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Chapter 853: Joey Wheeler is Being Impersonated?
Although Atem told Hayato and the others his decision under the fireworks last night, he wasn't so rushed that he had to leave immediately. At least until the group's trip in Egypt ended, Atem would continue to stay in the Real World.
A night passed, and the sun rose as usual. Because Atem's words yesterday had caused him to sleep poorly, even after washing up and leaving his Room, Yugi was still inevitably a little sleepy-eyed. He immediately saw Pegasus sitting in the Public Leisure Area, elegantly tasting something.
"Good morning, Yugi-boy. Looks like you didn't rest well last night?" Putting down the small cup in his hand, Pegasus said gently, "Today our journey will be a bit long. You can rest more in the car."
"Mm, good morning, Pegasus-san."
Yugi also greeted him with a smile. Because Pegasus put down the cup on the table, Yugi could see that what was in the cup was not the black coffee or similar that foreigners usually drink first thing in the morning. Instead, it was a cup of chocolate that looked very sweet. No wonder Yugi smelled chocolate as soon as he saw Pegasus. At first, he thought he hadn't distinguished between cocoa beans and coffee beans.
"Compared to the bitter taste of coffee, I have always preferred sweet chocolate cocoa more. After all, I have always been indifferent to the so-called 'bitterness of adults'." Seems like he saw what Yugi was thinking, Pegasus said with a smile, "So, would you like a cup too, Yugi-boy?"
Although the chocolate was indeed very fragrant, Yugi felt he still couldn't accept drinking something so sweet first thing in the morning, especially since Pegasus was even using a fork to pick up a piece of cake full of cream to eat with the chocolate, making it even sweeter.
Waving his hand, Yugi declined Pegasus's kindness and then heard Hayato's voice: "Who can eat something so sweet first thing in the morning, Pegasus? Your taste is too strange."
"Exactly," Marik's voice came along, echoing. "Who drinks hot chocolate with cream cake first thing in the morning like a normal person?"
Yugi also nodded in agreement upon hearing their words. He looked over upon hearing the sound but was stunned, and couldn't help but complain: "But Hayato, Marik, you two also..."
Holding a plate of curry in his hand, Marik picked up a spoon, scooped a bite, and put it in his mouth. While eating the soft potatoes, he said with some confusion: "Huh? What's wrong?"
"You say Pegasus eating dessert in the morning is strange, but you, Marik, aren't much better. Who eats curry first thing in the morning?" Hayato held a bowl of noodles in his hand, slurped a large mouthful, and said somewhat indistinctly.
"Brother-in-law, you're not much better either."
Although they only stayed for one night, the wealthy Pegasus didn't inconvenience himself by finding just any hotel. Instead, he generously booked eight of the top Luxury Suites in a local Star Hotel in Luxor in one go, providing one Room for each of the eight people in the group to rest.
Although it seemed like they had no travel plan and just went wherever they wanted, they still did some basic investigation. The Star Hotel they were currently staying at was not only in the best position to watch the New Year's Fireworks Performance but also provided the most abundant breakfast options, able to meet the needs of most people.
However, before actually coming here, Yugi hadn't expected that this hotel could even satisfy requests like the "pure vegetarian curry" Marik ordered, or the "noodles with sauce made from a pound of pork belly, the fat carefully removed and finely chopped" that Hayato ordered.
Ordering a set meal of fava bean croquette with a hamburger, Yugi saw Joey Wheeler and a few others also wake up and come out of their Rooms, and greeted them as well. However, after learning how abundant the meals at this hotel were, Joey Wheeler and the others also ordered some dishes they wouldn't normally make because they were too much trouble.
For example, Joey Wheeler also went to get a portion of curry and even asked them to add a fried pork cutlet.
As he was walking back with his meal, Joey Wheeler suddenly heard someone mention his name:
"That Person over there, feels like he's Katsuya Jounouchi."
Although the language the speaker used was English, which Joey Wheeler still didn't understand (he was completely unfamiliar with it), he could at least understand his own name even if he couldn't understand other words. His steps paused, and he looked towards the source of the voice that seemed to have recognized him.
