7. Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V A New Story of Pendulum (Standard Arc)

Chapter 21 The Fortunetelling Girl

Katrina sat at her desk, cards spread out before her in neat rows. She picked one up, then another, running her fingers across the familiar patterns. For so long her deck had been incomplete—half left behind in Heartland. Now, reunited with every piece, the weight of it pressed against her palms.

How should I use them? What will give me the edge?

Her eyes drifted to the card lying apart from the rest: Fusion. The faint gleam of its border tugged at her thoughts.

"This card..." she whispered. "I should really return it to Yuzu soon."

But as she stared at it, the memories stirred. The chaos in Heartland. Her father's voice, still pleading with Academia's agents, still trying to convince them that dueling with smiles could be their salvation. Katrina's chest tightened. She shook her head, pushing the thought away, and slipped the card back into its case.

"Enough. Rest," she muttered, lying down. Sleep took her quickly.

The following morning sunlight stabbed through the curtains, and Katrina's eyes shot open. She bolted upright, hair disheveled, a sick feeling in her chest.

"I overslept?!"

Within minutes she was sprinting down the street, clutching her bag close. The Junior Youth Championship's final match before the qualifiers—her last test—waited. Her path led to an unfamiliar building, grand and solemn: Unno Divination School.

She slowed to catch her breath, staring up at its carved symbols and fluttering curtains. "Figures. Vivian would be over the moon here... me, not so much."

"Here you are, Katrina."

She nearly jumped out of her skin. Standing in the shadows was Nico Smiley, his grin unchanged, but today his body was draped in a dark robe.

"Geez!" Katrina scowled, clutching her chest. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

"I've been waiting," Nico said lightly. He turned, his robes trailing behind. "Follow me."

Katrina hesitated, then fell into step. The stairwell they descended grew darker with each step, shadows curling along the walls.

"Why are these stairs so dark?" she muttered.

"Watch your step, Katrina," Nico replied smoothly.

She smirked faintly despite her nerves. "Good thing I'm half vampire, huh?"

At last, they reached the arena. Lanterns flickered to life, revealing rows of children seated in the stands, their eyes wide with anticipation. In the center stood a girl with long hair, her Duel Disk gleaming under the dim light.

Katrina stopped, straightening her back. "So, you're my opponent? Then let's get started."

The girl tilted her head, her voice lilting with mystery. "So you're Darling's sister... I will divine, through this Duel, whether your strength measures up to his."

"Darling?" Katrina echoed, confusion flashing across her face.

The girl's eyes twinkled knowingly. Katrina frowned—then remembered Yuya's reaction yesterday when the name had been mentioned. He had flinched, almost panicked.

Her grip tightened on her Duel Disk. So this is Mieru Hochun... and that's the connection to Yuya.

"The official match between the shocking Entertaining Duelist—Sakaki Katrina!—and the Infallible Fortune-Telling Girl—Mieru Houchun—will now begin!" Nico's voice rang across the chamber, his arms spread with theatrical flair. "And now, if you would, Principal Divina!"