Youyu heard a long time ago that those with no sense of direction actually come in levels.
If being directionally challenged came with a certification like Level 4 or 6, a Level 4 holder might be the type who rides the same bus backward 180 times a year.
Level 6 means you're entirely reliant on luck when going out, and wherever you end up, that's it.
Youyu always thought that sort of directionally challenged person only existed as a legendary species in jokes, but he never expected to actually run into one today.
The girl before him, confused and still going in circles after all this time... Youyu felt like she probably surpassed the aforementioned categories.
She might be qualified for an advanced degree in being lost, the kind no royal capital would dare send her on a mountain patrol—otherwise, she'd never come back.
"You... still haven't found the place?" Youyu asked tentatively.
The girl's face flushed, and she nodded with her head lowered.
"Why don't you join us? We're heading to the central venue right now."
"Uh... thank you."
The girl politely nodded. She peeked at President Kaiba with her clear eyes, but immediately got scared by his fierce expression and quickly lowered her head, not daring to speak.
"By the way, I still don't know your name."
Chinai walked alongside the girl.
"Me? I..." She hesitated for a while, "I'm Natsuki... Anmu Natsuki."
Does even her name make her hesitate? Chinai wondered to herself.
"Ito Chinai."
Chinai spoke and comforted her: "Not understanding maps is pretty normal; I also always forget the way when going out."
She added, a bit embarrassingly, "I've even gotten lost on my way home from school..."
"Ah." The directionally challenged girl nodded in understanding, "That must be tough, right?"
"Well... actually, it's not that bad." Chinai thought seriously and replied, "Because really, there's not much need for me to remember routes myself. As long as Youyu's around, I just follow wherever he goes..."
Anmu Natsuki: "..."
Youyu, walking ahead, remained silent but felt a mild headache from hearing Chinai's words.
Not needing to remember routes? That day after school when you got lost, wasn't it me who picked you up?
It was very unfortunate that it was also raining heavily that day. When I called Chinai, she couldn't even clearly describe where she had walked. Even asking for nearby landmarks, she only mentioned cars, trees, and a trash can...
Finally, Youyu really went through a lot before finding her.
He wanted to complain that she was about to graduate and could still get lost on her way home, but seeing Chinai lower her head with a "I was wrong" expression, he suppressed his complaints.
He could only sigh helplessly, "Let's go back to the store; it's getting dark."
"Okay." Chinai nodded, obediently following behind without saying a word... yet inwardly, she felt a little happy.
"..."
Listening to Chinai, Natsuki wanted to say something but held back, ultimately losing interest in the conversation and remaining silent for a while.
The air seemed to fill with a faint sourness, reminiscent of lemonade...
"Hmph."
Kaiba walked ahead, arms crossed, starting to grumble again.
"Boring."
Natsuki glanced cautiously again at President Kaiba and quietly asked, "Someone like the President must be very popular with girls, right?"
"Of course."
Mokuba immediately perked up at hearing praises for his brother.
"My brother is known as 'Domino's White Dragon,' appearing in the top five every year on the city's... no, the nation's magazines' list of most popular personalities!"
It's not a surprise. After all, President Kaiba is handsome and accomplished at a young age.
Kaiba Seto's inspiring story is well-known, having started from an orphanage and fought his way to wealth and status—a true legend.
Now, President Kaiba is just eighteen, young and talented, wealthy beyond belief, having power and status, and, importantly, being skilled in card games.
He embodies all the excellent qualities in a man, naturally attracting countless girls.
"Mm... mm." Natsuki softly expressed understanding, "Outstanding people naturally become the center of attention wherever they go."
However...
"Boring!"
The President grunted again without turning his head, almost startling her.
President Kaiba strode forward, his coat billowing at his back like a king's cape.
His eyes were filled with firm resolve, without a trace of confusion.
There's a phrase that best describes someone like Kaiba.
"No women in his heart; he draws cards like a god."
The President is evidently a devoted believer of this saying, exemplifying it consistently with his actions.
After all, he's never beaten Yugi!
And hasn't beaten that annoyingly capable You↑yu↓ either!
Dating? Boring, a waste of time!
Rather than wasting precious time dining, shopping, or whispering sweet nothings to a woman, it's better to grab Youyu for more card duels, developing new strategies and optimizing his deck.
This is also why Chinai isn't very fond of President Kaiba.
The differing views, confusing behavior are minor; what bothers her most is—
—This guy always drags our Youyu away to play cards!
Who plays cards in the middle of the night?
Completely incomprehensible.
Natsuki, though thoughtful, strangely seemed to understand, softly saying: "Dueling is the art of crafting the future for duelists. Even a moment of satisfaction with existing achievements leads to immediate obsolescence."
"Oh?" Kaiba moved an eyebrow, his gaze shifting over.
This statement indeed resonated with him, aligning with Kaiba's lifelong creed. It made him, for the first time, actually pay attention to this girl.
...She was passably pleasant to look at.
This is perhaps the highest appraisal President Kaiba could offer.
Natsuki, frightened by his naturally fierce gaze, quickly lowered her head, avoiding eye contact.
"It's... it's written in the President's biography." She shook her head slightly, "The biography records the President's classic quotes."
Everyone showed expressions of realization.
Sure enough, how could anyone's thinking align with President Kaiba's...
"By the way, I have another question... if I could ask the President?"
Kaiba glanced at her, snorting, seemingly granting permission.
"Rumor has it... the Duel King Muto Yugi once hosted the Pharaoh's spirit, who was your recognized adversary, but now the spirit is gone."
The girl peeked at Kaiba, cautiously asking.
"...Some say you wish to bring him back, is it true?"
Kaiba squinted, his blade-like icy gaze sweeping over again, startling the girl into lowering her head and evading his gaze once more.
Honestly, Kaiba's expression is rather intimidating to ordinary people. Not everyone can, like Youyu, listen nonchalantly to the President's reprimand while daydreaming about what to eat for dinner.
Kaiba responded coldly, "A person's quest for dominance is meaningless; achieving greatness demands having equally matched opponents."
Speaking of equally matched, but haven't you never actually won? Youyu thought from the side.
"Oh, oh." Natsuki nodded, pondered, and asked again, "But in your biography it seems you also said, 'On the same path, there shouldn't be two conquerors'?"
Kaiba: "..."
The President perhaps never imagined he'd be rendered speechless by his own words...
"It's none of your business." Kaiba finally said fiercely.
"Uh... okay." The girl shrank her neck, obediently keeping quiet.
Youyu couldn't help but look at Natsuki in surprise.
Could this girl possibly... have memorized the President's entire biography?
Does she remember every word he's said so clearly?