Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 4 - Chapter 4.2

  THE PRELIMINARY MATCHES

“Welcome one and all. Thank you for your patience.”

An announcer’s voice echoes through the arena.

“The 11th Mynavi Women’s Open Preliminary Matches are about to begin. It is now time for participants to make their entrance. Please greet them with a warm round of applause!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap–––!!

The arena doors open to a wall of sound as the participants come through, walking in front of the fans and looking very nervous.

–––I watch it all happen on a big screen while standing on stage in the commentator’s room along with Big Sis.

“At last, the participants have arrived!”

“Yes.”

“I’ve got to say, we’ve got quite an audience here in the commentator’s hall, but there are even more people watching in the arena!”

“Yes.”

“…… Um, Big Sis? Would you please take this a little more seriously?”

“I am. Problem?”

Boom! The audience explodes with laughter and applause.

Come on …… Laughing that hard for a simple one-liner comeback? That shouldn’t fly …… The audience is being way too nice to her, and it’ll go to her head ……

My shoulders sink, but I happen to catch a glimpse of my first apprentice as she walks across the screen and my eyes start tearing up.

“A-Ai ……! Y-You’ve grown up so much ……!!”

“…… Kuzuryu-sensei? Are you crying in the middle of our commentary? Would you please take this more seriously?”

“B-B-But, Ai ……! She didn’t know anything about the Shogi world or the Women’s League, but now there she is …… in the Mynavi Preliminaries ……!”

Who wouldn’t cry at a time like this?!

Ai, handkerchief clutched in her hand and big backpack over her shoulders, can’t hide her nerves as she walks toward her board. All the while a huge number of fans are showering her with applause.

But my second apprentice gets even more attention as she lightly steps toward the center of the arena empty-handed. But Ai Yashajin must already be zoned in on the match because her eyes are so sharp I wouldn’t be surprised if they cut through the screen like a blade.

Keika’s there. Ms. Rokuroba and Ms. Kouzui who used to be registered in Kansai walk into the picture too. I know pretty much everyone out there for the first round.

Ai Hinatsuru’s opponent is Asahi Hatatachi Women’s League 1-kyu. Currently a student at the University of Tokyo, she’s a bookworm who started playing in high school and got the Shogi world’s attention with her rapid ascent and astounding intellect.

Ms. Hatatachi arrives at the board first. Ai goes up to her and asks, “E-Excuse me! May I sit on my ankles on top of the chair?!”

“Huh? Oh, sure. Go right ahead.”

“Thank you so much!”

She lowers her head in a quick bow before taking a big cushion in the shape of a cat’s face out of her backpack.

Big Sis says in a cold voice, “…… Kuzuryu-sensei? That thing your apprentice has there. What is it?”

“It-it’s her kitty cushion …… The one she uses at home. It’s Ai’s favorite ……”

That got a big laugh out of the audience in the commentator’s hall.

Ai puts the cushion down on the chair seat and puffs it up with a few whacks.

Then she takes off her tiny shoes and with a cute little umph pulls herself up onto the chair and sits on her ankles.

“T-That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen ……!”

“There’s got to be a law against being that adorable ……”

“Cuteness overload ……”

All the people who were laughing a moment ago instantly fall for my cute apprentice. Great news!

On the other hand, Big Sis’s mood keeps getting worse and worse. Horrible news!

“…… Kuzuryu-sensei? Is your apprentice fooling around? Just what have you been teaching her?”

“No! Th-that’s um …… Ah! It’s her secret weapon!”

“Huh?”

“I think Ai had a hard time in the challenge matches because she was sitting on a chair to play Shogi for the first time. Reaching the corners of the board might’ve been hard for her, as well as trying to concentrate in a new position ……”

That’s probably how she came up with the idea to sit on her ankles on top of the chair.

“Also! Not only does using her favorite cushion add height, she can relax just as if she were playing at home …… Two birds with one stone! Genius, don’t you think?”

