YUGIOH: It's Time to Duel!-Chapter 121: Happily Ever After

[Yuna's POV]

Two days later...

People say that humans adapt very quickly, and it wasn't long before our lives returned to normal. Seto compensated the employees after they were all brought back to life, and thankfully, there weren't many complaints, possibly due to how loyal the Kaiba Corp Staff were...

When the Millennium Cube was destroyed, Diva and his family lost their powers too. I didn't think it was fair to blame him for what happened. If anything, the real problem was the Millennium Ring. That thing caused more harm than anyone. But it's gone now—burned to ashes. We kept our word and found a safe place for the children, somewhere private and out of the spotlight.

As for me, I don't feel the same connection to my Pharaoh powers anymore. There's still something faint there, but it's nothing like what I felt that night. I'm pretty sure I could get it back if I had the Millennium Puzzle, but... It's not really my thing.

As the final arc of Yu-Gi-Oh reaches its end, I now face the next biggest moment of my life: Graduation. At the auditorium, students dressed in Domino High uniforms sat in long rows. Sitting next to Tea, I watched as Yugi slowly stepped up onto the stage, his legs shaking as he tightly clutched his script for the end-of-year speech.

It was obvious he hadn't volunteered. I already had a strong suspicion about who was behind this cruel prank. My eyes drifted toward Seto, not sitting far from me, watching Yugi with a smug sneer plastered across his face.

As the speech began, a hush fell over the crowd. We listened with soft smiles, memories of the past year flickering through our minds. Some students shed quiet tears, while others sighed in relief that it was finally over. One thing was certain: the moments we shared here would stay with us, etched deeply into our hearts.

By the time Yugi finished his speech, the crowd erupted into applause. With the graduation ceremony drawing to a close, we proudly received our certificates, sang the school anthem one last time, and savored our final moments as high school students, caught in that bittersweet space between endings and new beginnings.

[3rd POV]

One hour later...

"Where are you taking me?" Yuna asked as Seto led her by the hand. They walked up a quiet stairwell and soon stepped out onto the rooftop of Domino High.

Yuna let out a soft breath as her eyes landed on the sunset. She had seen many in her life, but something about this one felt different. It felt more personal.

"You still haven't told me why we're here," she said, giving his shoulder a gentle poke.

Seto gave a small laugh. "Do you remember the first time we dueled?"

"Well, if you mean me wiping the floor with you, then absolutely." Yuna grinned, her voice laced with playful mischief.

Seto rolled his eyes and gave her a gentle flick on the forehead. "I'm joking! I'm joking!" she laughed, holding up her hands in mock surrender.

"No... you're right," Seto said, his tone suddenly quieter. "My arrogance really knows no bounds. That has been a wake-up call."

He turned to her, sincerity flickering in his eyes. Your strength has been unmatched. No matter how many times I duelled, I could never best you. I loved Duel Monsters, truly. But I'm starting to see now... There are things far more important than just a game."

His gaze lingered on her a moment longer, soft with unspoken meaning. "So before I decide to stop, would you honor me with one final duel?" he asked.

Yuna's smile returned, calm and confident. "Of course."

Standing across from each other, Seto's smirk was filled with a quiet nostalgia as he activated his duel disk. Yuna's smile was one of eager anticipation, her eyes burning with a competitive fire that Seto couldn't help but love.

"Duel!" they both shouted in unison.

"I'll go first," Seto declared, drawing five cards with a flick of his wrist. "I activate my Ultimate Fusion! By using my two Blue-Eyes White Dragons, I summon... Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"

[Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon: 3000 Attack]

The roar of the dragon echoed through the air, and Yuna's smile only widened as she took in the majestic beast.

"Now, I play this equip-spell: The Ring of Mystical Sapphire!" he announced, his voice tinged with a proud confidence.

Yuna's eyes narrowed in confusion. "I've never heard of that card before..."

"This one's... custom-made," Seto replied, a knowing smile creeping onto his face.

