Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 6 - Chapter 3.1

  GOKIGEN PRACTICE SESSION

“I’m not really the type to go over losing matches like this,” Mr. Oishi says first thing. “Especially not before big matches ’cause it sucks all the life out of me. Personally, I’d rather go through a win so I can hit the first match riding high.”

Kyoubashi’s Gokigen Bathhouse had closed the baths and the Shogi classroom for the time being because the Best of Seven King Title Match is right around the corner.

Mr. Oishi is sitting on the other side of the board from us in the starkly empty classroom looking much worse than he did yesterday. He probably didn’t get any sleep at all last night.

Having just finished title matches of my own, I look at him and say, “That’s fine, but seven matches take a long time …… It’ll be at least four. Winning enough matches won’t be easy if there’s a hole in your strategy. It sure doesn’t help that your opponent is one of the best researchers around.”

“Oh, I’ve got a full course of Central Rook, Fourth File Rook, Third File Rook and Opposing Rook planned for Okito, believe me.”

Mr. Oishi reaches for the pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket but stops halfway and drifts down to pick up a piece and make a move.

He must be holding back because Big Sis is here, and he knows her lungs are sensitive.

He’d go through a pack or two if it were just the two of us here, but I suppose having a daughter of his own triggers some self-restraint.

…… Then again, Big Sis was the match recorder yesterday and that didn’t stop him from smoking. I guess those fatherly instincts go out the window when he’s in the zone.

“Anyway, let’s start digging into yesterday’s match. It’d be worse for my nerves, leaving it like this.”

“Sure.” My heart skips a beat, Big Sis and I saying the same thing at the same time like that. Huuh ……!?

Completely ignoring me getting butterflies over something so simple as some little kid with a crush, Mr. Oishi and Big Sis start analyzing the match.

“Where did things turn south?”

“At this point, aren’t things starting to go in his favor?”

“So, the whole plan went up in smoke …… I was sure this sequence would work.”

“Perhaps the Reclining Silver was too predictable–––.”

Big Sis and Mr. Oishi are shifting through the match record at a blistering pace, trying to find the point where it failed but, “No.” I jumped in before I could stop myself.

Getting the sense that Big Sis tensed up next to me, I kept going.

“Mr. Oishi.”

“Yeah, Yaichi?”

“I tried making a few adjustments to your opening in yesterday’s match.”

Moving the pieces back a few turns, my brain feels like it’s stepping on the gas.

The Shogi board that’s been in front of my eyes every day for a while now becomes crystal clear …… and the rest of my thoughts start getting cloudy.

My body’s heating up, but my mind is sinking into a world of cold calculations–––.

“Try stopping this.”

I remember everything up until I said that.

The next thing I knew, Mr. Oishi’s shoulders sink as he says.

“…… You got me. You got me damn good.”

Three hours have gone by and I had no idea.

The water bottle in front of me is pretty much empty. I seriously doubt Big Sis drank it, so that would mean I did …… 

––– …… It’s the same as back then.

During the rematch of the fourth Ryuo Title Match against the Meijin.

I couldn’t keep my reading speed under control and totally lost track of time. It’s exactly the same.

Big Sis is looking at me like some kind of monster.

“……………!”

Pale face going even paler, her long eyelashes are trembling. Her mouth is hanging open, but nothing is coming out. Not even a groan.

Mr. Oishi sounds like he’s searching for the right words.

“That wasn’t …… a sequence you’ve been working on for a while, was it?”

“No. Seeing the review session last night gave me a few ideas.”

I couldn’t sleep again, per usual, so I had the whole night to think. Even ran some tests of my own, too.

Mr. Oishi pulls out a cigarette and says like trying to get a bad taste out of his mouth, “…… All that in one night? Seriously …… You’re the King.”

King? I’m the Dragon King, Ryuo. Is that what he meant?

Oh well, doesn’t matter.

“I think your idea might work, like this here. Even if you don’t think it’s ready for the first match, it might be worth trying out later on.”