“…………”

Ai takes a bottle of water and her favorite cup out of her backpack and lines them up on the table while I am speaking. It’s like she’s playing house.

And lastly, she gently places a paper fan down in front of the board.

That’s–––the one I gave her that says courage in my handwriting.

“……!”

A huge swell of emotion clamps down on my heart, hard.

I’ll do anything I can to help this girl. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.

Unfortunately–––players are on their own once they sit down at a Shogi board.

No one can lend a hand. Players must fight on their own. For now, and forever.

“Piece flip.”

The match recorder lays a white cloth down over the board and the higher-ranking player drops five Pawns down onto it.

Three of them land upside down. Ai has the first move.

With the matches just about to start, the air around all the boards is thick with tension.

Ai Yashajin flicks her long black hair over her shoulder like a black bird spreading a wing.

Keika is looking at the ceiling with her eyes closed, psyching herself up. Her lips are moving a bit too. She might be going over the sequence she prepared one last time.

“The time has come. Please start your matches.”

With that voice, “When you’re ready!!”

The voices of all sixteen preliminary match participants ring out at once.

…… At least, I thought so.

“Wow, one look out into the arena really says a lot. How can I put it ……? Each player’s level of popularity is on display. So many Private Sponsors and Shogi fans have gathered to watch the tournament, but some matches are being completely ignored.”

“It’s like when idol groups do a meet and greet.”

“Well, Ms. Rokuroba pretty much is an idol at this point. A few of her fans are on the screen now …… I don’t mean to brag, but my apprentices seem to be the most popular this year!”

“Being young, unmarried and having a half-decent face is enough to draw a crowd. Shogi skill has nothing to do with it.”

“Oh, ho! You’ll see soon enough! Both of my apprentices are extremely good–––.”

“Wait.”

Big Sis, her eyes on the screen showing the arena, cuts me off in surprise.

“Uh, Yaichi. Aren’t we …… one person short?”

“Now that you mention it …… Yes, one match hasn’t started yet. Huh? Is someone late?”

Whispers spread through the crowd.

“Well, waiting time is deducted in a 3-to-1 ratio should someone be late for their match. Since this tournament allows thirty minutes of waiting time, ten minutes is all they have. Any more than that, and they’ll forfeit.”

I explain the rules to the audience and scan the tournament match ups at the same time.

The one running late is–––Ika Sainokami.

“…… The Empress is late.”

“Forfeiting, that’s too much like Sparky.”

“Think she overslept?”

There’s a real knowing her …… vibe coming from the crowd.

The staff is freaking out, but I’m kind of relieved.

I really didn’t want to see her to begin with, and if she were to clear the first round, her opponent in the last would be–––.

“Ohh? I’m right here~.”

I didn’t believe my ears.

I glance in the direction the voice came from–––it’s her. In the crowd, someone who shouldn’t be there.

“I …… Ika?! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Heard you were doing commentary, Yaichi, and I thought I’d drop by to say hello.”

“Get to your match! You’re in the tournament!!”

The Empress’s unexpected entrance stuns the entire crowd.

Any one of them probably would’ve recognized her right away on any given day, so the only reason she went unnoticed is because no one would’ve ever thought a participant would show up in the commentator’s hall.

“But going in there means I can’t see you, Yaichi. So, I thought I’d get that answer before my match starts.”

“That answer? …… What are you talking about?”

That wasn’t me, but Big Sis who responded. She spit out every single word.

“I wasn’t asking you, pasty hag. Talentless weaklings should keep their mouths shut.”

“…………”

“Oopsie. Did I touch a nerve, Ginko? Take a joke.”

Grin …… The corners of her lips curling, Ika says, “Meh, it’s all good. I’ll just finish my match first. Get your answer ready♡.”

“The matches started five minutes ago. Your waiting time is almost gone.”

“Just leveling the playing field♪ …… Ah, yes yes.”

