Duelists Never Surrender!

"What are you thinking about? The school is pretty lenient about this stuff; the teachers don't really care," Shirano Rin said, drawing another card at random. "Let's keep going, next letter."

"Are you sure we won't get in trouble?" Tamako asked timidly.

"Don't worry, don't worry." Seeing Tamako's unease, Shirano Rin added a couple of sentences into the microphone.

"Alright, Onishi-kun, I can feel your enthusiasm for Teacher Alice, but the people who like Teacher Alice could circle the academy twice! If you want to win the goddess's favor, you'll have to defeat her other suitors in a duel first!"

"Next, let's move on to the next letter." Shirano Rin winked at Tamako, urging her to hurry.

"The next letter is... from first-year class (3), Oonishi..."

"Did this guy really write twenty letters? Skip, skip." Shirano Rin waved her hand.

"No, it's a letter from Oonishi Sawano," Tamako shook her head gently and continued, "Hello, host. I am Oonishi Sawano from first-year class (3). Recently, I've noticed there are so many students in our school with the surname Oonishi. Every time I hear someone call out 'Onishi-kun' on the street, I can't help but turn my head. When I realize it's not me, I feel incredibly embarrassed. But if they are calling me, wouldn't it be rude not to turn around? This issue really bothers me."

"Huh, it's actually a normal letter," Shirano Rin said into the microphone. "Now that you mention it, Oonishi-kun, I've noticed a lot of students with the surname Oonishi around too. We have a girl in our class named Oonishi Akina. But it's pretty normal to encounter people with the same surname at school. If it's really that bothersome, why not just call them by their names? Or maybe give them a nickname like 'Oonishi Number One'?"

"Senpai, there's more to this letter," Tamako continued.

"After much thought, I've finally found a solution: if I can eliminate the other Oonishi students, then I'll be the only Oonishi. Therefore, I sincerely invite all Oonishi students to a duel competition called 'The True Oonishi-kun' this Saturday in the gymnasium. Only the final winner will retain the surname Oonishi. Everyone else will not be allowed to refer to themselves as 'Oonishi-kun' at school, nor will they respond to others calling out 'Oonishi-kun'."

"Alright! Let's duel! Only the victor gets to use the title 'Oonishi-kun'! Of course, that person will undoubtedly be me!"

"Eh? Oonishi-kun is so passionate. It's a shame my surname isn't Oonishi, otherwise I'd want to try participating in this competition too." Shirano Rin tugged at the corner of her mouth, forcing a smile.

"Next is a letter from Tanigiri Rika of second-year class (1)... regarding why there are several large trees behind the boys' dormitory but none behind the girls' dormitory..."

"That's dangerous, isn't it? What if some bad person has ill intentions?"

"A letter from Axon of third-year class (3). I don't know who took my Formula Synchron printout that I left in the classroom. I'm just letting you know that card was a printout I used for practicing my deck-building ideas; I don't actually own such a rare card. Classmates who 'found' it, please don't use it in a duel. It would be embarrassing if you can't summon it."

"Eh, are there people at school who 'find' cards and don't return them?" Tamako exclaimed in shock.

"Axon-kun is really good-natured. If it were me, I'd dig up the entire school to find that person," Shirano Rin said listlessly. She then glanced at the clock in the broadcast room, yawned, and quietly whispered into Tamako's ear, "We're almost done."

"Wait, I have one more here," Tamako said, pulling a clean white envelope from her pocket.

"Hmm? This one's from your pocket..."

"Hara Shichi asked me to read it," Tamako whispered. "We're classmates."

"Eh, that guy is in your class?" Shirano Rin squinted. "What's he like?"

"Just... just okay, I guess," Tamako turned her face away.

"Hehehe, that's an ambiguous answer," Shirano Rin teased. Suddenly, she caught sight of a line of text on the letter, and the smile vanished from her face.

Tamako picked up her water cup and took a sip, then continued, "Today's lunch break broadcast is almost over. This is the last letter. Students whose letters weren't read, please don't be discouraged. The broadcast station's mailbox is always open for everyone. We welcome your letters."

"You worked hard today. I'll read this last letter," Shirano Rin said faintly, extending her hand.

"Ah? No, it's fine, please let me do it," Tamako's small face stiffened for a moment before she smiled.

"Idiot." Shirano Rin gently flicked Tamako's forehead. "I haven't met Hara Shichi-kun, but if he gave this letter to you, it's definitely not anything good."

No matter how slow Tamako was, she sensed something was wrong. She looked at the letter in her hand and immediately understood everything.

"I saw him hesitating at the mailbox, so I took the letter from him," Tamako first defended Hara Shichi. Then, looking seriously at Shirano Rin, she said, "I already promised him I'd read it on today's broadcast."

"Idiot."

Shirano Rin sighed helplessly. Then, she spoke into the microphone, "Oh, what a coincidence! The sender of the last letter is actually the recently famous transfer student, Hara Shichi-kun. Let's see what he has to say."

