Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 4 - Chapter 2.1

  LIVE COVERAGE

“A good morning to everyone joining us today for the 3rd Emperor Title Match from the Neo Awaji Hotel on Awaji Island. Each and every move will be broadcast in real time. I, Women’s League member Tamayo Rokuroba, will be providing commentary.”

A stunning young woman politely bows to the camera and then turns to introduce me.

“And now for today’s guest commentator, Yaichi Kuzuryu-Ryuo. Sensei, it’s lovely to have you with us.”

“Oh, thank you. It’s great to be here.”

“Today is Kuzuryu-sensei’s first appearance on Nico Live. It sure looks like the audience can’t wait to get started this morning.”

The feed switches from us to a different camera overlooking the arena.

“This is a live view but …… It looks like neither player has entered the arena as of yet. However, Kiyotaki 9-dan is here as an observer and match recorder Kunugi Sub League 1-dan is ready to begin.”

“Yes. There’s my Master.”

Since there’s a computer monitor on the floor in front of us, we can see exactly what the online viewers are seeing. So it’s easy comment on everything.

“Ah! Kiyotaki-sensei is standing up ……?”

“It looks like his cushion wasn’t quite lined up right. Master might not look it, but he’s very particular about details–––.”

“He sure seems like it. Kiyotaki-sensei nods with satisfaction and has retaken his seat.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Ah!! Is it just me, or does he look a little restless ……?”

“The players will be making their entrance any minute, so I hope he settles down.”

“Kiyotaki 9-dan has stood up again …… and left the arena in a hurry. Kuzuryu-sensei, what is going on ……?”

“I don’t want to assume but …… It’s possible the pre-match jitters have gotten to him and he needs to make a trip to the restroom.”

“Are you serious?! Th-there’s only one, maybe two minutes left before the match starts?!”

“A bad move, to be sure. This will come back to haunt him.”

“Oh no! The players have arrived! They’ve started lining up pieces without the observer present!”

“Just great ……”

“I-I really hope he makes it back in time for the first move but …… Kuzuryu-sensei. How do you expect this to play out?”

“Traditional kimono clothing makes doing your business take a while, so I honestly think he’s in a very difficult situation.”

“What’s this? The players are speaking with the match recorder. All three bow in unison …… And … the first move for today’s match goes to the challenger!”

“There’s no telling when he’ll be back, so they must’ve decided to get started. Very professional.”

“T-The 88th Season 3rd Emperor Title Match is underway!”

…… The match started off weirdly enough, but Master running in to the arena half naked and clutching his undone kimono five minutes into it and being escorted out on the spot certainly spiced things up. The players, however, calmly stuck to the standards.

“Kuzuryu-sensei, any thoughts on the match thus far?”

“Having a streaker as an observer was a real surprise.”

“Pwff! …… Ahh, Sensei?! Please don’t make me laugh!!”

But I’ve got to say–––.

…… Her boobs are huge ……

“Is something wrong? Um, I’d really prefer it if you were looking at the camera ……”

“Agh?! I-It’s nothing! I’m not looking at anything!!”

“? Everyone tends to get a little stiff their first time. You can relax.”

“No! This is my first time, but I’m not stiff! I absolutely guarantee you that I am not stiff whatsoever!!”

“Y-You aren’t? Anyway …… I’ll lead, so do whatever you’re comfortable with, okay Sensei?”

“G-Go ahead ……”

“Sure, as you wish♪ He-he-he.”

Ms. Rokuroba looks at me with a reassuring smile to calm me down.

S-So cute ……! But that conversation, it felt a little adult …… Why?! Because of those boobs?!

Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan.

Twenty years old and registered with the Kanto Shogi Association. A college girl in her prime. And those boobs …… Those massive boobs!

Ms. Rokuroba is an extremely popular Women’s League player (boobs) whose fans have lovingly dubbed her Tamayon. She makes regular appearances on Nico Live, and apparently views go up by more than 100,000 whenever she’s on.

With the exception of Big Sis, she’s the most popular female player right now (boobs).

…… But pros have a different nickname for her, one a bit more unsettling.

I’m not sure who started it but it’s–––Practice Session Crusher.