“Yeah?”

“Tell that cute little apprentice of yours. I can’t wait to have at it the last round …… Would you please?”

With that, Ika spins on her heel, parts the crowd saying, “’Xcuse me, coming through!” and disappears toward the arena.

“………”

Everyone stands and stares at Ika’s shrinking figure as though they’d been struck by lightning.

Everyone that is except for one: Big Sis …… whose eyes are frozen square onto me.

–––––––––Spill every single thing once we’re done. Every last bit.

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

“It-it looks like the Empress made it in time after all! Now then, let’s get back to the matches, shall we? Oh, what’s this? One match has really heated up.”

“…… Shameless.”

(Ignoring that): “The match between amateur Hinatsuru and Hatatachi Women’s 1-kyu’s really intense! Both sides are snapping back and forth!”

That’s the only way to describe it. Neither is using any waiting time, making moves at a furious pace. Snap, snap, snap! It’s a battle of wills.

That’s especially true for Ai, already completely zoned into the board like that.

I could tell right away because, “––––––Here!!”

Snap!!

She takes a swipe at empty air next to the board whenever she puts a piece down.

“…… Just what is that girl doing?”

“Beats me …”

Some people in the crowd tilt their heads, confused. But I know. I knew the first time I saw her do it.

The chess clock.

Even though there’s a match recorder keeping track of time right now, Ai keeps trying to hit a chess clock that doesn’t exist. That’s why she keeps swiping at the side of the board.

Players have to keep track of the time on their own in the Practice League. Forgetting to press the chess clock after your turn makes your waiting time go down the drain, so they all get in the habit of pressing the clock really quickly.

Ai’s force of habit coming out now … proves she’s concentrating as hard as she can.

“This match is moving along very quickly. Let’s review it on the big board.”

On my cue, the image projected on the screen changes to a massive Shogi board.

Starting at the beginning, we go through and analyze every move that’s been made in there so far–––.

Now back to the current move, Big Sis and I take a few seconds to think. Then we make our conclusions.

“Checkmated.”

“…… That’s a checkmate, yeah.”

Right then.

“Master!! I won!!”

My first apprentice bursts into the commentator’s hall, little feet tapping on the floor in a blur with her kitty cushion in her arms. Woah!

“What?! It’s …… already over?!”

“It hasn’t even been thirty minutes yet.”

“Finished before the countdown even started ……?”

“A grade schooler insta-killing a Women’s Leaguer ……?”

The crowd is stunned.

But Big Sis and myself, while a bit surprised, have no trouble calmly accepting what just happened.

Average Women’s League players don’t stand a chance against Ai’s late game. Ms. Hatatachi didn’t know that and stepped in hard to finish the game early with a big, aggressive push–––but had the carpet pulled out from under her.

“…… We have a visitor, the first one to claim victory and qualify for the second and last round of the Mynavi Preliminary Matches, amateur Ai Hinatsuru. Come up onto the stage.”

Ai does what Big Sis asks and timidly climbs the stares to join us.

The crowd is so shocked by what just happened they forgot to clap. A little intimidated by all the staring, Ai comes to a stop next to me.

“Ms. Hatatachi chose to use High Speed   7 Three Silver against your opening Central Rook …… So, you play Ranging Rook as well?”

“Ah, um, yes. Uhh, umm …… Oishi-sensei taught me, at the Gokigen Bathhouse ……,” Ai nervously answers Big Sis’s question.

That sure surprised the crowd.

“Oishi …… The Worldly Maestro?!”

“The Ryuo’s apprentice and the King’s student, eh?”

“Talk about a Kansai All-Star upbringing.”

“No wonder she’s so good ……”

The way the crowd looks at Ai is changing.

Whereas before they were thinking she was some idol in the making with dreams of stardom, now they’re starting to realize she’s got talent and skill.

Puffing out my chest with pride, in my head anyway, I lower my microphone to my waist so my apprentice can speak.