The speakers were two young girls dressed as upper-class persons, who were facing away from him. Being able to appear in the Public Leisure Area of the Luxury Suites in this hotel, they were likely not some "Little Fairies" crowdfunding rich women in a group chat. And the two of them seemed not to have noticed Joey Wheeler 's line of sight and were still talking to themselves: "Really? But I don't feel like he looks much like him?"
"Definitely! Let me tell you, there's a way to identify those powerful Duelists who are good at Duel Monsters—it's by looking at their hairstyle! The better someone is at Duel Monsters, the more arrogant their hairstyle is." Paused, the blond girl who spoke first said with confidence, "Putting others aside for now, Katsuya Jounouchi's hairstyle is already engraved in my DNA!"
"Don't engrave all sorts of weird things into your DNA! And I really don't understand why you worship that guy named Katsuya Jounouchi so much. Isn't he just a guy who relies purely on his luck to Duel?"
"You're not allowed to talk about Katsuya Jounouchi like that! Do you know how much effort he puts in? No one knows better than me! Mr. Katsuya Jounouchi worked hard and practiced for two and a half years to reach his current skill level, you anti!"
"Hmph, Mr. Hayato will definitely instantly defeat Joey Wheeler!"
"Beat nothing!"
In just a few sentences, the two best friends, who were good sisters just now, started arguing, using words to attack each other for the Duelist they worshiped.
Behind Joey Wheeler, Tristan urged strangely: "What are you doing, Joey Wheeler? Don't stop and block the way."
"No, Tristan, I just heard someone over there mention my name, and although I couldn't understand much, it seems like they also mentioned Hayato's name." Joey Wheeler said, somewhat troubled, "As expected, it's because Lord Joey Wheeler's fame is too great, and I've been recognized by my fans."
"Uh, are those two ladies over there? It does seem like they mentioned your name." Tristan's English skill level was much better than Joey Wheeler's, but still only halfway decent. Being able to say a couple of sentences was his limit, and he couldn't do simultaneous interpretation. He could only hear that the two young girls were indeed continuously mentioning Joey Wheeler's name.
Turning back, Tristan sized up Joey Wheeler, and in his proud expression, returned a questioning look: "But, to say that you would actually have fans or something, that's impossible. They didn't even look at you at all when they were talking, okay?"
"Hmph, then let me prove it to you. Take this."
Handing his portion of curry to Tristan, Joey Wheeler strode forward towards the direction of the two arguing young girls: "Excuse me, ladies, did you just mention 'Katsuya Jounouchi'?"
This sentence almost exhausted Joey Wheeler's entire English vocabulary reserve. Although the pronunciation when he spoke was very clumsy, Joey Wheeler believed that when he showed his face, the two young girls would definitely recognize him.
And because they heard a strange voice, the two young girls also stopped arguing and looked at Joey Wheeler who was speaking. But in Joey Wheeler's expectant gaze, the blond girl who seemed to be a fan of Joey Wheeler frowned: "Tsk, who are you? You even have the same hairstyle as Katsuya Jounouchi. Are you worshiping him?"
"It's useless. Even if you have the same hairstyle, what then? Do you think you can become an amazing Duelist like Mr. Katsuya Jounouchi?"
"Huh?" Joey Wheeler was also stunned upon hearing this. From the young girl's annoyed expression, he half-heard and half-guessed that something was not right.
Saying things like "same hairstyle," but I *am* Katsuya Jounouchi. But am I being questioned about my identity? Something feels off. How am I supposed to prove that I am me?
"Exactly, exactly. Although I still think Katsuya Jounouchi is just a folk expert, a second-rate Duelist, not even worth a single hair of Mr. Hayato, he's not someone like you, who looks like a delinquent who hasn't graduated from School and has bad grades, that can try to imitate him."
The young girl's best friend chimed in, and while speaking, she pulled the blond girl, "Especially since you're even appearing on this floor where the Luxury Suites of this hotel are located. Even someone like me knows that Katsuya Jounouchi is very poor. At least put some heart into it."
"Let's go, honey, let's go downstairs and take another look, confirm if that person just now was Katsuya Jounouchi. Wasted time is better than encountering someone like this trying to pick us up again."