For whatever reason, the Practice Sessions she’s involved in tend to fizzle out rather quickly.

She’s got some skills and is drop-dead gorgeous …… Why would that be?

I remember watching her commentary one time with Big Sis and offhandedly said, “Ms. Rokuroba’s pretty good. Oh, her commentary, I mean. Just her commentary.”

Big Sis then replied with this deep nugget, “Maybe it looks that way to brain-dead men.”

She then, of course, nailed my shin with a tenacious kick. I guess that means Big Sis knows why Ms. Rokuroba is called the Practice Session Crusher. That’s kind of scary.

…… Well, I’m registered in Kansai, so it’s not like she’d ever ask me to do a Practice Session anyway.

Then, just as my train of thought got that far.

[Please introduce the players.]

A member of Nico Nico’s staff holds up a cue card behind the camera.

“The defender in today’s match is Taishi Shinokubo-Emperor, currently twenty-three years old. He claimed the Emperor title a year ago at this time, his first, and has maintained his spot as one of the top young Shogi professionals in the Kanto area.”

Looking very much in her element, Ms. Rokuroba introduces the Emperor first.

“All his magnificent Shogi skills are well known. He is also talented academically and graduated from Keio University at the top of his class. Called Lord Taishi by the Shogi faithful, he has made many appearances on TV news programs as well as providing commentary for Shogi broadcasts. Kuzuryu-sensei …… what’s your impression of the Emperor?”

“Mr. Shinokubo? Well–––.”

––I hope somebody’ll knock him off his throne!

As someone who never went to high school, I’m jealous as hell of a member of the handsome elite who graduated from a big name university at the top of his class. But, coming right out and saying that will start some intense flame wars.

“…… His handsome looks are only matched by his handsome Shogi skills. With his passion for research and great talent, I think he’s incredible.”

“I see, I see~.”

Ms. Rokuroba nods and presses for more than my unenthusiastic grade school level book report of an answer.

“But you’re even more incredible in terms of talent, Kuzuryu-sensei!”

“Huh? …… Me?”

“Don’t look so surprised! At sixteen years old, you are the youngest Ryuo in history! Not to mention, only the fourth junior high school professional ever?! Every member of this generation of Shogi professionals in Kanto has their eyes on you! And, of course, Women’s League members too!”

“T-They do?”

“Is that not the case in Kansai?”

“Umm …… To be honest, Big Sis gets so much attention that ……”

“Your elder sister apprentice, someone our viewers are very familiar with, Ginko Sora—Dual Title, yes?”

Once Ms. Rokuroba said that to the camera, white letters start rolling across the monitor.

Naniwa’s Snow White. 

Lady Gin! 

Get her on Nico Live.

All of these are comments typed out by people watching this broadcast. It sure seems like Big Sis has a large following on Nico Live. That’s only because they don’t know what she’s really like ……

“What’s this? It seems that bringing up Ginko Sora got everyone’s attention this morning, don’t you think?” remarks Ms. Rokuroba.

New comments start pouring in almost immediately, this time saying:

I’m more of a Tamayon fan myself!

Tamayon is the best!

Tamayo~n!

This lighthearted interaction is one of Nico Live’s charms.

–––Nico Live charges money for three things: anime, politics and Shogi–––.

Both the Shogi world and Nico Live benefit quite a bit from this partnership.

It used to be that only younger people were interested in Nico Live. Adding Shogi to their lineup brought in older viewers, people with lots of extra time and money on their hands. Their premium membership sales went way up.

As a result, Shogi got a new fandom at the same time.

“Since her younger brother apprentice is doing commentary, do you think that Miss Sora is watching Nico Live at this very moment?”

“Big Sis wouldn’t spend time watching my commentary, trust me. Now let’s get back to the match.”

“My apologies …… Now would be the time to introduce the challenger but–––.”

“He doesn’t … The Meijin.”

“Very true.”

The fact that he’s so great means we can leave his intro at that: this shows how amazing he is.

“Speaking of the Meijin, he also has the Throne and Ban-oh titles. Should he also take the Emperor title, he’ll have over half of the seven Shogi titles to his name.”

