After finishing the explanation of the tasks, Youyu declined Principal Samejima's offer for lunch and took his leave.
However, he did not leave the island. Youyu walked out of the office, left the academy building, and headed to the small woods behind it.
Chinai was already waiting there.
The girl stood gracefully among the dappled shadows of the trees, looking much more mature than a few years ago. She wore a blue and white striped uniform top—reminiscent of the student uniform in the "Obelisk Blue" from the animation, paired with denim shorts.
The girl's legs were long, her skin flawlessly fair. Her legs were perfectly shaped, proportionate with a slight hint of flesh, smoothly toned, and elastic.
Practically a leg enthusiast's dream.
Even Chinai's once-flat chest seemed to have expanded and become more spacious compared to before...
Let's just say though she has such wonderful legs, Chinai's talents in other areas might be quite average.
...Yes, I'm talking about card playing.
"Have you been waiting long?" Youyu stepped forward.
"Not long."
Chinai shook her head, her expression as calm as ever. She hugged one of Youyu's arms and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Lunch?" Youyu asked.
"Yes."
"Do you still want to eat at the Blue Dormitory?"
Obelisk Blue is the best dormitory area, its living facilities are luxurious. The cafeteria offers a rich variety of dishes with generous portions, unmatched by either the Ra Yellow or Osiris Red dormitories.
Indeed, this school has three main academies, divided based on the legendary Three Egyptian Gods.
Initially, according to the investor Kaiba Seto's vision, "Obelisk Blue" was the most advanced academy, specifically to accommodate top students, like the "Rocket Class" in some high schools.
Ra Yellow housed average students with balanced abilities, akin to traditional classes.
Osiris Red was basically the concentration camp for poor performers.
From this dormitory division, you can see President Haima's personal quirks. On the surface, Kaiba seems like an unrestrained ruler, but those who know him are aware of his petty side.
Clearly because "Obelisk" used to be the Egyptian God he owned, he intentionally positioned this academy as the best, letting the other two Gods play second fiddle.
In the anime, when the academy was being built, all Three Egyptian Gods had followed the Pharaoh to the Netherworld, making it irrelevant how Kaiba tinkered with them. However, now these three entities are all still affiliated with Youyu.
Back then, when the academy's status was first proposed, the spirits of these three nearly buzzed Youyu's head off.
Most duelists only know the Three Egyptian Gods as the ultimate existences in the Duel World, towering above all, but do not know they are quirky and arrogant.
Especially the Sky Dragon and the Sun God, their opinions were each stronger than the other.
Winged Dragon of Ra: Clearly, I am the strongest Egyptian God. Why is that lumbering Obelisk above and I below?
Slifer the Sky Dragon: I don't care, I don't care, I don't want to be at the bottom!
Obelisk the Tormentor: ... (Though silent, secretly enjoying)
With these three ancestral spirits being so noisy, Youyu had to find the president and suggest modifying the academy's grading system.
Youyu's reason was, dividing students into ranks could adverse the cultivation of diverse duelists, hence suggesting the academy be categorized based on duelist style and personality differences, rather than who is more excellent.
Kaiba shot Youyu a dirty look and snorted.
"Modifying the proposal isn't impossible," he coldly stated, "but..."
As he spoke, he revealed his Duel Disc.
"Come forth! You↑yu↓! If you can beat me, then today you'll have the final say!"
"..."
So, today everyone sees the three academy statuses are fundamentally equal, without superiorities.
"Let's go to the Osiris Dormitory, they have fried shrimp today." Chinai suggested, "I've been eating at Blue Dormitory too much lately, getting kind of tired."
Fried shrimp, huh...
Talking about Red Dormitory's fried shrimp, Youyu instantly thought of his adorable jellyfish-headed student.
In the original, Judai loved the Red Dormitory's fried shrimp most, always as happy as New Year whenever there was fried shrimp.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but chuckle.
Chinai and the little jellyfish really are alike in some ways...
"What's so funny?" Chinai tilted her head.
"Nothing. Alright, let's go to the Red Dormitory then." Youyu went along with her choice.
Chinai recently graduated from university. She is currently an intern assistant in the Duel Academy's infirmary, in two months, she'll become an official staff.
Simply put, she's in the clinic.
What? You ask why Chinai, a poor player, can get a job at the Duel Academy—even just as a health teacher?
This is a long story.
On the day of the job interview.
Chinai walked into the room, the interviewer was a teacher wearing an Obelisk Blue uniform, with glasses perched on his nose, smiling warmly and appearing very amiable.
The interviewer briefly glanced at Chinai's resume before putting it aside, clearly not intending to seriously review it.
He smiled kindly: "Is it... Ms. Chinai?"
"Yes." Chinai nodded slightly, "Hello."
"No need to be polite, feel free." The interviewer chuckled, "I heard Mr. Youyu worked at your shop in Domino?"
Chinai shook her head: "That was a long time ago."
"Ah?" The interviewer paused, "Then what's your relationship with him...?"
"It's not a particularly special relationship..."
The interviewer's friendly smile started to fade, clearing his throat as he adjusted his glasses and picked up the resume again.
"...Just his girlfriend." Chinai completed the sentence.
The girl felt that after years of continuous effort, she had more or less succeeded... Or at least had gotten close.
At least, when she boldly said it in front of Youyu, he didn't object.
The interviewer's hand shook noticeably, causing the resume to fall to the ground. He scrambled to pick it up, adjusting his glasses, his smile returning to its bright and welcoming state.
"You are hired," he smiled, "We need talent like you with strong expertise."
Chinai: "..."
Thus, Chinai was placed in the clinic as a teacher.
Upon hearing the news, Youyu was both amused and exasperated.
However, Chinai majored in related studies at university, making her more than capable of her position.
Moreover, she's become more adept at caring for others.
"..."
Because it wasn't the peak dining hour yet, the cafeteria wasn't very crowded.
Chinai went to get food at the window while Youyu went to queue for drinks for them.
After getting the two portions of food, Youyu hadn't returned yet, so Chinai found an empty table and sat down with the trays.
"Oh? Chinai-chan? What a coincidence, you're eating in the Red Dormitory cafeteria too today?"
Chinai looked back at the voice, and saw a tall woman with fiery red hair, possessing... assets that could make Chinai dizzy.
"Teacher Ayukawa?"
Ayukawa Emi, also a health teacher, was Chinai's senior.
Ayukawa asked, "Taking a break from the Blue Dormitory food for a change?"
"Um... Yes."
She smiled, "Seems like we're on the same page."
Ayukawa sat down with her tray, soon noticing the other tray across from Chinai.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
Chinai's face briefly blushed.
"My... boyfriend."