Yu-Gi-Oh!: I use an Orichalcos deck

Page 322

At that moment, Yuki felt something inside him completely melt. He lowered his head and gently kissed Serena's lips. The kiss was awkward and brief, yet filled with genuine emotion. When they parted, both of them had blushes on their faces, and their eyes sparkled with happiness.

“Wow,” Serena winked playfully, “this is even more exciting than drawing a gold card.”

0 ······Requesting flowers····· ···

Yuki couldn't help but laugh and pulled her into his arms again. Cherry blossom petals drifted down in the wind, landing on their hair and shoulders, as if nature itself was blessing the lovers.

On their way back to the card shop, the two held hands tightly, as if they would never be separated. The shop owner saw them return, smiled knowingly, and pointed to the private battle room inside: "We've reserved a room for you. Go ahead."

In the private battle room, the two didn't start practicing immediately. Instead, they sat side by side on the carpet, carefully studying their new deck. Serena knew every card inside and out, even knowing their origins and rarity.

"You're practically my deck-building advisor," Yuki exclaimed.

“Of course.” Serena proudly raised her chin. “It’s one of the responsibilities of a girlfriend.”

The word made them both pause for a moment, then they looked at each other and smiled. Yes, they were no longer just rivals or friends, but lovers—lovers who shared passion, dreams, and a future.

The practice matches were more intense than ever, yet also more coordinated. Serena was completely familiar with Yuuki's tactical thinking, always able to anticipate his moves; while Yuuki was gradually able to predict Serena's actions, launching exquisite counterattacks. Their duel was like a meticulously choreographed dance, every step perfectly synchronized.

"Stop!" Serena suddenly raised her hand during a match. "Your chain is wrong. If I activate 'Magical Girl's Time Stop' first, your 'Flying Thunder God Technique' won't be able to chain."

... ..... ....

Yuki frowned as he looked at the situation on the field, then his eyes suddenly lit up: "But if I discard my hand card using 'Sasuke's' effect first, I can bypass your time stop effect!"

Serena thought for a moment, then exclaimed, "That's right! This idea is brilliant!"

They continued to deduce and improve, and the deck became more and more perfect through their joint efforts. Only when the owner knocked on the door to remind them that it was closing time did the two realize that four hours had already passed.

"Want to continue tomorrow?" Serena asked expectantly as she packed up her deck.

Yuki nodded, then suddenly remembered something: "Tomorrow is the weekend, how about... going on a date? Let's not look at the cards, just go out and have some fun."

Serena's eyes lit up: "Really? I've wanted to go to the aquarium for so long, but no one has ever gone with me!"

And so the agreement was made. Stepping out of the card shop, the night sky was already dotted with stars. On the way home, Yuki walked Serena along, and the two planned their date for the next day, just like any ordinary couple.

Downstairs at Serena's house, she suddenly turned around and took out a small gift box from her bag: "I almost forgot, this is for you."

Yuki opened the box, and inside was an exquisite card sleeve with a design that was a crossover collaboration between Naruto and Magical Girl, clearly a custom-made item.

"Now our card decks are a couple's set!" Serena showed a photo of matching card sleeves on her phone, a little shyly adding, "It might be a bit childish..."

Yuki immediately changed the card sleeves on his deck and solemnly said, "This is the best gift I've ever received."

Serena smiled happily and quickly kissed Yuki on the cheek: "See you tomorrow! Remember to wear that blue coat, it matches your eye color perfectly."

Watching Serena run into the building, Yuki touched his cheek where he had been kissed, feeling like he might be the luckiest person in the world. He had not only found a kindred spirit who understood his passion, but also won the heart of such a wonderful girl.

On his way home, Yuuki's steps were so light he almost jumped. He took out his phone and saw that Serena had sent him a detailed plan for tomorrow's date, with a note at the end: "PS: Remember to bring your card deck, we can play a game during lunch break (￣▽￣)~*"

You Ji replied with a smile, "Of course, I'm always ready."

He put down his phone, looked at the stars in the night sky, and suddenly felt that the result of the national competition was no longer so important. Regardless of victory or defeat, he had already won something more precious than the championship—a lover who truly understood him, supported him, and shared the same passion with him.

This relationship is like the most perfect combo chain, where every link is just right, ultimately forming an incredibly beautiful whole.

Yuuki gently stroked the image of Naruto and the magical girl standing side by side on the card box, smiling as he thought: Perhaps this is the true meaning of bonds.

Chapter 396 Oath

Saturday morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a golden band of light on Yuki's desk. He woke up half an hour before his alarm, his heart pounding with anticipation. Today was his first official date with Serena—not a card practice, not a match, but a pure, traditional date.

