Chapter 24: Around every couple, there are always a few single people

Because of a casual remark from Hayato, Honda and Manjome began a "strategic competition" with the goal of "conquering 'Little Ribbon'" as their victory condition.

"You guys have to help me, Jonouchi, Hayato, Game!" Honda said, his face full of woe. "That guy Manjome is counting on his family being school board members to confess his feelings to Miho at the next cultural festival!"

"A public confession? Even though you can let loose at a cultural festival, the teachers will be there, right?" Game asked, somewhat puzzled. "Isn't Manjome-kun afraid of getting caught?"

"That's why I said, his family is on the school board."

"Oh, right. So he doesn't have to fear any disciplinary action at all." Jonouchi pounded his palms together. "That guy is so cunning."

"So please, help me think of something, otherwise 'Little Ribbon' will definitely be snatched away by him!" Honda looked utterly aggrieved.

Beside them, Kyoko imagined the scene that might unfold at the cultural festival—on the highly anticipated performance stage, a certain someone in a white suit, completely undeterred by the gaze of society, would offer 9,999 roses to her with a face full of passion, confessing his love in front of everyone.

"If he really confesses at the cultural festival, putting myself in his shoes, I might actually say yes," Kyoko shared her opinion, though she didn't reveal who the person confessing to her in her heart actually was. Was she still undecided on his looks? Or was she just too embarrassed to say it?

"See? Using his family's advantage, how despicable." Honda recalled the smug expression on Manjome's face when he announced his confession plan. Furthermore, it was rumored that he had drawn inspiration from his duel with Hayato. "As long as one can pluck the final fruit of success, no method is considered despicable," that was what the guy had said.

"There's really no helping you, Honda Takeo." Unaware that he was the one who had inspired Manjome's idea, Hayato pulled a paper gun out of his schoolbag. "Ta-daaa~"

"An American-made M1917 Smith & Wesson!"

"Uh, what?" Honda stared at the paper gun Hayato shoved into his hand.

"Using this, no one will be able to refuse your confession. Go, Honda, for the sake of your happiness!"

"What kind of happiness is obtained through threats with a gun!" Honda snapped back. "Besides, this thing is made of paper!"

"Ah, you caught me."

"You weren't even trying to hide it! No normal person would fall for that!"

"Alright, alright, I was just joking." Hayato took back the paper gun from Honda; after all, it was the result of an entire afternoon's effort. "Since you don't like that idea, I have another one. Do you want to hear it?"

"Be a little more serious..." Honda glanced at Game and Jonouchi, considering his options. He felt that Hayato was the only one who could give him relationship advice. He just hoped it would be more reliable than that "paper gun."

"If you want the other person to accept your confession, ultimately, you need to achieve a resonance with their heart so that you can be together." Although Hayato had never been in a relationship, it was well known that the more single a person was, the better they were at giving emotional advice. "In other words, you just need to find a way to make them feel your sincerity."

"You make it sound so easy. What am I supposed to do, rip my heart out and give it to her?"

Kyoko sighed. "Honda, you really are dense. Haven't you understood what Hayato means? He means you just need to give her a gift that represents your feelings—like a jar filled with 1,000 paper cranes, or a handmade doll of her, for example."

Honda spread his hands helplessly. "Do I look like someone skilled at handicrafts?"

"Honda is good at causing destruction, but asking him to do delicate handiwork is a bit much, isn't it?" Jonouchi chimed in.

"Um, how about we find someone skilled at handicrafts to make it for us?" Game suggested a solution, which caused Honda to involuntarily shift his attention to Hayato, who was now playing with the paper gun again after making his suggestion.

Noticing Honda's gaze, Hayato immediately stood straight and tucked the gun away. "Don't look at me. I can fold paper cranes and stars and things like that, but 1,000 is way too many. Besides, if you don't make it yourself, how can you convey your sincerity? You might as well just go buy one."

"Ah, speaking of which, I think I know what would be appropriate." Game clapped his hands, having thought of a good idea. "Yesterday on TV, I saw the female protagonist confess to the male protagonist. She gave him a pure white jigsaw puzzle, and her feelings were written on the pieces."

"That's a good idea. However, a pure white puzzle might be hard to find, right? And if there are too many pieces, what if 'Little Ribbon' can't finish it?" Jonouchi thought about it and felt Game's idea was brilliant.

"Chicken-chan just received a batch of white puzzles, and there aren't too many of them."

"Hmm, I have reason to suspect you're just trying to bring customers to your family business, Game-boy."

--Dreaming of a strong start after a nap--

Because of Game's suggestion, which smelled suspiciously of solicitation, the group headed to Game's house after school once Jonouchi had finished his daily cleaning duties.

"Chicken-chan, I'm home~"

Hearing Game's energetic voice, Grandpa Sugoroku, who was standing behind the counter as usual, responded, "Oh, you're back, Game."

"We're dropping by as well." Following behind Game, Honda walked in, followed by Kyoko, Jonouchi, and Hayato.

"Not at all, our house is quite large. You're all welcome to come over and play," Grandpa Sugoroku greeted them warmly.

After Honda explained his purpose, he followed Grandpa Sugoroku to the warehouse to fetch the newly arrived, unlisted item: "Love's Finishing Move! The Pure White Confession Puzzle." It had to be noted that, given the highly targeted product name, the price of the white puzzle could easily be doubled. Grandpa Sugoroku actually had a bit of a business mind.

While waiting, the bored group started another game of Duel Monsters, though this time the players were Jonouchi and Game. This was Jonouchi's Nth "comeback duel" against Game, but even though they had just drawn their hands, Hayato already knew the final result in his heart.

Having little interest in watching the collision between the weak 800 ATK of [Shadow Warrior of Purple Flame] and the 1500 ATK of [Dark Dragon King], Hayato opened the system. A few lines of large text met his eyes

【Congratulations on winning a duel, and congratulations on finally winning a match.

The rating for this duel is

3200dp——

Comeback Victory (Winning while having lower LP than the opponent at the start of the turn): 2500

Used 3 Spell Cards: 100dp

Feeble Resistance (An attack declaration causing over 1000 damage): 300dp

Reaper (Using effect damage for the final blow): 300dp

Would you like to use the Newbie Reward: Double Rating? (Remaining uses: 10)】

Double it! Double it for me!

Without any hesitation, Hayato clicked the 【Yes】 button, watching as a full 6400dp was added to his original 2500dp balance.

He now had a total of 8900dp on hand. He was only 100dp away from being able to exchange it for a slightly cheaper UR card.

Just as the text from his previous duel with Shoji Manjome had vanished, Hayato noticed that within the four templates, the 【Achievement】 and 【Shop】 areas both lit up with golden borders.

As he was writing the settlement, he thought: when I was fighting Shoji, if I had used Goblin Thief first to drop the opponent's HP to 1000, and then dealt 900 damage through battle, would the final 100 damage being harvested by the effect have made it more exciting?