Chapter 14: The Real Duelist Doesn't Take a Lover!

You Tian had been pondering a question.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! DM, Duelists were as numerous as fish crossing a river—but how many of them could truly be called real Duelists?

Consider Seto Kaiba: only eighteen, yet worth billions, yet still faithful to White Maiden—could he be a real Duelist?

You Tian would say: No, no—Seto Kaiba, formerly known as Seto, was an Egyptian priest, second only to the Pharaoh, yet secretly pledged his life to Kisara—he cannot be called a real Duelist.

What of Mutou Yugi, possessed by the Pharaoh, winning more than he lost, divine draws as routine, card printing as seasoning—could he be a real Duelist?

You Tian again said: No, no—Mutou Yugi wielded the Millennium Puzzle, possessed dual personalities: outwardly sweet, inwardly cruel; pursued by Makoto in secret, coveted by Rebecca afterward—he cannot be called a real Duelist!

Then, who truly deserves the title of real Duelist?

Now, You Tian understood.

The only true Duelist is Jonouchi alone!

It is well known: real Duelists do not take lovers!

And Jonouchi, faced with Kongque Wu—a woman of such "great" beauty—still refused to take a lover! If not him, then who?

Kongque Wu always felt she had somehow been insulted by this man before her.

"Hey! Are you Jonouchi's friend?" Seeing You Tian lost in thought, Kongque Wu asked again.

You Tian brought his mind back.

"I'm Jonouchi's father. I approve of your marriage."

"Ah? Ah! Ah?" Kongque Wu uttered three "ahs" in succession.

She was genuinely flustered by You Tian's unexpected reply.

"N-No, I'm just a friend with Jonouchi!"

Though she denied it, her cheeks flushed crimson.

"Besides, you look about Jonouchi's age—how could you possibly be his father?"

You Tian clicked his tongue twice.

Fine, I admit—I only wanted to repay Jonouchi for the Da Fu he bought me, nothing more, nothing like envy or jealousy.

"Adoptive father is still a father. Godfather is still a dad."

"Jonouchi saw my dueling skill and specifically adopted me as his godfather."

Kongque Wu's eyelid twitched.

She was certain: this man was definitely Jonouchi's friend.

Only Jonouchi could have such a ridiculous friend.

"I saw you talking with Jonouchi and Anzu over there earlier—I was going to come say hello, but they suddenly left."

You Tian understood.

"Someone's hitting on his sister—he went back to kill the witness."

"Sister?" Kongque Wu tapped her lip, lost in thought.

"So that's how it is."

"Forget that idiot."

Kongque Wu turned her gaze back to You Tian.

"I'm Kongque Wu. What's your name?"

"You Tian," You Tian replied.

"You're a Duelist too, right? What are you doing sitting here?" Kongque Wu asked again.

You Tian's eyes darted.

"Ah, it's a long story!"

He pulled out the contraband he carried.

"Just now I met two Duelists who foolishly challenged me and Jonouchi to a 2v2 Duel. After they lost, they felt too ashamed to remain in the dueling world, so they gave me their decks, Duel Disks, and all."

As he spoke, You Tian opened his backpack and gestured for Kongque Wu to look.

"See? Those two didn't even keep their flashy outfits."

Kongque Wu eyed You Tian skeptically.

You Tian acted as if he didn't notice, putting on a look of distress.

"Ah, tell me—what would I, a single man, even do with their Duel Disks and decks?"

"Here's an idea: beautiful lady, since we're fate-bound and you're Jonouchi's girlfriend, I'll sell you this bag—for 80,000, flat."

Kongque Wu's eyelid twitched again.

"I already told you—I'm just a friend with Jonouchi!"

She smoothed her disheveled hair.

"If I'm not mistaken, those two outfits are Gurus', right?"

"Uh…" You Tian chuckled awkwardly.

"So you recognize them…"

His gaze drifted.

"Heh, I just educated two Gurus members with Jonouchi, helped them see the light and leave the Dark Duel world."

"I'll give you a discount—50,000!"

Kongque Wu smiled faintly.

"You… need money, don't you?"

You Tian's face lit up with delight.