He opened the wardrobe, hesitated for a moment, and then chose the blue coat, because Serena had said she liked it because it matched the color of her eyes. Then he carefully placed the deck into the new card holder and tucked it into a compartment in his backpack. Although it was a date, they both knew they would find time for a match eventually.

My phone vibrated; it was a message from Serena: "I'm ready! How about you? (*^▽^*)"

You Ji replied with a smile, "I'll be leaving right away. I'll wait for you downstairs at your place."

“Okay! My parents want to meet you~” followed by a playful wink emoji.

Yuji's fingers froze on the phone screen. Meeting his parents? This unexpected situation made him tense instantly. He hurriedly checked his clothes and even tidied his hair in the reflection of the window.

When Yuki arrived at the residential area where Serena lived, he spotted her from afar. She was standing under a cherry blossom tree, wearing a light pink dress and a white knitted cardigan, a stark contrast to her usual duelist image, making her appear exceptionally graceful.

"You're here!" Serena jogged up to greet her, then lowered her voice, "Don't be nervous, my parents are very nice. They're just curious who's been making me come home so late lately."

You Ji took a deep breath and tried to appear calm: "I should have brought a gift; it would have been too impolite."

Serena blinked. "You brought the best gift—a Naruto deck that can defeat their daughter."

These words put You Ji at ease, and he couldn't help but laugh: "What kind of gift is this?"

“It is to me,” Serena said softly, then took his hand. “Come on, brave duelist, face the final boss.”

Serena's home is a traditional Japanese house, clean and cozy. In the living room, an elegant middle-aged couple is sitting on the sofa drinking tea. Upon seeing Yuki, they both give him friendly smiles.

“Dad, Mom, this is Yuki,” Serena introduced, her fingers tightening slightly as if to encourage Yuki.

Yuki bowed politely: "Nice to meet you, I am Sugiyama Yuki. I'm sorry to bother you so suddenly."

Serena's father, Mr. Uehara, put down his teacup and sized up Yuki: "So you're the young man who defeated my daughter with a Naruto deck?"

Yu Ji nodded nervously: "That was just good luck, sir."

“No need to be modest,” Serena’s mother, Ms. Uehara, said with a smile. “Serena rarely praises people, but she has a very high opinion of you and your deck.” Her gaze fell on the two still holding hands, and her smile deepened.

The next twenty minutes were surprisingly relaxed. Serena's parents didn't pry too much into Yuuki's personal life; instead, they showed genuine interest in the card game. Mr. Uehara even brought out a photo album containing clippings of Serena's brother's early competitions.

“This is my eldest son, Kenta.” Mr. Uehara pointed to the boy holding the trophy in the photo. “He was also obsessed with this game. Now he is studying game design abroad.”

Yuki looked at the photo in surprise: "I know him! His magical girl construction three years ago pioneered a new style, and I've studied it many times."

This remark seemed to win over Mr. Uehara, who nodded and smiled: "It's great to hear that young people can still appreciate the creativity of veteran players. The current environment is too trend-following and lacks individuality."

Serena interjected, "Yuki's deck is very unique! He developed his own tactical system entirely on his own."

The parents exchanged a relieved look. Ms. Uehara stood up: "Alright, you young people go on your date, don't waste time." She handed Yuki a small paper bag, "These are cookies I made myself, take them with you to eat on the way."

Stepping out of the house, You Ji breathed a sigh of relief: "Your parents are such kind people."

Serena proudly took his arm. "Of course! I told you not to be nervous." She winked. "And you passed the final test, so you're officially 'Serena's Boyfriend' now!"

Inside the aquarium, blue light rippled across the walls, as if the entire space were immersed in the deep sea. Yuki and Serena walked hand in hand through the tunnel, as a giant ray gracefully glided overhead.

“Look! Doesn’t it look like the ‘Summoning Beast’ in your deck?” Serena said excitedly, pointing to a particularly large ray.

Yuki smiled and nodded: "It does look a bit like one. But my summoned beast is a toad."

They stood before the enormous tank, watching the fish swirl and swim like silver whirlwinds. Serena leaned gently on Yuki's shoulder: "You know what? When I was little, every time I came to the aquarium, I fantasized about swimming freely like a fish."

"Why a fish?" Yuki asked curiously.

“Because they are always traveling, seeing all the underwater scenery, but they are never alone—they are always in groups.” Serena’s voice softened. “Like players in a card game, everyone is on their own journey, but they meet because of a shared interest.”

You Ji pondered for a moment: "That's well said. I've never thought of it that way before."

Serena turned to face him, her eyes shining brightly in the blue light of the water: "That's what I love about you, Yuki. You're always willing to listen to my strange ideas and never laugh at me."

“Because your thoughts are not strange at all,” Yuki said earnestly. “They make you who you are.”

These words made Serena blush slightly. She suddenly stood on tiptoe and gently kissed Yuki on the lips. This kiss was more confident and longer than yesterday's, until the laughter of children around them broke the silence, and the two separated shyly.

At lunchtime, they found a window seat in the aquarium's restaurant. Yuki took out the cookies that Ms. Uehara had prepared and was pleasantly surprised to find that each cookie was decorated with frosting featuring card designs.

"Your mother is amazing!" You Ji exclaimed, almost reluctant to eat.

Serena smiled as she picked up a cookie with a "Rasengan" pattern: "Mom heard you were coming and specially researched how to make it. She said, 'Anyone who can make my daughter laugh so happily must be a special person.'"

Yuki felt a warm glow in his heart: "My mom never does these things. She always thinks playing cards is a waste of time."

Serena's expression softened: "Then you can come to my house often. My mother likes you very much; she says you have 'sincere eyes.'"

After dinner, as agreed, they engaged in a duel in the aquarium's rest area. This time, Serena used Yuuki's Naruto deck, while Yuuki tried out her Magical Girl deck.

"Is this really fair?" Yuki asked while shuffling the cards. "You know my deck better than I do."

Serena smiled mysteriously: "This is just what it feels like to be defeated by your own combo."

Once the match began, Yuuki truly appreciated how exquisite Serena's gameplay was. Her approach to using the Naruto deck was completely different from his, focusing more on control and resource management rather than explosive combos.

"Activate 'Nara Shikamaru's' effect to recover 'Shadow Imitation' from the graveyard." Serena's actions were fluid and seamless. "Then, set two cards to the back row, and end the turn."

Yuuki frowned as he looked at his hand. The Magical Girl deck operated completely differently from the Naruto deck; he needed time to adapt. "Normal Summon 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' activate its effect to Special Summon 'Homura Akemi' from the Deck..."

"Chain activation of 'Shuriken Shadow Clone'!" Serena responded swiftly, "Nullify your special summoning effect!"

Yuki was stunned: "This card... I've almost never used it."

Serena smiled smugly: "Every card has its value; the key is finding the right time to use it."

The match ended in Serena's victory. Yuki shook his head, both helpless and admiring: "You're practically my deck-building mentor."

“Same to you 0...” Serena tidied up her deck. “Your way of using the Magical Girl deck is also very creative. I never thought of those chains.”

As the sun set, they sat on a bench outside the aquarium, watching the sky change from blue to orange and then to purple. Yuki's arm naturally encircled Serena's shoulder, while she leaned against him, her fingers unconsciously playing with the buttons on his coat.

“After the National Tournament,” Serena suddenly said, “no matter the outcome, shall we continue like this? Practice together, compete together, do everything together.”

Yuji lowered his head and gently kissed the top of her head: "Of course. This isn't just about the competition, it's about us."

Serena looked up, a rare hesitation in her eyes: "I may not have told you... my brother is going back to China to open a card shop after he graduates. He invited me to help him out."

Yu Ji's heart sank slightly: "You're leaving?"

“Not entirely,” Serena quickly explained. “The shop is in the next county, only a half-hour tram ride away. And…” she blushed, “he said you could come part-time if you wanted. He really appreciates your idea.”

You Ji was stunned, then a warm feeling welled up inside him: "Really? Your brother really said that?"

Serena nodded: "He said the gaming industry needs fresh blood, it needs players like you who don't follow the crowd."

At that moment, Yuki seemed to see a possibility for the future—not just about cards, but also about choosing a path in life. Perhaps he could prove to his parents that this passion could become a career, not just a pastime.

“I will seriously consider it,” he said solemnly. “Thank you, Serena. Thank you for believing in me.”

As night fell, they took the last tram home. The carriage had only a few scattered passengers, and the lighting was dim yet warm. Serena leaned on Yuki's shoulder, seemingly asleep. Yuki gently adjusted her position to make her more comfortable.

Suddenly, Serena said softly, "Actually, I've been very nervous all day."

Yu Ji looked down in surprise: "What's there to be nervous about?"

"It's our first date," she smiled shyly. "I was afraid you'd find it boring, afraid you'd discover that I'm not as fun in real life as I am in duels."

Yuki's heart softened: "Silly girl. I love you whether you were during the duel or now. I love all of you."

Serena didn't answer, but Yuki felt her grip his hand tighter.