A less than friendly voice came from the smartphone speaker and, for a moment, she felt a twinge of fear.

Indeed, it was the first time the girl had ever initiated a conversation.

Far from a phone call, the two had hardly ever spoken when they were in the same room together.

“So, what’s this about? I’ll hang up if it isn’t worth my time.”

“Ah, um …… Well …”

Hesitating, the girl tries her best to string the words together.

“For Master’s––––––what to do for it ……”

“Goodbye.”

“W-Wait! Don’t hang up!!”

Worried the line would get cut off, she got to the point in a hurry.

“I want to––––––for a present!”

“……!”

The person on the other end of the line gasped at her unexpected suggestion.

The fledgling conversation went quiet …… and ended in silence.

Mount Fuji comes into view in the middle of our trip to Tokyo on the bullet train and I try to get my apprentice to take a look.

“Come on, Ai. It’s really beautiful!”

“……”

“Want me to get a picture for you?”

“Master.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m trying to focus. Please be quiet.”

“S-Sorry ……”

I just shrink back into my chair, the Master scolded by his own apprentice ……

My first apprentice has her shoes off, sitting on her heels in the window seat at the end of our three-seat row. But rather than looking outside, her nose is buried in a book of Shogi puzzles she has in her hands.

She’s already moved on from the three-step solutions, through the five-step ones and on to the sevens at a blistering pace. People who don’t know what she’s doing might think she’s just flipping through the pages.

And in the row in front of her, “My Lady! Please allow me to photograph you in front of Mount Fuji!! A picture to remember this trip by!!”

“…… Stop this, Akira. We’re on a train. It’s embarrassing ……”

My second apprentice, Ai Yashajin, and her bodyguard, Akira, are taking pictures.

It’s the middle of July. Elementary schools are out for summer and today’s the first day.

We left for Tokyo on the first bullet train early this morning.

As for why–––.

“This is Ai’s first tournament. There’s nothing you can do if she wants to concentrate,” Keika offers a kind word from her aisle seat as I wallow in despair.

We’re all going to Tokyo to participate in a Shogi tournament.

But this isn’t just any tournament. It’s the largest competition in the Women’s Shogi world and determines who’s the best of the best. A once-a-year tournament that any girl, woman or grandma can enter.

––The Mynavi Women’s Open.

“That being said, now might be a good time to talk about today.”

“O-Oh, great idea! Alright everyone, meeting time!”

With a little support from Keika, I work up the courage to say, “Take a break from those puzzles!” to my first apprentice. Then, I address my second apprentice and Akira. “Stand up for a second so I can spin these seats around!” I press the lever and spin. Click!

Now that all six seats are facing each other, we can get started.

“Uh …… ahem. Being that this is your first Shogi tournament, it’s my job as your Master to give you some important advice …… Hey, Ai! Put that book down! And Ai, take off your eye mask! I’m talking here, now’s not the time to go to sleep?!”

“Listen, you two. You’re good girls, so listen to what Yaichi has to say.”

“Yeees.”

“…… Fine. What is it?”

The two grade schoolers finally sit up straight to listen after Keika asks them. But I’m the Master ……

“Uhh …… I’ll get right to it. The most important thing to keep in mind during a tournament!”

I get back on track and impart the best advice a Master can give.

That’s–––.

“Don’t break any rules!! That is all!!”

Ai Hinatsuru’s eyes go wide as Ai Yashajin snorts through her nose like laughing off a bad joke.

“That’s the most obvious thing I’ve ever heard. You don’t have to tell me. Seriously, I’m not stupid.”

“That’s what everybody thinks is going in. But you’d be surprised how often it happens.”

“Like Double Pawn?”

“Sometimes, but it’s usually simple stuff like forgetting to press the chess clock after your turn and running out of waiting time. There are lots of rules to follow off the Shogi board. People get nervous and forget about the little things.”

“……”

“……”

Both of them look skeptical.

It might be hard to believe since rule breaking in pro matches only happens once in a blue moon, but in a tournament like this where there’s hardly any waiting time and you have to press the chess clock on your own, rule violations you’d never expect tend to pop up.

“You only have fifteen minutes of waiting time for this tournament and only thirty seconds per move once that’s over. That’s much, much less than the Practice League. You’ll be playing some new people too, so stay sharp.”

“In the Practice League, there’s thirty minutes of waiting time and then one-minute Shogi once it’s gone so …… That’s very short!”

“Shogi parlors play with ten-second Shogi, so I couldn’t care less.”

My first apprentice seems a bit nervous, but Ai Yashajin sounds almost bored.

She always marches to the beat of her own drum, so this is nothing new. But I’ve never seen Ai Hinatsuru this zoned in.

Sure, it’s her first-ever Shogi tournament, but still ……

“Ai. I know this is your first one, but you can relax a bit. Plenty of Women’s League players show up for the Mynavi Women’s Open, but there are lots of amateurs playing too. That’s where we’re heading right now: the challenge matches. Most of the participants are amateurs.”

“Challenge ……?”

“It’s the preliminaries of the Preliminaries. Didn’t you read the orientation manual?”

“O-Of course I did! …… But there were some really hard words in there that I couldn’t read ……”

Ai Yashajin takes one heck of a dig at my first apprentice, and Ai Hinatsuru’s defense is adorable.

The two of them are still in fourth grade. Ai Hinatsuru hasn’t even been playing Shogi for a year yet.

“…… Ai is right. The challenge matches determine who participates in the preliminary match two weeks from today. The Finals are after that. The winner gets a chance to go against the Women’s Queen titleholder–––in other words, Naniwa’s Snow White.”

But of course, there’s no way these two will get that far.

First off, they’re a year younger than Big Sis was when she took the title.

Then there’s the fact that the Women’s League is much more competitive now than it was then and, as talented as these two girls are, there’s no guarantee they’ll make it through the challenge matches.

I only encouraged them to participate because I was thinking this would be fun for their summer break and it might be nice to get some experience at the same time. Some good memories, nothing more than that.

Pretty soon …… I won’t be able to spend much time with them at all.

“Anyway, just don’t break any rules, alright? Do your best and everything will work out.”

My pep talk over, Keika speaks up from the chair next to me, “Yaichi. May I say a few words?”

“Ah, sure. Go right ahead ……”

Keika has been playing in these challenge matches for years, so her advice will be much more relevant than whatever I have to say. Thanks for the help!

“Women’s League players and amateurs will be playing in today’s challenge matches. Of course, the Women’s League players are very good …… But it’s the amateurs you should be afraid of. So don’t let your guard down when you’re playing against one of them.”

“Whaa? Aren’t all the Senseis in the Women’s League there because they’re good?”

“Tell me, Ai. What kind of people do you think are amateurs?”

“People …… not in the Women’s League?”

“That’s right. But that includes Practice League members like us and the classes above ours …… C-1- and B-ranking members are also playing.”

“Whaaa?”

Ai sounds like she doesn’t understand.

“But C-1 …… Can’t they join the Women’s League?! Why don’t they?!”

“Should someone choose to leave the Practice League at that point, they’ll join the Women’s League with a 3-kyu rank. But that’s just a temporary license.”

“Temporary?”

“Yes. If they don’t win enough matches within two years to promote to 2-kyu, they’ll have to go back to the Practice League and try again.”

“Huuuh!?”

As a member of the Practice League herself, Ai is shocked to hear the harsh truth.

“T-That’s horrible …… Just when they got into the Women’s League too ……”

“Rough, don’t you think? That’s why some people spend more time in the Practice League to build up their skills before registering or graduate first because they can’t miss their classes while still in school …… Everyone has their reasons. It’s a life-changing decision ……”

“Hah! Those are just excuses for weaklings.” Ai Yashajin laughs. “Professional matches are at a much higher level than the Women’s League, and plenty of those players do well enough to make their mark while still in high school or college. Being qualified but choosing not to register just proves they’re not totally committed to Shogi. I won’t believe those excuses for a moment!”

“…… Yes. You may be right,” Keika quietly agrees. “To be completely honest, I don’t think you’re wrong. Even if I were in college, if I had a chance to become Women’s League 3-kyu … I’d join even if it meant dropping out. However …”

“However?”

“If there were a way to skip the whole thing and become an official Women’s League member at 2-kyu from the start …… Don’t you think everyone would try?”

“……?!”

“……?!”

“Get through today’s challenge matches and the preliminary match of the Mynavi Open, and you automatically qualify for Women’s League 2-kyu.”

Basically–––you become a full-blown, no-license-necessary member of the Women’s League.

Winning enough matches in one Shogi tournament is enough to qualify.

That dream-come-true scenario doesn’t exist in the regular pros.

“But, that’s only true if you already have the 3-kyu qualification. Amateurs need to get that first …… They have to win a match in the Finals to do that.”

“So then, you’re saying that, umm … amateurs can join the Women’s League without going through the Practice League if they win the challenge matches, preliminaries and one match in the Finals?”

“Yes! Great summary, Ai.”

“E-hehe♪,” my first apprentice grins with glee as Keika pats her on the head.

Kh ……! What wouldn’t I give for Keika to pat me ……?!

“So you see, the Mynavi Open? It’s the shortest route to the Women’s League. That’s why everyone fights like their lives depend on it …… Just like me.”

“……!”

“……!”

Her voice was soft …… but it had so much power behind it that Ai Hinatsuru and even Ai Yashajin gulp.

Keika is in a really bad spot in the Practice League right now.

I’m sure plenty of other women in the Kanto, Tokai and Kyushu Practice Leagues are too.

But it’s not just them. The people who already have a C-1 ranking only need to clear the preliminary match and they can join the Women’s League at 2-kyu right away. Talk about a good position.

The women who already have a secure spot in the Women’s League and the amateurs who don’t—as to which one is going to be more desperate to win: it’s obvious.

“Well, that’s all from me! I know I said a lot, but all you should worry about is winning the match you’re playing. Let’s do our best!”

“I will!!”

“Humph ……”

My first apprentice looks ready to take on the world while my second quietly flicks her hair over her shoulder.

Opposite reactions …… But their eyes have a spark that wasn’t there before Keika’s talk.

Meanwhile …… I realize just how unneeded I am.

Relax, most of them are amateurs! What was I thinking, making an offhand comment like that to my apprentices who are trying to join the Women’s League themselves? I don’t know jack squat about the Women’s Shogi world, shamefully so ……

I lean over and quietly thank Keika so that only she could hear.

“…… You always know just what to say, Keika. Thanks.”

“Hehe …… Seeing me in a more positive light?”

More positive light? Keika, I’m falling in love with you all over again.

“But I have to say, Keika …… With everything that’s on the line, you’re really calm.”

“Did you think I’d be frozen with fear?”

This tournament is one of Keika’s last chances to become a Women’s League player.

Anyone would be nervous in her shoes, that’s normal ……

“I lost to Ai in the Practice League a little while ago, remember? It took a lot of weight off my shoulders. I only have a few chances left, so I might as well enjoy them.”

“…… You’ve changed quite a bit, Keika.”

She looks at me with a cheerful smile right before playing in a tournament that could decide the rest of her life.

Just as that beautiful, refined smile sent butterflies loose in my stomach–––.

“Hey, hey Ai! Let’s see who can solve Shogi puzzles faster!” my first apprentice says to the girl sitting across from her as she takes a book of long sequence Shogi puzzles out of her backpack, which is next to me.

“Huh? Why would I ever–––.”

“I can’t focus when I try it by myself. Race me! Please?!”

“…… Fine.”

I thought she’d refuse, but Ai Yashajin gives in. That doesn’t happen every day.

Well, it’s her first tournament too. She might be a little worried. My two apprentices sit knee to knee and start solving extremely hard Shogi puzzles one after another.

Keika watches them work, a blinding smile on her face.

“…… The Shogi world is going to be turned on its head once these two take center stage. They might even get on the national news like Ginko–––.”

“Really? There are so many girls who’ve passed through the kyu rankings into dan out there by now. Do you really think anyone will notice?”

“You’re grinning, Yaichi.”

“I am?!”

“Just☆ kidding.”

Keika pokes my cheek and grins, teasing me.

Keika leads all of us through Ohtemachi to the Tozai subway line and out to Takebashi Station.

The building itself is connected to the station by an underground tunnel, so we don’t have to go back outside to get to the arena.

The building is literally standing to the side of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The structure is a fancy modern office building, but the underground tunnel has to be decades old. It’s practically a dungeon down here.

I happen to spot a convenience store built into the underground along the way and stop walking.

“I’m going to make a quick pit stop. And I’ll pick up some food and drinks at the convenience store, so you guys go on ahead and register.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Yaichi! See you there!”

Keika leads the group toward the upper floors.

Even taking the earliest bullet train out of Osaka, we’re cutting it pretty close. Every player that lives outside the city is destined to go through this every time, but when it comes to settling down to play your best Shogi, we’re running behind. I’ve got to lend a hand any way I can.

“Now then ……”

I took a moment to wash up once I was finished in the men’s room.

A titleholder stopping by an event like this means getting swamped by reporters and live bloggers. They’ll be taking pictures, so I need to look my best.

A little bit of wax to keep my hair in place, necktie straight and tight and no random nose hairs.

“…… Yes! I clean up pretty good.”

Today’s the day my apprentices make their tournament debut. That only happens once in a lifetime.

I want to look like a Master who Ai and Ai can be proud to stand next to. This must be how a father feels watching his daughters in class at school.

And …… Hehe! Just like Keika said: those two might get a lot of attention. I can see the headline now: A Family of Shogi Prodigies Has Arrived! Maybe it’ll show up in Shogi World magazine?

My hair looking far better than I expected, I step out into the convenience store with a little extra zip and pick up a few drinks and sandwiches just in case.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafés all over the place, so it’d be easy enough to eat lunch at one of them. However, there’s a chance that matches will run long and lunch breaks will be cut short.

Shopping done, I head up the stairs and back aboveground.

That’s when the trouble started.

“…… Where’s the arena again?”

I’m so lost.

It’s early in the morning on Sunday, so there aren’t any office workers to be seen.

All of the lights are off too. I bet this place is deserted outside of the arena.

But at the same time, I’d rather not call Keika to ask for directions right now. It’d break her concentration.

I take a few long moments to think over my options when–––.

A single girl is standing in the middle of the dim lobby.

Almost as if …… she’d been waiting for me right here for over 1,000 years ……

“Yaichi,” says the girl in a clammy, almost vicious voice. “Have you thought about that? It’s about time I got an answer.”

“Y-You …… What are you doing here?! You don’t play until the Preliminaries ……?!”

“Come on, tell meee.”

“What the hell are you doing here?! Answer me!!”

“……………”

Silence. Then––.

“A feeling?”

…… A feeling, say what?

“A feeling that you might come through here. It’s destiny, and I felt it.”

“Destiny? I think your radar is broken ……”

“Tsk!” She snaps her tongue at my answer. “But that doesn’t matter, just tell me now. Right now. Nownownownownownow–––.”

Frustrated, she chews on her thumbnail and ups the ante.

That’s not normal. Not at all. Way too unstable.

Worldly Thunder–––Ika Sainokami.

Possessing one of the six Women’s League titles, Empress, she’s a seventeen-year-old girl from Iwate Prefecture. Fans and older Shogi players like to call her Sparky, but that cute nickname doesn’t suit her at all.

A monster–––she’s some kind of evil specter.

“…… How many times do I have to tell you? That answer is no.”

I spit out my words through gritted teeth.

“More importantly, you’ve got the preliminary match to worry about. Focus on that.”

“Winning this whole thing will only get me a match with Ginko, right? Sooo boring. Boringboringboringboringboringboring–––.”

“Say that after you beat Big Sis, why don’t you?!”

“No good.”

Cackling with laughter, the beast tells me why.

“I can’t play seriously when all my opponents are so weak.”

Normally, that’s what someone trying to act tough would say.

It’s an insult to the entire Women’s League, calling the undefeated Naniwa’s Snow White weak like that.

But …… when it comes to Ika Sainokami, that’s not an act.

Ika is the type of player who plays better the stronger her opponent is. Her match records prove it.

Her win-loss record against pros is better than anyone else by a long shot.

Big Sis is still in the Sub League, so she doesn’t enter into it, but when a Women’s League player claims a title, they also get the chance to play against pro players.

Ika’s match was televised, and she went off like a bomb. She went on to utterly destroy every pro she’s gone up against with a live audience. Sunday morning Shogi TV shows have turned into a bloodbath because of her.

There’s nothing more humiliating than for a pro player to lose to a Women’s League player or an amateur. Once their title of professional gets called into question, there’s nothing left.

And Ika does it to them without feeling a thing.

In an interview that she did after dismantling a veteran player on live TV using less than a minute of waiting time in only forty-six turns, she said: “What kind of strategy did you prepare for today’s match?”

“Meh, winged it.”

Shogi fans had a field day. Her popularity skyrocketed.

People on the Internet message boards described her Shogi style as: “Picking up a Rook and coming up with a strategy in the next tenth of a second”; “Making a move at random to decide the day’s strategy with eyes closed”; “Ranging Rook fortune-telling.”

That’s what they thought of it. They’re pretty much spot on.

Ginko Sora has a better record.

But, in terms of talent, Ika is far ahead of her.

Many fans think so, and quite a few pro players share that opinion.

Ika and Big Sis have only played one match, several years ago …… And Big Sis took the win back then.

However, people came away with the impression that, despite the loss, Ika had more talent.

A prodigy and off her rocker, Ika could very well be the most talented female Shogi player on the planet. More talented than Big Sis, more talented than either of the Ai’s. I know that more than anyone.

More than anyone else …… Me ……

“…… Anyway, my answer is no. Now and forever.”

“Well, would you give the okay if I beat Ginko? That way I could actually play like I mean it.”

“You have to get through my apprentices first.”

“Apprentices?”

“Both are still in grade school, but they’re good. More talented than you,” I say, trying my best to sound tough.

“Uw-heh!”

Smirk …… A beastly smile grows on her lips as Ika Sainokami crackles with laughter from deep in her gut. “E-he-he-he-he-he-he-he-he.” She’s not stopping.

On and on. With no end in sight.

Mynavi company board members were in the middle of giving speeches and shaking hands with the participants, so I tried to sneak in as quietly as I could–––.

“Look?! Isn’t that the Ryuo?!”

“What’s the Ryuo doing in Tokyo?!”

“Hey! A flower! Someone get a flower for the Ryuo–––.”

The whole arena erupts at the unexpected arrival of one of the Shogi world’s top figures.

“My apprentices are here, so ……”

Explaining why I came only added fuel to fire.

“Did he say what I think he said?! The Ryuo’s apprentices?!”

“Wait, I think I read that somewhere ……”

“The Ryuo’s apprentices are here, now?!”

“Are they good?”

“Which ones?”

They’re begging me to introduce them in front of everyone, but I politely decline.

Unfortunately, the only way they’d leave me alone was by agreeing to do commentary for the Internet broadcast later on.

“…… Haaa, guess I’ve got no choice then. I wasn’t planning on working today, you know?”

I spot Ai Yashajin and start leading the group in her direction. However, all their staring didn’t bother the grade schooler at all, quite the opposite. She starts berating her Master, the Ryuo, in front of everyone.

“You’re late. Where were you? Twiddling your thumbs?”

“My bad. Got a bit lost.”

“My word, you are useless trash, kuzu.”

I keep the situation with Ika to myself. Bringing up that weird incident right before her first match would only be a distraction and I don’t want that. No matter what she says, I just have to take it ……

Where is everyone else? I glance around the arena and–––.

I spot Ai Hinatsuru, sitting in a chair and concentrating with her eyes closed.

“!? ……… Ai ……”

She’s so focused–––so in the zone that I’m not sure if it’s okay to get her attention or not.

It’s almost like she’s got this burning blue aura around her whole body …… I can tell she’s not here for the fun summer memories. She’s here to win, to win it all. Maybe it’s because she found out she can become a member of the Women’s League? She looks so much more motivated than during Practice League matches.

“…… Where’s Keika?”

Ai Yashajin jerks her chin toward the corner of the arena. There–––.

“……   7 Six Pawn   8 Four Pawn   6 Eight Silver   3 Four Pawn   7 Seven Silver   6 Two Silver   2 Six Pawn   4 Two Silver ……”

Keika is standing with her back to the arena, whispering to the wall like reciting a Buddhist chant as she traces out a standard yagura on it.

“…… There was a character like that in Hikaru no Go.”

“Stop making stupid jokes and do something about it.”

My second apprentice pushes me with her foot. Well, yeah, but what ……?

“K- …… Keika? Reviewing standards is great, but the first match is about to start–––.”

“  4 Eight Silver   8 Five Pawn   7 Eight Gold   3 Two Gold   5 Six Pawn   5 Four Pawn ……”

“M-Meeting! Everyone, over here!!”

I give Keika a bottle of hot tea and rub her back while calling everyone into the corner.

“Listen up, okay? Calm down and listen to me …… The challenge matches are sudden death, but you’ve still got the Second Chance Block even if you lose a match. So, don’t let the pressure get to you and lose concentration even if you don’t win.”

“Second …… Chance?”

Ai Hinatsuru tilts her head. So cute.

“So …… How many times should I win?”

“Four in a row. Don’t think about anything else.”

For both of my apprentices, this is their first tournament. Asking them to win four matches in a row against Women’s League players and strong amateurs might be a little much.

But I want them to experience as many things as possible. How to deal with pressure is on the list.

“The first round is set up so that the Women’s League players won’t go against each other. On the flip side, that means the amateurs will have to play against them first. I realize that means you’ll be challenged right out of the gate, but rather than backing down I’d like you to think of it as a way to test your skills–––.”

“Haaah? Why would I back down?”

Ai Yashajin doesn’t seem to understand the concept.

“The Women’s League players who didn’t get seeded are one thing, but they’re old ladies who get treated like amateurs in their own league, right? In that case, I’d much rather go against them than the younger, driven amateurs.”

“…… You really don’t need much attention as an apprentice ……”

Her sheer mental fortitude is a talent on its own.

Ai Hinatsuru is looking at her with sparkles in her eyes, saying, “You’re amazing, Ai!”

Meanwhile, Keika is staring at her in disbelief and muttering, “Is this girl really in elementary school ……?” It’s like she’s looking at an alien.

Fifteen minutes later.

Participants drew numbers to determine their blocks and all three of them went to the boards.

Ai Hinatsuru walks up there with a mixture of fighting spirit and determination. Ai Yashajin looks like the star of the show.

And then there’s Keika, teetering back and forth like a prisoner on her way to the guillotine ……

“M-May I watch inside as well ……?”

“Of course. Please make yourself at home.”

I lead Akira, wearing her visitor’s pass like a necklace, to the chairs set up for the observers.

“Challenge matches aren’t open to the public, but as you can see, lots of kids participate. Parents and guardians can watch the matches.”

The participants are divided into five blocks.

Looking at the board with everyone’s names, I’m relieved to see that Ai Yashajin is in Block 2, Ai Hinatsuru is in Block 4 and Keika is in Block 5. No one will have to play each other. Talk about luck!

On the other hand, their matchups aren’t lucky at all. All three of them are facing Women’s League players.

“Ai is facing …… Ms. Shakushi.”

“Your Ai is? And, who is that?”

“Tomoe Shakushi Women’s 2-dan. From …… Kouchi Prefecture, I think? And, about thirty years old …… Maybe? Sounds about right ……”

“Your data is far too vague ……”

Can you blame me? She’s not in my generation …… And I don’t have much of a chance to go against Women’s League members, so it’s just a quick hello every now and then when I see one at the association ……

“It is now 10:00 a.m. Please begin.”

“When you’re ready!”

As soon as that announcement echoes through the arena, sixty of the seventy women who had gathered together for the tournament, the ones who didn’t get seeded, all bow at the same time.

Thirty chess clocks click to life as one. A wave of snaps fills the air as first moves are made.

Nostalgia hits me out of nowhere, memories of my days as an amateur in elementary school flash before my eyes–––.

“…… Nh!!”

Ai Hinatsuru sticks the Pawn out in front of her Rook at the very moment she finished her bow.

Ms. Shakushi leaves her Bishop Path closed and slides her Rook to the center of the board. That’s Primitive Central Rook. It’s turning into Static Rook vs. Ranging Rook, a power struggle. Ai is good at those.

“So far so good. As long as Ai can stay on pace ……”

“Oi! Enough about her. What is transpiring in My Lady’s match?!”

“Ggh! I can’t breathe! Akira, stop pulling my tie!!”

And I had it set up so nice too!

Akira forcefully pulls me over to look at Ai Yashajin’s board and tells me about her opponent.