Under Yuna's watchful gaze, he slowly walked toward her, holding something in his palm. It shimmered under the duel's lights, a silver ring with a sapphire at its center, its deep blue almost mesmerizing. Realization washed over Yuna, her breath catching as she looked up at him.

Before she could speak, Seto knelt in front of her, the weight of the moment settling quietly between them.

"Yuna," he said gently, the usual challenge and playfulness gone from his voice, replaced by something more sincere, "Will you marry me?"

Yuna froze, her heart pounding. Everything around her seemed to slow as she tried to take in what he had just said.

"S...Seto..." she whispered, unable to steady her trembling lips. Her eyes filled with tears.

"I don't want to live with regrets anymore... I made that mistake once, a long time ago, and I don't want to make it again," Seto said quietly, holding out the ring.

Yuna bit her lip, then slowly raised her left hand. With a shaky breath, Seto reached out and gently took it. He carefully slid the ring onto her finger, and Yuna flinched slightly as the warm metal met her skin.

To Seto, it felt like he had just overcome the greatest challenge of his life. His body trembled, and he couldn't take his eyes off her hand.

Rising slowly to his feet, Seto's heart pounded in his chest. He tried to keep his voice steady as he asked, "Does that mean you agree?"

"You... you really are an idiot..." Yuna muttered, her voice shaking. "What took you so long..."

Seto pulled her into his arms, feeling the dampness of her tears soak into his shirt as she buried her face in his chest. "Sorry..." he whispered with a chuckle, just before feeling her soft punch against his stomach.

He gently lifted her chin and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Then, without hesitation, they kissed and neither of them could stop the wide smiles that followed.

Just then, the rooftop door burst open with a loud bang, and several figures tumbled out, landing in a clumsy pile. Stunned, Yuna stared as Yugi and his friends scrambled to untangle themselves. At the top of the heap, Serenity looked up at them with sparkling eyes, beaming.

"See? I told you guys, Kaiba really is proposing!" Serenity said excitedly to Tea, who groaned from underneath the pile. "Who would've thought he'd use a duel to hide it!"

Joey, Yugi, and Tristan laughed awkwardly as they realized they'd been caught eavesdropping. Seto's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening — for a second, he genuinely considered murder for the interruption.

But the thought vanished the moment he heard Yuna laugh beside him. She looked at her friends with amused eyes, the irritation in the air melting away.

Tea and Serenity rushed over, practically sparkling with excitement as they fixated on the ring glinting on Yuna's finger.

"Alright, you two..." Yuna sighed after fielding a barrage of questions. "We'll talk later, but can you give us a moment?"

Blushing, Serenity and Tea quickly backed off, dragging the others with them.

As the rooftop finally fell quiet again, Yuna smiled mischievously and tugged on Seto's collar. "Now... where were we?" she asked, and in that instant, it felt like nothing else in the world existed but the two of them.

Years Later...

In the bustling heart of Domino City, a boy dashed through the crowded streets. "Alright, I got my deck, I got my gear, and I got about two minutes to get to the Duel Academy Entrance Exam!"

He yelled frantically, "I can't be the next King of Games if I'm late to the games!" Zipping through the crowd, the boy ran with all his might, praying that he would get there in time.

*SKRRRT*

The boy sprinted into the road, shouting in panic—only to be cut off by screeching tires. A car skidded to a halt inches from him, and he crashed to the pavement with a grunt. Groaning, he looked up, only to freeze as the gleaming front of a black limousine loomed just above his face.

"What the hell were you thinking, brat?!"

Doors flew open. Men in sharp black suits poured out of the limo, surrounding him in a flurry of footsteps and fury.

"You trying to get yourself killed?! Who runs into traffic like that?!"

The boy gulped, caught between the pain in his knees and the heat of a dozen angry stares.

Before the boy could even stammer out an apology, a calm, melodic voice from the limousine cut through the tension.

