"As expected of the Dark Magician Girl—both cute and powerful."
"This is like a dream come true! Dark Magician Girl using Dark Magician Girl, activating Dark Magician Girl's exclusive spell to win the duel!"
Cute is justice. Thanks to her perfect 100% Dark Magician Girl appearance, she instantly gathered a huge crowd of supporters at the event.
"٩(๑>◡<๑)۶!"
Waving energetically to the cheering spectators while striking adorable poses, the Dark Magician Girl was clearly having the time of her life.
"Ugh… for some reason, this really irritates me." Mana puffed her cheeks. "I'm the real one…"
"It's her, Hoshino!" Uria sniffed the air and delivered her conclusion.
Hoshino frowned.
"She stole the deck, and instead of hiding she's boldly taking part in a cosplay duel event… What is she thinking?"
Alexis, dressed as the Cyber Harpie Lady, looked bewildered.
"Stole the deck? Senpai, what are you talking about?"
"Well, it went like this… Blah Blah Blah~"
Hoshino briefly explained everything to Alexis and Artoria.
Artoria Akasha gasped.
"Eh?! So the Dark Magician Girl has been using Yugi's deck this whole time? No wonder even Obelisk Blue students were defeated so badly!"
"I don't think it's just the deck," Hoshino added.
Like she had said earlier—most duelists couldn't draw out even half of Yugi's deck's true strength. Many would perform worse than a typical Blue Dorm student using their own strategy.
But this Dark Magician Girl had a special ability exactly as Uria described:
She excels at using other people's decks.
"This Shadow Rider definitely isn't weak."
Hoshino extended her arm, letting her Duel Disk unfold. Now that she had found the thief, she couldn't let her escape. She needed to settle this before anything escalated.
Fortunately, it seemed the girl was genuinely just participating in the cosplay duel event and hadn't started a Shadow Game or caused trouble.
But even so, the threat had to be removed before it grew.
Jaden widened his eyes.
"Sensei, what are you doing?!"
"What else? I'm going to take down the Shadow Rider who stole Yugi's deck!"
"You can't do that, Headmistress!" Syrus rushed in to stop her.
"Why not? Don't tell me you're going soft just because the opponent is cute?"
Moments ago, Syrus had been furious about the deck theft—yet now he stood in her path solely because the culprit looked adorable. Hoshino's expression darkened.
Minazuki stepped in to mediate, pulling out a promotional poster from who-knows-where.
"Headmistress, the Slifer Red Cosplay Duel Tournament strictly requires all participants to cosplay a Duel Monster card. You can't join as you are."
"Huh? At a time like this, you're worried about something so trivial?"
Syrus insisted, "Rules are rules! And everyone here is watching!"
Jaden puffed out his chest.
"If Sensei can't enter, then let me fight! I've always wanted to know what it feels like to face Yugi's deck!"
"Absolutely not! She's a Shadow Rider. I can't let students take that kind of risk."
As Headmistress, Hoshino would never allow her students to endanger themselves. That was her absolute line.
"In that case… let Professor Crowler handle it," Minazuki suggested.
"Everyone already says he looks like a walking Pot of Greed—that's a natural cosplay advantage!"
"Mamma mia! But she's using the legendary duelist Yugi Muto's deck!"
Crowler trembled violently and backed away.
"The only person in this Academy who could possibly beat Yugi Muto… is the Headmistress!"
Akasha shot him a cold glare.
"Pathetic, Professor. It's not even the real Yugi—just a deck."
"Wait—that's it!" Hoshino's eyes sparkled. "If Crowler can use his natural attributes to cosplay Pot of Greed… then I can do the same!"
"Senpai, uh… what natural advantage do you have?" Alexis tilted her head. She couldn't think of any Duel Monster that matched Hoshino's appearance.
Hoshino spun lightly on her toes and declared proudly:
"I can cosplay—the Duel King! The resemblance is perfect!"
Bystander A: "Did she just say she's cosplaying the Duel King?"
Bystander B: "Wow, she really does look just like her… just a bit smaller."
This might trick clueless bystanders, but Academy students? No chance.
Student C: "Cosplay? Isn't the Headmistress literally the Duel King already?"
"Rejected!" the entire Slifer Red group shouted in unison.
"You all… you really treat your Headmistress mercilessly… rejecting me instantly."
Well, Hoshino, you were pretty ruthless rejecting Red Dorm's festival ideas too…
Jaden scratched his cheek.
"Even if Sensei is the Duel King, that still isn't a Duel Monster card."
Minazuki nodded. "Exactly! That's bending the rules!"
"How about this, Hoshino-nee—I'll lend you this dorm blanket. You can cosplay King Arthur."
So Akasha really DID turn a dorm blanket into a makeshift cape… What happened to Artoria's dignity?!
"This blanket looks impossible to move in. Akasha, you keep it."
Unable to win against Slifer Red's stubborn insistence, Hoshino sighed and pulled out her final trump card.
"Jaden, lend me your dorm room. I need to change!"
"Change? Sensei, where are you even getting clothes from?" Jaden looked at her empty hands.
"There's a dedicated changing room… why use our dorm?"
Because the changing room was too crowded.
And Hoshino needed to do… something that couldn't be seen in public.
…
"Master, why did you summon Okita-san in a place like this?"
In the unfamiliar room, sweet, harmless Okita blinked in confusion.
Hoshino's wicked hands reached for Okita's collar.
"Don't resist, Okita. This will be over quickly~"
"Ch–Chotto matte! Okita isn't mentally prepared yet! To do that kind of thing with Master—eek! No, don't take off my clothes! Okita-san is going to be defiled!"
.
..
...
"Hmm… It's a bit loose, but I guess it's barely acceptable~"
After completely stripping Okita without mercy and putting on her clothes along with the green haori, Hoshino examined herself in the mirror, feeling more and more satisfied that she had captured the right vibe.
