"Look forward to it, everyone—! The passion for Duel will never fade!"
"OOOOOOHHHH!!"
Fueled by Kaiba's highly infectious declaration, the entire hall erupted in excitent.
"The KC Grand Prix, huh? We'll get to see the Duel King take on Yugi Muto! This is gonna be sothing to look forward to!"
Even though Hoshino had completely ghosted the Duel City Finals, the global enthusiasm for what was supposed to be the ultimate showdown hadn't diminished. Judging by the current atmosphere, it had only intensified.
Having been forcefully slotted into this match as a promotional gimmick, Hoshino glanced around at the duelists, their excitent burning like unquenchable fire. Any complaints she had about Kaiba's antics had to be swallowed.
After all, she did promise to duel Yugi. And if she was going to fulfill that promise, then it was only right that they fought on the grandest stage, with tension and stakes at their peak.
"So the tournant's in a week, huh? Since it's being held in San Francisco, I can use this ti to deal with the underground dueling ring and that Zigfried guy. And with the KC Grand Prix's hype, KaibaCorp's stock is bound to skyrocket!"
The thought of a life of luxury—no, full financial security—creeping ever closer made Hoshino's lips curl into an uncontrollable grin.
"Tch, what a garbage tournant! I can't even be bothered to watch it!"
Just as the hall burst into celebration for the KC Grand Prix, a single discordant voice rang out. It wasn't loud, but easy to miss amid the cheers and chatter.
Only soone like Hoshino, who had been scanning her surroundings closely, managed to catch it.
"If they won't even invite , the Arican Champion, then you can already tell how rigged this tournant is!"
The man, wearing a black headband and sunglasses indoors, stood out almost as much as Hoshino's flashy attire.
But Hoshino recognized that familiar face instantly.
"...Keith?"
The sa scumbag she had dueled twice—once at Duelist Kingdom, where he cheated with coin flips, and again in Duel City, where he used the Wicked Eraser.
Setting aside his thods, Keith was still a formidable duelist. He'd earned the title of "Bounty Hunter" by sweeping tournant prizes across Arica. That alone made him morable to Hoshino.
"Didn't expect to run into him here… No—more like, I didn't expect him to show up in a place like this."
Based on what she knew of Keith, a dueling hall full of everyday folks—half of them kids—shouldn't interest a money-grubbing duelist like him.
His presence here felt off, making Hoshino rethink her initial assessnt of the Valkyrie Hall.
"Nee-chan, Nee-chan?" Akasha jumped up and waved her tiny hands in front of Hoshino's face. "You were fine just a second ago. Why'd you suddenly go all blank?"
"I'm not blank, you rascal."
Pinching Akasha's nose until she scrunched up in protest, Hoshino finally let go—though her gaze remained locked on Keith.
"I think I just found sothing interesting. Sorry, but our card-pulling plans will have to wait."
Akasha, ever the 'professional,' lowered her voice and leaned in.
"You an you found sothing about the underground dueling? Or… did you finally realize you've got a thing for older n? That's why you've been staring at that headband-and-sunglasses guy?"
Hoshino pinched her nose again.
"Of course it's about the underground dueling! I need you to sneak over to that guy and eavesdrop on what he's mumbling. Then report back."
Even though Hoshino prided herself on her excellent disguise, her "cool" outfit made her stand out in a crowd. Stealth work wasn't exactly her strong suit.
"Got it! Eavesdropping sounds just like being a spy in the movies. So cool!"
Even with her nose still slightly red, Akasha's face lit up with excitent.
Keith had been mumbling ever since his outburst, but the background noise in the hall made it impossible for Hoshino to make out his words.
Taking on her temporary 'spy' role, Akasha used her petite fra to weave through the crowd, quickly slipping into position behind Keith.
[Partner, the only reason Keith would be here is if he's involved in the underground dueling. Just like Pegasus said—an illegal duel ring with high-stakes gambling? That's exactly the kind of thing that guy would be into.]
Hoshino frowned. "But Keith's the type who values his own life, isn't he? Would he really take part in a life-or-death gambling duel?"
Both tis she had defeated Keith, he'd cut and run without hesitation. A guy with multiple escape plans wouldn't risk his neck just for money... right? If he really was that desperate, that would be ironically pathetic.
"For now, let's wait for Akasha to return."
From where she stood, Hoshino watched Akasha's face shift through a range of expressions as she listened in on Keith's rant. Hoshino couldn't even begin to guess what he was saying.
Suppressing her curiosity, she waited until her little spy scampered back.
"Did you hear anything useful?"
"I heard a lot! But I'm not sure what's important."
Tilting her head, Akasha didn't seem to be stalling for drama—she genuinely didn't know where to start.
"In that case, just repeat everything from the beginning."
"Okay! But you better brace yourself, Nee-chan. (Deep breath—)"
"???"
Akasha took a deep breath, clearly preparing to unleash sothing.
"FUCK THAT PIECE OF SHIT KAIBA! THAT MOTHERFUCKER DIDN'T INVITE ! I'M GONNA—"
Hoshino's eye twitched as a stream of pure, unfiltered profanity poured from Akasha's mouth.
"WHEN I FUCKING—! Ugh?"
She clamped a hand over the girl's mouth before she could continue.
"…Maybe let's not repeat everything exactly as you heard it."
