Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 12 - Chapter 4.7

  SECRET MEETING

The match starts with a Bishop Exchange.

“T-Too fast ……!!”

Mr. Okito and I volley back and forth all the way up to the 36th move without either of us using any waiting time at all. The match recorder’s eyes spin as he tries to keep up but gives up on writing our moves down in the end and focuses on keeping the tablet updated.

“Ah, umm …… I-It’s time to leave! Please exit!” says a very confused journalist as the rest of the disgruntled media people follow him out.

The media is allowed to stay in the arena until the second move to take pictures, so it’s normal for players to do their first moves very slowly. Apparently, some players used to strike poses in the old days.

But, considering that Mr. Okito flat-out removed the players’ speeches time slot from the opening party, he’s not about to start doing any favors for the media. Besides, there’s nothing in this man’s head right now other than the Shogi in front of him.

One look at his laser-focused eyes and it’s obvious.

“Please leave the arena! As quietly as possible, please!”

One photographer who wanted to get a picture of Mr. Okito’s head at the very least snaps a picture at the last possible second before stepping outside.

I’ll bet that the Shogi world …… no, the whole country is going to get turned upside down the moment it gets published.

Not that that incoming pandemonium has any effect on the board.

Now that the arena has finally quieted down, the quick snaps of our pieces are the only sounds to be heard.

“Bishop Exchange Reclining Silver …… or… a new variation of it,” the journalist Ms. Mato, who has been continuously glued to the boardside table ever since the match gets underway, absentmindedly says.

Almost like she had no idea, but it’s somehow exactly what she was expecting.

–––Did she think Mr. Okito would do something totally bizarre if he were on offense?

As for me, this is exactly what I planned for.

I’ve seen this formation more often than my parents’ faces. It was just that popular, but now it’s been researched to the point that there are five ways to make life difficult for offense and defense…

…Which is why so many people have used it.

Offense has its own advantages while defense has counters. Since there are ways to make the match extremely one-sided, pros have figured out how to prevent those sequences. Therefore, no one really uses this formation in pro matches anymore.

“Nh ……!”

Flexing my fingers, I reach the moment of truth in the Bishop Exchange Reclining Silver strategy… a point where both software and humans agree that both sides are equal.

Now that my Silver has taken its place on a chair above my Pawn, Mr. Okito finally leans back and uses some waiting time to read the board.

Standards don’t exist from this point on, only examples from upper matches.

“Fssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ……”

A long breath, sounding almost like a soft whistle fills the arena.

Sucking air through closed lips, Mr. Okito looks out over the vast ocean of options laid out on the board in front of him.

I know he’s just breathing, but it reminds me of a computer’s high-speed fan turning on.

So I leave my seat for the first time and head for the restroom.

“…………… Whew ……”

After a few moments of walking down the hallway outside the arena, I finally catch my breath. The restroom, however, is still way down the hall.

Glancing back on what should be an empty corridor behind me, “I’m pretty far away from the arena, but ………… Someone might’ve heard that ……”

Mr. Okito’s focus today is inhuman. Everything about him is.

The reason I stepped out at this moment, when the standard sequence ended, is because I didn’t want him to pick up on it, but …… I don’t think I could’ve kept my cool being so close to Mr. Okito much longer.

Time usage. Gaze. Breathing. Subtle movements.

“And …… his match intensity.”

Get a brand-new outfit and you feel like showing it off. Hey! Doesn’t look good on me? I came up with a new sequence just for you!! Getting a new hairstyle gives off a vibe like I just switched things up. Want to play Ranging Rook?

“I’ve heard people compare Shogi to relations before, but now I really get it.”

Since we can’t use words to communicate, we have to find the smallest cues from the person across the board to figure out what is going on in their head.

But the impact from the other side was so great this time that I realized just how unprepared I am for this whole thing …… Kind of like shopping for wedding dresses on the first date.

Basically, I feel like I’ll lose confidence if I have to keep looking at him for a long time.

“For real, what kind of messed up thought process would make someone do that? Well, I guess anyone would think about it but wouldn’t actually go through with it. It just comes off as an off-the-board ploy. I guess it is possible to be caught off guard by someone’s personality before their playing style when you go against him for the first time …… I’d feel a lot better if I could just talk to the guy.”

The thing is, though, we’re in the middle of a match that is being covered by a live feed. We can’t just take time out to chat.

Finishing up in the restroom, I step outside and see someone coming down the hall.

“………… Hm? That’s …… Oh, crap.”

Mr. Okito.

He’s probably played his move. I have to pass by him to get back into the arena because this is the only route. Talk about leaving a bad taste. Horrible taste.

I was honestly hoping that I’d get back to the arena before he left, but …… It seems like he isn’t the type to care about that kind of etiquette.

The go-to standard in the situation is to ignore each other.

“……” (Bow)

I lower my head just a little as we cross paths and step toward the arena–––.

“Your deduction is accurate,” he says as our shoulders pass.

“?!”

Freezing on the spot, I turn to face him, but he keeps speaking with his back to me.

“You were unfazed by my appearance. Surely you comprehend the reason?”

Unfazed? I nearly had a heart attack.

But …… When it comes to why he shaved his head, it’s true that reasoning won out over shock.

Mr. Okito sounds like he can read my thoughts as he says, “As both of us passed the metal detector screening, we have mutual assurance that no one is carrying an electronic device. Furthermore, only players are permitted to walk this hallway. No reporters are within earshot and we lack the means to communicate with anyone else. I concluded that the conditions were perfect for a secret meeting.”

“Th-That may be true, but ……”

“Shogi is, for all intents and purposes, an exchange of information. I consider it to be a vital part of the match.”

