Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 9 - Chapter 2

  THE CRAB AND THE MONKEY

“I never would’ve thought …… Ai’s first title match would be taking place here.”

First match of the Queen Title Match.

Here to inspect the arena for tomorrow’s match, I take a long, sentimental look at the building towering overhead.

–––“Tsutenkaku.”

Without a doubt, it’s one of Osaka’s most recognizable landmarks.

Even with Osaka’s tallest building, Abeno Harukas, around, I’d still have to say Tsutenkaku Tower is the symbol of Osaka.

The area known as Shin Sekai or New World is right at its feet. It’s a place where tourists and some of Osaka’s shadier, one-step-away-from-being-homeless residents gather every single day to feast on fried kebabs and buy some of the gaudiest clothes you’ve ever seen.

The first place I took Ai Yashajin after agreeing to give her private lessons was a Shogi parlor right here in New World ……

“Quite nostalgic, wouldn’t you say? Kuzuryu-sensei?” says Akira, who was granted permission to come along with us as Ai’s guardian because she’s underage, as if she’s strolling down memory lane and lines up her camera.

“Not even a full year has passed, and yet …… My lady has become such a mature woman ……”

Of course, she’s pointing the lens at Ai.

Both players are standing in front of the Oushouhi King Piece Monument at the base of Tsutenkaku Tower for a pre-match photo session.

This kind of thing happens before every title match.

“Both of you, could you look this way please?!” 

“Smile! Can I ask you to smile, please?!” 

“Just like that, just like that!!”

Cameramen are lined up in ranks surrounding the 10-year-old challenger and the 15-year-old Queen.

Ai is wearing her usual black dress.

Big Sis is in her old sailor-style school uniform from junior high.

“Over here, please!”

“This way! Look this way, please!”

“May I ask for a different pose?! Like this …… As if you’re about to step on the readers on the other side of the camera! Yes, just like that! Perfect!!”

Ai and Big Sis keep their cool as they respond to the avalanche of requests coming from the photographers.

Even so, I have a feeling at least one of them is taking pictures for something other than the title match ……

“…… Seems like some of these media people don’t know what this event is for.”

“Ngh …… Disgraceful!”

Furious, Akira bullies her way into the throng of cameramen.

“Move it, ingrates! How dare you ask my lady to make such a pose!!”

“Wh-Who do you think you are?!”

“I’ll only say this once!! Asking my lady to pose is unnecessary! Because her domineering personality naturally shines through no matter what she does, can you not seeeeeeeeeee?!!”

“Hey?! Th-The heck’r ya doin’ on the ground, lady ……?!”

“Pant …… Pant …… Pant ……!”

Pointing her camera up at Ai at such a low angle seems to have gotten Akira really excited.

Ai can’t lash out at Akira like she normally would because of all the journalists around, so all she can do is glare at her. Unfortunately, that look seems to be doing something for Akira because her breathing is getting even more ragged as Ai’s frown keeps getting more intense. The cycle is complete. Me? Of course, I’m pretending I’ve never met her before in my life.

Locals and tourists in the area have noticed that something’s going on and are showing up with their cameras and smartphones at the ready.

“Wass goin’ on over ’ere?”

“They been sayin’ Naniwa’s Snow White is here!”

“Then ’at girl in black next to ’er must be that Kobe’s Cinderella ever’body’s been talkin’ ’bout. Tiny li’l thing.”

“Ohhh! Fantastic!!”

TV crews from around Osaka and all over the country have been running stories about Big Sis and Ai Yashajin day and night. This is the kind of treatment idols get when they’re in town.

“I raised that young’en with my own two hands, I did. She’s a strong one.”

When suddenly, a voice lathered in cigarettes and alcohol comes from the crowd.

“The Bishop Head Pawn strategy I taught ’er can take down the likes of Ginko Sora and Yaichi Kuzuryu, ya mark my words! Snow White’s perfect record ends tomorrow, ya hear!”

I-I know that voice ……!

So gruff you can’t tell if it’s an old man or woman, that has to be–––!!

“Panther! Is that, Panther?!” says Akira, looking up with one cheek still planted on the ground and sounding like a happy dog owner reunited with their long lost furry friend.

–––Panther.

The perplexing Shogi player who became Ai’s first roadblock at a Shogi parlor right here in New World called Twin Kings Club …… History and gender a mystery (later identified as female), her trademark was the leopard-patterned clothing she always wore. Every single thing on her body was pink the last time I saw her, like a living, breathing Pink Panther ……

Recovering from the shock, I point out.

“She’s gone purple …… From head to toe ……”

“Elder women seem to have a desire to dye their hair purple nowadays.”

