Monday, 05/07/2001, 7:45 p.m.
Matsuyama Residence.
The night light filtered through the windows, softly illuminating the interior of the house.
The distant sounds of Domino City echoed intermittently.
A scent of incense filled the air, blending with the faint aroma of herbal infusions.
The lights were off.
In the living room, seated on the couch in front of the television, Yumiko Osako and her parents watched the screen with annoyed expressions, each holding a steaming white teacup.
On the screen, the figure of a man stood on a podium, speaking passionately while gesturing with his hands. A wide smile stretched across his face. He was of average height, slim, with sharp features, brown eyes, and long, messy black hair. He wore a gray suit and a light blue striped tie.
{"...After a period of stagnation in the 1990s, it has become clear that systems that once worked well are not necessarily suitable for 21st-century society. Under these circumstances, my most important mission is to restore the economy and build a Japanese society full of confidence and pride. At the same time, as a member of the international community, Japan must fulfill its constructive responsibilities. I believe that without structural reform, there can be no revitalization or progress for our nation..."}
The echo of the speech traveled up the stairs to the second floor of the house. It reached Shin's room, crossing the hallway, distant…
The yellow light of a lamp blended with the white glow of the moon through the window.
A warm breeze lifted the curtains and refreshed the room.
Sitting at his desk, Shin stared at the ceiling with a contemplative expression, hands behind his head. The breeze ruffled his hair and brought with it a faint smell of smoke from outside.
On the desk rested a neatly stacked Duel Monsters deck.
Slowly, the translucent figure of Zul-Karun began to manifest behind Shin, floating slightly above the floor in the middle of the room.
Without taking his eyes off the ceiling, Shin spoke calmly, breaking the silence.
"Did it work? Was he in that place?"
Zul-Karun's reply echoed dryly through the room.
"Yes."
Smiling faintly, Shin murmured absentmindedly.
"Predictable… Pegasus J. Crawford. We'll meet soon… I'll be ready."
Adjusting his posture and picking up the deck from the desk, Shin clenched it in his fist, his expression serious.
Glancing sideways at Zul-Karun, Shin spoke in a sharp tone.
"Keep testing it subtly. I don't want him to think it's an isolated incident, but I also don't want him running around thinking his 'magic eye' has some major flaw. That way, when the time comes, he won't link it back to me. Now go, and don't forget to project a sense of fatigue."
Zul-Karun's figure vanished instantly.
A breeze stirred the curtains a moment later.
Shin was alone in the room.
Silence stretched on for a few seconds.
Then, Shin stood up and walked to the window, deck in hand, his eyes wandering over the view of Domino City. A faint murmur escaped his lips, the breeze playing with his clothes and hair.
"I hope I'm not tempting fate too much."
Elsewhere, at the same time...
Nagoya, Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, 49th floor, Room 1.
Starlight illuminated the city, mixing with the glow of all kinds of multicolored neon signs and standard lights in the darkness of night.
The noise of traffic and the smell of smog filled the air.
A small bat flew past the balcony, its flight erratic, its figure hidden by the shadows of the building.
Leaning on the smooth, gray railing, a tall, slim Western man with sharp features and long white hair, dressed in a loose green bathrobe, sipped slowly from a glass filled with a dark golden liquid.
A light aroma of honey and dried fruits floated in the air, carried by the breeze.
The only visible eye through the man's hair was brown, lost in the distance.
To his left, a small table held a large green bottle, uncorked, with a white label reading 'Château d'Yquem 1811'.
Resting his head on one hand, the man muttered with a frown and a pained expression.
"Ugh… I've been working too much lately."
Then, the balcony door suddenly opened.
A middle-aged Western man of average height and slim build, with medium-length dark gray hair, sharp black eyes, wrinkled features, and a short English mustache, dressed in a black suit and green tie, stepped onto the balcony and walked over to the man in the bathrobe. His expression was serious, and his hands were clasped behind his back. His voice rang out respectfully.
"Mr. Pegasus, we have—"
Pegasus glanced sideways at the man in the suit and interrupted him with a raised hand. A faint smile curved his lips. His tone was playful. A sharp glint flashed beneath his hair.
"Let me guess. You still haven't been able to locate young Kaiba, have you? Isn't that disappointing, Mr. Crocketts? The boy probably isn't even trying to hide."
Taking another sip from his glass, Pegasus turned back to the city view and muttered wearily.
"Haaa... Leave me alone. I'm not in the mood for setbacks right now."
Crocketts nodded and silently left the balcony.
A minute later, a shadow moved behind Pegasus, blending into the darkness of a column.
"Hm?"
Pegasus glanced over his shoulder, eyes sharp for a moment. Shaking his head in dismissal, he murmured softly.
"I've had too much to drink."