"See! I told you—you and Jonouchi are a match! You both guess so accurately!"

A flush of crimson flashed across Kongque Wu's face.

"I already said, I and he…"

"Never mind!"

Kongque Wu didn't want to argue about this topic anymore. She turned around and rummaged somewhere in her blouse.

"Here, since you're Jonouchi's friend, take 100,000!"

Oh wow~~! An unexpected surprise!

You Tian happily took the 100,000.

Looks like I'll have to restock at the card shop soon!

But… hmm? Why is this money still warm?

Kongque Wu, seeing You Tian's puzzled expression, cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Hmph!"

"It's already noon. Since you've got money now, shouldn't you treat this lady to something to eat?"

You Tian slowly raised his head, stunned for a full ten seconds.

"Here." He handed over the uneaten box of tofu.

"These seven… no, these five are all yours."

Kongque Wu nearly laughed in anger.

Of course he's Jonouchi's friend!

"Who wants to eat this! Can't you take me to a proper Western restaurant?!"

You Tian pressed his lips together.

"These were bought by Jonouchi, you know~"

Kongque Wu: "Who cares who bought them! This lady wants steak today!!! STEAK!"

…

Five minutes later, on the sidewalk of Jounouchi, Kongque Wu held the box of tofu in one hand and chewed on a soft, fragrant piece in the other.

But her expression now held no serene delight of a meal enjoyed—only an inexplicable ferocity.

"Oh my, Sister Wu! Why are you so angry?"

Kongque Wu shot You Tian a disgruntled sideways glance as they walked side by side.

"Fine, fine! I'll take you to eat steak, alright?!"

Hearing this, Kongque Wu's expression softened slightly.

"That's more like it."

Still, the tofu Jonouchi bought really did taste pretty good.

Not long after, the two sat down at a seemingly nice Western restaurant.

Looking at the menu prices, You Tian felt as if his heart were bleeding.

Kongque Wu studied the boy's expression across from her and found it hilarious.

She sighed and smiled: "I'll pay, alright?"

The moment she spoke, You Tian's eyes lit up instantly.

"Waiter! Two top-grade A5 wagyu steaks, a bottle of Lafite, and dessert!"

Kongque Wu's eyelid twitched again.

"By the way, you just teamed up with Jonouchi for a Duel, right?"

You Tian put down the menu with complete satisfaction.

"Yeah. Jonouchi is a very capable Duelist."

A glimmer sparkled in Kongque Wu's eyes.

"A very capable Duelist?"

She recalled how, in Duelist Kingdom, Jonouchi had looked helpless, like a homeless stray dog, when he couldn't find his invitation card.

Now, could he stand on a broader stage, just like her?

"Looks like he's grown up."

Kongque Wu rested her chin on one hand, lost in thought.

After a long while, she murmured softly.

"I'm six or seven years older than Jonouchi."

You Tian understood.

Just as I thought, these two~

In the Original Plot, Kongque Wu was a tsundere older woman, while Jonouchi was a total oblivious guy.

They both clearly liked each other, everyone knew it, but their personalities kept them from ever being honest with each other.

These two became a source of unresolved longing for many card fans.

"In my hometown, there's a saying: 'A woman three years older brings golden bricks.' Age isn't an issue."

"Besides, that guy Jonouchi is unreliable and clueless—can he even measure up to you, Sister Wu?!"

"Don't worry, Sister Wu! When I meet him again, I'll bundle him up and deliver him to you!"

Ah, Jonouchi, brother can only help you this far.

Kongque Wu stared, dumbfounded.

After a moment of stunned silence, she burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! You're something else, hahaha!"

At that moment, the waiter came over to serve the dishes.

You Tian, who had been hungry for half a day, looked at the fragrant steak, and his stomach immediately growled.

Kongque Wu, seeing You Tian in this state, also felt a bit embarrassed.

"Eat, eat!"

"Got it!"

And so, You Tian began to devour his meal with great relish.

"But then…" unexpectedly, Kongque Wu spoke again.

"After you finish eating, could you have a Duel with me?"

"Hm?" You Tian lifted his head in confusion.