The two young girls left, and Tristan came over carrying Joey Wheeler's curry and his own pancake. Looking at Joey Wheeler, who was slumped on the ground in disappointment (OTZ), he immediately came to tease him: "Hahahaha, you weren't recognized at all, Joey Wheeler! You want to laugh me to death so I can't approach Shizuka..."
Honda's words came to an abrupt halt as he almost exposed something, and Joey Wheeler didn't even care about the nonsensical interjection he almost revealed, his expression annoyed: "Damn it, I can't even figure out what's going on with those two guys. It's one thing that they didn't recognize me, but they're surprisingly accurate at judging people."
"No, that's not right. I know now. It's definitely because they saw someone impersonating me on the lower floors, which is why they didn't recognize me. I don't know who it is, but it's unforgivable!"
After Pegasus, who was far away, suddenly sneezed, Joey Wheeler angrily walked towards the direction of the Elevator, wanting to see which floor the two young girls had gone to to see the person impersonating him. Tristan also helplessly took the curry that Joey Wheeler didn't want back to Hayato and the others and told them where Joey Wheeler had gone.
"Can I eat this?" Taking off the fried pork cutlet, Marik took Joey Wheeler's curry and added some spicy miso. When Hayato heard about what Joey Wheeler encountered, his inner fun-seeker was exceptionally strong, and he had just finished eating. He left the dining table, leaving Marik who said "I'll eat two portions". As for Pegasus, he still hadn't finished that sickeningly sweet cake, and Yugi and the others had just started eating.
Seeing that Hayato would go down with Joey Wheeler, everyone who was originally a little worried about whether Joey Wheeler, who couldn't speak any local language, would cause any trouble, immediately felt peace of mind and enjoyed their respective breakfasts with peace of mind.
As for Hayato, because the Luxury Suites had a dedicated Elevator, he saw at one glance that the Elevator was currently stopped on the first floor, knowing that the two young girls Joey Wheeler and Tristan mentioned had likely gone to the first floor. He also took the Elevator down to the first floor and started looking for Joey Wheeler who had arrived there first.
However, before he could find Joey Wheeler, he heard that among the hotel guests coming and going on the first floor, someone was also mentioning Joey Wheeler's name.
"Hey, hurry up. If you're too slow and don't get to see the legendary Duelist, don't blame me."
"But I heard that person claimed he wasn't that Katsuya Jounouchi?"
"Is it true or false?"
"Nonsense, if you were a celebrity, would you want people to recognize you eating cheap hotel buffet? It's definitely true!"
Although the language used by the passersby was Arabic, Hayato understood it very easily and raised an eyebrow. There really was someone impersonating Joey Wheeler? No, from the sound of it, the person who looked like Joey Wheeler didn't even say he was Joey Wheeler. This is a bit interesting, I must rush over to join the fun immediately.
Without showing any expression, Hayato mixed in with the passersby who had a clear goal and seemed to know where to find the person, and followed them into the Buffet Restaurant on the first floor of the hotel.
As soon as he entered the Buffet Restaurant, there was no need to rely on those passersby to lead the way. With just one glance, Hayato noticed the figure surrounded by many people by the long table where the meals were served in the Buffet Restaurant.
"I already said I'm not that Joey Wheeler guy! Are you Egyptians face blind? How am I like him at all?! Don't bother me while I'm getting food! The buffet only lasts for two hours!"
Even though the person himself emphasized this, the group of people around him didn't believe him at all and continued to surround him, causing him great trouble.
Hayato didn't expect such a coincidence. He happened to know the person in the Buffet Restaurant who was mistaken for Joey Wheeler. However, he didn't plan to appear in front of the other party, because he noticed Joey Wheeler, who also appeared in the Buffet Restaurant, and found that Joey Wheeler had also noticed this side.
Having searched almost the entire first floor, Joey Wheeler finally found the guy impersonating him, surrounded by many female fans in the Buffet Restaurant. He was truly envious... hateful. Joey Wheeler walked towards him angrily.
"I finally found you, you impersonator of me—Huh? How is it you?"
Mid-sentence, because he saw the other party's true form, Joey Wheeler himself was stunned, and that person also seemed to have seen a savior and quickly shouted: "Why are you just standing there watching, Joey Wheeler!"
While waving at Joey Wheeler, that person explained to the people around him again, "That blond guy over there is the Katsuya Jounouchi you're looking for! My name is Valon, remember it well!"