“Yeah, but ……”

“It might be hard to go back to it after a loss, but that’s the last thing your opponent would expect. That’s why I think it’s worth a shot.”

“Hmm ……”

“Using software can cut down on research time quite a bit. It’ll give you pretty accurate results no matter what strategy you hit it with.”

“Software, huh ……”

“Here––––––See?”

I open up my bag and take out my tablet.

Turning it on, the tablet links up with my computer at home and I open the data from my research last night.

Numbers pop up on the screen.

Prospect 1 Depth 38/47 Nodes: 12007630879 Value -32 Sequence:   7 Eight Gold (69),   8 Seven Bishop Promotes (76),   Taken by Gold (78),   5 Three Silver (62),   7 Five Silver (66),   3 Three Silver (22),   8 Eight Gold (87),   4 Four Pawn (43),   5 Nine Gold (49),   1 Four Pawn (13),   5 Seven Bishop (46),   4 Five Pawn (44),   7 Eight Gold (88),   1 Five Pawn (14),   7 Six Bishop Hit   2 Two King (32),   8 Five Pawn (86),   4 Four Silver (53),   6 Four Silver (75),   7 Two Rook (82)   7 Seven Pawn Hit,   7 Six Rook (72),   Taken by Pawn (77),   8 Six Rook Hit,   7 One Rook Hit,   4 Two Gold (52),   7 Nine Gold (78),   8 Seven Rook Promotes (86),   8 One Rook Promotes (71),   6 Seven Dragon (87),   7 Five Bishop (57),   7 Four Pawn Hit,   8 Six Bishop (75),   5 Six Dragon (67),   9 One Dragon (81),   7 Six Dragon (56),   7 Seven Bishop (86),   Six Pawn Hit,   6 Eight Pawn Hit,   3 Two Gold (41),   8 Four Pawn (85)

“…… The heck is this?”

“The rating for yesterday’s match at the 30th move. This here shows that the next move is 7 Eight Gold and it reads through the next moves as well.”

“Don’t you think this match record is a bit weird? What’s with the few random hits in there? …… And what are the numbers in the parentheses for?”

“Those numbers show where the piece was before it was moved. That’s how the computer understands the board. So pieces that get deployed from the piece stand didn’t exist as far as the computer is concerned, so it gets recorded as a hit.”

“Ah-huh …… Hm?”

It doesn’t seem to click for Mr. Oishi. Why’d you go through all this trouble? is written all over his face as he stares at my tablet.

Unlike people with mental Shogi boards, the match record must be like this because computers have to rely on numbers and symbols …… 

“I had it run 12 billion simulations, and the rating came out at almost 50-50. Yesterday’s match got off to a rough start, but it wasn’t half-bad from there.”

“It’s the almost that bothers me. Offense needs to pick up points early, otherwise you’ll get beat by a strategy rather than the other guy’s skill.”

“The software rates Ranging Rook pretty low. While it’s difficult to tell you like this, Mr. Oishi, getting close to a 50-50 rating from it means the strategy has a lot of potential.”

“You sure got a mouth on you ……”

Crap. I got carried away and went too far.

The Worldly Maestro has so much pride in forging his own path that he’s refused practice sessions with other players no matter how strong the winds of change were blowing against Ranging Rook.

Is he angry that I put his strategy through software without asking?!

“N-No disrespect! I mean, I only just started using software for my own research a little while ago during the Ryuo Title Match–––.”

“……”

Big Sis freezes solid next to me. Sure felt like it anyway.

Crap, I’m in for it …… Now that I think about it, I basically told Big Sis that using software would be better than practicing with her back on that day …… Yep, she’s going to kill me later …… 

“B-But, it’s not like you can just do what the computer says is the best move!”