Quickly covering Akasha's mouth, Hoshino finally understood what Keith had been muttering to himself.
It was nothing more than a middle-aged man venting his workplace frustrations, cursing out his boss.
"Mmm... I wasn't finished yet."
Akasha tried to struggle a bit, but since Hoshino's palm had a nice scent, her body honestly started to enjoy it.
"Then, Akasha-chan, start from the part after FUCKING."
Realizing that Keith's rant contained nothing useful—and to avoid further corrupting this girl's pure soul—Hoshino decisively chose to skip the vulgarities.
Akasha continued, "—No choice then, if I can't get prize money from the tournant, I'll just have to make money here instead..."
"That's extrely important intel!!"
"Make money here." That wasn't sothing one would say about a normal dueling venue.
Which ant that Valkyrie Hall really did have underground dueling tied to high-stakes gambling. And judging by Keith's words, he was clearly involved.
Ruffling Akasha's small head, Hoshino nodded approvingly. "First mission successfully accomplished! Nice work, Akasha! Tonight, I'll treat you to McDonald's as a reward~"
Akasha pouted. "Don't treat like a kid. Reward in a more... adult way."
"Sorry, even adults love McDonald's."
"But for now, we need to keep an eye on Keith. We finally found a lead—we can't let this fish slip away."
"Are you sure you're not just into this kind of older man, Nee-chan?"
"What! Eww, that's gross..."
Despite her protest, tailing a shady middle-aged man like Keith still didn't sit right. However, Keith was being unusually cooperative—wandering aimlessly around the hall, clearly just killing ti.
"This is so boring, Nee-chan..."
Akasha finally lost her patience. "No matter how I look at it, he's just a lazy bum wasting ti. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Be patient, I think it's coming soon..."
[He's been hanging around here doing nothing for too long. He must be waiting for soone. Do you think it's related to the underground dueling?]
"I'm not sure. But I still don't get why soone as cowardly as Keith would willingly enter a deadly underground duel."
Hoshino shook her head. She couldn't pinpoint why, but sothing about Keith felt very different from the last two tis they'd crossed paths.
"Weird person! Ah, I'm so glad I found you!"
A sudden voice from behind startled Hoshino, who had been completely imrsed in her stealth mission.
Running toward her was Jaden, grinning from ear to ear—clearly, his duels with his companions had gone well.
"Sothing wrong?"
"I wanted to thank you! Because of you, the rumors about my cursed deck got cleared up. I haven't properly thanked you yet!"
Blushing slightly, Jaden hesitated, as if he wanted to say more.
"That was nothing. If you really want to thank , then stop calling 'Weird Person.'"
"Oh, okay! Then I won't call you that anymore."
Jaden scratched his head and smiled. "Then... thank you, Duel King Onee-san. Can we duel again soti?"
"Eh?!"
Hoshino froze. "Wait! What did you just call ?"
Jaden responded confidently. "Duel King Onee-san! Or was I wrong? You're actually the Duel King, Hoshino Chiyuki, right?"
—Busted!
Hoshino had never expected that, despite her perfect disguise, she'd get unmasked before even setting foot in the underground scene—by a kid, no less.
"Hahaha~ Jaden-kun, you sure are funny."
Forcing an awkward laugh, Hoshino obviously tried to deny it.
"How could I possibly be that perfect, cute, and invincible Duel King? Don't joke around."
Jaden insisted, "But all the Heroic Spirit monsters you use aren't available in the Heroic Spirit Duel King card packs! I collected every single card in the set, but none of them match the ones you use."
—Damn, this kid's loaded. He actually drained the entire banner.
"So you can't fool , Onee-san. You are the Duel King—"
Raising a finger to her lips, Hoshino signaled for silence. She knelt down and slightly lifted her tallic visor, revealing her striking red eyes.
Jaden's words ca to a halt imdiately.
"This is our little secret, okay? You haven't told anyone else, right?"
The visor was only lifted for a mont before Hoshino pulled it back down. But that fleeting glimpse was enough to confirm her identity.
Jaden shook his head furiously, like a bobblehead. "No, I promise I'm the only one who knows! Duel King Onee-san is really the legendary Duel King...!"
Unlike his earlier hunch, now that he had received confirmation, Jaden's expression completely changed—his eyes sparkled with admiration, practically overflowing.
Nearby, Akasha's jealousy flared up. Her puffed-out cheeks were practically radiating discontent.
"Hmph, Nee-chan, you're so pro...! You said you needed to stay hidden for the mission, but it only took you half a day to get discovered~"
Jaden blinked. "Nee-chan?"
He turned to Akasha. "Wait, you already knew who she was? I thought I was the only one who figured it out..."
"What do you an 'figured it out'? I knew from the start!"
Akasha clung to Hoshino's arm, glaring at Jaden with hostility.
To an outsider, she looked like a tiny, adorable animal protecting its food.
"So... who are you, anyway?"
Jaden's question was completely casual, but in this situation, it may as well have been a taunt.
"I'm Nee-chan's only sister! I'm nothing like so random kid like you!"
"Ohhh, so you're just her sister~"
Hoshino shivered. She swore she could sll gunpowder between the two of them.
[Partner, I know it's not ideal to interrupt a 'love rivalry' mont, but Keith seems to be on the move.]
(*****)
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