Although Atem told Hayato and the others his decision under the fireworks last night, he wasn't so rushed that he had to leave immediately. At least until the group's trip in Egypt ended, Atem would continue to stay in the Real World.
A night passed, and the sun rose as usual. Because Atem's words yesterday had caused him to sleep poorly, even after washing up and leaving his Room, Yugi was still inevitably a little sleepy-eyed. He immediately saw Pegasus sitting in the Public Leisure Area, elegantly tasting something.
"Good morning, Yugi-boy. Looks like you didn't rest well last night?" Putting down the small cup in his hand, Pegasus said gently, "Today our journey will be a bit long. You can rest more in the car."
"Mm, good morning, Pegasus-san."
Yugi also greeted him with a smile. Because Pegasus put down the cup on the table, Yugi could see that what was in the cup was not the black coffee or similar that foreigners usually drink first thing in the morning. Instead, it was a cup of chocolate that looked very sweet. No wonder Yugi smelled chocolate as soon as he saw Pegasus. At first, he thought he hadn't distinguished between cocoa beans and coffee beans.
"Compared to the bitter taste of coffee, I have always preferred sweet chocolate cocoa more. After all, I have always been indifferent to the so-called 'bitterness of adults'." Seems like he saw what Yugi was thinking, Pegasus said with a smile, "So, would you like a cup too, Yugi-boy?"
Although the chocolate was indeed very fragrant, Yugi felt he still couldn't accept drinking something so sweet first thing in the morning, especially since Pegasus was even using a fork to pick up a piece of cake full of cream to eat with the chocolate, making it even sweeter.
Waving his hand, Yugi declined Pegasus's kindness and then heard Hayato's voice: "Who can eat something so sweet first thing in the morning, Pegasus? Your taste is too strange."
"Exactly," Marik's voice came along, echoing. "Who drinks hot chocolate with cream cake first thing in the morning like a normal person?"
Yugi also nodded in agreement upon hearing their words. He looked over upon hearing the sound but was stunned, and couldn't help but complain: "But Hayato, Marik, you two also..."
Holding a plate of curry in his hand, Marik picked up a spoon, scooped a bite, and put it in his mouth. While eating the soft potatoes, he said with some confusion: "Huh? What's wrong?"
"You say Pegasus eating dessert in the morning is strange, but you, Marik, aren't much better. Who eats curry first thing in the morning?" Hayato held a bowl of noodles in his hand, slurped a large mouthful, and said somewhat indistinctly.
"Brother-in-law, you're not much better either."
Although they only stayed for one night, the wealthy Pegasus didn't inconvenience himself by finding just any hotel. Instead, he generously booked eight of the top Luxury Suites in a local Star Hotel in Luxor in one go, providing one Room for each of the eight people in the group to rest.
Although it seemed like they had no travel plan and just went wherever they wanted, they still did some basic investigation. The Star Hotel they were currently staying at was not only in the best position to watch the New Year's Fireworks Performance but also provided the most abundant breakfast options, able to meet the needs of most people.
However, before actually coming here, Yugi hadn't expected that this hotel could even satisfy requests like the "pure vegetarian curry" Marik ordered, or the "noodles with sauce made from a pound of pork belly, the fat carefully removed and finely chopped" that Hayato ordered.
Ordering a set meal of fava bean croquette with a hamburger, Yugi saw Joey Wheeler and a few others also wake up and come out of their Rooms, and greeted them as well. However, after learning how abundant the meals at this hotel were, Joey Wheeler and the others also ordered some dishes they wouldn't normally make because they were too much trouble.
For example, Joey Wheeler also went to get a portion of curry and even asked them to add a fried pork cutlet.
As he was walking back with his meal, Joey Wheeler suddenly heard someone mention his name:
"That Person over there, feels like he's Katsuya Jounouchi."
Although the language the speaker used was English, which Joey Wheeler still didn't understand (he was completely unfamiliar with it), he could at least understand his own name even if he couldn't understand other words. His steps paused, and he looked towards the source of the voice that seemed to have recognized him.
