Duelists Never Surrender!

Hara Shichi remained silent.

"Think about it carefully, if you use this card now, won't you be revealing your hand? Wouldn't it be better to save it for a more important duel later?"

"It's different," Hara Shichi shook his head. "If I rely on the Owl to block Kiritani Aki's attack, others won't be convinced. Only a complete annihilation will be effective."

"Tsk, fine, do as you please. Use it, use it," Ai said, turning her head away in annoyance.

"I wonder what you're so upset about..." Hara Shichi muttered, sending the card in his hand to the graveyard. "I'll activate Ghost Ogre's effect. When a monster effect on the field is activated, or when a face-up Spell/Trap Card on the field activates its effect, you can send this card from your hand or field to the graveyard to activate it. Destroy that card on the field."

"Swish!"

Ghost Ogre, with her white hair, descended expressionlessly from the sky, a long, silver-glowing blade in her hand. From top to bottom, she sliced the giant Chimera Rampage Dragon in half!

"Bang!"

The wreckage of Chimera Rampage Dragon first crackled and popped, then exploded violently, leaving Kiritani Aki, who was closest to it, covered in dust and grime.

As for Ghost Ogre?

Ghost Ogre went to the graveyard after slicing the dragon.

As the white mist from the explosion dissipated, the vast dueling arena fell into a silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop. Then, a student couldn't help but swallow, his voice trembling.

"That... that's a hand trap the teacher talked about in class, right?"

"No doubt about it, activated from the hand, a card that's impossible to guard against... I heard many professional Duelists don't even have it..."

"Wait, if that's the case, then the situation has reversed?!"

Everyone looked at Kiritani Aki in unison. Kiritani Aki stood there, stunned, seemingly still processing what had happened.

After a long while, he said bitterly, "Because of Ghost Ogre's effect, Chimera Rampage Dragon was destroyed, but Chimera Rampage Dragon's effect still activated. I sent Cyber Dragon Core and Cyber Dragon Drei from my Deck to the graveyard, and activated Cyber Dragon Core's effect to add one 'Cyber Dragon' from my Deck to my hand."

"He's still making plays?" Ai was somewhat surprised. Anyone normal would know this duel was over, right?

"Isn't that what a Duelist is like?" Hara Shichi nodded in agreement. "They won't give up until the very last moment."

"He just doesn't know we can win next turn," Ai said dismissively. "Once he sees our Tiramisu of the Tiara return his last remaining monster on the field to the Deck, he'll immediately face reality and surrender."

Hara Shichi didn't reply again.

He had only been in this world for less than a month, and this was his first duel against the man before him. He didn't want to offer any unsolicited opinions.

"I end my turn. Due to the drawback of Power Bond, I take 2100 LP damage."

A powerful surge of electricity struck Kiritani Aki, causing him to let out a muffled groan. He gritted his teeth, looked at the "Cyber Dragon" he had just searched for in his hand, and tried to struggle further.

"Mhm," Hara Shichi nodded, extending his hand. "My turn. Draw."

Chapter 90: Did You Forget Something Important? Like... Meow Meow Meow?

"I'll Normal Summon Madolche - Madolche Madeleine."

Madolche Madeleine, wearing a large witch's hat that obscured her fair face, appeared on the dueling field in a hurry.

She wasn't going to be on the field for long anyway, either stepping into a trap or becoming Xyz material. Who was there to see her face?

"I activate Madolche Madeleine's effect to add Madolche Puddingcess from my Deck to my hand."

"Madolche Madeleine's ATK is 1400, Flashy Track Star's ATK is reduced to 1500 because it activated its effect, and Owl's ATK is also 1500..." Kiritani Aki silently observed the situation on the field. There didn't seem to be any monsters that could break through Chimera Rampage Dragon's ATK?

So... there's still a chance?!

A glimmer of hope flickered in Kiritani Aki's eyes.

"I activate Owl's effect, banish Ghost Ogre from the graveyard, and Special Summon Madolche Messenger from my Deck," Hara Shichi continued his plays.

"Next, I activate Madolche Messenger's effect to add Madolche Castle from my Deck to my hand."

"This... this isn't right?" Ai's small face showed a look of surprise.

"What's not right?" Hara Shichi paused slightly, the hand holding Madolche Castle stopping. He tilted his head and asked softly.

"At this point, getting Madolche Ticket, Xyz Summoning Tiramisu of the Tiara, activating its effect, and triggering Madolche Ticket's effect to Special Summon Madolche Messenger a second time to search for Castle would be much more profitable," Ai said. Although she wasn't a Madolche Duelist, she had watched Hara Shichi duel so many times that she vaguely understood how the Madolche deck should be played.

