Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 9 - Chapter 2.1

  THE RABBIT VERSUS THE WOLF

“Good morning, Master!”

My apprentice Ai greets me first thing when I step in the arena. Of course, not Ai Yashajin.

“Aghhh …… Ai. Mornin’ ……”

“? Are you tired?”

“Well ……… The opening night party just wouldn’t end ……”

Zaou-sensei wouldn’t go home and my Master was completely plastered. I had to take care of them until the sun came up. Seriously, I felt like I was working at an old folks’ home.

“…… Ah, you brought your writing supplies. Good girl.”

Ai Hinatsuru is sitting on her ankles with her notebook and Mr. Cat pen case on her lap. Looking down at her, I take a seat next to my apprentice before glancing around the room.

“So, where’s Keika? She came with you this morning, right?”

I had Keika look after Ai at Master’s place last night because both he and I were here at the party.

Naturally, I thought Keika would come with her, but–––.

“Keika stayed home.”

“She stayed behind? Why?”

“I don’t know the specific reason, but …… Maybe someone needs to keep an eye on the classroom?”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

Being exhausted and running on no sleep is messing with my mind.

I’m sure she really wants to come, but somebody has to do that. After all she’s done to care for Ai and Big Sis, the Kiyotaki Shogi family is still standing all thanks to her. I swear, she’s a saint, a holy mother.

“Mornin’ y’all. Workin’ hard, I see.”

Observer Zaou 9-dan makes his entrance exactly 20 minutes before the match is going to start.

He looks so much younger in a kimono. His spine is straight as an arrow and he’s not using a cane. I wouldn’t expect anything less.

My Master is right behind him, sleep-deprived face pale as a ghost and so hung over he can barely walk. He’s not going to be any help today at all ……

Now all that’s left is to wait for the players. A natural stillness fills the arena as tension starts building.

The first to arrive is––– challenger, Ai Yashajin Women’s League 2-dan.

“Good morning.”

The rules for the Queen Title Match state that the players must be dressed in kimono at the start of the match.

The one my apprentice is wearing as she greets every person in the arena in a loud and clear voice is black with a red motif. It’s paired with dark red hakama trousers.

“Whoaaa ……”

The media people had their positions staked out and their cameras at the ready but were so overwhelmed by the 10-year-old’s aura when she came in that they were all a second or two late taking her picture. This is a completely different Ai Yashajin from the one they saw yesterday.

A beautiful flame flickering in the blackest darkness, and here she is in person.

“So pretty ……,” whispers Ai Hinatsuru next to me, breathless.

Testing out the thick cushion with her hands, Ai Yashajin finds a comfortable spot and sits down in front of the board.

…… I knew that thing was 8-sun.

Big Sis sat next to it yesterday during the inspection as well, but comparing the board to Ai right now …… It’s way too big. I don’t think that will directly impact the outcome, but ……

––– She’s still only 10 years old ……

My chest clamps down as a strange feeling washes over me.

Unlike my first apprentice, Ai Yashajin got stronger without me having to do a single thing. She already had more than enough knowledge and talent the day we first met.

–––Even so …… Seeing how far she’s come really pulls on the heartstrings ……

I know it had nothing to do with me, but that doesn’t stop the corners of my eyes from heating up.

“Pardon me.”

Then, 10 minutes to the second before the match is going to start, Queen Ginko Sora makes her entrance.

Big Sis is wearing her usual title match kimono, a dark blue one. Taking a seat, she pulls a small fan out of her drawstring purse and places a pocket watch on the tatami mat.

Then, she takes lip balm, eye drops, a hand towel and all sorts of little things out of the purse and puts them in their proper places around her.

After that, when she is ready, she starts lining up the pieces. Ai follows suit, but her hands are not as steady.

Big Sis has played in over 20 title matches already.

She has the ability to make any arena into her own turf. In terms of title match experience, Big Sis is way ahead of me.

–––That’s the difference experience makes …… The Meijin had it, too. This aura of complete control.

Title matches are obviously different from regular league matches.

It’s easy to get distracted by how heavy and hot a kimono is, and of course nerves can build up with so much more on the line.

Even more than that, it’s hard to play your best when you’re playing Shogi in a completely new environment.

Big matches don’t produce memorable ones.

So much so that that proverb exists.

That’s how hard it is to play at your full potential in a title match.

–––However, the challenger has a wave of momentum on her side after emerging from the tournament victorious ……

Nothing is certain in any match. Just like how I became the Ryuo.

“I’ll conduct the piece flip,” says the match recorder, a current Sub League member, as he prepares to determine who will go first.

…… On a side note, I wanted Mr. Kagamizu to be the match recorder for this one.

Since he played against Ai’s father, a highly decorated amateur player, so much that it’s safe to say that the late Mr. Yashajin taught Mr. Kagamizu everything he knows, I thought it would be fitting for him to have a front row seat for this match.

But.

“I’m going to say no. I doubt I could keep a cool head just sitting there. And–––.”

Mr. Kagamizu declined my invitation and added something that sounded like he’d been thinking about for a while.

“There’s a chance I’ll have to play against Ginko in the 3-dan division. I’d like to focus on myself right now.”

In the end, he chose to work as the match recorder for the second match in the Meijin Title Match series in Aichi Prefecture. He said experiencing such a high-level match that way would help renew his determination to go pro.

Seeing his desire to prioritize his own training reminded me just how passionate he is about this upcoming 3-dan division season ……

“………… If only everyone could win.”

“?”

Ai Hinatsuru glances up at me, confused.

Just then, match recorder flips the pieces into the air. Clack, clack, clack …… They fall like raindrops.

“Five Pawns face up.”

“Ooahh ……” Sounds that didn’t quite become words fill the arena.

“Five …… Pawns. First move to ……”

Ai Hinatsuru is already taking notes.

Big Sis will be going first.

“…………”

After receiving the first move from the piece flip, Big Sis takes out a water bottle and fills her cup. That’s exactly the same thing she does in her room for practice sessions and researching.

Meanwhile, Ai has her eyes closed and isn’t moving a muscle.

Even after the piece flip, she’s not letting an ounce of emotion show. Her strategy is probably to prevent her opponent from getting the slightest read on her.

But …… Those tightly closed eyelids are trembling just a little bit.

Zaou-sensei looks over at the digital clock on the match recorder’s tablet and breaks the uneasy tranquility.

“Yea, it’s time. Go on now, start on up.”

The players exchange wordless greetings. An endless string of camera flashes surrounds them.

Then, once Big Sis opens her Bishop Path, she takes a drink from her cup to moisten her throat.