“Midori Ubaguchi Women’s 3-dan. Thirty-four years old. Reportedly from Yamanashi Prefecture. Playing primarily Static Rook, she specializes in yagura, Bishop Exchange and Side Pawn to capture …… is what’s written in this book.”

The Mynavi Women’s Open is sponsored by a company called Mynavi. They’ve published a ton of books about Shogi as well.

All participants receive a book of their choice as a gift and there’s a small bookshop set up just outside the entrance, cash register and all. Akira must’ve bought one to look up some personal data on the Women’s League players.

“While she hasn’t had much success in the Mynavi Women’s Open, she appears to be doing quite well in the main Women’s League matches.”

“Oh? That’s pretty rare.”

“What is?”

“Most female players that age play Ranging Rook. There’s a lot to remember when using Static Rook, and especially for Bishop Exchange, you have to stay up-to-date on the latest strategies. Otherwise, you can’t keep up–––.”

Ai, on offense, uses her first move to open the Bishop’s Path while I was speaking.

Ubaguchi Women’s 3-dan thinks for a moment and opens her Bishop’s Path as well.

Seeing that, a surprised Ai Yashajin says, “My, my. Are you sure?”

“……?”

“Is it okay for a Women’s League member to open the Bishop’s Path like that?”

“!!”

Ms. Ubaguchi’s calm demeanor disappears in the blink of an eye. Ai’s taunt hit home.

Her expression didn’t change that much, but her ears turned bright red. I can almost see the anger in her eyes.

That reaction tells me two things.

First, that Ms. Ubaguchi thought Ai Yashajin was a pushover.

And the second is …… Ms. Ubaguchi isn’t all that good.

The thing about Bishop Exchange is that you can never leave yourself open. Getting angry enough to forget the situation puts you at a serious disadvantage right off the bat.

The board doesn’t show it, but Ai has already taken a considerable lead.

“…… Atta girl.”

“How do you mean?”

“She lost in the Practice League when Keika did this very thing to her. Ai has accepted that it happened and is now using that technique. She’s a born competitor.”

“Ha-ha-ha! That she is. Well, I was never worried about her in the first place!”

“……”

I’m not so sure about that.

Ms. Ubaguchi fell for Ai’s taunt and dove headfirst into a Bishop Exchange match, a Move-Loss Bishop Exchange match to be exact.

She probably wants to show this bratty grade schooler how scary pros can be. There’s a faint grin on her lips, kind of like she can’t wait to see the look on Ai’s face.

What she didn’t know is that she was sticking her hand right into the wolf’s mouth ……

“People call her Ms. Ka-boom or Gunma’s Dynamite. Basically, she’s known for her ballistically aggressive playing style. Her attacks go off like bombs, sometimes blowing her opponent out of the water, but other times destroying her own defenses and she’ll lose everything at once ……”

“Does that mean she’s a strong player? Or does it mean she’s weak?”

“Oh, she’s strong. She’s even taken down an A League 8-dan player before.”

And this type of match favors her playing style. She’s right at home.

“Ka-boom!!”

Ms. Houroku says her trademark phrase and starts a massive advance.

It looks extremely forced …… Well, a full-on explosion–––.

“Khh ……!”

Keika grimaces as she focuses on building a defense.

“…… Practice Shogi matches are one thing, but everyone tenses up and tries to play it safe in league matches or on a big stage like the Mynavi Women’s Open … except Ms. Houroku, who looks like her usual self.”

“She’s self-destructing? Then, Keika will emerge victorious?”

“With the way Keika is right now, I doubt it ……”

Forced offensives don’t do very well in Shogi matches with plenty of waiting time, but they tend to overwhelm opponents when time is limited. Reason being, the defender has more chances to make mistakes.

And these challenge matches–––hardly have any waiting time at all.

“Well now …… It sure seems like the Women’s League player called Shakushi has the upper hand. She’s made a series of split-second decisions these past few turns and is maintaining a great deal of waiting time.”

“…… Weak.”

“What?”

Akira looks confused, so I explain.

“The reason that Ms. Shakushi is playing so fast is because she’s going with her gut feeling rather than reading the board. She should be using her waiting time right now. Ai understands that, but Ms. Shakushi doesn’t. That’s why she’s weak.”

“……”

“To be blunt, there are usually three good moves you can make each turn. Keep shooting in the dark and you’re bound to hit one of them more often than not. But …… that won’t last forever.”

Then, Ms. Shakushi messes up.

Ai’s aura changed that instant, like she flipped a switch.

“…………… Here …………… Here …… Here …………”

“……?”

Ms. Shakushi doesn’t know how to react to the little girl jerking forward and backward and softly mumbling to herself across from her.

But Ai didn’t even notice. She’s delving deeper and deeper into the board.

“Here, here, here, here, hereherehereherehereherehereherehereherehere–––.”

Ai’s soft, fine hair starts to billow out. Her skin tends to heat up when her brain gets going and that makes her hair sway back and forth. It dries real quick if Ai plays Shogi right after a bath.

Then–––.

“–––Here!!”

“?!”

She reaches out in a long arc like a cat reaching for a fish and snap!! Ai makes her move with a high-pitched crack.

It was one-sided Shogi from there.

Ai makes her moves right away. On the other hand, Ms. Shakushi starts using her waiting time in bits and pieces …… Each move taking longer than the last.

Akira asks me in a concerned voice.

“S-Should she be playing at that pace?! I hardly believe she’s accurately reading the situation–––.”

“This is fine.”

“What?”

“Because she’s already read to the end.”

At almost the same time I said that …

“……… Agh?!”

Ms. Shakushi realizes her King is trapped.

She used her next few turns to set the scene–––then Tomoe Shakushi Women’s 2-dan threw in the towel.

“…… I lost.”

“Uwheh?”

Ai looks up, her face like she just woke up from a dream.

“Oh! Thank you very much!!”

She throws her head down in a panicked bow.

All the excitement and happiness from winning her first-ever tournament match have turned her cheeks red, like two apples on her face.

Her Master might just cry ……

“…… That was quite the advance. I never thought you would actually do it and got so surprised that I tried to escape in the wrong direction.”

After the last move.

Hiding the pain that comes from losing to an amateur still in grade school with a smile, Ms. Shakushi insinuates that she only lost because of her own mistake.

“Women’s League members don’t play that recklessly …… I hate to admit it, but I played a lot like you when I was an amateur, forcing things (haha).”

“U-Um …… Yes. I knew it was a little risky but ……,” Ai starts saying, cautiously at first before speaking out loud and clear.

Ms. Shakushi’s eyes fly open. She responds, sounding a bit peeved.

“B-But! If I’d done this, wouldn’t it be too soon to know for sure?”

“Moving here would stop it.”

“……?! Th-Then, should I have tried to escape this way?”

“? That’s a checkmate too.”

“Agh ……!”

Ai looks so confused wondering why her opponent would ask something so obvious as she demonstrates a long sequence by quickly moving pieces around the board as if she were playing connect-the-dots.

She didn’t read all of those checkmates so much as she saw them.

It’s to the point that she can’t believe other people can’t see it too.

“……………”

I could see Ms. Shakushi’s fighting spirit drain from her body.

The longer their review session went, the more possible sequences she brought up, the more she realized that Ai’s reading skills were far beyond her own ……

The pain of this second loss during the review session, and losing to an amateur grade schooler participating in her first tournament, was so great that Shakushi Women’s 2-dan left the challenge matches without a single victory.

It’s the early game–––but the match has already been decided.

“Ah …… aghhh ……”

For Ubaguchi Women’s 3-dan, falling for Ai’s taunt and moving forward with Move-Loss Bishop Exchange have already put this much out of reach.

“B-But, how …………? Where did ……?”

Turning pale, Ms. Ubaguchi starts thinking back through each move to figure out if she’d made a mistake. Anyone doing that during a match knows they already lost.

Ms. Ubaguchi, every second of her waiting time used up, feels the pressure and makes a less than perfect move.

Ai moves to take advantage of it in no time.

Her form and placement were graceful …… But there was a hint of aggravation in that snap when the piece hit the board.

You’re still trying? You know this is over, right? How can you not understand that?

She’s grilling her opponent with those snaps.

SNAP! Ms. Ubaguchi shivers as she reaches for the board but stops halfway before pulling her hand back and setting it down on her knee. Her fists are clenched, shaking.

Then, with all the effort she could muster, she says, “…… I’m out of options ……”

“Thank you.”

There was no review session.

The first round is over.

Keika was the only one of the three to lose. She’s slumped over a chair, staring at the ceiling …… Probably so we can’t see her cry ……

Ms. Houroku’s explosion hit dead center and blew Keika to smithereens. She did her best to hold out but had to surrender in a miserable state.

And now Keika …… is broken.

“I’m so sorry. Sorry that I was the only one to lose. Sorry to rain on everyone’s parade ……”

“K-Keika ……”

“……”

Unsure what to say, Ai Hinatsuru is teetering back and forth while even Ai Yashajin’s usually sharp tongue is staying put.

Well, I can’t blame them. What are you supposed to say at times like this ……?

Keika came all the way from Osaka for a chance to finally realize her dream of joining the Women’s League only to have that dream crushed after just one match. Of course this would happen to her …… The fact that these two grade schoolers beat Women’s League players sure doesn’t help.

But it was the arena announcer who really poured salt on the wound.

“First round winners, please start making preparations for the second round matches! Would those who unfortunately lost in the first round please wait while the Second Chance Block is being organized! Losers, please wait!”

I’m begging you, announcer, don’t say losers!!

“A- …… All right, you two. Your matches are about to start …… Let me handle this and get going.”

“O-Okay ……”

“Humph ……”

Ai Hinatsuru backs away with an apologetic look on her face while the awkwardness seems to be getting to Ai Yashajin. Both make their way to the arena for the second round.

Keika groans as she limply slides down the chair.

“Old soldiers never die …… They simply fade away ……”

“You’re not disappearing any time soon! Don’t forget about the Second Chance Block!”

“T-That’s right, Keika! The match is already over if you’ve given up!!”

Akira and I desperately try to motivate Keika and somehow convince her to head to the next match. “I shall go die a beautiful death,” she says, not saying anything remotely positive on her way out.

The first campaign over, the victorious Ai’s are headed to their Second Block matches while the defeated Keika makes her way through the back alleys of the arena to participate in the Second Chance Block.

No matter how hard people tried to cheer her up, everyone thought that Keika’s chances of advancing past the challenge matches were bleak at best. That’s just how she was …… She was mentally weak and flimsy ……

But who would’ve ever thought?

That one loss–––was going to change Keika’s life forever.

Time flew by–––it’s already the afternoon, the fourth round is about to begin.

I was summoned to the journalists’ room, separate from the arena, to help analyze my apprentices’ matches.

“As I’m sure you are aware, real-time updates involving popular players are posted on the Internet during the challenge matches. The main two we’ll be covering during the fourth round are Miss Ai Hinatsuru’s and Miss Ai Yashajin’s matches. You will be able to see both of their boards on that tablet, Ryuo. Your input on your apprentices’ playing styles and their individual matches would be greatly appreciated.”

“I see ……”

“Other journalists sitting board-side will relay information through their tablets and the two of us will work together to provide a narrative. Do you have any questions?”

“Well …… I understand that but–––.”

This Shogi journalist who goes by the pen name Mato has covered many of my matches.

The most recent one she did was my match against Mr. Natagiri in the Ken-ou League (that I won with three consecutive gentei aigoma!) but she also covered my match in the Emperor League against Ayumu (that I won after hundreds of moves!).

Shogi journalists mainly write articles for newspapers and Shogi magazines, but they also do real-time updates and blogs for matches like this: what Ms. Mato is doing now.

Which is fine but–––.

“Um, Ms. Mato?”

“What is it?”

“Why …… Why are you in Tokyo? You live in Osaka, right? You didn’t come all the way out here just for a few challenge matches, did you?”

“I enjoy my work,” she says without missing a beat and adjusts her glasses before laying a white cloth over her computer’s keyboard to keep it from making any noise.

With live coverage from the 11th Mynavi Women’s Open Challenge Matches, final round of Block 4, this is Chihiro Hannuki Women’s League 3-dan vs. Ai Hinatsuru (amateur). The victor will proceed to the preliminary match while the other will transfer to the Second Chance Block.

The match will begin at 1:30 p.m. Players will have fifteen minutes of waiting time tracked by their own chess clock, changing to Thirty-Second Shogi once time has expired.

Providing commentary for this match is Yaichi Kuzuryu-ryuo, who also happens to be Ai Hinatsuru’s Master.

Piece flip resulted in 4 Pawns. Hannuki has the first move. (Entered by = Mato)

“Ms. Mato …… How do you type that fast?”

“I have several phrases set up to hotkeys. For example–––.”

“S” → Short pause,   9 Eight Lance. Setting up for an anaguma.

“G” → Golds and Silvers in place, a beautiful anaguma is complete.

“W” → Was too far off, an anaguma won the match.

She certainly has a thing for the anaguma defense ……

“…… Okay. And what kinds of things should I talk about?”

“Since we have two matches going at once, keep an eye on the tablet and please point out important moves. Otherwise, keep talking with me and I will add your comments as they come up.”

“A long chat …… with you, is it?”

“Fun, don’t you think?”

Defending player Hinatsuru (A) is a fourth-grade elementary school student.

A member of the Kansai Practice League, this is her Women’s Tournament debut. With three consecutive victories, she has reached the final round of this Block.

Her victories came against Tomoe Shakushi Women’s 2-dan, Yume Izari Women’s 1-dan and Yae Yuinou Women’s 2-dan. Each a talented player, Hinatsuru (A) didn’t make it this far on luck alone.

Here to comment on the Ryuo’s apprentice’s match is the Ryuo himself.

“Let’s focus on the fast-paced Miss Hinatsuru’s Shogi first.”

“It looked like Side Pawn Capture …… but Ms. Hannuki didn’t take the Pawn. With it still in place on the board, the match is turning into an aigakari Double Wing Attack. Rather than relying on research against an unfamiliar opponent, she opted for a contest of strength with the Double Wing …… which, unfortunately for her, is Ai’s favorite strategy. On defense, I’m sure this is exactly what she wanted.”

“So, does Miss Hinatsuru excel at the Double Wing Attack?”

“She sure does. Ms. Mato, you’ve never seen Ai play before, have you?”

“I have not. Although my younger sister often plays against her in the Practice League.”

“Ai started playing Shogi after seeing me use it in the Ryuo Title Match. It was the only way she knew how to play when she started. I’ve taught her a lot more since then, but it seems that the Double Wing is her favorite. She’s so sensitive to the small details.”

“I see, I see. She’s a Master’s pride and joy.”

The match has changed from Side Pawn Capture to Double Wing. Hannuki’s movements are quick and precise, all according to plan?

Not to be outdone, Miss Hinatsuru is keeping pace. Is she in over her head?

A comment from Kuzuryu-ryuo “I’ve developed Ai so much. So sensitive.”

“…… Wait a sec, Ms. Mato.”

“Something wrong?”

“The way you phrased it makes me sound like a pervert. I didn’t say anything like that.”

“There’s only so much room for comments. I have no choice but to abbreviate to save space.”

“Please fix it.”

“This is real time, so that’s impossible. Please continue with your commentary.”

“…… Ms. Hannuki starts the battle by pushing her third file Pawn forward and slides her Rook to the middle of the board. She’s changed to a Twisting Rook style. However, I think this is a mistake.”

“Is that so? It seems like a perfectly natural move to me ……”

“It would have been better to do a Bishop Exchange rather than move the Rook …… Ahh, see there? Ai did the Bishop Exchange. It may look like doing that on defense is a wasted turn, but Ms. Hannuki doesn’t have any open attack options. Ai is in better shape.”

Hannuki readies to attack using Twisting Rook, but the defending Miss Hinatsuru ignores it and executes a Bishop Exchange. Despite gaining the extra turn, Hannuki has no viable attack options. She holds her head in her hands, thinking.

Kuzuryu-ryuo, “Grade schoolers have better shape.”

“Hey!”

“What is it now?”

“What’s with that tone?! I’m not the one bothering you, you’re the one causing problems for me!! Are you trying to give people the wrong idea, writing things like that?!”

“Haaa …… All right then, what kind of phrasing would satisfy you?”

“Nice and normal, the truth–––.”

“Understood. Then I will type a nice and normal profile for Miss Hinatsuru. Let me think, she started living with you as an apprentice in the spring–––.”

“Hold it!”

“Yes?”

“Hold up, that …… Could you not say …… that she’s a live-in apprentice ……?”

“Why not? Are you trying to hide that fact?”

“I’m not trying to hide it, exactly.”

“Then perhaps are you feeling guilty about something?”

“No, there’s nothing like that.”

“Then what’s the problem with me writing it? Writing that you live with an elementary school girl? In a two-bedroom apartment? That she makes you lunch every day?”

“I’d … prefer you didn’t ……”

“And there’s nothing inappropriate going on, correct?”

“No, not at all. Not a single thing. Why would there be?”

Yes. I’ve got nothing to hide.

Nothing …… But no matter how much I try to explain that, people in Kansai think that I have some kind of Lolita complex just because Ai is a live-in apprentice. Even Big Sis treats me like a criminal.

Rumors seem to be making their way around the Internet but …… But do I really have to declare it once and for all right here and now? I certainly think I don’t.

Now, how do I convince Ms. Mato–––?

“O-Oh, you know how it is! Once stories start circulating about how one of the lady-killers in the Shogi world like me is living with a grade schooler, it’ll be quite a shock to all the young ladies who just started watching Shogi, don’t you think?!”

“…… Very true.”

“No, no, no! I set myself up for a joke so perfectly that you’ll leave me hanging if you don’t drop the punchline! Let me have it, I’m begging you!”

“There’s a break in the action. Let’s change our focus to Miss Yashajin’s match.”

“Ohhh, come on!!”

In Ai Yashajin (amateur) vs. Rei Kayunita 3-dan, Miss Yashajin, on offense, started the match with a Bishop Exchange. The battle is intense.

Kayunita is a skilled player with title match experience. She’s coming off two consecutive victories following being seeded in the first round, but her skill alone makes her worthy of a challenge match seed.

Just like Miss Hinatsuru, Miss Yashajin is a fourth-grade elementary school student and apprentice to Kuzuryu-ryuo. She has won all three of her matches thus far using Bishop Exchange strategies. It’s a normal Bishop Exchange style this time and she is maintaining a lead.

Kuzuryu-ryuo, “I lead at night.”

“I didn’t say that!!”

“I know. Because I haven’t asked yet.”

“Then why did you write that?!”

“Tell me about Ai Yashajin.”

“Ai is …… a clever girl. She’s fiercely independent even though she’s only in grade school and gets better and better without me teaching her much at all. That’s the best kind of apprentice, don’t you think? But enough about her, do something about that comment–––.”

Miss Yashajin has already secured victory.

Trashryu-ryuo, “Grade schoolers are the best!”

“I did not say that!! Shouldn’t you be asking me about the match instead?! That’s the kind of thing the audience wants to read?! And my name!! My name's Kuzuryu, not traaaaaaaash!!”

“Let me be perfectly honest with you. I can analyze matches myself, so I don’t need to ask.”

“Then why do you need me?! You’re more than good enough to do commentary on your own ……”

Shogi journalists need to have a decent level of Shogi skill to do their job. While it’s not a requirement, having a thorough understanding of the game means they can provide more detailed descriptions. So, it’s pretty common for skilled players to become journalists.

As a result, many of them are former Sub League members or had great success as amateurs. Sometimes, they’re stronger than Women’s League players.

Even Ms. Mato here is good enough to hold her ground against average Women’s League members. She should’ve handled all this on her own from the start ……

“Did you call me over here for some other reason ……?”

“I wanted to know more about the Ryuo’s precious apprentices. That and–––.”

“And?”

“What effect these apprentices are having on the Ryuo, yes?”

Returning to Miss Hinatsuru vs. Hannuki, the defensive Miss Hinatsuru has compiled a string of favorable moves to take the lead. Using that sensitivity her Master takes pride in, she is closing in on victory.

Hannuki threatened an attack by placing a Bishop at   8 Five, but Miss Hinatsuru calmly adjusted to shield Hannuki’s target. The opening is already gone.

“Ryuo? What do you make of this sequence?”

“Surprising ……”

“What is?”

“I’ve never seen Ai this determined …… to win.”

Watching her almost machine-like Shogi on the tablet, I’m not sure what to make of my apprentice’s beastly transformation.

Ai has always won with a burst of speed in the late game up until now.

But today, her Shogi is so much different.

She’s cutting off her opponents left and right, completely shutting down their attacks before they can start.

She’s playing Shogi with her eyes on victory the instant the race gets underway.

“Indeed …… I suppose all that’s left is to wait for Ms. Hannuki to surrender and just enjoy the rest of the match.”

“Nah. It’s already over.”

“Huh?”

“Ai can put her in checkmate by placing a Pawn at 7 Seven.”

“Oh, yes!! B-But …… Do you think a grade school student will be able to read that?”

“Ai can. Trust me.”

The next update on my tablet seconds later showed–––  7 Seven Pawn.

That’s when an overwhelming onslaught hits Ms. Hannuki like a tidal wave.

It was like a boxer threw a knockout punch but kept their opponent standing upright with a flurry of haymakers. Ai still had plenty of waiting time, but she didn’t use any of it moving in for the kill. She’s not giving her opponent any time to think. This is rough. Ms. Hannuki can’t even find a good time to throw in the towel or make the right moves to hold out.

Ms. Mato got so caught up in that skillful, blindingly fast assault that she forgot to post any comments. The updates are coming in one after another while she’s watching on the edge of her seat, hardly breathing at all.

Until finally …… the updates stop.

With a long sigh, Ms. Mato starts pressing keys once again.

“Ryuo.”

“Yes?”

“She’s too strong.”

Hannuki has surrendered. The match concluded at 2:05 p.m. Waiting time use finished with Hannuki at 15 minutes, Hinatsuru at 8 (both started with 15).

The fourth-grade student, Miss Hinatsuru is victorious.

She has earned a place in the preliminary match by defeating four Women’s League players in succession in her tournament debut.

A fearsome talent on par with her Master, Yaichi Kuzuryu-ryuo, and her Master’s elder sister apprentice, Ginko Sora-Women’s Queen, has arrived on scene.

“How do you feel after your victories today?!”

“Any thoughts on the preliminary match?!”

Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin were the center of attention during the post-final block match interviews in one of the smaller rooms.

Of course they were. How could they not be–––?

“…… Did it. Four in a row …,” I mumble to myself, stunned as I watch the excited adults swarm in on my apprentices, camera flashes going off nonstop.

Part of me thought …… it was possible, but–––.

“Miss Yashajin! At nine years and seven months old, you are the youngest girl to ever advance to the Preliminaries. Your thoughts?!”

“Nothing much.”

“Who did you celebrate with first after your victory?!”

“My Master. He happened to be close by.”

“T-That four-game win streak, how did you do it? Did …… did your Master, the Ryuo, give you any specific strategies?”

“I think that my opponents simply weren’t that good.”

With a bouquet of flowers that everyone advancing to the Preliminaries receives in her arms, Ai Yashajin answers questions from journalists with the same kind of merciless tact she used during her matches.

She sounded arrogant to me, but the journalists–––.

“Saying something like that after dominating Kayunita Women’s 3-dan ……”

“That’s a real prodigy ……”

“So cute.”

“The birth of a new heroine!”

“If only she’d humiliate me.”

“What a cute kid.”

Rather than getting angry, they’re putting her up on a pedestal. There was a weird guy in there somewhere though ……

In the Shogi world, youth is the greatest sign of talent. Possessing the ability to speak your mind in front of others and having an up-front, blunt personality is also seen as a talent.

But there’s another, more important talent for Women’s League players–––.

“Pathetic ingrates, do your jobs! How can you not see that My Lady is cutest at this angle?!! There, see?!!”

“W-Who do you think you are?!”

Akira bursts into the room and starts telling the journalists exactly how to take pictures. The real icing on the cake is that she wrestled away one of their cameras and started taking pictures herself.

The one talent that reigns supreme for Women’s League players–––their looks.

The real reason that Ai and Ai are this popular is because the two of them are cute girls to begin with. In a way, their looks alone could be worth more to the Women’s League than their Shogi talent.

I’m sure it’ll be on display at the Preliminaries.

“C-Could you repeat that?! Y-You said you started Shogi …… only seven months ago?!”

The journalists interviewing Ai Hinatsuru couldn’t hide their shock.

Who could? I’m their Master, I know these two better than anyone else and I’m stunned.

I had a feeling that Ai Yashajin would play without taking many risks going against Women’s League players, that she had a chance to win if she could use her favorite playing styles.

