Monday morning — 8:15 a.m.
Yugo and Kael slip out of the classroom, tuning out the echo of a boring teacher rambling on about theories of light and optics. The cool wind flows through the high school courtyard, and the clattering of lockers echoes behind them.
Kael can't stop smiling.
— "Did you hear?"
— "What?" replies Yugo, still a bit lost, his head stuck in the lesson.
— "The tournament!"
Yugo freezes.
— "The Cycloduel tournament?"
— "Yeah, it's happening this weekend in Grenoble. It's kind of a low-key event, but I got the info. The organizers are looking for motivated people. 1v1, 2v2, all kinds of formats. It's official. You in or what?"
Yugo raises an eyebrow, his head filled with memories of past races, the adrenaline pulsing in his ears.
— "You and me against the world — how does that sound?"
---
Saturday morning — 9:40 a.m. Northern Canal, Grenoble.
The train ride went by fast. A few bottles of water, some granola bars, and suddenly the crisp mountain air. The smell of damp earth, the winding canal. Yugo and Kael settle into the spot where the event is set to begin. The vibe is different: tenser, more serious. The participants gear up with advanced helmets, fine-tuned bikes, touchscreen displays mounted to their handlebars.
The two friends exchange a look.
— "See that crowd?" whispers Kael. "It's like we're in an arena."
— "It's not just an arena, it's a tournament. First prize is a sponsor contract. You better bring your A-game."
The atmosphere is electric. Bikes line up, screens glow. Everyone is equipped with a holographic Duel Disk mounted to their handlebars. Event staff walk around, giving tips to the young duelists. Armin runs up, hair a mess, bike bag bouncing on his back.
— "You're here! You're actually here?!"
— "Of course we are, dumbass," Yugo grins.
Kael shakes his head.
— "Wanna join us for the 2v2?"
— "Hell yeah! I'm gonna destroy you both, obviously. But I'm not using those standard decks. I play my way."
Natsuo walks up behind them, calm as always. He stops and surveys the area.
— "I don't have a strategy. I hate planning. I just play."
The group starts warming up, adjusting their bikes, pulling on gloves. The first matches kick off in an intense atmosphere. Spectators cheer, bikes zoom past. Yugo, Kael, and their allies rack up the wins. But it's not as easy as it looks.
Kael's screen flashes. The opponent activates a Shaddoll Fusion, and the duel takes a nasty turn. He pauses, takes a deep breath.
— "It's too fast. Too much pressure." But he's smiling. That's the rush.
Yugo is loving it, dodging canal obstacles while managing cards at lightning speed.
---
Saturday night — 7:30 p.m. At Yugo's place.
The tournament is finally over. Hands are full of victory and a few scrapes. Trophies shine, the squad's together, but the competitive fire still burns. It's been a long day, and a well-earned one.
Yugo opens the door, and the smell of pizza fills the room.
— "Wait, you got all this ready after today?" Kael asks, his mouth dry from the intense effort.
— "I know you guys. I came prepared." Yugo tosses a box on the table.
The crew gathers around, grabbing slices of pizza, cracking open cans of soda. Tired faces, but the good mood's still there.
— "Okay, I'll admit it," Armin says, sipping his drink. "That was fun. Cycloduel really hits different."
Kael nods.
— "Yeah, and it's harder than I thought. The speed, the obstacles, the pressure. But that's part of what I love about this sport. It's not just card games. It's real life on the line."
Natsuo, always chill, smiles just enough to show a bit of mischief.
— "Still thinking of lending me your HERO deck?"
Yugo rolls his eyes.
— "No way, dude. After what we went through to get here?"
They spend the rest of the night talking about matches, decks, and the next steps. The speed's still there, but something deeper has taken root.
---
Sunday morning — at the beach, 10:00 a.m.
After a crazy day, Yugo and his friends take a break. Nothing better than being away from bikes, away from the stress. They relax on the beach, just watching the waves. The sound of the ocean is like a symphony after the chaos of the tournament.
Kael pulls out his deck and starts shuffling his cards.
— "You know what?" he says, glancing at Yugo. "I feel like testing a new version of this deck. Let's have a normal duel. Like the old days."
Yugo smiles.
— "I'm always down for a duel."
Natsuo sits a bit farther off, reading a book like always. Armin scrolls on his phone, checking the latest news from the dueling scene.
— "Wanna have a mini-tourney right here?" Kael says, handing a card to Yugo. "Just a chill duel between friends. No pressure. Just fun."
Yugo looks at the sun. He takes a deep breath.
— "You know what? No rules this time. Let's just play. One duel. One moment."
The warm sand under their feet. Cards flying in the wind. The breeze shifts, and the game goes on.