Monday morning — 7:49 AM
The high school courtyard smells like damp asphalt.
Yugo stretches and yawns, helmet in hand, school bag on his back, deck in his inner pocket. Always ready.
Kael is already waiting by the bike shed, leaning against his frame, lost in thought.
— Didn't sleep? asks Yugo.
— I dreamed about combos all night. You know that feeling when you've almost built the perfect deck in your head? But you just can't get it right on paper?
— All the time. [Fist bumps Kael.] We're misunderstood artists.
As they enter Building B, they pass Natsuo—a guy always in a long coat, even when it's hot, slicked-back hair. A calm aura, almost too calm. He whips out a tablet and draws original cards during class.
— That him? whispers Kael.
— Yeah. Former regional champ. But weird. Says he doesn't play anymore... unless the duel is "worth it."
— A guy you smell like a trap.
Then they run into Armin, another student. Total opposite. Neon T-shirt, cocky grin, loud, blunt—a real troll. He walks over, munching on a protein bar.
— Yo, Yugo! Lost your duel again yesterday, didn't you?
— I beat you once. That count?
— Once? Ha! That's like beating a Dark Magician once with an insect deck—that's a bug, not a strategy.
— Wanna ride with us? throws Yugo.
Armin stops.
— Ride? Like, Cycloduel?
— Saturday. 10 AM. North canal. 2v2 format. You, Natsuo, Kael, and me.
Armin chomps on his bar.
— You sure? The only time I sweat is when I pull an OTK in Master Duel.
Kael leans in.
— Then come show us if you can do it without crashing into a rut. Otherwise, you're just a couch duelist.
— Oh... [Armin raises his eyebrows.] Did you hear that? He just called me a sofa cushion...
Natsuo, silently, looks up from his tablet:
— I accept. But if I win, I want your full HERO deck, Yugo.
Yugo lifts his chin.
— You better earn that bet.
---
Saturday — 9:58 AM. North canal.
The wind is cold. The canal feels narrower today. Or maybe the pressure's just higher.
Yugo grips his handlebars. Beside him: Kael, helmet locked on, posture ready. In front: Natsuo, stoic, deck locked to his screen. Armin, skate helmet, ridiculous glasses—but eyes gleaming.
— 2v2 format. Decks locked. Duel start.
The screens light up. The bikes roll.
The quads vibrate over rough terrain.
Cards flash on-screen, fingers tap, beeps blend with tire squeals.
— I'll start, summon Cyber Dragon Core, set one face-down, your move!
— Perfect, says Yugo. Summon Vyon, send Shadow Mist, add to hand...
Speed holds steady. 25 km/h. Breathing gets shorter, but no one lets up.
Natsuo, calm, activates an effect.
— El Shaddoll Fusion. You think I'm waiting? Summon Construct, activate its effect...
The duel pushes forward. The bikes keep going. Wheels skim puddles. At one point, Kael almost slips but saves it with a smooth half-brake.
Armin shouts:
— YOU THOUGHT! Activate my trap Cybernetic Overflow! Say goodbye to your backrow, dude!
Yugo bursts out laughing.
— Damn, this is sick!
---
End of Cycloduel:
Victory for Natsuo and Armin—by a hair.
The air is electric. All four collapse in the grass, soaked in sweat, legs dead, fingers numb, stomachs growling.
Kael pulls out a bottle of iced tea. Armin tosses chips from his handlebar bag.
— You wouldn't think it, but I burned 600 calories and pulled 12 special summons. New personal record.
Yugo laughs.
— Alright. Tonight, my place. Regular duel. REAL duel. Playmat, duel disks, drinks, pizzas. You in?
— Hell yeah! all three reply in unison.
---
Evening — At Yugo's place.
The table's set. Soda cans, pizza slices, chips. A Bluetooth speaker playing chill tunes.
Duel disks are strapped on. Kael and Yugo face off.
— No bikes this time, says Kael. Just you and me.
— And my HERO deck messing with your mental game.
The duel begins. Effects snap through the silence. The friends watch, comment, bet cans.
In the end, Kael wins. Barely.
— You've improved, Yugo admits.
— So have you.
They high-five.
— Again tomorrow?
— No. Let's make a new rule. Like... uphill duel.
— You're insane.
Everyone bursts out laughing.