The speakers were two young girls dressed as upper-class persons, who were facing away from him. Being able to appear in the Public Leisure Area of the Luxury Suites in this hotel, they were likely not some "Little Fairies" crowdfunding rich women in a group chat. And the two of them seemed not to have noticed Joey Wheeler 's line of sight and were still talking to themselves: "Really? But I don't feel like he looks much like him?"
"Definitely! Let me tell you, there's a way to identify those powerful Duelists who are good at Duel Monsters—it's by looking at their hairstyle! The better someone is at Duel Monsters, the more arrogant their hairstyle is." Paused, the blond girl who spoke first said with confidence, "Putting others aside for now, Katsuya Jounouchi's hairstyle is already engraved in my DNA!"
"Don't engrave all sorts of weird things into your DNA! And I really don't understand why you worship that guy named Katsuya Jounouchi so much. Isn't he just a guy who relies purely on his luck to Duel?"
"You're not allowed to talk about Katsuya Jounouchi like that! Do you know how much effort he puts in? No one knows better than me! Mr. Katsuya Jounouchi worked hard and practiced for two and a half years to reach his current skill level, you anti!"
"Hmph, Mr. Hayato will definitely instantly defeat Joey Wheeler!"
"Beat nothing!"
In just a few sentences, the two best friends, who were good sisters just now, started arguing, using words to attack each other for the Duelist they worshiped.
Behind Joey Wheeler, Tristan urged strangely: "What are you doing, Joey Wheeler? Don't stop and block the way."
"No, Tristan, I just heard someone over there mention my name, and although I couldn't understand much, it seems like they also mentioned Hayato's name." Joey Wheeler said, somewhat troubled, "As expected, it's because Lord Joey Wheeler's fame is too great, and I've been recognized by my fans."
"Uh, are those two ladies over there? It does seem like they mentioned your name." Tristan's English skill level was much better than Joey Wheeler's, but still only halfway decent. Being able to say a couple of sentences was his limit, and he couldn't do simultaneous interpretation. He could only hear that the two young girls were indeed continuously mentioning Joey Wheeler's name.
Turning back, Tristan sized up Joey Wheeler, and in his proud expression, returned a questioning look: "But, to say that you would actually have fans or something, that's impossible. They didn't even look at you at all when they were talking, okay?"
"Hmph, then let me prove it to you. Take this."
Handing his portion of curry to Tristan, Joey Wheeler strode forward towards the direction of the two arguing young girls: "Excuse me, ladies, did you just mention 'Katsuya Jounouchi'?"
This sentence almost exhausted Joey Wheeler's entire English vocabulary reserve. Although the pronunciation when he spoke was very clumsy, Joey Wheeler believed that when he showed his face, the two young girls would definitely recognize him.
And because they heard a strange voice, the two young girls also stopped arguing and looked at Joey Wheeler who was speaking. But in Joey Wheeler's expectant gaze, the blond girl who seemed to be a fan of Joey Wheeler frowned: "Tsk, who are you? You even have the same hairstyle as Katsuya Jounouchi. Are you worshiping him?"
"It's useless. Even if you have the same hairstyle, what then? Do you think you can become an amazing Duelist like Mr. Katsuya Jounouchi?"
"Huh?" Joey Wheeler was also stunned upon hearing this. From the young girl's annoyed expression, he half-heard and half-guessed that something was not right.
Saying things like "same hairstyle," but I *am* Katsuya Jounouchi. But am I being questioned about my identity? Something feels off. How am I supposed to prove that I am me?
"Exactly, exactly. Although I still think Katsuya Jounouchi is just a folk expert, a second-rate Duelist, not even worth a single hair of Mr. Hayato, he's not someone like you, who looks like a delinquent who hasn't graduated from School and has bad grades, that can try to imitate him."
The young girl's best friend chimed in, and while speaking, she pulled the blond girl, "Especially since you're even appearing on this floor where the Luxury Suites of this hotel are located. Even someone like me knows that Katsuya Jounouchi is very poor. At least put some heart into it."
"Let's go, honey, let's go downstairs and take another look, confirm if that person just now was Katsuya Jounouchi. Wasted time is better than encountering someone like this trying to pick us up again."
The two young girls left, and Tristan came over carrying Joey Wheeler's curry and his own pancake. Looking at Joey Wheeler, who was slumped on the ground in disappointment (OTZ), he immediately came to tease him: "Hahahaha, you weren't recognized at all, Joey Wheeler! You want to laugh me to death so I can't approach Shizuka..."