“If this were anyone else, it would be a big deal. But for him, it’s more like he’s just in a groove recently. It’s truly impressive.”

“Should he take the Emperor title, he’ll have a communicative 99 seasons as a titleholder. Correct me if I’m wrong, but is that why there’s nearly double the number of media present today?”

“Shinokubo-Emperor has already lost two matches, so a lose today means his title would go to the Meijin …… I hope he puts up a last stand for the ages.”

While I would love for him to get a reality check, it’s not that simple for me.

Should the Meijin complete a three-match sweep, there’s a good chance he’d use that momentum to claim another title.

100 seasons as a titleholder, that’s unknown territory …… He could become the first and last Eternal Septuple Title Holder.

And that next title would be–––.

[Please use the big board to analyze the last few moves.]

“Now that the match has progressed, let’s look back on what’s happened so far …… Kuzuryu-Ryuo, would you be so kind as to analyze the current situation?”

“I’d be glad to. Let’s move to the big board–––.”

Just as I was about to focus on Shogi.

“……?!?!?!”

I …… figured out the reason why Ms. Rokuroba is called the Practice Session Crusher, why it would be so difficult for people to keep playing against her. It’s because–––.

––They have to read the board without getting distracted by those gigantic boobs ……!

Commentators face each other while moving pieces around the big board during analysis.

Since I’m a bit taller than she is …… her cleavage always ends up in my line of sight no matter where I look!

“Sensei? Kuzuryu-sensei? You’re stiffening up again ……”

“Pardon me! I need to concentrate, so I’m going to close my eyes!!”

“Okay ……?”

Shutting Ms. Rokuroba (mostly her boobs) out of my line of sight and thinking over the match, a major problem that male players have to deal with came to mind at the same time.

––That being where to look when playing against a female player.

Because seriously, we sit on our ankles and stare downwards the whole time, yeah?

So, it always stands out. The, um …… cleavage.

It’s even worse on days when they wear a skirt just short enough that their knees show. Even keeping your eyes glued to the board won’t help because those flashes of skin are always there in the corner …… It’s extremely hard to keep focusing.

Looking up might sound like the solution, but you’d be looking right at their face. Then there’s a risk she might start thinking: What’s with this guy? We’re in the middle of a match, but he won’t take his eyes off me …… Is he coming up to me? Things get awkward ……

What I’m trying to say is–––we’re screwed no matter where we look!

I play against Big Sis all the time, by the way, but never had this problem.

Why? Because she’s flat up top and smooth down below, basically the same as a plastic cutting board. Anyone who would get turned on by a plastic cutting board is sick.

“Umm …… Kuzuryu-sensei? Our viewers are waiting–––.”

“…… I’ve got it.”

“? …… As you know, the Meijin had the first move in today’s match, but the game has turned into Side Pawn Capture, Shinokubo-Emperor’s favorite strategy. What is your prediction for the next move?”

“Yes. I expected that we’d see this strategy today ……”

It’s those boobs I didn’t see coming.

“…… Mr. Shinokubo tends to play Bishop Exchange or Side Pawn Capture on offense but is staunchly Side Pawn Capture on defense. Also, the Meijin generally doesn’t try to avoid his opponent’s best strategies. That’s especially true for strong, younger opponents.”

“Ah, I see ……”

“Ms. Rokuroba, do you play Side Pawn Capture?”

“I-I can’t say I do. I’m part of the Ranging Rook party …… So, my Static Rook research is a bit lacking ……”

“Don’t worry. Side Pawn Capture almost never shows up in the Women’s League or among amateurs, so it’s usually pros figuring out the details.”

“So, Sensei, what do you make of this situation? The Meijin looks to be considering the 4 Six Silver or the 7 Seven Gold–––.”

“Neither of those. Knowing him, I think the Meijin will play 7 Seven Bishop.”

“What? The …… Bishop? Not the Gold?”

“Yes.”

“But …… the Rook would take the Pawn in front of the Bishop ……”

I think that’s the last move someone would think up.

If it were anyone but the Meijin, it’d be a horrible decision, a bad move that violates common sense–––.