Tamako swallowed, then softly read from the paper:

"Hello, everyone. I am Hara Shichi from first-year class (1). The annual National Higher Academy Tournament is about to begin. As a Duelist, I also wish to step onto that stage and bring honor to our academy. However, the Head Teacher told me that our academy's participant list was finalized three months ago. Arranging for me to join the main team now would not only affect the team's long-term training synergy but might also cause conflict and friction with other team members..."

Tamako paused here and continued, "However, considering that I missed the opportunity due to transferring too late, the Head Teacher is willing to give me a chance."

"As long as I can gather 4 teammates and defeat the academy's main team by the end of the month in a head-to-head match, my team will become the main team and represent the academy in the National Higher Academy Tournament."

"I have already gathered three teammates and am currently looking for one more."

"If you, like me, are full of confidence in your dueling skills."

"If you, like me, want to contribute your strength to the academy."

"If you, like me, want to stand on the stage of the National Higher Academy Tournament."

"Then, please come to Training Room No. 7 near the teaching building. We will welcome you there."

Chapter Eighty-Six: Sera's Old Conspiracy Theories.

At the Crimson Lotus Society's rest area, Crimson Lotus, who had just finished her duel practice, sat quietly on a chair, idly playing with a card in her slender, fair fingers.

"Bang!"

The door to the rest area was violently pushed open, and a gray-haired boy in a light gold uniform burst in. He strode up to Crimson Lotus and looked down at her, saying in a deep voice, "Hey, is what that kid said true? I haven't heard anything about this."

"Although I don't mind getting some practice in before the National Higher Academy Tournament, being provoked by a junior student out of the blue is rather unpleasant," a blonde boy with long hair and a somewhat effeminate face leaned against the doorframe in the rest area, smirking.

"Are there only the two of you?" Crimson Lotus asked calmly.

"What do you mean?" the gray-haired boy frowned.

"What Hara Shichi-kun said is indeed true. The board of directors already informed me," Crimson Lotus said expressionlessly.

"Then why don't we know about it?" the blonde boy asked flatly.

"You don't know about Kurosawa-kun and Rekdi-san either. Have you ever wondered why they didn't rush over to me for an explanation like you did?" Crimson Lotus looked up, a hint of disdain flashing in her crimson eyes. "It's because they know they won't lose."

"Are you saying I'm afraid of losing?" the gray-haired youth asked, his expression displeased.

"I'm just stating a fact," Crimson Lotus said, resting her chin on her hand, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. "Why don't you go to Training Room Seven right now and make Hara Shichi-kun lose miserably in front of everyone? That way, no one will want to join his team, right?"

"You don't need to tell me, I was already planning on it." The gray-haired youth snorted after speaking and turned to leave the lounge.

"And you, do you have any other questions?" Crimson Lotus asked, looking at the blonde youth.

"Since someone is willing to resolve it, I don't have any problems. However... isn't the council prohibiting private duels before the tournament?" the blonde youth narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not having a private duel, so it has nothing to do with me," a smile flickered across Crimson Lotus's lips, and an invisible pressure emanated from her petite body. "Or do you want to try having a 'private duel' with me right now?"

"...Tsk." The blonde youth clicked his tongue and also left the lounge.

"Hara Shichi... I was originally going to let you go, but I didn't expect you to come knocking on my door yourself... Then I'll see you in a duel." Crimson Lotus recalled the visible drop in Duel Power within the energy pillar that night, a sense of vigilance rising in her heart.

That level of Duelist is not something Kiritani Aki can handle.

Crimson Lotus lowered her gaze, looking at the Crimson Lotus Beast Ta-Isha in her hand, and sighed softly.

To think that such a sudden change would occur at this time... Well, it just needs to be dealt with.

"I'm entering the Battle Phase. Flower Princess Hellebore, direct attack!" Yukikaze commanded.

"Aaaahhhhhhh!"

As her opponent let out a scream, Yukikaze secured the duel victory.

"Good work, let's take a break," Hara Shichi said, handing her a drink from the side.

"It's fine, I just didn't expect so many people to show up," Yukikaze said a little sheepishly. Since a while ago, quite a few classmates had been looking at her with surprised eyes, as if to say, 'I didn't expect you to be here too, and even as an 'examiner'.'

That's right, an 'examiner'.

There were simply too many people who wanted to join, but only one spot was available, so Yukikaze, Julie, and Sera were appointed as examiners. As long as one defeated any of them or gained their approval, they could become the final member.

"In that case, how about you take over for us?" Julie said while dueling with ease.

Her field already had her Ace Monster, Dragon's Demise, and Varon Gaus, and she was holding Gorgonic Guardian in her hand. If nothing unexpected happened, this match would be over soon.