But …… I never expected Ai Hinatsuru to win four in a row.

“Was today really the first time you played against Women’s League players without a handicap? A-And you won four in a row?!”

“Your favorite strategy is the Double Wing Attack?! So then, you’re part of the Static Rook party …… Huh?! You play Ranging Rook too?!”

The journalist is beyond surprised, more like bewildered at this point.

An elementary school girl. A nine-year-old.

Been playing Shogi for seven months. Zero tournament appearances.

A girl with that background just cut down Women’s League players with decades worth of experience.

“And …… all with perfect match records.”

Ai has always been the stereotypical come from behind type of player.

I don’t think she’s looking down on her opponents, more like there’s a part of her that’s thinking I’ll just come back and win later if I fall behind in the early game! Basically, she’s a slow starter. She paid less attention to early-game standards, and that drove me up the wall.

But today–––her early game was flawless.

“I, uh …… I’m still not very good and have so much more to learn but …… I will win in the Preliminaries!!”

Asked for thoughts on the preliminary match in two weeks, Ai spoke with all the strength she could muster.

I thought she’d be really shy, nothing more than a nervous wreck surrounded by all these journalists, but she’s knocking these interviews out of the park.

Maybe it’s the tournament that’s motivating her?

I mean, she was zoned in this morning and she stayed surprisingly quiet after winning her matches. Usually she comes to find me when she wins, wanting compliments like an excited puppy wagging its tail ……

I have no idea when it happened, but it looks like she grew up.

While it makes me proud to see her like this …… I’m also kind of sad.

“…… She could’ve wanted my attention and made me worry a little longer ……”

Those words came out before I knew it. But, just as they did.

“Miss Hinatsuru, you are one of the Ryuo’s apprentices just like Miss Yashajin, are you not?”

“Yes, I am!”

“Do you have many opportunities to learn from him?”

“Yes! Lots and lots!”

“As in, on the weekends?”

“Every day!!”

“E-Every day?”

“Yes!! He teaches me every day at home!!”

Oh.

Crap.

“Do you mean …… your home, Miss Hinatsuru?”

“Master’s home!”

“HUH?!”

“He teaches me the most right after bath time! Then we solve Shogi puzzles in bed! Oh, and recently he’s been blow-drying my hair as a reward when I win–––.”

“S-STOOOOP! STOP RIGHT THE––––––RE!!”

I charge in, desperate to shut down the interview but, “Ryuo! Please explain the details!”

“Is it true that you are bringing an elementary school girl into your place of residence?!”

“Are the lolicon rumors true?!”

“Are you cheating on the Women’s Queen?!”

Crap, crap, CRAP!!

“Ho-hold up a second! This is all a misunderstanding! What she means by me teaching her at home is–––the Internet! I teach her over the Internet! And I have no relationship with Big Sis whatsoever!”

“That’s right! Master and Sora-sensei aren’t together and the only ones who spend the night are Grade Schooler Practice Group members!!”

“Ai!! Please be quiet!!”

“Uwhee!? Mguhhgh!!”

I clamp my apprentice’s mouth shut in a panic, but it’s already too late.

“Grade Schooler Practice Group?!”

“You mean there are more?!”

“What is going on, Ryuo?!”

“Do you have a thing for young girls?!”

“Have you been teaching them more than just Shogi?!”

The journalists start asking harder questions one after another …… It wasn’t long before they turned my apprentice’s interview session into an all-out lolicon investigation.

What Keika said to me back in the bullet train this morning runs through the back of my mind.

The Shogi world is going to be turned on its head once these two take center stage. They might even get on the national news like Ginko.

Yep. Sure did.

“…… People are going to find out sooner or later ……”

Nothing inappropriate is going on, none …… But, I mean, look at all that’s happened recently ……

With the interview ending on that note, we head back to the arena just in time to catch the final match of the tournament’s Second Chance Block getting started.

“When you’re ready.”

Keika and Rei Kayunita Women’s 3-dan breathe and bow in unison.

Keika switches on the chess clock.

Which means she’s on defense.

“…… Ms. Kayunita has the first move. This could be a tough fight ……”

I’d been feeling a bit restless after the interviews, but that disappeared all at once.

Ai reaches for my shirt, a worried look on her face …… But pulls her hand back and says, “Keika …… She looks so tired ……”

“I don’t blame her. This is her sixth match today ……”

Keika was transferred to the Second Chance Block after losing her first match, but she’s won four straight since then. She’ll punch a ticket to the preliminary match with one more win. That’s how far she’s come.

The only reason she’s done so well …… is because she lost that first match.

She was practically frozen with nerves before the matches began, but losing shattered the ice. That allowed her Shogi to let loose, in a good way. Could call it desperation too.

And she rode that wave from the bottom of the Second Chance Block all the way to the top.

I’m sure it wasn’t easy. The final match has just started, and she’s already out of breath. Her hair is all frayed and her eyes have turned beet red. She’s way past her limit.

On the other hand, Ms. Kayunita is only playing her fourth match of the day because she was seeded.

I know she’s feeling the pain and humiliation that come from losing to an unknown amateur still in elementary school, but she’s not letting it break her concentration. Not only does she have skills, her spirit is so strong that I can feel it.

“Oh, that’s the Women’s League player I just showed how to lose,” her bouquet now in Akira’s arms, Ai Yashajin says as she walks up next to me without a sound, “That’s her. Pretty strong, right?”

“Not at all.”

“……”

“I’m confident I could play against her one hundred times and not lose a single match.”

Ai has lost to Keika in the past.

That’s why, despite being the most backhanded vote of confidence I’ve ever heard …… she’s supporting Keika in her own way. At least, she might be.

The match progresses while we are talking, and Ms. Kayunita reveals her strategy.

“Bishop Exchange Fourth-File Rook by the look of it,” I whisper under my breath.

Ai Hinatsuru then asks me in a hurried voice, “W-What kind of strategy is that?!”

“An aggressive style of Ranging Rook that executes a Bishop Exchange as soon as possible. There was a time when it was extremely popular with amateurs and pros. You move your Rook into the fourth column once the Bishops are gone and then shift it over to face your opponent’s Rook directly: Opposing Rook.”

“Uwhee? …… That’s weird Shogi.”

“Very true. Lots of players hate how many moves it takes to set up, so they use a different sequence to set up Opposing Rook much faster …… I don’t think anyone in the Women’s League plays that way though.”

“Why don’t they?”

“You need a lot of talent to pull it off.”

That’s not the case with Bishop Exchange Fourth-File Rook because people have researched all sorts of standards for it in the past few years. That research goes pretty deep. It’s always dangerous to play along with an opponent’s strategy without knowledge.

Sure enough–––.

“Keh ……!”

Keika makes a sound somewhere between a groan and a sigh. She’s hurting. They’re only thirty moves in and she’s already down to a minute and a half of waiting time.

She knows she’s in trouble, but it’s too late to do anything about it. Keika has used so much more time.

Ms. Kayunita’s research has her outmatched.

“Ms. Kayunita …… She’s going all in on a power play. So much for having mercy on amateurs ……”

“K-Keika ……!”

Ai squeezes her hands together like she’s offering up a prayer.

But it wasn’t answered. Keika’s formations never really took shape as the later stages of the mid-game turned into an uphill battle.

“Nh …… Nhhh ……!”

Keika uses every remaining second of her waiting time to plan her attack and charges out to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

For a moment, it looked like she had a chance …… But after a few more moves, it was clear Keika was sliding straight toward a hellish defeat.

“Agh ……?!”

–––Put in check and lost her Promoted Rook.

That wasn’t some airheaded oops. She’s so exhausted she didn’t see it. A fatal mistake.

“…… What is she doing?!”

Ai Yashajin is getting frustrated and snaps her tongue.

With her Promoted Rook taken without a fight, honestly, Keika can’t win.

However–––that hopelessness must have lit her spirit on fire, because her energy comes back with a vengeance.

“……!!”

Keika keeps playing. Lower lip pinned between her teeth, she keeps making moves.

She’s fighting back the same way a cornered kid would hurl toys or anything they could reach while throwing a fit and crying their heart out.

“Tsk! …… Give up already.”

Keika’s stubborn stalling has clearly gotten on Ms. Kayunita’s nerves.

But, she’s handling it like an experienced Women’s League 3-dan should. Rather than collapsing in anger, she strings together a fiery series of best moves in the thirty seconds she has between turns.

“M-Master ……… Keika’s … already ……”

“Yeah. Move that Promoted Rook to 2 Three …… And it’s over.”

Keika held out as long as she could, but Ms. Kayunita is one move away from taking the win.

And it looks like Keika knows it too.

“…………… Aghh ……”

Her fighting spirit is gone. It’s completely and totally burned out.

I bet she’s going to throw in the towel after this move.

“…… Uh-hm …… Uh-hm ……”

Kayunita Women’s 3-dan is reading the board, using those seconds to make sure this is the end. Waiting until the last instant, she picks up the piece and snaps it down on 2 Three.

Then, the moment she took her hand away from it.

“I lo–––.”

Keika was just about to surrender, already lowering her head into a bow, but she stopped in mid-word …… And thrust her head out over the board, her eyes wide open.

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

Keika, the match recorder, and Ms. Kayunita, the one who put the piece down, say in disbelief.

The piece at 2 Three wasn’t a Promoted Rook.

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

The three of us watching the match are just as shocked.

As unbelievable as it is, Ms. Kayunita flipped her Promoted Rook over before putting it back down on the board!

A Rook getting de-promoted simply doesn’t exist, like a Pawn moving backwards. Therefore, it’s an impossible move. Since she’s already taking her hand away, there’s nothing she can do about it now.

Of course, she broke the rules. Not Shogi rules per se, but ……

“……!”

It looked like Ms. Kayunita was going to grab her Rook for a moment but–––she places her hand on her piece stand right away and lowers her head.

“I lost.”

“Ah ……”

Keika bows back out of reflex. But I don’t think what just happened has sunk in yet.

The judge sitting board-side stops the clock and declares, “…… ended. On the 170th move, Ms. Kiyotaki wins by default.”

A heavy silence fills the arena for the next few seconds.

Until finally, Ms. Kayunita squeezes out a few words while glaring at the board, “…… Pardon me ……”

“D-Don’t mention it ……” It was all Keika could do, responding without looking up from her bow.

A review session looks highly unlikely.

With her back against the wall, King completely surrounded and hopeless, she won by a rule violation. That difference between victory and defeat is Shogi in a nutshell. One move can turn everything around.

But this is going beyond what Ms. Kayunita can handle.

Coming off a crushing defeat to Ai Yashajin right before this match, she looked surprisingly composed.

But I can tell her heart took a great deal of damage.

Losing to two amateurs in one day is unacceptable. That mindset put extra pressure on her …… and showed up on the board as a rule violation at the last possible moment.

After being dominated by Ai Yashajin, Ms. Kayunita had to dominate Keika in this match. She built a massive lead in the early game but wouldn’t be satisfied without the perfect checkmate to end it.

The reason was simple: Ms. Kayunita is a Women’s League player and Keika is an amateur.

As a pro player myself, I can relate so well it hurts. Therefore, I can attribute Keika’s win to my second apprentice. I turn to her and say, “…… This is all thanks to you.”

“Please don’t say such disgusting things. You’ll make me sick.”

She knew what I meant, but still had a snappy comeback.

I thank her with a nice pat on the head, but Ai, her proud ladylike self, gets angry. “Don’t pet me!”

Adorabibble.

“Ugh ……! K-Keika …… I’m so glad ……! So, so glad ……!”

Akira is crying so hard that everyone around us is inching away.

Why would she get so red-faced over this ……? It seemed strange at first, but thinking it over, she’s been going to the Practice League meetings every time with Ai. She’s seen what people who devote their lives to Shogi are like and even learned how to play herself. I bet she’s happy to see one of the Practice League members get closer to becoming a pro.

Then–––.

“Excuse me, Ms. Kiyotaki. All preliminary match participants need to be interviewed, so please follow me.”

“Huh?”

Keika glances up from the board when a staff member called her name. She looks like she just woke up from a dream.

“I-I’m …… in the Mynavi Preliminaries ……?”

“Congratulations. The last slot is yours.”

“……”

Staggering to her feet, Keika tries to step forward but almost loses her balance. Did she forget how to walk?

Ai Hinatsuru dashes out to catch her.

“Congratulations, Keika! Let’s win the next one together!!”

“………… Yes, let’s.”

Camera flashes surround the final heroine as she shows up late for her interview.

Asked for a few words on her thoughts going into the Preliminaries, Keika looked like she needed a pinch to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. Even still, she clenches that bouquet tightly to her chest and says, “I’m so happy for the opportunity to play against former Practice League members who entered the Women’s League before me. I will do my best so that when it’s all over they can look at me …… and say, You’ve gotten stronger.”

That’s how the 11th Mynavi Women’s Open Challenge Matches came to a close.

There were seventy participants at the beginning. Only eleven of them advanced to the Preliminaries, but only three of those eleven were amateurs.

“Whoa! What’s that?! There’s a huge Shogi piece sticking out of the ground?!”

“It’s Hatomori Shrine’s Shogidou hut! There are pictures of it on live Shogi blogs during matches!”

The day after the challenge matches.

Our group met up with Mio, Ayano and Charlette to visit the Shogi Association in Sendagaya, Tokyo.

Being that everyone in the Grade Schooler Practice Group is on summer vacation, we decided to take a Kanto field trip to play Shogi all day at the association’s classroom.

Normally, grade schoolers would go to theme parks or pools on summer break but …… all these girls love Shogi.

Wouldn’t it be fun to go to the Tokyo Association?!

And that pretty much settled it.

Since we were already in Tokyo, today turned out to be the day.

We went to pick up the three girls at Tokyo station, but as soon as we got off at Sendagaya, they started saying, “Are there any professional Senseis around?!” with their heads on a swivel. Visiting Shogi’s holy ground has them pumped up.

…… I’d like to point out that there’s a titleholder walking right behind them. It’s kind of sad that they’ve gotten this used to me.

“Just like Ayano said, Hatomori Shrine and the Shogi Association have been connected at the hip for a long time.”

Feeling very much like a teacher during a field trip, I explain all this to the girls in front of the small, shed-like building called Shogidou.

“Kanto players come here in a big group on New Year’s Day and join the dancers during the Obon holidays.”

“They do?!!”

It’s not just the pros. Many amateurs participate too, of course.

People can only buy special Shogi Empowerment Ema Plates here. Normal ema are wooden plates like a flat pentagon with paintings of horses on them, but these each have a Shogi piece drawn on them instead. People write their wishes on the plates and string them up in trees, but the standard here is to hang them on the building itself.

I buy some for the girls at the shrine’s shop and they start writing.

To have an eight-match winning streak in the Practice League!

I want to have a stronger late game.

Bwe Own Dan.

They were hanging up their plates before I knew it. I’m pretty sure that last one says: Be 1-dan. Charlette has such cute handwriting …… ♡

“What’d you write, Ai?”

“Uwhee?! D-Do I have to …… show you?”

“It doesn’t matter either way. I’ll find it myself later.”

“Ughh …… Master, you meanie ……”

Giving up, Ai Hinatsuru lets me have a look.

For everyone to go to the Mynavi Finals together!! Everyone!!

She practically carved the ink into the plate. That’s my girl.

But …… Was she always this eager to win?

I got a sense of it during the challenge matches, but this desire for victory rather than do her best is something I’d never seen in her Shogi before.

Why the sudden change? Well, it’s natural to want to win it all after a good start in a tournament …… Lost in thought, I lead the girls out of the shrine.

Hatomori Shine behind us, the association is right there.

“You know, Cha? Cha’s never bween to the Twokyo Shogi Assowiasion befwore!!”

“Me too, me too! I’ve only seen pictures!”

“This is my first time as well! The building is gorgeous!”

“It’s the same color as the Kansai Association! Ah! But it’s missing the big letters on the wall.”

“Putting ugly letters on the side of buildings isn’t normal. Only people in Kansai do that.”

“R-Really? I think they’re really cool ……”

Ai Yashajin’s comments are as harsh as ever, but just like when Ai Hinatsuru invited her to do Shogi puzzles back in the train, she restrains herself and ends up coming along, saying, “We might as well see what they can do while we’re here.” It’s so cute how she says one thing but really wants the other. Of course, Akira is with her.

“My Lady! Allow me to photograph you in front of the association! A big smile! Peace! Peace!”

“Akira, you’re making a scene ……”

“It’s no problem. Now come on, everyone. Get in the picture! Peace!”

“Pweace!”

“P-Peace ……”

In the end, Ai Yashajin ended up right in the middle of the Grade Schoolers Practice Group picture.

Her grumbling face between all their smiles actually makes her look even cuter.

I was just like them, giddy with excitement when I came up here for the Elementary Meijin Title Match …… Just as I was enjoying all the memories, “You have work to do today, right Yaichi? The title match coverage.”

“Yeah. I got asked to do some commentary for the Emperor Title Match …… Sorry, Keika. Making you look after the girls by yourself like this.”

“Coverage?”

Ai Hinatsuru looks at me, confused. “Uwhee?” Adorable.

“I’m sure you know the video site Nico Nico, right? They have a streaming service called Nico Live that covers Shogi title matches: first move to the last.”

“Huh?! B-But can’t title matches go on for more than ten hours ……?”

“Of course. But it’s not like they’re only showing the players and the board. Commentators provide analysis of each move and also take questions from the crowd or talk about strategy during slow parts of the match. A lot of planning goes into it.”

“And you’ll be working alongside a Women’s League player, yes?” Keika kindly adds.

“So, Ai, that means you can work with Yaichi for Nico Live once you join the Women’s League too. The harder you practice now, the sooner that day will come.”

“Work …… with Master ……?” Ai softly whispers like she’s dreaming ……

I’m fully aware that that day is coming up fast.

I thought it was much farther down the road until I saw Ai play yesterday ……

“…… But, we’ve still got to celebrate your victories in the challenge matches!”

I put my hand on Ai’s head and say in a cheerful voice to chase away the sudden lonely ache in my chest, “Why don’t we go out for crab once we’re back in Osaka?”

“Crab?!”

Her eyes light up at the mere mention of her favorite food in the world, but she suddenly comes back to herself with an “Ah?!” and shakes her head side to side.

“N- …… No! It’s too soon to celebrate! It wouldn’t be worth it!!”

“Are you sure? But–––.”

Just as I was about to tell her she’s earned a proper reward.

“Everyone–––! Let’s hurry inside!” Ayano, a few steps ahead of the group, is halfway inside the doorway and waving at us. All the girls rush in after her.

“Whoa! The gift shop is huge!!” They’re excited, I can hear it.

“I will go practice hard in the classroom, so please do your best at work, Master.”

With that, Ai gives me a small bow before chasing after the other girls.

She looks older somehow, disappearing down the hallway–––.

But, yeah, the Master definitely feels a little lonely.

A stunning young woman politely bows to the camera and then turns to introduce me.

“And now for today’s guest commentator, Yaichi Kuzuryu-Ryuo. Sensei, it’s lovely to have you with us.”

“Oh, thank you. It’s great to be here.”

“Today is Kuzuryu-sensei’s first appearance on Nico Live. It sure looks like the audience can’t wait to get started this morning.”

The feed switches from us to a different camera overlooking the arena.

“This is a live view but …… It looks like neither player has entered the arena as of yet. However, Kiyotaki 9-dan is here as an observer and match recorder Kunugi Sub League 1-dan is ready to begin.”

“Yes. There’s my Master.”

Since there’s a computer monitor on the floor in front of us, we can see exactly what the online viewers are seeing. So it’s easy comment on everything.

“Ah! Kiyotaki-sensei is standing up ……?”

“It looks like his cushion wasn’t quite lined up right. Master might not look it, but he’s very particular about details–––.”

“He sure seems like it. Kiyotaki-sensei nods with satisfaction and has retaken his seat.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Ah!! Is it just me, or does he look a little restless ……?”

“The players will be making their entrance any minute, so I hope he settles down.”

“Kiyotaki 9-dan has stood up again …… and left the arena in a hurry. Kuzuryu-sensei, what is going on ……?”

“I don’t want to assume but …… It’s possible the pre-match jitters have gotten to him and he needs to make a trip to the restroom.”

“Are you serious?! Th-there’s only one, maybe two minutes left before the match starts?!”

“A bad move, to be sure. This will come back to haunt him.”

“Oh no! The players have arrived! They’ve started lining up pieces without the observer present!”

“Just great ……”

“I-I really hope he makes it back in time for the first move but …… Kuzuryu-sensei. How do you expect this to play out?”

“Traditional kimono clothing makes doing your business take a while, so I honestly think he’s in a very difficult situation.”

“What’s this? The players are speaking with the match recorder. All three bow in unison …… And … the first move for today’s match goes to the challenger!”

“There’s no telling when he’ll be back, so they must’ve decided to get started. Very professional.”

“T-The 88th Season 3rd Emperor Title Match is underway!”

“Kuzuryu-sensei, any thoughts on the match thus far?”

“Having a streaker as an observer was a real surprise.”

“Pwff! …… Ahh, Sensei?! Please don’t make me laugh!!”

But I’ve got to say–––.

…… Her boobs are huge ……

“Is something wrong? Um, I’d really prefer it if you were looking at the camera ……”

“Agh?! I-It’s nothing! I’m not looking at anything!!”

“? Everyone tends to get a little stiff their first time. You can relax.”

“No! This is my first time, but I’m not stiff! I absolutely guarantee you that I am not stiff whatsoever!!”

“Y-You aren’t? Anyway …… I’ll lead, so do whatever you’re comfortable with, okay Sensei?”

“G-Go ahead ……”

“Sure, as you wish♪ He-he-he.”

Ms. Rokuroba looks at me with a reassuring smile to calm me down.

S-So cute ……! But that conversation, it felt a little adult …… Why?! Because of those boobs?!

Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan.

Twenty years old and registered with the Kanto Shogi Association. A college girl in her prime. And those boobs …… Those massive boobs!

Ms. Rokuroba is an extremely popular Women’s League player (boobs) whose fans have lovingly dubbed her Tamayon. She makes regular appearances on Nico Live, and apparently views go up by more than 100,000 whenever she’s on.

With the exception of Big Sis, she’s the most popular female player right now (boobs).

…… But pros have a different nickname for her, one a bit more unsettling.

I’m not sure who started it but it’s–––Practice Session Crusher.

For whatever reason, the Practice Sessions she’s involved in tend to fizzle out rather quickly.

She’s got some skills and is drop-dead gorgeous …… Why would that be?

I remember watching her commentary one time with Big Sis and offhandedly said, “Ms. Rokuroba’s pretty good. Oh, her commentary, I mean. Just her commentary.”

Big Sis then replied with this deep nugget, “Maybe it looks that way to brain-dead men.”

She then, of course, nailed my shin with a tenacious kick. I guess that means Big Sis knows why Ms. Rokuroba is called the Practice Session Crusher. That’s kind of scary.

…… Well, I’m registered in Kansai, so it’s not like she’d ever ask me to do a Practice Session anyway.

Then, just as my train of thought got that far.

[Please introduce the players.]

A member of Nico Nico’s staff holds up a cue card behind the camera.

“The defender in today’s match is Taishi Shinokubo-Emperor, currently twenty-three years old. He claimed the Emperor title a year ago at this time, his first, and has maintained his spot as one of the top young Shogi professionals in the Kanto area.”

Looking very much in her element, Ms. Rokuroba introduces the Emperor first.

“All his magnificent Shogi skills are well known. He is also talented academically and graduated from Keio University at the top of his class. Called Lord Taishi by the Shogi faithful, he has made many appearances on TV news programs as well as providing commentary for Shogi broadcasts. Kuzuryu-sensei …… what’s your impression of the Emperor?”

“Mr. Shinokubo? Well–––.”

––I hope somebody’ll knock him off his throne!

As someone who never went to high school, I’m jealous as hell of a member of the handsome elite who graduated from a big name university at the top of his class. But, coming right out and saying that will start some intense flame wars.

“…… His handsome looks are only matched by his handsome Shogi skills. With his passion for research and great talent, I think he’s incredible.”

“I see, I see~.”

Ms. Rokuroba nods and presses for more than my unenthusiastic grade school level book report of an answer.

“But you’re even more incredible in terms of talent, Kuzuryu-sensei!”

“Huh? …… Me?”

“Don’t look so surprised! At sixteen years old, you are the youngest Ryuo in history! Not to mention, only the fourth junior high school professional ever?! Every member of this generation of Shogi professionals in Kanto has their eyes on you! And, of course, Women’s League members too!”