“That so?” asks Mr. Oishi, curious. Okay, he’s not angry …… Whew …… 

“Software Shogi and Shogi played by people are just too different. Computers can read more moves than a person ever could, so software doesn’t hesitate to go on the attack with a defenseless King. Computer Shogi is all based on calculations and ratios, that’s why it works.”

On the other hand, Shogi players have built up enough experience playing modern Shogi to be creative and improvise.

“People make mistakes in the late game. That’s why players always try to make sure their King has better protection than their opponent’s, so one mistake or two won’t cost them the match. That’s what modern Shogi is built on. Since they’re based on two different things, you can’t just play what the computer says is the best move.”

Big Sis joins the conversation.

“Software rates advancing the Pawn in front of the Rook as a loss, doesn’t it? Oh, and it doesn’t place much value on the Bishop, so it will sacrifice it without hesitation.”

“It rates Knights pretty low, too. But I think it just looks that way because of how highly it rates Pawns.”

“That’s what’s making the Knight Loss strategies sweeping through the pros and Sub League so popular.”

“Yes, yes! That’s exactly it!”

Having a normal conversation with Big Sis again makes me so happy I shift in my chair just to face her.

“From what I’ve heard, more and more players are holding practice sessions just to talk about different sequences created by software over in Kanto.”

“And not as many people come to the Player’s Room here in Kansai anymore, do they?”

“It’s more efficient to use software for research and matches rather than other people. The fact that it’s so easy to set up is big, too. You don’t need to change your schedule with software and you don’t have to waste time traveling.”

“Strategies that were thought to be too aggressive turn out to be usable, and the veteran Senseis have a hard time. Their Shogi senses don’t line up.”

“I totally agree that software rates pieces differently than people do. Take Sota for example. He’s been using software since he learned how to play Shogi and saying 3 Eight Gold and 7 Eight Gold are the best opening moves rolled right off his tongue.”

On a side note, Keika lost to a 7 Eight Gold opening move strategy in the Mynavi Preliminaries.

Looking at that opening from a human perspective, it’s basically an ambush combined with a taunt like: Think you can play Ranging Rook? Prove it.

If that opening is the best move, the user would be jumping for joy if their opponent actually uses Ranging Rook. Today is my lucky day♪ In other words, it rejects Ranging Rook outright.

“That being said, I just saw him crush my apprentice by opening with 3 Eight Gold yesterday. Sota may be onto something.”

“Ah, I get it. The whiz kid’s real Master is a computer. Gotcha.”

It seems that Mr. Oishi knows about Sota, the grade school boy with a shot at turning pro.

“Well, even if there is time to test things out later …… I doubt I can get the most out of software right off the bat. Sorry, but stick with me until my Defense Matches are over.”

“Of course.” Big Sis’s voice overlaps with mine.

For us, there’s no downside to having intensive practice sessions with one of the top top-tier pros heralded as the Ranging Rook party president.

And there’s another reason I want to have these practice sessions.

That’s–––.

“Uh, umm ……”

Someone speaks up as if she’s been waiting for our conversation to come to a natural stopping point.

Mr. Oishi’s one and only daughter, Asuka.

“What’s this? Asuka, you’re not wearing gym clothes?”

“T-The baths …… are closed today ……”

“Oh yeah. But that’s a good look for you. Very cute!”

“?! I-I, ahh wa waa ……!”

It’s been a while, but Asuka is the same as ever, turning bright red and shyly fidgeting like that. I’ve never seen her wear anything else, so she looks stunning right now.

Complimenting her just makes the fidgeting worse and she starts tugging at her long bangs.

“…… Hey, Yaichi. You got some real guts there, kid, talking up a girl in front of her old man,” Mr. Oishi says without a shred of humor.

“No, no, no! I’m not talking her up! I just said what I thought when I saw her–––.”

“Hghhh ……!”

Asuka’s whole face looks like it caught fire as she makes an odd sound.

Crick! Another strange sound, this time from right next to me. I turn to look.

“…………”

Big Sis is playing with an empty plastic bottle, crushing it with her fingers. What a weird game.

