Chinai woke up exceptionally early today—earlier than usual.
Or rather, she almost didn't sleep at all last night.
The reason was simple: nervousness.
Almost the entire night, whenever she closed her eyes, she could hear the "thump, thump" sounds echoing over and over in the dark room.
It was the sound of her heartbeat.
The reason was all because of Youyu's sudden invitation before leaving after closing on Friday night.
"By the way, Chinai." Youyu remembered something at the door, "Now that the tournament is over, I have a bunch of tickets to Kaiba Land. Tomorrow is the weekend, if you're free, want to go together?"
Chinai's pupils slightly shrank.
She couldn't even remember what she said at that moment, but she felt she must have agreed.
Is this considered an invitation to a date?
It should definitely count, right!?
Even if Youyu just casually mentioned it, simply as friends going out on the weekend, Chinai felt this was already a huge progress in her long journey!
Chinai got up early the next day, dressed beautifully, and put on her favorite dress, more carefully than usual, before hurrying to Kaiba Land for the date.
At the agreed time, Youyu indeed appeared on time.
Chinai spotted him from afar, her eyes involuntarily shining with childlike excitement, raising on her toes to say hello.
...Then she noticed what seemed like a high-wattage jellyfish-shaped light bulb shining beside Youyu.
"Hello, big sister!"
Little Judai was very polite, excitedly bouncing around Youyu.
"Yo, you got here really early." Youyu waved to Chinai, "This is Yuki Judai, he faced me in the KC Cup finals."
Chinai silently pulled out the "Kaiba Land Facility Guide Map" from her bag.
She started looking for the "Lost Children's Center" on the map...
...
To say she wasn't disappointed at all—of course, that's impossible.
Originally, Chinai thought today would be a world for just her and Youyu.
But unexpectedly, a little jellyfish-head showed up!
Which instantly dashed all her expectations for today.
At this point, Chinai and Youyu walked on either side at the back, watching little Judai lively bouncing and hopping ahead, feeling no atmosphere of a first date at all; instead, it was like an old married couple bringing a child to the amusement park for the weekend, giving a sense of a family of three...
...Hmm? Suddenly it doesn't seem so bad?
Thinking about it, Chinai blushed slightly, unconsciously reaching to hold Youyu's sleeve, suddenly finding herself not disappointed.
Completely unable to understand the change in the girl's mood in this short period, Youyu noticed Chinai's subtle reaction and the occasional "Affinity +1" popping up above her, puzzled.
What's she thinking?
Why does she suddenly have that "already thinking of the kids' names" look...
"Judai, what do you want to play?" Chinai already slid into the role, "Want to ride the roller coaster?"
Judai shook his head.
"How about the merry-go-round?"
Judai continued to shake his head.
"Uh, then... bumping cars?"
Judai still shook his head.
Chinai was puzzled: "Then what do you want to play?"
Judai suddenly got excited, pointed to a platter-shaped venue nearby that looked like a White Dragon: "Let's go duel!"
Chinai: "..."
So you came all the way to the amusement park... just to play cards...
In little Judai's view, this was naturally not strange at all.
Of course, playing cards is the most fun!
Roller coasters? Merry-go-round?
What's so interesting about those!
Nothing is more interesting than dueling in the world!
Youyu nodded slightly, showing a "worthy of teaching" expression: "Alright, let's go then."
The Duel Hall in Kaiba Land is naturally different in level compared to those outside.
Not only is it equipped with more advanced AI battle systems—after all, Kaiba Group's AI is known for its advancements—but the venue's size is larger, and all equipment are top-notch, ensuring duelists inside have an experience incomparable to anywhere else.
Upon entering the venue, Chinai held little Judai, making sure he didn't run around, while Youyu headed to the front desk in the lobby first.
"Hello." Youyu said to the young lady behind the counter, "Give me a suite, the most premium one. Rent it for... two hours first."
"Alright, Sir, may I see your..."
Interrupted halfway, the young lady at the counter raised her head, her eyes brightening upon seeing it was Youyu.
"Ah, Mr. Youyu!"
"It's me."
"For you, no ID is necessary." The young lady warmly smiled, "We can directly provide you with the most premium suite."
"Alright, thank you." Youyu replied.
Being famous and handsome certainly had its perks. For instance, at times like these, you could directly swipe your face.
After operating on the computer, the young lady directly opened up the best suite for him.
"That's all set, your suite's on the second floor, room card reads 'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst'."
Youyu: "..."
After obtaining the card from the young lady, gazing at the storm and lightning surrounded double-headed White Dragon illustrated on it, Youyu once again directly felt the president's deep love for the white.
Youyu reached for his wallet to get the money for the deposit, but the young lady immediately stopped him.
She laughed, pulling out paper and pen from behind the counter.
"For you, no payment is necessary, Mr. Youyu." she said, "Just leave a signature here."
Youyu paused: "Is this... something Haima arranged?"
"Not exactly, but it should be alright."
The young lady smiled, showing an expression of "those in the know understand."
Youyu felt a bit displeased: "You see, I'm not actually that close with Kaiba..."
Youyu felt he might have been set up by the president.
This KC Cup was meant to lend President Haima a hand, showing up to help him hold the stage, but unexpectedly, after this tournament, he as Duel King seemed almost binded to Kaiba in outsider's eyes...
If it was only like this, it wouldn't be a problem.
The key problem is, previously it was just silly players tossing wild ideas, but now, their wild imagination spread like a contagious virus, one-to-ten, ten-to-hundreds, even infecting some local NPCs to start imagining things...
I am at the Kaiba Group just as an honorary consultant, the kind who might not show up once or twice a month!
The young lady wondered: "So... are you planning to pay cash this time?"
Youyu thought about it, glanced at the rental pricing for the venue's top suite, and instantly drew a sharp intake of breath.
Sss~ this expensive?
Kaiba, why not go robbing someone?
Considering it, Youyu quietly accepted the paper and pen handed by the young lady.
"...I'd rather sign."