I walked through the cold streets of Downtown Neo city. After the duel Takashi wanted us to meet at Meimei's restaurant- Golden Bamboo.

The streets seemed to meld together as I walked through them. Each building was like a troff in the way they appeared to me. It seemed like they all looked the same to me, regardless of their color or shape. I think maybe dueling with julia has desensitized the world to me. Is that the effect of dueling or is that just my mind? I walked down the street until I saw the restaurant. Looking at the restaurants storefront, The bamboo leaves, The golden letters that spelt out its name and the swinging doors that creeked when you opened them. It was all nostalgic in a way.

Cael: *sigh*

I sighed and walked in.

Meimei: CAEL!

Immediately as I entered; I felt the killer grip of a meimei's arms around my chest. It was like a bear hug…. Something only my mother would give me.

Meimei: Aiya Cael…..! I saw everything on television. You were awe-some!

She exclaimed.

Meimei: Summoning all those monsters, fighting those scary insects and defeating that wench!

Meimei: Although I do admit… I was a bit jealous watching that julia-floozy flirt with you

Meimei pouted

Meimei: Aiya! It doesn't matter though! You only have eyes for me…. Right?

Cael: Yeah. Sure. Whatever.

I pushed her away and walked into the corner. As I did so, I heard meimei mutter something to herself.

Meimei: One day cael, you will be mine…

I walked to the back of the restaurant where my friends usually sat. Lo and behold they were all there. Taka, Rhaja, Ali and Yubie were sitting in the booth. They all were eating and laughing

Taka: Ah, There's our little semi-finalist.

Taka said.

Cael: Heh, Don't flatter me. I barely won.

I said as I sat down.

Taka: Gee cael, That duel kept me on the edge of my seat. I was sure that you'd lose after she summoned Inzektor exa-beetle.

Cael: Well,To be fair-

Taka: Then again, I wasn't to confident you could win against julia in the first place.

Cael: (-And he's back to insulting me. That didn't take long.)

Ali: Oh taka please. Cael tried his best and he won! Lets celebrate.

Ali exclaimed.

Yubie: Hmph. I'm not going to lie. Your victory pleasantly surprised me, peasant.

Cael: Thanks…. I guess? You could be more coarse about it.

Rhaja: … Congratulations… Cael…..

Rhaja smiled at me.

Cael: See yubie? That's how you congratulate someone. Plain and simple.

Yubie: Hmph.

Taka: Anyway, Let's rejoice that the worst case scenario did not come true.

Cael: -And what was that again?

Taka: That one of you might have to duel each other.

Ah yes. I remember taka talking about this last time. He was worried about one of us being pitted in a match against the other, meaning that at least one of us would lose this round which would put our plan in jeopardy.

Taka: -But it looks like we got lucky this time.

Ali: Yup! Cael got Julia, Ohsaka got Neville and Yubie got Pocah.

Rhaja: …..But….. If you all win…. You'll have to duel each other in the semi-finals.

Rhaja brought up a good point.

Taka: Eh, We'll deal with that bridge when we come to it.

Cael: (Weren't you just dooming about it a day ago?)

Taka: For now let's just celebrate.

Cael: (hypocrite…)

I thought and laid back.

Ali: By the way, Where's ohsaka?

Cael: I don't know…. I last saw her in one of the stadium's hallways.

Yubie: That demon-witch is probably summoning a succubus.

Ohsaka: Actually I'm right here.

We turned around and saw ohsaka walking towards us from the entrance.

Ohsaka: -Also, a succubus? Gross.

She snarked and sat down right next to me.

Cael: Well now that the whole gangs here, I think we should discuss what's going to happen tomorrow.

Rhaja: Thinking about the future….. Scares me.

Taka: I get yeah rhaja, Yubie and ohsaka will be facing their opponents tomorrow.

Rhaja: I was talking about in general but… ok.

Rhaja Muttered.

Cael: Neville and Pocah right? How fortuitous.

Ohsaka: Heh, How so?

Cael: Well Ohsaka, you'll be dueling neville in the next round and we barely know anything about him.

Ohsaka: It's no worry to me.

Cael: Hm?

Ohsaka: Did you forget? I'm a champion. I've won several tournaments and matches.

Ohsaka: While your match was underway, I checked neville's dueling record and previous matches. He's pretty average.

Rhaja: ….. He can't be that average…. if he's gotten this far.

Rhaja exclaimed.

Taka: Plus, I think we've all underestimated our opponents on our way here.

Cael: Yeah…..

We all were silent after taka's statement.

Yubi: Well, I'm not worried!

Yubie: My battle with Pocah will be epic!

Cael: -Epicly boring.

Everyone else laughed and snickered at my remark.

Yubie: Laugh while you can! You'll see that i'll defeat that witch Pocah with not a single amount of life points lost!

Yubie exclaimed while clenching her fist.

Cael: Yeah… right.

Yubie: Hmph. You will all see my power soon enough!

Cael: Chuuunnnnnnn!

I teased.

Taka: Welp. Lets just hope for the best tomorrow. We'll Need some luck if we plan to make it through.

Ali: I'll pray for everyone's victory.

Rhaja: The dino god…. Is with you both.

Rhaja joked.

Cael: Ha, I may be hard on you Yubie but I do want you to win. Same thing with you ohsaka.

Yubie: Hmph. Thanks.

Ohsaka: I'll take all of your words to heart.

They both replied. I could tell that no matter what happened tomorrow it would certainly be grandiose. Yubie and Ohsaka's destiny was intertwined and they'd both have a hard journey ahead of them if they were going to advance to the next round. Nevertheless, I prayed for them in my heart.