Scene 11.

"First Victory".

[Dominos City, Japan. Saturday. 12/15/1990. Noon. Headquarters Building, District 4, Duel Hall].

"... participate in this tournament! It has been a real pleasure to be your observer!". Matsumoto announced as he headed towards the door of the hall. "Now, if you'll kindly follow me. This way, please". He continued calmly.

I had won my first duel of the tournament and was in complete ecstasy. So, taking the whole picture into account, I didn't even bother to ask about the destination to which the observer was leading us.

However, I already had my own suspicions, having seen beforehand how, during our duel, many other observers were doing the same with their respective duelists.

On the other hand, I had a sore loser next to me, which translated into a really uncomfortable moment that barely gave me a chance to properly celebrate my victory. "Hey, you, Kurai, or whatever your name is! Be sure of one thing! Next time, I'm going to beat you! Remember that well, you bastard! You'll pay for this! Humph!". Jonouchi exclaimed with his hands in his pockets and a sour expression on his face directed at me.

Naturally, I ignored him once again.

The guy was becoming more and more like a dog to me, with all his mood swings included.

After a while, the three of us and two other groups of the same number and surely with the same objective, arrived at a dining room. A dining room in front of which a small line of other groups like ours was forming.

There, behind a small table, right next to the entrance, was sitting comfortably none other than the event presenter, Mr. Tanaka.

Then, just as I was about to ask about the purpose of the whole thing, the blond problem by my side conveniently took it upon himself to do the job. "What the hell is all this about?". Jonouchi questioned, raising an eyebrow in doubt.

Our observer, Matsumoto Ryou, listened to him and then turned his head in his direction.

After a slight nod to himself, he responded. "Ahem. Yes, now that I remember, I had forgotten to explain it before. Well, first of all...".

Thus, about ten minutes passed in mostly vague explanations.

Summing up the observer's words, the reason behind the whole thing was simply to give a little incentive to all duelists, whether winners or losers alike, and that incentive translated into a rather sumptuous lunch during which Mr. Tanaka would clarify to each of those present the next phases of the championship. Or at least, that would be the case for the winners. Those who had not been able to advance further in the competition would unfortunately have to go home.

The line moved forward and soon we were in front of the plump figure of Mr. Tanaka.

"... and that would be all. Ahem. I hope I have been able to answer all your questions, guys. Now, I'll go talk to my boss for a moment. Wait here for a second, please. I'll be right back". Matsumoto finished.

Then he approached Mr. Tanaka.

Afterwards, a few words were whispered between them. Words that, unfortunately, I didn't get to hear.

Then, the observer handed a small notebook to the event presenter. The latter took it and opened it immediately after.

"Uh? Is that...?". I doubted.

Quickly, I noticed that it was the same notebook in which Matsumoto had been jotting down the plays from the duel between Jonouchi and me.

Mr. Tanaka read the content of the notebook and then, after a brief pause during which he looked in our direction several times, placed the notebook on a stack of identical notebooks on his desk.

Jonouchi and I walked towards the presenter.

Mr. Tanaka greeted us and we both returned the greeting from our respective positions.

"Go ahead". Matsumoto finally signaled us to enter the dining room.

And just in time, because I was starting to feel hungry. The smells inside the place had been getting more and more appetizing as the minutes went by.

"Great!". Jonouchi exclaimed.

Unfortunately for me, with such company, no one could really blame me for losing my appetite prematurely.

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To be continued...