Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 5 - Chapter 4

  DAUGHTER’S HOMECOMING

“Master♡”

My apprentice and I are sitting side by side on the express train bound for the fourth Ryuo Title Match and couldn’t care less that people are watching us poke fun at each other.

“Master♡ Hey, hey, Master♡”

“What is it, Ai?”

“Just saying hello♡♡♡”

My apprentice is in the window seat, but she’s looking at my face rather than the scenery rolling by and keeps saying “Master♡—Master♡” but not much else.

Just like a chirping little bird.

And I give my tiny apprentice a pat on the head every time she does.

It’s been an endless loop, repeating hundreds, maybe thousands of times since we left Osaka …… Nah, since that day.

“Ai. You don’t have to worry so much. I’m not going to leave anymore.”

“Would you call me ‘Ai’ again please!”

“Hahaha. You’re so cute, Ai.”

“Meeeow♡”

So darn cute ♡

My tiny apprentice rubs her little face against my arm. Cute as a kitty. It’d be so nice to stay in this moment forever …… 

Every day since we made amends has been like this.

“…… Yeah, the deed’s been done no matter how you look at ……”

“…… Just a little too close for comfort ……”

“…… So it’s true, he’s a full-on Lolita lover ……”

“…… What’s the number for child services ……?”

And other slightly disturbing comments reach my ears but …… They don’t matter!!

I mean, come on. Hear me out.

That day when we got back to the apartment, I got to eat my fill of her cooking for the first time in forever. Then, once I was finished with my bath, I asked Ai, “I want to do something for you to make up for everything that’s happened. What would you like? Is there anything I can do for you? Because if there is, I’ll do anything ……”

“…… Ummm ……… Okay ………”

She looked at the floor, twiddling her thumbs, and answered in a quiet little murmur.

“Hands ……”

“Hands?”

“I want …… To fall asleep, holding hands … with you ……”

Why?

I asked her. She kept staring at the floor, but her face turned bright red as she said with the puniest little voice–––.

“Because ……… I don’t want to wake up and not see you there …… Master ……”

Who on earth wouldn’t give her a big hug after hearing thaaaaaaaaaaat?!!

Normally, I sleep on the bed in my room and Ai sleeps on her futon in the tatami room, but I’ve been bringing my own futon in there with her since that day so we could fall asleep holding hands.

She wanted to sleep in the same futon, but that crosses the line.

She may be my apprentice, but she’s someone else’s precious daughter.

Nothing short of marriage would make it okay for me to sleep in the same bed or futon with any girl.

…… Although she’s usually halfway onto my futon holding my whole arm like a teddy bear by the time I wake up! There’s nothing I can do about that, nothing at all.

Anyway, the two of us have been pretty much attached at the hip since that day.

Of course, acting like this is going to draw lots of negative attention.

The reason that the journalist Ms. Mato (usually a chatterbox), who should be sitting right behind us, has stayed silent since we left Osaka is because she can’t believe what she’s heard so far. Maybe more repulsed at this point. I can figure that much out myself.

Ahh, I’m spoiling her. I’m spoiling my apprentice rotten.

But what’s wrong with that?

––– …… Me pushing her away caused so much pain …… 

For a ten-year-old girl …… Especially for one who only knew me when she came to Osaka for intense training like her, that experience must’ve been worse than death.

I’ve got to make up for that, so a little bit of spoiling is going to happen. Actually if I don’t shower her with affection now, Ai’s heart might be scarred forever.

That’s why I’m spoiling her. I’ll spoil her to the moon and back.

So, why should I care what people here on earth are saying?!

That’s right! I won’t run away!

No matter how they roast me, the trials and tribulations I have to go through …… I’ll take it all on!!

“Oh … and Master! Let’s show them once and for all!” says Ai, clinging to my arm like a koala. “We have to show all the little thieves that sneaking into rooms when people aren’t around to take what isn’t theirs won’t work! Otherwise, they’ll start getting ideas ……!”

“? S- …… Sure? …… Yeah. I guess?”

What is she talking about? It kind of feels like …… We’re talking about two different things here …… Maybe?

Oh! That’s right.

I owe someone else an apology, not just Ai.

Big Sis.

