Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 1 - Chapter 3.4

☗ THE MATCH BEGINS

Kansai Shogi Association headquarters, fifth floor——the Black Corridor has three different arenas.

The whole floor is a replica of the Black Corridor in Edo Castle (apparently it has one) and is divided into the Onjyoudan no Ma or “Throne Room,” Ongedan no Ma or “Lower Guard Room” and Fuyou no Ma or “Lotus Room.”

The Throne Room is one step higher than the others. Only the most skilled players are allowed to use it: it’s practically a holy site for the Kansai Shogi world. It’s also home to the window where a certain Master of mine relieved himself.

“Humans follow land.”

“Land follows sky.”

“Sky follows Taoism.”

Scrolls written by well-known Shogi legends from long ago hang in the alcoves around the room. Sir Ayumu, sitting on his ankles in the lower seat with his cape collar standing up around his ears, is already in front of the only Shogi board in the Throne Room and elegantly sipping tea from a cup with a saucer in his hand. I’d expect nothing less from royalty.

“Ohh …? So you’ve come without fear?”

“I pretty much have to. It’s a match.”

I go around to the upper seat and sit down on a thin floor mat. Then I take off my wristwatch and put it on the tatami mat beside me while getting comfortable. I take a fan, handkerchief, glasses and water out of my second bag after that.

It’s much easier to sit on a mat that I’m used to, so I have the association send one of the mats whenever I have to play someplace else. My legs tend to fall asleep if it’s one of those expensive, fluffy types and I can’t have that.

Every Shogi player has their own pre-match rituals.

Wiping off their glasses, closing their eyes to focus, bringing in their favorite pot and cups to drink tea like Ayumu. Oh, and there are some who bring their own air purifier (one equipped with minus-ion technology). It’s not a problem, as long as they’re not all that loud.

A long table is set up next to the board for the record keeper. It’s their job to document the match and keep track of time. They also set up the board and place the mats for us.

Sensing that it’s about time, I say, “Should I line them up?”

“Proceed.”

Sliding my match glasses on, I reach for the box of pieces on top of the board and take them out of the silk covering inside. It’s a higher ranking player’s job to get the pieces out and put them away.

I use the established pattern to line up my pieces.

There are two styles for exactly how to put the pieces into place: Itou and Ohashi, with Ohashi being the standard. I use Ohashi, by the way, and of course Ayumu doesn’t use either, choosing his own original style.

The record keeper sees that all pieces are in place and announces.

“From Kannabe-sensei please.”

“God Cauldron please.”

After the usual exchange with the record keeper (ignored per usual) both of us close our eyes to gather our thoughts in the last minutes before the match. My brain is already moving a mile a minute.

“It is time. Please begin the match.”

“Ready when you are.”

Both players bow and Sir Ayumu makes the first move. Then, he removes the cape. Keeping it on until the first move was Ayumu’s style of etiquette, basically his way of showing respect. Personally, I’d rather he didn’t. It’s startling.

I make the second move right away.

Since the order for today’s match was determined beforehand, I came up with my strategy at home. Both of us proceeded at a blistering pace, focused only on getting our pieces in the right places as quickly as possible.

Our battle formations take shape on the board.

Ayumu looks up at me with a fearless smile, gracefully moving his fingers as he slides his pieces across the board.

“Heh-heh-heh … Are you capable of laying siege to the Silver walls of my Citadel?!”

That’s just a simple yagura.

“Kannabe 6-dan, yagura formation …”

Ayumu’s got fire in his eyes, absolutely exuding energy while the journalist sitting next to the record keeper writes everything down like nothing unusual is going on. This is surreal.

Yes, a Shogi journalist.

Today’s match is an important league match that determines who’s eligible to compete for the Throne title. Today’s results will not only be in Shogi magazines, but in mainstream newspapers as well. You know that small corner of the newspaper that shows Shogi standings? It’ll go there.

Ayumu is currently undefeated. His path to the title match becomes almost assured with a victory today.

On the other hand, I lost every match so far and I’ve already been disqualified for this league next season. This match is just a formality, for show.

However, a type of paramount philosophy exists in the Shogi world: A match that may be a formality for you could be valuable to your opponent, so defeat them at once!

Since Ayumu’s dreams of winning the title would disappear should I win today, that philosophy fits my situation to a “T.” I should take Ayumu down here and now. And——.

“… I’ve had enough of being called Kuzu Ryuo,” I whisper to myself as I move my own king into a yagura-style fortress.