“Yes, that Pawn will get taken, but the Meijin already has one Pawn at his disposal. Sacrificing it to advance his Bishop gives his formation more flexibility. Then he can strengthen his defenses and take it slow. That’s the way the Meijin likes to play.”

“If …… you say so.”

“There’s only so much I can grasp through a monitor …… I’d get a much more accurate reading if I were at least in the same room ……”

“Huh? Each move has been accurately reported ……”

Ms. Rokuroba tilts her head, doubting what I just told her. But her eyes went wide as soon as the Meijin made his move.

“Ah! He did just that.”

The Meijin’s decision–––just as I predicted, 7 Seven Bishop.

“Sensei?! Th-that was truly amazing!! Accurately anticipating that move when no one else was considering it ……!!”

“Haha. Honestly, I’m relieved.”

Kuzuryu, is he human?

Youngest Ryuo in history for a reason.

I guess it takes a prodigy to know one …

Ms. Rokuroba and the comments take my side. D-Damn, this feels awesome ……!

“There are a few ways for Mr. Shinokubo to go from here.”

Walking on air, I make another prediction with my face a bit more tensed up than usual.

“The easiest option would be for him to target the forward Bishop, but that could be exactly what the Meijin wants him to do. I believe that Mr. Shinokubo will play 3 Four Silver. However, two Bishops staring at each other like this is like the players pointing rifles at each other. You can’t move without thinking it all the way through …… It’s a battle of nerves.”

“So you’re saying …… it will be a while? Before the next move?”

“I think so. Oh look, Mr. Shinokubo broke his posture. This is where he’s going to spend waiting time to think.”

[Please read the messages.]

“Now that there’s a break in the match, we’ll take a moment to read messages from our viewers. Sensei, please have a seat.”

“Sure. I’ll slide in right here ……”

Leaving either side of the big board, we sit down side-by-side in chairs at a desk in front of it.

[Your faces are getting cut off. Please scoot closer together.]

“Oh …… Sure.”

I tried to leave a bit of space between us, but Ms. Rokuroba tells me, “Sensei? Don’t be a stranger. Come on in close.” The barrier I had disappeared into thin air and now we’re sitting close enough that my shoulder and elbow graze against hers.

Puff …… Woah, that’s some nice perfume. And, right next to my elbow, those gigantic boobs ……!

…… Holy crap, my heart is pounding. Palms are soaked with sweat ……

“I’ll read our first message. It’s from a woman in Osaka City.”

“S- …… Sure.”

“Kuzuryu-sensei, Ms. Rokuroba, I’ve been enjoying your commentary. The two of you have great chemistry and are a joy watch …… Did you hear that, Sensei? She said we had great chemistry.”

“Ah, ahaha. Yep, sure did ……”

“Hehe♡ There’s more. My question is for Kuzuryu-sensei.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“You recently took a grade school girl as your apprentice, yes? I often hear that people see you with several grade school girls around the Kansai Shogi Association with a lewd expression on your face. However, I couldn’t help but notice you seem extremely enamored by Ms. Rokuroba’s large breasts while watching Nico Live today. It seems as though you are attracted to that type of woman as well. So, which is it, Sensei? Do you like breasts? Do you have a Lolita complex? I realize this is a very forward and difficult question to answer, but please answer with as much detail as you can. Pike you for your time …… that’s what she wrote.”

“………”

…… Say, what?

They were so polite and proper at the beginning, but was there some anger in there ……? And what’s with that pike at the end? A typo? That wasn’t a curse, was it ……?

“Um …… Kuzuryu-sensei? A Lolita complex means–––.”

“N-No, absolutely not! Those grade schoolers are, you know! M-My apprentice’s friends …… And about my apprentice, her parents own the inn that hosted my title match, so I had no choice but to accept her. I didn’t take her because I prefer elementary school girls or anything like that!”

“Is-is that so?”

“Yes, it is!”

“W-Well, what about ……… me ……?”

“I didn’t catch that.”

“N-Nothing at all! It’s nothing!! Please forget about it!!!”

Ms. Rokuroba’s cheeks are burning red. She leans in and says very quietly, so that only I can hear, “…… I’m glad♡”

Glad about what?!!!! Tell me! I wanna knooooooooooooow!!