“T-They do?”

“Is that not the case in Kansai?”

“Umm …… To be honest, Big Sis gets so much attention that ……”

“Your elder sister apprentice, someone our viewers are very familiar with, Ginko Sora—Dual Title, yes?”

Once Ms. Rokuroba said that to the camera, white letters start rolling across the monitor.

Naniwa’s Snow White.

Lady Gin!

Get her on Nico Live.

All of these are comments typed out by people watching this broadcast. It sure seems like Big Sis has a large following on Nico Live. That’s only because they don’t know what she’s really like ……

“What’s this? It seems that bringing up Ginko Sora got everyone’s attention this morning, don’t you think?” remarks Ms. Rokuroba.

New comments start pouring in almost immediately, this time saying:

I’m more of a Tamayon fan myself!

Tamayon is the best!

Tamayo~n!

This lighthearted interaction is one of Nico Live’s charms.

–––Nico Live charges money for three things: anime, politics and Shogi–––.

Both the Shogi world and Nico Live benefit quite a bit from this partnership.

It used to be that only younger people were interested in Nico Live. Adding Shogi to their lineup brought in older viewers, people with lots of extra time and money on their hands. Their premium membership sales went way up.

As a result, Shogi got a new fandom at the same time.

“Since her younger brother apprentice is doing commentary, do you think that Miss Sora is watching Nico Live at this very moment?”

“Big Sis wouldn’t spend time watching my commentary, trust me. Now let’s get back to the match.”

“My apologies …… Now would be the time to introduce the challenger but–––.”

“He doesn’t … The Meijin.”

“Very true.”

The fact that he’s so great means we can leave his intro at that: this shows how amazing he is.

“Speaking of the Meijin, he also has the Throne and Ban-oh titles. Should he also take the Emperor title, he’ll have over half of the seven Shogi titles to his name.”

“If this were anyone else, it would be a big deal. But for him, it’s more like he’s just in a groove recently. It’s truly impressive.”

“Should he take the Emperor title, he’ll have a communicative 99 seasons as a titleholder. Correct me if I’m wrong, but is that why there’s nearly double the number of media present today?”

“Shinokubo-Emperor has already lost two matches, so a lose today means his title would go to the Meijin …… I hope he puts up a last stand for the ages.”

While I would love for him to get a reality check, it’s not that simple for me.

Should the Meijin complete a three-match sweep, there’s a good chance he’d use that momentum to claim another title.

100 seasons as a titleholder, that’s unknown territory …… He could become the first and last Eternal Septuple Title Holder.

And that next title would be–––.

[Please use the big board to analyze the last few moves.]

“Now that the match has progressed, let’s look back on what’s happened so far …… Kuzuryu-Ryuo, would you be so kind as to analyze the current situation?”

“I’d be glad to. Let’s move to the big board–––.”

Just as I was about to focus on Shogi.

“……?!?!?!”

I …… figured out the reason why Ms. Rokuroba is called the Practice Session Crusher, why it would be so difficult for people to keep playing against her. It’s because–––.

Since I’m a bit taller than she is …… her cleavage always ends up in my line of sight no matter where I look!

“Sensei? Kuzuryu-sensei? You’re stiffening up again ……”

“Pardon me! I need to concentrate, so I’m going to close my eyes!!”

“Okay ……?”

Shutting Ms. Rokuroba (mostly her boobs) out of my line of sight and thinking over the match, a major problem that male players have to deal with came to mind at the same time.

––That being where to look when playing against a female player.

Because seriously, we sit on our ankles and stare downwards the whole time, yeah?

So, it always stands out. The, um …… cleavage.

It’s even worse on days when they wear a skirt just short enough that their knees show. Even keeping your eyes glued to the board won’t help because those flashes of skin are always there in the corner …… It’s extremely hard to keep focusing.

Looking up might sound like the solution, but you’d be looking right at their face. Then there’s a risk she might start thinking: What’s with this guy? We’re in the middle of a match, but he won’t take his eyes off me …… Is he coming up to me? Things get awkward ……

What I’m trying to say is–––we’re screwed no matter where we look!

I play against Big Sis all the time, by the way, but never had this problem.

Why? Because she’s flat up top and smooth down below, basically the same as a plastic cutting board. Anyone who would get turned on by a plastic cutting board is sick.

“Umm …… Kuzuryu-sensei? Our viewers are waiting–––.”

“…… I’ve got it.”

“? …… As you know, the Meijin had the first move in today’s match, but the game has turned into Side Pawn Capture, Shinokubo-Emperor’s favorite strategy. What is your prediction for the next move?”

“Yes. I expected that we’d see this strategy today ……”

It’s those boobs I didn’t see coming.

“…… Mr. Shinokubo tends to play Bishop Exchange or Side Pawn Capture on offense but is staunchly Side Pawn Capture on defense. Also, the Meijin generally doesn’t try to avoid his opponent’s best strategies. That’s especially true for strong, younger opponents.”

“Ah, I see ……”

“Ms. Rokuroba, do you play Side Pawn Capture?”

“I-I can’t say I do. I’m part of the Ranging Rook party …… So, my Static Rook research is a bit lacking ……”

“Don’t worry. Side Pawn Capture almost never shows up in the Women’s League or among amateurs, so it’s usually pros figuring out the details.”

“So, Sensei, what do you make of this situation? The Meijin looks to be considering the 4 Six Silver or the 7 Seven Gold–––.”

“Neither of those. Knowing him, I think the Meijin will play 7 Seven Bishop.”

“What? The …… Bishop? Not the Gold?”

“Yes.”

“But …… the Rook would take the Pawn in front of the Bishop ……”

I think that’s the last move someone would think up.

If it were anyone but the Meijin, it’d be a horrible decision, a bad move that violates common sense–––.

“Yes, that Pawn will get taken, but the Meijin already has one Pawn at his disposal. Sacrificing it to advance his Bishop gives his formation more flexibility. Then he can strengthen his defenses and take it slow. That’s the way the Meijin likes to play.”

“If …… you say so.”

“There’s only so much I can grasp through a monitor …… I’d get a much more accurate reading if I were at least in the same room ……”

“Huh? Each move has been accurately reported ……”

Ms. Rokuroba tilts her head, doubting what I just told her. But her eyes went wide as soon as the Meijin made his move.

“Ah! He did just that.”

The Meijin’s decision–––just as I predicted, 7 Seven Bishop.

“Sensei?! Th-that was truly amazing!! Accurately anticipating that move when no one else was considering it ……!!”

“Haha. Honestly, I’m relieved.”

Kuzuryu, is he human?

Youngest Ryuo in history for a reason.

I guess it takes a prodigy to know one …

Ms. Rokuroba and the comments take my side. D-Damn, this feels awesome ……!

“There are a few ways for Mr. Shinokubo to go from here.”

Walking on air, I make another prediction with my face a bit more tensed up than usual.

“The easiest option would be for him to target the forward Bishop, but that could be exactly what the Meijin wants him to do. I believe that Mr. Shinokubo will play 3 Four Silver. However, two Bishops staring at each other like this is like the players pointing rifles at each other. You can’t move without thinking it all the way through …… It’s a battle of nerves.”

“So you’re saying …… it will be a while? Before the next move?”

“I think so. Oh look, Mr. Shinokubo broke his posture. This is where he’s going to spend waiting time to think.”

[Please read the messages.]

“Now that there’s a break in the match, we’ll take a moment to read messages from our viewers. Sensei, please have a seat.”

“Sure. I’ll slide in right here ……”

Leaving either side of the big board, we sit down side-by-side in chairs at a desk in front of it.

[Your faces are getting cut off. Please scoot closer together.]

“Oh …… Sure.”

I tried to leave a bit of space between us, but Ms. Rokuroba tells me, “Sensei? Don’t be a stranger. Come on in close.” The barrier I had disappeared into thin air and now we’re sitting close enough that my shoulder and elbow graze against hers.

Puff …… Woah, that’s some nice perfume. And, right next to my elbow, those gigantic boobs ……!

…… Holy crap, my heart is pounding. Palms are soaked with sweat ……

“I’ll read our first message. It’s from a woman in Osaka City.”

“S- …… Sure.”

“Kuzuryu-sensei, Ms. Rokuroba, I’ve been enjoying your commentary. The two of you have great chemistry and are a joy watch …… Did you hear that, Sensei? She said we had great chemistry.”

“Ah, ahaha. Yep, sure did ……”

“Hehe♡ There’s more. My question is for Kuzuryu-sensei.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“You recently took a grade school girl as your apprentice, yes? I often hear that people see you with several grade school girls around the Kansai Shogi Association with a lewd expression on your face. However, I couldn’t help but notice you seem extremely enamored by Ms. Rokuroba’s large breasts while watching Nico Live today. It seems as though you are attracted to that type of woman as well. So, which is it, Sensei? Do you like breasts? Do you have a Lolita complex? I realize this is a very forward and difficult question to answer, but please answer with as much detail as you can. Pike you for your time …… that’s what she wrote.”

“………”

…… Say, what?

They were so polite and proper at the beginning, but was there some anger in there ……? And what’s with that pike at the end? A typo? That wasn’t a curse, was it ……?

“Um …… Kuzuryu-sensei? A Lolita complex means–––.”

“N-No, absolutely not! Those grade schoolers are, you know! M-My apprentice’s friends …… And about my apprentice, her parents own the inn that hosted my title match, so I had no choice but to accept her. I didn’t take her because I prefer elementary school girls or anything like that!”

“Is-is that so?”

“Yes, it is!”

“W-Well, what about ……… me ……?”

“I didn’t catch that.”

“N-Nothing at all! It’s nothing!! Please forget about it!!!”

Ms. Rokuroba’s cheeks are burning red. She leans in and says very quietly, so that only I can hear, “…… I’m glad♡”

Glad about what?!!!! Tell me! I wanna knooooooooooooow!!

“Everyone played their hearts out at the classroom today, so let’s have steak for lunch!”

“Yay! Steak!!”

Keika led all the members of the Grade Schooler Practice Group to a restaurant around the corner from the Shogi Association.

“CHOCO Amamiya.”

One of Sendagaya’s most popular restaurants, it’s a trendy destination frequented by famous people outside the Shogi world as well. Instantly recognizable by its brick storefront in the underground, one step inside is enough to know that this place’ll serve up something nice.

But of course, that’s not all.

“Woow! They grill everything there ……?!”

The restaurant’s most prominent feature is that, rather than preparing meat in the kitchens, each meal is cooked on a grill that resembles a fireplace directly behind the customers in an awe-inspiring display! Each of the girls watched the flames dance, their mouths watering in anticipation. Even Akira, a full-grown adult, couldn’t contain her excitement: “Woowie!!” and photographed the spectacle.

The group ordered a two-pound block of steak, had it grilled to perfection and looked on as their waiter sliced and served each piece. Since seven people were sharing the bill, the cost wasn’t much different from an average restaurant’s lunch menu.

“Dig in!”

“Everyone, be careful okay? It’s still very hot. Charlette, let me help you with that …… Okay, blow and say: Ahh.”

“Fww. Fww. Ahh!”

Once the steaming piece of meat was slightly cooler, Charlette eagerly chomped down with one big bite.

“So? Is it good?”

“Dewicious♡”

“My, my word Charlette is adorable ……! I get why Yaichi would take her as a bride …,” Keika said to herself, showing some mercy for the boy’s preferences.

“Uwhee …… The outside is crisp and crunchy, but the inside is still rare and juicy. Both taste too good to be true ……!”

Ai Hinatsuru and the rest of the girls couldn’t have been happier with their steak.

“You know when you bite down, all the juices just go whoosh! I’ve never had meat that did that before!” said Mio with glee.

“The side salad is also delicious!”

“Humph …… I wasn’t expecting something this good for the price ……”

The sharp-tongued young lady Ai Yashajin seemed satisfied as well.

They had been so focused on Shogi that everyone was beyond starving by the time they sat down for lunch. Not realizing their stomachs were empty played a part, but everyone finished their meal in a matter of minutes.

But it didn’t end there!

“What?! Drinks and desserts come too?! Holy cow!”

“Hmm …… Life is good …… ♡”

“Sharbete is weally tasty!”

“It makes your mouth feel fresh, doesn’t it? I should get some sherbet ice cream for Master next time!”

Tired brains rested and stomachs full, they were ready to go back in to play even more Shogi.

“But I have to say, Ai, you were on a roll in the classroom!”

“Uwhee?!”

Ai jumped in surprise, not sure how to react to Mio’s compliment.

“D-do you …… think so? I can’t really tell myself ……”

“Of course you were! Getting matched up against all those strong people and winning every time! You were so zoned in and beat all of them so fast! You must’ve played, what, twice as many people as the rest of us did? Don’t you think so, Ayanon?”

“Yes! Though I thought it was only natural for you after defeating the Women’s League Senseis in Mynavi! I have much to learn from you!”

“Owhh. Ai, you were like a lwion.”

“Humph …… Come to think of it, your viciousness comes out when you eat meat too. Is that who you really are?”

“You too, Ai ……? Give me a break!!”

Seeing Ai’s red, pouting face sent a wave of laughter to the group. Their table became a heartwarming accent within the restaurant. The rest of the customers couldn’t help but smile as if looking at a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

As for the only one in the room not smiling, Ai thought: I have to …… have to, have to win and get through the preliminary matches …… I have to get stronger, even stronger. That way, Master–––.

Ai clenched her fists in her lap.

Her spirit was alight …… She wanted nothing more than to go play Shogi this instant.

I’m going to play so much … I want to get back to the classroom!

However.

Keika’s offhanded remark as she looked at the smartphone in her hand while nonchalantly swirling her tea with the others would turn everything on its head. “Looks like the Emperor Title Match heated up in a hurry after their lunch break …… Yaichi’s saying the Meijin already has a definite edge–––.”

“We can watch Master’s broadcast on smartphones?! I want to see too!”

“Agh! B-But now might not be the best …… No, Ai! Don’t–––.”

“Yay! There he …… is ……?”

There, on her phone’s small screen, was Kuzuryu-sensei–––.

“Now 3 o’clock, snacks are provided for the players. Therefore, it’s about time that we had some snacks that the lovely Nico Live staff has prepared for us.”

“Oh? Pudding? It looks delicious.”

“Heey, Kuzuryu-sensei? Open wide♡”

“Huuuh?! M-May I? Ah …… Ahh♡”

–––was sitting shoulder to shoulder with a Women’s League player as she fed him.

“……………”

Ai’s expression hardened by the second.

On the other hand, Kuzuryu-sensei’s was loosening to the point of looking lovestruck.

What’s worse, his eyes weren’t focused on the camera, on the woman’s face, or even on the jiggly pudding in front of his mouth. They were locked on a different type of jiggle.

Her breasts.

His line of sight was fixed to the Women’s League player’s impressive bust.

Should they shift to the right, his eyes shifted to the right.

Should they sway to the left, his eyes followed to the left.

Other viewers noticed as well, pointing out such embarrassing things as: The Ryuo is boob-watching lol. Not even hiding it (haha). He’s a teenager. Boys will be boys. And more …

This was unacceptable, Ai thought with every fiber of her being.

Unacceptable!

What kind of work is that?!

I’ve been being a good girl, but ……!

Master dara!!

“Um …… Everybody,” Ai said as she looked up from the smartphone, a strange light glinting in the back of her eyes. “Before we go back to the classroom, I …… There’s a place I want to go ……”

“Yeah. In a tiny old apartment though.”

With players eating snacks live on air at 3 o’clock–––better known as Nico Live’s popular segment 3 p.m. Time over, Ms. Rokuroba and I spent our break together.

We talked about everything going on in our private lives the whole time …… When from out of nowhere, Ms. Rokuroba changes the subject with a very different look on her face.

“Um …… Sensei? I have a favor to ask you ……”

“A favor?”

“Sometime, would you …… be willing to do a Practice Session, with me ……?”

“Say what?! A Practice Session?!”

“Yes! Yes please!”

Her eyes light up, twinkling like stars as she squeezes my hand.

“If it’s all right with you, I can stop by your apartment the next time I have a match in Kansai–––.”

“Ho-hold on a second!”

While I would very much like to know what a Practice Session with Ms. Rokuroba would be like …… Can she play well enough? That could be a problem.

And even if she can–––there’s another, much bigger problem.

–––My apprentice lives in that apartment. My nine-year-old apprentice ……

The day she finds that out is the day she’s going to get the wrong idea about me, and I know exactly what Ai would say if I brought a young woman home. It’s a Practice Session! Fat chance she’d believe me.

Sure, she’s suddenly decided to act grown-up the past few days, but everything that happened when she first met Ai Yashajin was bad enough …… She threatened to interrogate me ……

“Ummm …… You coming to my place, is a little ……”

“Am I …… not good enough for you ……?”

“No! It’s not that you’re not good enough, not at all! It’s just, Kansai players usually have Practice Sessions in classrooms, so–––.”

“In that case, how about tomorrow here in Tokyo? There are plenty of classrooms around––.”

“T-Tomorrow …… Sorry, but I’m busy ……”

“Well, what about today?”

“Come again?! T-Today?!”

“Yes! As soon as we’re done here, at my apartment.”

“Y-Your?! Th- …… That can’t be allowed, right ……?”

“It’s fine! I live by myself too!”

Fine?! How could it be fine?! That’s about as far from fine as you can get?!

But, hang on …… Both sides are willing, so …… Maybe, it’d be okay ……?

“Everything we’ll need is already there and I can make dinner! Since you’ve got plans tomorrow in Tokyo, you’re more than welcome to stay overnight!!”

“O-Overnight?!”

“Yep♡ You, Kuzuryu-sensei, are welcome to stay as many nights as you want♡”

Many nights?!

“S- …… Sorry …… You kind of …… caught me off guard, so I don’t know ……”

[Back on in two.]

Like a trainer throwing in the towel for his woozy boxer, the Nico Live staff couldn’t have timed that any better. With that cue card high in the air, this conversation got put on hold.

Ms. Rokuroba whispers into my ear.

“Well, Sensei. About that Practice Session …… Please think it over and let me know before we’re done, okay?”

“……!”

Her voice is barely above a sigh. It’s making my heart race and the butterflies in my stomach go wild.

[A guest will join once we’re live.]

“Huh? …… Alright. We’ll resume coverage in a moment, but first we need to welcome our guest into the booth.”

Guest? That wasn’t in the schedule.

But then again, there’s too much going on in my head right now to do any quality Shogi analysis. Having a guest here would be great. I can just let them do commentary for a while …… At least, I thought so.

“…… Huh? ……………………… Huuuh?!”

Who’s that?

Cutie!

An elementary school girl?

Cute!

Nico Live adopted a girl!

Good call, staff!

Comments pour in like a tidal wave. My heart is beating like a jackhammer.

It looks like Ms. Rokuroba wasn’t expecting her either.

“Umm …… And who might you be?”

[Introduce yourself.]

“I’m Ai Hinatsuru. I’m a fourth grader.”

Ai looks right at the camera and does a polite little bow.

“I play Shogi with Yaichi Kuzuryu-sensei at his home because I’m his live-in apprentice!!” she says with energetic glee. I feel like I’m gonna pass out.

“L-Live-in apprentice?! …… So, you’re saying–––.”

“We live together.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Sliiiiiiiiiiide ……!

Ms. Rokuroba had been closing in on me, but now her heart is pulling away like the tide.

They live together? Did I hear that right?

Alone together with a fourth grader …… the hell?!

The Loli rumors were true.

“L-Listen, everyone, you’ve got it all wrong! She’s–––.”

“Masta♡”

Just as I was about to extinguish the comment inferno, a voice came from around my legs moments before a golden, fluffy something jumped onto my chest.

Charlette. Whaaaaat?!

“Cha, will swit in Masta’s wap.”

My god, she’s adorable!!

An angel has landed.

A miracle, right before our eyes ……

A new Shogi world has dawned.

The avalanche of grade schoolers has the audience going crazy. My time to rest in peace has come.

I don’t know how, but Ms. Rokuroba still has her sanity, enough to do her duty and ask questions as the host.

“K-Kuzuryu-sensei? Who …… Who is this foreign …… girl here ……?”

“You know? Cha, Cha is Mwast’s bwide.”

“……… Huh?”

It’s not just Ms. Rokuroba anymore. The whole staff is frozen like statues.

––Should, should we be broadcasting this ……?

They’re looking at each other, communicating with just their eyes and not a smile to be seen. Crap, crap, crap, CRAAAAAP!!

“Hey, hey. Cha … wants snwacks.”

“Huh? Oh …… Here you go ……”

Charlette asks for the leftover pudding, and Ms. Rokuroba gives her the whole thing with a spoon.

No one can say no to Charlette. Charlette is, well, Charlette ……

“Yummy♡”

The camera captures a bit of the syrup dribbling down her chin and–––.

I’m in looooooooove!!

This stream could just be this girl eating food and I’d be fine with it.

Fifty hours of this right here please.

The Internet community got so excited that I’m starting to pull away.

What’s more–––.

“Oh, wow ……! So this is how they do Nico Live.”

“A-Are …… we allowed to come in here ……?”

(Unreported) elementary school girls … increasing. (My cause of death.)

“Mio and Ayano too?! …… Hey, hey director! Go to a commercial or something! How are we supposed to keep this under control?!!”

[We’ll take a quick break–––.]

“Oh!”

Mio stops her impromptu tour of the monitors in the room, staring at one like she just found a treasure chest.

“This is the viewer count, right? It’s going way, way up ……”

“What?!”

Rather than writing a cue card, the director actually let his real voice slip out.

Then–––

[Keep going.]

“What about that break! Stop, stop, stop!!”

[No stoppages until the final move!]

“That’s a little much, don’t you think?! What’s the big idea, having grade school girls as guests on a Shogi program?!”

[Nico Live’s big three are anime, politics and grade schoolers, so …… ]

“That last one!! The laaaaast oooone!!”

When the heck did Shogi get replaced by grade schoolers?!

[Since they’re your apprentices, we decided to have them on to surprise you.]

“Well, mission accomplished! You’re killing me and my reputation!”

“Waaa? Masta, does Masta …… hate Cha?”

“No, no! I love you very much, Charlette, but look? The … there’re people watching, see?”

Makes you wonder what they’d do without the cameras there, doesn’t it ……?

Yep, he’s trash, plain and simple …

So jealous, it hurts.

“You’ve got it all wrooooong! This is a misunderstanding!!”

“You get what you deserve! Master dara!! Darabuchi!!”

Fuming, Ai starts railing on me, “I kept quiet because this is your important work …… But all you wanted to do was to get fed by a woman with big boobies!”

“Wait, Ai …… That was in the script–––.”

That very moment.

“What do you think you’re doing?! How long are you going to embarrass yourselves in front of the whole world?!”

Lady Ai Yashajin’s grand entrance.

With yet another grade school girl on the scene, Ms. Rokuroba hit her with a remarkably relevant question.

“W-Well …… What are you then?”

“That pervert’s apprentice. Unfortunately ……”

It didn’t take long at all for the viewers to jump all over that.

The apprentices are multiplying?!

This one’s a different type.

Second wife on the scene!

“Huuuh?! S-Second wife?! How ridiculous!! Watch your mouth, you pieces of trash!!”

A direct response.

How nice of her.

Lick the fiery loli.

“…… Gross.”

Ai Yashajin didn’t back down as the comments piled up, lashing back with disgust.

If a Women’s League player spoke like that during one of these live events, she’d be hit with a backlash so hard that she’d be driven out of town. But Ai doing it seems to strike a rather bizarre chord with the viewers.

That’s a good fiery loli.

I want her to roast me.

Trample me.

Would you spit on me?

I’d give anything to be her horsey.

All sorts of stupid comments start scrolling across the screen.

Just when things were looking beyond our control.

[Excuse me. The match is about to end.]

“Huh!?”

Every single set of eyes in the room zooms in on the monitor showing the board.

“Ah! …… Right now it looks as though the edge of Shinokubo-Emperor’s defense is about to collapse! The Meijin is advancing! Will this attack be strong enough to get through ……?!”

Ms. Rokuroba quickly sums up the situation. Her expertise as an experienced and popular Women’s League player and broadcaster is shining through.

But, even she, “The Meijin deploys a Silver deep behind the defender’s front lines …… What?! W-What is he doing ……?” is left speechless by this unexpected late-game move that silences the whole room.

The Meijin starts deploying even more pieces on the edge of the board to deliver a final blow to Mr. Shinokubo’s King like he’s trying to pry a stubborn shellfish out from the back of its shell.

“T-This sequence …… I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“This is checkmate …… Right? That should do it ……”

Mio and Ayano stare at the monitor, blinking in disbelief. Every single one of the comments rolling across the screen now is in awe at the Meijin’s late-game might.