Observing from a distance, I can tell that the Purple Panther is decked out with glitter. Ai seems to have noticed her as well and I don’t blame her for being a little on edge.

Looking closer, Panther isn’t alone. Quite a few of the skilled geezers who are more than willing to put money on the table to face Ai Yashajin in shinken-style matches at New World’s Shogi parlors are looking at her like they’re reminiscing right now.

They’re not rooting for her or even saying hello.

Just …… They’re interested enough in Ai to come and see for themselves.

That kind of vibe will definitely be a plus for her.

“But, yeah, I highly doubt she’ll be using Bishop Head Pawn tomorrow.”

“Why is that? Are you saying she’ll use Pincushion instead?”

“Did you mean to say Pac-Man by chance?”

“That’s totally what I said!” Akira says defiantly, sounding more girly than usual.

“I hate to say it, but Bishop Head Pawn and Pac-Man are B-rank strategies. Using one of them in the title match is a great way to get other players to turn their backs on you. Think about it, no matter how good the french fries may be, you wouldn’t order them at a five-star restaurant, would you?”

“Is that how it is ……?”

“Well, pretty much anything goes in modern Shogi. Win and people aren’t going to say much at all. On the other hand, lose and the damage is huge. Players have their individual reputations to worry about. Let a match end in a Repetition Draw when you start out with the advantage of being on offense, and people treat you like you lost ……”

Trust is big in the Shogi world.

This one is strong.

I could accept it if they took a title.

Once players start thinking about you that way, they stop trying to hold out at the moment of truth. Then it’s easier to win tournament-style and series matches, which ups your winning percentage.

That’s what trust is in this world.

Taking part in a title match is a chance for a player to boost their trust, but it’s also at the risk of going down.

A player becomes one Lance stronger being in a title match. However, they become a Lance weaker should they lose three matches in a row.

Trust is so important that that saying exists.

The Shogi world is testing Ai right now. Whether she wins against Big Sis or not, her career as a Women’s League player will be greatly affected by how she tries to pass it.

“…… Besides, Bishop Head Pawn won’t work on Big Sis anyway. Reason being, Ai’s version of it has a glaring weakness ……”

“A weakness?! Kuzuryu-sensei, what could that possibly–––?”

Right in the middle of Akira’s question.

“It’s time to do the arena inspection. Would both players, the observer and all staff with clearance please follow me inside,” someone on the management staff announces over the crowd.

The observer for this match is the man who retired right after playing against me in last year’s final placement match, the Don of Naniwa, Tatsuo Zaou 9-dan.

Despite all of the joint pain and using a cane to walk, he agreed to take on this important role.

“Excuse me, Kuzuryu-sensei …… Don’t you find this concerning? That fossil working as the observer? What will happen if he croaks during the match?”

“Shhh! Please don’t jinx it, Akira …… Zaou-sensei was the strongest player when Tsutenkaku Tower was thought of as a holy site in the Shogi world. You could even say that having a match here without him would be impossible.”

“Hmm, I see ……”

As for Zaou-sensei himself, he’s been quietly watching the photo session off to the side while leaning on my Master, Kousuke Kiyotaki 9-dan, for support, but–––.

“Comin’ all the way ta New World fer an inspection without a single nip from the bottle? Nonsense, I say! Kousuke! Oi, Kousuke!”

“Yes, yes, Sensei. Did you call?”

“We’re goin’ out fer a round. Now come on.”

“B-But, Sensei …… Doesn’t the observer need to be present for the inspection–––?”

“Ya can let yer apprentice take care o’ a Women’s League match inspection, yah? The boy ain’t old enough to drink nothin’ yet, so ’at works out juss fine.”

Zaou-sensei twirls his cane over his head for a moment before pointing it in my direction.

“Ryuo! Countin’ on ya.”

“All right ……”

Using my Master to keep his balance, Zaou-sensei really does head off in the direction of the nearest bar. Watching them go, it was hard enough getting out any response at all. Seriously, Shogi players back in the day were something else ……

Akira asked with concern in her voice, “Is this acceptable, Sensei? You said a match would not be possible at Tsutenkaku without the fossil.”

“…… Well, things will work out, right? It’s the first day, so surely Big Sis and Ai will behave themselves ……”

Ai Yashajin crushes that hope right off the bat.

“So dark! Can’t you get a more acceptable amount of light in here?”

The moment we step inside the room that will be the arena on the third floor of Tsutenkaku Tower, she demands more lighting.

Another problem pops up with choosing what piece set to use.

