After Shadi's attack, it was as if the paper window between Yuto and Téa had been pierced—the two were inseparable every day.
For half a month, they stuck together. Today, too, Téa entered the classroom with her arm linked to Yuto's.
Anyhow, Joey was different from usual—he was fiddling with a handheld game console about 5cm wide.
"Strange sight, Joey. What're you playing?"
"This isn't playing—I'm raising a life!"
Yuto and Téa blinked. Raising a life with a game console?
Yugi explained from the side: "It's the latest digital pet game. The pet inside needs careful care. How well you raise it decides how good it becomes..."
He paused, then pulled out his own digital pet.
"And the machines can connect at the top to let pets meet. It's super popular right now."
Beep beep...
"Ah, my pet pooped! Time to clean!"
Yugi pressed a button, and waves flushed the poop away.
"Interesting, right?"
"Mm..."
Yuto stayed quiet, but Téa lit up.
"Yuto, let's raise one together!"
"Sure. After school, let's buy one."
"Mm!"
While they chatted excitedly, Tristan entered with his Beautification Committee armband.
"You guys are degenerates! Wasting time on virtual nonsense. Useless! Degenerate!"
They all looked at Tristan.
"No need to put it like that. It's fun."
"Tch. I don't want to become a Beautification Committee janitor for a digital pet. Even if the whole world raises them, I won't!"
Rigid guy... though this'll be fun.
Yuto glanced at Miho, not far away. She clutched a digital pet console, with dark circles under her eyes.
Sure enough, Miho spoke.
"But Miho really likes her digital pet... And this Sunday there's a contest! The prize is a trip to Australia!"
"No wonder your dark circles are so heavy. How late did you stay up?" Téa asked.
"I didn't sleep at all... I really want to go to Australia, so I kept raising it."
She gave Tristan a pitiful look, fanning the flames.
"And it's a pair trip... Still, Miho's so tired. If only someone could help me raise it..."
Tristan took the bait, clutching her hands with resolve.
"Leave it to me! As Beautification Committee member, I promise—we'll win!"
Yuto twitched his mouth. Classic Simp Tristan—he didn't even wait for Miho to ask.
Joey mocked openly.
"Who just said, even if the whole world raises pets, he wouldn't?"
Tristan coughed into his fist, scrambling for excuses.
"B‑Because... I think the real and digital worlds are the same! As a Beautification Committee member, I must clean the digital world too!"
"..."
Everyone stared. Whatever, if he's happy.
Yuto thought, he's probably already named the kid in his head.
Riiiing...
The class bell rang. Yuto and Téa sat down.
After school, the two rushed to the Muto game shop.
"Ah, digital pets? Sold out already," Grandpa said.
"Know anywhere else with stock?" Yuto asked.
"Domino City's out. The company didn't expect the craze."
Then Solomon added, "Right! Yugi took the last one this morning as a spare. Ask him."
"By the way, isn't Yugi back yet?" Téa asked, seeing it was nearly dark.
"No... he said he was going to see a classmate named Haiyama. He hasn't returned."
Sounds like trouble again. Good chance to grab Yugi's spare.
"Then let's find him. Where'd he go?"
"Oh, the address was..."
Yuto and Téa reached it—an abandoned warehouse, not a home. The half‑open door and the ruined surroundings were eerie.
Crack! Crack!
Inside came whip‑like sounds, and Yugi's screams.
"Téa, stay safe. Hide if you need. I'll save him."
Yuto charged in.
Inside, a fat green‑haired boy lay beaten on the floor, whip marks all over him. Yugi hung from a beam, Haiyama lashing him.
"Why won't you be my pet, Yugi? Once you're used to it, it'll be fun!"
Yuto dashed forward and punched the short kid, flying three meters.
"You bastard! What are you doing?!"
Haiyama groaned, struggling up. "Yuto... coward, only sneak attacks—oof!"
Yuto didn't waste time with villain monologues. He rushed in with another punch, knocking Haiyama out.
"Yugi, you okay?"
He cut Yugi down. His uniform was shredded from the whipping.
"Y‑Yuto?"
"It's over. Let's call the cops."
Yuto tied Haiyama up and carried Yugi out.
Later, Haiyama was arrested for assault.
"Thank you, Yuto. If not for you, I might've—" Yugi began, but Yuto cut him off.
"No problem. We're friends! Oh, and actually, I need a favor." He scratched his head.
"What is it?" Yugi asked.
"Well... digital pets are sold out. Grandpa said you had the last one. Could you sell it to me?"
Yugi blinked. That was all? He laughed and handed it over. "Here!"
"Thanks! Let's go, Téa." Yuto took it happily and left with her.
After a small ordeal, they finally got one. At home, they plopped on the bed, discussing names.
"I think Plum is nice—simple and easy to remember," Téa suggested.
"I don't think so. Let's call it Greymon—so badass!" Yuto said.
"Who names a cute pet Greymon?!" Téa kicked his leg playfully. "Only you!"
Though it didn't hurt, Yuto winced dramatically, then grinned. "Alright, alright. We'll go with yours. After all, it's our kid."
"What are you saying?!" Téa flushed and glared at him.
…
Next Monday, Tristan entered dejectedly. Miho didn't come.
"How was the contest? Did you win?" Yuto asked.
"Yeah..."
"Then why so down?"
"Because... Miho... she went with her mom... sniff..."
Ha. Simps never prosper.
...
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