Duels should be played with a smile.

Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Most Special One

"The amusement park competition has begun within the castle. Let's go!"

"Ah, you guys go ahead, I'll just grab something and be right back!"

He went back to his room to get a card that was somewhat special to him, and then went out again, wanting to catch up with his companions, but was stopped by shouts coming from behind.

"Within the city?"

"Oh? It's Wu! Are you also going to watch the amusement park's competition?"

Peacock Dance nodded. "Didn't you go with the games and the others?"

"They went ahead, and I'm about to catch up," Jonouchi said, scratching his head shyly.

The corridor was rather quiet.

"I see... well..."

"Shall we go together?" Before Mai could speak, Jonouchi, unsure of what to say, extended an invitation.

He didn't know why he was being so direct, but his intuition told him that it was the right thing to do at this time.

"Oh? Oh, then let's go together."

The peacock dance was somewhat unexpected, but not entirely unexpected.

The two walked out side by side. The passage was long and there was no one else around. As they walked together, they unconsciously slowed their pace.

They were of similar height, and with just a slight tilt of her head, Mai Kongque could clearly see the profile of Jonouchi.

This boy, who has journeyed from before the Duel Kingdom to the present day, from a complete novice who couldn't duel monsters to a true duelist, seems to have left a deep impression on Mai.

But between these two people who seem like they could get together at any time, there is actually an invisible chasm.

Katsuya Jonouchi, a 16-year-old high school student.

Peacock Dance, a duelist who never stops... 24 years old.

Perhaps Jonouchi wouldn't care, or rather, he basically didn't notice it, but the more perceptive Mai often felt a distance between herself and Jonouchi and Yugi Muto.

While watching Jonouchi's match today, she chatted happily with Jonouchi's younger sister, but it was at that moment that she realized that she and they were not the same age.

The Peacock Dancer's personality should be free and unrestrained, just like how she never stays in one place for too long.

But even the most carefree person can get stuck in a quagmire.

It's a quagmire called emotions.

The harpy, stuck in the mud, could neither fly high nor fast.

"Hey... Jonouchi, what does the word 'partner' mean to you?"

"Partners? Why are you suddenly asking this question? We're already partners if we're happy together every day."

"Are there any more special partners?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Kongque Wu felt that something was wrong, because this big boy, who could already be considered a man, was still just a minor high school student.

"Special partners? In my eyes, as long as they are partners, everyone is the same, right? Or are they all special?" Jonouchi answered without realizing it, completely unaware of the somewhat disappointed expression on Mai's face beside him.

"But if I had to say, Mai, you'd be the most special one among our companions, wouldn't you?"

"what?"

Upon hearing the unexpected answer, Mai was somewhat taken aback, and even subconsciously turned her head to the side where Jonouchi wouldn't see her blushing.

"Oh, I mean, you're the most handsome one out of all the guys!"

"The most handsome? You're so good at the game, you should be much more handsome than me, right?" Kong Quewu cautiously probed, wanting to hear a different answer, yet afraid of hearing words that would disappoint her.

"It's different from games, he's the kind of person who... um, I can't think of a way to describe it, but the way he dances is cool is different from how he does in games..."

The sounds within the city abruptly ceased.

The city's face suddenly flushed red.

The heartbeat within the city began to quicken.

"Ah! Um...did I just say something weird? Don't take it to heart, I was just saying whatever came to mind."

Jōnei waved his hand repeatedly, but while waving, he looked in the other direction. He didn't dare to look at Kōjaku Mai's expression, afraid that she would see his embarrassment.

It was only then that he realized he had said something that was not appropriate for the occasion.

"What I mean is, the way you beat Kaiba so badly on stage just now was really cool, just like in the game, much cooler than me!"

The way the boy awkwardly explained himself to the girl next to him seemed so...adorable to her.

"Pfft... Hahahaha, thank you, Jonouchi."

The peacock danced happily.

She tilted her head to look at the boy, who exuded a blend of maturity and naivety, and a strange emotion welled up inside her.

"Thank me? What's there to thank me for... Ah! I get it." Jonouchi looked like he suddenly understood. "Don't worry! In the later matches, I'll definitely teach that arrogant Kaiba a lesson and get revenge for you!"

It's also very cool when a man makes a promise to a woman.

"No...that's right, it's this one. Jonouchi, you have to do your best and help me get revenge!"

I'm just a 24-year-old auntie, why should I think so much?

Silence fell between them again.

The passageway between the players' lounge and the competition venue wasn't actually long, but it seemed like they had been walking for a long time and still hadn't reached the end.

It seems like a long time has passed.

"Hey... Mai, what are your plans after Duel City ends?"

"..."

The peacock dancer was speechless for a moment.

What did he mean by asking that question?

Is it... or is it just a casual question?

Even though I felt unworthy, there was always a small hope in my heart.

"I...I've always traveled alone to improve my skills, and after this, it'll probably be the same."

"I see." Jonouchi sighed, not knowing why he suddenly felt a little sad.

"Wouldn't it be very tiring for a person to do that?"

"Tired? You must be tired, right?" Mai Kongjaku seemed to be answering Jonouchi, but also asking herself. "But it's okay, I'm used to it."

From Duel Kingdom to now, he has been growing.

At the beginning, I had a significant advantage, but now I can only stop here and watch his performance from the audience.

He has been growing, while I seem to have stopped.

If I can't keep up with him, then what right do I have to stay?

"I'm a true duelist! I can't stop here!" Mai Kongjaku smiled as she turned to the boy beside her. "Jounouchi, I'm going to defeat you too!"

"Defeat me? Bring it on! I'm ready to fight!"

Jonouchi wanted to reach out and give a high five, because that's what everyone does when he and Yugi have some kind of agreement.

But this time... seems a little different?

"Go for it, Mai! I'm looking forward to the day you beat me!"

"Of course, if you feel tired while traveling, come back here and have a good rest with us and your companions!"

The same smile was on the faces of those inside the castle.

He didn't think too much about it; he just followed his feelings and said those words.

"Partner...I will! And, if I ever defeat you, how about you grant me one request?"

"Of course, no problem!"

"Then it's a deal?"

"A word is settled!"

"What if you lose?"

"How about I grant you one request?"

"it is good!"

At the moment the agreement was reached, the door ahead finally opened.

This road has come to an end.

Ahead lies the stage for the competition.

Chapter 59 I myself don't know what deck I'll be using.

The final match of the quarterfinals was highly anticipated, and the crowd had already gathered before the two main players even arrived.

It seemed that the all-powerful Iso was already standing on the stage, and once the duelists were in place, he would give the order to start the match.

However, the two main figures have yet to appear.

At this moment, in the contestant tunnel, Isis, who shouldn't have been there, once again stopped Leyou, while Ella, as always, was wary of this woman who she saw as somewhat threatening.

"terribly sorry..."

"Speak your mind. Anyway, this duel is bound to cause a lot of problems, so a few more won't make a difference."

Isis gave Leyou a grateful look and then began to explain her purpose.

"That's it?"

The matter is simple: for unknown reasons, Lishid fell into a coma, and the six-year-old, now free from Lishid's control, seized control of Malik's body and is preparing to cause trouble in this match.

"If that's all there is to it, there's nothing to worry about."