“…………”

“I would like to hear your deduction.”

Part of me isn’t sure if we should keep talking like this.

But Mr. Okito is the one ignoring title match standards by starting this secret conversation and my curiosity gets the better of me. So, I tell him, “…… The way software gets used feels cramped, like someone trying to wear clothes that don’t fit.”

“Concur,” says Mr. Okito in quick agreement and gestures for me to go on.

It’s like me trying to use the Katsura Single Jump, for example.

I figured it out after using it quite a few times, but it’s too complex for human beings to use effectively. People just don’t have the reading ability to pull it off.

So I decided not to use it again. An opponent trying it against me isn’t scary at all. I’d prefer they try, actually, because I know they’ll mess up at some point.

“Software has always rated a specific formation on the board and calculated the best move from there based on a point system. Plus 500 is an edge, 800 is an advantage and 1500 is in position to win. …… is usually how it works.”

Making it that far, I change gears.

“But, it’s just a coincidence that the numbers link to winning or losing. So long as it’s a battle between two people, a software rating is just a reference point.”

Because, well, it’s just putting a value on the formation.

Formations aren’t what decide the match. Even if there is a check path, players can miss them if their Shogi skills aren’t high enough or they’re too tired to notice.

Software ratings and the best possible moves won’t help people on their own.

In other words–––I get to the point.

“Have you …… developed software to enhance your playing style?”

“Dissent.”

“Huh?”

“Not my playing style. My talent.”

That answer goes way beyond my expectations.

“It is necessary to first take body measurements in order to produce a tailor-made suit. Thus, I devised a system for measuring my talent and used those readings to customize software for it.”

People have tried to measure their talent with software before.

I remember reading about some guy who used software to analyze match records and put a number to the strongest Shogi players in history somewhere.

“Think of it as a way to visualize talent. While not precise, it is more accurate than the exchange of information between humans in many instances.”

“You’re …… trying to quantify talent?”

“As clichéd as such attempts have become, yes.”

After giving that explanation, he says something else from out of nowhere.

“Comprehension of your own talent reduces misfortune.”

“What you mean by misfortune?”

“The Sub League is a prime example.”

Ba-thump! My heart jumps in my chest.

Because someone very important to me is fighting there right now ……

“The age limit is a parameter that says: If one has committed themselves wholeheartedly to becoming a professional and has yet to succeed by this age, giving up would be in their best interest. However, that rating system has produced an immeasurable amount of misfortune. Should there be a means of discovering one’s talent level at an earlier stage, that misfortune would decrease.”

“…… I admit that effort alone isn’t enough to make your dreams come true in the Shogi world. There’s no guarantee effort will pay off in the end. That’s true.”

Trying and failing to hide how angry that statement made me, I counter.

“But! That effort isn’t why they fail. To play Shogi and challenge the impossible isn’t misfortune. Far from it! I’m going to play Shogi no matter what the software says. For me, that’s what true happiness is.”

“Is that so? Perhaps because you possess exceptional talent, fourth junior high school professional and the youngest titleholder in history, Yaichi Kuzuryu-Ryuo.”

“……!!”

“Someday you will come to understand. The misfortune of those without talent …… those without wings who yearn for the sky.”

Mr. Okito drones on without a shred of emotion.

Wait, haven’t I heard this voice somewhere before ……?

“My system is nearing completion. This title match is one of its final tests.”

“…… To see if your playing style can beat me with that talent-rating software’s support? Would you mind answering something for me, then?”

“If I’m capable.”

“Did the software tell you to come talk to me right now?”

“I hold my response.”

“Heh!”

I can see right through him. Right to his core.

And I know.

I know I absolutely cannot lose to this guy.

“No matter what some machine says about you, it’s got nothing to do with me. I will win playing my Shogi. That’s all there is to it.”

“……… Affirmative. My rating is irrelevant.”

Yo Okito-Dual Title starts walking again.

I make my way back to the arena, too.

We go our separate ways–––our paths never cross again.

“It’s officially time, so please seal your next move, Kuzuryu-Ryuo.”

Observer Natagiri 8-dan’s voice derails my train of thought.

“Huh?”

I’ve been reading so deep into the board that I didn’t even notice …… Looking up, everyone with permission to be in the arena is here, including the assistant observer, Ayumu.

–––6:00 p.m. …… Already ……?

“Please do a seal. No pressure, though,” says Mr. Natagiri with a gentle smile.

Whoever’s turn it is when the scheduled time arrives has to perform a sealing move.

But they can take all the time they want so long as they still have the waiting time.

That being said, you have to have nerves of steel to endure the pressure that comes with trying to think with so many people being forced to stand by in the arena ……

–––He’s strong …… Every single one of his moves have been the best counter, sometimes even better than perfect ……

Mr. Okito’s software-enhanced research is flawless.

Looking back over the board, the first Pawn he advanced at the start of a match has already broken through my defenses and promoted in my territory. It’s close enough to be a serious threat to my King if I make one wrong move.

–––Mr. Natagiri is just being nice …… Everyone in here can see I’m against the ropes.

Should I reinforce my defenses?

…Or try to reach his King first?

The latest incarnation of Bishop Exchange Reclining Silver skips the mid-game entirely, jumping straight to the late-game once the early-game has run its course. It’s a never-ending cycle.

One thing’s for sure: my next move will make or break the match.

“All right ………… I will seal.”

The same words I said back on that night.

–––Which reminds me …… Tomorrow is the 3-dan division’s final day.

That thought hits me just as I take the envelope, perform the sacred rite and head back to my room alone.