I went and apologized to Keika right away but …… It’s like Big Sis has been avoiding me and I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to her face-to-face yet.

After everything I said, it would be wrong to say, “I’m sorry” with an email or over the phone. These kinds of things need to be done in person, so I’ll do it when I get the chance.

“Hmm, she has to be around here somewhere ……”

Just as I start getting up out of my seat to find her, “Oh! Master, that’s one of the rarest birds in Japan outside the window, isn’t it?!”

“Say what? Where, where?”

“Awhh …… It’s already gone. Tee-hee♡”

Ai tilts her head and sticks out her tongue. Adorable.

Why do the most interesting things always show up outside the window whenever I try to find Big Sis ……? Nah, I’m just overthinking it.

Just like Hawaii, Big Sis, Keika and Master Kiyotaki are coming with me, too. I’ll definitely see her during the arena inspection and the opening night party before the match, so I don’t need to try and force anything right now!

“Though, we sure are bringing quite the crowd with us ……”

All eyes are focused on this match. More than double the usual number of players and journalists from Osaka alone are going.

What’s more, there should be at least twice as many people from Tokyo on the north coast bullet train at this very moment, following the Meijin like kids behind an ice cream truck now that he’s one match away from claiming the Eternal Septuple.

I just hope the inn doesn’t explode.

“There’s no problem! We can serve these numbers without missing a step!!”

“You’re probably right. Because, after all, the arena this time is–––.”

Just as the words were coming out of my mouth, the train pulled into the last stop and an announcement came out of the speakers: The last stop on the Thunderbird Express train that connects Osaka to the North Coast–––Wakura Onsen Station. 

Right on the platform: Welcome! 30th Season 4th Ryuo Title Match.

Written on a long horizontal flag, but ……

“Whoa. That’s quite the wel …… come …………………?”

Congratulations! A new Women’s League player has arrived!

Welcome home! Miss Ai Hinatsuru 

From the Wakura Onsen Hot Spring Committee!

“……………”

The whole train, which was getting noisy as people were gathering their things together to get off, goes silent for a moment once that way too huge banner comes into view.

Why? Why an elementary school girl’s name and not the Ryuo or Meijin?

Why did they even make a banner that big in the first place?

Part of the answer is where this match is going to happen.

The best onsen hot spring spa inn in Japan.

A place so well-known that it’s the first one people think of when someone says “Wakura Onsen”: Hinatsuru.

A place I’ll always remember because this is where I took the title of Ryuo.

In other words––––––where Ai grew up.

“Master! Let’s hurry up and go!”

“Ah …… Sure ……”

Now back in her hometown, Ai grabs my wrist with a lot more zip than usual and practically yanks me off the train.

Leaving the station, this time there’s a billboard in front of us. It’s to direct people to the Ryuo Title Match.

30th Season 4th Ryuo Title Match

Arena ← (Party and Commentary Analysis Venue)

And right next to it, there was this even bigger billboard.

Reception Hall

Kuzuryu Family

Hinatsuru Family

……………… Wh …… at ……? Is …… this ………?

“Master♡”

“Y …… yes?”

With a strong, two-handed grip on my arm, Ai looks up at me with a hearty grin–––.

And very clearly says, “You won’t run away anymore, right?♡”

The Wakura Onsen Committee greets us with the same enthusiasm as a hot spring geyser.

“Welcome home!!”

“Hi there, Ai!”

“Congratulations!!”

“Thank you for the inspiration!!”

“Best of luck to you!!”

This …… isn’t about … the Ryuo Title Match.

If I had to call it anything, I’d say it’s the Ai from the Hinatsuru family has triumphantly returned home after becoming a Women’s Pro! celebration.

“Wait ……? There’s something else going on here, isn’t there ……?”

“Ah! Master, that car is here to pick us up!”

The spectacle was only just beginning.

Players and other Shogi staff are usually shuttled from the station to the arena in a small bus or something, but there’s a convertible with the hood open and a driver in the front seat waiting for us …… The first float in the parade.

Of course, that convertible is for me and my apprentice.

“E-hee-hee♡ Master …… This is a little embarrassing, isn’t it?”

“You …… could say that, yeah ……”

The car starts moving, slowly.

