Chapter 118: Kaiba Seto's Will
Slipping back into her room, Finesse's face flushed red enough to drip blood.
Leaning against the door, confirming Amano Rei hadn't chased after her, Finesse's entire body went limp and slid down.
What was wrong with her?
How could she do something so impulsive?
If Amano found out, what if he thought of her as that kind of loose woman?
Then she'd be at a huge loss.
Because she hadn't even touched anything!
Finesse, who'd hesitated and wavered for a full hour, finally mustered her determination at the final moment to make her move. But due to having zero practical experience plus being nervous as hell, her teeth directly knocked against Amano's lips.
A few seconds after that, Amano woke up.
Though she couldn't see clearly in the dim environment, it had probably broken the skin.
No way he wouldn't notice, right?
Finesse, sandwiching her head between pillows, felt like a complete and utter idiot sandwich.
Didn't get to eat anything and still got misunderstood—she might as well have just decisively gone for it from the start.
Could only hope Amano wouldn't mind this kind of thing.
How could that possibly be!
The next day, Synchro Academy, Class 1-E—
"Committee Member, what's with your lip?" Kozuka Yoka stared curiously. "You didn't make out with the Class President... no wait, doesn't seem right?"
With her experience, this didn't look like making out—more like being gnawed on.
"Probably got inflamed. Ate too many good things last night."
"Really?" Kozuka Yoka was skeptical.
As the CP enthusiast head, from this morning's run onward, Kozuka Yoka had keenly detected subtle atmospheric changes between these two.
Amano Rei was one thing, but Nanki'in Sakuya's frequency of sneaking glances at Amano Rei during class had clearly increased.
Though the Class President usually liked spacing out during class anyway, according to Kozuka Yoka's statistically compiled "CP Observation Journal"—
Normally Tuesday through Thursday, the Class President's frequency of sneaking glances at the Committee Member during class averaged three times per period.
Monday and Friday, the frequency ran slightly higher by one or two times, probably because they hadn't seen each other over the weekend, or were about to be unable to see each other for the weekend.
But today was Tuesday—just this morning alone, the Class President's distracted glances had reached a staggering 25 times, averaging 6.25 times per class period.
A full two-plus times the usual rate.
Too suspicious!
Eyes might lie, but data doesn't!
Last night, these two definitely had something happen.
Damn it, she really wanted to know!
Kozuka Yoka scratched her ears and cheeks in frustration.
"Amano, free during lunch break?" After the morning's four classes ended, Nanki'in Sakuya proactively extended an invitation. "I have something to give you."
Amano Rei guessed it should be the Malefic deck Onikiri used, brought over by Nanki'in.
This kind of thing wasn't convenient to trade publicly.
But unfortunately, Amano had no time during lunch break today.
"Sorry, Class President. I have an appointment at lunch today—need to head to the club building."
"Club building?" Nanki'in Sakuya became alert. "It's not Rin Seiya, is it? I'm coming too."
"It's not, it's not Seiya-senpai."
It really wasn't—though Rin Seiya did require Amano Rei to definitely attend club activities tonight.
But today's two-hour lunch break arrangement truly wasn't with Rin Seiya.
Rather with that girl with zero popularity on streaming sites, Mizuki.
They'd agreed last night on VSN that if he could make it back alive, they'd meet.
Mizuki said she had important matters to confess to him—presumably still that so-called collaboration streaming plan that couldn't make money at all.
"I'm coming too." Nanki'in Sakuya insisted.
This familiar cool-faced cute Class President had really changed. Normally if Amano Rei refused once, she absolutely wouldn't propose following again.
Yet today she was adamant about sticking close.
"Alright then, let's go together." Amano Rei agreed helplessly.
Perfect—on the way, he could discreetly trade for the Malefic deck.
"Here, I'll give you the deck first."
En route to the club building, Nanki'in Sakuya found a moment when no one was around to expressionlessly flip through the small black crossbody bag at her waist.
