letting him know that I'm no longer a spectator of his ridiculous show.
"What did I tell you, mind your own business, you little brat... Are you really going to pick on someone bigger and older than you?"
"I've seen bigger ones than you. I'll say it again, you're a pain in the ass, you inspire no fear in me, only disgust."
He's furious, jumps on me, trying to grab me, but I dodge every time and push him away, then fed up, I grab him by the collar and make him do a judo hold, turning him over completely, to smash him to the ground.
He struggles to his feet, then pulls a knife from his pocket.
"Do you know that in the rules, it's written in black and white that if a power user attacks someone without, he'll be punished and excluded?! And you call yourself a student advocate, Maken-ki?!"
"You're blind or something, I didn't use any power and I don't need it against you." I get into position, ready to counter his attack.
It's the first time I've seen someone so red with anger. He charges at me, knife in front. I wait until the last moment to step aside, letting the knife come forward beside me. I grab his grip and yank the knife out of his hand, then push him back violently, knocking him to the ground.
I approach and drop the knife close to his private parts.
"This time you've gone too far. At midnight, in the schoolyard, I'm going to explain to you in my own way all the mistakes you've made, so don't expect any mercy. And you'd better bring your face, because I'm recording everything right now. So either you get expelled for abuse of power and aggravated violence, or we settle this between us, and I'll prove to you that Maken-ki doesn't need clowns like you in this school, is that clear?"
He nods, shocked.
"Now get lost."
He gets up quickly and runs. I take a deep sigh to calm myself. Suddenly I feel someone grab me. It's Yugi, with tears in his eyes.
"Senji, are you all right? I was so terrified, not one of my limbs wanted to move! I'm so sorry!"
"You have nothing to apologize for at last, I'm a member of the Maken-ki you know? It's my job to step in when things get tough."
He nodded as he wiped the tears from his eyes. I walk over to the two wounded men and crouch down to their level.
"Can you stand up and walk?"
"I'll try..." Jonouchi said.
"I honestly don't know..." Honda is less optimistic.
I pull out my phone and call another member of my club.
"Kengo? Yes, I need your help, I found two guys behind the first-year building, they're completely beaten up. Yes, yes, they don't remember who attacked them, or they were masked, they don't really know. Okay, see you in a bit."
I can see surprise on their faces.
"What just happened stays between us, I'll sort it out myself. So just follow what I said or I'll be in trouble too, okay?"
Later that evening, just before going out, I inspect the first-year building one last time. Strangely enough, I can feel the aura of the "lost" piece of Yugi's puzzle.
It's when I approach a rectangle of water, used as decoration between two buildings, that I feel that strange aura even more.
I open the bay window and approach the water's edge. There it is, at the bottom of the water, glistening with a thousand lights.
Without hesitation I dived in and quickly retrieved the coin and returned just as quickly.
Completely soaked, I turn to my left, seeing Jonouchi, his face covered in bandages.
"How are you feeling?" I ask him.
"Much better, thanks to you." He answers weakly, he must feel guilty towards Yugi.
"You threw it away, didn't you?"
"Yes."
I take one last look at the eye-like piece, then throw it towards Junouchi, who catches it straight away.
"Then do what you have to do, if you've understood your mistake, then I have nothing more to say to you." I start to leave.
"Wait, I want to thank you too, you really saved our asses back there. so thank you." He bows his head.
"Do you have a short memory? I'm a member of Maken-ki, I only did what had to be done. On that note, have a nice evening." I take one last salute and leave.
It's midnight, I'm sitting on a bench waiting for Ushio to arrive, and the longer I wait, the more I get the impression that he's slipped away.
(I think I overdid it this afternoon...)
"You definitely overdid it, but it was cool."
Footsteps are heard, someone is coming. I stand up and face him at last. Ushio has arrived, covered in a large black jacket. He tries to hide his fear as best he can, but I can feel it.
"I really thought you'd backed out, you know?"
"Speak for yourself, you coward."
"Hmm? I've smashed you fair and square, I don't see why we have to go back on it."
"Bastard, if word gets out that I've been beaten up by someone younger than me, no one will take the morality committee seriously!"
"Oh I reassure you, nobody takes your ridiculous club seriously already. You'll have to accept it sooner or later."
"What?!"
"Don't play hard to get with me, you've seen it's useless. Anyway, your reign of terror towards non-power users ends here. We can play it straight, you stop your bullshit, shut your shitty club and get forgotten. Or I'll show you a second time how much more insignificant you are than you think."
"It won't have to come to that Senji." A sudden voice comes from behind me.
I turn to see Yugi. No, it's Yugi's appearance, but something has changed, it's as if someone has taken control of his body. It's not the same voice, and there's energy emanating from him now, even though he's supposed to be powerless. He's completed the puzzle, and it's around his neck, hanging down his torso.
"Will you let me? Of course you'll arrest us if things get out of hand..." Yugi walks past me and faces Ushio.
"What do you want microbe?" Ushio asks.
"You told me I owed you money, didn't you?"
Yugi pulls out a wad of bills from his pocket, but it's much more than 200,000 yen.
"He's here, there's double, 400,000 yen..."
"400,000 yen!" Ushio now sees only the money in Yugi's hands.
"Watch yourself, you won't get that money so easily. Here's my proposal. How about we play a game?"
The more I look at him, the more I see another Yugi. There's no doubt about it, this confidence and nonchalance is not Yugi. There was something dangerous in that puzzle, and having completed it, he set it free and let himself be possessed. But I decide to just observe, preferring to assess the situation as much as possible rather than act too quickly and make matters worse.
"A game?!" Ushio is surprised by Yugi's proposal.
"Yes, and not just any game, the game of darkness! If you win, you pocket double! What do you think? Not bad, eh?"
(Hmm... the way his grandfather talked about it was not reassuring, I leave it or...?)
"Funny." Ushio isn't aware of what he's getting into.
"For this game, I need an instrument. The knife you hide in your jacket will do!"
Ushio takes the knife out of his jacket, very happy with what's happening.
"Senji, can you also create a knife for me and look for a table so we can play, please?"
I do as I'm told, fetching a small table from the canteen. I place it between the two of them, project a knife and hold it out towards Yugi. But before he can take it, I retract my arm.
"I can trust you, right?"
"Of course, if things get out of hand, you'll step in."
I give him the knife and stand between them, watching the game progress.
"Same on your end Ushio, no bullshit is it clear?"
"Just shut up and watch."
Having gone around both players, Yugi lays down a wad of 200,000 yen and places the other half in front of Ushio.
"Okay, everything's ready!"
"Wait, what's the plan?" Ushio is becoming less and less confident.
"I'll explain the rules! You have to put the money on your hand and stick the knife in it! The player retrieves the bills he's pierced with the knife, we're obliged to catch at least one each time! The game must go on until the last bill is reached! The aim is to get as many as possible! Whoever tries to catch one by hand, or quits the game in progress, gives the money to the winner. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?"
"Ha ha ha ha... Just a question of courage..." Ushio tries to remain impassive, but we can see very clearly with Yugi, that he's getting weaker.
"On the other hand, if any of us cheat, we'll be entitled to the game of fate's punishment!" Yugi gives the last rule, before equipping himself with the knife.
"Kruu... funny... Shall we get started?" Ushio grows impatient.
"Okay, Senji, please choose who goes first." Yugi asks me.
"Hmmm, how about a stone leaf scissor?"
Both perform and Yugi wins, having chosen leaf.
"Lost! I'll start."
Yugi places the tip of the blade on the wad of bills. After a few seconds' hesitation, Yugi thrusts the blade into the bills, recovering a few.
"Hmm... barely ten tickets, yet I feel like I've put all my strength into it... Now it's your turn!"
Ushio places the bills on the palm of his hand and points the blade above them.
"Mmh..." He's petrified, sweating.
"If you're too greedy... plortch in the hand! The key to this game is to control your cravings!" Yugi explains to Ushio
"Will you shut up?!" Ushio snaps, being pressured. "Urrrm..."
That's it, he plunges the blade into the bills, then withdraws, recovering more bills than Yugi.
"Hey! Aha ha! Did you see that?! Over 100,000 yen! And not a scratch! I should have forced it a little more!"
"Well done! But for the next round, it's going to be harder..."
Yugi threw himself a second time, without any hesitation, recovering more banknotes than the last, leaving only a few on his palm.
"You're almost out of money! The game's almost over!" Ushio rejoices rather quickly.
He points the blade at his palm, ready to take his turn.
"All the money is for me! Ha ha!"
