Chapter 12: Invitation to Duelist Kingdom

                                    

                                          
"Wait, so you're coming over today, too?" Akia questioned her blond friend.
"What did I tell ya? I'm going to be at your place every day until I finish training with grandpa," Jounouchi answered her. "By the way, what about your boyfriend?"
"What boyfriend?" the red-eyed girl innocently asked.
"Bakura! He's not coming over today too?" The teen specified.
"Why do you care?" Akia grumbled impatiently.
"Sheesh, no need to snap at me like that!" Jounouchi reacted.
Akia was really not in the mood to deal with Jounouchi's teasing. The truth was that Akia had asked him if he was free to come over, but he was avoiding her all day. He declined her offer saying that he was busy. He was not flat out ignoring her, but he wasn't keeping eye contact. Usually, he'd approach her at any chance he got, but, that day, he didn't talk to her, unless she initiated the talk herself. His responses were also very brief. And now, on her way home, Jounouchi was asking her about her 'boyfriend'. What was wrong with Ryou, she wondered? Did she do something wrong that offended him?
Somehow, Honda and Anzu also decided to go over to her and Yugi's house that evening. They said they wanted to cheer Jounouchi on with his training.
"Grandpa! We're home!" Yugi called out.
"Welcome back! I see you've brought your friends over. What about your boyfriend, Akia?" Sugoroku greeted them all.
"He's not my boyfriend!" She snapped back.
"Whatever you say," he chimed, not really believing her.
"Oh, by the way guys," Yugi addressed his friends, "did you hear about the Duel Monsters tournament? They're going to be airing the final round today."
"Oh man! That's going to be epic. Let's hurry up before it starts," Jounouchi ushered everyone.
"Man... I should've entered that tournament. If it wasn't because of all the schoolwork lately..." Akia whined.
"Schoolwork wouldn't stop you from doing whatever you want..." Yugi retorted.
"That's what you think..." His sister replied.
"But I thought that when it comes to tournaments and competitions, the school is pretty lenient and the teachers help you catch up after," Anzu informed her.
"What?! How come I didn't know that??" Akia yelled out, frustrated about not being informed about this.
"You don't exactly pay attention to anything that has to do with school..." Honda commented.
"Well, then... Next Duel Monsters tournament, I'll definitely join!" The red-eyed girl decided.
"Hey guys, I think it's starting!" Yugi brought everyone's attention back to the TV.
On the television screen, that was on since they came in, the duel between the two finalists of the tournament. The announcer introduced them as Insector Haga, and Dinosaur Ryuuzaki.
"They're the finalists? They look so scrawny..." Akia mocked them.
"You know better than to judge by appearance..." Yugi reprimanded his sister.
"Still... There's a limit," she defended her view.
As the duel unfolded, it seemed like Ryuuzaki had the upper hand.
"They have so many rare cards... Grandpa, do you have any new packs?" Akia asked her grandfather.
"As a matter of fact, I do. But I'll only give you one pack, it's rather expensive..." Sugoroku answered and left to go get the pack. At the same time, Haga managed to turn the duel in his advantage.