The bag's front was printed with "Loyalty," the back with "Honor"—one of Nanki'in Sakuya's essential equipment when going out.
Amano Rei had wanted to ask ages ago: was this bag a Nanki'in family merchandise product? Aside from your own family members, would anyone actually buy it?
She rummaged quite a while before finding the deck—seemed the Nanki'in had stuffed quite a few miscellaneous items in the bag.
"Grandfather told me to remind you—definitely use this deck sparingly, preferably not at all. I don't want to see Amano turn deranged like Great-Aunt Onikiri."
"Don't worry, I'm not using the whole deck. Just taking one card."
After receiving the deck, Amano Rei picked out Card of Demise.
After simple weighing and consideration this morning, Amano Rei decided not to put Skill Drain in his deck first.
Though Skill Drain could turn all monsters on field into Normal Monsters, pulling opponent decks down to his own level.
But honestly, just purely comparing monster stats—the low-level trash monsters occupying most of Amano Rei's deck still couldn't crash through opponents' Effect Monsters.
So after repeated consideration, Amano Rei decided to only put Card of Demise into his deck.
The card slipped into the deck. At that instant, Amano Rei's mind felt like it exploded. Consciousness existing within the card frantically poured into Amano Rei's current consciousness.
Cards of the deceased retained the user's will from life.
In Amano Rei's mind, it was like multiple screens appeared, playing different duel matches.
Opponents differed, but what remained constant—all were moments using this Card of Demise.
Two scenes left the deepest impression on Amano Rei.
The first scene: the holder stood before a duel arena resembling the anime's first generation, yet strangely wore a Duel Disk on his arm, opponent a long-haired princely young man.
["I predict four Spell Cards! I'll use those four cards to defeat you! First card—Spell Card Card of Demise!!"]
The second scene: the holder stood inside a barrier resembling the Pyramid of Light, opponent the most familiar starfish-head.
["I've finally found the method to crush the gods, Yugi!! Spell Card Card of Demise activates!"]
Consciousness with excessively massive presence squeezed Amano Rei's thinking and breathing to extreme difficulty.
Waiting for all scenes to finish playing, Amano Rei finally gasped roughly for air, collapsing on one knee in relief.
No way—this Card of Demise—
Only at this moment did Amano Rei realize a terrifying truth.
This Card of Demise—its original owner, also the owner who left their will on this card—
Was actually Kaiba Seto!
Weren't those supposed to be anime characters?
Where did Nanki'in Onikiri obtain these cards?
If not for Onikiri's soul completely vanishing in the Dark Game, Amano Rei really wanted to drag her out and demand answers.
"Amano, Amano, are you alright?"
The ringing in his ears temporarily relieved, consciousness gradually recovering—Amano Rei heard Nanki'in Sakuya's anxious inquiry in his ear.
"I'm fine, Class President." After the relief, with Sakuya's support Amano Rei stood up. "Just didn't expect the will remaining in these cards to be more intense than I imagined."
The remaining will was Kaiba Seto's—who could have expected it would be this intense!
Seemed old master Muramasa's warning wasn't unreasonable. If he added this entire deck to his deck in a short time, he might really go insane.
"Have some water, Amano." Nanki'in Sakuya pulled out an opened bottle of mineral water from her bag.
"Thanks, Class President." That instant of consciousness pressure truly left Amano Rei somewhat parched. He didn't care whether someone else had drunk from the bottle.
"You haven't had lunch yet, right? I happen to have food here." After handing Amano the water, Nanki'in pulled out half-remaining fried noodle bread from her bag.
"Then I won't be polite, Class President." Carbs plus carbs combination—exactly what Amano, former construction worker, loved most.
"Also, I still have..."
Hey, this black little crossbody bag was pretty spacious—who designed this four-dimensional pocket?
While drinking water and chewing bread, Amano curiously wondered what other half-eaten items Nanki'in could pull from her bag.
But this time Nanki'in only activated her wrist Eva Terminal, face-to-face quick-transferring something to Amano through the data network.
[Accept data "Millennium Scale"?]
