Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 5 - Chapter 3.3

  FOREST OF THORNS

I thought she had wings.

But the person who appeared in front of me didn’t have any.

Forget wings, she didn’t have a set of working legs …… 

“Pardon me,” she said with a feminine voice so delicate it may as well have come from a glass bell. Glamorous, puffy skirt waving from side to side, she moves into the upper seat like it’s where she belongs.

Tokyo. A special arena within the Shogi Association.

I look up at this person from the lower seat on hollowed Shogi ground, a place I never thought I would ever have any connection to.

Women’s Legend Rina Shakando.

She’s taken the Queen title four times, but that’s her current Women’s League title. Also holding the status of Eternal Queen, looking at her is like seeing the queen of some magical kingdom in a fairy tale storybook come to life.

This is not …… my first time meeting her.

Actually, back when I was a little girl, my father introduced me to her and she gave me an instruction match. I still remember how kind she was.

But now, sitting across the board from her like this, her presence is so overwhelming that those warm memories are getting blown away right before my eyes …… 

“Master, what brand shall you be drinking today?”

“Let’s see …… A straight Rizé shall do nicely. It is best to feel invigorated on the morning of an extremely important Shogi match.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Her gallant apprentice Ayumu Kannabe 6-dan is beside her, assisting.

This boy …… No, I suppose I should call him a young man. He has accompanied his Master to the association every single time she came here, just like this, since he started junior high school.

Shakando-sensei can walk fine on her own if she uses a cane, but using one of them here would damage the tatami mat. So she always needs someone to assist her–––.

That reasoning has to be only the tip of the iceberg. That look in Ayumu’s eyes when he’s around Shakando-sensei is a lot more than the loving respect a pupil has for their Master.

“…………”

I take a few quiet breaths to steady myself and look once again at the renowned Women’s League player sitting across from me.

The one at the top–––.

She already reigned over the Women’s League when I was learning how to play.

Maintaining that position uninterrupted for the next twelve years, she’s become a living legend in the Women’s League.

She fended off the next generation flawlessly, dominated the following one …… and is currently holding her ground against the one after that.

It wasn’t until a prodigy who skipped over the Women’s League to enter the Sub League–––until Naniwa’s Snow White appeared on the scene that she was the single driving force behind Women’s Shogi. 

I, someone who once discarded Shogi and is on the brink of being discarded by Shogi itself, am about to face that renowned legend at the top …… 

––– …… I don’t belong here, do I?

Feeling rather small and insignificant, I look away from the Shogi board.

Ayumu comes back a few moments later carrying a full tea set on a silver platter in his arms. Shakando-sensei offers her loving apprentice some kind words.

“Much obliged. Now, you must go.”

“I shall return, for the afternoon meal ……”

“Yes.”

Once their parting is such sweet sorrow exchange is over, Ayumu gives me a slight bow before leaving the arena.

Shakando-sensei picks up her teacup, but rather than take a sip, she takes a deep breath to leisurely enjoy the aroma.

“Such a lovely fragrance …… The smell of tea helps to soothe my nerves before an important match like this. Otherwise I struggle to control my quivering fingers.”

She looks at me with an elegant smile from the upper seat. At the same time, it takes everything I have to force my lips into a strung-out smile back to her.

–––This person …… is nervous about going against me … of all people? There’s no way …… 

Is Shakando-sensei saying that she, too, gets nervous playing in the Mynavi Finals, the most important tournament in the world of women’s Shogi? I’d sure like it if she does. Because, I mean, I’m too tense to speak right now …… 

“Excuse me, Sensei ……”

My nerves making my voice sound strange, I do my best to greet Shakando-sensei. It’s taking every ounce of courage I have.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kousuke Kiyotaki’s daughter, Keika Kiyotaki. I hope today–––.”

“That introduction is incorrect.”

“Huh?”

“Our paths have crossed before, yes?”

“You remember me ……?”

“Fu-fu.”

She places the teacup back on the platter and smiles as if she’s enjoying the moment. Then the person at the peak whispers, “Now. Start from the beginning.”

“Ah, umm …… It’s nice to see you again, Shakando-sensei ……”

“Yes. I have been looking forward to this day.”

She must’ve done tens of thousands of instructional lessons over the years.

If she still remembers every single one …… There’s only one way that’s possible …… 

This person takes every match she plays seriously.

Even when going against some little girl, she’s committed herself one hundred percent to every single match she’s ever played.

“……!”

My body heats up in a flash.

This is what it is. This is what people at the peak are like. That’s what’s different. The difference between us.

The love of Shogi, the depth.

Loved by Shogi … the love for it. The strength of that bond.

