Chapter 3 - Toru's POV

"Why did the Master want me to have these cards?" I ask, trying to find the messanger's face underneath her Temple-issued cloak. "How should I know?" she shrugs before leaving.

I hastily rip open the envelope, and I end up fairly disappointed. These new cards will take off some of the pressure, but they're not really going to make much of a difference otherwise. I sigh and add them to my deck.

"5 Minute Call for all Dualists – please make your way to the arena." The loudspeaker orders. I turn and quickly check myself out in the mirror. It's not that I really care about how I look, I just don't want to go out with food around my mouth or a prominent pimple or something embarrassing like that. Deciding that I'm in the clear, I pick up my deck and leave the dressing room.

The dualists in the semi-finals all have to wait in this little green room until they call us out into the arena to make our entrance. I walk in, and the first thing I notice is the death-stares everyone's giving Shobu, who's acting oblivious, sitting on the couch shuffling through his deck with his feet up on the coffee table, whistling. I will say, points to him for not giving them the time of day – Jamira looks like he's ready to rip his head off.

Too many horror movies, Toru…I tell myself.

In the corner, a tiny flat screen TV shows the arena, but we can hear the roar of the crowd perfectly from here. I wouldn't be surprised if someone went home deaf.

"Haha, Thanks everyone for coming down here today to witness the 42nd Annual Duel Masters Lucker Memorial Tournament!" one of the commentators announces, and somehow, the audience grows louder. "I'm Dan, and here's my sidekick, Steve!" He adds. "Hi, fans!" Steve the commentator chimes in. "It certainly is awesome being here today, but let's not waste time and let's get these semi-finals underway!"

"Indeed, Dan. Our first duelist is known throughout his native country, Sweeden, for his incredible voice, but has been dualing since his childhood. Please welcome…ERIC!"

A guy, about my age, with chiselled features and dark hair, is guided through the door by a middle aged blonde, who's a bit….above the healthy BMI…Suddenly, a chorus of girls starts screaming and yelling things in some other language, probably Swedish.

"Wow! He's not going home empty handed tonight, is he Dan, if you know what I mean!" The audience start laughing at his joke, and the TV camera zooms in a bit on him winking at a girl, who then looks like she's about to faint. "I think I do, Steve! Ha ha! Our second semi-finalist has an out there sense of fashion and is the only female in the semi-finals. Let's hear it for…JACINTA!"

Jesus Christ, I almost jump when I see her leave the green room. She looks like she just came from a Tim Burton movie or something…God knows how she can move in that giant pink skirt, let alone how she can breathe in her equally colourful corset. She reminds me of some kind of walking cupcake…

"She certainly looks like a force to be reckoned with!" one of the announcers says, proving that he definitely doesn't have a girlfriend. "Our next duelist has some balls! Yes, with bucket loads of confidence, it's…JAMIRA!"

"Yeah, who'd have thought a ginger could be so fearsome?"

"Ha ha, indeed! Today's fourth semi-finalist spends almost every waking minute practising and thinking up strategies. Put your hands together for…KEVIN!"

"Now that's dedication, and you can see it's really payed off! Our next dualist is the 'bad boy' type, and I know he's got some fans out there today! Yes, Ladies and gentlemen, it's the brilliant, sexy and talented…TORU!"

As I walk along the bright blue carpet to the centre of the arena, where the other dualists are waiting, I assume my standard strut; eyes forward, head high, shoulders back, no smiles and no waving.

"What a guy!" the other commentator says as I reach the others. "Our last semi-finalist today is new to the tournament scene, but has impressed everyone with his skills. Give it up for….SHOBU!"

Any momentary respect I had for the bastard is gone. I hate the way he struts down the aisle as if he owns the place, laughing and waving, but it's when he blows a kiss to Mimi that I crack it inside. She turns and starts hugging her friend, whats-her-face, and they both cheer louder. I begin grinding my teeth, glaring at Shobu from underneath my fringe, which has thankfully covered up most of my face so the camera can't see it.

"Okay, ladies and gents, our first match today will be Jacinta versus Kevin! The winner will go on to verse Eric and we'll go from there. Could the dualists who are not going into the first match up please leave the arena until it's your turn to duel."