"If we lose, we're expelled, right?"
Jaden lowered his head and glanced at his red uniform. His stiff expression suddenly relaxed.
He looked up and grinned at Hiraoka on the screen.
"That makes things a lot simpler. As long as we win the duel, we can stay at the academy."
"I'd rather let my deck do the talking than stand here listening to a whole bunch of school rules."
Jaden patted the Deck Box at his waist, returning to his usual energetic self.
"My HEROs haven't agreed to leave yet, either. I'm definitely winning that duel in three days!"
Hayato looked even more miserable after hearing that.
He crouched down with his head in his hands, already muttering about how he would explain things to his father once he got home.
"Get expelled, go back home, raise koalas, take over the family business... How did my life suddenly fast-forward this much?"
"Hmph. We haven't even lost yet. Isn't it a little early to start planning your life after expulsion?"
Syrus stood beside Jaden with his arms folded and gave a cold snort.
There was little panic on his face. Even the dejection he had shown when he first learned about the expulsion had faded.
His eyes behind his glasses remained fixed on the holographic screen, carrying a toughness rarely seen in him before.
Jaden's eyes lit up, and he reached out to clap Syrus on the shoulder.
"Syrus, you've finally perked up too! I knew it. You're just usually too nervous. When it really comes down to keeping your place here through a duel, you're bound to trust your deck!"
Syrus shifted his shoulder aside, leaving Jaden's hand to hit empty air.
"Think whatever you want."
Jaden found nothing strange about it. Instead, he planted his hands on his hips