The screen flickers. A card appears. Kael looks up. He's in the middle of a race. The sun beats down. Dust flies under the wheels.
— Activation of "Reinforcement of the Army". I'll search for "Junk Synchron", he murmurs, focused.
His voice is drowned out by the sound of the wind.
To his left, Yugo pedals hard. He maintains a steady speed, but his fingers brush the screen attached to the handlebars. No time to think. He keeps going.
— I summon "Elemental HERO Stratos", effect activated. I'll search for "Liquid Soldier".
Cycloduel was born from the delirium of overly passionate athletes, and today, it has become very real. Pedaling full speed on towpaths, while playing an official Yu-Gi-Oh duel. No rigged cards. No altered rules. Everything is normal. Except you're playing while sweating.
Kael exhales. The heat is dry. Tires squeal on the gravel. He glances at his screen.
— Normal Summon "Junk Synchron", activating its effect...
The two cyclists speed along the canal, through a silent plain. No climbs. No descents. Just a dusty, demanding straight line. Everything rests on endurance and clarity.
They reach an old bridge. Kael speeds up. Yugo follows.
— Synchro Summon. Stardust Dragon.
— Fusion Summon. Elemental HERO Sunrise.
They don't look at each other. It's a mental war. The slightest moment of distraction and victory slips away.
Yugo wears a subtle smile. He pulls out a small water bottle secured to his bike frame. A sip of lemon-flavored water. He takes a deep breath. His legs burn.
Kael, meanwhile, bites into a granola bar he had tucked into his back pocket. One hand on the handlebars, the other on the screen. His concentration never falters.
— Battle Phase. Stardust attacks Stratos.
— I activate Sunrise's effect. I destroy your monster.
The duel becomes tense. Their life points drop slowly. No shouting. No spectacle. Just two guys on bikes, eyes glued to their screens, battling for control of the field… in their heads.
A bird flies by. The wind picks up. The canal winds on endlessly.
Kael hesitates. He has two cards in hand. Not enough to turn the game around.
Yugo charges ahead. He sees the moment.
— I draw. I play "Mask Change". Sunrise becomes Masked HERO Blast.
Kael grits his teeth. He's going to lose.
— Blast attacks directly. It's over.
He slightly brakes. Not in despair, just to catch his breath. His screen displays the verdict: 0 LP.
Yugo slows down as well. He grabs a bottle of iced tea from his backpack, dripping with condensation.
— Well played, man.
— You were fast, Kael murmurs. And I think I burned my fingers on the screen.
They stop a few meters further, under a tree. The shade is cool. They put their bikes down and take sandwiches out of their bags. Tuna-mayo for Kael. Grilled chicken for Yugo.
— Can you imagine if we did this with more people? Like, an actual tournament? Yugo suggests, biting into his sandwich.
Kael doesn't answer right away. He thinks.
— You have to be a bit crazy to like this.
— Exactly, you're crazy, you belong here.
They laugh.
— Got any other friends who might enjoy Cycloduel? Kael asks.
— Yeah. One or two are into it. Including one… a bit weird, but he's strong at dueling.
Kael smiles.
— We might start something.
---
Later that day, after they've showered and changed, Yugo sends Kael a message.
> Yo, what are you up to tonight? Come over. We'll have a chill duel with Disks, old-school style.
Kael hesitates for barely a moment.
> I'm coming. Bring the drinks.
Scene at Yugo's place
The light is soft. A large wooden table, two activated Duel Disks. Soda cans. Chips. Snack cakes. And a large pitcher of iced water.
Yugo carefully shuffles his deck. Kael, calmer, watches his own in silence.
— This time, no bikes. Just pure dueling, Yugo says, placing his Disk on his arm.
— Yeah. And this time… I'm going to win.
Duel Start
— I'll go first. I summon "Junk Synchron".
— Perfect. I set two cards and end my turn. It's your move.
The match heats up. Summons happen in rapid succession. Effects activate at lightning speed. But this time, they don't need to manage their breathing or watch the road.
Just the pure joy of dueling.
Cycloduel is their universe. But around them, it's a group of passionate young people living their summer as an adventure with every straight line, every card played, every drop of sweat.
And this is just the beginning.