“Well then–––shall we begin?”

Shakando-Women’s Legend says, her voice bubbling with excitement as she opens the piece box.

Almost like a young girl in love.

The piece flip determined that I’m on defense.

However, I’m the one who aggressively took control of the match.

“Opposing Rook …… is it? Well, well?” 

The 12th move.

Shakando-sensei’s hand comes to a stop when she sees me swiftly slide my Rook across the board.

“………… I see.”

My strategy is more like a scheme.

The chances of beating her with a yagura or a fourth file Rook are a million to one at best.

That being the case, if I use a strategy I’ve never played in a league match, at least I know she won’t have any research on me.

–––That is …… if Shakando-sensei would actually research someone like me.

“Fu-fu. Interesting …… Quite interesting.”

The Eternal Queen opens a black, Western-style fan with a quick shick.

“Then–––I expect you to thoroughly entertain me.”

She moves a central Pawn forward and brings out a Silver.

“Extreme Rapid Battle ……!”

Creak! My jaw clenches so tight I hear my teeth cry.

My little scheme isn’t making Shakando-sensei slow down at all. Actually, she’s coming out to meet me head on, abandoning defense in favor of a fast offensive.

Right where I want her.

–––Go ahead and take the fifth column! While you’re busy over there, I’ll build up a strong Mino Castle ……!

Refusing to let the fear of her attack control me, I reinforce my defense.

Ai Yashajin’s Shogi is still fresh in my mind. What I wouldn’t give to have her nerves of steel.

Then again, I …… don’t have anything close to her talent or guts either.

What’s more, someone with my level of skill isn’t about to cut off an attack from the person across from me any time soon.

–––How’s she this good with small pieces?! These are just Pawns, so why ……?!

Advance, Throwing Star, rise and then isolate–––.

The Women’s Legend keeps using all these light and quick Pawn techniques to keep me from getting anywhere, like a cat toying with a mouse.

It wasn’t long before she built up a formation that all but guaranteed her victory.

I …… I had no idea …… she was this much better than me …… 

………Wherever …… 

Wherever I move a piece, no matter how I try to attack, I’ll end up taking losses.

It’s like I’m stuck in a forest of thorns.

There I was, drawn in by a beautiful flower, but had no idea what I was getting into …… By the time I knew what was happening, I couldn’t move a muscle.

––– …… Is this all? Is this as far as I go? I …… 

Tears start building up in my eyes at how pathetic I am.

That’s when.

“This is an important match, yes?”

“……… Huh?”

Pretty sure that Ms. Shakando said something to me, I look up from the board.

But she wasn’t looking at me. Ms. Shakando is just sitting there, sipping her tea like she hadn’t said anything.

…… That’s right.

–––Today’s Shogi …… I can’t lose. It’s Shogi I absolutely can’t lose ……!

My hand drifts to my chest.

Back when I lost my way, Ginko was the one who told me, “The real you is strong. But, because you think you’re weak …… Because you have no confidence, you don’t play with your own style. You are your own roadblock.”

When my spirit had all but gone out, Ginko’s words provided a new spark.

“Come on, Keika. Play with more confidence! That’s the most important thing for any competition!! It’s the only thing!!!”

That spark she gave me is still burning now.

That fire within me must be the same that’s been passed down through the generations like a massive relay since the moment Shogi was born. A holy flame connecting us all. That flame tempered my spirit with a pure love of Shogi that knows no bounds.

Right now, I have confidence.

Not confidence that I’m stronger or that I’ll win the match.

I’m confident that I love Shogi more than she does.

–––I can finally say it! Say that I love Shogi more!!

Because I threw it away once before.

Because I know that Shogi doesn’t love me back.

Because I’m fully aware this is a one-sided relationship.

I know that my love is real.

“Confidence …… Confidence!” I say to myself so I can hear it.

My back is against the wall on the board. What’s worse, Rina Shakando-Women’s Legend is on the other side. The possibility of coming back is next to nothing.

This is when I’d usually give up.

But today …… This match right now, I absolutely have to win. I don’t need to sugarcoat it by thinking: Leave it all out on the board or I haven’t lost as long as my spirit hasn’t broken.

Just win.

Win no matter what.

When that’s the only option–––I can be strong!!

Burning …… Burning!

I clench my chest to reaffirm what I already know. The flame is there.

Today, it’s burning inside me.

A reason why I absolutely cannot lose.

…… Win no matter what. Never, ever give up. I will not break. Not until my last piece is taken and my King is done for …… I will keep fighting no matter what happens!!

Reaching for the board to pick up a small piece feels more like I’m loading a gun and turning to face the enemy head on.