"Sob… sob! Master, you're so mean, treating me so roughly… What's even worse is that you only stole my clothes. Poor Okita-san was expecting something more…"
Okita sat on the floor, slumped over with a thoroughly humiliated expression.
"I'll give them back after the duel. Besides, don't you still have your swimsuit form version? Just use that for now."
Hoshino pinched the overly loose chest area, then glanced at Okita—now left wearing only her underwear—and clicked her tongue in irritation.
"Tch… Just an Okita, and she's secretly a hidden big-breasted type. How arrogant."
After tightening the black waist sash once more, Hoshino—fully dressed as "Soji Okita"—returned to the cosplay duel event.
"Ohhh! Hoshino-senpai is cosplaying Okita? Surprisingly cute!"
"Headmistress carrying a katana looks so cool!"
"This is exactly the spirit of a cosplay duel tournament!"
Stepping onto the stage, directly opposite the Dark Magician Girl, Hoshino's appearance instantly sparked lively chatter among the crowd and students.
"Another cute girl?! Now I don't know who to cheer for!"
"So your love for Dark Magician Girl was a lie?! I'll support her forever!"
"Wait, isn't that the Headmistress? She actually came all the way to participate in the Red Dorm's cosplay duel event. She must really be enjoying this."
As the host, Professor Banner became visibly excited.
"What an adorable challenger, nya! But since you're cosplaying Okita… won't your duel luck be terrible from being sent to the Graveyard all the time?"
Hoshino unfolded her Duel Disk and spoke softly but firmly—still in Okita's outfit.
"Dark Magician Girl. You should understand already. Hurry up and return the important Deck to me."
The Dark Magician Girl winked playfully, clearly already aware of Hoshino's intentions.
"Heehee~ You want to take back Yugi Deck, right? Then let's make it fair. You brought the Keys of the Seven Seals with you, didn't you? If you lose, hand them over."
"How is that fair?! You're the one who stole the Deck."
Hands behind her back, Dark Magician Girl lifted her toe and drew small circles on the floor, acting innocent.
"Well~ after I got the Deck, I could've just run off. But if I did that, wouldn't you be in even bigger trouble? That's why I waited right here for you~"
So that was her plan from the start—using the Deck as leverage to force Hoshino into wagering the Seven Keys. No wonder she dared to openly join the cosplay duel tournament.
"Well, either way, everything gets decided by dueling in the end. I'm already used to this. Let's begin!"
Professor Banner happily declared:
"Then—Osiris Red Cosplay Duel Tournament! Dark Magician Girl VS Okita Soji! The duel… begins, nya~!"
[Duel]
[Dark Magician Girl — LP 4000 VS Okita Soji — LP 4000]
Hoshino didn't rush to take the first turn. Instead, she taunted:
"Yugi's Deck isn't something you can just pick up and use. If you think that simply stealing it means you can challenge me… you're as naïve as you look."
Mana puffed up her cheeks, objecting seriously:
"My appearance is not naïve!"
"Hmph, the naïve one here is you, Hoshino. I possess the power to mimic card spirits—meaning I can draw out the Deck's potential even more than its original owner."
Dark Magician Girl confidently drew her first card.
"As proof, I've already used this Deck to easily defeat several duelists. The Deck responds to me very well~"
She then set a monster in Defense Position, causing an illusion of one of Yugi's former monsters to materialize.
"I set a monster—Artillery Catapult Turtle in Defense Position!"
[Artillery Catapult Turtle ★★★★ (Level 4)][WATER][Aqua/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]
Feeling something odd, Hoshino frowned slightly.
"Catapult Turtle? No… something feels off. Which of Yugi's Decks did he even give to Crowler…?"
"I also set two cards. Turn end!"
Professor Banner announced enthusiastically:
"Oho! Dark Magician Girl opens with a monster that has the same Attack stat as herself, and an impressive 2000 Defense! Now then—can Okita break through such sturdy defense, nya?"
"Banner, you seem very into this."
Drawing her card for the turn, Hoshino gave him a side glance.
"Haha… atmosphere! I'm just trying to make the Academy Festival exciting."
Under pressure from his superior, sweat dripped down Banner's forehead.
"But personally, I do believe the Headmistress will win, nya!"
Hoshino slid a Spell Card into her Duel Disk.
"—I activate the Spell Card Premonition of Beginnings!"
[Effect: Discard 1 card. Banish 1 "Heroic Spirit" Spell from your Deck. During your next Standby Phase, add the banished card to your hand.]
"I discard Heroic Spirit Festive Wear: Marie Antoinette to the Graveyard! And at the same time, Marie's effect activates—"
[If this card is sent to the GY by the effect of a "Heroic Spirit" monster or a card that mentions "Heroic Spirit": Draw 1 card.]
Banner commented:
"So you chose a safe discard to maintain card advantage, nya. But discarding Okita herself would've fit the cosplay better. Lacking a bit of soul~"
"Even your jokes are on point. Professor Banner, this is what we call professional commentary!"
Minazuki said in admiration.
Drawing with Marie's effect, Hoshino then Summoned a monster in Attack Position.
"A monster with 2000 DEF? Then I'll use this one to break through! This turn, I Summon—Anti-Heroic Spirit – Ibaraki Dōji!"
[Anti-Heroic Spirit – Ibaraki Dōji ★★★★★★★ (Level 7)][FIRE][Zombie/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 100]
[This card cannot be Special Summoned.]
With flaming wings and a bone blade in hand, Ibaraki burst onto the field, laughing wildly.
"Hahaha! The great oni of Mount Ooe finally gets her turn!"
"A Level 7 monster… Normal Summoned directly… and its ATK is so high?!"
The onlookers were stunned.