Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 12 - Chapter 4.3

  BATON

“There’s something I want to give ya. Can I have a bit of yar time, Hiuma?”

I got that message from Kiyotaki-sensei about a week after the 16th match of the 3-dan division ended.

“Thank’s fer comin’ to the house. How ’bout a match?”

“I would be honored to learn from you.”

I distanced myself from the Kiyotaki Classroom once the 3-dan division season started in earnest, so this is my first time seeing him in months.

And, it could be …… the last match I ever play against him.

So I pour my heart and soul into each move.

“…… Ya got me.”

I fight Kiyotaki-sensei’s yagura head-on and emerge victorious. Our Shogi was a battle of wills.

“Yeah, yar strong. Strong as they come. Ya’d be right at home in the pros.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Have ya paid yar Master’s grave a visit?”

“Yes, before the season started.”

My Master has already passed away.

He was already over 80 years old when he took me under his wing. He was also the only professional willing to take a talentless greenhorn from Miyazaki as an apprentice.

Though he didn’t have a family or a particularly impressive career, his love for Shogi was second to none.

We would play from dawn until dusk, and he would always say to me with the most content smile on his face: “The Shogi gods are truly kind.”

“Why do you say so?”

“They brought you to me when I had no children to call my own.”

Looking forward to the day I would be a professional, Master held on until the age of 90 and passed away in the middle of my eighth season in the 3-dan division.

That was the only season I finished with a losing record. I had so many regrets after he passed that I couldn’t focus on Shogi ……

Once he was gone, I had to choose a new Master from a list of recommendations provided by the association. 

For members of the Sub League, Masters also serve as our guarantors.

“I decline.”

Except I refused to go along with convention. It was the first time I’d ever gone against regulations as a Sub League member.

I was the only one of Master’s apprentices still in the Sub League.

And none of the apprentices Master took before me ever became professionals.

His name would disappear from the Shogi world forever if I changed to someone else. Any proof that he ever lived would be gone. That realization made me understand the true meaning of being a professional.

“He lacks maturity.”

“The Shogi world is no place for anyone who spits on tradition.”

The case may be different for someone with overwhelming talent, but that’s something I didn’t have. It wasn’t long before I was on the verge of being fired from the Sub League.

Except everyone stopped saying anything one day.

I thought it was strange, but–––.

“I’ll look out fer him as a guarantor. Please let him do what he feels is right.”

It was many years before I found out that Kiyotaki-sensei had stepped in on my behalf.

After that I became more proactive in the Sub League and said hello to members who were all by themselves.

I don’t have a way to repay Kiyotaki-sensei as a Sub League member.

I doubt he would want that anyway.

So I decided I would help this new generation, show them the same kindness he showed me.

“By the way, Sensei. You said there was something you wanted to give me ……?”

“Ah, right. That there is.”

He hesitates, just a little.

“It’s an ol’ one, somethin’ trendy youngens like yarself wouldn’ like, but …”

Ba-thump. My heart leaps.

It couldn’t be ……

“This here’s the tie I worn the day I promoted to 4-dan. I’d like ya to have it.”

Kiyotaki-sensei holds out a necktie for me to see.

He’s right about it being an old design and it certainly isn’t worth much money, but I can tell at first glance that he’s taken excellent care of it over the years.

It’s a priceless treasure, it has to be.

“I …… I couldn’t! Surely, there is someone else more worthy of something this important to you–––.”

“I was plannin’ on givin’ it to Yaichi when he promoted to 3-dan, but well, that didn’ happen.”

“Huh? Why not ……?”

“’Cause his student uniform had one o’ them clip collars. Can’t wear a necktie with those,” says Kiyotaki-sensei with an ironic grin. It’s like he’s saying even the best laid plans with his eyes.

“…… I suppose junior high school professionals cause problems you never account for.”

“Ya can say that again. Can’t even tell if Yaichi is payin’ me back or not. Had it set aside fer him an’ everythin’.”

We share a hearty laugh. I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard. At the very least, I think it’s the first time since this 3-dan division season started.

I correct my posture to receive the necktie from him with both hands.

“Then I graciously accept.”

“Good.”

As if handing off a baton, Kiyotaki-sensei sets the necktie in the palms of my hands.

If I do make it to 4-dan …… I have no doubt that I’ll pass this necktie down to my apprentice in much the same way.

“Hiuma.”

“Yes?”

“I don’ want ya to hold nothin’ back in yar match against Ginko. There ain’t no need to worry ’bout me.”

“I understand and intend to play as best I can.”

“I ……”

Removing his glasses, Kiyotaki-sensei covers his face with his hand and tells me something that I never expected.

“Even now, I …………… have regrets ’bout Ginko.”

“About letting her go into the Sub League?”

“Nah, ’bout teachin’ her Shogi at all.”

That doesn’t sound like it was in jest.

The regret in his voice is palpable. But why? After all the time and energy that he invested in training her?

“I’m a wreck the night before regular activities, thinkin’ ’bout things. No matter what I try, that summer day keeps replayin’ in my head …… It was a scorcher that day Ginko took the exam, just as hot as it’s been this year ……”

“Sensei ……”

More than likely, he’s talking about when Ginko failed her Sub League Entrance Exam. I wasn’t there that day, but I heard she collapsed from a health condition.

Sensei isn’t finished yet.

Quietly, he adds.

“………… Got somethin’ else on my mind these days, too ……”

“Something else?”

I don’t know what, but there is something. I can feel it.

–––Maybe this is what Kiyotaki-sensei has been trying to say this whole time?

To say I’m not interested would be a lie.

It’s just …… I have a feeling that if I find out, I won’t be able to play against Ginko with a clear head. That scares me.

“Kiyotaki-sensei.”

“Hm?”

“You’ve done so much for me ………… Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

I bow my head as low as I can, my hands still out in front of me. 

A few moments pass before I hear him sigh and then chuckle to himself.

“Take care o’ yarself, ya hear? I’ll be waitin’ to see the results.”

For a brief moment, I see my own Master’s smile in Kiyotaki-sensei, instinctively looking down at the floor …… and staying that way for long time.

If he sees the tears in my eyes, that’ll just give Kiyotaki-sensei one more thing to worry about.