The Match Begins
“It’s time. Begin.”
The observer’s announcement was so quick and blunt that everyone other than the players nearly jumped out of their socks. Usually, it goes something like:
“It is now time to begin the match. Empress Sainokami, the first move is yours.”
But the observer for this match, King Yo Okito, didn’t bother with the extra words and just said, “Begin.” Furthermore, neither of the players is the type of person to exchange a polite greeting before the match, so this was good enough.
This is the moment the Empress Title Match gets underway.
The first title match between Ika Sainokami and Ai Yashajin.
“A-ha!”
Ika, swaying left and right with her tongue peeking out her slack jaw, has looked absolutely giddy ever since she got the first move from the piece flip. There’s drool dripping down her chin for goodness sake. Is she on something?
Here comes the crazy …… And it’s not just her face.
Strange doesn’t begin to describe the way the Empress sitting in the upper seat is dressed today.
The black patch over her left eye is the same as always.
But she’s wearing a black leather ensemble with studded belts to match.
Anyone else in that outfit called Empress would be in a dungeon after dark.
Ika had always shown up to her league and title matches in a school uniform up until today. I don’t know if she graduated or was expelled, but this switch is out there even for her.
It goes without saying that one of the association staff members asked her why she was dressed like that, but she just gave them a blank stare and said: “Huh? ’Cuz I’m hot?”
Nothing else.
“…… Why doesn’t the observer issue a warning?”
“…… Probably because it wouldn’t do any good. They can’t just not let her play ……”
I agree with a lot of things the staff are whispering back and forth, but I have a different theory.
―――Heat …… She might really need to stay cool.
When I played against her father Yo Okito in the Crown Title Match, he shaved his head right before the first game. It makes sense that his daughter would reach a similar conclusion.
The challenger, on the other hand, is dressed more conservatively.
That said, it’s not a kimono.
Ai Yashajin-Dual Women’s Title is wearing a pitch-black dress.
―――As her Master, I should’ve insisted she wear something more traditionally Japanese ……
While I know it’s my fault, I was at a loss for words when I saw her walk into the arena this morning.
She was just so beautiful.
There’s an air of danger in the two Women’s League Players dressed in the color of darkness. The thing is that Shogi players like me are typically drawn to beautiful, dangerous things. That’s why everyone here knows this is crazy, but no one moves to stop those two from playing.
And, those two pulverize the Shogi world’s norms on the board, too.
“Hihihi! HIHIHIHIHIHIHI!”
Ika moves her hands around over the board like dowsing rods for a full five minutes before suddenly snatching a piece.
And that piece―――
“Huh?!”
The staff and media people gasp.
They did so because moving it first doesn’t follow any Shogi standards.
Until a few days ago, anyway.
“The King …… to open the match?!”
“5 Eight King ……!”
“Hey, isn’t that what ……”
I don’t blame them for being stunned.
That move was also played by a top Shogi player in a league match only a few days ago.
That player being―――Dragon King Ryuo, Yaichi Kuzuryu.
“Look, look. ♡ Yaaaichi,♡” says Ika, craning her neck, and only her neck, around to look at me.
“I’ll prove that, so much more than this dark little twerp, I actually get you and love, love, LOVE you so much! ♡♡♡”
“…………”
Curious, I sneak a glance in Ai’s direction.
If Ika can imitate Awaji’s playing style …… then just being on the defensive puts Ai in a very tough spot right away.
Reason being that I couldn’t do anything whenever Awaji played that move against me.
“Hmph.”
But Ai just opens the Bishop path without so much as a second thought. She looks surprisingly human doing it, too.
―――Is she planning to exchange the Bishops and force a Repetition Draw?
That’s another limited Shogi solution pointed out by Awaji. So long as both players keep their Bishops on the piece stands, a Repetition Draw is inevitable.
―――If that’s the case …… Shogi becomes a game about pursuing the Bishop, not the King, when playing on defense.
“Take your leave.”
At the observer’s command, I get to my feet and make a quick exit.
Only the match recorder and players are left as everyone else files out in the blink of an eye. Actually, more like running away.
Now in the hall, I hear my name.
“Mr. Kuzuryu.”
Okito-sensei is waiting for me. Scary ……
“Join me for a moment.”
“For research?”
“No. A walk,” he answers in a hardy fair tone and shakes his head.
To me, that’s the opening signal for a match.
“As a father, there are some things I would like to confirm about my daughter’s first lover.”
“…… First off, may I please explain that we aren’t now and never have been in a relationship?”
A nearly hopeless battle for the Kuzuryu Shogi family is about to begin.
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