"But if I activate Madolche Castle here, I can enter the Battle Phase and win with a direct attack."

If I can win with a direct attack, why bother with all these flashy maneuvers?

Ai finally understood the seriousness of the situation.

"You... you're not planning to Xyz Summon Tiramisu of the Tiara?" Ai asked with a grave expression.

"I'm not," Hara Shichi honestly shook his head.

The two stared at each other, and the space around them fell silent. Madolche Madeleine, however, curiously turned her head to look at Hara Shichi, as if asking, Can I really stay on the field until the end this time?

"Slap."

Ai's small hand landed on Hara Shichi's shoulder. She lowered her head and said in a deep voice, "You have two Level 4 monsters. It's time, Hara Shichi!"

Hara Shichi looked at the colorful halo that lit up on his shoulder and asked in confusion, "So, it's actually not necessary..."

"Ah! What do you mean?! You don't need me?" Ai puffed out her cheeks, brimming with indignation.

"No, I didn't. I meant it's not necessary to Xyz Summon."

"Then you don't need me!"

How did you equate Xyz Summoning with yourself?!

Hara Shichi looked helplessly at the dueling field and raised his hand, saying, "I will use the monsters on the field..."

"Hehehe, I knew it."

A sinister voice echoed from under the hat.

Hara Shichi couldn't help but shiver. He looked at Madolche Madeleine on the field and asked uncertainly, "Did... did Madolche Madeleine just speak?"

"Impossible. Cards purely printed with Duel Power generally don't have their own sentience," Ai denied crisply. "Come on, let's get started. As a duelist, how can you not summon your ace monster in a duel?!"

"Alright then..." Hara Shichi hesitated, glancing at Madolche Madeleine on the field, and continued, "I will overlay Madolche Madeleine and Glace-Glace Mailman on the field, and using these two monsters as the Xyz Network, I Xyz Summon—Tiramisu of the Tiara!"

A sweet aroma filled the air. Tiramisu of the Tiara remained elegantly seated, gently waving a small scepter, seemingly ready to cast "Bounce Bounce Bounce" magic at any moment.

Kiritani Aki looked at the Xyz Monster that appeared on the opponent's field, knowing his situation was dire. He lowered the hand holding his Duel Disk, but he didn't surrender. Instead, he stood his ground with a faint smile.

"It seems this duel is yours, but I won't allow myself to surrender like this." Kiritani Aki raised his head with a resolute expression, spreading his hands as if he had no intention of defending himself. "So, attack me directly! I'm ready!"

"What a strange guy," Hara Shichi said, glancing at Ai. "But in that case, I win."

"Tch, if you win, you win," Ai said dismissively, as she hadn't bet anything anyway.

"I won last time too, right? When are you going to fulfill your 'meow' promise?" Hara Shichi seemed to recall something, his dark eyes shifting slightly as he pressed further.

"Meow promise? What meow promise?" Ai was confused; she really didn't remember anything like that.

"That night we went to the back mountain, we bet on why Yukikaze called me out." Hara Shichi remembered it clearly.

"Something like that... How do you remember that so clearly!" Ai's face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato. She stammered, looking away, and said softly, "Let's talk about it... when we get back. Let's duel first, duel now!"

"I'm afraid you'll say you forgot again when we get back. How about fulfilling it tonight?" Hara Shichi wasn't planning to let Ai off the hook.

"Don't you trust me?! Fine... tonight it is..." Ai said shyly.

Having received a definite answer, Hara Shichi looked at the dueling field with satisfaction and continued, "I activate Tiramisu of the Tiara's effect. By removing one Xyz Material, I return Madolche Puddingcess and Madolche Messenger from the graveyard to the deck, and return Chimera Rampage Dragon on your field to the deck!"

"Non-targeting bounce two... No matter how many times I see it, it's ridiculous. Kiritani Aki is completely finished now," Julie said sympathetically, looking at Kiritani Aki standing on the field.

"You don't think so? It's just losing one duel," Yukikaze said sheepishly.

"Hahaha, the one who came to settle a score is being completely beaten by their opponent. This is going to be fun. I wonder if he'll be kicked out of the main team directly?" Sera said gleefully.

Returning to the deck?

Kiritani Aki was slightly taken aback. He looked directly at the boy in the black school uniform before him, feeling a sense of familiarity for some reason.

