Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior

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Episode 20: The Fierce Duelists

“It’s already this late, huh? Alright, let’s wrap up today’s lecture. Everyone, feel free to leave,” the professor said.

As soon as the bell rang, we were released from the oppressive silence, and we straightened our backs and stood up.

“Finally done,” I said.

“Yeah. Now I can go build my bulk,” Shinji replied, standing up next to me. For some reason, he struck a pose. The muscles that had disappeared seemed to have come back over the past few days. How does someone manage to build that much muscle in just a few days?

“I wish Akira could’ve made it…,” Shinji muttered.

After raw oysters, now anisakis. It really feels like a cursed year for him.

“I’ll bring him a snack later,” I said.

“Raw oysters?” Shinji asked.

“Yeah, that’s a great idea,” I agreed.

“Heh, you’re cruel,” Shinji said with a grin.

We exchanged jokes in our usual manner as we headed to the next class. It was just one floor down, and the room was right there.

Then—

“Hm? Was that just a misperception…?” Shinji said, stopping.

“No, I can see it too,” I said, confused.

We opened the door, and there, standing before us was—

“Oh, you guys are late,” Akira said.

But—

“What the heck are you wearing!?” I shouted.

Akira was wearing a red-and-black checkered shirt and loose jeans. A white tube-like object was poking out from the side of his backpack. He had a bandana on his head that looked like something from a home economics cooking class.

“‘You look like an old-school otaku,’” we both said in unison.

Old-school… well, maybe not old in the best way. More like a typical look, I’d say.

“Otaku? Where?” Akira asked, looking confused.

“W-What the heck…,” I stammered.

“Ha! Enough with the jokes. Sit down, both of you,” Akira ordered, his voice serious.

“Yeah, okay,” I replied.

“Sure, let’s do that,” Shinji added.

We sat down, and at the same moment, the bell rang, signaling the start of the lecture.

“Alright, let’s discuss this case of….”

We weren’t listening to the professor anymore. At this point, analyzing the situation was far more important.

“Should we mention the oysters? Or the anisakis? Either way, Akira’s brain might be completely affected,” Shinji suggested.

“Are you kidding!? That means… there’s no saving him!” I exclaimed.

“Hey, you two, can you be quiet? It’s a lecture, not a social hour,” Akira suddenly snapped.

“What!?” we both said in shock.

Unbelievable. Akira was actually paying attention to the lecture?

“Wait! Akira! I saw you watching something on your phone!” I pointed out.

“What?!” Shinji asked.

Sure enough, Akira had earphones plugged into his ears and was watching something on his phone, which was lying flat on the desk.

Snap! The professor snapped his fingers.

“Alright, now you three, form groups of three and prepare a report on multi-dimensional environmental issues,” the professor announced.

Murmurs filled the room as everyone seemed to be looking for an excuse to chat. So we decided to—

“Alright, Shinji, Akira. We need to talk,” I said.

“Okay,” Shinji replied.

“Hmm? Sorry, I was listening. Is this group work time?” Akira asked, still distracted.

This was our chance. We had to ask now.

“Akira, how’s your health?” I asked.

“Hm? Oh, I’m fine now,” Akira replied.

“…Really?” I asked skeptically.

“I’m good,” he said, though I wasn’t convinced his brain was as fine as he claimed.

“Akira, I noticed you were watching something earlier. What was it?” Shinji asked, cutting in.

“Ah, this?” Akira said, showing us his phone screen.

““No wayyy!!?”” we both shouted in disbelief.

On the screen was—!

“A secondary character!!?” we exclaimed in shock.

Let me explain. Akira, this guy—

A year ago, in the midst of a heavy snowstorm… wait, that’s not important now. Let’s just say Akira was the type of guy who—

“You only put things like dating apps or similar stuff on your phone!” I shouted.

Akira was the kind of guy who constantly worked on himself to become more attractive. He was always striving to be better, and that’s why we called him a friend, someone we could trust.

“No way! I need an ambulance! My bulk is telling me I need one!” Shinji yelled, panicking.

“Hey! What’s going on over here?!” the professor barked as he walked toward us.

We were out of time. No choice but to—

“Professor! In our group, we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s only one solution to the multi-dimensional issue!” I declared.