But he froze, his smiling face turning into a terrified one, as if he no longer controlled his own hand.
"Mmrh... Uhm... But..."
"Hmmm, if I remember correctly, the game of darkness reveals a person's true nature. So it's quite possible that this brat's desires have taken control of his hand."
(Are you telling me he'll sacrifice his hand for money?)
I look at Yugi, who remains impassive, surely he knows exactly what's going on.
"I have a very simple answer!" To our surprise, Ushio regains control. "Even if I lower my right hand, I've got a way to get the money back without hurting myself! Die Yugi!" He brings his blade straight down on Yugi's head.
I intervene immediately, grabbing his wrist and pressing hard to make him drop his weapon, then elbowing him in the ribs, making him fall to the ground, gasping for breath.
"Thank you Senji." Yugi approaches the loser. "Ushio, I see you haven't managed to play by the rules!" A golden eye appears on his forehead. "You're causing problems for Senji, hurting my friends, you even tried to take my money!" He points at Ushio, the golden eye intensifying. "The game of destiny's sanction!"
The eye on his forehead widened and darted towards Ushio, who disappeared when it made contact. Then Ushio starts acting strangely.
"Ah... Wouah.. That's money... Aah ha ha! Money ! money money ! Money everywhere! Magnificent! I'm the king! Pennies!"
"What the... An illusion spell?" I watch Ushio flail around, catching invisible things.
"They say money makes you blind, so his eyes will see only his own illusions!" Yugi explains.
"Yeees! money! Aha ha ha!"
"Hey hey, it's a pretty happy ending for this big greedy guy! But I'm keeping the real bills."
"How long will it last?"
"I don't know, it all depends on him. On the other hand, Senji, what happened here stays between us, do we agree?"
I turn my gaze to Yugi, but the look that pierces me is not his... It's very strange, I have the impression that this person watching me is someone very important, very powerful.
"Okay, no problem." But I'd rather do nothing for now, he hasn't been a direct threat, so I can still wait.
"Very well, then I'll see you tomorrow, my friend." Yugi leaves, disappearing into the dark of night.
Friday, December 16, 2022.
"Hey, did you see that?"
"Curious!"
"What's wrong with that boy?"
"Yoyoooh money! All that money to myself! I wouldn't share!"
"I'm afraid he takes these leaves for money!"
"He doesn't just play with leaves, he also plays with garbage! Yuck!"
"Yet he looks happy!"
I watch the scene from a distance. Ushio is surrounded by leaves and other garbage thrown to the ground, mistaking them for banknotes, with drool dripping from his wide-open mouth.
"Pouahh Hello Senji!" Yugi comes to me, yawning.
"Hello Yugi. Didn't sleep well?"
"Uhmm, I can't remember what I did after I finished the puzzle... Yes! The puzzle! I finally finished it! I'm glad!" Indeed, the puzzle didn't move.
"Wow that's really pretty! I can touch it!" Inaho asks.
"Of course Inaho! Here!" Yugi is really in a good mood.
"Hey, Yugi..." Jonouchi calls out to him, leaning against the wall in front of us.
"Jonouchi! Have you recovered from your blows?" Yugi asks.
"Is this about yesterday's call?" Inaho asks me in a whisper.
"Pretty much yes."
"Yes, no problem! I need more!" He said, even though he could barely stand up. "I've decided to do like you, I've adopted a treasure too! Want to see it?"
"I'd like to."
"Ha ha sorry, mine is "visible, but not perceptible" I can't show you!" He winks at Yugi and me.
Yugi doesn't seem to have understood.
"It's my friendship! You and I can see each other. But friendship is invisible!" Junouchi said with a cool look.
"Yes!" Yugi's eyes widened, happy at the words.
"See ya I've got to get to class!" Then Jonouchi runs off, embarrassed by what he's just said, forgetting his shoe on the way.
"Hey wait! You lost a shoe!" Yugi runs after him.
"Hi hi, that's really cute!" laughs Inaho.
(Hmmm, that was a really cliché sentence, but good for Yugi.)
Good evening everyone, thank you for reading this chapter! So, I know last week I said I wanted to go back to shorter chapters, but I guess I can't help myself. Well, I think everyone knows the story Senji's getting into. I promise it'll be epic, and I'll do my best to make it so. Anyway, see you next week.