Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 4 - Chapter 2.2

  STEAK!

At about the same time Kuzuryu-sensei and a beautiful (well-endowed) Women’s League player were engaging in playful banter–––.

“Everyone played their hearts out at the classroom today, so let’s have steak for lunch!”

“Yay! Steak!!”

Keika led all the members of the Grade Schooler Practice Group to a restaurant around the corner from the Shogi Association.

“CHOCO Amamiya.”

One of Sendagaya’s most popular restaurants, it’s a trendy destination frequented by famous people outside the Shogi world as well. Instantly recognizable by its brick storefront in the underground, one step inside is enough to know that this place’ll serve up something nice.

But of course, that’s not all.

“Woow! They grill everything there ……?!”

The restaurant’s most prominent feature is that, rather than preparing meat in the kitchens, each meal is cooked on a grill that resembles a fireplace directly behind the customers in an awe-inspiring display! Each of the girls watched the flames dance, their mouths watering in anticipation. Even Akira, a full-grown adult, couldn’t contain her excitement: “Woowie!!” and photographed the spectacle.

The group ordered a two-pound block of steak, had it grilled to perfection and looked on as their waiter sliced and served each piece. Since seven people were sharing the bill, the cost wasn’t much different from an average restaurant’s lunch menu.

“Dig in!”

“Everyone, be careful okay? It’s still very hot. Charlette, let me help you with that …… Okay, blow and say: Ahh.”

“Fww. Fww. Ahh!”

Once the steaming piece of meat was slightly cooler, Charlette eagerly chomped down with one big bite.

“So? Is it good?”

“Dewicious♡”

“My, my word Charlette is adorable ……! I get why Yaichi would take her as a bride …,” Keika said to herself, showing some mercy for the boy’s preferences.

“Uwhee …… The outside is crisp and crunchy, but the inside is still rare and juicy. Both taste too good to be true ……!”

Ai Hinatsuru and the rest of the girls couldn’t have been happier with their steak.

“You know when you bite down, all the juices just go whoosh! I’ve never had meat that did that before!” said Mio with glee.

“The side salad is also delicious!”

“Humph …… I wasn’t expecting something this good for the price ……”

The sharp-tongued young lady Ai Yashajin seemed satisfied as well.

They had been so focused on Shogi that everyone was beyond starving by the time they sat down for lunch. Not realizing their stomachs were empty played a part, but everyone finished their meal in a matter of minutes.

But it didn’t end there!

“What?! Drinks and desserts come too?! Holy cow!”

“Hmm …… Life is good …… ♡”

“Sharbete is weally tasty!”

“It makes your mouth feel fresh, doesn’t it? I should get some sherbet ice cream for Master next time!”

Tired brains rested and stomachs full, they were ready to go back in to play even more Shogi.

“But I have to say, Ai, you were on a roll in the classroom!”

“Uwhee?!”

Ai jumped in surprise, not sure how to react to Mio’s compliment.

“D-do you …… think so? I can’t really tell myself ……”

“Of course you were! Getting matched up against all those strong people and winning every time! You were so zoned in and beat all of them so fast! You must’ve played, what, twice as many people as the rest of us did? Don’t you think so, Ayanon?”

“Yes! Though I thought it was only natural for you after defeating the Women’s League Senseis in Mynavi! I have much to learn from you!”

“Owhh. Ai, you were like a lwion.”

“Humph …… Come to think of it, your viciousness comes out when you eat meat too. Is that who you really are?”

“You too, Ai ……? Give me a break!!”

Seeing Ai’s red, pouting face sent a wave of laughter to the group. Their table became a heartwarming accent within the restaurant. The rest of the customers couldn’t help but smile as if looking at a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

As for the only one in the room not smiling, Ai thought: I have to …… have to, have to win and get through the preliminary matches …… I have to get stronger, even stronger. That way, Master–––.

Ai clenched her fists in her lap.

Her spirit was alight …… She wanted nothing more than to go play Shogi this instant.

I’m going to play so much … I want to get back to the classroom!

However.

Keika’s offhanded remark as she looked at the smartphone in her hand while nonchalantly swirling her tea with the others would turn everything on its head. “Looks like the Emperor Title Match heated up in a hurry after their lunch break …… Yaichi’s saying the Meijin already has a definite edge–––.”

“We can watch Master’s broadcast on smartphones?! I want to see too!”

“Agh! B-But now might not be the best …… No, Ai! Don’t–––.”

“Yay! There he …… is ……?”

There, on her phone’s small screen, was Kuzuryu-sensei–––.

“Now 3 o’clock, snacks are provided for the players. Therefore, it’s about time that we had some snacks that the lovely Nico Live staff has prepared for us.”

“Oh? Pudding? It looks delicious.”

“Heey, Kuzuryu-sensei? Open wide♡”

“Huuuh?! M-May I? Ah …… Ahh♡”

–––was sitting shoulder to shoulder with a Women’s League player as she fed him.

“……………”

Ai’s expression hardened by the second.

On the other hand, Kuzuryu-sensei’s was loosening to the point of looking lovestruck.

What’s worse, his eyes weren’t focused on the camera, on the woman’s face, or even on the jiggly pudding in front of his mouth. They were locked on a different type of jiggle.

Her breasts.

His line of sight was fixed to the Women’s League player’s impressive bust.

Should they shift to the right, his eyes shifted to the right.

Should they sway to the left, his eyes followed to the left.

Other viewers noticed as well, pointing out such embarrassing things as: The Ryuo is boob-watching lol. Not even hiding it (haha). He’s a teenager. Boys will be boys. And more …

This was unacceptable, Ai thought with every fiber of her being.

Unacceptable!

What kind of work is that?! 

I’ve been being a good girl, but ……!

Master dara!!

“Um …… Everybody,” Ai said as she looked up from the smartphone, a strange light glinting in the back of her eyes. “Before we go back to the classroom, I …… There’s a place I want to go ……”