The streets leading to the arena …… to Ai’s family’s place are lined with the locals, all hooting and hollering and waving flags around. Who do they think we are, the Imperial Family?!

It seems like every third person knows Ai, because so many people call out to her like old friends, their hands waving in the air. She said she was embarrassed, but Ai’s waving back with just as much excitement.

There are other people around too, probably visitors spending the weekend at one of the hot springs. Wearing yukata robes and very confused looks on their faces as the parade goes by, I guess they decided this is some sort of tourist attraction because they start waving along with everyone else and taking pictures left and right. Please, stop!

“………”

This is so awkward that I’m frozen in the chair next to Ai. The human body seems to go numb to protect the heart during unexpectedly awkward situations. An extremely forced smile appears on my face while my apprentice is absolutely beaming next to me and waving to the crowd. Meanwhile, I keep folding and unfolding my handkerchief in my hands out of everyone’s view. My palms have turned into sweat fountains.

The silver lining in all this is that it didn’t take very long to get to the inn at all.

On a side note, the group from Tokyo arrived before we did. Apparently, the welcome committee told them, “Oh, please go ahead and take a taxi.” The Meijin himself was among them, but the people here didn’t seem that impressed. Just a that’s nice and done. Is Ai a celebrity or something ……?

“Ryuo, and all guests here on behalf of the Shogi Association, I bid you welcome to the Hinatsuru.”

The one greeting us with a polite bow just outside the front door is: “I am the proprietor of this inn, Akina Hinatsuru.”

The super manager whose name is known around the world–––Ai’s mother.

“Mom, I’m back!”

“Ai …… You’ve grown so much since I last saw you ……”

Ai sprints up to her. The two join hands as Akina gazes at her precious daughter’s slightly more grown-up face for the first time in over half a year with glistening eyes.

Then, after a few nods, she says something totally outrageous.

“Kuzuryu-sensei has made you into a fine young woman.”

“Yep! Master made me a grown up!”

There’s a lot of mother-daughter love there, but their choice of words was kind of unsettling and all the journalists lined up behind us are taking notes like mad for some reason. They’ll make plenty of interesting articles out of that one for sure. Not so much of the culture or sports kind, but the social commentary. Yes, yes, I like young girls, Lolita complex, yeah, yeah. Just go ahead and write it already.

“…… I beg your pardon.”

The owner wipes the happy-family-reunion tears from her cheeks.

“Ai. Go into the kitchen and show your father how much you’ve grown. I will see to our guests.”

“Okay!”

“Now, I shall escort you to your rooms. The arena inspection will follow shortly after.”

Akina’s refined and elegant words make all of us from the Shogi Association want to stand up straight before giving her a nod.

Even the inspection blew my mind.

“This room shall be the arena.”

She led us to a room that I know very well, the one where I took my title of Ryuo–––.

At least, it was.

“Huh? Has the name changed?”

“It has. I’ve had some alterations done, so it was only fitting …”

She explains the new name as I’m looking around in confusion.

Garyouhousu no Ma–––That’s this room’s name, meaning unrecognized potential.

“Garyou in Chinese characters is usually written as 臥龍. However, these have been changed to 臥竜 to pay homage to the Ryuo Title Match. Media members and journalists, please do not make this oversight when publishing your work.”

Ai’s mother’s friendly pressure even has Ms. Mato, the person in charge of the blog, clearly on edge. There’s no room for typos …… 

The line filing into the room gets hit with another surprise.

“W-Whoa ……?!”

The arena–––has been totally remodeled.

For starters, the camera that shows the board from overhead has been built into the ceiling.

… On about the same level as the arenas at the association …… Or that’s what I thought. But in reality it puts those arenas to shame.

“The camera in the ceiling is not the only one. Over twenty different cameras have been installed throughout the arena, in order to view the match from a variety of angles.”

That many?! Hang on a sec …… I can’t tell where any of them are?!

“Exposed cameras are the epitome of crudeness. What’s more, light reflecting off a camera lens can become a distraction and hinder the players’ concentration. The cameras themselves are hidden within the support beams and walls around the arena. Each is equipped with the smallest lens available.” Mrs. Hinatsuru explains like she’s reading my mind.

Ms. Mato was busy taking photos when she noticed something else.

“What’s this? The tatami–––.”

