Yu-Gi-Oh!: Worldwide Mix, the Ultimate Necromancer Duel

The host on stage walked to the center with the microphone and cleared his throat.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Duel Academy Goddess Election Finals!"

A sparse round of applause broke out from the audience, but the host didn't seem to care and continued speaking.

"After a month of voting, five goddesses have emerged to compete in today's round!"

He paused, then raised his voice.

"They are—Kohinata Seika, a student from the upper grades!"

applause.

"Maki Kyoko-san!"

Another round of applause followed.

"as well as--"

The host drawled out the last syllable, keeping the audience in suspense.

"Tenjouin Asuka-san!"

The applause from the audience was noticeably more enthusiastic, and several boys even whistled.

You Chen stood in the crowd, yogurt in his mouth, watching the stage.

Kyoko stood to one side, a polite smile on her face, but you could tell she was a little nervous. Kohinata Seika, on the other hand, stood tall with a confident expression.

As for Asuka? She wasn't on stage.

The host seemed to notice as well, and looked around.

"Uh... it seems that Asuka Tenjouin hasn't arrived yet, but that's alright, let's continue."

He cleared his throat.

"The most anticipated player is still Kohinata Seika, who has won the title for two consecutive years! Will she win for the third year in a row? Let's wait and see!"

Kohinata Seika's lips curled up slightly, revealing an expression of absolute confidence.

"Now, let's announce the current vote count!"

The host picked up a card and glanced at it.

"Kohinata Seika-san - 198 votes!"

Kohinata Seika's smile deepened, and she slightly raised her chin, waving to the audience.

However, the host's next words froze her smile on her face.

"Wait a moment!"

The host stared at the card, raising his voice a few octaves.

"With such a low number of votes, there's still one left!"

He raised his head and looked down at the audience.

"Tenjōin Asuka—also 198 votes!"

The audience erupted in chaos.

A tie?!

"Holy crap, this is so exciting?"

"And what about apricots? How many apricots are there?"

The host glanced at the card and said with some regret, "Mizaki Kyoko... is just a little short. She currently has 178 votes and is in third place."

Xingzi stood on the stage, her smile paused for a moment, then returned to normal.

You Chen watched from below the stage, unsurprised.

Although Xingzi is pretty, she's a newcomer after all, and her popularity certainly can't compare to those two veterans. Making it into the top three is already quite good.

Kohinata Seika stood on the stage, her smile a little stiff.

She turned her head to look at the host, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"What? A tie?"

Just then, a commotion broke out at the edge of the crowd.

"Asuka is here!"

"Make way, make way!"

Several girls pushed and shoved Asuka Tenjouin towards the stage.

Asuka frowned, looking unwilling.

"I'm not participating!" she said, turning to the girls. "Why did you push me up here?"

But it was too late.

She was already standing on the stage.

The host's eyes lit up, and he quickly moved closer.

"Oh, Tenjouin-kun is here! Perfect timing!"

Asuka glanced at him, then at the sea of ​​people below the stage, her brows furrowing even more.

She turned to leave.

"Wait, wait, wait!" the host quickly stopped her. "You and Kohinata are tied for votes right now. If you leave, the result can't be announced!"

Asuka stopped in her tracks.

"I have little interest in participating in such an election."

She looked at Kohinata Seika, who was staring at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

The host rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"In the event of a tie, a tiebreaker should logically be held... but..."

He looked down at the card in his hand and suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"Wait a moment!"

He raised his head and scanned the audience below.

"Two students haven't voted yet!"

"One is Yuki Judai, and the other—"

He paused, then looked in a certain direction within the crowd.

"It's You Chen!"

The audience fell silent instantly.

All eyes turned to Yu Chen and Yu Shiki Judai.

You Chen, with a yogurt in his mouth, froze.

What does this have to do with me?

Kohinata Seika was also stunned.

Wandering Dust?

That famous figure who became known throughout the entire college shortly after enrolling?

He's strong, handsome, and number 001.

Of course she knew this person.

And to be honest, she actually quite admires this kind of guy.

The host's voice rang out again.

"Judai Yuuki, Yu Chen, please cast your precious vote!"

You Chen was about to say something.

Yuki Jaden, however, beat him to it, raising his hand with a grin.

"I'll go first!"

He paused, his eyes darting around.

"My vote is the same as You Chen's!"

Another commotion erupted from the audience.

"So you don't need to ask me, hehe!"

Yuki Judai scratched the back of his head, smiling innocently.

You Chen: "..."

Good guy.

I've been checkmated.

Looking at Yuki Judai's smiling face, he suddenly realized something—this kid is actually quite cunning.

As a result, all the pressure fell on him.

As expected, everyone's eyes turned to him.

You Chen scratched his head.

"That's too much trouble."

He really didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing.

What does this goddess election or voting have to do with him?

Kohinata Seika stood on the stage, looking at Yu Chen's impatient expression, and suddenly spoke.

"How about this!"

She took two steps forward and looked down at You Chen below the stage.

"Let's have a duel!"

You Chen raised his head.

"If I win, you vote for me." Kohinata Seika raised her chin slightly. "If I lose, you vote for Asuka."

You Chen frowned.

"I understand the reasoning."

He looked at her.

"But why should I get involved in your vote?"

He shrugged.

"I don't get any benefit from it."

Kohinata Seika paused for a moment.

Then her face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

She thought You Chen was hinting at something.

"I understand... I understand what you mean."

She bit her lip, her voice lowering several decibels.

"It's just that... if I lose, being your girlfriend... isn't out of the question."

The entire room fell silent for a second.

Then a deafening clamor erupted.

"Holy crap—!"

"Is Hinata-kun going to give it away for free?!"

"You Chen is awesome!"

You Chen: "..."

He stood there, yogurt in his mouth, looking completely bewildered.

Is this what you call understanding?

You know nothing!

I just want some tangible reward. Who cares if you're my girlfriend?

Just then, a clear, cold voice came from the stage.

Asuka Tenjouin turned around, somewhat taken aback.

"No?! I'm going to be his girlfriend too?"

At that moment, the entire venue fell silent once again.

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Things seem to be getting exciting and interesting.