Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 4 - Chapter 5

  THE LAST PRELIMINARY MATCH

“It’s impossible. She can’t win.”

I repeat myself again and again in the commentator’s break room once Ai was gone.

Even if their talent is about the same, Ika has more experience, better senses, she’s been under this much pressure before and holds a major advantage in everything that matters. Obviously. An elementary school girl who started Shogi not even seven months ago is playing against a Women’s League title holder …… No matter how many times I simulate the match in my head, I don’t see Ai winning a single game. She doesn’t …… stand a chance.

“Really? I admit there’s a skill gap, but there’s no way to know who’ll win without opening the lid.”

“Big Sis, you saw her match too, right? Ika against Ms. Houroku in the first round.”

Ika started the match with only three minutes of waiting time because she was late and then used all of it on her first move. She played one-minute Shogi from there on and won.

Using those three minutes on her first move was taunting, clear as day.

Even against a title holder, no one is going to let their opponent openly mock them by throwing away their waiting time after being late on purpose without teaching them a lesson. Kazumi Houroku Women’s 3-dan fought in a blaze of fury—justified fury.

Ms. Houroku would’ve defeated Ika if we were living in a fairy tale. Even here, in the real world, winning against an opponent with zero waiting time is only natural.

But Ika won. Flawlessly.

And Ms. Houroku …… collapsed in tears.

A bona fide Women’s League player, a player who has defeated an A League pro bawled her eyes out on the spot in front of a live audience … turned into an inconsolable pile right in front of the board. It was so bad, she needed help getting out of her chair.

Watching her there, writhing from a wounded heart, I couldn’t help but see the same thing happening to Ai.

“Her Shogi … she was sending me a message. Because she’s not getting her way …… she’ll destroy everything important to me.”

“What are you going to do about it? Stop the match? Tell the pipsqueak to forfeit because winning is hopeless?”

“I, um ……”

“You can’t stop this from happening. No player can stop a public match. And …… the pipsqueak, she won’t be stopped.”

So that she doesn’t bother Master anymore …… I’ll tell her no for you on the board!!

That’s what Ai said before dashing out of the break room.

Judging by what happened, it looks like I’m the one that lit her fire.

A Master who can’t even watch his apprentice’s battle from the board side.

I’m …… powerless.

There’s nothing I can do. Not as her Master, not as a player.

Also …… as a person.

“Now … it’s starting.”

“………… Yes.”

I stagger to my feet with Big Sis prodding me forward.

A thunderous round of applause greets us as we leave the break room and climb onto the stage.

“Thank you for your patience. Pre-match coverage and analysis for the last preliminary matches is about to begin. I’m Ginko Sora, the commentator for these matches and Yaichi Kuzuryu-Ryuo will do analysis.”

“…… Glad to be here.”

People are crammed into the commentator’s hall like sardines. Every single one of them can’t wait for the battles that are about to unfold.

Everyone except me.

“The match between Sainokami-Empress and amateur Ai Hinatsuru has become the talk of the tournament. How will the amateur grade schooler making her tournament debut face the Women’s League title holder? Our coverage will primarily focus on this match.”

“……”

“Kuzuryu-sensei. What kind of Shogi do you think your apprentice will show us?”

“…… That’s … a good question ……”

There’s an image of the arena projected on the big screen–––with Ai and Ika sitting across a board from each other right in the center.

Ika looks like she couldn’t care less as the match recorder prepares the piece flip. Ai is in her usual posture, sitting on her ankles, quietly watching from her chair.

–––Please, at least let Ai have the first move ……!

While I don’t think my prayers had anything to do with it, Ai will be on offense.

“Sainokami-Empress is …… very good. Overwhelmingly good ……”

I know that better than anyone. Me, who’s played more Shogi against Ika than anyone.

At the same time, I also know how big the gap between Ai and Ika actually is.

Clutching my microphone in both hands like clinging to the last hope, I say, “But when it comes to talent, my apprentice is better!”

–––WHHHHOOOOOAAAAA!!

That got the crowd riled up. Applause and cheers are erupting all over the place.

Then––––––it’s time.

An arena full of women who differ in age, height and playing style all bow in unison.

One noticeably high voice, one that I hear every day, comes through the hall’s speakers.

“When you’re ready!!”

Ai advances the Pawn in front of her Rook with gusto. The battle has begun.