However.

“…… Huh?”

Something felt very off.

The Meijin’s final push looked like meticulous magic at first glance. All the other pros here didn’t seem to think anything was strange.

The only other ones besides myself to notice–––were the Ais.

“Huh? That’s a weird way to advance, isn’t it?”

“…… It is. He’s clearly wasting his turns.”

Ms. Rokuroba’s eyebrows sink.

“What? A weird advance ……? Who do you think you are, saying things like that? That Pawn advance the Meijin just executed is practically a work of art. Two amateur children couldn’t possibly–––.”

“No.”

I cut her off and say.

“Ai. What’s the best possible sequence?”

“Rather than the   9 One Silver,   9 Three Silver,   taken with the King,   7 One Silver, and then the defender moves   7 One Gold to take that Gold then deploy a Lance for checkmate. On the other hand, if the offensive player goes   6 Nine Silver, then   taken with the King,   6 Seven Bishop promotes,   9 Four Pawn,   taken with the Promoted Bishop,   8 Five Silver, then I think he would win.”

“He totally would. But the way this is going, he’ll end up two Pawns down and give up that Silver for free. Such a sloppy attack. I’d go so far as to say–––.”

Ai Yashajin walks up to the big board where two Pawns are facing each other in the fourth column and taps on them with her tiny fist.

“If he’d just taken the   4 Six Pawn back on the 107th move, it’d be as clear as day. This defensive formation was all messed up because the edge is on sticking out, see? Humph! Sure looks like the so-called best Shogi player ever is showing his age.”

“That’s enough! S-Shut up already!”

Ms. Rokuroba lost her cool, her voice getting more ragged by the second.

“If you’re so smart, then say the shortest path to checkmate, why don’t you! Be specific!”

“  4 Six Pawn to take the white Pawn,   3 Four Rook,   7 One Bishop promotes,   taken with Gold,   3 Four Rook,   5 Six Bishop,   6 Seven Bishop,   7 Nine Gold–––.”

“S-See there! The defender has the advantage!”

“Huh? The King would take   7 Nine, then   6 Seven Bishop promotes, moving   3 Seven Rook would block everything. You’re in the Women’s League and can’t read that?”

“……!”

“Even if the defender went with   5 Six Bishop,   6 Seven Rook,   taken by Bishop and promotes,   7 Eight Silver would cut off the attack. Then, after the offensive player’s next turn, deploying a Rook at   4 One would all but end the match. Clear as day, don’t you think? There was no need to charge in from the side like this. Do you understand?”

Damn lol! Stroooong lololol.

That girl should be doing commentary.

Times are changing in the Women’s League.

“…… Brat ……”

Hearing Ms. Rokuroba’s quiet retort sends a shiver up my spine.

“Look! The Emperor surrendered!!” Mio yells and everyone turns back to the monitor all at once.

There we are, 99 title seasons!

Hahahahahahaha.

I lol’d.

So now he’s a quadruple titleholder?

Did the papers deploy an army ……?

The press corps swarms into the arena, so many that all of them couldn’t fit. Master Kiyotaki jumps out of his observation seat. There are so many viewer comments scrolling across the screen I can barely see the picture.

News is already starting to spread, I’m sure. The match is already over, but the number of viewers watching the broadcast is still going up. It’s like a party in full swing.

–––But.

While the highest live viewership in title match history was going on, it was eerily silent in only one place, the broadcast booth …… Quiet enough to make what was going outside sound fake.

The reason … is me.

“…………”

Looking at Mr. Shinokubo, blue in the face and staring at the board, his whole body shaking with the humiliation of losing three straight matches and his title …… It felt like I was seeing my future self.

With the title of Emperor now absorbed into his being, the Meijin is surely setting his sights on the next title …… On the 100th combined season as a titleholder. Heck, he’s already moved into position to challenge for it.

That title is–––Ryuo.

“Master ……”

Ai Hinatsuru had been so angry, but now she looks worried about me. Even Ai Yashajin and Ms. Rokuroba have stopped in the middle of their argument to check on me.

In the middle of it all, “…… Weeh? What’s wong, evewybwody?”

Charlette didn’t understand what was going on. She’s sitting on my knee, looking around the room and very confused.

“Masta, are you sick? Twired?”

“Haha …… Yes, I’m a little tired. But I’m not sick. It’s just that–––.”

“Masta.”

“Yeah?”

“Cha, want Cha to cast a spwell to make you fweel better?”

“A spell? …… Like what?”

“Wike ……”

She’d been sitting quietly on my knee this whole time, but suddenly gets to her feet and leans in close to my ear like she’s going to tell me a secret–––.

Smooch♡

Something warm and soft presses against my cheek before I knew it was happening.

“………… Huh?”

Wait …… Hold up? What?

H-Her spell was–––

“A …… kiss?”

“Yea! E-hehe♡,” says Charlette with a nod, her cheeks blushing pink–––.

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

“Reported.”

The screen is filled with letters spelling out: “Reported.”

That’s when Mio and Ayano start screaming at the top of their lungs from beside the monitor.

“Look at all those viewers ……! Ten, hundred, thousand …… T-Three million?!”

“T-That’s astounding!! I’ve never seen so many comments!!”

Viewership skyrocketed after the Grade Schooler Practice Group members barged in, resulting in the most viewers in history witnessing the Meijin claim another title and me get kissed by a six-year-old.

At that very moment–––my execution was set in stone as well.

“……… Master?”

“Sorry, sorry, sorrysorrysorrySOOOOOOOOOOORRY!!”

[Everyone, please come back for the next broadcast.]

“I am never coming back here!!” I howl at the last cue card.

“Sigh …… So what if I got through the challenge matches, there’s no way to get stronger overnight, is there ……?”

Keika continued to play Shogi in the classroom for hours … alone.

Then, when she left her seat to buy something to drink …

“Kei ……? Is that you?”

Someone she never expected to see called out to her.

“………… Sen?”

“It’s been …… A long, long time.”

A nostalgic face, one of her training partners from long ago stood before her.

Sen Kouzui, Women’s League 3-kyu.

Originally from Nara Prefecture, she sharpened her Shogi skills alongside Keika in the Kansai Practice League until two years ago. Sen had relocated to Tokyo as soon as she achieved Women’s League 3-kyu in hopes of furthering her training. She just turned twenty-seven.

–––Twenty-seven years old: the age considered to be a death sentence for women trying to join the Women’s League.

Should they not fulfill the requirements within two years, 3-kyu-ranking Women’s League members return to the Practice League …… However, only those under the age of twenty-five are allowed to join.

In other words, Sen cannot go back to the Practice League.

There is also a requirement that amateurs joining the Women’s League without passing through the Practice League via Tournaments must be “under twenty-seven years of age.”

Keika knew that Sen had hardly won any matches since becoming Women’s 3-kyu.

Sen’s only chance to remain in the Women’s League was to claim victory in the Mynavi Preliminary Matches …… Should she fail, her path to the League would close forever. Her dream would end right then and there.

Also, Sen surely knew that Keika has a B on her Practice League record. It was written all over her face when she spotted her old friend.

Keika, finally managing to force a smile, starts the conversation with the safest topic she could.

“So, Sen …… What’re you doing here at the association today ……?”

“I’m working as an assistant for children’s Shogi classes. I know other things should be more important …… But right now it’s too late to let myself stress out, so here I am.”

“I, um ……, had Mynavi Challenge Matches yesterday.”

“Yes. I saw the match records …… Pretty impressive.”

“Ahaha …… How embarrassing. I can’t exactly say I won the last one ……”

“Nothing to be ashamed of ……”

They hadn’t seen each other in two years.

There was so much catching up to do but …… The words wouldn’t come, no matter how happy they were to reunite.

Time crawled by until Sen shyly waved her hand.

“…… So, I’ll see you at the Preliminaries.”

“Yes. See you there ……”

How about a match for old time’s sake?

Neither one made the offer.

Even now, each one considered the other an irreplaceable friend …… It was for that very reason they knew the other would become their greatest obstacle.

“100 Combined Title Seasons Within Reach!”

It’s the morning after the Emperor Title Match.

Eating breakfast alone in the hotel’s dining room, I look at all the newspapers on the shelf and sigh at how much coverage the match got.

“…… Full front-page news on every single one. It’s the Meijin, so I should’ve seen this coming, but …… Normally papers that don’t sponsor title matches just put an article on the last page somewhere ……”

After yesterday’s Nico Live–––.

I went to Shinagawa Station to see Keika and the rest of the girls off when they were getting on the bullet train. Of course, Ms. Rokuroba’s Practice Session offer went up in smoke.

Also, I got interrogated by my apprentice on the bullet train platform.

“Master? What are your plans for tomorrow? Don’t hide anything and be very specific.”

Charlette was so tuckered out after a fun day that she’d fallen asleep on my back, so I was carrying her and everyone’s souvenirs (that I paid for in full, yeah) in both arms: a hunched over, exhausted mess. When I looked up to answer …… my apprentice glared back at me with a dark, burning rage that I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Oh, tomorrow? …… Didn’t I tell you? I’ve got a Practice Session.”

“…… You’re not going to do naughty things?”

“No?! What kind of Practice Session would that be?!”

“……”

Pout. Ai puffed out her cheeks without saying a thing. She didn’t believe a word I said ……

“I-I’m really going to a Practice Session! A very intense, totally serious game of Shogi—.”

“So then, who’s your opponent? Please be honest. I know you’re playing against a woman, right? It’s the one with the big chest, yes?”

“A-Ayumu. It’s Ayumu.”

“…… God-sensei?”

Keika, who’d been looking kind of depressed up to that point, suddenly smiled.

“Speaking of Ayumu, I saw he made it all the way to the Ryuo Title Match qualifier. He’s really making a name for himself!”

“Yeah …… But considering who it is, I’m not about to celebrate ……”

“Ah––– ……”

Keika grasped what I was getting at and let it drop.

Qualifier–––basically, the Ryuo League Finals and, in this case, a series of three matches.

Ayumu is already set to take on the best Shogi player.

The god of the Shogi world–––the Meijin.

“Since his first-ever league match against the Meijin happens to be in the Ryuo League Qualifier, and a series too … it’ll be a great learning experience for him, but having to beat the Meijin twice is ……”

“B-But you came all the way to Tokyo, Yaichi. Doesn’t that mean you want Ayumu to be your challenger?”

“I didn’t exactly go out of my way. I mean, my apprentices were in Mynavi anyway, so …… And yeah, Ayumu being my challenger would have its advantages. The Meijin showing up to my first title defense match could turn into a massacre.”

He’s strong, that much is obvious.

But the hype leading up to it would be just as big of a problem.

“The Meijin will become the Eternal Septuple Title Holder with one season as Ryuo. Even if he doesn’t take it, he’ll hit the 100 combined title seasons mark anyway ……”

Media coverage of the next title match will make the last one look like nothing.

It goes without saying that the world will be rooting for the Meijin to win.

“I don’t want to have to defend my title against all that, heck no. That’s why I’m helping Ayumu, not because I think it’d be fun for the two of us to fight for the title–––.”

“Oh yeah, right.” (grinning) …

“W-What’s that for?”

“Oh, nothing. Can’t a sister be happy that her cute younger brother has a friend?”

“…… I’m your older brother apprentice, remember?”

“True. U-he-he♪”

Yeesh …… Ayumu and I … circumstances have forced us together over the years. And you know, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so there’s that ……

“…… There you have it. I have a Practice Session tomorrow. And I’ll be coming straight back to Osaka once we’re done. Nothing that you’re worried about is going to happen, Ai. I promise.”

“…… Okay.”

Huh? I still think that was a lot faster than usual.

Usually, her bad mood would go on for days, making extra-spicy food and whatnot …… She gave the go-ahead so quickly that I’m actually kind of scared and even a little lonely.

The icing on the cake was when she tried to reassure me.

“I’ll keep studying really hard when I get back to Osaka, so please do your best here in Tokyo, Master! There’ll be some delicious curry waiting for you when you get back!!” she said, encouraging me with a smile.

Seeing that energetic, innocent grin …… made my heart twinge … hard.

Because I lied about one thing.

Riding the Yamanote Line toward my destination, I’m freaking out.

“I’m so late …… She’s going to be pissed ……”

I got so caught up in the newspapers and reading articles on the Internet that it was already past the time we promised to meet when I looked at the clock.

I told Ai, “I have Practice Session.” I told her that my opponent is Ayumu. Both of these statements are true.

But there was one thing I didn’t tell her.

If I brought up that she was going to be there, Ai probably would’ve insisted on going and stayed here in Tokyo …… But hey, she’s got a flat chest, so I should be safe. Yeah.

Squeezing my way off an extremely crowded train and through a jam-packed train station, I walk toward the exit.

Now, where? …… Ah, there she is.

I spot her almost immediately.

A girl with pale white skin wearing a winter sweater over her school uniform in the middle of summer holding a black parasol.

“Hey there, cutie. You’ve got it going on?!”

“That sailor-style school uniform: are you on a field trip with your classmates?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but are you from overseas? Do you understand Japanese?”

A bunch of young men are hitting on her, but she doesn’t say a word. Heck, she doesn’t even look at them.

She’s blocking their advances like a wall of solid ice.

Utterly rejected, the men shrug it off like, “Bet a girl like that ignores everyone.”

I walk toward the ice-cold girl in a school uniform and say–––, “Sorry! Y-You were waiting …… a while, weren’t you?”

My voice triggers her first response.

Tilting the parasol, her silver hair swishes from side to side.

“Holy ……! She’s a bombshell ……”

“Like a doll or something ……”

“What’s she doing with that loser ……?”

Her face out in the open, everyone around her couldn’t help but sigh.

In that moment, a feeling of superiority washed over me …… But that loser comment kind of hurt. Just a little.

“You’re late, idiot,” says Naniwa’s Snow White as she grabs hold of my nose and gives it a hard twist.

It’s surprisingly close to the Shogi Association, only about fifteen minutes away on foot if you really hoof it.

I walk down Harajuku’s most recognizable area, Takeshita Street, with Big Sis.

“Come on, Big Sis. Please, lighten up.”

“……”

“I admit it’s my fault I was late but …… It wasn’t all my fault, okay? I had to work ten hours straight yesterday on Nico Live, remember? And my apprentice was really upset with me right afterward ……”

“Work? Hah! What work?” Big Sis spits back.

“All you did was ogle a flirty Women’s League player with big boobs. Then you got kissed by a little girl after she barged in …… You call that working? If it weren’t for that pipsqueak, I would’ve grilled you alive.”

“Come again? Big Sis, were you watching Nico Live yesterday?”

“No.”

“Huh? But–––.”

“Shut up and move it!”

Big Sis grabs my ear and pulls me into one of the smaller side roads branching out from Takeshita Street.

Now we’re on a narrow, dim road called Brahms Lane that’s sandwiched between buildings.

“…… It’s amazing how much can change just by turning a corner.”

It’s so quiet back here that all the fanfare out on Takeshita Street feels like some far-off dream. With a bunch of antique shops lining the street, this calm area has a hideaway-home kind of vibe to it.

Enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, we proceed along the stone pavement.

It wasn’t hard to spot our destination right away.

“Here.”

Big Sis stops in front of me.

In front of her–––is a building that looks like it came right out of a Western fairytale, almost like an old church.

There’s a plaque with some fancy letters embedded in the thick stone wall.

“Sch, Schne? …… What does that say? What language is that?”

“Schneewittchen.”

“Meaning?”

“…… No idea.”

Big Sis collapses her parasol and pushes against the heavy-looking stone and iron door. There’s a sign that says Closed on it, but she doesn’t seem to care. The hinges creak as the door starts to open–––.

“How very punctual, Ginko.”

There was a woman sitting on a chair with an extremely high backrest–––more like a throne waiting for us inside.

“And you, young Ryuo. I bid you welcome …… to my castle.”

By the way, that title was originally going to be Women’s Meijin, but it was thought that someone having that awe-inspiring of a title in the league would cause confusion. So they eventually settled on Women’s Legend.

But that isn’t Ms. Shakando’s only title.

She also holds the four Eternals–––the title of Eternal Queen.

Back when the Women’s League only had four titles, she had them all at once …… and long enough to earn the Eternal designation. That means just what it says: she’ll be known as Queen forever.

Ms. Shakando has a combined 51 title seasons.

She’s 6-dan, the highest rank in the Women’s League.

Also, she holds the same status as any other pro with the Shogi Association, which means she has a vote as a board member and the right to take apprentices.

Along with holding that influential position, she has run her own boutique in Harajuku for decades now and became a unique player because she has her own fashion brand.

“What say you, young Ryuo? I would love to hear your thoughts on this, your first visit to my castle.”

“Wheew …… Ayumu told me about it, but what can I say ……? Words don’t really do it justice ……”

She happens to be my training partner, Ayumu Kannabe’s Master.

Ayumu is the only pro in the Shogi world with a Women’s League member as their Master.

One look at this place is enough to realize how much of an impact that has had not only on his Shogi, but on his fashion sense—and a whole host of other things too. It fits very well.

“This is usually a clothing store, right?”

“Precisely. I sell attire as well as accessories. I have a large space to host fashion shows and I run a small studio for magazine catalog photo shoots. Ginko informed me that you would accompany her, young Ryuo. So, I closed them all for the day. Oh yes–––,” Ms. Shakando says with a sideways glance at Big Sis. “That space can also be used for weddings, so please let me know when you have a need for it.”

“Thanks for the offer, but both Big Sis and I are too young to get married ……”

“It’s standard procedure to secure a venue far in advance, young Ryuo.”

“It’s not like we have anyone in mind. Right, Big Sis?”

“………… None.”

Dammmmmn, she sounds pissed.

Yeah, I knew I shouldn’t have been late. She’s going to be in a bad mood all day, I just know it.

“S-So, Ms. Shakando? Where’s Ayumu? There isn’t a second to waste, so I’d like to get our Practice Session started asap.”

It’s best to let a pissed Big Sis be. The more space there is between us, the better.

Ms. Shakando points to a nearby stairwell with one of her delicate fingers and says, “God Cauldron awaits you on the second floor …… however …”

“However?”

“First, I insist you observe a match between Ginko and myself.”

“……! Sensei, that’s–––.”

“… perfectly all right. Yes, Ginko?”

The Queen silences Big Sis’s objection with a smile.

“Surely, I can’t be the only one who occasionally wants to show the young Ryuo what she can do?”

“Whoa ……”

Taking a moment to have a good look around, this whole place is breathtaking.

The interior looks straight out of medieval Europe, and even the table where the Shogi board is has legs carved to look like a cat. Something tells me this woman sleeps in a bed with a canopy.

While I’d definitely say it’s a strange place to play Shogi …… I bet that for Ms. Shakando, who was born with a bum leg, tatami rooms aren’t the easiest places to play because you have to sit on your ankles.

Then again, it all comes down to her tastes. They’re exactly the same as her apprentice’s.

What truly stands out among the furnishings are the Shogi pieces.

“Those are unique pieces, aren’t they?”

“They’re Mita Gyokushi. Take this Rook for instance. Doesn’t it capture the beauty of an angel unfolding her wings? Gorgeous.”

Ms. Shakando held out a piece for me to see, her face beaming with pride.

“I’ve always been partial to carved pieces. These here are as beautiful as they come.”

Shogi pieces with the individual characters carved into the surface, horigoma, are cheaper than the ones pros use for title matches called moriagegoma. The characters on those pieces are painted in several layers so that they jump out of the piece itself. Carved pieces may be cheaper, but some people think they’re more beautiful because they require a higher level of skill to make. Rather than just using paint, carved pieces literally make a lasting impression.

But more than that, they’re really easy to read.

That’s why a lot of pros like practicing with carved pieces …… But, I've never seen anyone this devoted to them.

Not just the pieces.

The board, the chairs, the table, the water pitcher, the glasses and even the room itself.

Every single detail reflects their owner’s sense of beauty. Maybe that’s why it’s stuffy in here.

However, far more beautiful than the surroundings–––are the two players.

“Shall we?”

“…… When you’re ready.”

Big Sis almost sounds nervous, lowering her head as Ms. Shakando turns on the chess clock. It looks like Big Sis always goes first for the first match whenever these two have Practice Sessions.

Both open their Bishop Path first. Big Sis then advances the Pawn in front of her Rook and Ms. Shakando closes her side of the Bishop Path before advancing her own Bishop.

–––Going for a yagura defense, maybe?

As soon as that thought crossed my mind.

“Huh?!” I say in surprise along with Big Sis.

That was because Ms. Shakando, a Static Rook party member, slid her Rook across the board.

That formation–––a Normal Fourth-File Rook with a closed Bishop Path!

“…… Seriously?” I mumble under my breath in disbelief and check the board one more time.

Fourth-File Rook? It’s really just Fourth-File Rook? …… Yep, the average, run-of-the-mill Normal Fourth-File Rook.

“………”

Big Sis’s hand stops moving for a moment as she glances up at her opponent’s face.

Ms. Shakando is quietly sitting there. That means this was her plan from the start.

“……”

Big Sis starts guiding her King to the left as if feeling her way across the board. Ms. Shakando didn’t try to stop her either, just guided her own King in the same direction.

By all means, make an anaguma—that’s what her hands are saying.

This kind of match, Static Rook anaguma vs. Fourth-File Rook, used to be …… played all the time back in the era before I was born. But it almost never turns up nowadays. Why is that?

–––Because Static Rook anaguma is so much stronger: too strong.

The defensive formation anaguma is so powerful that most people think players are ahead just by making one. Static-ana tore through the Shogi world like a rampaging sledgehammer, to the point that many members of the Ranging Rook party converted to Static, Ms. Shakando included.

Even still, Ms. Shakando is facing down Big Sis’s Static-ana with a simple Mino Castle defense alongside a Fourth-File Rook like it’s the 1970s.

That’s as reckless as racing against a fully tuned sports car with an antique–––.

“…… You’re sure?”

“About what?”

“………”

Those were Big Sis’s last words until their match was over.

Static Rook anaguma vs. Fourth-File Rook, a blast from the past.

Like clashing armies from the Warring States Era, each ordering their troops into the best possible positions, protecting their King in full view of the enemy …… Then, the whole army began a slow advance.

Ms. Shakando has changed her Mino Castle into a High Mino Castle, which is pretty much the same as an anaguma.

It’s been so long since I’ve seen one, even in a match record. The Eternal Queen is about to take on the latest, most powerful formation with outdated Shogi.

It goes without saying that Big Sis, armed with the most up-to-date info, goes on an all-out offensive. Normally, the Static-ana would utterly destroy the other side but–––.

Something strange happened as the match progressed.

Big Sis, the one on the attack, looks like she’s hurting.

“……! ……?! ………!!”

She opens her mouth over and over, like a desperate drowning person gasping for breath and twisting her hands in pain.

Meanwhile, Ms. Shakando is perfectly calm. Breathing like normal, she moves her pieces with a quick, smooth touch.

Her elegant, graceful movements are so inspiring that I whisper under my breath, “Reversal …… Yep.”

Ms. Shakando let Big Sis attack all she wanted because she’s using the pieces Big Sis is losing to naturally reinforce her own formation. There are plenty of martial arts that do the exact same thing: using their opponent’s strength against them–––in other words: Reversal.

What’s more, it’s offense and defense rolled into one.

Compared to Big Sis, whose only option is to attack, Ms. Shakando is simultaneously attacking and defending with each move.

You can almost tell who’s going to win with that alone.

“Now then. This has gone on long enough.”

The instant that Big Sis’s attack ran out of steam–––.

Ms. Shakando starts advancing her deep defensive formation straight toward Big Sis’s King, destroying everything in its path.

I’m not exactly sure when, but Ms. Shakando has a combined five Golds and Silvers on her front line. Adding a Knight to the formation turned it into a high-powered wrecking ball.

This is almost like watching a massive meteorite come crashing down––––––pure despair.

Big Sis’s anaguma was completely outclassed in both strength and numbers and turned into nothing more than a smoldering ruin in a few short minutes.

“…… I’m out of moves.”

Big Sis manages to squeeze out her surrender.

It probably hurt just looking at the board halfway through the match. Honestly, I’m impressed she held out this long.

But even still.

To completely flatten Naniwa’s Snow White, who’s never lost against a Women’s League player in an official match, to this degree ……

Ms. Shakando is really, really good!

“What’s the matter, Ginko? You left quite a few floating pieces out to dry today.”

“……”

Big Sis’s face turns red so fast it was like a fire ignited inside her cheeks.