"Cough cough cough!" Violently choked by water he couldn't swallow, Amano nearly spat out the bread.
Why, after half a water bottle and half a bread roll, was the thing pulled out the Millennium Scale?
This inexplicably bizarre plot rhythm—if put in a novel, readers would question whether the author's mental state was normal.
"Grandfather told me to transfer it to you. He said you must accept it." Nanki'in explained.
"Must accept it... Alright then, since it's the old master's intention."
Completely unaware of the 'dowry' trap Nanki'in Muramasa had dug for him, Amano Rei decisively chose to receive.
Actually even if aware, it wouldn't matter. Saying this might sound unbelievable, but Kaiba Chiaki's "dowry" was currently also in his hands. Though apparently the two families' arranged marriage had fallen through, he hadn't heard anything about returning the dowry, letting Amano purely profit one Polymerization Mutation.
["Millennium Scale" data reception complete]
Upon formally receiving the Millennium Item data, Amano Rei's wrist Eva Terminal interface gained an additional icon—the Item's signature golden eye symbol.
Did this mean he'd also become an Item holder now?
According to legend, Millennium Item holders possessed qualifications to control the three Egyptian God cards, and authority to initiate Dark Games.
Whether the three Egyptian God cards existed within Eden Tower remained unknown.
But the ability to initiate Dark Games was pretty terrifying.
Equivalent to Amano Rei possessing means to kill via cards.
Of course, as an educated, law-abiding citizen of the new era, Amano Rei definitely wouldn't commit such anti-social, anti-humanity acts.
But if the premise was self-defense, that became harder to say.
After all, having a gun versus not having a gun made a huge difference in sense of security.
When Amano Rei and Nanki'in Sakuya arrived at the club building district entrance, by sheer coincidence they spotted a familiar striking figure at the entrance.
She also noticed Amano Rei, immediately raising her hand to wave over here.
Rin Seiya: "Oh, hello, Amano-kouhai!"
Seeing Rin Seiya, Nanki'in Sakuya's cool-cute face immediately grew several degrees colder.
"This is what you told me—the person you're meeting isn't Rin Seiya? Actually it's fine, but I don't like you lying to me."
This was truly a misunderstanding—Amano Rei never expected Rin Seiya would also run to the clubs at midday.
Rin Seiya approached with swaying, unsteady steps, happily drawing near.
"Amano-kouhai, why are you here too? Is it because you haven't seen me for three days and can't wait to attend club activities? Though lunch break isn't long, Senpai can still watch two episodes with you~"
"Sorry, Senpai. I have an appointment with someone else."
"Someone else~?" Rin Seiya narrowed her eyes meaningfully, surveying Nanki'in Sakuya. "A lunch date? Coming specifically to flaunt in front of me? Senpai will feel hurt, you know. By the way, did someone gnaw on your mouth?"
"It's not a date either. Rather..."
Amano Rei might as well confess to both.
Nanki'in Sakuya recalled: "Mizuki—that's the girl Ryuuma pinned down before, right?"
Rin Seiya's eyes lit up with curiosity: "Streaming? Sounds really interesting—I'm coming too!"
To facilitate streaming, Mizuki had also applied to Academy City's Eva system for a club.
Actually within the entire club building, several streaming-related clubs existed, but Mizuki still applied for a separate room.
Following Mizuki's provided location, Amano Rei arrived at Room 209 on the second floor.
The small room in the hallway's farthest corner—this felt familiar. Rin Seiya's club also seemed to be in this kind of corner location.
Pushing the door open, as expected the room area was extremely small. But it had been organized neatly and tidily, not appearing cluttered at all.
"Amano-bro, I've finally gotten you here!"
One second still focused on the computer screen before her, the next second when Mizuki looked toward the doorway and saw all three—Amano Rei's group—her expression instantly froze.
After all, the arrivals weren't just Amano alone, but also Nanki'in and Rin Seiya.
Also thanks to all three girls having relatively slender figures, even with everyone entering the space didn't become overly cramped.