Crossing his arms, Mr. Oishi says with all seriousness, “…… But I’m not some stubborn old coot. Tell you what. Become the Eternal Ryuo, then I’ll come around to the idea of you dating Asuka.”

“I’d have to defend my title for another three straight years to do that!”

Becoming Eternal Ryuo requires five consecutive seasons as Ryuo, or seven seasons combined.

Even the Meijin hasn’t pulled that off, so it’s pretty much impossible.

“And, I don’t have those kinds of feelings for Asuka, all right?!”

“What’s not to like about my daughter?!!”

“Dealing with her father, that’s what!!”

He’s usually cool as a cucumber, but the Worldly Maestro tends to get worked up when his cute daughter is involved. Human beings are incomplete as a species. It’d be so nice to install some software.

Speaking of that cute Asuka, she finally tells us why she’s here in the first place.

“Ah, umm …………… D …… Dinner, is ready, so ……”

“Thanks, Asuka!”

My eyes light up once I see what that quiet girl whipped up.

“Ah! That’s tonpeiyaki! I love this stuff♪”

“Y-Yes …… You said you liked it last time …… So, I made it again, but ……”

Asuka made this Osaka original, a lot like the grill-what-you-like pancake called okonomiyaki for Ai and I after our shifts when we were working part-time here at the Gokigen Bathhouse as an included dinner. It’s best when it’s still hot and I’m already reaching for it.

“So good! Asuka, this is even better than last time!”

“T-Thank …… you …… Ehehehe …… ♡”

Asuka shyly but happily smiles.

Her shoulders and arms curl inward as she starts fidgeting again …… 

For such a quiet girl, her arms are putting a lot of pressure on her already impressive boobs, pushing them up and up …… Hot!!

“Um, everyone …… Please …… help yourself ……”

Big Sis and Mr. Oishi take some tonpeiyaki once Asuka asks them to try it.

“Yeah. Yaichi’s right, this batch has more flavor than your usual.”

“D-Do you …… really think so …… Father ……?”

“…… You’re not testing the theory that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, are you?”

“N- …… No, I’m not ……!!”

It might look like an entertaining father/daughter comedy routine, but this is serious.

As for Big Sis, “……………………… (Humph!)”

If the word discontent were to come to life as a person, that’s Big Sis right now.

Oh, come on.

They’re feeding us for free, so please pretend you like it.

“I’ve got to tell you, Asuka. Your tonpeiyaki is the best! Isn’t it delicious, Big Sis? Yeah?”

“…………… Yes.”

I’ve never heard a more sarcastic yes in my life. She sounded like she was spitting out dirt.

Shivering and shaking, Asuka turns to ask Big Sis.

“Um, uh ………… Y-You …… don’t like it ……?”

“…………… It’s fine.”

Again, Big Sis sounds like she’s trying to get dirt out of her mouth. That doesn’t stop her from taking a second tonpeiyaki, though.

Since she looks really worried, I lean over and whisper to Asuka. “(It’s all good, Asuka. The thing about her is that all her favorite foods have a lot of sauce. Actually, she’ll eat almost anything as long as it’s smothered in the stuff.)”

“(I, I didn’t know …… Thank goodness …… )”

That seemed to put her fears to rest because she breathed a sigh of relief and put a hand to her big chest. Jiggle …… 

“(Y-You see …… I-I admire Sora-sensei so much …… and it makes me so happy …… that she’s eating my cooking …… )”

The corners of her eyes start tearing up as she speaks.

Asuka must have a lot of respect for the Shogi player Ginko Sora, calling her sensei like that even though she’s older.

As another girl who loves Shogi and has devoted a lot of time and energy to it, Asuka understands just how amazing Big Sis is from the bottom of her heart.

And Big Sis, not picking up on any of that, “……………… (Humph!)”

She was in a horrible mood until the very end.

Sigh …… We’ll be coming here quite a bit over the next few weeks, so please try to get along ……