Getting taunted like that must’ve hurt. But losing like this ……

“No matter how solid an anaguma may be, one with a floating heart can never take advantage of it. Remember this well ……,” says Ms. Shakando with a faint grin as she reaches next to the board and picks up her glass of water. After thoroughly enjoying a few gulps, she turns to talk to me. “Young Ryuo.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know why it was that Ginko lost?”

“Well …… I think the direct cause was on move ninety-seven, when Big Sis deployed a Pawn at 4 Six. If she’d put it down at 4 Seven, then there still might have been–––.”

“No.”

“Come again?”

“Ginko lost because she is but a young maiden.”

“…… Are you saying that she hasn’t had an opportunity to study Normal Fourth-File Rook vs. Static-ana match records?”

“That reasoning isn’t even the half of it. I manipulated her heart by much simpler means …… As a result, winning was far easier than I expected. Seems like I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

“???”

“Do you still not understand? What I’m saying is–––.”

“Sensei!!”

Big Sis tears into the conversation, speaking up for the first time. Ms. Shakando doesn’t look surprised at all. She glances at Big Sis with a hint of amusement in her eyes as she takes another sip of water.

I nervously try to soothe Big Sis, beet red and fuming. This loss has gotten so far under her skin, she might explode.

“Uh, um, Big Sis? I know it’s got to hurt, losing that badly to a normal Fourth-File with Static-ana, but you don’t have to get so angry–––.”

“SHUT UP! GET LOST!!”

“Going, going ……”

Y-Yeesh, what’s her problem ……? She’s acting like she only lost because I was there, like some kid throwing a temper tantrum.

I hurry to the stairwell, almost like getting chased away by Big Sis’s outburst of agony, and head upstairs where Ayumu is waiting.

They’re already lining up the pieces for their second match behind me, I can hear it.

My mind makes the switch instantly, visualizing a Shogi board that doesn’t exist.

My mental Shogi board.

“  6 Eight Silver.”

I say back.

The Practice Session underway, both of us are still on our feet.

Ayumu’s standing by the window and wearing his usual cape. It matches this room’s old European theme to a T.

But, Shogi is all that exists in our minds right now.

“  9 Five Pawn.”

“  7 Three Bishop Promotes.”

First comes a yagura, Ayumu’s specialty.

I doubt that most people would understand our conversation even if they wrote everything down and tracked our moves on an actual board.

Of course, it takes a great deal of Shogi knowledge to do this but …… it’s not like he and I are just naming spaces back and forth.

We’re listening for the slightest waver in the other’s voice.

Pauses.

Tiny shifts in posture.

And facial expressions.

Our brains are fiercely dissecting all that at once, swapping information in a blur.

It’s a bizarre exchange, like we’re melding together everything that we have without making any physical contact whatsoever.

“  4 Six Silver.”

“  4 Five Pawn.”

“  taken with Silver.”

“  7 Three Knight.”

The reason I came all the way to Tokyo to have a Practice Session with Ayumu comes down to one thing: neither of us were satisfied without meeting face-to-face to swap info. anymore.

Most of the things we should pick up on get cut out when doing Practice Sessions over the Internet.

It’s like the way couples feel like something’s missing when all they do is call and text each other. Shogi is the same way at the high levels.

“  3 Five Pawn.”

Next is the Bishop Exchange. Ayumu blasts through my outer defenses like peeling back layers of clothes to get to my core in one swift strike.

“  6 Five Silver.”

“  4 Seven Promoted Pawn.”

“  5 Four Silver.”

“……?!”

Ayumu falters for the first time after hearing my move.

A slight pause in his thought process which had been keeping pace with mine.

“……   6 Three Pawn?”

“  6 Eight Gold right.”

“……!!”

Sway …… Ayumu loses his balance and grabs the windowsill for support.

“  8 Six Pawn.”

I say my next move just as he was about to recover.

“   taken with Pawn.   8 Seven Pawn.   5 Three Knight Promotes.”

“  8 …… Six, Rook?”

“  3 Nine Rook.”

“?! …… Thr- …… Nine Rook?”

Ayumu gasps, his fingers crawling up his cheeks with his head in his hands.

I speed up my thought process even faster, to the point that saying my moves out loud feels unfair.

There’s a massive tree inside my head.

An endless tree unconfined by my brain, infinite branches reach out in all directions. I slice off one of the big ones. The remaining branches continue to spread, sprouting even more branches to form brand new standards.

After my match against Jin Natagiri 8-dan–––I could clearly tell that I was stronger than before.

My mental Shogi board became clear and I could see even deeper into deviating sequences than ever before.

–––I broke the wall.

That was the first time I had that feeling after turning pro.

It made me realize just how risky my Shogi was. It’s crystal clear to me now.

But, part of me wasn’t sure if this change was my Shogi skill improving. I needed to know for a fact if these sequences I was reading would actually work.

That’s why I needed to meet Ayumu like this today: face-to-face.

“………   2 Four Pawn.”

His breathing steady, Ayumu took his hand away from the windowsill. What’s this ……?

“?    taken by Silver?”

“   taken by Pawn.”

“……?!”

Now it’s my turn to be surprised. He took it with the Pawn, not the Silver ……?!

“  6 Five Silver right.    taken by Silver.    taken by Silver.   3 Six Pawn.   4 Five Knight.    taken by Pawn.”

“……   3 Four Pawn?”

“   taken by Silver.”

“?! ……   5 Five Bishop!”

“  6 Two Rook.”

“??? …………!!”

What a shocking turn of events! Ayumu just disproved all of my research and hit me with a brand new deeper sequence.

No matter how well two players know each other, there are certain things they won’t show each other as long as they’re pros.

However, Ayumu just showed me.

We’ve known each other more than six years, but this is the first time he’s let me see this much.

I’m happy, but also kind of sad at the same time.

He and I already know …… know this will be our last Practice Session.

Revealing something he would never show.

Bearing it all, we delve deeper into each others’ minds.

Sharing all that we’ve researched, all that we’ve read, melding our knowledge together–––.

Then let it all fly.

Next thing I knew, both of us are sprawled out on the floor.

Our overworked brains are starved for oxygen. We must’ve passed out. I’m gasping for breath like I just ran as hard as I could. But I also feel accomplished, like I put in a hard day’s work.

Glancing at the clock–––five hours have already passed.

“…… Ayumu. You alright ……?”

“…… In … deed ……”

“…… Five hours, huh? Sure was jam-packed ……”

Could’ve sworn …… we started a second ago.

Then again, it also feels like we’ve been playing for a month.

There’s no way we’d have been this efficient, exchanged so much information if we’d used an actual board.

The top pros don’t use a board when doing review sessions most of the time. Most do what we just did: say a few words here and there to communicate.

Players moving pieces around during the review sessions after title matches is merely for the fans, but they stop once the reporters disappear.

The brain is so full of information after ten-plus hours of Shogi that the players only need a few keywords to reference certain spots during the match.

If both of them were reading in the same way, they wouldn’t even mention spots on the Shogi grid. Saying things like there and that one are enough.

I’ve heard that the Meijin can do whole review sessions by just pointing in the air.

“Haha! …… Messed that up. Maybe it’s that, what do you call it, youthful indiscretion ……?”

“…… I as well … I have never revealed that much to anyone before.”

Both of us are too embarrassed to look each other in the face.

For opponents, there’s a certain line that absolutely can’t be crossed.

But …… The two of us, Ayumu and I, just crossed it.

It’s awkward, putting it into words but …… That’s proof of our friendship.

–––I want to go against you in the Ryuo Title Match.

That’s why we’ve been doing these Practice Sessions. We both want to take down the Meijin.

And, if Ayumu becomes the challenger, then we’ll meet again as enemies.

My research to defeat him begins tomorrow. It’s my duty as Ryuo, and Ayumu understands that.

That’s why …… For the two of us, this will probably be our last Practice Session.

“Time sure flew by …… I was the challenger last year, and you’re going against the Meijin this year.”

“I shall slay the God. Then I shall rise to meet you on your throne. Prepare yourself.”

“Oh, I can’t wait. It’ll be a lot easier for me if that’s the way things work out.”

We share a grin.

Ayumu is sitting on his knees and I straighten my posture with my legs crossed.

“Well? I know that your early game is perfect but …… When it comes to playing against the Meijin, have you found any promising strategies?”

“The God–––.”

Ayumu called the Meijin God.

It’s partly an inside joke among young players, and also partly because we revere the man like a deity.

“He doesn’t try to evade the best strategies of his young opponents. That is especially true for those he faces for the first time. It’s safe to say he takes them head-on without fail. That is where my victory lies.”

“…… I agree he does that a lot, but ……”

Even in yesterday’s match against Mr. Shinokubo, the Meijin defended against his best strategy and won easily.

“Do you think he’d do that in an important match he needs to win to become the Eternal Septuple?”

“He will,” said Ayumu with all certainty. “Because his victories will cease should he not.”

“……?”

“The God has too much on his plate. Not only must he play a large number of matches, he has duties to fulfill to the Shogi world involving event appearances and speaking to the press …… all of which chips away at his time for Practice Sessions. But one cannot prevail in the modern Shogi world without the latest research. Therefore–––.”

“…… He uses league matches in their place?”

“Everyone plays their best trump card when facing the God. The latest and best research is laid before him like offerings. So long as he doesn’t avoid them, that is.”

“It sounds pretty efficient when you put it that way, but …… But nobody can win like that, right? That’s the same as putting yourself in a hole in the early game on purpose.”

“Agreed. Victory would be an impossible feat for mere humans like us ……”

…… But, if it’s the Meijin.

“The God weathers the storm during the mid-game. Then he unleashes his wrath in the late-game. That’s what makes it possible. At least, until now.”

“Until now ……?”

“Tell me, what did you make of the final sequence in yesterday’s Emperor League Title Match?”

“……!!”

“I believe I bore witness to a monumental event during that match as well. However, once I studied the records myself post-match …… I derived that that was not a favorable move. The God made an error.”

Then, with a heavy heart, Ayumu told why he thought he could win against the Meijin.

“That man–––he is a god no longer.”

Our Practice Session over, Ms. Shakando greets the two of us when we go back downstairs.

“…… Does it look like it?”

“It’s written all over your faces. That’s the thing about men, newfound strength shows up in their faces so much moreso than women …… Have a seat, Young Ryuo.”

Ms. Shakando motions to the empty seat across from her.

That’s where Big Sis was sitting before, but she’s gone. I don’t think she’d go home before me, but ……

“God Cauldron will prepare tea. This is the one thing I look forward to. Please, join me.”

“Where’s Big Sis?”

“Dressing.”

What’s that supposed to mean? Oh well, it’s better for me that she’s not here.

“Actually, may I ask you for some advice, Ms. Shakando?”

“Ohh? It’d be my pleasure.”

“I have two young apprentices who are both still in elementary school. But their talent is unbelievable …… They qualified for the Mynavi Preliminary Matches.”

“I saw their match records. Indeed, they seem very talented.”

“I have a feeling they’ll both become Women’s League members … and soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they claim titles. That’s how much talent they have. But for me, as their Master …… I’m not ready for that to happen. I can’t do anything for them ……”

Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin are far better than I thought.

It’s especially shocking how fast Ai Hinatsuru is progressing. Not just her technique, but her mentality too. She’s been acting so grown-up these past few days I barely even recognize her ……

That’s been sending up red flags.

“So, Ms. Shakando, please tell me …… What’s it like to be the top Women’s League player?”

“Women’s League players, hmm ……”

She takes a moment to think and gives me this answer.

“Being a punching bag.”

…… Say what?

“Imagine if you will, Women’s League players doing instructional matches at an event. The woman is challenged to play with no handicap. Being that many amateurs can hone their skills to be on par with professionals, even I myself lose more often than not.”

“……”

“Shogi fans see this and say, Women’s League players are weak.”

While it’s not true for me and my generation, there was a time when a well-defined line between pro and amateur existed. It used to be that an amateur challenging a pro to an even match was an insult. Pros thought the amateur was looking down on them, being overconfident.

Of course, being pros, all they had to do was put that amateur in their place.

But–––.

“In this world, women are seen as weak just for being women. Win the match, and the opponent will brush you off saying, I can’t take a match against a woman seriously. Lose the match, and there are people who will give you their address and say, Come, I’ll teach you a thing or two about Shogi. We get belittled in victory and defeat.”

“…… That’s horrible. Something’s wrong with those people on a personal level.”

“It cannot be helped. It happens because we’re weak.”

“But–––!”

“Women’s League players are weak. Our skills will never measure up to the professional ranks. However, no …… That’s exactly why our spirits must be strong. Stronger than professionals and stronger than amateurs.”

“……!”

“The only reason why Women’s League players who are weaker than decorated amateurs and professionals can still be called players is because the Shogi world needs to expand …… to appeal to women, to encourage them to play Shogi. Wouldn’t quitting Shogi because of being ridiculed be putting the cart before the horse to some degree?”

Ayumu carries a full tea set over to the table and starts setting out cups.

He sets to work, diligently filling the cups in silence. At the same time, there’s a strong aura emanating from him. It’s his devotion to his Master, Ms. Shakando, his thoughtfulness.

She gazes at her precious apprentice with kind eyes for a moment before looking straight at me and continuing.

“We are punching bags, ridiculed and shamed …… And yet we want to stand strong, keep getting stronger still and refuse to yield. Even without talent, we refuse to stop treading water. I myself believe that is how Women’s League players ought to be. Even if our skills don’t measure up to the professionals, our hearts must be stronger than all of theirs.”

The Queen’s words were so passionate they were getting seared into my soul.

Women’s League players, their world looks so fancy from the outside.

But only people who are stubborn and muddy to the core can remain at the top, a lot like Kansai Shogi players ……

“…… You’re … very strong. I could never measure up ……”

“Thank you for your kindness, but the word strong is hardly a compliment for women.”

“S-Sorry ……”

“… Though that’s no reason to apologize … heh,” Ms. Shakando quietly laughs. “Many things have been said to me because of my gender ……,” patting her limp leg, the Women’s Legend says with a hint of loneliness, “the same is true because of my leg. I had no path in life other than to become strong ……”

“I came to favor this attire to hide the fact that I cannot properly sit on my ankles. This dress is my armor.”

Maintaining that posture is a matter of life and death for Shogi players.

Even when a player who had attained the Meijin title pleaded with the association, “Sitting on my ankles is too painful. Please, allow me to use a chair,” it still wasn’t allowed. That was as good as announcing his retirement.

By wearing a dress long enough to completely hide her legs when she sits down, Ms. Shakando can avoid the problem altogether.

“The only reason such a ruse is tolerated is due to the fact that many in power have agreed that my existence is greatly beneficial to the Shogi world. No, perhaps I should say I forced them to agree. I was desperate because, had I failed, I doubt I would have been permitted to continue.”

“……”

“Weakness is what gives people strength. Feeling inferior grants the spirit wings. If, for instance, I had been born a man with two functional legs …… my Shogi skills would likely be weaker than they are today.” Then, Ms. Shakando adds joking, “But I lost my cute persona along the way. Due to that I have reached this age without a partner.”

The Eternal Queen Rina Shakando is a very attractive woman.

She’s on TV every season and shows up in weekly magazines all the time. I’ve heard that at one point she was even more popular than Big Sis is now. The only reason someone like her isn’t married …… is because she prioritized her position as a Women’s League player, devoting everything she had to Shogi, over a happy home life.

It’s probably that strong-willed devotion that drew Big Sis to Ms. Shakando in the first place. That has to be why she respects her as much as she does. Seriously, that’s a miracle equal to befriending a wild lion ……

“So, you spend your time with Big Sis because–––.”

“Ginko is strong. Of all the women I’ve met over the years, perhaps she is the strongest.”

Big Sis has a 2-dan in the Sub League, and she’s only fourteen.

That’s incredibly fast, even for boys.

There’s a very real chance she can reach 4-dan–––turn pro.

“That’s why seeing her inspires me …… makes me believe that if this girl can become the first female professional, then my life wasn’t a waste.”

“Really ……? That much?”

“Should Ginko become a professional, there would be an explosion of women looking to follow in her footsteps. With such an open door, more women would join the Sub League, and the second and third female professionals appearing in the Shogi world would cease being a mere dream. Even if the Women’s League itself should disappear as a result, I would not bat an eye.”

“……!”

The woman who literally dedicated her life to promoting the Women’s League said she wouldn’t care if it was gone.

This woman …… has put that much on the line?

Put all her hopes and dreams on Ginko Sora’s talent ……?

“Well–––.”

I bring up another name. The name of someone more talented than Big Sis.

“What about Ika Sainokami?”

“………”

The Queen takes a moment to gather her thoughts before finally answering.

“She’s a monster.”

Mon …… ster?

“Her talent surpasses Ginko in one respect. When it comes to excelling at Shogi, that talent is the most important to possess.”

“Talent? …… What kind?”

“Extreme egotism. That is her talent’s true form.”

“Her ego?”

“For Shogi …… She’ll do anything to claim victory, to improve. She can inflict serious damage on an opponent’s heart without remorse as well as sacrifice anything she holds dear without a moment’s hesitation.”

“Are you saying that’s because of her ego? Look at Big Sis. She keeps as much space between herself and everyone else as possible for Shogi–––.”

“She does so on purpose, yes? The fact that she maintains that distance is proof that she doesn’t want to hurt those close to her. Ginko is such a kind girl ……”

Ms. Shakando says Big Sis’s name with affection.

“However, Sainokami is different. That girl never shows a shred of concern for another’s heart. That’s why she can stomp on her dearest friends without any misgivings. She can trample on an opponent’s dignity with a smile on her face and not feel a thing. Other people become her stepping-stones. Therefore, her skill has no ceiling.”

Narcissists get stronger. She’s spot on about that.

Just like how bad people tend to get richer than nice people, it’s common sense that someone who only thinks about themselves would get very strong because all their energy is only going to one place.

However, normal people can’t do that.

As long as there’s a hierarchy of experience and rank, of Masters and apprentices …… as long as there’s friendship and love …… it’s pretty much impossible to ignore what happens to everyone else and only think about yourself because Shogi is a battle between people. When push comes to shove, the fear of destroying relationships makes you pull up on the gas no matter how hard you try.

Which means …… someone able to ignore everything outside of Shogi possesses the ultimate talent ……

“S-She may get really good at Shogi …… But that’s wrong, as a human being ……”

“Precisely. That’s why I call her a monster.”

The Eternal Queen gives a heavy nod.

“Should someone like Sainokami, whose ego has gone beyond what’s socially acceptable, stand at the top, the Shogi world will descend into chaos. That is because the respect at the core of Shogi itself will be deemed worthless. Should that happen, Shogi will become nothing more than a simple game …… and become obsolete overnight.”

Everything she’s said sure sounds convincing.

Pro Shogi players’ social standing is starting to waver because of how far computers have come. If everyone started thinking that might equals right, that could spell the end for professionals and Women’s League players alike.

“Women’s League players are weak,” Ms. Shakando repeats what she said at the beginning. “However, no matter how many strong Women’s League players are born into this world, they’re meaningless if they reject their own heart. Even if there is a small talent gap … no, because there is a talent gap …… the one who stands at the top must make up that deficit with a strong heart.”

Each word comes out stronger than the last. Ayumu, standing next to her, lays his hand on her shoulder.

“I’ve devoted myself to building the Women’s League into what it is today. Even if it disappears altogether, I will never allow a monster like Sainokami to trample my life’s work. However ……,” Ms. Shakando sighs, “I may be able to keep that monster at bay at present, but there will come a day in the near future when I cannot contain her. I must ensure that Ginko is as strong as possible before that day arrives. Therefore–––.”

“Therefore?”

“I plan to claim Ginko’s titles as my own. Women’s League titles amount to nothing more than chains restraining her talent,” she says with a grin before turning toward me with a look of purpose in her eyes. “Or perhaps, I could have you tame the monster for me, young Ryuo. I hear you have apprentices of your own. Why not bring her in alongside them?”

“Th-That’s not funny! Why would I ever–––?!”

“Come now. The monster might go along with such a proposal from the Ryuo …… Yes?”

“………… How much do you know?”

“Hehe …… I happen to chair the Women’s League, remember?”

She …… She knows about that ……?!

I stand there, on high alert, with my mouth open for several moments before Ms. Shakando laughs with a soft, “Heh. Sorry. I couldn’t help having a little fun with this cute little one. Please accept my apology …… Ginko.”

“Huuh?”

She’s apologizing to Big Sis, not me? Why?

My mind racing, I follow the Women’s Legend’s line of sight and see …… Big Sis.

“Hn? Huh? …… What? Big …… Sis?”

But it takes me a few seconds to recognize her.

Because––––––she’s wearing a dress.

Big Sis, dressed in stunningly beautiful clothes, stares right at me as I look over at her and she says, “Die,” while her face turns bright red and her eyes glisten with tears. This is so messed up ……

Probably, she’s so embarrassed she wants to die.

Ribbons and frills everywhere, her skirt is puffy and really short at the same time. That outfit is too cute to be real.

There’s no way anyone other than Big Sis could make it work …… But, there’s no way she would ever wear it in the first place. She’s always hated the thought of wearing a skirt, so …… Why?!

Why is she wearing something this … cute ……?!

While I try and fail to come up with words out of sheer shock, Ms. Shakando says, “You see, Ginko and I are bound by a contract.”

“C-Contract ……?”

“Precisely. I cover all her travel expenses and lodging when she travels to Harajuku. And in return, Ginko models clothes for me …… like this. I get to sit and enjoy tea after Shogi while gazing at Ginko, adorned in dazzling outfits …… I look forward to these moments above all else.”

“………”

Well …… She’s not wrong ……

“Young Ryuo. A girl has adorned herself just for you. That doesn’t happen every day, now does it? Ginko deserves to hear a comment or two, yes? It would be so sad if she did not.”

“Ugh! …… I, this …… isn’t for Yaichi ……”

Big Sis is staring at the floor, mumbling something but nothing’s registering.

My heart is in my throat.

My whole body is burning up.

“Ah, um ……… Y-You look fantastic. Seriously …… Very, cute ……”

“……… Your head on …… on a pike ……!”

Every bit of her snowy white skin turns red, all the way to the tips of her ears. Big Sis has Ayumu pull up a chair for her and takes a seat next to me.

She’s so close …… That’s all it took for my heart to start jackhammering away at my ribs.

This has never happened before ……

“God Cauldron. Would you be a dear and serve Ginko some tea?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Such a good boy ……”

Ms. Shakando lovingly gazes at her precious apprentice. Ayumu meets her eyes with something that looks like a bit more than the respect an apprentice has for their Master.

But my head is so full of Big Sis that I couldn’t care less.

My eyes keep shifting in her direction.

Truly beautiful things don’t let you look away once they have your attention.

“…… Quit staring. P-Perv ……”

“I …… I’m not looking ……”

“……… Idiot ……”

Ms. Shakando watches us bicker back and forth and eagerly joins the conversation.

“Isn’t she just exquisite in that outfit? Oh, yes. My brand is named Schneewittchen. Do you know the meaning?”

“I was wondering about that actually. What does it mean?”

I remember those strange letters on the building when I first came in.

Big Sis said she didn’t know what they meant though ……

“It’s German for Snow White. You could say that my brand is tailored to be Ginko’s private clothing line …… Ahh yes! The first moment I laid eyes on her, I thought a true angel had landed in front of me that day …… I shall create clothing for this girl. I will build my brand for her. It came to me in a flash! And just like possessing a pure objective raises people to a higher plane, having a pure model named Ginko garnered my brand much attention and praise …… Ginko is no less than my angel! She is my muse, my gospel!! Isn’t that so, God Cauldron!”

“Yes, Master. The clothing you create is the epitome of perfection.”

Ms. Shakando looks to the heavens, hugging herself with her hands on her shoulders like she’s in a trance. Ayumu is next to her, looking at his Master like a devoted servant worshiping the very ground she stands on.

Yeah, there’s something strange about these two ……

“Do you remember the contract between Ginko and myself I mentioned earlier? There is another clause.”

“There’s more?”

Big Sis’s face is turning paler by the second next to me. It’s been a busy day, turning red and blue ……

“Precisely. Our agreement includes alternating offense and defense during our Practice Sessions, but who can play their best without an incentive? That’s why we agreed that in the event Ginko wins more matches, I will pull strings to arrange Practice Sessions with other professionals and decorated amateurs for her.”

A bold smile grows on the Eternal Queen’s face.

“And, should I be victorious–––.”

“…… No.”

“I suppose it can’t be helped, wearing shoes like that …… Okay, should we go outside holding hands? You’re fine with it, right?”

“………”

Swish. Big Sis nods her head like a kid.

