1:30 p.m., Branch Hall No. 4 of the Dueling Hall.
Since it was a small, out-of-the-way venue, there weren't many spectators, just a handful of students fiddling with their decks in the corners.
The doors were pushed open with a bang.
"Yūki! I'm here!"
Jaden came charging in, followed by Syrus Truesdale, who had jogged the whole way and was panting for breath.
Yet Yūki's gaze didn't settle on Jaden's exuberant grin. Instead, it passed over the two of them and landed on the small, somewhat reserved figure behind them.
It was an extremely short new student.
She wore a red Slifer Red dormitory jacket that was clearly a size too large, its sleeves long enough to cover nearly half the backs of her hands.
A somewhat flat, soft cap sat on her head, its brim pulled so low that almost her entire face was hidden in shadow.
Still, he could make out a pair of large, dewy, almond-shaped eyes surveying the surroundings with timid curiosity.
Jaden casually patted the little newcomer on the shoulder, then waved to Yūki as he introduced her:
"Yūki, meet the new transfer student who just joined us in Slifer Red!"
"The name's Rei Saotome!"
"When Rei heard I was coming to duel you, he wanted to come along and watch!"
Rei Saotome?
The instant he heard that name, Yūki's eyelid twitched involuntarily.
He stopped shuffling his cards and studied the little figure with her head tucked beneath her cap with interest.
So it was her.
That utterly lovestruck girl from the original story, whose duel record was bizarre and whose motives were even more outrageous!
To chase after the Zane Truesdale she adored, a girl had actually been bold enough to disguise herself as a boy and sneak into Duel Academy, even managing to