Amano Rei explained: "These two insisted on following. You really don't need to mind them."
That's what he said, but Mizuki remained shocked speechless.
As a streamer deeply cultivating the streaming field, she naturally knew how terrifyingly high these two's looks were.
Black uniform black long straight cool-cute type super beautiful girl.
White hair star pupils knee-high socks sunshine type super beautiful girl.
Same being girls, comparing to these two reduced the originally quite cute little pink-haired Mizuki's 4000 LP to absolute zero.
Just having these two stand in her stream screen, Mizuki estimated today's lunch money would be secured.
Amano told her not to mind—how could she not mind!
Super minded!
"Mizuki, you said you had something important to confess to me. What exactly is it?"
Amano Rei was also quite curious what matter would make Mizuki use the word 'confess.'
"Actually, I have a video that went viral. Want to show Amano-bro first."
Mizuki switched to her Bili Bili homepage on the computer screen.
How viral could Mizuki's videos be—at most evolving from a few hundred views to a few thousand.
That's what Amano Rei initially thought.
Until Mizuki opened that video with nearly forty million views—even Amano Rei was shocked.
["The King's roar will now shake heaven and earth! Engrave this unparalleled hegemon's power upon yourself!"]
["Synchro Summon, Level 8 Star! Soul of Rage!"]
["Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend!!"]
Watching the familiar King's Synchro in the video, flames destroying the triple galaxy—no need to think to know which duel this was.
"I've also scrolled past this video and triple-combo'ed it!" Rin Seiya exclaimed excitedly. "Never imagined you recorded it! You did so well, so well!"
You little brat—you actually put the video of yourself violently beating Kaiba Chiha on Eden's network, generating such terrifying view counts.
Half the credit for Kaiba Corporation's stock price cliff-dive probably belonged to you.
Aren't you genuinely afraid of landing on Kaiba Corporation's bounty hit list?
"Actually I always wanted to confess to Amano-bro. At the time I was in a rush and, chasing views, uploaded this video without telling you. Probably caused you trouble, right?"
"Trouble—haven't really felt any."
Anyway, offending Kaiba Corporation had nothing much to do with Mizuki.
As for this video, because Mizuki filmed it hastily while squeezed in the crowd, faces came out very blurry—you could watch the Duel Monsters fine but couldn't see people clearly. Walking the streets, he'd never been recognized.
"Also." Mizuki hung her little pink head low in a guilty manner, fingertips touching together. "The thirty thousand revenue this video earned—I've already spent it all. Can't split it with Amano-bro."
"Thirty thousand—spent in just two weeks?"
Amano Rei looked at his own few thousand balance, all earned through hard Ultra Kill work.
Never imagined you, little brat, filming a video of his entrance duel, raked in this much profit.
"Actually spent it all the day it arrived. I invested everything into streaming equipment!"
Speaking, Mizuki proudly introduced the computer behind her.
Indeed, in the entire cramped club space, only this computer's aesthetic stood out completely differently.
"Built-in currently most advanced motion capture system—can completely simulate real-person card-playing atmosphere in reality. This way I can stream duels online!"
"Stream duels online?"
"But my dueling level is too poor. Even with equipment, streaming duels gets absolutely no views. But Amano-bro is different—not only strong at dueling, but currently the most talked-about duelist!"
This forty-million-view video had already occupied Bili Bili's rankings at number one for two weeks.
Amano Rei might indeed have gone viral on the Eva network without even knowing it.
"So I came up with this plan! I provide streaming equipment, handle commentary and edit/upload videos. While Amano-bro, you just need to duel. I've even thought of the title!"
Mizuki grew more excited as she spoke, enthusiastically pulling up the prepared stream preview interface.
"It'll be called 'Alright, This Time We're Playing Cards'!"
What a corny name—feels like it absolutely won't go viral.
But speaking of Mizuki's dueling level, Amano Rei suddenly remembered.
Didn't this little brat have Dark Magician's head in her hands?
***
40+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces