Hello! Welcome to my first new story in a year and a half and my first new Yu-Gi-Oh! GX story in...(looks at profile)...a long time! I started re-watching the series from the ground up and I got the itch to write, again, as evidenced by my continuation of my GX Rewrite that I stopped doing so long ago. Sometimes, though, I don't exactly want to write on something so serious and focused on Dueling. And some of the best stories I've read on here are one-shots that I've enjoyed involved just a slice-of-life style following Judai around and I decided I wanted to follow in that vein, as a lover of GX. It'll also sharpen my writing skills, since I eventually would like to publish...something. I also plan on trying to start up my fanfic Through the Ages chronicling different moments for Fianceshippers, if that tickles your fancy. However, that would be AU.

This series-I hope it'll be a series, anyway-was spawned from the aforementioned stories and watching some of my favorite scenes, including the last scene you see of everyone at the Graduation Party in 179. I love the idea of Judai randomly popping in for a spell and vanishing just as suddenly. I plan on none of this getting that OOC, so you could make an argument that they could exist in the GX world (other than the fact they're written by a fan and not those authors of GX). Just Judai being Judai and showing up randomly to have fun with his friends. I also wanted to give some lesser characters some love, so I won't just focus on his closest friends (Manjoume, Asuka, Shou) although they will have a major role and certainly their own chapters. You could also call this a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of GX (though that was technically last year).

I took up too much of your time already, so go on and read the first of this series. I hope you enjoy it. As always, reviews are encouraged.

Carpe Diem

Makurada Junko & Hamaguchi Momoe

Junko exhaled sharply. Between school and her internship, she had very few days off recently and, although she dearly loved her friend like a sister, Hamaguchi Momoe could be very difficult to deal with once she found a boy that deserved her attention. Especially when it ended up coinciding with said weekend.

The pair of friends was just about to finish their second year at school training to be teachers and had started with being teacher's aides at a local grade school teaching the finer points of Dueling. Neither of the two had much luck in the love life, although they hadn't exactly advanced past the point of admiring some of the more famous Duelists on the Pro Circuit.

This time, Momoe was interested in the newest fad—the up-and-comer the two already knew quite well from Duel Academia; "Manjoume Thunder" Jun.

"Just watching him is so much fun!" the dark-haired girl swooned. "His chants, the arrogance, how hard he works, and he's easy on the eyes, too! Oh, Manjoume-kun~" Junko swore she saw hearts rise from the girl's head due to lovesickness.

Her redheaded friend just took a sip of the tea and glanced up at the deep blue sky. She had been called out to a nearby trendy café to spend some time with one of her two closest friends. The day celebrated her day off with beautiful temperatures that were tempered with the occasional crisp breeze. To enjoy it, Junko decided to walk over public transportation, but she wondered if she might have to change that plan on the way home; she was always tired after 'boy talk' with Momoe.

The girl caught her apathy, shoving a paper flyer into her face. "Look! Manjoume-kun is going to be in town tomorrow night for a Duel! We should go see him! Rumors are saying he might be challenging for the Title soon! It may be the last time he's near a smaller venue like this one for a while."

Irritated by the suddenly close proximity, Junko pushed the expressive girl's hand away. "You know we have classes early, tomorrow! I would love to go see him, but I just don't think I'll have the energy. And if you're looking for a boyfriend, you should know from talking with Fubuki-sama that he still has his eyes set on Asuka-san." They had many projects due to finish up the semester and with the teacher's aide job she had, she found fewer chances just to spend time with her friend outside of class, let alone go on and waste a night of work by watching a Pro Duelist's League match.

Momoe pouted. "Oh, come on! You know you want to…and when was the last time we went out together and did anything fun?"

The redhead bit her lip. She really did want to go watch the Duelist—it had been over a year since they saw him up close and the only real contact they had with any of their friends were the Tenjoin siblings via email and phone calls.

Suddenly, a slender hand reached down and plucked the pamphlet away from the two teacher aides, causing them to look up. "Oh! Manjoume seems to be doing pretty well for himself! Been a while since I've seen him."

The girls' eyes widened—first in exasperation at the intrloper, then in surprise.

"Yuki Judai…!"

"Hmmm?" The boy glanced up from the flyer, revealing all his glory. His hair was disheveled and much longer than they remember; he had apparently not seen a pair of scissors in months. His Osiris Red blazer was almost unrecognizable, faded and stained and scarred and biffed. His jeans had eroded so much, especially around the knees, it appeared they were holding on only by the strings of his jeans. A travel bag, worn and marred from obvious extended use, hung on his shoulder, gripped by his free hand; the unmistakable tail from the Osiris Red mascot Pharaoh peeking out and swaying with the draft. And his shoes were covered in muck and only-God-knew what else.

He had never looked better.

The duo immediately showered him with questions. "When did you show up?"

"When did you get into town?"

"How long have you been here?"

"Did you plan on at least contacting us?"

"What happened after the Graduation Ceremony? You never came to the party!"

"Uhhhh…"

Judai was positively befuddled, causing both girls to calm down. They realized that was possibly the most they ever interacted with the Osiris Red directly, but since it was so long since they saw any of their classmates, even Judai was a welcome sight.

Sitting down at the table, Momoe ordered another cup of tea for him. The brunette tried to forgo the offer, saying he didn't have the funds to afford it, but the girl insisted on it.

Upon arrival, he took a swig from the cup, allowing the drink to dance with his taste buds, before downing the entire swill in one quick gulp. "Wow that was fantastic! Thanks!"

While Momoe giddily grabbed the boy's focus by asking the questions they showered him with earlier, Junko took to inspecting him. She could almost swear he was a clone or an apparition, but somehow knew he was real. Despite the abhorrent condition of his clothing and features, Judai's eyes still maintained a youthful exuberance as they ever did when he was at the Academia; even more so than how they were at Graduation.

He was clearly enjoying whatever it was he was doing.

…What was he doing, exactly?

Junko realized she voiced her concerns unexpectedly, when Judai gave her his rapt attention. "I was just in the area after helping some people out and decided to take in the sights. It was such a nice day out today, I thought it would be terrible to waste such a day by just finishing up and moving onto the next place right away."

The dark-haired girl giggled at her friend's reaction to his bluntness and buoyant lifestyle. "But enough about me, what have you two been up to lately? Haven't seen you guys since Graduation."

Junko pursed her lips. "Well…what do you want to know?"

"Everything!"

Junko and Momoe regaled the youth with tales of their journey after Graduation. How they decided on their futures just before the Pair Duel Tournament; how they studied abroad at the Duel College Asuka was attending for a semester; how they were only a year away from acquiring their teaching degree and already were gaining rapport with some of the local schools; how some of their younger students had reminded them of their friends at the Academia, including one who was very reminiscent of Shou in his first year and how they were trying to help the boy break out of his shell. Although they thought the stories ordinary, Judai remained intensely enraptured, nodding and prompting answers when he felt more information was necessary. The storytellers marveled at his attentiveness and stifled the questions of why he wasn't this vigilant while at the Academia.

It was around the time Judai devoured the last scone the girls had ordered that they finished explaining everything they could think of that had happened in the time they had last seen each other. "All right! Then, it's time we got going."

The Junko's brow arched. "Go where?" She looked at her friend who shrugged.

"To see Manjoume! You said you hadn't seen him in a while, yeah?"

Blinking, Momoe's face etched a frown. "But the Duel's not until tomorrow. And Junko doesn't wanna go, since we have class early."

The HERO-user refused to listen to their complaints and began to stretch. "Let's see…he'll probably be at the ritziest place it town…Do you have any idea?" They both stared dumbstruck. "What? I need to pay you guys back for the scones and tea. And like I said, it's been a while since I've seen him, too. If it's a Duel you want, we can even have one! Manjoume's always itching to face me." Practically dragging the two with him, they set off down the street.

"I want duck, tonight! The finest you can find!"

"Yes, Manjoume-san."

"Also, make sure my pillows are feathered! I don't sleep as well with other pillows. Too firm."

"Of course, Manjoume-san."

"And have my suit ready for my 6:30 appointment. I have a shoot and I want to look my best for the advertisers."

"Right away, Manjoume-san."

"OI~! MANJOUME~! BEEN A WHILE~"

"THAT'S –SAN! …Eh?"

The black-coated boy whirled around at the recognizable voice to see the greatest rival he'd known from his first days at the Academia beaming at him and slapping his shoulder.

"Judai!? Is that you?"

The brunette allowed a curious look. "Who else would I be?" He gestured behind him introducing his tagalongs.

The Pro Duelist pinched the bridge of his nose. "...What have I told you about showing up unannounced...?" He took a great whiff and pressed his nose shut for a different reason. "And what have I mentioned about those clothes!? You have to wash them every once in a while!"

"I wash them every chance I get!" Judai sulked childishly, causing the women to cover their mouths to hide their giggles. The fits caused the grimy boy to start. "Oh, I brought some friends! Momoe and Junko—you know, from the Academia! I knew you wouldn't mind."

The girls sheepishly waved, unsure this was even OK with how tremendously busy the Pro Duelist was just moments earlier. Unperturbed, Manjoume motioned to his attendant and began listing a myriad of events he wanted moved around. So fast, precise, and technical the wording was, it may as well have been a different language. The secretary, however, seemed to be used to this sort of thing, as she effortlessly made notes on everything, took Judai's knapsack and feline, and started making calls.

He peered back at the three newcomers. "Hello there, it's been a while." He seemed to have entered some kind of 'public address' mode, with how swiftly his attitude changed.

Judai smacked him across the back of the head.

Manjoume scowled. "What the hell was that for!?"

"They know you from the Academia!" the brown-haired rival rebuked. "You don't need to put on airs for them, Manjoume."

"THAT'S –SAN!" the Pro roared. "How many times do I have to tell you!?" He took a swipe of his own at the youth, who ducked. Judai seemed genuinely happy with the whole process, which just served to rankle the multi-faceted Duelist further.

After a few more moments, the HERO-user calmed down. He explained how Momoe and Junko both wanted to watch the duel tomorrow with Manjoume in the Main Event, but were too busy, so he had them come visit today. The two teachers—still quite bedazzled by the events that had taken place since they met Judai at the café only two hours earlier—sat silently as Judai explained the situation.

"In short, I figured we could give them a private Duel between just us two~!" he beamed. "Whaddaya say? We haven't faced off in months!"

It took little prodding from Judai to get Manjoume to whip out his Duel Disk and head to the arena. The girls sat in the front row of the empty stadium, Manjoume's attendant serving them refreshments as the two battled. The Ojama-user whittled down his opponent's Life to a mere 300, but true to form, the combined powers of Judai's E-HEROs and Neo-Spacians pulled out a victory at the end. The black-haired rival could do little but watch helplessly as his enemy finished off the spectacular Duel with powered-up Elemental HERO Neos attacking the Pro's Armed Dragon LV 10.

Judai performed his trademark post-Duel salute. "Gotcha~! That was one fun duel!"

The Duelist known as Thunder scowled darkly. "That was just a warm-up! Let's go again!"

More than willing, Judai added a condition. "Let's make it a Tag Duel!" Momoe and Junko gaped at the suggestion; they hadn't even brought their Decks! "C'mon! It'll be fun! And Manjoume's a Pro! He's got plenty of decks!"

Unable to say no to the unyielding fervor, Junko found a WATER Deck similar to the one she was used to and teamed with Judai; Momoe acquired a cutesy EARTH Deck she felt comfortable with to side with Manjoume. The latter of the pair was quite star struck from the discussion she had earlier with Junko, who didn't let it pass.

"Don't get distracted now, Momoe!" The girl pursed her lips and placed her finger to it in order to shush her.

The Duel lasted for a good while, until Manjoume and Momoe were able to pull off a combo that caught Judai and Momoe off guard and claimed victory for themselves. Momoe blushed as she celebrated with Manjoume, who reveled in his victory over his rival.

Junko merely smiled, while looking at Judai, who was apologizing profusely at the result. She feigned anger, but couldn't remember the last time she had so much pure fun.

"Wheeeew~ Manjoume knows how to give a guy a good meal!" Judai tenderly pat his stomach, giving it the much-needed rest it had earned devouring the meal as the trio waded through the tide of strangers. He also dropped off his dirty laundry—another of Judai's habits Manjoume seemed to have been used to—and was dressed in an entirely new garb reminiscent of his last Osiris Red days.

After getting some fine dining in with a very ecstatic Manjoume, the three former classmates listened to his recent string of Duels. He had been on a 10-match winning streak, defeating some of the top foes in his level. He was nearly ready to move up a class, only requiring one more victory, which explained why he was in the headlining act in this latest match-up. He also went through a typical day in the life of an up-and-coming Pro, such as himself.

Junko and Momoe were alert, but Judai, much like with the girls earlier in the day, was fascinated on the information Manjoume diverged, soaking it all up like a sponge.

He then pressed Manjoume for pictures and autographs for the two girls and Manjoume, always looking for ways to show how far he had come, happily obliged. Junko was mildly amused by the Pro's willingness to show off, but Momoe was practically floating in bliss.

Judai placed his hands behind his head as he lead them from the station to their apartments, traveling companions slung over his shoulder. "You know, you could've asked for all this by yourselves," he yawned. "Despite his grouse exterior, he's really always willing to give up time for people he knows."

Junko was absolutely certain that the only other person in the world who could get Manjoume to drop his entire schedule just to visit would be the girl he admired, but smothered her reply. She wasn't about to argue with the man who led them on such an exciting day.

"Ah, this is your guys' place, right?" he gasped. "Oh, right! Almost forgot."

Junko and Momoe broke from their reverie to look up, somber that the day had ended and they would have to go back to their normal lives tomorrow. They faced the boy who had begun to rummage through his bag, placing Pharaoh on the ground. He pulled out a pair of vouchers and handed one to each of the college students. "Here! In case you change your mind tomorrow. I can't use them, since I got another job to go to."

Junko and Momoe glanced at the slips of paper in their hands and realized they were backstage passes to the Duel with Manjoume the next night. "Oh my...Where did you...How did you...?"

"I told you I had to pay you back, right? Well, I had to do double, since I got to have so many fun Duels today! Also..." he pointed at the girls with a brilliant smile, "...Gotcha!"

The two were speechless, inspecting the tickets, when they realized he probably had no place to sleep overnight. "Judai, do you need to stay the ni—"

When they looked up, the boy was gone without a trace. Momoe concernedly peered up and down the street, but somehow, his impossible-to-miss aura and hair had vanished in the crowd of people that walked to and fro.

Junko shook her head, grinning ear-to-ear. "Honestly, that guy..."