I reach out and take my adorned big sister apprentice’s hand. She must be nervous because her soft skin is shaking …… and hot.

The contract she signed with Ms. Shakando.

That last clause–––.

“I always make sure your face is hidden while modeling for me, but today …… Ah, yes. Ginko, return to Osaka wearing that outfit. For advertising.”

“Huuuh?!”

“I will have God Cauldron return the school uniform you wore today by mail. Oh yes, yes. I shall prepare an outfit for you as well, Ryuo. That worn-down readymade double-breasted suit would hardly be a match for Ginko.”

“No, don’t mind me!! I’m fine just like this!!”

We practically flew out of Ms. Shakando’s shop on that note, but ……

Big Sis isn’t used to walking in high heels, and I can’t stand watching her tripping over herself. Those clothes aren’t the easiest to move around in either.

For that reason, I’m holding her hand to keep her on her feet.

“It’ll be all right. Harajuku Station is right around the corner, or we could get a taxi all the way to Shinagawa to catch the bullet train and we’ll be in Osaka before you know it. Okay? Please hang in there until then.”

“Okay ……”

She looks really worried, staring at her feet and squeezing my hand like this.

I don’t blame her …… If she falls and hurts her dominant right hand, she’ll never play Shogi at this level again.

You may be thinking, “She could just play with her left,” but Shogi performance is directly connected to your fingertips. In the world of professional Shogi, where players can’t survive without maintaining peak concentration, anything that feels out of place can be fatal. I’m sure of it.

“All right, we’re about to go into the main street. It’s really crowded, so please be careful.”

“Okay ……”

Big Sis nods without protest.

“Holy geeze!”

“So cute!”

“Is she a celebrity?”

“This a promotion or something?”

“Too damn cute ……!”

“She’s not Japanese, is she?”

“Beautiful ……”

This is insane.

What? What’s with all the hubbub?

They couldn’t be …… Nah, it’s got to be …… Because Big Sis is too cute?

Is that really all it takes to draw a crowd? This fast?

“Excuse me! May I please take a picture?!”

That voice broke the dam.

“Where did you buy those clothes?!”

“Is she a model?!”

“Please, tell me your name?!”

“Do you have any social media accounts?!”

One voice after another. It’s one step short of a riot.

“It-It’s for sale in a shop on Brahms Lane called Schn …… Something or other, but it’s there! Oh! They’re closed today though, so please go tomorrow! And no, she’s not a model, so no pictures please! Also, that’s her real hair, not a wig! It’s not for sale anywhere!!”

Questions are flooding in. I step in front of Big Sis, shielding her, and try to world my way through them at the top of my lungs. As a member of the Static Rook party, being worldly isn’t my strong suit but …… This is no time for joking around?!

The one thing I can’t world away are all the people asking for pictures.

Sure, there’re too many requests to handle in the first place, but these people are just ignoring me and taking pics at a distance. I can’t do anything about all the shutter noises going off.

Even worse, “Excuse me! She’s just a normal person, so please stop with the pictures–––.”

“…… I don’t care.”

“How the hell could you not?! I told my apprentices I was going to Practice Session, but I didn’t say I’d be with you! And this is Harajuku?! If this gets out–––.”

“I don’t care!”

Big Sis puffs out her cheeks like an angry little kid and looks the other way. Something must have pissed her off because she’s squeezing the living daylights out of my hand. Owch!

I guess the crowd thought her reaction made her look even cuter because those shutter noises are only getting louder. Sure, I’d like to get a picture of her for myself but …… Please, put those cameras away, I’m begging you!

“…… Yeesh! Whatever happens, don’t blame me?!”

“………”

Big Sis puts all her weight on my arm, using me like a cane as the two of us inch our way down the main street.

It took nearly an hour to get to the station only a quarter-mile away. Why are there so many people ……? This isn't some cosplay photo shoot in Akiharabara, my word ……

The one silver lining in all of this is that no one seems to recognize Big Sis as the Shogi world’s Naniwa’s Snow White.

Then again, it’s only a matter of time before people start matching up these pictures on the Internet …… Better be extra careful for a while ……

“…… What are people going to say once the Association and other players see these pictures ……? They already have the wrong idea about us, and then Ms. Shakando had to go and make us do this? I wish she’d cut it out ……”

“………… Not wrong ……”

“What? Big Sis, did you say something?”

“I said drop dead! Idiot!!”

“Okay then ……”

Here I am doing everything I can to help her out, and she tells me to die …… What am I to her? A slave or something?

“Anyway, catching a train like this isn’t going to happen. I’ll go get a taxi, so wait right—.”

“I’ll fall if you let go, so no.”

“Say what? You just have to stand.”

“I said I can’t!!”

Big Sis tightens her grip and yells at me like some spoiled brat.

It took another hour to get a taxi after that.

“Yeesh~ …… Stared at no matter where you go. Girls with pretty faces sure have it rough ……”

“……”

We finally got a reprieve once we were onboard the bullet train.

Reserved or not, getting a seat in one of the main cars would draw too much of a crowd. So we upgraded to the premium Green Car. And, of course, I’m making sure Ms. Shakando pays for it. We’ve kept up our side of the deal and then some!

Big Sis and I are still holding hands as we settle into the soft seats.

Seriously, it’s impossible to trip sitting in a chair, and back when we were buying tickets I told her, “You can let go now, right? You don’t need to keep holding my hand, do you?” I even loosened my grip to send a message but …… Big Sis wouldn’t have it, looking the other way and squeezing my hand at the same time. So yeah, we’re still like this.

Her hand in mine, Big Sis mumbles under her breath while looking out the window.

“…… We used to go everywhere holding hands, just like this.”

“Now that you mention it, we sure did ……”

Old memories come flooding back.

It was only by two weeks, but she joined Master’s Shogi family tree before me. Since I was the younger brother apprentice, and a boy, I felt it was my duty to lead her around.

The two of us were just kids, little kids who only thought about Shogi at that. We weren’t physically strong at all.

Both of us were crybabies and total wimps on our own.

But …… We could go anywhere, as long as we were together.

Holding hands like this triggered a mysterious fountain of courage. We could take on any strong opponent like this.

We even went straight to a Shogi parlor right in the middle of Kabuki-cho the first time we came to Tokyo and bet all the money we had on a shinken match, if I remember right.

But we didn’t just go to Tokyo. We’d ride old trains all around the country to places rumored to have strong Shogi players, clutching our allowances in one hand and holding hands with the other. That was a daily thing during our summer vacations in elementary school.

And while we were on those trains–––.

“…… 7 Six Pawn.”

“Huh?”

The moment I heard what Big Sis was saying as she watched the trees go by outside the window …… It hit me like déjà vu: the past and present overlapping somehow.

–––Blind Shogi.

That’s right. We held hands and played blind Shogi in those trains.

I’m so happy Big Sis remembers that too. So happy my heart is giving itself a hug in my chest.

So–––.

“8 Four Pawn ……”

I squeeze her hand and rise to meet her blind Shogi challenge.

“2 Six Pawn.”

“3 Four Pawn.”

It’s like bits and pieces of our childhood are coming back.

More and more with each move, slowly …… We played Shogi.

Getting off the bullet train at Shin-Osaka Station, the ride to Osaka, our hands were connected to whole time.

Then–––at Osaka Station.

“…… Well, Big Sis. See you later ……”

“……”

“…… I can’t go home until you let go, you know?”

“…… Not yet ……”

Her hand shivers a little, but Big Sis doesn’t let go.

Then, she says in a quiet voice.

“…… Shogi. It isn’t …… over yet ………”

“…………”

“……… That’s why ……”

My hand in hers is so hot, it’s like it’s on fire.

My body is burning up.

For some reason, I can’t look away from her trembling lips.

If Ai wasn’t living with me, I’m sure we would’ve held hands all the way to my apartment outside Fukushima Station.

But that didn’t happen.

That game of Shogi got cut short–––a tie by default.

Exactly two weeks after the challenge matches, our group rode the bullet train to Tokyo once again.

But things were different from last time–––.

“Yaichi. Open this.”

“Ah, sure.”

Big Sis, sitting next to me, holds out a bottle of water. Her blood pressure is so low that she’s about as strong as tissue paper in the morning. Not only that, she looks five times more ticked off than usual—which is saying something because she always looks angry to me ……

We’ve got a row of three reversed seats.

From the window, it’s Keika, Big Sis, then me.

The two Ais are sitting in the two-seat row across the aisle.

It’s the same group as last time except that Big Sis has taken Akira’s place. I was sure that Akira would come with us and she seemed raring to go.

But, Akira isn’t here.

I asked Ai Yashajin about her when we met up at Shin-Osaka Station and she simply said, “I left Akira behind.”

I got a message from Akira almost immediately afterward: “Tokyo Banana.” She must want me to pick up some of the cream-filled banana-flavored pastries as a souvenir, so I sent her a basic you got it! emoji and left it at that. I’ll buy a box if I remember. I’ll probably forget.

“Here, Big Sis. It’s open.”

“Hnn ……”

Then, in the moment I hand the bottle back to her …… Big Sis’s smooth, delicate, white hand barely brushes up against mine.

“……!!”

Both of us jump back on the spot.

Just the tiniest touch. I’m not sure if our hands made contact at all.

But, just that little bit …… sent a strong jolt all the way to my toes.

“S-Sorry ……”

“It’s …… okay ……”

Bullet train …… Big Sis …… hands …… It’s just like the other day …… To be specific, remembering that Big Sis (too cute) is making my heart race and it’s not slowing down.

Keika, watching the two of us, says, “…… Did something happen between you two?”

“Huh?! D-Did something …… Like what? Nothing happened at all, right Big Sis?”

“………”

Big Sis didn’t answer, just gulped down water. She must have been thirsty because that water is disappearing pretty quick. Practically chugging it.

“Is that so?”

Keika gives me a suspicious glance but doesn’t press any further. Then she looks back down at the book of Shogi standards in her hands. Her match only a few hours away, she’s probably more focused on that.

But I’m not out of the woods yet.

“…………”

Slowly, very slowly, I look across the aisle.

Ai Yashajin is in the aisle seat and has an eye mask on. Looks like she’s asleep.

Ai Hinatsuru is by the window …… Several sheets of paper are spread out over her tray table. She keeps writing things down and erasing them over and over again.

She’s concentrating really hard. I don’t think she noticed what just happened over here.

Normally, Ai’s insanely sharp, prodigy-level awareness would have detected that something happened between me and Big Sis and she’d be over here investigating by now ……

Now that I think about it, Ai has never let me sit next to Big Sis before. She would have insisted on me being next to her in the two-seat row or she’d be sitting right between the two of us here in the three-seat row to break us apart …… Either way, she would have wanted to sit by me.

But she came up to me earlier today and asked, point-blank, “May I sit next to Ai today?” I know it’s because she wants to concentrate on her matches, but still ……

She taps Ai Yashajin’s arm to wake her up but doesn’t realize I’m looking right at her.

“Ai, would you have a look?”

“……”

Despite being woken up, Ai Yashajin doesn’t look irritated at all as she removes her eye mask and glances down to read what Ai Hinatsuru had written on those papers. “…… Looks fine to me,” she says.

Are they going over strategies for today?

Because if they are, they could just ask their Master for advice ……

It’s not like I don’t understand them wanting to win on their own steam. I think that’s wonderful. I’ve got the Ryuo Title Match to prepare for, so I won’t be able to spend as much time with them as I have …… Their desire to be independent should be great news.

I should be welcoming it with open arms …… But I feel left out somehow.

“Looks like it’s going to be a scorcher today …… Much hotter than it was two weeks ago ……”

“You’re complaining because …? It’s an indoor arena, so it doesn’t matter.”

Big Sis completely destroys my thoughtful observation.

“Um …… Big Sis? Please work with me during the commentary today, okay?”

“That’s the plan. I’m practicing right now.”

“……”

Last time I just showed up and got roped into doing a guest spot, but I was formally invited to do commentary this time.

Unlike the challenge matches, the preliminary matches are open to the public and have a live audience.

While Women’s League players are all battling it out in the arena, pros and other Women’s League members provide analysis and commentary in the large venue hall nearby.

The Mynavi Preliminaries have come to be known as the Women’s Shogi Festival because of all the fanfare … and today’s the day.

Since the extremely popular commentator Ms. Rokuroba is participating in the tournament itself, the organizers decided to go for the ace up their sleeve and ask for the Queen titleholder to take her place–––Big Sis.

Big Sis normally wouldn’t even think about accepting this gig, so it must be a sense of duty as titleholder that brought her to Tokyo like this.

“Everyone: win today no matter what! Fight hard!!” Ai says with gusto to Keika and Ai Yashajin, looking back over her shoulder after coming off the bullet train. It’s still early morning, but she’s eager to get started.

The bandanna with the word Victory sewn into it that she had tied around her forehead by the time we got to the bottom of the stairs was all the proof I needed. Maybe she’s psyching herself up, but she looks like a cute grade schooler about to run a relay on Sports Day. My heart’s all soft and fluffy from the adorableness.

Also, Ai’s got a huge backpack strapped to her shoulders, much bigger than the one she had last time.

“So …… What’s in there?” Ai Yashajin asks, the backpack thumping against her as she walks.

“E-he-he, my secret weapon♪ Oh! I almost forgot! Ai, Keika: I made bandannas for you too, so I’ll give them to you now! Everyone in the practice group signed them!”

“Th … thank you, Ai. So, I should …… put this on somewhere when I play?”

“……… What am I supposed to do with this thing ……?”

Keika smiles to be nice, but Ai Yashajin takes a bandanna like it’s some piece of unwanted baggage. Sure, she’s complaining, but kind Lady Ai accepts it anyway.

While all that was going on, we got on the subway at Tokyo station and entered the Palace Side Building just like two weeks ago but–––.

“Wha ……? There weren’t this many people here last time.”

Just as Ai Hinatsuru’s startled voice said this from the front of the group, the building that had been so empty during the challenge matches was now overflowing with people.

“Since the preliminary matches are open to the public, around two hundred fans come to watch every year but …… What’s going on?! There’s got to be five hundred people here?!”

“P-Perhaps they’re Ginko’s fans?”

Keika has a point. Big Sis is probably part of it.

However–––there’s something else drawing in the fans just as much, possibly even more than her.

“It’s them ……!”

–––Chatter!!

The Shogi fans who recognize us swarm in en masse, all speaking at the same time.

“Those two ……”

“Tiny ……”

“S-So adorable ……!!”

Their eyes are all pointing in the same direction–––at Ai and Ai.

But not everyone was talking about them.

“Kuzuryuo, that piece of trash …… Having two grade schoolers that cute all to himself ……”

“One of them is a live-in apprentice too ……”

“Oh, he’s made moves for sure ……”

“Got kissed by that golden loli ……”

“He went too far, taking Snow White. And now this ……”

“Someone just eliminate that pervert already ……”

My apprentices’ popularity has reached dangerous levels, dangerous for me.

“E-Everyone! Let’s hurry on inside! Move, move!!”

Surprised at all the attention, my apprentices are just standing there in front of the crowd. I push them forward from behind and usher Ai and Ai into the arena lobby.

But an even bigger shock was waiting for me.

“T-That’s ……?!”

What caught my eye–––was the customary Mynavi Preliminary Match Private Sponsor board.

Visitors who pay extra money to become sponsors get to sit closer to the boards and also take pictures with participants of their choice after the matches are over. Only Mynavi has this unique system.

The Basic Sponsor level is $100.

The Special Sponsor level is $150.

By the way, Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan was last year’s most sponsored player with nineteen (four Special Sponsors and fifteen Basic Sponsors). Nothing to sneeze at, sure, but–––.

My apprentices got more.

The words blast out of my throat. Why’re two kids this popular!!?

“…… What? Is that a lot?”

“Master? There’s lots of stickers next to my name. What do they mean?”

Ai and Ai don’t understand how the system works. They’re staring at the board, heads tilted in confusion, but the highest number of sponsors anyone gets in any given year caps out at thirty. Three digits is unheard of. That figure may as well be from a different dimension.

“Well, um …… T-These are called Private Sponsors.”

How am I supposed to explain it to them ……?

Knowing how many eyes are watching during their public tournament debut would surely put even more pressure on their shoulders ……

Also, players get prize money for matches where Private Sponsors are involved, like this one. The more sponsors they have, the bigger the prize. Sumo wrestling has the same system. And with numbers like these, they’ll get one heck of a prize if they win. About as much as pros make ……

While I’m busy trying to deal with the shock, Keika comes over to whisper in my ear.

“Think about it, their challenge match records and …… They were on Nico Live too, remember? That’d be enough of a spark for fans.”

“Ah, that makes sense ……”

“Master? What’s a Private Sponsor?” Ai Hinatsuru asks as she tugs at my sleeve. Cute.

“…… Rubbing it in our faces.”

“He’s all in. The Ryuo’s gone all in.”

“Loli King ……”

Owch ……! All the piercing stares and sharp whispers hurt like hell ……!!

“P-Private Sponsors are, well, basically–––.”

“Sponsors don’t give you extra Shogi pieces during your matches, nor do they affect the outcome. Forget them.”

Big Sis steps in to answer for me but doesn’t stop there.

“Participants have their own waiting room, so get going, Yaichi, to the commentator’s hall … now.”

“Huh?! Already?! I haven’t given any masterly words of advice and we haven’t taken any pictures yet–––.”

“Shut up and move.”

Big Sis yanks my ear, pulling me all the way to the other side of the lobby. Owwwch!

“D-Do your beeeeeest ………!” I yell some words of encouragement to my apprentices fading into the distance.

There weren’t any chairs in the commentator’s hall when we got there.

“It’s because the Ryuo and Queen are hosting. We’re expecting more people than the usual yearly turnout, so we made this event standing room only,” a particularly excited staff member explains.

“I have to tell you, Kuzuryu-sensei, you’re an absolute godsend! Thank you so much for raising those two cute apprentices! They’re nothing less than the future of the Women’s League!!”

“It-It’s nothing …… Hahaha.”

I’m public enemy number one for many Shogi fans because of it.

“And by agreeing to do commentary, Sora-Queen accepted our offer–––.”

“Come again? …… How do you mean?”

“Huh? Sora-Queen said she’d only agree to this if you were with her.”

“I did not,” Big Sis says in a murderous tone with a glare that could kill.

“I did not say that …… Right?”

“Ah! N-No! It was a misunderstanding on my part, please forgive meeeee!!”

The staff member bows to Big Sis over and over again, his head a blur.

Then, “P-Please wait in the break room until it’s time to begin!!” With that, he left like he was running for his life.

“Um …… Big Sis? What was that about–––?”

“I said that you’d be acceptable as a commentator because your apprentices are part of the tournament anyway. I’m only here because it’s my duty as a titleholder. Am I missing something?”

“No, nothing.”

“……… Well, thinking of this job as a present from your elder sister apprentice, would be all right ……”

“Present?”

“Come on, Yaichi. Today’s ……”

“Ahh …… Yeah. That’s true.”

Yes, today is a special day for me.

One that only comes around once a year–––a day that I can receive presents.

“Then again, you’ve already gotten better presents from your cute apprentices anyway, right?”

“They haven’t given me anything …… because I never brought it up.”

“So, they don’t know?”

“I wanted them to focus on their matches. I can’t do anything to help, so the least I can do is not be a distraction.”

“…… They’re that important to you?”

“Important …… might not be the right word. Responsibility, maybe? Of course, my apprentices are important but–––.”

Organizing my thoughts out loud, I say what’s on my mind.

“The Ryuo Title Match Qualifiers start in two weeks, and I’ll need to prepare for the challenger right after that. Once the Ryuo Title Match starts before the end of the year, I won’t have any time to spend with my apprentices. That’s why I want to do what I can for them right now at the very least …… I want them to grow … grow enough that they can get stronger on their own.”

I want them to get the kind of strength Ms. Shakando was talking about as soon as possible.

And I want them to know how it feels. I want them to know what it is to be a Women’s League player here at the preliminaries.

“Sorry for droning on like that. But could you keep this between us and not mention it to the Ais? I’d also appreciate it if you didn’t bring it up during the commentary today.”

“Wasn’t planning to from the start.”

“I, uh, I see ……”

“But what a lonely guy you are. Working on a day like today and no one to celebrate with.”

“Ugh ……!”

“Still, think how lonely you’d be if you didn’t have work to do. It’s not like you had anything else to do today, right?”

“Urgh ……!!”

“Be grateful. I’m spending my time with a lonely guy on his special day.”

Big Sis gleefully enjoys tormenting me from the bottom of her heart. Even that smile on her lips is sparkling.

It seemed friendly enough on the surface. Women’s League players were shooting the breeze with people they knew, so much so it was hard to believe their matches were about to begin.

…… However, look a little closer, and it would be possible to recognize that the players were avoiding eye contact with their soon-to-be opponents, as well as anyone they may have to face. All were very much aware of the impending battle but pretended to be oblivious, turning the atmosphere into an unlit powder keg.

Inside that room, the two amateurs making their first appearance, Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin, stood out from the crowd. They received inquisitive glances from time to time, but–––.

“It’s so nice to see you again. How’ve you been?”

One Women’s League player approached them from out of the blue.

Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s League 2-dan.

“Well, aren’t you two the girls of the hour? I was worried you might be getting anxious, what with all this attention. But you don’t have to be.”

With the refined grace of an experienced idol, Tamayo smiled at them and offered kind words.

“All of the spectators here to watch you today aren’t the least bit interested in how you play Shogi, so no pressure.”

Still smiling, she continued.

“Because, think about it. If they wanted to see a good Shogi match, they would watch two Women’s League players play against each other. So, the people who paid all that money to sit closer to your boards don’t care what happens. They just want to see two cute little girls try their best. It doesn’t matter if you lose, or even if you make too many mistakes to count. See?”

“……”

Ai and Ai quietly listened to what the Women’s League 2-dan, a person far outranking them, had to say.

Their reaction satisfied Tamayo Rokuroba.

(They’re scared stiff. Just two brats after all ……)

Her intention was to intimidate the two girls rather than poke fun at them.

(The dark brat is in my block. I might have to go against her in the last round …… Better set the tone while I’ve got the chance.)

Naïve amateurs can become a major problem if they don’t get put in their place.

Therefore, sowing a few negative thoughts in a preemptive strike before the match begins is an effective off-the-board strategy.

Of course, wanting revenge after being ridiculed by Ai Yashajin on Nico Live two weeks prior most certainly motivated her actions–––.

However, Tamayo realized her plan had failed when she heard Ai Yashajin’s next words.

“Who … are you?”

“……!!”

This was no off-the-board counterattack. Ai Yashajin had honestly forgotten who she was.

“A-Ai …… It’s me. The one who did commentary with your Master on Nico Live ……”

“Ohh, that Women’s League player. The one with no late game.”

“D-Don’t say things like that, Ai …… You’re being rude to one of the Women’s League Senseis,” said Ai Hinatsuru, gently tugging at Ai Yashajin’s sleeve with her eyes focused upward on Tamayo.

–––Jolt!

A cold chill raced down Tamayo Rokuroba’s spine.

That’s when she noticed. The elementary school girl looking at her with big, round eyes …… had yet to blink even once.

Not only that, those big eyes had been trained on her like a suspicious spotlight from the moment she came into the room …… Only her.

All people who play Shogi have a blacklist in their hearts.

Opponents who humiliated them in a loss.

Opponents whose style and personality clashed with their own.

Opponents who, for whatever reason, rubbed them the wrong way.

Names on the blacklist are written in blood and become deeply carved into their very being. Anyone who takes Shogi seriously has that list. New names naturally get added to the list as long as they keep fighting.

A simple victory is never enough to satisfy someone when playing against an opponent on their blacklist. They set out to shatter their opponent’s spirit and trample their dignity …… But even if they should succeed, that name will never come off the blacklist. That only happens when one or the other passes away.

Tamayo knew without a shadow of a doubt.

Her name was on Ai Hinatsuru’s blacklist.

(F-Forget the dark brat–––this one is so much more trouble ……!)

Having never experienced such blatant, pure hostility from a little girl before, Tamayo was unsure how to handle it.

(Why …… What did I do to make her hate me this much ……?!)

The thought that her teasing Yaichi on Nico Live was, for Ai, an unforgivable offense punishable by death didn’t even cross her mind.

Oblivious to Tamayo Rokuroba’s quandary, “You’re right. There’s a chance we’ll meet in the last round if things work out that way, so I’ll teach you then. Teach you how much talent you don’t have.”

Ai Yashajin agreed with Ai Hinatsuru’s suggestion before she continued with a but.

“But … since a Women’s League Sensei was gracious enough to give me advice, I’ll give some in return.”