"Stop... It's alright."

The guards hesitated, "But Madam..."

"He's clearly learned his lesson," she pressed gently. "It was a mistake, and no one was hurt. Let him go."

Her tone was soft, but carried the weight of authority. One by one, the suited men stepped back. The boy, still on the ground, scrambled to collect his scattered cards, his hands shaking with relief.

"Thank you!" he beamed up at the woman, clutching his deck to his chest.

She smiled kindly. "It's okay, but what got you in such a hurry?"

"Ah!" His eyes went wide. "I almost forgot!"

He bolted upright. "I'm sorry, I really have to go! The Duel Academy Entrance Exam starts in one minute. I've gotta make it, or I can kiss my dream goodbye!"

"I see... Fortunately, we're heading to the same place," the woman said with a soft smile. "Would you like a ride? It'll certainly be faster than running."

The boy's eyes welled up. Overwhelmed by her kindness, he nodded furiously. "Yes! Thank you so much!"

He climbed into the black limousine with wide eyes, the plush interior wrapping around him like something out of a dream. Velvet seats, golden trim, and a quiet hum of air conditioning.

Carefully, he settled onto the seat across from the woman, still clutching his deck. Only then did he realize someone else was beside him, watching silently.

"Ah! Sorry!" the boy blurted, scooting over in embarrassment. "Didn't mean to crowd you."

The man gave a polite smile. The atmosphere inside the limo was calm... but the boy's heart was still racing.

As the limousine glided smoothly through the city streets, the boy finally allowed himself a proper look at the woman seated across from him, his breath caught in his throat. There was something strikingly familiar about her.

She wore a crisp white vest over a fitted shirt, the loose collar gracefully revealing the curve of her slender neck. A flowing white cloak draped over her shoulders, exuding elegance, while sleek black pants and matching gloves gave her a commanding, yet refined presence. Her long, blue hair cascaded down to her waist, shimmering in the soft lighting of the cabin.

"Y... You're Y... Yuna S... Sano..." he stammered, voice barely above a whisper, and the woman smiled gently, a glint of amusement in her eyes.

Still reeling, the boy turned to the man beside him, and his jaw nearly hit the plush floor. Spiky gold and pink hair. A black tank top. And that iconic, oversized puzzle pendant resting on his chest...

"Y... You're Yugi Mutou..." the boy choked out, voice cracking with disbelief.

He let out an unintelligible noise somewhere between a squeak and a gasp, heart thundering in his chest. The King and Queen of Game, right next to him. It felt like a dream...

"Fu fu fu... What's your name?" Yuna asked.

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.

The boy swallowed hard, nerves tangled in his throat. "Jaden Yuki..." he mumbled, barely loud enough to hear. Yuna laughed, a soft, melodic sound that somehow put him at ease.

"You're lucky, Jaden. You would've been running for at least another twenty minutes before reaching Duel Academy," she said, giving him a knowing look. "But it seems fate had other plans."

Jaden nodded sheepishly, shrinking a little into his seat, unsure whether to laugh or hide under it.

Sensing his embarrassment, Yuna gave him a final amused glance before turning back to her companion. With a gentle chuckle, she resumed her conversation with Yugi, leaving Jaden to sit in stunned silence.

"So, I heard you and Téa are expecting," Yuna said with a warm smile. "Congratulations... How do you feel?"

Yugi let out a small breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess... a little nervous. What if I'm not a good father?"

Yuna chuckled softly. "That's exactly what Seto said to me," she replied, her eyes flickering with fond memory. "But the moment our daughter was born, it was like a switch flipped in him. There's no perfect way to raise a child, Yugi. But if you're already worrying about being good enough, I'd say you're off to a pretty great start."

Yugi smiled gratefully, "Thanks, Yuna... That really means a lot."

"But," he added, tilting his head curiously, "what's the real reason you called me? I heard you've been pretty busy yourself, taking care of your daughter and all..."

