Jaden, Atem, and Kaiba all understood Yugi's situation-at least, to a certain extent.
Back in that duel against the original Amitael, everyone except Yugi had died.
If Atem hadn't noticed something was wrong, hadn't intervened with the power of the God Cards and driven Amitael away, Yugi would have died as well.
No-
In truth, Yugi had already died back then.
Surviving that incident wasn't necessarily a blessing.
The gentle, soft-hearted boy returned from that night like a walking corpse.
It was as if he had matured overnight.
As if he had walked the entire path from growth to the grave in a single night.
It wasn't until Atem happened upon Jaden in the Underworld, raised him for a time, and later entrusted both Jaden and the Winged Dragon of Ra to Yugi that the Yugi who had been "dead" for many years finally began to return.
Yugi didn't want to see Jaden in danger.
But he also respected Jaden's choices.
That was why everything that followed had happened.
Thankfully-
Jaden was fine.
When Jounouchi was alive, Yugi had saved him countless times.
Saved him by something that could be seen, yet not seen.
Saved him with his own hands.
After Jounouchi's death, however, it became Yugi's turn to save him.
Yugi didn't talk about this with Atem or Kaiba.
After everyone left, he bought a bottle of liquor and went alone to Jounouchi's grave.
He had visited it every year without fail, but drinking with him like this-after so long-felt right.
...
After confirming Yugi was truly fine, Kaiba stayed for a few days before returning to the Baki world.
Kaiba was still Kaiba.
Now that the research into cross-world transportation, the suppression of Amitael's dark power, and the equipment he and Atem had been using were finally settled, he was completely liberated.
He threw himself back into expanding Acher's company.
After discovering the Baki world, he even extended his business there.
His main operations were simple and clear-cut:
Printing cards.
Promoting dueling.
Selling dueling equipment.
As for Atem-
Once he was finally at ease, he turned his attention back to the Underworld.
He tested everything related to Amitael countless times before finally allowing himself to relax.
Only then did another matter come to mind.
-The invitation Jaden had given him, Kaiba, and Yugi before leaving.
The wedding.
Jaden and Erina's wedding.
Because of one thing after another, the two of them hadn't even formally gotten engaged yet.
But now, with most things settled, Jaden intended to become engaged to Erina as soon as he returned.
He didn't expect all three of the "old men" to attend the engagement ceremony.
But if he told them early enough-
They definitely wouldn't miss the wedding.
Yugi and Kaiba both nodded without hesitation.
Atem thought for a moment, then nodded as well.
He would come.
With their promises secured, Jaden flew straight back to Totsuki.
For the first time in a very long while-
He felt completely relaxed.
The pressure from Toyo Electric Power.
The struggle to suppress various factions during Totsuki's rise.
The royal trials.
The lingering mess left behind by the previous era.
Everything had been resolved.
All of it.
So now-
He could finally return to Erina's side.
Plan their engagement like a normal couple.
Prepare for the wedding.
Maybe even take a world tour together before it.
And when the time was right, return to Totsuki and hold the ceremony.
As Jaden thought about it, his steps grew noticeably lighter.
"Erina, I'm back~"
Following Erina's aura, Jaden headed straight to the top floor of the Totsuki building.
When he saw her sitting behind her desk, he smiled brightly and greeted her.
Erina had been about to greet him as usual.
But the moment she saw his smile, her own unconsciously brightened.
"Welcome back."
"Did something good happen, Jaden?"
Erina understood him very well.
Whenever Jaden returned from previous trips, even when things seemed settled, he always carried a hint of tension.
She could feel the stress on him.
And she knew that if he didn't want to talk about it, asking would only be useless.
So instead, she would simply smile, hug him, and let him relax-if only for a little while.
But this time was different.
This time, Jaden was genuinely happy.
There was no weight left on his shoulders.
That was why she asked.
Hearing her, Jaden walked over to her side.
"Of course something good happened~"
He reached out, hugged her, lifted her straight out from behind the desk, and spun her around in the open space.
"There's probably nothing in this world that makes me happier than this."
"For a man, after all-having a successful career, getting married, and dying are probably the most important moments in life."
He gently set her down.
Took her hand.
Brought it to his lips.
Wrapped his other arm around her waist.
His voice softened.
"So... all my personal affairs are finally settled."
"Well, I've known the answer for a long time-but some things, if you don't say them at the right moment, they'll become regrets later."
He released her.
At Erina's knowing look, Jaden knelt on one knee, holding her hand.
From behind him, he took out a ring.
A Divine Artifact Ring.
Crafted by the Thirteen Valkyries using spoils taken from Zeus-reforged from Gaia's armor.
He presented it to her.
"Erina Nakiri,"
"will you marry me~"
Even as he spoke, he was already trying to slide the ring onto her finger.
Erina had known this moment would come.
She knew what he was going to say.
She knew her answer.
She had prepared for it.
And yet-
She still smiled.
A truly happy smile.
She no longer blushed easily around Jaden like she once had.
But now, her cheeks were still faintly red.
She met his gaze.
Felt the ring settle onto her finger.
And gave the answer she had long held in her heart.
"Of course,"
"I will."