Flipping her hair over her shoulder like a long, black wing, Ai Yashajin said with a smile, “The two of us are the youngest to ever participate in the Mynavi Preliminary Matches … which means that we’re much more talented than you. So there’s no shame in losing to a little girl. Don’t get down on yourself.”

“…… Brat.”

A new name was carved into Tamayo Rokuroba’s blacklist.

That name was–––Ai Yashajin.

“……………”

Keika was in the corner, ringing out her handkerchief with trembling hands. No matter how much sweat she wiped off, her skin wouldn’t dry.

One Women’s League player walked up to her.

“Kei.”

“…… Sen.”

This was the same person she happened to meet at the Shogi Association in Tokyo two weeks ago, her old training partner–––Sen Kouzui Women’s League 3-kyu. Keika, who’d been stiff as a statue due to nerves, relaxed enough to greet her with a faint smile.

Sen, watching the two grade school girls a short distance away, said, “I looked at their challenge match records. There are some real strong kids in Kansai now ……”

“Those two are in a league of their own …… and making my life difficult.”

“Ahaha. Strong kids keep coming out of the woodwork. Must be tough over there.”

“…… Sure is.”

“……”

“……”

There was so much they wanted to say, both had been looking forward to seeing each other at this very spot, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Sen knew that Keika had a B on her Practice League record.

Keika knew that Sen was in the midst of a long losing streak in the Women’s League.

Both knew one more thing.

Keika and Sen were assigned to the same block for today’s preliminary matches. Should both progress through the first round, they would collide in the last.

After a long silence too thick for words, it was Sen who spoke up.

“…… Back when I got Women’s League 3-kyu, when I decided to transfer to Kanto …… everyone in the Practice League sang a song for me. Do you remember?”

“Of course.”

“That song …… I listened to it every day when I got to Tokyo. It was thanks to that sendoff that I’ve kept going for two years …… Kept going without breaking down ……”

With that, Sen started humming one phrase of the song just above a whisper. Keika joined in right away. The muscles in her tense face eased just enough to bring her smile back.

Bridge of Glory.

It was a song from when Keika and Sen were in junior high school.

The younger members of the Practice League berated it, saying, “Who would know such an old song?” and the like. All eventually gave in to Keika’s strong request and practiced it to sing together on Sen’s last day.

Overcome with emotion, Sen had collapsed in tears with a bouquet of flowers in her hands. Keika bawled right along with her. The younger members saw them crying their hearts out and couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment and cry too. It was a long day.

The song tells the story of a young person working hard to achieve their dreams.

Tears flowing. Many sleepless nights.

“I’m not done dreaming,” Sen said once the song was over. “It’s an absurd dream, I know. These past two years have taught me that much and then some …… I’ve thought about quitting Shogi altogether so many times after losses I’ve lost count, but I couldn’t go through with it. That’s why I’m here.”

“…… It’s the same for me,” Keika replied, slowly spreading out her wrinkled handkerchief as she spoke.

Her skin, which had been soaked with sweat, was now bone dry.

“I saw something for the first time when I realized my dream could be coming to an end. A window …… And I refuse to let it close.”

“Kei ……”

Keika’s unwavering determination caught Sen off guard.

“Well …… See you in the last round.”

“Yes. The last round.”

Sen Kouzui and Keika Kiyotaki swore to meet across the board from each other.

Both of them knew.

Knew that—should they both keep their word–––the other’s dream would be broken.

An announcer’s voice echoes through the arena.

“The 11th Mynavi Women’s Open Preliminary Matches are about to begin. It is now time for participants to make their entrance. Please greet them with a warm round of applause!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap–––!!

The arena doors open to a wall of sound as the participants come through, walking in front of the fans and looking very nervous.

–––I watch it all happen on a big screen while standing on stage in the commentator’s room along with Big Sis.

“At last, the participants have arrived!”

“Yes.”

“I’ve got to say, we’ve got quite an audience here in the commentator’s hall, but there are even more people watching in the arena!”

“Yes.”

“…… Um, Big Sis? Would you please take this a little more seriously?”

“I am. Problem?”

Boom! The audience explodes with laughter and applause.

Come on …… Laughing that hard for a simple one-liner comeback? That shouldn’t fly …… The audience is being way too nice to her, and it’ll go to her head ……

My shoulders sink, but I happen to catch a glimpse of my first apprentice as she walks across the screen and my eyes start tearing up.

“A-Ai ……! Y-You’ve grown up so much ……!!”

“…… Kuzuryu-sensei? Are you crying in the middle of our commentary? Would you please take this more seriously?”

“B-B-But, Ai ……! She didn’t know anything about the Shogi world or the Women’s League, but now there she is …… in the Mynavi Preliminaries ……!”

Who wouldn’t cry at a time like this?!

Ai, handkerchief clutched in her hand and big backpack over her shoulders, can’t hide her nerves as she walks toward her board. All the while a huge number of fans are showering her with applause.

But my second apprentice gets even more attention as she lightly steps toward the center of the arena empty-handed. But Ai Yashajin must already be zoned in on the match because her eyes are so sharp I wouldn’t be surprised if they cut through the screen like a blade.

Keika’s there. Ms. Rokuroba and Ms. Kouzui who used to be registered in Kansai walk into the picture too. I know pretty much everyone out there for the first round.

Ai Hinatsuru’s opponent is Asahi Hatatachi Women’s League 1-kyu. Currently a student at the University of Tokyo, she’s a bookworm who started playing in high school and got the Shogi world’s attention with her rapid ascent and astounding intellect.

Ms. Hatatachi arrives at the board first. Ai goes up to her and asks, “E-Excuse me! May I sit on my ankles on top of the chair?!”

“Huh? Oh, sure. Go right ahead.”

“Thank you so much!”

She lowers her head in a quick bow before taking a big cushion in the shape of a cat’s face out of her backpack.

Big Sis says in a cold voice, “…… Kuzuryu-sensei? That thing your apprentice has there. What is it?”

“It-it’s her kitty cushion …… The one she uses at home. It’s Ai’s favorite ……”

That got a big laugh out of the audience in the commentator’s hall.

Ai puts the cushion down on the chair seat and puffs it up with a few whacks.

Then she takes off her tiny shoes and with a cute little umph pulls herself up onto the chair and sits on her ankles.

“T-That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen ……!”

“There’s got to be a law against being that adorable ……”

“Cuteness overload ……”

All the people who were laughing a moment ago instantly fall for my cute apprentice. Great news!

On the other hand, Big Sis’s mood keeps getting worse and worse. Horrible news!

“…… Kuzuryu-sensei? Is your apprentice fooling around? Just what have you been teaching her?”

“No! Th-that’s um …… Ah! It’s her secret weapon!”

“Huh?”

“I think Ai had a hard time in the challenge matches because she was sitting on a chair to play Shogi for the first time. Reaching the corners of the board might’ve been hard for her, as well as trying to concentrate in a new position ……”

That’s probably how she came up with the idea to sit on her ankles on top of the chair.

“Also! Not only does using her favorite cushion add height, she can relax just as if she were playing at home …… Two birds with one stone! Genius, don’t you think?”

“…………”

Ai takes a bottle of water and her favorite cup out of her backpack and lines them up on the table while I am speaking. It’s like she’s playing house.

And lastly, she gently places a paper fan down in front of the board.

That’s–––the one I gave her that says courage in my handwriting.

“……!”

A huge swell of emotion clamps down on my heart, hard.

I’ll do anything I can to help this girl. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.

Unfortunately–––players are on their own once they sit down at a Shogi board.

No one can lend a hand. Players must fight on their own. For now, and forever.

“Piece flip.”

The match recorder lays a white cloth down over the board and the higher-ranking player drops five Pawns down onto it.

Three of them land upside down. Ai has the first move.

With the matches just about to start, the air around all the boards is thick with tension.

Ai Yashajin flicks her long black hair over her shoulder like a black bird spreading a wing.

Keika is looking at the ceiling with her eyes closed, psyching herself up. Her lips are moving a bit too. She might be going over the sequence she prepared one last time.

“The time has come. Please start your matches.”

With that voice, “When you’re ready!!”

The voices of all sixteen preliminary match participants ring out at once.

…… At least, I thought so.

“Wow, one look out into the arena really says a lot. How can I put it ……? Each player’s level of popularity is on display. So many Private Sponsors and Shogi fans have gathered to watch the tournament, but some matches are being completely ignored.”

“It’s like when idol groups do a meet and greet.”

“Well, Ms. Rokuroba pretty much is an idol at this point. A few of her fans are on the screen now …… I don’t mean to brag, but my apprentices seem to be the most popular this year!”

“Being young, unmarried and having a half-decent face is enough to draw a crowd. Shogi skill has nothing to do with it.”

“Oh, ho! You’ll see soon enough! Both of my apprentices are extremely good–––.”

“Wait.”

Big Sis, her eyes on the screen showing the arena, cuts me off in surprise.

“Uh, Yaichi. Aren’t we …… one person short?”

“Now that you mention it …… Yes, one match hasn’t started yet. Huh? Is someone late?”

Whispers spread through the crowd.

“Well, waiting time is deducted in a 3-to-1 ratio should someone be late for their match. Since this tournament allows thirty minutes of waiting time, ten minutes is all they have. Any more than that, and they’ll forfeit.”

I explain the rules to the audience and scan the tournament match ups at the same time.

The one running late is–––Ika Sainokami.

“…… The Empress is late.”

“Forfeiting, that’s too much like Sparky.”

“Think she overslept?”

There’s a real knowing her …… vibe coming from the crowd.

The staff is freaking out, but I’m kind of relieved.

I really didn’t want to see her to begin with, and if she were to clear the first round, her opponent in the last would be–––.

“Ohh? I’m right here~.”

I glance in the direction the voice came from–––it’s her. In the crowd, someone who shouldn’t be there.

“I …… Ika?! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Heard you were doing commentary, Yaichi, and I thought I’d drop by to say hello.”

“Get to your match! You’re in the tournament!!”

The Empress’s unexpected entrance stuns the entire crowd.

Any one of them probably would’ve recognized her right away on any given day, so the only reason she went unnoticed is because no one would’ve ever thought a participant would show up in the commentator’s hall.

“But going in there means I can’t see you, Yaichi. So, I thought I’d get that answer before my match starts.”

“That answer? …… What are you talking about?”

That wasn’t me, but Big Sis who responded. She spit out every single word.

“I wasn’t asking you, pasty hag. Talentless weaklings should keep their mouths shut.”

“…………”

“Oopsie. Did I touch a nerve, Ginko? Take a joke.”

Grin …… The corners of her lips curling, Ika says, “Meh, it’s all good. I’ll just finish my match first. Get your answer ready♡.”

“The matches started five minutes ago. Your waiting time is almost gone.”

“Just leveling the playing field♪ …… Ah, yes yes.”

“Yeah?”

“Tell that cute little apprentice of yours. I can’t wait to have at it the last round …… Would you please?”

With that, Ika spins on her heel, parts the crowd saying, “’Xcuse me, coming through!” and disappears toward the arena.

“………”

Everyone stands and stares at Ika’s shrinking figure as though they’d been struck by lightning.

Everyone that is except for one: Big Sis …… whose eyes are frozen square onto me.

–––––––––Spill every single thing once we’re done. Every last bit.

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

“It-it looks like the Empress made it in time after all! Now then, let’s get back to the matches, shall we? Oh, what’s this? One match has really heated up.”

“…… Shameless.”

(Ignoring that): “The match between amateur Hinatsuru and Hatatachi Women’s 1-kyu’s really intense! Both sides are snapping back and forth!”

That’s the only way to describe it. Neither is using any waiting time, making moves at a furious pace. Snap, snap, snap! It’s a battle of wills.

That’s especially true for Ai, already completely zoned into the board like that.

I could tell right away because, “––––––Here!!”

Snap!!

She takes a swipe at empty air next to the board whenever she puts a piece down.

“…… Just what is that girl doing?”

“Beats me …”

Some people in the crowd tilt their heads, confused. But I know. I knew the first time I saw her do it.

The chess clock.

Even though there’s a match recorder keeping track of time right now, Ai keeps trying to hit a chess clock that doesn’t exist. That’s why she keeps swiping at the side of the board.

Players have to keep track of the time on their own in the Practice League. Forgetting to press the chess clock after your turn makes your waiting time go down the drain, so they all get in the habit of pressing the clock really quickly.

Ai’s force of habit coming out now … proves she’s concentrating as hard as she can.

“This match is moving along very quickly. Let’s review it on the big board.”

On my cue, the image projected on the screen changes to a massive Shogi board.

Starting at the beginning, we go through and analyze every move that’s been made in there so far–––.

Now back to the current move, Big Sis and I take a few seconds to think. Then we make our conclusions.

“Checkmated.”

“…… That’s a checkmate, yeah.”

Right then.

“Master!! I won!!”

My first apprentice bursts into the commentator’s hall, little feet tapping on the floor in a blur with her kitty cushion in her arms. Woah!

“What?! It’s …… already over?!”

“It hasn’t even been thirty minutes yet.”

“Finished before the countdown even started ……?”

“A grade schooler insta-killing a Women’s Leaguer ……?”

The crowd is stunned.

But Big Sis and myself, while a bit surprised, have no trouble calmly accepting what just happened.

Average Women’s League players don’t stand a chance against Ai’s late game. Ms. Hatatachi didn’t know that and stepped in hard to finish the game early with a big, aggressive push–––but had the carpet pulled out from under her.

“…… We have a visitor, the first one to claim victory and qualify for the second and last round of the Mynavi Preliminary Matches, amateur Ai Hinatsuru. Come up onto the stage.”

Ai does what Big Sis asks and timidly climbs the stares to join us.

The crowd is so shocked by what just happened they forgot to clap. A little intimidated by all the staring, Ai comes to a stop next to me.

“Ms. Hatatachi chose to use High Speed   7 Three Silver against your opening Central Rook …… So, you play Ranging Rook as well?”

“Ah, um, yes. Uhh, umm …… Oishi-sensei taught me, at the Gokigen Bathhouse ……,” Ai nervously answers Big Sis’s question.

That sure surprised the crowd.

“Oishi …… The Worldly Maestro?!”

“The Ryuo’s apprentice and the King’s student, eh?”

“Talk about a Kansai All-Star upbringing.”

“No wonder she’s so good ……”

The way the crowd looks at Ai is changing.

Whereas before they were thinking she was some idol in the making with dreams of stardom, now they’re starting to realize she’s got talent and skill.

Puffing out my chest with pride, in my head anyway, I lower my microphone to my waist so my apprentice can speak.

“Your Shogi was enough to take down a strong opponent. Tell us, what was going through your head during the match?”

“Okay! Um, I wanted to win no matter what today so–––.”

“Ohh? Why is that?”

“Ummm …… T-That’s …… well ……”

Ai, squeezing the daylights out of the kitty cushion, starts mumbling.

“It’s …… It’s a secret!!” she yells, her face bright red. That got a round of applause and a big laugh from the crowd.

“A secret? Even from me?”

“Uwhee!? Uh, um …… Sorry! I can’t, say anything yet …… Especially to you, Master ……”

“Really? …… Now I’m kind of sad (haha) ……”

The crowd roars with laughter again.

At the same time, Big Sis–––.

“…… Tsk! …… Tsk!”

Snapping her tongue, she keeps punching me in the kidneys at an angle where the crowd can’t tell. Stop already, do you want me to piss blood and die in a few days?!

“M-Miss Hinatsuru will now go to another room to take pictures with Private Sponsors, so we’ll end the interview right here! Now’s your last chance to sign up!!” I announce to the crowd as I guide Ai toward the staff. Quite a few people in the crowd make a mad dash for the Private Sponsor reception desk. Ai is going to make a small fortune today ……

“Moving on …… Oh, this match looks like it’s about to wrap up. Let’s have a look at amateur Ai Yashajin vs. Suzu Kakkobayashi Women’s League 5-dan.”

A different board shows up on the screen.

“This match features the youngest participant at nine years old against the eldest participant, sixty-seven. It’s been an interesting match. Big Sis, what do you make of it so far?”

“Double Wing? But it became Double Reclining Silver into a Bishop exchange? What Shogi era is this?”

“Yes. This style is a little outdated but …… There are some new sequences in there too.”

“Such as?”

“It looked as though the Pawns in front of the Rooks were waiting for each other during the Bishop Exchange in this match. Ai Yashajin has a great feel for Bishop Exchange, so she guided the flow from Double Wing Attack to something she’s more comfortable with. Very cunning.”

“…… Reminds me of someone.” Big Sis bluntly whispers. Terrifying.

“B- …… Bishop Exchange by itself is difficult because one mistake can ruin everything, but having the Pawns waiting like that makes offensive pushes even more devastating. Let your guard down for a moment and it’s all over …… Oh no. Kakkobayashi-sensei, not there. That was the worst move she could possibly have made.”

The match was decided while I was in the middle of explaining the situation.

As should be expected from a veteran, Suzu Kakkobayashi surrendered with dignity and grace. Ai Yashajin appears in the commentator’s hall moments later.

Big Sis points her microphone at her and says in her polite commentating voice, “Here we have the victor, amateur Ai Yashajin. How does it feel to be the youngest participant here today and the youngest ever to compete in Mynavi Women’s Open?”

“I can hardly believe it.”

Admirable words, but I can tell she’s thinking: Isn’t it obvious?

If I were to press the question further and ask: What can’t you believe? there’s no doubt in my mind she’d say: That someone that weak is still playing in the Women’s League.

It’d be a good idea to change subjects to avoid that dangerous scenario.

“You challenged your opponent to use an older style of Shogi. Wasn’t it a bit scary to try that against a veteran player? She is quite a bit more experienced with it–––.”

“The other way around.”

“Other way?”

“Using outdated strategies against older opponents in classrooms makes them stop and try to remember how it’s done.”

“…… Ohh?”

“So they stare at the board, reliving old memories as they play. It breaks their focus and they can’t read as well. So I wanted to see if it would work on an el- …… on a veteran player too.”

She was about to say elderly wasn’t she ……?

“Then again …… it doesn’t look like that’s going to work against my next opponent,” says Ai, looking far off into the distance.

She’s looking toward the someone standing next to the commentator hall entrance, waiting for her turn to come up to the stage with an idol-like smile on her face … toward Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan.

The instant the staff told us to take a break in the commentary hall, Big Sis pulled me into the break room, shoved me against the wall and started the interrogation. She’s got me pinned … except it’s with her foot rather than her fist ……

“What’s this thing Sainokami was talking about? What answer is she waiting for? I can hardly believe the two of you have ever even seen each other, let alone spoken. She seemed awfully friendly if you ask me.”

“………… I met her playing Shogi online in junior high school ……”

I planned on taking this to the grave with me but …… There’s no fooling Big Sis when she gets like this.

“Here’s someone with an interesting style I remember thinking back then, and we started playing a lot …… At some point we started using the chat feature after matches ……”

“Ohh? So, you were picking up girls in the chat?”

“No! …… I didn’t know who my opponent was and never thought they could possibly be a girl my age. Sure, we were playing on fast speed but they kept up with me when I was in the Sub League with a dan rank, so how could I know ……?”

“And? When did you first meet?”

“…… When I got 4-dan.”

I dig up some memories I was hoping to keep buried forever.

“Ika was already in the Women’s League and moved to Tokyo from the countryside to go to high school. I’d made the decision not to play Shogi on the Internet once I got into the Sub League’s 3-dan division, so I didn’t pick up any bad habits–––.”

Shogi over the Internet feels so much different from playing someone face-to-face on a board.

I guess …… It feels more like a game.

Bad moves don’t really matter because you can simply reset after you die, and manners don’t matter much because you can’t see your opponent’s face.

Having that mindset as a Sub League member or pro in league matches is a pretty common way to end your career. Then there’s the fact that you’ll lose strong training partners if you make it that high up the ladder.

…… It’s just … sometimes playing Shogi over the Internet is the only option–––.

“Ika lived in a small town in Tohoku without any strong opponents at all until she graduated junior high. That’s why she craved matches against me.

“After turning pro in the fall of my last year in junior high, I started living on my own as soon as I graduated.

“Then, once I had Internet in my apartment, I decided to log on to Internet Shogi for the first time in a long time …… and Ika was there.

“I want to meet you.

“That’s when that message came.

“I had a match in Tokyo, so we agreed to meet up at the Association …… She was just as surprised as I was. What were the chances we were both pros … and to think that was Ika Sainokami the whole time ……?”

“…… And?”

Big Sis presses, her voice colder than the Arctic.

“Ika got all excited, saying it was destiny or something but yeah …… We started playing against each other whenever I had a match in Tokyo if our schedules allowed it–––.”

“So you were secretly dating a woman on your business trips, yes?”

“No, no! Versus matches!”

“Where did they happen? These versus matches?”

“Well ……… cafés that had private rooms, karaoke boxes ……”

“That’s what dates are! I oughta shove a pike through your skull?!”

“W-What choice did we have?! The Tokyo Association isn’t like the one in Osaka! They don’t let players have Practice Sessions or versus matches in the building!! And I only met her a few times!!”

“…… And? I know there’s something you’re not telling me.”

“Yes. This is the important part.”

I brace myself and go right to the core.

“Right after I won the Ryuo Title Match, Ika sent me a message that said, Date me–––.”

Wham!!

Big Sis’s low kick catches me square in the knees and I go down like a corn stalk cleaved down by a scythe.

“Hey?! W-Why’d you kick me?!”

“Huuh? I didn’t kick you.”

“You sure did?! Heck, you still are?!”

Wham!! Wham!! Wham!! Big Sis’s foot mercilessly rains down on me as I curl up into a ball on the floor.

“Some girl liked you, so what? You got full of yourself and put the moves on her, didn’t you?”

“I-I said no! There’s nothing between us, absolutely nothing!!”

“But she’s still waiting for an answer, right? Knowing you, you’ve left her hanging, keeping her as a backup until you want her … like some piece on your piece stand.”

“I told her no, I swear! I don’t even play against her anymore!! We’re over, finished!!”

“Oh, so she’s an ex?”

“I’m telling you, she’s not!!”

That’s when.

“Master? Are you in here?”

A knock on the break room door and Ai Hinatsuru’s voice.

“Ai’s photo session is still going on, so she asked me to go get something for lu-ahh ahhhhhh––––––!!”

What she saw when she opened the door–––me on the floor against the wall with Big Sis slamming her foot into my ribs. Ai rushes in to stop the brutality.

“Wh-What’re you doing!? Why’re you hurting Master?!”

“Don’t get in the way. I’m extracting information about his ex-girlfriend.”

“Okay. Let’s hear every detail.”

Ai puts her kitty cushion down on the floor and sits on her ankles on top of it. She’s there for the duration!

Using my arm to protect my head from Big Sis’s heel, I get up just enough to ask my apprentice.

“A-Ai …… How’re the others?”

“Ai’s photo session won’t end any time soon and Keika’s match ended in a draw, so she’s still playing. But that’s not important. Master? Who is your ex-girlfriend? Do I know her? Are you still in contact with her? Does keeping this a secret from Auntie and I mean that you still have feelings for her?”

“C-Calm down! And she’s not my ex-girlfriend!!”

This girl’s relentless?!

“Sainokami,” Big Sis tells Ai while driving the heel of her loafer deep into my side.

“That’s his ex’s name. I’m sure you’ve heard of her.”

“Isn’t she …… who I’m playing next ……?!”

“Apprentice meets ex in the final round, funny how things work out. Which are you rooting for, Yaichi?”

“Listen, she’s not my ex-girlfriend! …… But, yes Ai. She’s your next opponent.”

Ika only had three minutes of waiting time because she was late for the first round, but she won without breaking a sweat.

Her opponent was Kazumi Houroku women’s 3-dan: the same person who overwhelmed Keika in the challenge matches, no pushover.

And Ika treated Houroku women’s 3-dan … like a little kid.

“…… I really don’t think I should tell you about this before your match. But since you’ve heard this much, not knowing the rest would make it hard to concentrate on your match, so I’ll talk–––.”

Then I tell Ai everything I told Big Sis.

Once I was done, Ai said, “Basically …… an ex-girlfriend.”

“Why?! Why is that the only name for her?!”

Big Sis and Ai are usually at each other’s throats, but this part of them is eerily similar.

“It’s not like Ika …… She doesn’t like me at all. She wants a personal Shogi training partner all to herself all so that she can get stronger.”

Extreme egotism. That’s how Ms. Shakando described her.

“I asked her why she wanted to date me. What do you think her answer was? Because I’m good at Shogi … I can play Shogi with you as much as I want if we’re dating. Would you be happy if someone said that?”