Two different sets are available, but Big Sis takes one look and says, “The patterns used for this set of pieces are rather dark and will tire my eyes. I would prefer to use the white–––.”

“What’s this? Are your eyes getting old?”

The very same girl who just said that it’s too dark in here completely ignores that fact and takes a swipe at Big Sis for saying her eyes would get tired. It’s a jab at her age, for sure.

The whole staff freezes, unsure how to handle a 10-year-old treating a 15-year-old like an old lady. 

Amid that silence, Ai lets out a long, loud, “Haaaaaa ……,” before piling on, “You know what, fine then. Let’s use that one. It’s worthless from an artistic standpoint and completely unfit for a title match, but what choice do we have if your eyes will get tired?”

“……”

“And another thing, the color white is just so awful to begin with. The same people that say it means purity are the same ones that talk about how pure they are in the first place. People like Snow White. I, for one, would give up playing Shogi altogether if I had such an embarrassing nickname.”

“…………”

The hue of Big Sis’s eyes shifts after that obvious taunt.

Her eyes change colors whenever she’s excited or has an intense urge to murder something. That color is dangerous!!

“Okay, okay, okay! Th-That set will be fine for the match, yes ……? But the board! Would someone please tell me about it?!” I say louder than necessary to grab everyone’s attention away from the pieces. 

It worked.

The management staff member says with a hint of thank you for noticing in his voice, “It was prepared specifically for this Queen Title Match. The association borrowed it from a very famous banshi board Master.”

“Who would that be?”

“Shumai Honinbou-sensei!”

…… Oh, her.

A Go title holder, Shumai Honinbou is the strongest female Go player in history.

Combined with the Shogi world, she is without a doubt the strongest woman to ever set pieces on a board who has ever lived.

Also renowned for her ability to make those boards and pieces, she lends Big Sis a hand so often that it seems like she has a lot of sympathy for another girl trying to follow in her footsteps. She was also the one who made the set of Shogi pieces for Ai Yashajin.

There’s just one catch …… She’s a bad drunk, plain and simple.

“It came with a message saying, As I have been barred from the Shogi world due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, I wish for my work, at the very least, to be part of this historic match.”

“No, there was no misunderstanding. She deserves everything she is getting ……”

I make that clear here and now.

“Anyway, what’s that board’s width?”

“Seven sun is what I’ve been told.”

“Oh, no no. I can tell it’s thicker than that.”

Seven sun would be roughly 21 cm, but the board sitting here looks like it’s almost 30.

“Speaking conservatively, I’d say this is at least eight sun. Knowing Shumai-sensei, she had a really good, thick piece of plum-yew kaya wood and just couldn’t bring herself to cut it ……”

Considering that two girls who have a special place in her heart are facing off in a title match, she was probably so determined to make the perfect board that she overlooked an important detail.

The fact that both of these girls are teenagers, well almost.

“Even adult men would get tired playing on this board …… Don’t forget that Ai, no, the challenger is still pretty short. Wouldn’t a slightly thinner board be better?”

“Agreed.”

The one who takes my side with a nod isn’t Ai — it’s Big Sis. 

Big Sis, who’s usually so on the ball it drives me crazy, has matured quite a bit now that she’s one season away from being crowned Queen of Queens, a lifetime title similar to the Eternal designation for pro title holders …… I regret thinking that barely a second after it crossed my mind.

“She’s been complaining about pieces as well, so why not make everything for little kids? Animal Shogi would be perfect for her.”

What a scathing comeback. She didn’t try to hide that taunt at all.

Ai stands up as if to say: the inspection is over, but glares at Big Sis instead and declares, “This board is fine.”

“Hold on a second, Ai–––.”

“I’m saying it’s fine how it is. Didn’t you hear me? Are you just plain stupid? Should you die?”

Oooph ……

A thicker board will put the shorter player at a disadvantage, namely Ai Yashajin.

She’s smart enough to know that without me telling her, but she’s being extremely defiant right before the match so that she doesn’t look weak in any way. Though she could just be pissed off right now.

“I-In that case, I would like thick floor cushions to be available tomorrow ……,” I say to the staff, trying to bring an end to this standoff, but unfortunately Big Sis makes it all for naught again.

“If she’s going to use a thick floor cushion, why not just give her a high chair? Or perhaps she could sit on her nice Master’s lap during the match? I wouldn’t care.”

“What makes you think you’re so grown up? I’ve heard you’re still smooth down there.”

“Want to be torn apart and fed to the animals at Tennouji Zoo?”

“Ohh, I’m so scared! Save me, Sensei!”

Ai hides behind me. Leave me out of this!!

