Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 18 - Chapter 5.01

  Like Cherry Blossoms

It’s morning. Today’s the day.

I wake up to find the house is empty.

“…… Keika?”

I walk downstairs from the kids’ room and find breakfast on a plate with plastic wrap over it on the table next to a note―――

“I’m the match recorder, so I’m leaving early.”

That’s it.

Grandpa-sensei seems to be out, too, so it’s just me in this big house. This could be the first time I’ve ever been here all by myself, now that I think about it.

“Thanks for the food,” I say as I put my hands together and start eating.

Being so considerate is just like Keika.

―――Showing favorites would be unfair.

That’s probably why Grandpa-sensei left too. Like father, like daughter.

Sipping this Kansai-style miso soup brings back so many memories.

“Oh, now I get it ……”

It suddenly makes sense.

That’s why organizers try to keep members of the same Shogi family from playing against each other.

“I get it …… That was it ……”

They say it’s to prevent matches from being fixed.

But actually ……

“…… It hurts to have your heart pulled apart ……”

Grandpa-sensei and Keika acted so happy to have me over that I never noticed such a simple thing.

Shogi never came up in conversation yesterday, not once. I’m sure Grandpa-sensei knows I turned down the Board of Directors’ offer, too.

Master’s title match never came up either.

I peeked at the result, so I know.

But I haven’t looked at the match record yet.

If I did …… I might be too scared to keep fighting.

I take the train over to Fukushima station where the Kansai Shogi Association is and buy some bread and a drink from a convenience store once I get through the gate.

“The one across from the association isn’t there anymore ……”

Seeing how much the area where I used to live has changed is a shock to my system. I stay away from the shopping arcade completely because I’m scared to see what else has changed.

Yamashiro Ouka Tournament Matches have two hours of waiting time. That means that, including the lunch break, they end between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. if both players use all of it.

“I have to eat up while I can, even if my tummy hurts.”

I say to pep myself up.

Lots of Women’s League players go without lunch on match days. Sometimes everything gets settled before noon because of waiting time, but today …… I’ll lose for sure if I play like that.

I watch the bumps in the street pass under my feet when―――

“I’m winning today, for sure!” a little girl yells as she runs past me.

Right behind her is ……

“When will you learn? Ranging Rook can’t win anymore.”

“Didn’t you hear what Kuruno-sensei said? Computer ratings aren’t everything!”

“Hey, hey! Listen to this! My daddy said he’ll take me to see the big board at the Throne League if I reach 1-dan by the end of the summer!”

A group of four girls, maybe eight or nine years old, rush by clutching their green Match Cards like they’re their passports to Shogi country.

They must be going to the association’s classroom. One look at the Silver Shogi keychain dangling from one of their bags makes it easy to tell who inspired them to learn how to play.

“…… That’s right.”

I’m looking straight ahead before I know it.

“No one goes there planning to lose!”

I watch the four girls disappear through the front doors as if drawn in like magnets. It’s time for me to go in too.

There’s only one match happening at the Kansai Association today.

I go up to the fifth floor and take a look at the board at the entrance.

There are two name plates outside the Onjyoudan no Ma arena’s door.

“Ai Yashajin-Women’s Triple Title”

“Ai Hinatsuru-Women’s Legend”

…… Yet another jolt to my system.

I had nothing to my name the first time I came to the Onjyoudan no Ma. I was just a little puppy following Master around. This is also where I met God-sensei.

“It was so exciting. This place seemed like so much fun.”

Sure, I was nervous but not scared at all.

Now I’m grateful to be able to play in this storied arena.

Other than that, I’m a bit scared of my opponent and also confident in myself. It's a mix.

“Wheeeeeew――― ……”

There’s so much going on in my head that I stand there with my shoes on.

Nerves are starting to make my fingertips go cold ……

Today could be my last day. I slap both my cheeks and…, “Good morning!” —greet everyone inside the arena in a loud voice.

Keika is already finished with the preparations and is sitting at the boardside table. She’s going out of her way to avoid making eye contact.

I quickly sit down in the lower seat, put my backpack down a little ways from the board and close my eyes.

Footsteps. Someone’s coming.

Sliding steps, unmistakable. She always walks up on her toes like a cat.

Then―――

“Don’t you think the rules to keep Shogi family members from playing against each other are pointless?”

I open my eyes and see Ten-chan sitting across from me in the upper seat.

She’s already pouring pieces out of the piece box.

“Think about it. Just because two players have the same Master doesn’t mean they’re friends. Actually …… they probably hate each other so much they’d rather see the other player dead, no?”

Snap!

Ten-chan puts her King in the starting position but keeps talking.

“The new Women’s Placement Match League I’m designing will use the same matching system as this Yamashiro Ouka Tournament. Sibling apprentices could face off in the first round. It would be so nice if the outdated Master/apprentice system disappeared, along with this crumbling old association building. If you need a guarantor around for insurance sake, just use an insurance company.”

“…………”

I quietly bow and gently place my King onto the board. It’s perfectly lined up with the grid, dead center. Now I know for sure her mind games didn’t get to me.

Ten-chen turns to look at Keika.

“I mean, you’ve been jealous of Ginko Sora and hated her before, haven’t you?”

“It’s time for the piece flip,” Keika says rather than respond. “Face up will indicate Yashajin-Women’s Triple Title.”

The pieces twirl beautifully through the air and―――all five land face down.

I go first.

“Just like back then.”

Ten-chan is talking about our match in the Practice League.

She played Move-Loss Bishop Exchange on defense that day. I messed up at the very end …… losing because I overlooked a 7-move check path.

I’m fully confident I could shut down a Move-Loss Bishop Exchange in the early-game now.

But―――

“…… Offense, defense, it doesn’t matter anymore. You can have whichever you want,” Ten-chan mutters.

My heart had been so calm, but those words stirred something.

―――Because she knows Shogi’s solution?

I can’t even imagine what early-game Ten-chan is going to play against me today. It should be even more advanced than what Master’s older brother’s deep learning software showed me ……

“Come. I’ll scatter you like cherry blossom petals.”

“When you’re ready!”

I make a short bow, take a deep breath and push the Pawn in front of my Rook forward.

It starts now.

Ten-chan and my first and last official match.