"Don't worry, Seto's looking after Miyuki," Yuna said with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You really should've seen him! As we speak, he's conducting a business meeting with a baby strapped to his chest! It was hilarious."

She giggled, the image clearly still fresh in her mind. Yugi laughed, picturing the famously stoic Seto Kaiba balancing corporate negotiations with baby duty.

"But anyway," Yuna continued, her tone shifting to something more purposeful, "the reason I asked you here is because I'm hoping you'll lend a hand over the next four years."

She flashed a bright, excited smile. "Things are about to get a lot more hectic at Duel Academy, and it'd be nice to have some support from someone I trust."

As Jaden perked up with curiosity, Yuna caught his gaze and raised a finger to her lips with a playful shhh, "Sorry, Jaden, but this is a secret."

"I see..." Yugi nodded, understanding her unspoken request. "Since you asked, I'll do what I can."

"Great!" Yuna's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Oh, and if Téa has any questions, feel free to reach out. I'd be more than happy to help."

For the rest of the trip, Yuna and Yugi continued to talk about their lives. Finally, having the courage, Jaden also joined the conversation, his mind filled with questions to ask the two best duellists in the world. Before he realised, the limousine arrived at the Duel Academy's entrance.

As Jaden stepped out, he bowed deeply, gratitude evident in his posture. Yuna waved him off with a warm smile, "Thank you, Mrs Sano! I will definitely repay this favor!"

Hearing the boy's passionate response, Yuna laughed and crossed her arms, "It's nothing. Don't worry about being late, I will make sure they let you in the exam. Good luck, Jaden. I hope you pass."

"Thank you so much!" Jaden beamed, his spirits lifted. Without another word, he sprinted toward the exam room, determination fueling his every step.

Thirty Minutes Later...

Jaden's heart raced as he stepped into the assembly hall, the weight of his recent victory still fresh in his mind. Word had spread quickly about his triumph over the formidable Professor, and he couldn't suppress a proud grin as whispers and admiring glances followed him to his seat.​

The hall buzzed with anticipation, students and faculty alike awaiting the commencement of the ceremony. Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd, building a palpable tension in the air. Suddenly, the curtains parted, and a collective gasp swept through the audience.​

Stepping onto the stage was none other than Yuna Sano, her presence commanding immediate attention.

"Good afternoon, everyone..." Yuna's voice resonated clearly through the microphone, capturing the attention of all present.​

"​Queen of Games..." Whispers rippled through the crowd, eyes filled with admiration and awe.​

"​Duel Academy has been open for two years," Yuna began, her tone warm yet authoritative. "​We've nurtured many aspiring duelists during this time. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, I haven't been able to witness your growth firsthand. But today, that changes. As your new headmaster, I commit to overseeing each of you, striving to bring out the best duelist in all of you.​

"​I look forward to working with you all."​

A wave of excitement swept through the assembly. The prospect of learning under the world-renowned duelist was a dream come true, akin to a divine opportunity bestowed upon them.

"One last thing," Yuna's voice resonated through the microphone, capturing everyone's attention. "​I observed many duels today and was thoroughly impressed by our new students. To honor exceptional talent, I'd like to reward today's standout duelist. Jaden Yuki, please join me on stage."​

Instantly, all eyes turned to Jaden. Expressions ranged from admiration and curiosity to envy. Snapping out of his daze, Jaden awkwardly made his way to the stage, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.​

"​That was an impressive duel, Jaden. You truly gave Professor a run for his money," Yuna remarked with a smile. "​But I'm eager to see how far your skills can take you." She gestured to the duel arena. "​Shall we have a duel?"​

Jaden's eyes widened in shock as Yuna pointed confidently toward him. His heart raced with excitement at the prospect of dueling her. "​Yes!" he exclaimed eagerly.​

Sharing a laugh, they activated their Duel Disks simultaneously...

"​IT'S TIME TO DUEL!"

END

----------------------------

Thank you for reading my story.