“Oh? What’s that?” the professor asked, intrigued.

““Force our way through!”” we both yelled dramatically.

“Wait! You guys!!” the professor said, shocked.

We grabbed Akira by the arm and rushed out of the room.

“Where do you think you’re going!?!” the professor shouted at us.

“To fix this messed-up world!” I shouted back.

We knew where we had to go. To the one person who could analyze this situation and offer a solution.

The third floor of the old school building, the home of the “Fuzoku Club,” or more accurately, Akashita’s lair.

“Whaaa! You scared me! What is it?!” Akashita said, clearly shocked, as she jumped out of her chair and fell off the sofa.

“It’s a crisis! Akira’s—!” I started.

“Sorry! We can’t do anything ourselves…” Shinji added.

“What?! What do you guys want!?” Akira protested, now awake.

““Shut up!!”” we both yelled, knocking him out with a quick hit to the back of his head.

“So… what’s the issue?” Akashita asked, her face clearly showing her annoyance.

“You know, this place is for only serious cases. And I’m busy! The next Nokemon card tournament is coming up!” she said, a bit exasperated.

“Nokemon… cards?” I said, confused.

Akira, now barely conscious, twitched.

“Oh? You know about Nokemon cards?” Akashita asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nokemon… cards!” Akira mumbled, still in a daze.

“Oh! You have a deck!” Akashita said excitedly.

She quickly pulled out a table and set it up, grinning as she shuffled the deck.

Then— the intense duel began!

“My turn!! I play Noklathes from my hand!!” Akashita said confidently.

“First turn and you’re playing Noklathes? Impressive,” Akira said, now fully aware and smirking.

“Socrates… is a Nokemon?” I asked, confused.

“Well, think about it, 礼 (Rei). Philosophers have always been outcasts in every era,” she explained, adding a surprising amount of logic to her statement.

“…True!!” I agreed, oddly convinced by her reasoning.

“Alright, blondie! Show me your skills! I set one card and end my turn!” Akashita announced.

“Sure! Let me show you!” Akira said, pulling out a card with a mischievous grin.

Akira ended his turn without summoning any monsters.

““What!? He didn’t summon a monster! Is that allowed? His hand must be weak!”” we both whispered, confused.

“Quiet, spectators. That’s a strategy! In Nokemon cards, at least!” Akashita said, standing with an air of authority.

The duel continued, and Akashita was breathing heavily, wiping sweat from her forehead.

“Not bad at all! I didn’t expect you to be this good!” she said, clearly impressed.

“You thought I was a casual player, huh?” Akira said with a grin, clearly enjoying the competition.

This was turning into a rivalry!

“I’m going to win this turn! Watch out, blondie!” Akashita said confidently.

With a swift motion, she drew a card and placed it on the table.

“Alright, I summon Caryleo Carylay using Socrates and Leonardo’s glitch as tributes! It’s special summoned and destroys all cards on your field!” she shouted.

“What!?!” Akira exclaimed in disbelief.

“And then!” Akashita pointed at Akira dramatically.

“Direct attack! Destroy him with my Baranyme Beam!!” she yelled.

The imaginary beam shot out, sending Akira flying out of his chair and crashing into the wall.

““Akiraaaa!!”” we both yelled in shock.

Akashita looked pleased with herself.

“Akira, I can tell. You’ve just started playing Nokemon cards. Your playstyle and deck construction are very passive. You’ve been influenced by someone, right?” she asked.

“Hah!? How did you know that!?” Akira responded, surprised.

“Akira, you’re a social guy. What made you change?” Akashita asked, her tone curious.

““Ohhh!!”” we both exclaimed, impressed by her deduction.

“Well…” Akira began, “Actually, while I was hospitalized, I got really into this V-tuber…”

“Ah, that explains everything. So, you’re a V-tuber fan now?” Akashita said with a knowing smile.

“She’s like… pure as the first snow and loves Nokemon!” Akira said, his voice filled with admiration.

“Ohhh… okay,” I said, understanding now.

Ding! A notification sound suddenly came from somewhere.

“It wasn’t me,” I said, glancing around.

“Not me either,” Shinji added.

“Not me,” Akashita said, puzzled.

“Guess it’s me then,” Akira said, pulling out his phone.