Friday, 05/18/2001, 10:59 p.m.
Industrial Illusions Ship, Shared Room #2.
A blonde girl sat sulking against a wall, wearing a displeased expression. It was Mai Kujaku. Around her, several boys had formed small groups to chat, trade cards, or play casual matches.
From time to time, a few faces turned toward Mai with nervous glances—or something more.
Biting her lower lip, Mai muttered under her breath.
"This is such a bore. What am I, a zoo animal? Damn brats. Don't they have anything better to do? What's a lady like me doing in a place like—huh?"
Suddenly, Yugi, Anzu, and Shin entered the room from the hallway. Mai's face lit up in recognition.
The group scanned the room thoroughly until their eyes landed on Mai. Then, after a brief pause and a few whispers, they walked toward her.
Seeing them approach, Mai raised an eyebrow and uncrossed her arms. Then she asked with a smile,
"Hello again, kids. Looking for something?"
Yugi and Anzu's expressions turned uneasy. They exchanged glances in silence, then turned toward Shin.
Shin sighed and said,
"Haaa… Come with us. I have a proposal for you."
Frowning and closing her eyes, Mai grimaced and opened her mouth in displeasure. But when she looked again, the group was already heading out through the far end of the hallway. Her words came out filled with doubt and protest.
"Hey! Wait!"
Shin turned toward her, frowning. The others followed suit, their faces confused.
Raising an eyebrow, Shin asked in a frustrated tone,
"What are you still standing there for? Let's go. There's no time to waste."
Several glances in the room settled on Mai and the group. Unease spread across their faces.
Flushing red, Mai pushed off from the wall and gripped the strap of her bag tightly. Then, she followed the three with stiff posture.
Once she reached the group, Mai asked angrily, her gaze fixed on Shin. The four of them started walking.
"What the hell's going on here, kids? Why the rush? And what's this proposal of yours, 'champion boy'?"
Shin responded with a slight smile. His eyes never left the path ahead. Anzu's grip on his arm tightened a little. Yugi made a face, his cheeks flushed.
"You see, we recently got separated from our two other friends, and now we can't find them. We need help, and since we already know you, it's easier to ask this favor—"
Mai stopped abruptly, clenched her teeth, and spoke coldly to Shin.
"Listen, sweetheart. We don't know each other well enough for these kinds of favors. Don't waste my time with children's games, alright? Lost? What kind of stupid joke is that? Please."
Shaking his head, Shin smiled. His words carried a hint of irony.
"I wasn't done talking, woman. My proposal is simple… I want your help with this, and in exchange, I'll let you sleep in our room."
Smirking mockingly, Mai scoffed and raised an eyebrow as she replied,
"Hmph! Even if it's the champion's room. With all your little friends, how's that different from the common room back there? No, sweetheart, no. If you want my help, we'll have to raise the stakes..."
Stepping closer and invading Shin's personal space, Mai touched his chest with her fingers. Smiling, she glanced sideways at Anzu, still clinging to Shin's arm. Anzu looked at her with hatred and pulled her boyfriend closer. Shin kept a calm face, though discomfort flickered in his eyes.
"Stop touching him!"
Backing off with a frightened expression, Mai continued in a feigned tone,
"Jeje. Relax, tiger. I'm not interested in your little husband. You're so possessive—"
Clicking his tongue, Shin cut her off in a weary tone.
"Enough games. Just say it. What do you want?"
Blinking a couple of times in a suggestive way, Mai replied while spelling it out,
"Naturally, I want the entire room… just for myself."
Yugi and Anzu widened their eyes. Shin simply shook his head and scoffed irritably.
"All of it? Aren't you being a bit too ambitious, woman? Heh. This has been a complete waste of time. Let's go, guys. We don't need this kind of help. We'll find those two on our own."
Shin turned around and started walking down the hallway with Anzu. Yugi nodded and followed shortly after. Mai walked behind them with a smile on her lips.
Noticing Mai from the corner of his eye, Shin raised an eyebrow and asked,
"Changed your mind?"
Turning toward the blonde, Yugi and Anzu looked at her with curiosity.
Mai shook her head and replied playfully, her eyes locked on Shin's.
"No, but I'm curious about one thing. Why did you ask me for help if you didn't need it from the start? If it was out of pity or false generosity, spare me, champion boy. I don't need any of that. In fact, I hate it. It's so typical of men. Thinking they have the right to interfere where they're not wanted."
Sighing, Shin looked away from Mai as he spoke. The group turned down another corridor. Yugi and Anzu looked at Mai with annoyed expressions. She returned their glare, and they averted their gaze.
"Haaa… Wow, Mai. You've got issues. But you're right, I don't care. If you want to sleep in that place, it's your choice. If only opportunities came that easily in life."
Smiling with a crooked grin, Mai walked ahead and stopped in front of the group. A question left her lips. Yugi, Anzu, and Shin came to a halt.
"Opportunities? Keep your sermon, kid. I'd rather make my own path with my own hands, but thanks. I'm sure your parents are very proud. Such good little children."
Lowering his gaze, Shin spoke with sincerity. Anzu and Yugi looked at Mai with discomfort.
"You're broken, girl. Seems like your only friend is loneliness... That path of yours must feel overwhelmingly heavy. But whatever you want, I won't meddle in your business anymore."
Yugi looked at Shin thoughtfully. In turn, Anzu tightened her grip on her boyfriend's arm and then murmured weakly,
"Shin..."
Meanwhile, Mai stepped back a couple of times, her eyes wide open. Her voice came out nervous and sharp. Then, she marched forward until she stood face to face with Shin, pointing a finger at him.
"What—what the hell do you know about me?! We don't know each other at all, bastard! Who do you think you are to judge me, huh?! Take it back! Take it back right now!"
Lifting his gaze, Shin's eyes met Mai's in silence. She returned the look with a furious expression.
Then Anzu asked firmly,
"Is he wrong?"
Mai stared at Anzu with clenched teeth and reddened eyes. Her mouth opened a few times, and her gaze flicked between the three teens, her breath agitated. Shaking her head and snorting, she muttered angrily,
"What the hell am I doing arguing with these brats? Hmph!"
Her gaze suddenly shifted toward Shin. A strained smile twisted her lips as she continued,
"I'll help you find your friends, but I'm not changing my conditions. I want the room to myself. Let's settle this with a duel. Do you dare?"
Nodding, Shin answered with a determined voice. Anzu and Yugi looked at him expectantly.
"So be it. But it'll be after we find my friends."
Mai shook her head and snapped back seriously,
"No way! Who's to say you won't back out when the time comes? Let's have that duel right now."
Reaching into the pocket of his black coat, Shin pulled out a golden key and handed it to Mai. She took it and nodded with a smile on her lips. Then she asked,
"Is this the room key?"
Yugi and Anzu watched Shin nod. Surprise washed over their faces.
Gripping Shin's arm, Anzu asked in an alarmed voice,
"Oh, Shin. Are you sure about this?"
Shin looked Anzu in the eyes, nodded, and then gently stroked her face. His words left his lips with resolve.
"Yes, I'm sure."