Chapter 6: Men's Friendship Often Originates From Being Caught Together
"Ah, the teacher really is a nag." Walking out from the Office, Joey Wheeler let out a long breath, assuming a relaxed posture.
Tristan nudged him: "Hey, let's walk out first, don't block the way."
"After all, although we weren't caught by the Surveillance Camera, you two, who are always mischievous, are definitely the primary suspects."
Hayato was the last one to walk out from the Office.
After severely teaching Director, Fujita, and the others a lesson, Hayato and the others took out the Recording from the Camera and destroyed it immediately. However, because the Director's wails while being beaten were too loud, attracting the attention of others, Hayato and the others could only hastily flee from the location.
But unfortunately, limited by Yugi Mutou's short legs, just as he was about to be caught by the security guards who came chasing after hearing the noise, Hayato voluntarily offered to stay behind to cover their retreat, letting Joey Wheeler and Tristan take Téa and Yugi Mutou to leave first. How could Joey Wheeler agree? He stubbornly insisted on staying behind as well. Tristan also refused to be outdone.
In the end, Tristan, Joey Wheeler, and Hayato were simultaneously "caught" by the security guards and sent to the Discipline Office.
The Director, who had been severely beaten, originally wanted to use his status to demand that the School expel the three students and report it to society. But after Hayato took out the Camera which recorded "Director bringing a cameraman to film Fujita beating Yugi Mutou," the School side completely changed its previously timid attitude and instead put pressure on the Director and the other two for "entering the campus without permission and having malicious intentions towards students."
Hayato and the other two were not clear about the detailed situation, because after providing strong Evidence, Hayato and the others were arranged by the Principal to be led back by a Teacher, while the Director and the other two were negotiating with the School side led by the Principal. However, it was probably just some dirty exchange of interests.
For example, the School could get more publicity arrangements, and the Director could eliminate his Leverage.
However, for Hayato and the other two who were led back by the Homeroom Teacher, the matter was not over. After all, although there was still no concrete Evidence proving that the two besides Joey Wheeler did not participate in this "fight," the suspicion on Tristan and Hayato was still not cleared. Based on the principle of "better to punish the innocent than let the guilty go," Hayato's Homeroom Teacher gave each of the three a Punishment.
"Joey Wheeler has to clean the School's Toilet for a week, Tristan has to stand guard at the School Gate for a week, and they both have to copy the School Rules three times as Punishment." Hayato sighed, "Ah, we're really miserable."
"You're the only one who doesn't have the right to say that!"
Joey Wheeler retorted, "I can understand that my Punishment is the heaviest, but why do you only have to promise not to fight again?"
"Exactly!" Tristan was also a bit unhappy. "I suspect that old man likes guys, otherwise why would you get no Punishment at all?"
"Get lost." Hayato rolled his eyes at Tristan, then shrugged, a helpless look on his face. "I can't help it. Who told me I've always been a good student? Not only do I not cause trouble, but my grades are also quite good. As for you two, you can only be described as having a terrible record."
"You're really asking for a beating." Joey Wheeler was a bit unhappy. "Just thinking about having to clean the Toilet makes me angry."
"Don't forget about copying the School Rules." Tristan was a bit dejected.
Hayato patted their shoulders: "Worst case, I'll help you copy the School Rules, okay?"
"You said it!" "Don't go back on your word!"
The two who were just feeling down immediately cheered up. Although for those two idiots, they wouldn't have taken things to heart for too long anyway.
"Joey Wheeler, Tristan, Kobayashi-kun!" A voice came from behind the three of them, soft and sweet, like an elementary school student.
Hayato turned his head: "Isn't that Yugi-boy?"
Standing behind the three was Mutou Yuugi. Seeing the three walk out from the Office, Yugi Mutou's face was full of apology: "Everyone, I'm really sorry. It's all because of me that you..."
"Don't say that, Yugi." Joey Wheeler had a bright smile on his face at this moment, clearly having put the unhappy things behind him. "Aren't we Friends?"
"If we're Friends, there's no need to be strangers, Yugi." Tristan said, looking like a philosopher, and nodded affirmingly.
Having his head held by Joey Wheeler, Yugi Mutou looked at Hayato and said, "Kobayashi-kun, I'm sorry for getting you involved too."
"That guy was being sarcastic and annoying, I didn't like the look of him. Even without this incident involving you, I would have taught them a lesson. So, don't take it to heart, Yugi-boy." Hayato had a bright smile on his face.
Téa muttered softly behind Yugi Mutou: "That's some weird English..."
"Mm, thank you, Hayato."
Yugi Mutou didn't pay too much attention to Hayato's strange nickname "Yugi-boy". However, after saying that, he suddenly seemed a bit hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but didn't know if he should.
"What's wrong, Yugi?"
"Um, Kobayashi-kun..."
"Just call me Hayato."
"Mm, Hayato." Yugi Mutou hesitated, then finally spoke. "Can we be Friends?"
A brief look of surprise appeared on Hayato's face, which then turned into a smile: "What are you talking about, Yugi-boy? Aren't we already Friends?"
The few people gathered there exchanged glances and suddenly burst into laughter together.
"Who's making so much noise outside!"
The Teacher's roar coming from the Office broke the harmonious scene. The group happily left.
After School that day.
"Hayato."
"What is it?" Hayato, who was tidying his bag, heard his name called. He looked up and saw Yugi Mutou, who had already put on his small backpack.
"Do you like playing Duel Monsters Cards? Joey Wheeler said he wants to go take a look at the Card Shop my family runs. Téa and Tristan are going too. Do you want to come along?"
While asking, Yugi Mutou blinked his big, watery eyes, clearly very much looking forward to Hayato coming along as well. After all, Yugi Mutou had very few Friends. It was rare for him to make a new Friend today. He was already impatient to go back and share this matter with his Grandfather.
Hayato conveniently took out a Tin Box from his pocket and showed it to Yugi Mutou: "Actually, I'm also a Duel Monsters enthusiast. Yugi, does your family run a Card Shop? Just right, I also wanted to buy a few Cards. Let's go to your place tonight, I'll call home later."
"Yay!"
Yugi Mutou looked very happy, but then, as if he thought of something, he asked: "But, Hayato, do you have a lot of Pocket Money? I remember those rare Duel Monsters Cards are very expensive. The non-rare ones don't seem to have much value for buying either."
"I'm not buying anything too rare, just a few ordinary Cards. Because I think any Card has its value." Hayato said righteously, while conveniently taking out three Wallets. "As for money, it should be enough."
Yugi Mutou vaguely saw photos in the Wallets. On them, there seemed to be the headshots of the Director who was beaten by Joey Wheeler.
Maybe I saw it wrong? Yugi Mutou thought to himself.
(End of Chapter)