“Your Shogi was enough to take down a strong opponent. Tell us, what was going through your head during the match?”

“Okay! Um, I wanted to win no matter what today so–––.”

“Ohh? Why is that?”

“Ummm …… T-That’s …… well ……”

Ai, squeezing the daylights out of the kitty cushion, starts mumbling.

“It’s …… It’s a secret!!” she yells, her face bright red. That got a round of applause and a big laugh from the crowd.

“A secret? Even from me?”

“Uwhee!? Uh, um …… Sorry! I can’t, say anything yet …… Especially to you, Master ……”

“Really? …… Now I’m kind of sad (haha) ……”

The crowd roars with laughter again.

At the same time, Big Sis–––.

“…… Tsk! …… Tsk!”

Snapping her tongue, she keeps punching me in the kidneys at an angle where the crowd can’t tell. Stop already, do you want me to piss blood and die in a few days?!

“M-Miss Hinatsuru will now go to another room to take pictures with Private Sponsors, so we’ll end the interview right here! Now’s your last chance to sign up!!” I announce to the crowd as I guide Ai toward the staff. Quite a few people in the crowd make a mad dash for the Private Sponsor reception desk. Ai is going to make a small fortune today ……

“Moving on …… Oh, this match looks like it’s about to wrap up. Let’s have a look at amateur Ai Yashajin vs. Suzu Kakkobayashi Women’s League 5-dan.”

A different board shows up on the screen.

“This match features the youngest participant at nine years old against the eldest participant, sixty-seven. It’s been an interesting match. Big Sis, what do you make of it so far?”

“Double Wing? But it became Double Reclining Silver into a Bishop exchange? What Shogi era is this?”

“Yes. This style is a little outdated but …… There are some new sequences in there too.”

“Such as?”

“It looked as though the Pawns in front of the Rooks were waiting for each other during the Bishop Exchange in this match. Ai Yashajin has a great feel for Bishop Exchange, so she guided the flow from Double Wing Attack to something she’s more comfortable with. Very cunning.”

“…… Reminds me of someone.” Big Sis bluntly whispers. Terrifying.

“B- …… Bishop Exchange by itself is difficult because one mistake can ruin everything, but having the Pawns waiting like that makes offensive pushes even more devastating. Let your guard down for a moment and it’s all over …… Oh no. Kakkobayashi-sensei, not there. That was the worst move she could possibly have made.”

The match was decided while I was in the middle of explaining the situation.

As should be expected from a veteran, Suzu Kakkobayashi surrendered with dignity and grace. Ai Yashajin appears in the commentator’s hall moments later.

Big Sis points her microphone at her and says in her polite commentating voice, “Here we have the victor, amateur Ai Yashajin. How does it feel to be the youngest participant here today and the youngest ever to compete in Mynavi Women’s Open?”

“I can hardly believe it.”

Admirable words, but I can tell she’s thinking: Isn’t it obvious?

If I were to press the question further and ask: What can’t you believe? there’s no doubt in my mind she’d say: That someone that weak is still playing in the Women’s League.

It’d be a good idea to change subjects to avoid that dangerous scenario.

“You challenged your opponent to use an older style of Shogi. Wasn’t it a bit scary to try that against a veteran player? She is quite a bit more experienced with it–––.”

“The other way around.”

“Other way?”

“Using outdated strategies against older opponents in classrooms makes them stop and try to remember how it’s done.”

“…… Ohh?”

“So they stare at the board, reliving old memories as they play. It breaks their focus and they can’t read as well. So I wanted to see if it would work on an el- …… on a veteran player too.”

She was about to say elderly wasn’t she ……?

“Then again …… it doesn’t look like that’s going to work against my next opponent,” says Ai, looking far off into the distance.

She’s looking toward the someone standing next to the commentator hall entrance, waiting for her turn to come up to the stage with an idol-like smile on her face … toward Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan.