Chapter 54: This is What You Call VIP Treatment (Tactical Lean-back)
"That's how it is. I just didn't expect Mutou Yuugi to be such a cute kid?" Ignoring the googly-eyed Tristan and Joey Wheeler , Kujaku Mai approached Yugi, examining him up close in his normal state, and even reached out to pinch Yugi's face.
Because he had never had such close contact with a girl, Yugi blushed bright red with shyness: "I, I really am Mutou Yuugi."
"Oh~ I heard that Mutou Yuugi is quite decisive and imposing when he Duels. It seems rumors aren't always accurate." Amused by Yugi's shy appearance, Kujaku Mai finally let go under Téa 's needle-like gaze, taking a step back. "However, on the Duel Field, even a child cannot be underestimated. I truly look forward to meeting you all again at Duelist Kingdom~"
With that, Kujaku Mai arrived like the wind and left like the wind, just as she had come, leaving behind only a scent of perfume that left Tristan and Joey Wheeler spellbound, but it was quickly scattered by the sea breeze.
Watching Joey Wheeler gaze at Kujaku Mai, whose figure had completely disappeared into the crowd, while muttering, "What a great Woman," and "I really want to Duel her," Téa complained somewhat angrily, "What's with that Woman? She's so flirtatious! She'll definitely never find a boyfriend in the future!"
"Nonsense," Hayato interjected lightly. "It's precisely mature women like that who are popular. Though she's not in my Strike Zone." But noticing Téa 's gaze on him wasn't quite right, he quickly added, " Téa , you'll still develop later, just eat more Papaya, mm, keep it up~"
At this moment, the Duelists had mostly finished registering, and the Cruise Ship heading for Duelist Kingdom officially set sail. The Deck was only a temporary placement area and not very safe, so after the Cruise Ship set sail, the Staff in black opened the doors leading into the Ship Cabin, guiding everyone inside.
However, after following the large group into the Ship Cabin, Yugi and the others discovered that what awaited them wasn't comfortable large beds in private rooms, but a vast empty Field. According to the Staff in black, this was the resting area prepared for the Duelists.
"It's supposed to be a luxury Cruise Ship, so why is there only a Shared Dormitory?!" Joey Wheeler immediately wanted to argue with the Staff, and although Hayato tried to pull him back, he couldn't stop the hothead at all. "There are so many people and so little space, are we here to Duel or to suffer?!"
"Exactly!" Just as Joey Wheeler finished speaking, he saw Kujaku Mai, whom he had met earlier, also walk out from the crowd with a dissatisfied expression, standing beside him and arguing with the Staff. "A lady like me isn't even provided with a place to shower, and I have to sleep with a bunch of smelly men? Don't be ridiculous!"
"Regarding this, it's all Mr. Pegasus's arrangement." But the Staff, facing the two noisy blondes, still maintained a calm and composed Expression.
"What's with all this noise?" A voice that sounded very much like a streaker came through. A short boy wearing a hat and carrying a backpack walked into the Ship Cabin, sporting a cocky look like 'I'm the best'. He dug in his ears, seemingly bothered by Joey Wheeler and Kujaku Mai's protests. "Making such a racket is truly improper."
Another person walked out from behind him. Beneath a slightly greenish mushroom cut was a pair of yellow-rimmed glasses, and his all-green attire was truly unappealing. "These Small Fry won't have a chance to make noise once the Match starts. Now is their last moment of revelry."
The two were about the same height, and their personalities were almost equally arrogant, making anyone who saw them feel uncomfortable.
"Is that, Weevil Underwood and Rex Raptor? As expected, the Champion and Runner-up of the Qualifiers were also invited." Kujaku Mai looked at the two, a few thoughts forming in her mind, and quietly retreated back into the crowd.
The green triangle arrow — I mean Weevil Underwood — squinted his eyes, looking at the crowd in the Ship Cabin, wondering what he was thinking. But the moment he saw Yugi, his eyes widened. "Huh? Mutou Yuugi?! You're Mutou Yuugi, right!"
Yugi stood beside Hayato, never expecting that he, who was usually just an invisible person at School, would be recognized again and again today. "Ah, hello. I am Mutou Yuugi, my Friends all call me Yugi."
"What a coincidence, Yugi. I didn't expect to see you guys in a place like this." Hearing Yugi reveal his identity, Rex Raptor still maintained that haughty attitude, while Weevil Underwood showed a smile and approached Yugi, greeting him. "I've heard of your great name for a long time. You defeated Kaiba Seto, so I presume among the Duelists participating in this Match, the [Exodia] you possess is the strongest, right?"
"Hehehe, I just got lucky to defeat Kaiba." Yugi, who had never received such flattery, smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Ah, right, I watched your Match, Weevil, and Rex Raptor's. Congratulations on becoming the Japanese National Champion."
"Not at all~" Weevil smiled slightly, his eyes also squinting.
"Hmph, it's not like I didn't go easy on you, holding back." Rex, who was beside them, heard Yugi mention that Match again and spoke up, somewhat displeased.
Weevil didn't get angry. Instead, he friendly said to Yugi, "However, I heard that this Match will be different from previous ones. It seems many new Rules have been added, so the experience applicable in past Matches can no longer be applied. Everyone is actually starting from the same point."
"Who cares about the Rules? Anyway, if I encounter any difficulties later, my Duel Monsters and I will crush everything!" Joey Wheeler didn't pay much attention to the "new Rules" Weevil mentioned, saying confidently, as if the title of Duel King was already in the bag.
Rex glanced at Joey Wheeler . "You, you're unexpectedly my kind of guy?"
"However, Weevil here said one thing wrong. We are not starting from the same point." Saying this, Rex took out a special "Kingdom" Card from his body, the Card Art of which had a layer of golden light on its surface. "As Players from the last Match, we get to enjoy the special service of the luxury Cruise Ship, while you guys can only squeeze together with others in this Shared Dormitory, hahahaha."
Just as he started laughing, a Staff member in black walked out from behind him. Seeing Hayato, he quickly jogged over and bowed, saying, "Thank you for waiting, Mr. Hayato Kobayashi. As a specially invited guest of Mr. Pegasus, you and your Friends can enjoy our top-tier VIP Service."
"VIP Service, what's that?" Rex didn't quite understand his words. "I only heard that Players can enjoy the treatment of private rooms. I'm a VIP too, right?"
"You are Mr. Rex, correct? You and Mr. Weevil both receive the most basic Room Service. VIP Service is not open to the public; only Industrial Illusions' most distinguished guests can enjoy it, which is Mr. Hayato."
Seeing Rex instantly shut down, Hayato was amused. "There are plenty of private rooms on such a large Cruise Ship. Surely no one actually thinks having a private room makes them a VIP, right? Surely not, surely not?"
"Hmph!" Unable to stand Hayato's sarcasm, Rex walked out with a gloomy face, not even waiting for Weevil, who was still trying to get close to Yugi. Meanwhile, within the crowd, a blonde woman set her sights on the departing Rex and quietly followed behind him.