Yugi simply watched Rebecca calmly, giving no response to her provocative "reminder."
The spectators below the stage, however, were far less composed.
"Damn it! That brat's way too cocky!"
Joey gritted his teeth, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles cracked.
Téa looked up at the platform, worry on her face. "Yugi won't let her attitude get to him, right?"
Only Yuto watched with an amused smile, his eyes filled with quiet curiosity as he studied Rebecca, who still carried herself like a proud little peacock.
That haughty, nose-in-the-air attitude—hard to believe that one day she'd be the bashful girl calling Yugi "darling." The contrast was almost absurd.
Rebecca began her turn.
"My turn! Draw!"
She drew her opening hand with an exaggerated flourish.
"I Summon—[Witch of the Black Forest]!"
Yuto mentally called out to his system.
System, how many booster packs do I have in total?
[Six packs, Host.]
Six, huh… He'd already decided his keyword—One Year War! That would best strengthen his Zeon core lineup.
As for the GQuuuuuuX side, that could wait until resources were more abundant.
With his thoughts settled, Yuto's focus returned to the duel.
"Battle Phase. [Celtic Guardian], attack [Witch of the Black Forest]!"
The flash of a blade—then the witch shattered into fragments of light.
"Oh no~ how mean!"
Rebecca instantly lifted her teddy bear, her little face scrunching up, her voice dripping with sugary sweetness.
"Teddy Teddy what should I do? My [Witch of the Black Forest] just got sent to the Graveyard by that mean big brother! So sad~!"
She held up the bear as though truly speaking to it.
Then, as if she had "heard" its reply, her eyes lit up and she smacked her forehead in realization.
"Ah! That's right! You're so smart, Teddy!"
Turning toward Yugi, she explained with a proud tone:
"According to [Witch of the Black Forest]'s effect, when she's sent to the Graveyard, Rebecca can add one adorable Monster with 1500 or less Attack from her Deck to her hand!"
After explaining, she hugged Teddy tightly again, rubbing her cheek against its fuzzy head affectionately.
"Thank you~ Teddy! You're the best, the smartest little guy ever!"
She looked utterly pleased with herself, as if she had just pulled off a brilliant tactical maneuver.
Yugi simply watched her complete this entire "conversation with the bear" routine, his expression calm but slightly helpless, and then quietly declared:
"Rebecca, my turn's over."
"Rebecca knoows~!" she sang back, drawing out her words as if speaking to a child.
She looked down at her hand, frowning slightly, pretending to ponder some world-shaking puzzle.
Seconds ticked by.
Yuto said nothing, simply activating the timer on the sideline. If she failed to act before it ran out, she'd automatically lose!
"Alright, alright! Rebecca knows! Don't rush me!" she huffed, seemingly startled by the ticking countdown. With a hint of complaint, she finally slammed a card onto the field.
"This one will do! I Summon in Attack Position—[Sangan]!"
A small, furry creature with three glaring eyes appeared on the field.
Then… she immediately ended her turn!
No Set cards, no follow-up tactics!
Even the gentle Téa was left speechless, whispering to Yuto in disbelief:
"Yuto… is she… really America's number one? This is…"
Her strategy looked far too amateurish.
Yuto gently squeezed her hand, signaling her to relax, though his eyes never left Rebecca. His faint smile carried quiet understanding.
"Don't worry, Téa. That 'clumsy and innocent' act of hers—that's her specialty. Don't be fooled. This girl's sharp."
Unfortunately, Yugi didn't have the same "sideline insight."
Kind-hearted as ever, seeing Rebecca's [Sangan] with just 1000 Attack against his 1400-Attack [Celtic Guardian], he couldn't bring himself to attack immediately.
He hesitated, then spoke with genuine concern:
"Rebecca, your [Sangan]'s Attack is lower than my [Celtic Guardian]'s. Are you sure… you want it in Attack Position?"
His tone was full of kindness, completely unaware that this might be a trap.
"Huh? Really?" Rebecca blinked innocently, her eyes wide. Then, as if cheering herself on, she pumped her tiny fist.
"It's fine! Rebecca believes in Teddy and her monsters!"
"…Alright."
Yugi sighed helplessly, respecting her "resolve." "Battle Phase. [Celtic Guardian], attack [Sangan]!"
The blade flashed again—the fluffy creature was cut down and shattered.
"Ah… again… sent to the Graveyard…"
Rebecca immediately hugged Teddy, her lips trembling, her voice heavy with exaggerated sadness.
"Teddy… that mean big brother's bullying Rebecca's monsters again… sniff…"
"I—I wasn't bullying you!" Yugi stammered in panic, flustered.
Rebecca ignored him, lifting Teddy to her ear as if listening to its "comforting" words.
A few seconds later, she gasped softly, breaking into a smile.
"What? I haven't lost yet? Uh-huh… Teddy says that when [Sangan] is sent to the Graveyard, Rebecca can add one Monster Card from her Deck to her hand! Right?"
She looked at Teddy again—the bear seemed to "nod" in agreement.
Below the stage, Solomon Muto, who had been watching silently, furrowed his brow deeper and deeper.
His gaze fixed on Rebecca, thoughtful and intense.
"What is it, Grandpa?"
Yuto, standing beside him, noticed the change and asked quietly.
Solomon didn't answer immediately. His eyes seemed to see past Rebecca's "clumsy" act, glimpsing something far deeper.
He spoke slowly, his voice low, carrying a note of disbelief and distant memory that only Yuto could hear.
"This duel… feels familiar. Like I've seen it before, a long time ago…"
His voice trailed off, lost in thought—as if the image of someone from the past overlapped with the blonde girl clutching her teddy bear before them.
...
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