NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter 4
---
Fujita, the director's assistant, stood outside in the sweltering heat, wearing a stolen school uniform from the locker room. He anxiously glanced at his watch, muttering under his breath. "The director knows how to send me on these ridiculous errands..." he muttered, his irritation clear. "Why the hell isn't the game here yet?" His gaze darted towards the corner, and he found himself pacing back and forth, growing more impatient with each passing second.
After several more minutes, Fujita's eyes finally spotted a small figure rounding the corner.
"It's coming, it's coming!" he whispered, excitement creeping into his voice as he quickly walked toward the approaching figure. "Yugi, you've finally appeared!"
He hurried to greet him, but he instantly lowered his voice and turned around as if to prevent anyone from noticing him. "Don't want to attract attention," he muttered to himself.
The boy who appeared was none other than Yugi Muto.
After the lunch bell rang, Yugi had agreed to Joey's never-ending challenge to duel. As expected, despite Joey's persistence, Yugi had skillfully used his magic cards to defeat him once again. It was after this that Yugi remembered he had a meeting with someone during the break — someone who promised to introduce him to a "star" at the school.
His curiosity piqued, Yugi had politely declined the offer to have lunch with Joey and the others, Yugi hurried to the meeting place. There, waiting for him as promised, was Fujita, a familiar classmate.
As Yugi approached, Fujita greeted him with a slightly annoyed tone, despite his usual calm demeanor. "You're finally here, Yugi. You really kept me waiting," he said, his voice dripping with frustration.
Yugi, sensing the tension, bowed slightly in apology. "I'm really sorry, Fujita-san. I didn't mean to make you wait."
While Yugi turned his head to survey the area, wondering where the star was, Fujita flashed a sly, almost sinister smile. He quickly masked it with a more friendly expression, clearly relishing the upcoming moment.
"Actually," Fujita began, "I need you to listen closely—"
Yugi leaned in, eager to hear more, his curiosity getting the better of him. However, as he did, Fujita's hidden left fist flew forward, aimed directly at Yugi's face. The sound of the punch was swift and sharp, but instead of landing on Yugi, something unexpected happened.
"Slap!"
The force of a hand striking Fujita's face echoed across the quiet area. In an instant, Fujita was sent stumbling backwards, his hands instinctively clutching his bruised cheek.
The director, who had been lurking in the bushes with his camera, was startled. The scene he had been eagerly anticipating—school violence—had just unfolded, but not in the way he had imagined. The "victim" was now Fujita, not Yugi.
Fujita groaned, sitting on the ground with his hand pressed to his cheek. He had been too focused on Yugi to notice anyone approaching. His eyes finally shifted to the figures who had appeared behind Yugi.
Yugi, still confused, turned to see several familiar faces: Joey, Tristan, Tea and Hayato.
"Why are you guys here?" Yugi asked, still in disbelief. "And why are you... helping me?"
Joey stepped forward, a wry smile on his face. "Of course we're here to help you, Yug!" he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "This guy was about to attack you."
Yugi blinked, processing the situation. "But why is Hayato here too? I've never really spoken to him before."
Hayato, who was holding a camera in his hands, spoke up, "You're lucky I noticed Fujita's little scheme. Without me, he might've really hurt you."
Yugi looked even more puzzled. He had always known Hayato as a quiet and reserved classmate. For him to be involved in this unexpected rescue was surprising, to say the least.
"Don't thank me yet," Hayato continued, adjusting the camera on his wrist. "I might have a few more surprises for you." He held up the camera, which was adorned with a yellow ribbon. "I recorded everything, so there's evidence now. You're safe."
Fujita, now recovering from the slap, growled angrily. "Damn you all! How dare you interfere in my business!" He shook off the pain and made a rushed move toward Yugi, fists raised.
Before Fujita could land a hit, Joey lunged forward, catching him by the collar and shaking him violently. "You're done," Joey growled. "Don't even think about hurting Yugi again!"
Fujita, with his inflated bravado, was no match for Joey's strength. In a few moments, he was back on the ground, cradling his collar with a look of humiliation.
"Really, Yugi," Kyoko/Tea added with a sigh, "if Hayato hadn't helped us, you would've been in trouble."
Yugi turned to Tea, still processing everything. "I... I don't know what to say. Thank you, everyone."
Tea smiled warmly, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "You don't have to thank us, Yugi. We're your friends. We'll always have your back."
Yugi felt a weight lift from his shoulders as he realized that he wasn't alone. Despite the odd situation, he now had a group of friends he could rely on. He looked at each of them—Joey, Honda, Tea, and even Hayato—and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
It wasn't just about winning duels or facing off against bullies anymore. It was about having people who cared, who would fight for him when he needed it most.
---