Scene 3.

{Kotsuzuka Ao I}.

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"Friends".

[Domino City, Japan. Saturday. 11/18/1990. Afternoon. Suzuki Street].

Hotaru had been acting really strange lately.

"Hmmm, I wonder what he's up to now?". I murmured, watching him from a distance.

Currently, Hotaru was walking absentmindedly on the sidewalk, simultaneously reading a small paper in his hands.

The studious bastard had always been a nerd, but he was also very good at karate and some other martial arts, which made him relatively respectable among all the boys in the orphanage and even more popular in school. However, since a week ago, when he suddenly woke up screaming like a scared little girl, he had completely changed. He wasn't as arrogant as before, didn't look down on people, treated everyone with respect, didn't study at all, and had stopped his activities in the karate club at school. In general, he was now someone less sociable, but much more polite. Holy hell, he even started skipping class regularly like yesterday and the day before. In addition, he had been asking my friends and me questions about the Duel Monsters constantly. Stupid questions like: How to play Duel Monsters or where to sign up for the National Championship, among other nonsense like that? Maybe Satake and Takaido didn't care about the whole thing and answered him willingly or even jokingly, but to me, it was very intriguing. Especially because Hotaru was my friend and all that stupid stuff. Frankly, I was very worried about his mysterious behavior.

#Ting, Ting!#

Some bells rang.

"Huh? That's a game store. What is Hotaru doing entering a game store? He hates things that waste his time. What the hell is going on with him? Damn! What the hell is that idiot thinking?!". I protested silently.

Meanwhile, Hotaru had already crossed the threshold of the door of the store in question. A large two-story store in green and yellow, called: RPG Hobby Trading Card's, written in red and yellow letters, on an orange sign.

"Well, so he was serious about this Duel Monsters thing? Oh, oh! Now I understand why he was asking Satake for money the other day. What was it for, huh?". I said ironically as I approached the store.

I watched him carefully from outside the store through the windows. For the moment, he was reading a catalog that an employee had offered him, a catalog of Duel Monsters cards.

"Wow, I never thought this day would come". I muttered, indifferent to the situation in front of me.

I couldn't understand what had happened for Hotaru to suddenly become infatuated with Duel Monsters overnight.

"Alright, it's time to find out what the hell is going on here". I decided.

After my statement, I immediately entered the store in question.

#Ting, Ting!#

I had finally decided to confront my friend and find out what he was up to.

Hotaru turned his gaze towards me after hearing the sound of the store's bells.

"Uh?". Hotaru hesitated.

I watched as his face went from doubt to suspicion due to my presence in the store. He probably already realized that the whole situation was no coincidence.

"Kotsuzuka". Hotaru greeted, nodding in my direction shortly after.

That was another thing that annoyed me. Hotaru had started calling me by my last name instead of my name, as was usual in the past.

"Ao, call me Ao, like you always have. What's wrong with you? Why are you acting like this? You've changed. Why? What's happening to you?". I questioned him.

Hotaru's face went from surprise to resignation, then to understanding, and finally to indignation. He looked away from me.

The situation didn't look good, I was expecting a bad response and it didn't disappoint.

"I've been too obvious". He whispered words I couldn't hear.

His eyes landed on me again. A contemplative expression immediately painted his features. I nervously waited for his response.

"Yes, kid, I've changed. I'm not the same as before and probably never will be. I'm sorry if that's not the answer you were hoping for. Now, if you don't mind, I have things to take care of and please stop following me like this. It's quite creepy, you know?". Hotaru dismissed me.

#Tlin, Tlin!#

I unconsciously left the store, I didn't remember anything that had happened between the words Hotaru had hammered into my head and the moment I was already outside the store. I just knew that I felt sad inside, very sad. I just knew that I no longer had a friend and that made me very angry.

"Bah! Who needs him?! I already have Satake and Takaido, that's enough". I nodded to myself trying to cheer up.

But the feeling didn't disappear at all.

Tears rolled down my face for the rest of my journey home.

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To be continued...