"Exactly, exactly. You say nice things, but you've just been watching from the side since the beginning," Sera complained, waving her overly long sleeves. Today, she was wearing her white school uniform after a long time. However, because the uniform was too baggy, it looked less like she was wearing clothes and more like a child playing with scraps of fabric and accidentally getting wrapped up in them.

"You've been watching from the side the whole time too, haven't you?" Julie retorted with a playful eye-roll.

"Oh, I'm scared to duel in front of so many people," Sera stuck out her tongue.

"I have more important things to do than be an 'examiner'," Hara Shichi spread his hands helplessly.

"What important things?" Yukikaze blinked curiously.

"Have you seen any third-year students come up for 'assessment' so far?" Hara Shichi countered.

"No, there are very few even from the second year," Yukikaze shook her head. Most of the duelists who came were familiar faces from the first year.

"Because everyone is still 'watching and waiting'," Sera said, looking at the group of students lining up obediently. "After all, while the 'regular member spot' is very tempting, there's a prerequisite – whether we can actually win against the Crimson Lotus Society's regular team."

"If it weren't for you, junior, using your daily free duel training to build up your reputation and goodwill, probably even the first-year students wouldn't have come?" Sera sneered.

"Huh? Is that so? Hara Shichi-kun is actually dueling with classmates to gain popularity?" Yukikaze was shocked.

"Ignore Sera-senpai, she's always coming up with conspiracy theories," Hara Shichi said irritably.

Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Immediately after, a gray-haired youth in a golden uniform pushed through the crowd and walked straight towards Hara Shichi.

"Hoh, the person you were waiting for is here," Sera nudged Hara Shichi with her elbow mischievously. "Are you ready, junior?"

"I've been ready for a long time," Hara Shichi said, taking out his deck from his waist and placing it on his silver Duel Disk.

"That guy is Kiritani Aki, whom I mentioned earlier," Julie, who had just finished her duel, interjected unexpectedly. "He uses a back-row OTK deck – Cyber Dragon. If you get to choose who goes first or second, remember to choose second. A first-turn Cyber Dragon isn't much of a threat to you."

Hara Shichi shook his head and said softly, "Thank you for the reminder, but if I win by such a trick, it would be meaningless."

Yes, he not only had to win this duel, but he had to win it with absolute strength, fair and square.

Only then would the surrounding classmates be willing to believe in him and follow him.

With that thought, Hara Shichi slowly walked towards the dueling arena in the center – a spot he had already reserved.

Chapter Eighty-Seven: Small arms and legs, they don't look strong at all

In Training Room Seven, Julie, who had just finished her duel, did not continue dueling with the next student. Instead, she turned her gaze to a certain spot.

Rather, all eyes in the training room were now focused on the dueling arena in the very center.

"Isn't that... Kiritani Aki-senpai from the third year?" a student exclaimed as they watched the two approaching figures.

"As expected, I knew those Crimson Lotus guys wouldn't just tolerate Hara Shichi-kun's provocation."

"But they're bringing out such a heavyweight contender directly? I feel like Hara Shichi-kun might be in trouble this time."

"Kiritani Aki-senpai, a member of the Crimson Lotus Society, one of the academy's regular teams. He uses the Cyber Dragon deck, known for its high attack power. I heard that once he gets to go second, the duel becomes predictable, and no one can stop his finishing blow!"

"In last semester's grade tournament, I dueled him. An 8000-attack Cyber End Dragon with a 'Limiter Removal' was too much! Although it's embarrassing, I really couldn't hold it in and... leaked."

"8000 attack?! I would have leaked too if I were you."

"My turn, I'll go straight for the 'kill'."

"Huh?!"

The people around glanced at the guy who said "kill" and silently took a step back.

"Looks like you were prepared." Kiritani Aki had realized he'd been tricked by that woman from the Crimson Lotus Society after leaving the lounge, but he wouldn't lose anyway. He still had to participate in the National Higher Academy Tournament, so what could the board of directors do to him?

"Of course." Hara Shichi raised his Duel Disk and said.

No need for further words, the two met each other's gaze and shouted in unison.

"Duel."

"Duel!"

"Beep!"

Hara Shichi's Duel Disk lit up.

"Looks like you're lucky, you get to go second. If you don't want to lose too quickly." Kiritani Aki raised an eyebrow.

"No need. I'll go first." Hara Shichi shook his head and drew five cards from his deck.

This move undoubtedly caused a stir among the onlookers.

"Oh no, Kiritani Aki gets to go second. I can't bear to watch anymore."

"Did I hear that wrong? He just said second, right? He chose to go second, right?"

"He actually wants to go head-to-head with Senior Kiritani Aki's second-turn OTK technique? Just this spirit alone is enough for me to acknowledge him!"

"I think classmate Hara Shichi must have his reasons for daring to go first..."

On the dueling field, Kiritani Aki's expression instantly turned grim. To choose to go first when he knew his opponent's strategy was a second-turn OTK, if it wasn't because his deck had a huge advantage going first, then it was... a naked provocation!