“Indeed. The mat in the center where the Shogi board will be placed is custom ordered to be double the size of the regulation tatami mats. This is to prevent the edges from being seen in the overhead view.”

She paid that much attention to the little things …… 

“Blinds have been added in addition to the curtains covering the windows, in order to allow complete control over the amount of sunlight entering the arena.”

Gesturing toward the windows and ceiling, Akina continues bragging …… um, explaining the room’s features.

“Lighting equipment has been installed on rails around the ceiling and can be adjusted at any time. All cables, including ones designed for broadcasting equipment, are completely contained within the walls: not a single one is exposed in the room, hallways or emergency exits. There are metal detectors installed in the door frame to make it possible to shut out all electronic devices.”

With all that explanation out of the way, Mrs. Hinatsuru makes a declaration.

“Allow me to say once and for all that there is no better place suited for Shogi matches than this, the Garyouhousu no Ma, the world over.”

“…… I don’t know how to handle this much amazing stuff ……”

“How …… how much did this cost ……?”

The people here have seen countless title matches, but they have no idea what to say. Akina watches them look around in shock with a really satisfied smile on her face.

I’m surprised, too, but for a different reason.

Sure, everything in here is amazing beyond words but …… Ai’s mother hated Shogi with a passion. She was against her joining the Practice League until the very, very end.

I realize it’s her daughter’s Master who’s playing in the match, but why would someone like that invest this much money in Shogi?

“…………………… This is too fishy …… What in the world is she planning ……?”

“Kuzuryu-sensei? Do you have an issue with this room?”

“Huh?! O-Oh, no ……… I’m just, so impressed …… Ha ha ha ……”

“…… As long as this facility passes inspection, I would like to move on to the board and pieces.”

They’re all top of the line, too. Each of the pieces shines like a gemstone, which is probably pretty close to what each one of them is worth.

What’s more, there are three complete sets. Mrs. Hinatsuru is pointing to each of them, saying, “Go ahead. Choose whichever you wish.”

All of us lost for words, we could only stare and sigh. In the end, we end up going with the one Mrs. Hinatsuru kept pointing out, the most expensive set of the bunch.

Neither the Meijin nor I is really the type of player to make a lot of demands during the inspection, so the whole thing wraps up less than five minutes after Mrs. Hinatsuru was finished talking.

Well, that’s pretty normal as normal goes, but–––.

“Now then, Kuzuryu-sensei. You must prepare for the opening party. Please, follow me this way.”

“Say …… what?”

Leaving another staff member in charge of showing the Meijin and Shogi Association staff around the inn, Mrs. Hinatsuru takes my hand and leads me directly to another room.

It’s a small room right next to the big hall where the party is going to be.

“Kuzuryu-sensei. Please change into this kimono.”

“Huh? This …… isn’t the one I had sent up here, is it?”

Bulky and heavy, most players send their title match kimonos to wherever they’re staying before they leave.

I mean, those things don’t really fit in an apartment closet anyway, so we ask the shop where we got it made to hold onto it for us. After that, just drop them an email saying, “I have a match here on this day, so please send it,” and it’s all done.

That’s why it’s always exciting to see what kimono is waiting for me but …… This one here is definitely not it.

But Mrs. Hinatsuru looks at me with all the conviction in the world and says, “No. This one is fine.”

“But look. This one has a crest on it, see? I’d only wear one of these for a title acceptance ceremony …… Or some important family event ……”

I won’t say it never happens, but it’s extremely rare for someone to wear a crest to a title match.

Which means the shop must’ve accidentally sent me someone else’s kimono–––.

“It’s fine. This one is fine for today. Everyone is waiting, so please change as quickly as possible.”

“But ……”

“I said it’s fine! Get changed!!”

“Yes ma’am!!”

Mrs. Hinatsuru’s overwhelming aura doesn’t let me explain and I start taking off my suit.

“Are you able to don a kimono on your own?”

“F-For the most part ……”

“Excellent. I need to assist my daughter with her preparations, so I will see you at the venue.”

“Okay then ……?”

Her daughter’s preparations? What does Ai need to get ready for? Maybe she needs to go talk to people around town now that she has the Women’s League qualification ……?

My half-baked theories were completely crushed at the opening party.