Monday, 05/14/2001, 10:53 a.m.
Domino High School, second floor, Class B.
Some unintelligible murmurs echoed throughout the classroom.
Several pairs of eyes were fixed on the area around Shin's seat, all attention drawn to the blond boy standing there—Jonouchi.
Yugi, Anzu, Hiroto, and Shin watched as Jonouchi spoke about his family situation in a dry and weak voice, his fists clenched and eyes reddened.
"…I'm desperate. I don't know where to get all that money. It's too much. Damn it! I'm going crazy!"
Wiping his face with the sleeve of his jacket, Jonouchi turned around and ran out of the classroom with a downcast expression. Yugi's worried voice rang out behind him.
"Jonouchi! Wait!"
Sighing, Hiroto muttered in a tired tone and then dashed after Jonouchi.
"Haaa… Stupid Jonouchi. Why the hell does he always want to do everything on his own? Wait up, Jonouchi!"
Right after, Anzu and Yugi left the classroom in silence, their expressions worried and their steps light.
Shin shook his head and slowly stood up. Picking up the cards from the desk, he left the classroom with a serious look on his face…
A few minutes later, Shin was climbing a narrow staircase.
Sunlight shone above through a slightly rusted gray iron door. Pasted on it, a faded white sign bore large black letters: "No Entry Except Authorized Personnel." A dry breeze stirred it gently, producing a high-pitched metallic creak. The lock was completely destroyed.
Creeeak, creeeak!
A moment later, Shin stepped through the door, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the glare.
The school rooftop stretched out before him. The blue sky and Domino City served as its backdrop. Several puddles dotted the area, and the strong scent of wet concrete filled the air.
A flock of pigeons flew overhead, cooing.
Ruuuu, ruu-ruu, ruuuruu!
Sitting against a wall with his head between his knees, Jonouchi looked up at Shin and then asked with a slight grimace of annoyance, his tone uneasy.
"Shin, you? What the hell are you doing here?"
Shin walked forward in silence until he stood face to face with Jonouchi. The latter stared at him with a confused expression. Then Shin spoke in a calm voice.
"You… can save your sister."
Jonouchi shot to his feet and grabbed Shin by the shoulders, his eyes wide. Then he asked in a desperate voice, a broad smile spreading across his lips.
"What did you say?! How?! What do I have to do?! Come on, tell me now, please!"
Breaking free from Jonouchi's grip, Shin pulled five cards from his pocket. At the same time, he spoke in a sober tone, his face composed.
"Simple. You just have to win a Duel Monsters tournament."
Shin handed a card to Jonouchi—Honor of the King's Right, whose image displayed a great treasure. Jonouchi read the card's description aloud, a blank look on his face.
"…Great wealth… Wh-what tournament is this?"
Under Jonouchi's expectant gaze, Shin spoke in a serious tone, his left eyebrow arching.
"Did Yugi tell you about the package he received recently?"
Jonouchi blinked a few times and then nodded quickly, recognition lighting up his face. His words burst out excitedly.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember! Oh! You're talking about that special tournament Pegasus mentioned on TV, right?! That package Yugi got was for that tournament, wasn't it?! And your card! Oh god! It is that tournament, right?!"
Shin gave a small nod and answered in a calm tone.
"Exactly."
Suddenly, Jonouchi frowned and asked in a confused voice.
"But… but I don't have an invitation. I didn't get any package. How am I supposed to enter the tournament? Damn it! All for nothing."
Shin shook his head as he watched Jonouchi mess up his hair in frustration.
Just then, Yugi entered the rooftop from the stairs. Jonouchi noticed and muttered tensely.
"Yugi… Is that you?"
Shin remained where he was, his face expressionless. A glimmer of recognition flashed in his features as he observed Yugi closely. His posture was upright and his movements confident.
Then Yugi spoke in a firm tone, his face worried and his gaze shifting between Jonouchi, Shin, and the cards in their hands.
"Jonouchi. Shin? What are you doing here? Are those…?"
Shin nodded silently, a faint smile on his lips. His words came out in a confident tone.
"Jonouchi's sister has a chance. A star. A duelist."
In Shin's hand, the card titled Duelist's Glove gleamed.
Yugi smiled and nodded, his expression relieved. His voice followed a sigh.
"Haaa… I see. Well played. Thanks for this, Shin."