Chapter 54: What do you mean by VIP treatment? (Tactical lean back)

“That’s it, but what I didn't expect was that Yugi Muto would be such a cute little kid?” Ignoring the lecherous expressions on Honda and Jonouchi's faces, Mai Valentine leaned in close to Yugi, examining him up close in his normal state, and even reached out to pinch his cheek.

Because he had never had such close contact with a girl before, Yugi's face turned bright red with embarrassment: "I... I really am Yugi Muto..."

"Eh~ I heard that Yugi Muto was quite decisive and domineering during duels. It seems rumors aren't always consistent with reality." Amused by Yugi's shy reaction, Mai finally let go under Kyoko's needle-like glare and took a step back. "However, even a child cannot be ignored on the dueling field. I look forward to seeing you all again at Duel Kingdom~"

With that, Mai arrived like the wind and departed like the wind, just as she had arrived, leaving behind only a trail of perfume that left Honda and Jonouchi dazed, though it was quickly scattered by the sea breeze.

Watching Jonouchi mutter "What a great woman" and "I really want to duel her" while staring at Mai's figure as it was completely swallowed by the crowd, Kyoko complained irritably, "What is wrong with that woman? So frivolous! She'll definitely never find a boyfriend!"

"As if. It's exactly those kinds of mature women who are popular. Though she's not in my league," Hayato remarked nonchalantly. Noticing the strange look Kyoko was giving him, he quickly added, "Kyoko, you'll still develop later. Eat more papaya. Yeah, keep it up~"

By this time, the duelists had basically finished registration, and the cruise ship bound for Duel Kingdom officially set sail. The deck was only a temporary staging area and wasn't very secure, so once the ship departed, the staff in black opened the doors leading to the cabins and ushered everyone inside.

However, after following the main group into the cabins, Yugi and the others discovered that instead of comfortable large beds in private rooms, they were met with an empty, open space. According to the men in black, this was the resting area prepared for the duelists.

"It's supposed to be a luxury cruise, so why is it just a dormitory!" Jonouchi immediately tried to argue with the man in black. Although Hayato tried to hold him back, he couldn't stop this reckless man. "There are so many people and so little space! Are we going there to duel or to suffer?!"

"Exactly!" Just as Jonouchi finished speaking, he saw Mai Valentine, whom he had met earlier, walking out from the crowd with a dissatisfied expression, standing beside him to argue with the man in black. "A lady like me doesn't even have a place to shower, and I have to sleep in a crowd of smelly men? Don't make me laugh!"

"Regarding this matter, it is all according to Mr. Bekalus's arrangements," the man in black replied, maintaining a calm and composed expression despite the two blondes' noisy protests.

"What's all this noise about?" A voice that sounded very much like a nudist drifted over. A short boy wearing a hat and carrying a backpack walked into the cabin, a "I'm the best in the world" arrogance plastered on his face. He picked at his ear, seemingly annoyed by Jonouchi and Mai's protesting. "Such loud shouting is truly unsightly."

Another person walked out from behind him. Under a somewhat greenish mushroom haircut was a pair of yellow-rimmed glasses; the green outfit from head to toe was truly hard to appreciate. "These small fry won't have the chance to make noise once the tournament begins. This is just their final moment of revelry."

The two were roughly the same height and almost equally arrogant in personality, making them unpleasant to look at.

"Is that... Insects Haga and Dinosaur Ryuga? As expected, the champion and runner-up of the qualifiers were also invited." Mai watched the two, a thought forming in her mind, and quietly retreated back into the crowd.

The green-clad Triangle Haga—I mean, Insects Haga—narrowed his eyes as he scanned the crowd in the cabin, his thoughts unknown. But the moment he saw Yugi, his eyes widened: "Huh? Yugi Muto?! You're Yugi Muto, right!"

Standing beside Hayato, Yugi never imagined that he, who was usually just an invisible person at school, would be recognized repeatedly like this today: "Ah, hello. I am Yugi Muto. My friends all call me Yugi."

"What a coincidence, Yugi. I didn't expect to see you in a place like this." Hearing Yugi reveal his identity, Dinosaur Ryuga maintained his nose-in-the-air attitude, but Insects Haga approached Yugi with a smile and greeted him, "I've heard of your great name long ago. You defeated Seto Kaiba, so you must be the strongest among the duelists participating this time, especially with your [Exodia], right?"

"Hehe, I just got lucky to defeat Kaiba-kun," Yugi said, feeling a bit embarrassed by such flattery. "Oh right, I saw your match against Dinosaur Ryuga. Congratulations on becoming the Japanese national champion."

"Not at all~" Haga smiled, his eyes squinting.

"Hmph, it's only because I let you win and held back," Ryuga interjected irritably from the side upon hearing Yugi mention that match.

Haga wasn't angry; instead, he said to Yugi in a friendly manner, "However, I heard that this tournament will be different from previous ones. It seems many new rules have been added, so you can't just apply the experience from past matches. Everyone is actually starting from the same starting line."

"I don't care what the rules are! When the time comes, my duel monsters and I will crush everything in our path!" Jonouchi said with great confidence, seemingly believing the title of Duel King was already within his grasp.

Ryuga glanced at Jonouchi: "You... you're unexpectedly to my taste."

"However, Haga got one thing wrong. We are not on the same starting line." As he spoke, Ryuga pulled out a special "Kingdom" card with a golden sheen on its surface. "As contestants from the last tournament, we get to enjoy the special services of the luxury cruise, while you lot can only squeeze into a dormitory with everyone else, hahahaha!"

Just as he finished laughing, a man in black walked out from behind him. Seeing Hayato, he jogged over and bowed: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Hayato Kobayashi. As a specially invited guest of Mr. Bekalus, you and your friends may enjoy our top-tier VIP services."

"VIP services? What's that?" Ryuga didn't quite understand. "I only heard that contestants get private rooms. I'm a VIP too, right?"

"You are Mr. Ryuga, correct? Like Mr. Haga, you are entitled to basic guest room service. VIP-level service is not open to the public; only the most distinguished guests of Industrial Illusions can enjoy it—namely, Mr. Hayato."

Watching Ryuga get instantly shut down, Hayato chuckled: "The cruise is so big and there are plenty of private rooms. Surely no one actually thinks having a private room makes them a VIP, right? Surely not?"

"Hmph!" Unable to stand Hayato's sarcasm, Ryuga walked out with a dark expression, without waiting for Haga, who was still trying to get close to Yugi. Meanwhile, in the crowd, a blonde woman set her sights on the departing Ryuga and quietly followed behind him.

The usual stuff, you know.

(End of Chapter)