Chapter Six: A Man’s Friendship Often Begins with Being Caught Together

“Ah, the teacher really is so nagging.” Stepping out of the office, Jounouchi let out a deep breath, clearly relaxing.

Honda nudged him. “Hey, move out of the way first, don’t block the path.”

“Even though the security cameras didn’t catch anything, you two troublemakers are definitely the prime suspects,” said Hayato, the last to leave the office.

After giving the director, Fujita, and the others a severe scolding, Hayato and the others retrieved the footage from the camera and destroyed it on the spot. However, the director’s loud wails during the reprimand attracted attention, forcing them to flee hastily from the scene.

Unfortunately, limited by his short legs, just as Hayato was about to be caught by the security guards rushing in, he volunteered to stay behind and cover for the others so that Jounouchi and Honda could escape with Kyoko and Game. Jounouchi refused to let him stay alone, stubbornly insisting on staying himself, and Honda was equally unwilling to back down.

In the end, all three—Honda, Jounouchi, and Hayato—were caught simultaneously by the security guards and taken to the discipline office.

The beaten director originally planned to use his status to demand the school expel the three and publicly shame them, but when Hayato presented a camera recording showing the director and cameraman filming Fujita assaulting Game, the school’s attitude shifted. They turned the pressure onto the director and his crew for “unauthorized entry into the campus and improper intentions toward students.”

Hayato and the others weren’t fully aware of the details since, after providing the evidence, the principal assigned teachers to escort them back, while the director’s team negotiated with the school authorities led by the principal. Most likely, it was just another dirty trade of favors.

For instance, the school might get more publicity opportunities, and the director could erase his own vulnerabilities.

However, for Hayato and the others, who were taken back by their homeroom teacher, the ordeal was far from over. Although there was still no concrete evidence proving that Honda and Hayato hadn’t participated in the “brawl” alongside Jounouchi, suspicion against them remained. Following a “better guilty than let off” policy, their homeroom teacher handed down individual punishments to the three.

“Jounouchi has to clean the school toilets for a week, Honda has to stand guard at the school gate for a week, and they both have to copy the school rules three times,” Hayato sighed. “Man, we’re really unlucky.”

“Only you don’t get to complain!” Jounouchi snapped. “I understand I got the harshest punishment, but why do you only have to promise not to fight again and that’s it?”

“Exactly!” Honda was also annoyed. “I suspect that old man likes men, otherwise how come you didn’t get any punishment at all?”

“Shut up,” Hayato rolled his eyes and shrugged helplessly. “What can I do? I’ve always been a good student—no trouble and decent grades. You two, on the other hand, have a pretty bad record.”

“You’re asking for a beating,” Jounouchi said irritably. “Just thinking about having to clean the toilets makes me mad.”

“Don’t forget the copying school rules part,” Honda added, looking dejected.

Hayato patted their shoulders. “If worst comes to worst, I’ll help you copy the rules.”

“That’s your promise!” “No backing out!”

The two, who had been a bit down just moments ago, immediately brightened up. After all, for these two idiots, things never stayed serious for long.

“Jounouchi, Honda, Kobayashi!” A soft, childish voice called from behind.

Hayato turned around. “Isn’t that Game-boy?”

Standing behind them was Muto Game. Seeing the three emerge from the office, Game looked apologetic. “Everyone, I’m really sorry. It’s all because of me that you…”

“Don’t say that, Game.” Jounouchi now wore a bright smile, clearly having tossed all the unhappy things aside. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“If we’re friends, then there’s no need to be so formal, Game,” Honda said in a philosophical tone, nodding affirmatively.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Kobayashi,” Game said, his head resting against Jounouchi’s.

“That guy’s annoying attitude irritates me even without you getting involved. I’d have taught them a lesson anyway, so don’t worry about it, Game-boy,” Hayato said with a radiant smile.

Behind Game, Kyoko muttered quietly, “Such a strange way to say it…”

“Yeah, thank you, Hayato,” Game said without minding the odd nickname.

Then, hesitating as if unsure whether to speak, he suddenly asked, “Hayato... can we be friends?”

For a moment, surprise flashed across Hayato’s face before he smiled. “What are you talking about, Game-boy? Aren’t we already friends?”

The group exchanged glances and suddenly burst into laughter.

“Who’s making all that noise outside!”

The teacher’s shout from inside the office shattered the peaceful moment, and the group cheerfully walked away.

After school that day.

“Hayato.”

“What is it?” Hayato was packing his bag when he was called. Looking up, he saw Game, already wearing his small backpack.

“Do you like playing Duel Monsters cards? Jounouchi said he wants to check out the card shop at my house. Kyoko and Honda are going too. Do you want to come?”

As he spoke, Game blinked his big, watery eyes eagerly, clearly hoping Hayato would join. Since Game had very few friends, making a new one today was exciting, and he couldn’t wait to tell his grandfather about it.

Hayato casually pulled out a metal box from his pocket and showed it to Game. “Actually, I’m a Duel Monsters fan too. You have a card shop at your place? I wanted to buy a few cards anyway. Let’s go to your house tonight—I’ll call home first.”

“Awesome!” Game was visibly thrilled but then paused as if remembering something. “But, Hayato, do you have a lot of pocket money? I heard rare Duel Monsters cards are really expensive, and the common ones don’t have much value.”

“I’m not buying anything too rare, just some ordinary cards. I believe every card has its own value,” Hayato said earnestly, pulling out three wallets. “Money-wise, I should be fine.”

Game caught a glimpse of a photo inside one wallet—it seemed to be the face of the director who had gotten beaten up by Jounouchi.

“Maybe I’m seeing things,” Game thought.