Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 18 - Chapter 2.04

  The Invincible Girl

I could tell my opponent’s fighting spirit waned as soon as our pieces collided.

“Here―――”

I focus all of my attention on the board so I won’t drop my guard.

“Here, here, herehereherehereherehereherehereherehere ……”

This isn’t the first time.

It’s happened every time I’ve played against a Women’s League player for a month now.

They give up the moment the fight starts.

I’ve just kept going out of my way not to notice their faces or body language.

“Ah ……… Haaa ……”

Her hand floats over the board.

Then she nervously taps on her piece stand, then goes back and forth between pieces on the board. She clearly can’t make up her mind.

To what?

To attack or defend?

―――That’s not all.

To face me head on, or …… to give up right now.

“Hmm …………”

She decides to defend in the end. But I can tell her fingers have already given up.

The board instantly tilts in my favor. If a computer analyzed it right now, I’m sure it would say I have the advantage, if not that I am in a victory position.

―――This …… is dangerous, isn’t it?

I’d be fooling myself if I thought I’m winning because I’ve gotten stronger right now.

This is proof of how important the mental side of Shogi is, that making yourself appear to be stronger leads to more wins. The Kansai players were right to put so much emphasis on having a strong heart. Living it like this makes me happy for a second.

But ……

―――What’s the point of beating an opponent who won’t fight back?

The gap between this and facing a strong-willed opponent is so great, I might start doubting myself.

An opponent who isn’t afraid of me at all …… Long, flowing black hair comes to mind right away.

The girl who’s waiting for the winner at the end of this tournament, Queen Ai Yashajin.

“Hereherehereherehereherehere―――!!”

I visualize Ten-chan across the board from me instead of my opponent and keep playing the best move every time. Winning by a lot isn’t the goal. I want to win by one move! By the skin of my teeth!

“HERE!!”

“I-I lost, okay! You win, you win!”

Just as I see a long-sequence checkmate and initiate the first check, my opponent almost screams her surrender. I don’t think there was enough time for her to read it, though.

It was more like a reflex, that she thought there was nothing she could do if I already had her in check …… I could hear it in her voice.

Her head down, she whispers quietly so only I could hear.

“…………… Sorry …………”

“It’s alright …… Thank you for the match.”

―――This was how Sora-sensei saw the Women’s Shogi world ……

I fight with all my heart, but my opponents won’t even try.

It’s …… lonely.

Almost like I’m being left out.

There are so many Women’s players and Shogi fans around me all the time, but I feel like I’m visiting from another planet.

“Without further ado, let’s hear from today’s winner!”

After the match.

I came to the venue’s grand hall all by myself, received a bouquet of flowers, and had a microphone put in my face with a bunch of people watching.

This is the third time I’ve gotten through the Preliminaries, but it feels like there are more people and journalists here than ever. If I had to guess why, it’s probably ……

A representative from MyNavi, the Queen Tournament’s sponsor, says, as friendly as can be, “I’m sure your early exit from this tournament last year was a huge disappointment for you, Women’s Legend Hinatsuru. This time, you are the first one to make it through and you are the unquestioned favorite. Congratulations!”

“Thank you!”

“Well, I suppose after defeating eleven professional players in a row, these results are to be expected. Not to mention that you have been undefeated in Women’s League matches after claiming your title in the 5th match. It’s almost like the invincible Snow White has returned.”

That got a round of applause from the crowd.

A twinge of pain slices through my chest, but I keep a big smile on my face so that no one else can tell.

“The current Queen is your sister apprentice, Miss Ai Yashajin. Umm, who is the older apprentice again?”

“I was first to join and my birthday is earlier! So I’m her older sister apprentice!”

“How much earlier?”

“………… Two months ……”

Boom! The venue erupts in laughter. Haauuu ……

“Ending on that punchline was the plan …… but you won so quickly that it’ll be a while before the next winner comes to speak with the press. So I’d like to take a few questions from the audience, if you wouldn’t mind?”

Hands shoot up all at once.

A microphone gets handed to the first person.

“I’m sure everyone here wants to ask this, but―――”

He leads with that and delivers the question I knew was coming.

“Have you made any progress setting up a Professional Entrance Exam?”

“……”

I knew it was coming, but it still takes me a minute to find the words.

The mood in here changes like a light switch. Everyone from the guests to people involved in the Shogi world go quiet so they don’t miss anything I have to say.

It’s so quiet here that I can almost hear the sound of clicking Shogi pieces from matches still being played in the next room. The pressure builds, making the decision even harder for me.

“…………”

Do I attack or defend?

I take another deep breath, put on a new smile and give my answer.

“I think the Shogi Association will make an official announcement about that at some point.”