“C-Calligraphy! I need both of you to write some calligraphy as presents for tonight’s guests at the opening night party. Now, if you please!” I announce as the observer representative while I try to endure the holes Big Sis is glaring through my chest …… the media people’s cue to get their cameras out so they could capture the moment the girls put brush to paper.

Big Sis and Ai look away from each other with a loud humph! before lathering up their brushes with a ton of ink, slamming them down onto the fancy pieces of paper and all but slicing out characters.

EXTERMINATION Queen Ginko Sora

PLUNDER Women’s League 2-dan Ai Yashajin

…… Well, they’ve got great handwriting. There’s not much else I can say.

Who would be happy getting that kind of present ……?

But Shogi fans showed a lot more love for the beautiful young prodigies than I ever expected.

“50,000!”

“Then I bid 70,000 yen!!”

“Mwha ha ha ha! Is that all your love for my lady is worth?! I bid 80,000! I challenge anyone willing to bet more to prove me wrong!!”

The opening night party is being hosted at Spa World, only a five-minute walk from Tsutenkaku Tower.

Along with being able to enjoy baths and spas from all across the globe, they have a hotel and rooms designed for parties like this. That may sound impressive, but this place isn’t so much different from other public bath and spa chains. This may be Women’s League, but I doubt they’ve ever hosted anything like this Shogi opening night party before.

Thanks to everything that happened during the inspection, the players were already one wrong word away from tearing into each other when the party started. Both decided to go back to their own rooms barely 10 minutes into it. That’s another thing that’s never happened before–––. (Because…)

“Spring has most certainly sprung. Since little flies have started coming out of the woodwork, exterminating them is my first priority.” (Big Sis)

“If I’m the fly, that makes you the garbage that attracts them.” (Ai Yashajin)

Since the players’ speeches got off on that note, they’d be more likely to kill each other than play Shogi if they stayed in the same room …… So, yeah ……

Which is why their calligraphy went up for auction right away.

On a side note, a title holder’s calligraphy typically goes for about 5,000 yen, but–––.

“85,000!”

“90,000!”

“93,000!!”

“Enough of this! 100,000 yen! I don’t care if I have to walk back to Kobe!!”

I restrain Akira from behind as she literally empties her wallet.

“Please, calm down! You can get Ai’s autograph anytime you want!!”

“Don’t get in my way, Sensei! My lady outright refuses to sign autographs for anyone she knows personally! Which is why the lord of the manor and I have been buying up as many as possible at Shogi events without her knowledge just like this!!”

“That by itself isn’t all that unusual in the Shogi world, but please, show some self-restraint this time!!”

Parents and siblings of Shogi players coming to these opening night parties or participating in the next move quizzes during commentary events in order to get prizes signed by a member of their own family happens all the time. Many of them who actually do get said prize end up returning it.

When all was said and done, Ai’s calligraphy went for 100,000 yen (to Akira).

Which in turn made all Big Sis’s fans drive up the price of her calligraphy because they couldn’t let the Queen’s go for less than the challenger’s!

Rather than stop all the fuss, the observer Zaou 9-dan took the initiative by changing into a yukata and downing bottle after bottle of beer. The man’s in a great mood.

“Wah-ha-ha-ha! Ain’t this great? Ain’t this inter’stin’? Yea, Kousuke?”

“Yes, yes, Sensei. Though, tomorrow’s gonna be a rough day if you don’t turn in soon ……”

“Ya thinkin’ my liver’s so weak ’hundred beers’ll get me drunk, are ya?!”

The Don of Naniwa whacks my Master upside the head with an open palm before saying in a really sad voice, “…… An’ ya know, I’m retired now. There ain’t no reason fer me to watch my health no more. Gettin’ drunk is the only fun thin’ I’ve got left. Shogi’s already gone, don’ take beer away from me, too.”

“Sensei ……,” says Master weakly before … “Understood! I, Kousuke Kiyotaki, will drink right along with you until you’re satisfied! Yaichi! Off with those clothes, we’re dancin’!!”

“Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh?!”

You’re dragging me into this too?!

“Quit yar bellyachin’! Our Shogi family’s starrin’ in this match!! If we don’t liven up the party, then who the heck will?! Come on, the floor needs hittin’!!”

Master, stripping out of his suit and yelling at the top of his lungs.

Akira, still beaming from her victory at the auction, says with a smile, “Have no fear! I shall record your courage on my camera for all to see, Kuzuryu-sensei!”

“No one needs that, dammit!!” I yell, ripping off my necktie.

Master’s orders are absolute. The Queen Title Match opening night party filled with alcohol, wads of money flying around and men dancing around in their underwear lasts all the way until the morning of ……