# Chapter 6: Men's Friendships Often Stem from Getting Caught Together
"Ugh, that teacher sure is naggy." Joey let out a long sigh as he walked out of the office, looking relieved.
Tristan nudged him. "Hey, get out of the way first. Don't block the entrance."
"After all, even if you weren't caught on camera, you two troublemakers are always the first suspects," Chumley said, the last one to emerge from the office.
After giving the director, Fujita, and the others a good scolding, Chumley and his group took the footage from the camera and destroyed it directly. However, because the director's wails when he was beaten were too loud and attracted others' attention, Chumley and his friends had to quickly flee the scene.
Unfortunately, due to Yugi's short legs, just as he was about to be caught by the security guards who came rushing over, Chumley offered to stay behind and cover their retreat, telling Joey and Tristan to take Téa and Yugi and leave first. Joey, of course, refused, insisting on staying as well, and Tristan wouldn't be outdone.
In the end, Tristan, Joey, and Chumley were all "caught" by the security guards and sent to the Disciplinary Office.
The director, who had been badly beaten, originally wanted to use his status to demand that the school expel the three students and report them to society. However, after Chumley presented the camera that recorded "the director bringing a cameraman to film Fujita assaulting Yugi," the school immediately changed its previously submissive demeanor. Instead, it put pressure on the director and his two associates for "entering the campus without permission and harboring malicious intent towards students."
Chumley and his two friends weren't entirely clear on the details, because after providing the incriminating evidence, they were taken back by their teacher, as arranged by the principal. The director and his two associates, on the other hand, were left to negotiate with the school, led by the principal. It was probably just another dirty exchange of benefits.
For example, the school might receive more promotional arrangements, and the director could have his dirty laundry kept quiet.
However, for Chumley and his two friends, who were led back by their homeroom teacher, the matter wasn't over. After all, even though there was still no definitive evidence proving that the two others, besides Joey, hadn't participated in the "brawl," Tristan and Chumley were still under suspicion. Following the principle of "better safe than sorry," their homeroom teacher gave each of them a punishment.
"Joey has to clean the school toilets for a week, and Tristan has to stand guard at the school gate for a week. And both of you have to copy the school rules three times," Chumley sighed. "Ugh, we're so miserable."
"You're the only one who has no right to say that!"
Joey retorted, "I can understand why my punishment is the heaviest, but why do you only have to promise not to fight again?!"
"Exactly!" Tristan also grumbled. "I suspect that old man likes guys, otherwise why would you get no punishment at all?"
"Screw you," Chumley said, rolling his eyes at Tristan, then spread his hands, a look of helplessness on his face. "It's not my fault, I've always been a good student. Not only do I not cause trouble, but my grades are also quite good. You two, though, can only be described as having a long list of wrongdoings."
"You're so punchable," Joey said, annoyed. "It really ticks me off to think I have to go clean toilets."
"Don't forget copying the school rules," Tristan said, a bit dejected.
Chumley patted both their shoulders. "Worst case, I'll help you copy the school rules, okay?"
"You said it!" "Don't go back on your word!"
The two, who had just been in low spirits, immediately perked up. Though for those two airheads, they wouldn't dwell on things for too long anyway.
"Joey, Tristan, Kobayashi!" A soft, sweet voice, like that of an elementary school student, came from behind the three of them.
Chumley turned his head. "If it isn't Yugi-boy."
Standing behind them was Yugi. Seeing the three of them emerge from the office, Yugi's face was filled with apology. "Everyone, I'm so sorry, it's all because of me that you all…"
"Don't say that, Yugi," Joey said, a bright smile on his face, clearly having cast all unhappy thoughts aside. "Aren't we friends?"
"If we're friends, then there's no need to be strangers, Yugi," Tristan declared philosophically, nodding in affirmation.
"Kobayashi, I'm so sorry to have dragged you into this too," Yugi said, looking at Chumley while Joey had his arm wrapped around Yugi's head.
"That guy was so sarcastic, I couldn't stand him. Even without your involvement, I would have taught them a lesson. So, don't take it to Heart (of the Cards), Yugi-boy," Chumley said with a radiant smile.
Téa, behind Yugi, muttered softly, "What strange English…"
"Thank you, Chumley."
Yugi didn't pay much attention to Chumley's peculiar nickname, "Yugi-boy." However, after saying that, he suddenly seemed hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but wasn't sure if he should.
"What's wrong, Yugi?"
"Um, Kobayashi…"
"Just call me Chumley."
"Okay, Chumley." Yugi hesitated, then finally spoke. "Can we be friends?"
A brief look of surprise crossed Chumley's face, which then turned into a smile. "What are you talking about, Yugi-boy? Aren't we already friends?"
The several people gathered there exchanged glances, then burst out laughing together.
"Who's making so much noise out there?!"
The teacher's roar from the office shattered the harmonious scene, and the group cheerfully departed.
Later that day, after school.
"Chumley."
"What is it?" Chumley, who was tidying his bag, heard his name called. He looked up to see Yugi, who already had his small school bag on his back.
"Do you like playing Duel Monsters Cards? Joey said he wants to check out the Card Shop my grandpa owns, and Téa and Tristan are going too. Do you want to come along?"
As he asked, Yugi blinked his big, watery eyes, clearly very eager for Chumley to join. After all, Yugi had very few friends, and it was rare for him to make a new friend today. He was already impatient to go home and share the news with his grandpa.
Chumley casually pulled a tin box from his pocket and showed it to Yugi. "Actually, I'm a Duel Monsters enthusiast too. Yugi, your family runs a Card Shop? Perfect, I was just thinking of buying some Cards. Let's go to your place tonight, I'll call home later."
"Yay!"
Yugi looked very happy, but then, as if thinking of something, he asked, "But, Chumley, do you have a lot of pocket money? I remember rare Duel Monsters Cards are very expensive, and the non-rare ones don't seem to have much value for buying."
"I'm not buying any rare Cards, just a few ordinary ones. Because I believe every Card has its own value," Chumley said righteously, while casually pulling out three wallets. "As for money, it should probably be enough."
Yugi vaguely saw a photo in the wallets; it seemed to be a picture of the director Joey had beaten up.
*I must have seen wrong,* Yugi thought.
(end of chapter)