Synchro Summoning Flashy Track Star, setting Book of Moon on his monster, an unavoidable Ghost Ogre, and an Xyz ace that bounces two non-targeting... His tactics were endless. This guy... might actually be able to defeat that woman, Crimson Lotus.

No, no, no, what am I thinking? Kiritani Aki shook his head self-deprecatingly. Crimson Lotus was his captain, after all. How could he boost others' morale while diminishing his own?

He was merely projecting his own defeat onto others, wishing they would also lose to this duelist, just to make his own loss seem less incompetent.

What a shameless thought.

"I enter the Battle Phase! Owl, direct attack!"

As expected, a monstrous wave surged towards him. Kiritani Aki spread his hands and met it head-on.

"Clack."

Kiritani Aki was sent flying into the air and then crashed heavily onto the ground.

Win: Hara Shichi.

Chapter 91: Yo, You're Blushing?

"Splash!"

Crimson Lotus gently dipped her fair, delicate, pearl-like toes into the steaming water. After confirming the temperature, she slowly removed the towel wrapped around her petite body and slowly entered the large pool.

Not long after, a soft sound of footsteps echoed. Nero walked in, her face expressionless, wrapped in a towel. She saw the towel by the pool and frowned slightly, "Don't just throw your towel on the floor."

"I've never soaked in a hot spring before, how would I know where to put it?" Crimson Lotus said nonchalantly.

Yes, it was an artificial hot spring within the school.

Of course, this was a privilege for the main team members. Ordinary students had to make do with soaking in hot water in their cramped bathtubs.

Nero pursed her lips but said nothing. She also entered the water, sat beside Crimson Lotus, and said calmly, "Kiritani Aki lost to Hara Shichi."

"As expected," Crimson Lotus's lips curved upwards slightly. "Next, I'll figure out a way to communicate with the school board to have you replace Kiritani Aki as a main team member."

"I don't care about the main team spot in the National Higher Academy Tournament," Nero shook her head. "I just wanted to tell you that in a few weeks, the Arisa Family will send someone to take me back."

Speaking of which, Nero's expression dimmed slightly. She looked up at Crimson Lotus, seemingly expecting her to say something.

"Didn't Hara Shichi return your deck?" Crimson Lotus was slightly taken aback. Yes, although Nero had refused Hara Shichi's invitation back then, he had still rushed forward and returned her deck.

"But I did lose a card duel," Nero lowered her head and said slowly. "Not only did I rashly bet my entire deck, but I also suffered a crushing defeat. Afterward, my deck was even returned to me... To the Arisa Family, this must be a great shame. They believe they can no longer let me study outside."

"I will win," Crimson Lotus said abruptly.

"No matter who comes, I won't let them take you away," Crimson Lotus gently patted Nero's head. "So don't worry."

"Mhm, thank you." Nero's lips curved upwards by an almost imperceptible amount, but Crimson Lotus knew that she had indeed smiled.

"By the way, Crimson Lotus, why did you dye your hair red during the day?" Nero asked, puzzled, reaching out to touch Crimson Lotus's now glossy black hair. "Isn't black hair beautiful?"

Nero's own hair was black, so she wished Crimson Lotus could have black hair like her.

"Yeah... why should I show myself with red hair during the day?" Crimson Lotus leaned lazily against the edge of the pool, a faint smile gracing her delicate and playful face.

Maybe... she wanted to be special.

At the same time, in the boys' dormitory.

Hara Shichi had just finished showering and walked out of the bathroom.

Unlike the girls, boys took showers a bit faster.

As soon as Hara Shichi entered the bedroom, he saw Ai sitting on the soft bedsheet in a "duck" pose. The two thighs beneath her light blue long skirt rubbed together nervously, and her small face flushed as she looked at him.

"What's wrong?" Hara Shichi asked, puzzled.

Ai glared at Hara Shichi, her face flushed with embarrassment, then her rosy lips slowly parted like a flower:

"Meow~"

"Pfft." Hara Shichi couldn't help but laugh.

"Ah! You actually laughed!" Ai grabbed a nearby pillow and smacked Hara Shichi with it.

Hara Shichi quickly caught the pillow and apologized, "Sorry, I really couldn't help it just now. How about... you do it again?"

"No! I already kept my promise!" Ai sniffled, her large eyes welling up with tears. "I finally worked up the courage, but you... you actually..."

"Sorry, sorry, please forgive me!" Hara Shichi clasped his hands in surrender. "Actually, you were super cute just now. I just laughed out of surprise."

"You're lying, you definitely thought I was ridiculous just now!" Ai pouted.