The duel was one-sided. After Dinosaur Ryuzaki summoned the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Jounouchi's advantage, gained through the Barbarian Brothers, vanished.
"This is like getting rubbed into the ground," Honda said anxiously, watching Jounouchi's dwindling LP from the audience.
"After saying such cool things before going on stage," Anzu also looked worried.
However, Hoshino at that moment remained silent, with a look of utter despair. She had no interest in paying attention to the duel on stage.
"….Hah." Having used up the 45 Saint Quartz just rewarded, Hoshino fell into despair. Even though getting nothing from 45 Saint Quartz was typical for her as an person with Rank E Luck, the huge disparity compared to her first ten-roll was hard to accept.
"Not even a guarantee, Stupid system, didn't even give me a guaranteed card in ten rolls!" Hoshino shouted in her mind. In all 15 rolls, she only got Medea as a Servant, with the rest being support Magic Trap Cards, confirming her title as 'Craft Essence Go'.
"Heh, Jounouchi, as a rookie duelist, I must commend you for lasting this long against me," Ryuzaki began mock Jounouchi from his seemingly victorious position on stage.
"Damn it, You think I've lost? I've still got a hidden card!" Though he was at his wit's end, Jounouchi couldn't help but talk tough.
"Hahaha, that's hilarious. Even Pegasus couldn't turn this around," Ryuzaki laughed as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.
"No, Jounouchi, you still have a chance to win." Hoshino, recovering from her horrible gacha roll, loudly reminded Jounouchi on stage. She knew Jounouchi had a good card that could reverse the situation.
Ryuzaki stopped laughing and looked at Hoshino, "Oh? I've heard that the duelist who defeated Mai Kujaku is a cute girl who hangs out with Yugi. That must be you." Having been beaten by Mai before, Ryuzaki was intrigued by the girl who defeated her.
"How interesting. You say Jounouchi can beat me, how about a bet?" Ryuzaki's eyes glinted with a sinister idea.
"If Jounouchi wins, I'll give you this Red-Eyes Black Dragon that cost me my entire fortune," Ryuzaki sneered. "But if Jounouchi loses, you will become my girlfriend, including your deck."
Ryuzaki, initially only interested in Hoshino's deck, couldn't resist his lust upon seeing how cute she was.
"You're pervert. Hoshino would never agree to such bet," Honda and Anzu angrily scolded Ryuzaki from the audience.
"If you think it's unfair, I'll bet my two remaining star chips as well," Ryuzaki said, taking off the two star chips left on his glove, confident he wouldn't lose.
"Fine, I accept!" Hoshino thought she could just deny it later since such an illegal bet couldn't be enforced. Betting star chips or cards was regulated, but betting a person was illegal and unenforceable. Ryuzaki might just end up getting beaten by the black-clad guards.
"How can you agree to such a certain-loss bet?" Anzu and Honda were flustered, not understanding Hoshino's strategy.
"Could it be Hoshino knows Jounouchi has that card?" Yugi believed Hoshino wouldn't gamble on a sure-loss. She must know something about Jounouchi's deck.
"Hoshino..." Jounouchi looked guiltily at Hoshino. He had just been talking tough, and now she was dragged into it, making him feel awful.
"What are you hesitating for, Jounouchi! Use Time Wizard!" Hoshino shouted to the bewildered Jounouchi on stage.
"Huh? Time Wizard?" Jounouchi glanced at his hand and saw the card. He had never used it before, so how did Hoshino know?
"Whatever, I summon Time Wizard in attack mode!" Trusting Hoshino, who believed in him, Jounouchi resolved to believe in her unconditionally.
"[Time Wizard★★ Light ][Spellcaster/Effect ATK: 500 DEF: 400]"
"Hahaha, that's hilarious. Such a weak monster can't even damage my Red-Eyes Black Dragon," Ryuzaki laughed.
"Activate Time Wizard's special effect. Time Magic!" Ignoring Ryuzaki's taunts, Jounouchi activated the effect decisively.
"Toss a coin. If you call it right, destroy all monsters on the opponent's field. If you call it wrong, destroy all monsters on your field and take damage equal to half their total ATK. This effect can be used once per turn during your Main Phase."
Ryuzaki's face suddenly stiffened, realizing this seemingly insignificant card had such a terrifying effect.
"Heads or tails..." Jounouchi hesitated. The outcome depended on his guess.
"I guess, heads!"
Hoshino believed in Jounouchi because his luck always prevailed with such probability-based god cards.
Heads! Time Magic activated!
As Time Wizard raised its staff high, the entire field twisted as if millennia had passed.
The Red-Eyes Black Dragon shattered into fossils, and Baby Dragon evolved into Thousand Dragon, announcing Jounouchi's victory.
"No way, he actually won," Anzu and Honda couldn't believe their eyes.
Jounouchi exhaled deeply and struck a cool pose toward Hoshino.
"Duel over, the winner is Katsuya Jounouchi!"
"Hand it over, you pervert," Jounouchi jumped down from the ring and snatched the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and the three star chips from the stunned Ryuzaki.
Thus, Dinosaur Ryuzaki, runner-up in the Japan Duelist Tournament, was out.
"Hoshino, this is for you." Jounouchi handed two star chips and the Red-Eyes Black Dragon to Hoshino, his eyes filled with tenderness. From the beginning, Hoshino had unwavering faith in his victory, even making that bet with Ryuzaki. It stirred a special feeling in the often mocked 'novice duelist' Jounouchi.
"I'm glad I didn't let you down, Hoshino," Jounouchi rubbed his nose. "Otherwise, even if I risk being kicked out, I wouldn't let Ryuzaki take you."
Hoshino waved her right hand, refusing the star chips and card Jounouchi offered. "Jounouchi, these are your prizes for your first victory in Duelist Kingdom. Consider it my celebration for you."
"Believe in yourself, Jounouchi. You're a strong duelist, and you will save your sister." Hoshino smiled warmly, respecting Jounouchi who bore the responsibility of saving his sister.
"Hoshino, Hoshino... you're so kind to me." To everyone's surprise, Jounouchi started crying.
Helpless, Honda put an arm around Jounouchi's shoulder. "Come on, Jounouchi, you big guy. Crying in front of a girl is too embarrassing."
"I just... I just..." Jounouchi wiped his tears with his right sleeve. "Hoshino, you wouldn't happen to..."
"Stop you're delusions," Anzu interrupted Jounouchi. "Hoshino is just kind to everyone."