Honda's words came to an abrupt halt as he almost exposed something, and Joey Wheeler didn't even care about the nonsensical interjection he almost revealed, his expression annoyed: "Damn it, I can't even figure out what's going on with those two guys. It's one thing that they didn't recognize me, but they're surprisingly accurate at judging people."
"No, that's not right. I know now. It's definitely because they saw someone impersonating me on the lower floors, which is why they didn't recognize me. I don't know who it is, but it's unforgivable!"
After Pegasus, who was far away, suddenly sneezed, Joey Wheeler angrily walked towards the direction of the Elevator, wanting to see which floor the two young girls had gone to to see the person impersonating him. Tristan also helplessly took the curry that Joey Wheeler didn't want back to Hayato and the others and told them where Joey Wheeler had gone.
"Can I eat this?" Taking off the fried pork cutlet, Marik took Joey Wheeler's curry and added some spicy miso. When Hayato heard about what Joey Wheeler encountered, his inner fun-seeker was exceptionally strong, and he had just finished eating. He left the dining table, leaving Marik who said "I'll eat two portions". As for Pegasus, he still hadn't finished that sickeningly sweet cake, and Yugi and the others had just started eating.
Seeing that Hayato would go down with Joey Wheeler, everyone who was originally a little worried about whether Joey Wheeler, who couldn't speak any local language, would cause any trouble, immediately felt peace of mind and enjoyed their respective breakfasts with peace of mind.
As for Hayato, because the Luxury Suites had a dedicated Elevator, he saw at one glance that the Elevator was currently stopped on the first floor, knowing that the two young girls Joey Wheeler and Tristan mentioned had likely gone to the first floor. He also took the Elevator down to the first floor and started looking for Joey Wheeler who had arrived there first.
However, before he could find Joey Wheeler, he heard that among the hotel guests coming and going on the first floor, someone was also mentioning Joey Wheeler's name.
"Hey, hurry up. If you're too slow and don't get to see the legendary Duelist, don't blame me."
"But I heard that person claimed he wasn't that Katsuya Jounouchi?"
"Is it true or false?"
"Nonsense, if you were a celebrity, would you want people to recognize you eating cheap hotel buffet? It's definitely true!"
Although the language used by the passersby was Arabic, Hayato understood it very easily and raised an eyebrow. There really was someone impersonating Joey Wheeler? No, from the sound of it, the person who looked like Joey Wheeler didn't even say he was Joey Wheeler. This is a bit interesting, I must rush over to join the fun immediately.
Without showing any expression, Hayato mixed in with the passersby who had a clear goal and seemed to know where to find the person, and followed them into the Buffet Restaurant on the first floor of the hotel.
As soon as he entered the Buffet Restaurant, there was no need to rely on those passersby to lead the way. With just one glance, Hayato noticed the figure surrounded by many people by the long table where the meals were served in the Buffet Restaurant.
"I already said I'm not that Joey Wheeler guy! Are you Egyptians face blind? How am I like him at all?! Don't bother me while I'm getting food! The buffet only lasts for two hours!"
Even though the person himself emphasized this, the group of people around him didn't believe him at all and continued to surround him, causing him great trouble.
Hayato didn't expect such a coincidence. He happened to know the person in the Buffet Restaurant who was mistaken for Joey Wheeler. However, he didn't plan to appear in front of the other party, because he noticed Joey Wheeler, who also appeared in the Buffet Restaurant, and found that Joey Wheeler had also noticed this side.
Having searched almost the entire first floor, Joey Wheeler finally found the guy impersonating him, surrounded by many female fans in the Buffet Restaurant. He was truly envious... hateful. Joey Wheeler walked towards him angrily.
"I finally found you, you impersonator of me—Huh? How is it you?"
Mid-sentence, because he saw the other party's true form, Joey Wheeler himself was stunned, and that person also seemed to have seen a savior and quickly shouted: "Why are you just standing there watching, Joey Wheeler!"
While waving at Joey Wheeler, that person explained to the people around him again, "That blond guy over there is the Katsuya Jounouchi you're looking for! My name is Valon, remember it well!"
