"Ugh~~!!"
"Is Hoshino alright?" Everyone who had returned to Domino City using Kaiba's helicopter was excited about their first helicopter ride—everyone except one person.
"I never want to fly again, QAQ!" Hoshino, who was extremely airsick due to her poor constitution, was crying as she vomited.
Feeling sympathetic, Yugi and the others quietly discussed, "Could Hoshino be homeless?"
"We don't know anything about Hoshino's real identity," Honda said, shaking his head helplessly.
"But no matter who Hoshino really is, she's still our most important friend," Jounouchi said resolutely, clenching his fist.
"So, what are Hoshino's plans now..." Yugi said, looking worriedly at Hoshino's frail back.
(Three hours earlier———)
"Hey! Pegasus, can't you give me the prize money?" Although she expected this outcome, Hoshino still tried to plead.
"It's clearly stated in the rules, Hoshino-girl~ Only those who use the [Glory of the King's Hand] card are eligible for the prize money," Pegasus said, smiling as he shook his head, rejecting Hoshino's request again. "But I'm not a devil. As compensation, we'll cover Jounouchi's sister's surgery costs entirely."
"Damn, in the end, Jounouchi turns out to be the biggest winner, huh?" Although Hoshino glared at the tearful Jounouchi in anger, she was also genuinely happy that his sister could be helped.
"But what about me, a homeless kid? Do I have to go work at Kaiba Corporation?" Hoshino said helplessly, turning to Kaiba. Even though she had saved him, Kaiba hadn't even thanked her, let alone offered her a job.
"Uh, with Hoshino's skills, working at our Kaiba Corp shouldn't be a problem!" Mokuba said, tugging at Kaiba's sleeve. "Brother, how about...?"
"No!" Kaiba refused firmly, frowning as if he were extremely against the idea.
"Damn it, Kaiba, you promised me you'd welcome me to work after the duel in front of the castle!" Hoshino, who didn't want to work either, thought that if Kaiba would give her a high-paying, easy job as thanks for saving him, it wouldn't be so bad.
"Hmph, our Kaiba Corporation doesn't hire minors, homeless people, or those without an identity—three things you are!" Kaiba's unassailable reasoning shut Hoshino up. As the company's CEO, he indeed had no obligation to hire someone like Hoshino at great risk.
Feeling abandoned by two major figures, Hoshino lowered her head in disappointment.
"Ha ha ha, Hoshino-girl, don't be so down. You're the Duel King now. Use that title well, and at least you won't be living poorly," Pegasus, still perceptive even without his Millennium Eye, easily saw through Hoshino's thoughts. "If I just gave you a large sum of money, you'd probably turn into a shut-in, wouldn't you? I don't want to lose such an excellent Duel King because of that."
"He even sees through my plans to live shut-in with the money!" Hoshino thought, surprised that Pegasus had guessed her intentions so accurately.
"Oh ho ho, but Hoshino-girl, you're a marketing genius. That tearful plea on global television—no one can resist a cute girl's tears. Your popularity must be skyrocketing now~" Pegasus said, looking at Hoshino with admiration, clearly having high expectations for the new Duel King. "Under your leadership, Duel Monsters will surely reach new heights."
Hoshino, who was genuinely expressing her feelings, felt somewhat annoyed that Pegasus compared her to those reality show contestants who play for sympathy. But he had a point—she was now a semi-celebrity, so making money shouldn't be difficult. However, the main problem was still...
(Domino City, Sugoroku's Toy Store———)
"Broke and without a place to stay, huh? Poor thing," Sugoroku said, looking thoughtfully at the helpless Hoshino.
"Kaiba, really heartless. Hoshino saved him, and he didn't even say thank you—just left like that!" Jounouchi said, angry on Hoshino's behalf.
"Let's not be too hard on Kaiba, Jounouchi. After all, he said he had to deal with the Big Five's issues," Anzu said, patting Jounouchi's back.
Indeed, Kaiba was already overwhelmed and couldn't spare time for others. Kaiba Corporation was still in turmoil, with the Big Five holding nearly half of the company's shares. Even if Kaiba returned as CEO, he wouldn't be able to settle things quickly.
"Every family has its troubles," Honda sighed deeply.
"Anzu, can I stay at your place?" Relying on her friends, asked Anzu directly.
"Um..." Anzu, suddenly put on the spot, scratched her head awkwardly. "Well, we do have my little brother at home, so there's no extra room. If you want to come, I can ask my mom. Staying a few days should be fine, but long-term..."
Realizing that Anzu was trying her best to help, Hoshino nodded understandingly.
"If it would be too much trouble..."
"Hey, why don't you stay at the toy store?" Sugoroku, who had been deep in thought, suddenly said.
"Grandpa, is that okay?" Yugi, feeling it might not be appropriate, blushed and asked.
"Of course, Yugi," Sugoroku said, smiling kindly at Hoshino. "Hoshino is Grandpa's savior. How could I not help her when she's in trouble?"
"But, having a girl live in a house with just the two of us men, isn't that inappropriate?" Yugi pointed out, thinking it was quite unsuitable.
"Relax, Yugi. Grandpa meant the store, not our house," Sugoroku said, smiling knowingly. "If we clean up the old storage room in the toy store and furnish it a bit, it'll be quite cozy. Grandpa used to live there when the store first opened and I didn't have a house."
"Really? Grandpa!" Hoshino, clinging to this lifeline, looked at the kind old man with pleading eyes.
"Of course, Hoshino is a good girl. I'm happy to help," Sugoroku said sincerely. "Besides, you don't have any money, do you? Grandpa will cover the cost of furniture and daily necessities."
"Is this okay?" Hoshino, feeling that Sugoroku's kindness was far beyond Kaiba's indifference, felt touched yet hesitant. Now, Sugoroku was even willing to pay for her living expenses.
"Oh ho ho ho, Hoshino is a considerate girl," Sugoroku laughed a shrewd look in his eyes, revealing the wisdom of a seasoned businessman. "In return, just help out at the store in your free time. Of course, Grandpa will pay you a salary~"
"This sly old man, he just wants me to be a poster girl!"
(***)
"Brother, why didn't you agree to let Hoshino join Kaiba Corporation?" Mokuba questioned Kaiba in the luxury car. "Is it because of your loss to…?"
He paused, worried about reopening old wounds.
"It's fine. I've come to terms with losing to Yugi, especially since I won against Hoshino," Kaiba replied with a smirk, believing that his victory over Hoshino proved he was stronger than Yugi.
"But if we let Hoshino, the King of Duelists, join our company, it would silence all the critics among the executives and quickly restore Kaiba Corporation's reputation, even surpassing its previous heights," Mokuba argued. Despite being young, his sharp business acumen sometimes surpassed his brother's.
"I already said, Kaiba Corporation won't hire someone with no family, no home, no identity…" Kaiba began.
"That's not true, brother!" Mokuba interrupted sternly. "There are many employees in our company who were once homeless, just like we were before being adopted. That's not the real reason! Why are you so against involving Hoshino?"
Kaiba let out a cold snort and continued staring ahead without another word.
(***)
(Kame Game Shop)
"Hahaha, it's done!" Hoshino clapped her hands, satisfied with the room they had cleaned and furnished in just one afternoon.
Outside, Jonouchi and Honda, exhausted, stared at her in disbelief. "You didn't even lift a finger! Why are you acting like you did all the work? Who knew you were so good at ordering people around… I'm exhausted!" Jonouchi complained.
"Thanks, everyone!" Anzu handed them canned drinks, impressed by their efficiency. "You all worked faster than a moving company under Hoshino's direction."
"Thank you, Anzu!" Jounouchi gulped down the drink. He then turned to Hoshino. "But seriously, finishing this quickly… Were you a commander in a secret unit or something?"
Hoshino just smiled mysteriously without answering.
Suddenly, Yugi's stomach growled, drawing everyone's attention.
"Ah, I can't take it anymore!" Yugi said, collapsing onto the floor. "Grandpa, I'm so hungry!"
Having worked hard to help Hoshino, Yugi's stamina was nearly depleted.
"The sun is setting," Bakura noted, glancing at the horizon. "It's time to head home for dinner. Our families must be worried since we haven't been home for days."
"Yes, we should go," the others agreed, realizing it had been three nights since they were home. Although they were high school students on vacation, staying out for days wasn't ideal.
"See you tomorrow, Yugi, Hoshino!" They waved goodbye, heading home, promising to return the next day.
"See you tomorrow!" Hoshino waved back, feeling a pang of sadness seeing them leave for their homes.
Left alone with Yugi, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward.
"So, Yugi, why is the shop called 'Kame Game'?" Hoshino broke the silence, trying to ease the awkwardness.
"Because of this," Yugi explained, pointing to a green toy turtle by the entrance. "Grandpa says the turtle is the shop's mascot, so he named it 'Kame Game.'"
"That's… so random," Hoshino remarked, noting the turtle's minimal presence, which seemed out of place in the shop.
"Yugi, Hoshino, dinner's ready!" Grandpa's voice called from the adjacent house. Though not in the same building, Yugi's house was attached to the shop, so Hoshino was welcome to join them for meals.
"Let's go, Hoshino. Grandpa's cooking is great!" Yugi said excitedly, seemingly thrilled to bring a girl home for the first time.
"Okay~"
(After Dinner)
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call us. We're just next door," Grandpa reassured Hoshino.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm used to living alone," Hoshino replied confidently. Her businessman father often worked late, so she was accustomed to being home alone.
Back at the Kame Game Shop, Hoshino locked the doors and windows. Despite reassurances about the city's safety, she prioritized her security.
Finally feeling secure, Hoshino sat on her bed. The room lacked the furniture, figurine cabinets, and posters of her old room, but its simple cleanliness was comforting.
"So, this is my new home?" she murmured, feeling a pang of homesickness.
"Just me, no computer, no phone… It's so boring. I want to watch some anime!" She lay back on the bed, fiddling with her Millennium item, lamenting the lack of dark energy to summon "Mr. Holmes" for a game.
"Wait, I can…" She sat up, remembering she could draw cards to pass the time.
"Pegasus is ranked the same as Yugi! And 'Mr. Holmes' said he's weaker than Yugi. That unreliable detective!"
"Another SSR chance! What a pleasant surprise," Hoshino exclaimed, feeling her efforts had paid off.
"Today isn't over, so I should use this SSR ticket now and save the quartz for tomorrow's new pool." She quickly opened the card shop.
"Always exciting," Hoshino murmured, heart racing as she initiated the draw.
As she selected the option, a brilliant golden light swirled around her. The light seemed brighter than usual, making her squint.
"Master, I heard you're struggling with living expenses. Would you like me to go out and work for you?" A gentle voice spoke, offering to relieve her burdens, "Then you can relax at home."
"Karna, responding to your summon!"
"Karna, oh no!" Tears welled up in Hoshino's eyes as she listened to his protective words. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the cards. "But Karna, in your card form, you can't work like you did when you manifested in the real world."
The reality was harsh. If Karna were physically present, Hoshino would undoubtedly become completely dependent. But now, Karna could only assist her in duels.
"Then let's duel, Master! Enter tournaments with prize money!" Karna suggested, still unwilling to give up. "Even as a card, my heart burns with passion. With this spear, I will never taste defeat!"
"You're so reliable, Karna!" Moved by his determination, Hoshino smiled brightly, feeling a warm comfort dispelling her loneliness.
Filled with this warmth, Hoshino soon drifted off to sleep.
(The Next Morning)
"Ugh, what's going on? It's so noisy outside!" Woken by the sound of children shouting, Hoshino abandoned her plan to sleep in.
After getting ready, she opened the door and was stunned by the scene before her.
It was a massive card-drawing event.
"UR! UR! UR! Please give me a UR!" The children were fervently chanting as they held packs of Duel Monster cards, hoping for Ultra Rare (UR) cards, which Hoshino knew from her experience with gacha games were equivalent to SSRs—super rare and valuable.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! Is there any breakfast?" Hoshino called out, feeling hungry, as she saw Sugoroku busy at the register.
"Oh, Hoshino, you're awake!" Sugoroku, looking vibrant and cheerful, probably due to the bustling business, responded, "Grandpa is busy right now. Please wait a bit!"
"Hoshino, it's Hoshino!"
"Wow, it's the King of Games, Hoshino! She's even prettier than on TV!"
To Hoshino's surprise, Sugoroku's casual mention of her name drew the children's attention, making her the center of attention. Not used to such intense scrutiny, she instinctively stepped back into her room.
"Calm down, everyone!" Sugoroku skillfully calmed the excited crowd. "Only those who pull the most UR cards by 10 AM today will get the chance to duel the King of Games, Hoshino Chiyuki!"
"What? I never agreed to this!" Hoshino was shocked that Sugoroku had used her as a business ploy on her first day there.
However, unable to refuse after being fed and accommodated, Hoshino reluctantly looked towards the crowded entrance of the Kame Game Shop. The toy turtle from yesterday was now gone, replaced by a poster of her.
(*****)
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